2023 NBA playoffs preview: Full schedule and how to watch live

The 2022-23 NBA regular season has come to a close, and while there is still the monumental issue of the Play-In tournament to be resolved, we are just days away from the start of the biggest professional basketball tournament in the world: the NBA playoffs.

Here's everything you need to know about the 2023 NBA postseason.

When do the 2023 NBA playoffs start?

The NBA playoffs start on 15 April following the conclusion of the Play-In Tournament on 14 April.

How do the NBA playoffs work?

The NBA playoffs is a four-round, best-of-seven emilination postseason tournament held every year to determine that season's champion. The playoffs are held after the league's regular season and its preliminary postseason tournament, the NBA Play-In Tournament.

Each playoff matchup is determined by seeding (i.e. the first seed will play the eighth seed, second seed plays the seventh seed, etc.), with the top four seeds in each conference enjoying home-court advantage. Series are played in the 2–2–1–1–1 format, meaning the team with home-court advantage hosts Games 1, 2, 5, and 7, while their opponent hosts Games 3, 4, and 6, with Games 5, 6 and 7 being played if needed. The first team to four wins advances to the next round.

What is the NBA playoff matchup schedule for Game 1s?

Saturday, 15 April, 2023 - NBA playoffs

• Brooklyn Nets at Philadelphia 76ers
• Atlanta Hawks at Boston Celtics
• New York Knicks at Cleveland Cavaliers
• Golden State Warriors at Sacramento Kings

Sunday, 16 April, 2023 - NBA playoffs

• Miami Heat at Milwaukee Bucks
• Minnesota Timberwolves at Denver Nuggets
• LA Lakers at Memphis Grizzlies
• LA Clippers at Phoenix Suns

2023 NBA playoffs key dates

• May 1-2: NBA conference semifinals begin (possible move-up to 29-30 April)
• May 16-17: NBA conference finals begin (possible move-up to 14-15 May)
• June 1: NBA Finals 2023 Game 1
• June 4: NBA Finals 2023 Game 2
• June 7: NBA Finals 2023 Game 3
• June 9: NBA Finals 2023 Game 4
• June 12: NBA Finals 2023 Game 5 (if necessary)
• June 15: NBA Finals 2023 Game 6 (if necessary)
• June 18: NBA Finals 2023 Game 7 (if necessary)

How to watch the 2023 NBA playoffs

Viewers in the U.S. will be able to watch the 2023 NBA playoffs on ABC, ESPN, TNT and NBA TV. During the first round and conference semifinals, select games will air on each of the aforementioned networks.

International viewers can catch the action through local broadcasters, or the NBA League Pass app, available on mobile, PC, and smart TVs.