After an eventful 82-game season, the NBA postseason is here once again. In 2023, there is plenty of potential for some instant classics.
For the third straight year, the postseason will begin with this iteration of the NBA’s Play-In Tournament, which will decide the seventh and eighth seeds in each conference. One day after the tournament concludes, the NBA Playoffs begin as 16 teams will vie for the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Beginning with the Play-In Tournament, the postseason is sure to provide plenty of entertainment. In each conference, there are a number of must-see matchups, beginning with a few heavyweight battles in the opening round.
The Sporting News has you covered with everything you need to know in order to tune into the 2023 NBA Playoffs.
SERIES PREVIEWS: 76ers vs. Nets | Cavaliers vs. Knicks
How to watch the NBA Playoffs
- TV: ABC, ESPN, TNT, NBA TV
- Stream: Sling TV
Games in the 2023 NBA Playoffs will air on ABC, ESPN, TNT and NBA TV. During the first round and conference semifinals, select games will air on each of the aforementioned networks.
The 2023 Eastern Conference Finals will air exclusively on TNT while this year’s Western Conference Finals will air on ESPN. Each game of the 2023 NBA Finals will air exclusively on ABC.
Fans in the U.S. can watch postseason games from the NBA Play-In Tournament through the NBA Finals on Sling TV, which is now offering HALF OFF your first month! Stream Sling Orange for $20 in your first month to catch all the games on TNT, ESPN & ABC. For games on NBA TV, subscribe to Sling Orange & Sports Extra for $27.50 in your first month. Local regional blackout restrictions apply.
SIGN UP FOR SLING: English | Spanish
How the NBA Play-In Tournament works
The top six teams in each conference at the end of the regular season earn a guaranteed spot in the NBA Playoffs. The teams that finish Nos. 7 through No. 10 will enter the Play-In Tournament to determine the Nos. 7 and 8 seeds.
Each conference’s Nos. 7 and 8 teams will face off in the first round of the Play-In Tournament. The winner will earn the No. 7 seed while the loser will have one more opportunity to make the playoffs.
Each conference’s Nos. 9 and 10 teams will then play against each other, with the winner advancing to play the loser of the No. 7-vs.-No. 8 game. The loser will be eliminated from playoff contention.
The loser of the No. 7-vs.-No. 8 game and the winner of the No. 9-vs.-No. 10 will meet. The winner will earn the No. 8 seed. The loser will be eliminated.
MORE: Heat vs. Hawks Play-In Tournament preview
When does the NBA Play-In Tournament start?
- Play-In Tournament: April 11-14
- NBA Playoffs: April 15
After the 2022-23 NBA regular season ended on April 9, the 2023 NBA Play-In Tournament begins on Tuesday, April 11. The first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs will begin four days later on Saturday, April 15.
THE BRACKET IS SET 🍿 pic.twitter.com/j7Dn0yxXyy
— NBA (@NBA) April 9, 2023
NBA Play-In Tournament matchups 2023
Eastern Conference
(7) Heat vs. (8) Hawks
(9) Raptors vs. (10) Bulls
Western Conference
(7) Lakers vs. (8) Timberwolves
(9) Pelicans vs. (10) Thunder
NBA Play-In Tournament schedule
Tuesday, April 11
| Matchup | Time (ET) | TV channel (US) | TV channel (CA) | |
| Game 1 | Hawks vs. Heat | 7:30 p.m. | TNT | TSN |
| Game 2 | Timberwolves vs. Lakers | 10 p.m. | TNT | SN 360 |
Wednesday, April 12
| Matchup | Time (ET) | TV channel (US) | TV channel (CA) | |
| Game 3 | Bulls vs. Raptors | 7 p.m. | ESPN | TBD |
| Game 4 | Thunder vs Pelicans | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN | TBD |
Friday, April 14
| Matchup | Time (ET) | TV channel (US) | TV channel (CA) | |
| Game 5 | Winner of Game 3 vs. Loser of Game 1 | 7/7:30 p.m. | TNT | TSN |
| Game 6 | Winner of Game 4 vs. Loser of Game 2 | 9:30/10 p.m. | ESPN | TSN |
NBA Playoff matchups 2023
Eastern Conference
(1) Bucks vs. (8) Play-In winner
(2) Celtics vs. (7) Play-In winner
(3) 76ers vs. (6) Nets
(4) Cavaliers vs. (5) Knicks
Western Conference
(1) Nuggets vs. (8) Play-In winner
(2) Grizzlies vs. (7) Play-In winner
(3) Kings vs. (6) Warriors
(4) Suns vs. (5) Clippers
NBA Playoff schedule 2023: First round
The NBA has released the partial schedule for the first weekend of the 2023 NBA Playoffs. The schedule for Saturday, April 15 is set while the schedule for Sunday, April 16 has yet to be determined.
Check back for updates on the full weekend schedule as well as the schedule for the entirety of the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
(All times Eastern)
Saturday, April 15
| Game | Time | National TV (US) | National TV (CA) |
| Nets vs. 76ers (Game 1) | 1 p.m. | ESPN | TSN 1/5 |
| No. 7 seed vs. Celtics (Game 1) | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN | TSN 1/5 |
| Knicks vs. Cavaliers (Game 1) | 6 p.m. | ESPN | TBD |
| Warriors vs. Kings (Game 1) | 8:30 p.m. | ABC | TBD |
Sunday, April 16
| Game | Time | National TV (US) | National TV (CA) |
| No. 8 seed vs. Bucks (Game 1) | TBD | TBD | TSN 5 |
| No. 8 seed vs. Nuggets (Game 1) | TBD | TBD | TSN 5 |
| No. 7 seed vs. Grizzlies (Game 1) | TBD | TBD | TSN 5 |
| Clippers vs. Suns (Game 1) | TBD | TBD | TSN 5 |