How to Stream the 2026 NBA Playoffs Live on Sling TV: Channel Guide & Schedule

With the regular season finished, here is your complete guide on how to stream the 2026 NBA Playoffs live with Sling, including full schedules, channels, and odds.

After grinding out the 82-game regular season, the 2026 NBA Playoffs have arrived. Will MVP favorite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder become the first back-to-back Champions in nearly a decade? Can Victor Wembanyama lead the San Antonio Spurs to the franchise’s sixth title? Or will a different contender lift the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy?

With all of the NBA’s new broadcast partners, your most pressing question might simply be, “How do I even watch the games?” Fear not, curious hoops fan: here is everything you need to know about streaming the NBA Playoffs and how to catch the most games with Sling.

The short answer? Sling Essentials has all of the ESPN games at the lowest price on the market, plus kids channels movies and more. Subscribe to Sling Essentials to watch NBA Playoff games on ESPN.

Games on NBC and ABC are available in designated markets with a subscription to Sling Select or Sling Blue. Use the table below to check which channels are available with Sling in your area.

If you live in any of the markets listed above, Sling Essentials + Select is your absolute best bet to get games on ESPN, and ABC and/or NBC for the best price. Use the link below to Sling Essentials + Select!

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NBA Playoff Broadcasters and Channel Breakdown

https://youtu.be/mWHslXIBPe8?si=U2L6tUfxVD5zNVj5

Following the 2026 NBA Play-In Tournament, which will air exclusively on Amazon Prime Video, the first two rounds of the NBA Playoffs will be split among the NBA’s 2026 broadcast partners: ESPN, NBC, ABC, Amazon Prime Video, and Peacock. (Note: Prime Video and Peacock games require a separate subscription).

• Any game on ESPN is on Sling. Watch with Sling Essentials (our new plan for ESPN & more at the lowest price on the market), Sling Orange, or Sling Orange + Blue. You can also watch with a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass subscription.
• In Chicago, LA, New York, the Bay Area, and Philly, NBC & ABC are BOTH included with Sling Select or Sling Blue.
  • If you live in these areas, Sling Essentials & Select will get you all the NBA Playoff games Sling has to offer.
• Games on Amazon Prime or Peacock require a separate subscription.

Key 2026 NBA Playoff Dates & Channels

• First Round & Conference Semifinals: Games are split among ABC, ESPN, NBC/Peacock, and Prime Video. The First Round begins on Saturday, April 18.
• Eastern Conference Finals: Airing exclusively on ESPN.
• Western Conference Finals: Airing exclusively on NBC.
• 2026 NBA Finals: Airing exclusively on ABC. Game 1 tips off on June 3 at 8:30 p.m. ET.

What Are the 2026 NBA Playoff Conference Semifinal Matchups?

Eastern Conference

https://youtu.be/KWswuAmHihk?si=Msyl7tipR2GOFBKS

#1 Detroit Pistons vs. #4 Cleveland Cavaliers

• Game 1: Cleveland 101, Detroit 111
• Game 2: Cleveland 97, Detroit 107
• Game 3: Detroit at Cleveland – Saturday, May 9 (3 ET, NBC)
• Game 4: Detroit at Cleveland – Monday, May 11 (8 ET, NBC)
• Game 5: Cleveland at Detroit – Wednesday, May 13 (If necessary)
• Game 6: Detroit at Cleveland – Friday, May 15 (If necessary)
• Game 7: Cleveland at Detroit – Sunday, May 17 (If necessary)

#2 New York Knicks vs. #7 Philadelphia 76ers

• Game 1: Philadelphia 98, New York 137
• Game 2: Philadelphia 102, New York 108
• Game 3: New York at Philadelphia – Friday May 8 (7 ET, Prime Video)*
• Game 4: New York at Philadelphia – Sunday May 10 (3:30 ET, ABC)
• Game 5: Philadelphia at New York – Tuesday May 12 (If necessary)
• Game 6: New York at Philadelphia – Thursday May 14 (If necessary)
• Game 7: Philadelphia at New York – Sunday May 17 (If necessary)

*Not available with Sling

Western Conference

https://youtu.be/C6goBlqOdzI?si=fqW0270vgpgBVvrt

#1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. #4 Los Angeles Lakers

• Game 1: Los Angeles 90, Oklahoma City 108
• Game 2: Los Angeles 107, Oklahoma City 125
• Game 3: Oklahoma City at Los Angeles – Saturday May 9 (8:30 ET, ABC)
• Game 4: Oklahoma City at Los Angeles – Monday May 11 (10:30 ET, Prime Video)*
• Game 5: Los Angeles at Oklahoma City – Wednesday May 13 (If necessary)
• Game 6: Oklahoma City at Los Angeles – Saturday May 16 (If necessary)
• Game 7: Los Angeles at Oklahoma City – Monday May 18 (If necessary)

#2 San Antonio Spurs vs. #6 Minnesota Timberwolves

• Game 1: Minnesota 104, San Antonio 102
• Game 2: Minnesota 95, San Antonio 133
• Game 3: San Antonio at Minnesota – Friday May 8 (9:30 ET, Prime Video)*
• Game 4: San Antonio at Minnesota – Sunday May 10 (7:30 ET, NBC)
• Game 5: Minnesota at San Antonio – Tuesday May 12 (If necessary)
• Game 6: San Antonio at Minnesota – Friday May 15 (If necessary)
• Game 7: Minnesota at San Antonio – Sunday May 17 (If necessary)

*Not available with Sling

What Were the 2026 NBA Playoff First Round Results?

Eastern Conference

https://youtu.be/SAdcCz9-qzo?si=DNg-nNeG13i5JC_i

#1 Detroit Pistons vs. #8 Orlando Magic

• Game 1: Orlando 112, Detroit 101
• Game 2: Orlando 83, Detroit 98
• Game 3: Detroit 105, Orlando 113
• Game 4: Detroit 88, Orlando 94
• Game 5: Orlando 109, Detroit 116
• Game 6: Detroit 93, Orlando 79
• Game 7: Orlando 94, Detroit 116

Detroit wins 4-3

#2 Boston Celtics vs. #7 Philadelphia 76ers

• Game 1: Philadelphia 91, Boston 123
• Game 2: Philadelphia 111, Boston 97
• Game 3: Boston 108, Philadelphia 100
• Game 4: Boston 128, Philadelphia 96
• Game 5: Philadelphia 113, Boston 97
• Game 6: Boston 93, Philadelphia 106
• Game 7: Philadelphia 109, Boston 100

Philadelphia wins 4-3

#3 New York Knicks vs. #6 Atlanta Hawks

• Game 1: Atlanta 102, New York 113
• Game 2: Atlanta 107, New York 106
• Game 3: New York 108, Atlanta 109
• Game 4: New York 114, Atlanta 98
• Game 5: Atlanta 97, New York 126
• Game 6: New York 140, Atlanta 89

New York wins 4-2

#4 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. #5 Toronto Raptors

• Game 1: Toronto 113, Cleveland 126
• Game 2: Toronto 105, Cleveland 115
• Game 3: Cleveland 104, Toronto 126
• Game 4: Cleveland 89, Toronto 93
• Game 5: Toronto 120, Cleveland 125
• Game 6: Cleveland 110, Toronto 112
• Game 7: Toronto 102, Cleveland 114

Cleveland wins 4-3

Western Conference

#1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. #8 Phoenix Suns

• Game 1 : Phoenix 84, Oklahoma City 119
• Game 2 : Phoenix 107, Oklahoma City 120
• Game 3 : Oklahoma City 121, Phoenix 109
• Game 4: Oklahoma City 131, Phoenix 122

OKC wins 4-0

#2 San Antonio Spurs vs. #7 Portland Trail Blazers

• Game 1 : Portland 98, San Antonio 111
• Game 2 : Portland 106, San Antonio 103
• Game 3 : San Antonio 120, Portland 108
• Game 4 : San Antonio 114, Portland 93
• Game 5: Portland 95, San Antonio 114

San Antonio wins 4-1

#3 Denver Nuggets vs. #6 Minnesota Timberwolves

• Game 1 : Minnesota 105, Denver 116
• Game 2 : Minnesota 119, Denver 114
• Game 3 : Denver 96, Minnesota 113
• Game 4 : Denver 96, Minnesota 112
• Game 5: Minnesota 113, Denver 125
• Game 6: Denver 98, Minnesota 110

Minnesota wins 4-2

#4 Los Angeles Lakers vs. #5 Houston Rockets

• Game 1 : Houston 98, Los Angeles 107
• Game 2 : Houston 94, Los Angeles 101
• Game 3 : Los Angeles 112, Houston 108 (OT)
• Game 4 : Los Angeles 96, Houston 116
• Game 5: Houston 99, Los Angeles 93
• Game 6: Los Angeles 98, Houston 78

Los Angeles wins 4-2

Who Has the Best Odds to Win the NBA Finals?

According to DraftKings, the Oklahoma City Thunder have the best odds of winning the NBA Championship, at +110. The San Antonio Spurs are next with +500 odds, followed by the Boston Celtics (+550), Denver Nuggets (+950), Cleveland Cavaliers (+1600), New York Knicks (+1800), Detroit Pistons (+2200), and Houston Rockets (+6600). The remaining field is a +9000 or more longshot.

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2026 NBA Playoffs on Sling

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