The 2024 NBA Playoffs are underway, and excitement is at an all-time high as teams battle it out in the first round. While favorites typically dominate, this year feels ripe for upsets, with powerhouse teams emerging from the play-in round to challenge the status quo. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the matchups, schedules, and latest updates from the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
When do the NBA Playoffs Begin?
The NBA playoffs kick off on Saturday, April 20th, following the conclusion of the play-in round. Teams that emerge victorious from the play-in games will have less than 48 hours to regroup before diving into the playoff action.
When do the NBA Finals Begin?
Mark your calendars for June 6th as the NBA Finals tip off. The team with the best regular-season record, currently the Boston Celtics, will enjoy home-court advantage throughout the Finals.
NBA Eastern Conference Playoff Bracket:
Boston Celtics (1) vs. Miami Heat (8)
- Game 1: Boston 114, Miami 94 (Celtics lead 1-0)
- Game 2: Miami 111, Boston 101 (Series tied 1-1)
- Game 3: Celtics at Heat, April 27 (6 ET, TNT)
- Game 4: Celtics at Heat, April 29 (TBD, TBD)
- Game 5: Heat at Celtics, May 1 (7:30 ET, TNT)
- Game 6: Celtics at Heat, May 3 (TBD, TBD)*
- Game 7: Heat at Celtics, May 5 (TBD, TBD)*
New York Knicks (2) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (7)
- Game 1: New York 111, Philadelphia 104 (Knicks lead 1-0)
- Game 2: New York 104, Philadelphia 101 (Knicks lead 2-0)
- Game 3: Knicks at 76ers, April 25 (7:30 ET, TNT)
- Game 4: Knicks at 76ers, April 28 (1 ET, ABC)
- Game 5: 76ers at Knicks, April 30 (TBD, TBD)*
- Game 6: Knicks at 76ers; May 2 (TBD, TBD)*
- Game 7: 76ers at Knicks, May 4 (TBD, TNT)*
Milwaukee Bucks (3) vs. Indiana Pacers (6)
- Game 1: Milwaukee 109, Indiana 94 (Bucks lead 1-0)
- Game 2: Indiana 125, Milwaukee 108 (Series tied 1-1)
- Game 3: Bucks at Pacers, April 26 (5:30 ET, ESPN)
- Game 4: Bucks at Pacers, April 28 (7 ET, TNT)
- Game 5: Pacers at Bucks, April 30 (TBD, TBD)
- Game 6: Bucks at Pacers, May 2 (TBD, TBD)*
- Game 7: Pacers at Bucks, May 4 (TBD, TNT)*
Cleveland Cavaliers (4) vs. Orlando Magic (5)
- Game 1: Cleveland 97, Orlando 83 (Cavaliers lead 1-0)
- Game 2: Cleveland 96, Orlando 86 (Cavaliers lead 2-0)
- Game 3: Cavaliers at Magic, April 25 (7 ET, NBA TV)
- Game 4: Cavaliers at Magic, April 27 (1 ET, TNT)
- Game 5: Magic at Cavaliers, April 30 (TBD, TBD)*
- Game 6: Cavaliers at Magic, May 3 (TBD, TBD)*
- Game 7: Magic at Cavaliers, May 5 (TBD, TBD)*
NBA Western Conference Playoff Bracket:
Oklahoma City Thunder (1) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (8)
- Game 1: Oklahoma City 94, New Orleans 92 (Thunder lead 1-0)
- Game 2: Oklahoma City 124, New Orleans 92 (Thunder lead 2-0)
- Game 3: Thunder at Pelicans, April 27 (3:30 ET, TNT)
- Game 4: Thunder at Pelicans, April 29 (TBD, TBD)
- Game 5: Pelicans at Thunder, May 1 (TBD, TBD)*
- Game 6: Thunder at Pelicans, May 3 (TBD, TBD)*
- Game 7: Pelicans at Thunder, May 5 (TBD, TBD)*
Denver Nuggets (2) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (7)
- Game 1: Denver 114, Los Angeles 103 (Nuggets lead 1-0)
- Game 2: Denver 101, Los Angeles 99 (Nuggets lead 2-0)
- Game 3: Nuggets at Lakers, April 25 (10 ET, TNT)
- Game 4: Nuggets at Lakers, April 27 (8:30 ET, ABC)
- Game 5: Lakers at Nuggets, April 29 (TBD, TBD)*
- Game 6: Nuggets at Lakers, May 2 (TBD, TBD)*
- Game 7: Lakers at Nuggets, May 4 (TBD, TNT)*
Minnesota Timberwolves (3) vs. Phoenix Suns (6)
- Game 1: Minnesota 120, Phoenix 95 (Timberwolves lead 1-0)
- Game 2: Minnesota 105, Phoenix 93 (Timberwolves lead 2-0)
- Game 3: Timberwolves at Suns, April 26 (10:30 ET, ESPN)
- Game 4: Timberwolves at Suns, April 28 (9:30 ET, TNT)
- Game 5: Suns at Timberwolves, April 30 (TBD, TBD)*
- Game 6: Timberwolves at Suns, May 2 (TBD, TBD)*
- Game 7: Suns at Timberwolves, May 4 (TBD, TNT)*
LA Clippers (4) vs. Dallas Mavericks (5)
- Game 1: Los Angeles 109, Dallas 97 (Clippers lead 1-0)
- Game 2: Dallas 96, Los Angeles 93 (Series tied 1-1)
- Game 3: Clippers at Mavericks, April 26 (8 ET, ESPN)
- Game 4: Clippers at Mavericks, April 28 (3:30 ET, ABC)
- Game 5: Mavericks at Clippers, May 1 (10 ET, TNT)
- Game 6: Clippers at Mavericks, May 3 (TBD, TBD)*
- Game 7: Mavericks at Clippers, May 5 (TBD, TBD)*
Stay tuned for the latest updates and results as the 2024 NBA Playoffs unfold. With thrilling matchups and potential upsets on the horizon, basketball fans are in for a treat!