How to Watch 2024 NBA Playoffs: Livestream Without Cable
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Quick Answer: The best way to watch the NBA playoffs online is with DirecTV Stream Choice. Get a five-day free trial here.
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The 2024 NBA playoffs are here.
As always, this year’s playoffs see 16 teams battling it out for the Larry O’Brien Trophy. The Play-In Tournament saw the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, New Orleans Pelicans, and Los Angeles Lakers all clinch a spot in the playoffs.
If you’re looking to watch the NBA playoffs live this year, read on. Below is a full guide on how to stream the NBA playoffs online, including an easy way to watch NBA playoff games for free online.
How to Watch the 2024 NBA Playoffs Online Without Cable
NBA playoff coverage is split between ABC, ESPN, NBA TV, and TNT this year. ESPN and TNT are covering the play-in tournament.
However, for those of us without cable, it’s still quite easy to stream the NBA playoffs online. Below are some of the best streaming services that you can use to watch the NBA playoffs online in 2024.
Stream the NBA Playoffs on DirecTV Stream
As one of the only streaming services that carries NBA TV, ABC, ESPN, and TNT, DirecTV Stream is our top choice for watching the 2024 NBA playoffs. Best of all, DirecTV Stream packages all start with a five-day free trial. You’ll want the Choice package to get all the NBA playoff channels, which costs $98.99 for the first three months after the free trial, and then $108.99 a month after that.
DirecTV Stream
DirecTV Stream is one of the most comprehensive live TV streaming services with up to 160+ channels, including local channels, regional sports networks, and all popular national channels. Packages start at $79.99 a month and all subscriptions start with a five-day free trial.
Stream the NBA Playoffs on Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV carries ABC, ESPN, and TNT, making it another great option for watching NBA playoff games without cable. But, in addition to 95+ live TV channels, Hulu + Live TV also delivers free subscriptions to ESPN+, Disney+, and Hulu (on-demand), making it one of the best bundle deals in streaming at $76.99 a month. Plus, you get a three-day free trial to start.
Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV bundles together Hulu’s on-demand library and over 95 live TV channels, including local channels and almost all popular national channels. Subscriptions also include ESPN+ and Disney+ at no additional cost. Hulu + Live TV costs $76.99 a month after a three-day free trial.
Stream the NBA Playoffs on fubo
Another great way to watch the 2024 NBA playoffs online is fubo. The streaming service’s Pro package delivers over 100 channels, including ESPN and ABC (in most regions), and you can get access to NBA TV with fubo’s Sports Plus add-on. The fubo Pro plan costs $79.99 a month, and the Sports Plus plan costs an additional $11 a month. However, you get a seven-day free trial before paying.
fubo
fubo’s massive streaming plans carry up to 275+ channels, and you can get even more depending on your location. Packages start at $79.99 a month, and you get seven days to try the service for free.
Stream the NBA Playoffs on Sling
For a slightly more affordable live TV streaming service, turn to Sling. You can get TNT and ESPN in its Orange package, which costs just $40 a month. For $11 more a month, you can also get NBA TV through the Sling Sports Extra add-on.
Sling
Sling is one of the most affordable live TV streaming services, with packages starting at $40 a month. You can get up to 46 channels in the Sling Orange + Blue plan, plus more with Sling’s add-ons.
Stream NBA Playoffs on Max + B/R Sports
This year, NBA playoff games shown on the TNT family of networks will also be simulcast on Max’s B/R Sports add-on. This add-on costs just $9.99 a month, on top of whatever you’re paying for Max, making it a very affordable way to watch a good portion of the 2024 NBA playoffs.
Max
Max (formerly HBO Max) delivers a deep on-demand library of blockbuster movies and exclusive series. Subscriptions range from $9.99 a month to $19.99 a month. You can also get live sports coverage with Max’s new B/R Sports add-on for an additional $9.99 a month.
Can You Get NBA Playoffs Streams for Free?
If you’re looking to watch the NBA playoffs for free, you’re in luck. Thanks to the free trials offered by DirecTV Stream, fubo, and Hulu + Live TV, you can watch several games without paying. Use DirecTV Stream’s five-day free trial here, fubo’s seven-day free trial here, and Hulu + Live TV’s three-day trial here — just remember to cancel the trial before it ends to avoid any charges.
2024 NBA Playoffs Schedule, Game Times
The 2024 NBA playoffs kicked off on April 20, and run through the Finals, which start on June 6. We’re now in the first round of play. Here are schedules for upcoming games and stages of this year’s playoffs (times in ET):
NBA Playoffs Game Schedule: April 26-29
Friday, April 26
Bucks vs. Pacers Game 3 — 5:30 p.m. on ESPN
Clippers vs. Mavericks Game 3 — 8 p.m. on ESPN
Timberwolves vs. Suns Game 3 — 10:30 p.m. on ESPN
Saturday, April 27
Cavaliers vs. Magic Game 4 — 1 p.m. on TNT
Thunder vs. Pelicans Game 3 — 3:30 p.m. on TNT
Celtics vs. Heat Game 3 — 6 p.m. on TNT
Nuggets vs. Lakers Game 4 — 8:30 p.m. on ABC
Sunday, April 28
Knicks vs. 76ers Game 4 — 1 p.m. on ABC
Clippers vs. Mavericks Game 4 — 3:30 p.m. on ABC
Bucks vs. Pacers Game 4 — 7 p.m. on TNT
Timberwolves vs. Suns Game 4 — 9:30 p.m. on TNT
Monday, April 29
Thunder vs. Pelicans Game 4 — TBD
Celtics vs. Heat Game 4 — TBD
Lakers vs. Nuggets Game 5 — 10 p.m. on TNT
2024 NBA Playoffs Schedule
April 20-21: First round starts
May 4-7: Second round starts
May 19-22: Conference Finals start
June 6: NBA Finals Game 1
June 23: NBA Finals Game 7 (if necessary)
2024 NBA Playoffs Bracket
Below is the full bracket for the 2024 NBA Playoffs. The Boston Celtics and the Oklahoma City Thunder earned the No. 1 seeds in their respective conferences, which means they’ll be playing the No. 8 Miami Heat and New Orleans Pelicans.
Eastern Conference
No. 1 Boston Celtics vs. No. 8 Miami Heat
No. 2 New York Knicks vs. No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers
No. 3 Milwaukee Bucks vs. No. 6 Indiana Pacers
No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 5 Orlando Magic
Western Conference
No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 8 New Orleans Pelicans
No. 2 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 7 Los Angeles Lakers
No. 3 Minnesota Timberwolves vs. No. 6 Phoenix Suns
No. 4 Los Angeles Clippers vs. No. 5 Dallas Mavericks
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