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The 2026 NBA playoffs will begin with a play-in tournament between the Eastern and Western Conference teams ranked 7-10 after the final games of the regular season conclude on April 12. Play-in tournament games will run April 14-17, and the regular playoffs are set to begin April 18. While we can't say with certainty which teams will be in the play-in tournament yet, we do know that every play-in game will stream exclusively on Prime Video.
Here's what you need to know so you won't miss a single game of the 2026 NBA play-in tournament, including the complete schedule and where to stream, plus key dates for the rest of the playoffs.
How to watch the 2026 NBA Play-In Tournament:
Dates: April 14 - 17, 2026
TV channel: n/a
Streaming: Prime Video
When is the 2026 NBA Play-In Tournament?
The NBA playoffs unofficially begin with the play-in tournament from April 14-17. The playoffs then officially get under way on April 18.
How to watch the Play-In Tournament:
The play-in tournament features the teams ranked 7th through 10th in each conference. All games of this year's play-in tournament will be broadcast live on Prime Video from April 14-17, with winners advancing to the first round of the NBA Playoffs starting Saturday, April 18.
What teams are in the 2026 NBA Play-In Tournament?
The teams ranked 7th through 10th in each conference will make it into the play-in tournament; those standings will be decided after the last game of the season on April 12, 2026.
2026 NBA Play-In Tournament Schedule
April 14, 7 p.m.: SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament, Eastern Conference 7/8 (Prime Video)
April 14, 9:30 p.m.: SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament, Eastern Conference 9/10 (Prime Video)
April 15, 7 p.m.: SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament Western Conference 7/8 (Prime Video)
April 15, 9:30 p.m.: SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament Western Conference 9/10 (Prime Video)
April 17, 8 p.m.: East Final Eliminator Game (Prime Video)
April 17, 10:30 p.m.: West Final Eliminator Game (Prime Video)
NBA Playoff schedule:
All times Eastern.
April 14-17: NBA Play-In Tournament
April 18: NBA Playoffs begin
May 4: Conference Semifinals begin (can move up to May 2 or 3)
May 19: Eastern Conference Finals begin on ESPN/ABC (can move up to May 17)
May 20: Western Conference Finals begin on NBC/Peacock (can move up to May 18)
June 3: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 1 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET
June 5: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 2 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET
June 8: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 3 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET
June 10: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 4 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET
June 13: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 5 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET (if necessary)
June 16: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 6 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET (if necessary)
June 19: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 7 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET (if necessary)
