How to watch NBA Playoffs: Live stream the 2024 tournament
The NBA Playoffs start on April 20 and will run until the finals in June. We'll show you how to tune in live for every game.
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The 2024 NBA Playoffs tip-off on April 20 and, as usual, the games will air across several networks. We've put together everything you need to know about tuning in to the tournament, including how to watch the NBA playoffs live streams.
The NBA regular season has come to a close and the best teams in the league are squaring off for the ultimate championship. Each of the eight match-ups will play the best of seven games in the first round. The 2024 NBA Finals will start on June 6 and run until at least June 14 (June 23 at the latest).
The Boston Celtics lead the Eastern Conference, while the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder are tied for first in the Western Conference. The Celtics have overall had the best season of the entire league, with a 64-18 record, and are vying for their first championship win since 2008.
If you're not sure how to tune in to the NBA Playoffs without cable, don't worry. Keep reading to learn where to catch every game of the tournament and what time you can expect to see this weekend's games.
How to watch NBA Playoffs in the US
NBA Playoffs games will be spread across ESPN, TNT, ABC, and NBA TV. You'll be able to see various games through Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Max.
Out of all three of these options, the only way you'll be able to watch absolutely every game in one place is with a subscription to Sling TV's Sling Orange and Blue combo plan with the Blue Sports Extra Add-on. The Orange and Blue combination costs $55 a month and has ESPN, TNT, and the potential for ABC coverage. You'll need to double-check Sling's local channels listing to see if you can get an ABC affiliate stream in your area. New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago areas are among the regions where this will work. The Blue Sports Extra Add-on costs $11 a month and will give you access to NBA TV. In total, this will cost you $66 a month.
Hulu + Live TV will get you access to ESPN, TNT, and ABC, but the service doesn't include NBA TV. Subscriptions start at $76.99 a month for ad-supported plans, following a three-day free trial. The bundle also includes ESPN+, Disney+, and Hulu's on-demand catalog.
You can catch the only TNT games through Max. Max subscriptions start at $9.99 a month for ad-supported plans. The live TV option is part of Max's B/R Sports Add-on, which currently comes free with the service but will eventually cost an additional $9.99 a month.
How to watch NBA Playoffs from anywhere
If you're going to be traveling outside the US for any of the games, you can keep up with your subscriptions with a VPN (virtual private network). VPNs temporarily change your electronic device's location so that you can access websites and apps that might not be available while you're traveling in other countries. All of the streaming services we outlined today require US forms of payment, so this suggestion will work best for Americans who are simply out of the country at the moment and trying to access their existing subscriptions.
Interested in learning more? We recommend ExpressVPN, which is easy to use and has a hassle-free, 30-day money-back guarantee. Check out our ExpressVPN review for more details and keep reading to learn how to use a VPN.
How to watch NBA Playoffs with a VPN
- Sign up for a VPN if you don't already have one.
- Install it on the device you plan to watch the game on.
- Turn it on and set it to a US location.
- Sign up for one of the live TV streaming packages with a US form of payment.
- Select the relevant network and enjoy the game.
Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries, and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.