The 2022 NBA playoffs livestreams are here, and they are live. And the most recent box scores showed how Philly’s tearing up Toronto (up 2-0 after a 97-112 win), while the Warriors are quite literally dunking on the Nuggets (up 2-0 after a 106-126 win). Only the Dallas Mavericks were able to tie up their series, going 110-104 on the Jazz — powered by guard Jalen Brunson’s career high 41 points.
Up next, we’ll see if the Hawks vs Heat series can be evened, or if No. 1 seed Miami will stifle Trae Young & co. again. Miami made Atlanta look like a JV squad in game 1, winning 115 to 91. Trae Young only managed 8 points in the whole game.
In one of the most exciting games of the playoffs so far, the Celtics edged the Nets out in the most-even No. 2 v s No. 7 series opener we’ve seen in a while. While it was Jayson Tatum who sealed the deal for Boston, winning 114-115 at the TD Garden, he was also crucial on defense, with two blocks and an effort that kept Kevin Durant to 9 out of 23 from the field.
The notoriously controversial Kyrie Irving was booed so badly you’d have thought he was Trae Young at MSG last post-season. And then he actually flipped fans off in the third quarter, en route to a total of 39 points. All eyes will be on the Nets vs Celtics live streams to see if the next games are as exciting.
The beasts of the east in Milwaukee managed to stomp out Chicago 93-86. The Bulls just could not stop Giannis Antetokounmpo (27 points, 16 rebounds).
Out west? Well, Chris Paul scored 19 points in the fourth quarter in the Suns’ game 1 win over the Pelicans. Yes, New Orleans did its best to push for a comeback, but Paul wasn’t going to go down 0-1 when he’s on the No. 1 seed.
Here’s everything you need to know to watch the NBA playoffs online:
How to watch NBA playoffs live streams from anywhere on Earth with a VPN
Having trouble actually getting ESPN or TNT? Even if you can’t watch the NBA playoffs live streams on cable, you’re not out of luck. With a virtual private network, or VPN, you can appear to be surfing the web from your home town (or somewhere that blackouts won’t hit), and access the same streaming services you already paid for.
Not sure which VPN is right for you? We’ve tested many different services and our pick for the best VPN overall is ExpressVPN. It offers superb speeds and excellent customer service. But you’ve got other VPN options as well. Here are our top picks.
NBA playoffs live streams in the U.S.
The NBA playoffs live streams are going to be on ABC, ESPN, TNT, ESPN3 and NBA TV. The full schedule of first round games can be found below.
If you’ve already cut the cord and don’t have a cable package? With the right pick from our best cable TV alternatives, you’ll be able to watch all of these games. But for as much as we like FuboTV, it fails here without TNT, a must have for NBA fanatics.
Instead, you should get Sling TV, one of the best streaming services. ESPN and TNT are both included in the Sling Orange package, which costs $35, which is pretty low for live TV services (and the lowest rate for one with ESPN). Sling is a perfect place to watch all of the NBA playoffs, as ABC games will simulcast on ESPN3. Sling Orange gets you TNT, ESPN, ESPN3, and its Sports Extra pack gets you NBA TV.
You could also pull down ABC with one of the best TV antennas.
NBA playoffs schedule
All times below are in ET.
* = If necessary
Eastern Conference:
Miami vs Atlanta (Heat up 1-0)
- Game 1: Miami 115, Atlanta 91
- Game 2: April 19 @ 7:30 p.m. on TNT
- Game 3: April 22 @ 7 p.m. on ESPN
- Game 4: April 24 @ 7 p.m. on TNT
- Game 5*: April 26 (details TBA)
- Game 6*: April 28 (details TBA)
- Game 7*: April 30 (time TBA) on TNT
Boston vs Brooklyn (Celtics up 1-0)
- Game 1: Boston 115, Brooklyn 114
- Game 2: April 20 @ 7 p.m. on TNT
- Game 3: April 23 @ 7:30 p.m. on ESPN
- Game 4: April 25 (details TBA)
- Game 5*: April 27 (details TBA)
- Game 6*: April 29 (details TBA)
- Game 7*: May 1 (details TBA)
Milwaukee vs Chicago (Bucks up 1-0)
- Game 1: Milwaukee 93, Chicago 86
- Game 2: April 20 @ 9:30 p.m. on TNT
- Game 3: April 22 @ 8:30 p.m. on ABC/ESPN3
- Game 4: April 24 @ 1 p.m. on ABC/ESPN3
- Game 5*: April 27 (details TBA)
- Game 6*: April 29 (details TBA)
- Game 7*: May 1 (details TBA)
Philadelphia vs Toronto (76ers up 1-0)
- Game 1: Philadelphia 131, Toronto 111
- Game 2: Philadelphia 112, Toronto 97
- Game 3: April 20 @ 8 p.m. on NBA TV
- Game 4: April 23 @ 2 p.m. on TNT
- Game 5*: April 25 (details TBA)
- Game 6*: April 28 (details TBA)
- Game 7*: April 30 (time TBA) on TNT
Western Conference:
Phoenix vs New Orleans (Suns up 1-0)
- Game 1: Phoenix 110, New Orleans 99
- Game 2: April 19 @ 10 p.m. on TNT
- Game 3: April 22 @ 9:30 p.m. on ESPN
- Game 4: April 24 @ 9:30 p.m. on TNT
- Game 5*: April 26 (details TBA)
- Game 6*: April 28 (details TBA)
- Game 7*: April 30 (time TBA) on TNT
Memphis vs Minnesota (Grizzlies up 1-0)
- Game 1: Minnesota 130, Memphis 117
- Game 2: April 19 @ 8:30 p.m. on NBA TV
- Game 3: April 21 @ 7:30 p.m. on TNT
- Game 4: April 23 @ 10 p.m. on ESPN
- Game 5*: April 26 (details TBA)
- Game 6*: April 29 (details TBA)
- Game 7*: May 1 (details TBA)
Golden State vs Denver (Warriors up 1-0)
- Game 1: Golden State 123, Denver 107
- Game 2: Golden State 126, Denver 106
- Game 3: April 21 @ 10 p.m. on TNT
- Game 4: April 24 @ 3:30 p.m. on ABC/ESPN3
- Game 5*: April 25 (details TBA)
- Game 6*: April 28 (details TBA)
- Game 7*: April 30 (time TBA) on TNT
Dallas vs Utah (Jazz up 1-0)
- Game 1: Utah 99, Dallas 93
- Game 2: Dallas 110, Utah 104
- Game 3: April 21 @ 9 p.m. on NBA TV
- Game 4: April 23 @ 4:30 p.m. on TNT
- Game 5*: April 25 (details TBA)
- Game 6*: April 28 (details TBA)
- Game 7*: April 30 (time TBA) on TNT
NBA playoff live streams in the UK
British basketball fans’ luck on Sky Sports is … mixed. Not all of the NBA playoffs will be available. Currently, Sky is listing game 1s for Utah @ Dallas (April 16 @ 6 p.m. BST), Minnesota @ Memphis (April 16 @ 8:30 p.m. BST), Brooklyn @ Boston (April 17 @ 8:30 p.m. BST) and Chicago @ Milwaukee (April 17 @ 11 p.m. BST).
Want to watch every game live? You may need a little help from a service such as ExpressVPN.
NBA playoffs live streams in Canada
Hoops fans in Canada can catch some (but apparently not all) of the NBA playoff live streams. Some will air on TSN and other on SportsNet.
We’ve got the first three days of scheduled airings below.
NBA League Pass is also available in Canada.
All times below ET
Saturday, April 16
- 1 p.m.: Jazz vs. Mavericks Game #1 (TSN1)
- 3:30 p.m.: Timberwolves vs. Grizzlies Game #1 (TSN1)
- 6 p.m.: Raptors vs. 76ers Game #1 (TSN1)
- 8:30 p.m.: Nuggets vs. Warriors Game #1 (TSN1)
Sunday, April 17
- 3:30 p.m.: Nets vs. Celtics Game #1 (TSN4)
- 6:30 p.m.: Chicago @ Milwaukee Game #1 (SN/SN360)
Monday, April 18
- 7:30 p.m.: Raptors vs. 76ers Game #2 (TSN3)
- 10:30 p.m.: Nuggets vs. Warriors – Game #2 (TSN4)
NBA playoff live streams in Australia
It appears that (as was the case in previous years) Kayo Sports is your best bet for NBA basketball. Kayo should have the ESPN-hosted NBA playoff games, so go by the above lists and add 14 hours to convert ET to AEDT.
Kayo offers a 14-day free trial for both its Basic and Premium plans, more than enough time to confirm they’re actually showing the games. The Basic package costs $25 per month thereafter.
The $35 per month Premium Kayo plan gives you all the same things as the normal plan, but it offers three simultaneous streams. The Basic plan gives you two streams at the same time.
Want to watch every game (those pesky non-ESPN games, too) live? You may need a little help from a service such as ExpressVPN.