2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs presented by GEICO: Conference Quarterfinals (First Round) Broadcast Schedule & Commentators

The present-day logo that is used for the NHL's Stanley Cup Playoffs (2022-present). (📸: Tamir Moore/Canva)

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

• 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs presented by GEICO begins Saturday, April 19 with a doubleheader on TNT: Blues vs. Jets, Game 1 & Avalanche vs. Stars, Game 1.

• First Round coverage continues on Sunday, April 20 with three games spread out across ESPN and ESPN2: Devils vs. Hurricanes, Game 1, Senators vs. Maple Leafs, Game 1 & Wild vs. Golden Knights, Game 1.

• At least one 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs first round game EVERY SINGLE DAY from Saturday, April 19 (when playoffs start) through Monday, April 28 (Panthers-Lightning, Game 4 and Avalanche-Stars, Game 5 [if nec.]).

• During the duration of the first round, ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, & TBS will broadcast games (co-existing most of the time with the local team broadcasts).

• Reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers start their title defense against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the "Battle for Florida".

The 2024-25 NHL regular season schedule is just about finished (with one more night of games on Thursday, April 17). With that fact established now, let's take a look ahead to the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs presented by GEICO. Beginning this weekend (Saturday, April 19), 16 teams begin the journey to the Stanley Cup with the arrival of the First Round (Conference Quarterfinals). Fortunately, I will be guiding you through the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs from now until a Stanley Cup champion is decided in June (as TNT will hold exclusive rights to the Stanley Cup Final this season).

The First Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs presented by GEICO opens up on Saturday, April 19 with a doubleheader on TNT, truTV and Max. At 6:00 PM (ET) on TNT, truTV & Max, Jordan Kyrou and the St. Louis Blues (WC2) visit Connor Hellebuyck and the Presidents' Trophy winner [Central Division champions] Winnipeg Jets (C1) for Game 1 of their Western Conference First Round matchup. 🎙 Play-by-play commentator John Forslund, analyst Jennifer Botterill & fellow analyst Meaghan Mikkelson serve as the broadcast team.

Next at 8:30 PM (ET) on TNT, truTV & Max, 2024 Hart Trophy winner Nathan MacKinnon and the Colorado Avalanche (C3) take on Mikko Rantanen and the Dallas Stars (C2) in a re-match of last year's Stanley Cup Playoffs meeting in the Conference Semifinals. 🎙 TNT's lead commentary team of Kenny Albert (play-by-play), Eddie Olczyk (analyst), & Brian Boucher (analyst) take the call from Dallas, with Ashali Vise reporting.

The following day, Sunday, April 20, ESPN will launch their 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs presentation with three games on the ESPN family of networks, including: Devils vs. Hurricanes, Game 1, Senators vs. Maple Leafs, Game 1 & Wild vs. Golden Knights, Game 1.

In the afternoon on Sunday, at 3:00 PM (ET) on ESPN, the New Jersey Devils (M3) will visit Sebastian Aho and the Carolina Hurricanes (M2) for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. 🎙 Mike Monaco handles play-by-play alongside analyst Ray Ferraro and reporter Emily Kaplan.

Later on, at 7:00 PM (ET) on ESPN2, the Ottawa Senators (WC1) make their first Stanley Cup Playoffs appearance since 2017 when they face Auston Matthews and the Atlantic Division champions Toronto Maple Leafs (A1) in Game 1 of this "Battle of Ontario" Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series. 🎙 John Buccigross (play-by-play) and former NHL goaltender Kevin Weekes (analyst) provide commentary.

Finishing ESPN's Sunday presentation of NHL playoff hockey, we have the Minnesota Wild (WC1) battling the Pacific Division champions Vegas Golden Knights (P1) and Jack Eichel at 10:00 PM (ET) on ESPN following the Padres-Astros Sunday Night Baseball matchup. 🎙 Sunday's Wild at Golden Knights Game 1 broadcast team on ESPN features play-by-play commentator Bob Wischusen, analyst Ryan Callahan, and reporter Leah Hextall.

Then, on Monday, April 21, the ESPN family of networks (ESPN and ESPN2) team up to televise a pair of primetime doubleheaders as the First Round reaches the third day of competition. The puck drops on ESPN Monday night at 7:00 PM (ET) as the Metropolitan Division champion Washington Capitals and Alexander Ovechkin host the Montréal Canadiens, who are in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2021, for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series. 🎙 ESPN's lead NHL broadcast team of Sean McDonough (play-by-play), Ray Ferraro (analyst), & Emily Kaplan (reporter) will be in Washington, DC to document the action.

ESPN2 begins their Monday doubleheader at 7:30 PM (ET) as the St. Louis Blues will compete against Kyle Connor and the Winnipeg Jets in Game 2 of the best-of-seven Western Conference Quarterfinals. 🎙 John Buccigross & Kevin Weeks serve the commentary duo.

Following the Canadiens-Capitals game, stay tuned on ESPN at 9:30 PM (ET) for Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals as Nathan MacKinnon and the Colorado Avalanche tussle with Jason Robertson and the Dallas Stars. 🎙 Bob Wischusen and Ryan Callahan call the Avalanche-Stars game from the broadcast booth, with Leah Hextall reporting rinkside.

The Monday schedule ends on ESPN2 with a late night matchup from the Western Conference as Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers (P3) begin their fourth consecutive Western Conference Quarterfinal series with the Los Angeles Kings (P2) at 10:00 PM (ET). 🎙 Play-by-play commentator Roxy Bernstein and analyst Cassie Campbell-Pascall commentate the late night ESPN2 presentation from Los Angeles.

The final First Round series to start will get started on Tuesday, April 22 when Art Ross Trophy winner Nikita Kucherov and the Tampa Bay Lightning (A2) host their Atlantic Division rivals, the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers (A3), for Game 1 of the "Battle of Florida" Eastern Conference Finals at 8:30 PM (ET) on ESPN. 🎙 Tuesday's Panthers vs. Lightning First Round Game 1 will be broadcast by ESPN, with Sean McDonough (play-by-play), Ray Ferraro (analyst), and Emily Kaplan (reporter) calling the game from Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.

Following the completion of the Game 1's in all eight first round series (with Florida-Tampa Bay serving as the last one of these on Tuesday, April 22), you can expect the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs presented by GEICO to continue every single day through Monday, April 28, with game broadcasts found on ESPN, ESPN2, TNT and TBS.

Additionally, if any First Round series goes past the four-game minimum requirement (in other words, if a series doesn't end via a sweep), more First Round games will be played from Monday, April 28 (Avalanche-Stars, Game 5) through Sunday, May 4 (a potential Game 7 for Panthers-Lightning, Canadiens-Capitals, Devils-Hurricanes, & Blues-Jets).

The proceeding is a series-by-series breakdown and a daily television lineup for Round 1 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs presented by GEICO. Game broadcasts during this round will be handled by ESPN (ESPN, ABC, ESPN2, etc.) or Turner Sports (TNT, TBS, etc.).

• 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs presented by GEICO: Conference Quarterfinals (First Round) Broadcast Schedule & Commentators | All Times ET | Subject to Change

|| Eastern Conference:

| (WC2) Montréal Canadiens vs. (M1) Washington Capitals == Washington wins series, 4-1 (Series begins on Monday, April 21)

- vs. -

. Game 1 - Monday, April 21 - Canadiens at Capitals - ESPN, 7:00 PM (ET) - Sean McDonough, Ray Ferraro, Emily Kaplan

. Game 2 - Wednesday, April 23 - Canadiens at Capitals - ESPN, 7:00 PM (ET) - Sean McDonough, Ray Ferraro, Emily Kaplan

. Game 3 - Friday, April 25 - Capitals at Canadiens - TNT, 7:00 PM (ET) - Alex Faust, Jennifer Botterill, Tarik El-Bashir

. Game 4 - Sunday, April 27 - Capitals at Canadiens - TBS, 6:30 PM (ET) - Alex Faust, Jennifer Botterill, Tarik El-Bashir

. Game 5 - Wednesday, April 30 - Canadiens at Capitals - ESPN, 7:00 PM (ET) - Sean McDonough, Ray Ferraro, Emily Kaplan

. * Game 6 (if nec.) - Friday, May 2 - Capitals at Canadiens - TBD

. * Game 7 (if nec.) - Sunday, May 4 - Canadiens at Capitals - TBD

| (M3) New Jersey Devils vs. (M2) Carolina Hurricanes == Carolina wins series, 4-1 (Series begins on Sunday, April 20)

- vs. -

. Game 1 - Sunday, April 20 - Devils at Hurricanes - ESPN, 3:00 PM (ET) - Mike Monaco, Ray Ferraro, Emily Kaplan

. Game 2 - Tuesday, April 22 - Devils at Hurricanes - ESPN, 6:00 PM (ET) - Mike Monaco, AJ Mleczko

. Game 3 - Friday, April 25 - Hurricanes at Devils - TBS, 8:00 PM (ET) - Jim Jackson, Shane Hnidy, Chris Mason

. Game 4 - Sunday, April 27 - Hurricanes at Devils - TBS, 3:30 PM (ET) - Jim Jackson, Shane Hnidy, Chris Mason

. Game 5 - Tuesday, April 29 - Devils at Hurricanes - TBS, 7:30 PM (ET) - Kenny Albert, Brian Boucher, Jody Shelley

. * Game 6 (if nec.) - Friday, May 2 - Hurricanes at Devils - TBD

. * Game 7 (if nec.) - Sunday, May 4 - Devils at Hurricanes - TBD

| (WC1) Ottawa Senators vs. (A1) Toronto Maple Leafs == Toronto wins series, 4-2 (Series begins on Sunday, April 20)

- vs. -

. Game 1 - Sunday, April 20 - Senators at Maple Leafs - ESPN2, 7:00 PM (ET) - John Buccigross, Kevin Weekes

. Game 2 - Tuesday, April 22 - Senators at Maple Leafs - ESPN2, 7:30 PM (ET) - John Buccigross, Kevin Weekes

. Game 3 - Thursday, April 24 - Maple Leafs at Senators - ESPN2, 7:00 PM (ET) - John Buccigross, Kevin Weekes

. Game 4 - Saturday, April 26 - Maple Leafs at Senators - TBS, 7:00 PM (ET) - Steve Mears, Colby Armstrong, Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre

. Game 5 - Tuesday, April 29 - Senators at Maple Leafs - ESPN, 7:00 PM (ET) - John Buccigross, AJ Mleczko, Emily Kaplan

. Game 6 - Thursday, May 1 - Maple Leafs at Senators - TBS, 7:00 PM (ET) - Brendan Burke, Darren Pang, Jackie Redmond

. * Game 7 (if nec.) - Saturday, May 3 - Senators at Maple Leafs - TBD

| (A3) Florida Panthers vs. (A2) Tampa Bay Lightning == Florida wins series, 4-1 (Series begins on Tuesday, April 22)

- vs. -

. Game 1 - Tuesday, April 22 - Panthers at Lightning - ESPN, 8:30 PM (ET) - Sean McDonough, Ray Ferraro, Emily Kaplan

. Game 2 - Thursday, April 24 - Panthers at Lightning - TBS, 6:30 PM (ET) - Kenny Albert, Brian Boucher, Erika Wachter

. Game 3 - Saturday, April 26 - Lightning at Panthers - TBS, 1:00 PM (ET) - Kenny Albert, Brian Boucher, Erika Wachter

. Game 4 - Monday, April 28 - Lightning at Panthers - ESPN, 7:00 PM (ET) - Sean McDonough, Ray Ferraro, Emily Kaplan

. Game 5 - Wednesday, April 30 - Panthers at Lightning - ESPN2, 7:00 PM (ET) - Bob Wischusen, AJ Mleczko

. * Game 6 (if nec.) - Friday, May 2 - Lightning at Panthers - TBD 

. * Game 7 (if nec.) - Sunday, May 4 - Panthers at Lightning - TBD

|| Western Conference:

| (WC2) St. Louis Blues vs. (C1) Winnipeg Jets == Series tied, 3-3 (Series begins on Saturday, April 19)

- vs. -

. Game 1 - Saturday, April 19 - Blues at Jets - TNT, 6:00 PM (ET) - John Forslund, Jennifer Botterill, Meaghan Mikkelson

. Game 2 - Monday, April 21 - Blues at Jets - ESPN2, 7:30 PM (ET) - John Buccigross, Kevin Weekes

. Game 3 - Thursday, April 24 - Jets at Blues - ESPN2, 9:30 PM (ET) - Roxy Bernstein, Cassie Campbell-Pascall

. Game 4 - Sunday, April 27 - Jets at Blues - TBS, 1:00 PM (ET) - Brendan Burke, Darren Pang, Kathryn Tappen

. Game 5 - Wednesday, April 30 - Blues at Jets - ESPN, 9:30 PM (ET) - Mike Monaco, Cassie Campbell-Pascall, Leah Hextall

. Game 6 - Friday, May 2 - Jets at Blues - TNT, 8:00 PM (ET) - Kenny Albert, Brian Boucher, Jody Shelley

. Game 7 - Sunday, May 4 - Blues at Jets - TBS, 7:00 PM (ET) - Kenny Albert, Eddie Olczyk, Brian Boucher, Jackie Redmond

| (C3) Colorado Avalanche vs. (C2) Dallas Stars == Dallas wins series, 4-3 (Series begins on Saturday, April 19)

- vs. -

. Game 1 - Saturday, April 19 - Avalanche at Stars - TNT, 8:30 PM (ET) - Kenny Albert, Eddie Olczyk, Brian Boucher, Ashali Vise

. Game 2 - Monday, April 21 - Avalanche at Stars - ESPN, 9:30 PM (ET) - Bob Wischusen, Ryan Callahan, Leah Hextall

. Game 3 - Wednesday, April 23 - Stars at Avalanche - ESPN, 9:30 PM (ET) - Bob Wischusen, Ryan Callahan, Leah Hextall

. Game 4 - Saturday, April 26 - Stars at Avalanche - TBS, 9:30 PM (ET) - John Forslund, Eddie Olczyk, Jody Shelley

. Game 5 - Monday, April 28 - Avalanche at Stars - ESPN, 9:30 PM (ET) - Bob Wischusen, Ryan Callahan, Leah Hextall

. Game 6 - Thursday, May 1 - Stars at Avalanche - TBS, 9:30 PM (ET) - Kenny Albert, Brian Boucher, Jody Shelley

. Game 7 - Saturday, May 3 - Avalanche at Stars - ABC, 8:00 PM (ET) - Sean McDonough, Ray Ferraro, Emily Kaplan

| (WC1) Minnesota Wild vs. (P1) Vegas Golden Knights == Vegas wins series, 4-2 (Series begins on Sunday, April 20)

- vs. -

. Game 1 - Sunday, April 20 - Wild at Golden Knights - ESPN, 10:00 PM (ET) - Bob Wischusen, Ryan Callahan, Leah Hextall

. Game 2 - Tuesday, April 22 - Wild at Golden Knights - ESPN, 11:00 PM (ET) - Bob Wischusen, Ryan Callahan, Leah Hextall

. Game 3 - Thursday, April 24 - Golden Knights at Wild - TBS, 9:00 PM (ET) - John Forslund, Eddie Olczyk, Jody Shelley

. Game 4 - Saturday, April 26 - Golden Knights at Wild - TBS, 4:00 PM (ET) - Brendan Burke, Darren Pang, Kathryn Tappen

. Game 5 - Tuesday, April 29 - Wild at Golden Knights - ESPN, 9:30 PM (ET) - Bob Wischusen, Ryan Callahan, Leah Hextall

. Game 6 - Thursday, May 1 - Golden Knights at Wild - ESPN, 7:30 PM (ET) - Steve Levy, Ryan Callahan, Stormy Buonantony

. * Game 7 (if nec.) - Saturday, May 3 - Wild at Golden Knights - TBD

| (P3) Edmonton Oilers vs. (P2) Los Angeles Kings == Edmonton wins series, 4-2 (Series begins on Monday, April 21)

- vs. -

. Game 1 - Monday, April 21 - Oilers at Kings - ESPN2, 10:00 PM (ET) - Roxy Bernstein, Cassie Campbell-Pascall

. Game 2 - Wednesday, April 23 - Oilers at Kings - TBS, 10:00 PM (ET) - Brendan Burke, Darren Pang, Meaghan Mikkelson

- Aly Lozoff originally scheduled

. Game 3 - Friday, April 25 - Kings at Oilers - TNT, 10:00 PM (ET) - Steve Mears, Colby Armstrong, Jackie Redmond

. Game 4 - Sunday, April 27 - Kings at Oilers - TBS, 9:30 PM (ET) - Steve Mears, Colby Armstrong, Jackie Redmond

. Game 5 - Tuesday, April 29 - Oilers at Kings - TBS, 10:00 PM (ET) - Brendan Burke, Darren Pang, Jackie Redmond

. Game 6 - Thursday, May 1 - Kings at Oilers - ESPN, 10:00 PM (ET) - Mike Monaco, Cassie Campbell-Pascall, Leah Hextall

. * Game 7 (if nec.) - Saturday, May 3 - Oilers at Kings - TBD

• 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs presented by GEICO: Conference Quarterfinals (First Round) Broadcast Schedule & Commentators | All Times ET | Subject to Change

| Saturday, April 19

. Game 1 - Blues at Jets - TNT, 6:00 PM (ET) - John Forslund, Jennifer Botterill, Meaghan Mikkelson (Forslund & Botterill remote; Mikkelson on-site in Winnipeg)

. Game 1 - Avalanche at Stars - TNT, 8:30 PM (ET) - Kenny Albert, Eddie Olczyk, Brian Boucher, Ashali Vise

| Sunday, April 20

. Game 1 - Devils at Hurricanes - ESPN, 3:00 PM (ET) - Mike Monaco, Ray Ferraro, Emily Kaplan

. Game 1 - Senators at Maple Leafs - ESPN2, 7:00 PM (ET) - John Buccigross, Kevin Weekes

. Game 1 - Wild at Golden Knights - ESPN2 to start/ESPN (JIP), 10:00 PM (ET) - Bob Wischusen, Ryan Callahan, Leah Hextall

- ESPN joined in progress at 10:26 PM (ET) and with 11:34 to go in the 1st period.

| Monday, April 21

. Game 1 - Canadiens at Capitals - ESPN, 7:00 PM (ET) - Sean McDonough, Ray Ferraro, Emily Kaplan

. Game 2 - Blues at Jets - ESPN2, 7:30 PM (ET) - John Buccigross, Kevin Weekes

. Game 2 - Avalanche at Stars - ESPNU to start/ESPN (JIP), 9:30 PM (ET) - Bob Wischusen, Ryan Callahan, Leah Hextall

- ESPN joined in progress at 10:15 PM (ET) and with 8:05 to go in the 1st period.

. Game 1 - Oilers at Kings - ESPN2, 10:00 PM (ET) - Roxy Bernstein, Cassie Campbell-Pascall

| Tuesday, April 22

. Game 2 - Devils at Hurricanes - ESPN, 6:00 PM (ET) - Mike Monaco, AJ Mleczko

. Game 2 - Senators at Maple Leafs - ESPN2, 7:30 PM (ET) - John Buccigross, Kevin Weekes

. Game 1 - Panthers at Lightning - ESPN, 8:30 PM (ET) - Sean McDonough, Ray Ferraro, Emily Kaplan

. Game 2 - Wild at Golden Knights - ESPN2 to start/ESPN (JIP), 11:00 PM (ET) - Bob Wischusen, Ryan Callahan, Leah Hextall

- ESPN joined in progress at 11:28 PM (ET) and with 12:51 to go in the 1st period.

| Wednesday, April 23

. Game 2 - Canadiens at Capitals - ESPN, 7:00 PM (ET) - Sean McDonough, Ray Ferraro, Emily Kaplan

. Game 3 - Stars at Avalanche - ESPN, 9:30 PM (ET) - Bob Wischusen, Ryan Callahan, Leah Hextall

. Game 2 - Oilers at Kings - TBS, 10:00 PM (ET) - Brendan Burke, Darren Pang, Meaghan Mikkelson

- Aly Lozoff originally scheduled

| Thursday, April 24

. Game 2 - Panthers at Lightning - TBS, 6:30 PM (ET) - Kenny Albert, Brian Boucher, Erika Wachter

. Game 3 - Maple Leafs at Senators - ESPN2, 7:00 PM (ET) - John Buccigross, Kevin Weekes

. Game 3 - Golden Knights at Wild - TBS, 9:00 PM (ET) - John Forslund, Eddie Olczyk, Jody Shelley

. Game 3 - Jets at Blues - ESPNews to start/ESPN2 (JIP), 9:30 PM (ET) - Roxy Bernstein, Cassie Campbell-Pascall

- ESPN2 joined in progress at 9:55 PM (ET) and with 17:35 to go in the 1st period.

| Friday, April 25

. Game 3 - Capitals at Canadiens - TNT, 7:00 PM (ET) - Alex Faust, Jennifer Botterill, Tarik El-Bashir

. Game 3 - Hurricanes at Devils - TBS, 8:00 PM (ET) - Jim Jackson, Shane Hnidy, Chris Mason

. Game 3 - Kings at Oilers - TNT, 10:00 PM (ET) - Steve Mears, Colby Armstrong, Jackie Redmond (Mears & Armstrong remote; Redmond on-site in Edmonton)

| Saturday, April 26

. Game 3 - Lightning at Panthers - TBS, 1:00 PM (ET) - Kenny Albert, Brian Boucher, Erika Wachter

. Game 4 - Golden Knights at Wild - TBS, 4:00 PM (ET) - Brendan Burke, Darren Pang, Kathryn Tappen

. Game 4 - Maple Leafs at Senators - TruTV to start/TBS (JIP), 7:00 PM (ET) - Steve Mears, Colby Armstrong, Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre (Mears & Armstrong remote; Grand-Pierre on-site in Ottawa)

- TBS joined in progress at 7:32 PM (ET) and with 10:57 to go in the 1st period.

. Game 4 - Stars at Avalanche - TruTV to start/TBS, 9:30 PM (ET) - John Forslund, Eddie Olczyk, Jody Shelley

- TBS joined in progress at 10:28 PM (ET) and with 3:25 to go in the 1st period.

| Sunday, April 27

. Game 4 - Jets at Blues - TBS, 1:00 PM (ET) - Brendan Burke, Darren Pang, Kathryn Tappen

. Game 4 - Hurricanes at Devils - TBS, 3:30 PM (ET) - Jim Jackson, Shane Hnidy, Chris Mason

. Game 4 - Capitals at Canadiens - TBS, 6:30 PM (ET) - Alex Faust, Jennifer Botterill, Tarik El-Bashir

- TBS aired the CBC/SN feed from 7:49 PM (ET) to 8:14 PM (ET) due to technical issues.

. Game 4 - Kings at Oilers - TBS, 9:30 PM (ET) - Steve Mears, Colby Armstrong, Jackie Redmond (Mears & Armstrong remote; Redmond on-site in Edmonton)

| Monday, April 28

. Game 4 - Lightning at Panthers - ESPN, 7:00 PM (ET) - Sean McDonough, Ray Ferraro, Emily Kaplan
. Game 5 - Avalanche at Stars - ESPN, 9:30 PM (ET) - Bob Wischusen, Ryan Callahan, Leah Hextall

| Tuesday, April 29

. Game 5 - Senators at Maple Leafs - ESPN, 7:00 PM (ET) - John Buccigross, AJ Mleczko, Emily Kaplan

. Game 5 - Devils at Hurricanes - TBS, 7:30 PM (ET) - Kenny Albert, Brian Boucher, Jody Shelley

. Game 5 - Wild at Golden Knights - ESPN, 9:30 PM (ET) - Bob Wischusen, Ryan Callahan, Leah Hextall

. Game 5 - Oilers at Kings - HLN to start/TBS (JIP), 10:00 PM (ET) - Brendan Burke, Darren Pang, Jackie Redmond

- The Oilers-Kings game started on HLN due to the Devils-Hurricanes game running long on TBS.

| Wednesday, April 30

. Game 5 - Canadiens at Capitals - ESPN, 7:00 PM (ET) - Sean McDonough, Ray Ferraro, Emily Kaplan

. Game 5 - Panthers at Lightning - ESPN2, 7:30 PM (ET) - Bob Wischusen, AJ Mleczko

. Game 5 - Blues at Jets - ESPNU to start/ESPN (JIP), 9:30 PM (ET) - Mike Monaco, Cassie Campbell-Pascall, Leah Hextall

- ESPN joined in progress at 9:56 PM (ET) and with 18:24 to go in the 1st period.

| Thursday, May 1

. Game 6 - Maple Leafs at Senators - TBS, 7:00 PM (ET) - Brendan Burke, Darren Pang, Jackie Redmond

. Game 6 - Golden Knights at Wild - ESPN, 7:30 PM (ET) - Steve Levy, Ryan Callahan, Stormy Buonantony

. Game 6 - Stars at Avalanche - TBS, 9:30 PM (ET) - Kenny Albert, Brian Boucher, Jody Shelley

. Game 6 - Kings at Oilers - ESPN, 10:00 PM (ET) - Mike Monaco, Cassie Campbell-Pascall, Leah Hextall

| Friday, May 2

. Game 6 - Jets at Blues - TNT, 8:00 PM (ET) - Kenny Albert, Brian Boucher, Jody Shelley

| Saturday, May 3

. Game 7 - Avalanche at Stars - ABC, 8:00 PM (ET) - Sean McDonough, Ray Ferraro, Emily Kaplan

| Sunday, May 4

. Game 7 - Blues at Jets - TBS, 7:00 PM (ET) - Kenny Albert, Eddie Olczyk, Brian Boucher, Jackie Redmond

|| Sources 🛈: SportsLogos.Net, NHL, Warner Bros. Discovery (Turner Sports), & ESPN Press Room

=== ### ===

2025 NBA Playoffs presented by Google: Conference Quarterfinals (First Round) Broadcast Schedule & Commentators

The current logo for the NBA Playoffs presented by Google (2025-present). (Tamir Moore/Canva)

Monday, April 7, 2025

• The 2025 NBA Playoffs presented by Google kicks off with First Round games on Saturday, April 19, via four games on the ESPN family of networks (three games on ESPN & Timberwolves-Lakers, Game 1, on ABC). First Round live game coverage continues on Sunday, April 20 with four more Game 1's split between ABC (two games) and TNT (two games).

• First Round storylines include - the Pacers-Bucks re-match from the 2024 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, Luka Doncic making his Lakers playoff debut, Pistons making their first playoff appearance since 2019, a Clippers-Nuggets series filled with stars 🌟 that plenty of basketball fans know, & a Western Conference showdown between Stephen Curry's Warriors and Jalen Green's Rockets (first postseason run for them since 2020).

• The Battle of Champions: The Clippers-Nuggets First Round series is highlighted by an NBA champion on each side - two-time NBA champion Kawhi Leonard (LAC) and 2023 NBA champion Nikola Jokić (DEN). This series gets underway on Saturday, April 19 at 3:30 PM (ET) on ESPN.

• The Contrast of Young vs. Old: Established superstar LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers (#6 seed) clash with Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves (#3 seed) in an intriguing first-round Western Conference series. Game 1 is set for Saturday, April 19 at 8:30 PM (ET) on ABC.

• The Duke Duel: A pair of Duke Blue Devil alums square off in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals as Paolo Banchero (#1 overall pick in 2022 NBA Draft) leads the #7 seed Orlando Magic against Jayson Tatum (#3 overall pick in 2017 NBA Draft) and the #2 seed Boston Celtics in a exciting First Round series. Game 1 of the Magic-Celtics series is scheduled for Sunday, April 20 at 3:30 PM (ET) on ABC.

Welcome everybody to the start of the 2025 NBA Playoffs! This weekend, the best time of the NBA season has finally come as the road to the NBA Championship 🏆 begins for the 16 qualifying playoff teams (12 automatic bids and 4 bids earned through the Play-In Tournament).

Playoff basketball is the main storyline all weekend long with the First Round starting either Saturday, April 19 or Sunday, April 20 with game broadcasts aired on ABC, ESPN, and TNT. There is plenty of material to go through in this article, let's begin with the Saturday matchups (Bucks vs. Pacers, Clippers vs. Nuggets, Pistons vs. Knicks, Timberwolves vs. Lakers).

As I mentioned, Saturday sees an exciting day of NBA playoff basketball across the ESPN family of networks. ESPN will broadcast a Saturday First Round Game 1 tripleheader. At 1:00 PM (ET), Giannis Antetokoumnpo and the East's #5 seed Milwaukee Bucks will travel to Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis for a matchup vs. Tyrese Haliburton and the East's #4 seed Indiana Pacers. 🎙 Michael Grady handles the play-by-play duties and analyst and current Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White and reporter Katie George.

Later in the afternoon, at 3:30 PM (ET) on ESPN, Kawhi Leonard and the West #5 seed Los Angeles Clippers start their postseason run in the Mile High City against Nikola Jokić and the West #4 seed Denver Nuggets. 🎙 Play-by-play commentator Ryan Ruocco, analyst Bob Myers, and reporter Angel Gray will be on the broadcast.

Saturday's Game 1 ESPN tripleheader ends at 6:00 PM (ET) when Cade Cunningham and the #6 seed Detroit Pistons, making their first playoff run since 2019, take on Jalen Brunson and the #3 seed New York Knicks. 🎙 ESPN's lead team of Naismith Basketball Hall of Famers Mike Breen and Doris Burke, NBA champion and fellow analyst Richard Jefferson, & sideline reporter Lisa Salters are on-site at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

A excellent matchup awaits us on Saturday night in primetime at 8:30 PM (ET) on ABC as Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves (#6 seed) open up the Western Conference Quarterfinals on the road against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers (#3 seed). 🎙 Mark Jones (play-by-play) and Jay Bilas (analyst) narrate the game call from courtside in Los Angeles, with reporter Jorge Sedano.

Time now to restart our First Round article with the First Round series slated for a Sunday (April 20; East Sunday) start (Grizzlies vs. Thunder, Magic vs. Celtics, Heat vs. Cavaliers, & Warriors vs. Rockets).

Start your Easter Sunday with an ABC doubleheader. In the appetizer, at 1:00 PM (ET), Desmond Bane and the Memphis Grizzlies (#8 seed) head to the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to start the best-of-seven series vs. league MVP favorite and this year's scoring leader Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder (#1 seed). 🎙 The broadcast team for Sunday's Grizzlies vs. Thunder Game 1 on ABC Sunday include play-by-play announcer Dave Pasch, analyst Tim Legler, and reporter Katie George.

In the late afternoon Sunday window at 3:30 PM (ET) on ABC, Wendell Carter Jr. and the Orlando Magic (#7 seed) are at TD Garden in Boston to face Jayson Tatum and reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics, who begin their pursuit of their second consecutive NBA championship. 🎙 Mike Breen, Doris Burke, Richard Jefferson, & Lisa Salters return to call their second game of the weekend.

On Sunday night, ABC/ESPN hands playoff coverage over to Turner Sports, as TNT begins their final NBA playoff run with a doubleheader of Game 1 matchups from Cleveland and Houston. At 7:00 PM (ET) on TNT, Bam Adebayo and the Miami Heat (#8 seed) will visit Donovan Mitchell and the top seeded Cleveland Cavaliers for Game 1 of this Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series. 🎙 Sunday's Heat at Cavaliers Game 1 on TNT features play-by-play commentator Spero Dedes, analyst and three-time WNBA champion Candace Parker, & reporter Dennis Scott.

The second half of Sunday's TNT doubleheader originates from Houston as Jimmy Butler III and the Golden State Warriors (#7 seed) enter hostile territory to the get ball rolling on their Western Conference Quarterfinal series vs. Dillon Brooks and the #2 seed Houston Rockets at 9:30 PM (ET). 🎙 Kevin Harlan (play-by-play), Hall of Famer Reggie Miller (analyst), & Allie LaForce (reporter) are set for the TNT call.

Once all eight first round series get started in the 2025 NBA Playoffs, the First Round then continues with games every day through at least Monday, April 28. If any series requires an extension (from a potential Game 5 to a potential Game 7), then those First Round games will be played between Tuesday, April 29 and Sunday, May 4 (the latest date for any First Round series to be played).

The following is the series-by-series breakdown and the daily television schedule for the Opening Round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs presented by Google! Welcome to the start of the NBA postseason, people! For more information about the 2025 NBA SoFi Play-In Tournament, please use the link provided.

• 2025 NBA Playoffs presented by Google: Conference Quarterfinals (First Round) Series-by-Series Breakdown | All Times ET | Subject to Change

|| Eastern Conference:

| (E8) Miami Heat vs. (E1) Cleveland Cavaliers == Cleveland wins series, 4-0 (Series begins on Sunday, April 20)

- vs. -

. Game 1 - Sunday, April 20 - Heat at Cavaliers - TNT, 7:00 PM (ET) - Spero Dedes, Candace Parker, Dennis Scott

. Game 2 - Wednesday, April 23 - Heat at Cavaliers - NBA TV, 7:30 PM (ET) - Matt Devlin, Greg Anthony, Nabil Karim

- Taylor Rooks originally scheduled

. Game 3 - Saturday, April 26 - Cavaliers at Heat - TNT, 1:00 PM (ET) - Matt Devlin, Greg Anthony, Taylor Rooks

. Game 4 - Monday, April 28 - Cavaliers at Heat - TNT, 7:30 PM (ET) - Spero Dedes, Candace Parker, Dennis Scott

. * Game 5 (if nec.) - Wednesday, April 30 - Heat at Cavaliers - NBA TV, 7:00 PM (ET)

. * Game 6 (if nec.) - Friday, May 2 - Cavaliers at Heat - TBD

. * Game 7 (if nec.) - Sunday, May 4 - Heat at Cavaliers - TBD

| (E5) Milwaukee Bucks vs. (E4) Indiana Pacers == Indiana wins series, 4-1 (Series begins on Saturday, April 19)

- vs. -

. Game 1 - Saturday, April 19 - Bucks at Pacers - ESPN, 1:00 PM (ET) - Michael Grady, Stephanie White, Katie George

. Game 2 - Tuesday, April 22 - Bucks at Pacers - NBA TV, 7:00 PM (ET) - Jared Greenberg, Brendan Haywood, Nabil Karim

. Game 3 - Friday, April 25 - Pacers at Bucks - ESPNU/NBA TV, 8:00 PM (ET) - Ryan Ruocco, Cory Alexander, Monica McNutt

. Game 4 - Sunday, April 27 - Pacers at Bucks - TNT, 9:30 PM (ET) - Ian Eagle, Grant Hill, Stephanie Ready

. Game 5 - Tuesday, April 29 - Bucks at Pacers - NBA TV, 6:00 PM (ET) - Matt Devlin, Greg Anthony, Taylor Rooks

. * Game 6 (if nec.) - Friday, May 2 - Pacers at Bucks - TBD

. * Game 7 (if nec.) - Sunday, May 4 - Bucks at Pacers - TBD 

| (E7) Orlando Magic vs. (E2) Boston Celtics == Boston wins series, 4-1 (Series begins on Sunday, April 20)

- vs. -

. Game 1 - Sunday, April 20 - Magic at Celtics - ABC, 3:30 PM (ET) - Mike Breen, Doris Burke, Richard Jefferson, Lisa Salters

. Game 2 - Wednesday, April 23 - Magic at Celtics - TNT, 7:00 PM (ET) - Ian Eagle, Grant Hill, Stephanie Ready

. Game 3 - Friday, April 25 - Celtics at Magic - ESPN, 7:00 PM (ET) - Dave Pasch, Tim Legler, Katie George

. Game 4 - Sunday, April 27 - Celtics at Magic - TNT, 7:00 PM (ET) - Brian Anderson, Stan Van Gundy, Lauren Jbara

. Game 5 - Tuesday, April 29 - Magic at Celtics - NBA TV, 8:30 PM (ET) - Jared Greenberg, Brendan Haywood, Nabil Karim

. * Game 6 (if nec.) - Thursday, May 1 - Celtics at Magic - TBD

. * Game 7 (if nec.) - Saturday, May 3 - Magic at Celtics - TBD

| (E6) Detroit Pistons vs. (E3) New York Knicks == New York wins series, 4-2 (Series begins on Saturday, April 19)

- vs. -

. Game 1 - Saturday, April 19 - Pistons at Knicks - ESPN, 6:00 PM (ET) - Mike Breen, Doris Burke, Richard Jefferson, Lisa Salters

. Game 2 - Monday, April 21 - Pistons at Knicks - TNT, 7:30 PM (ET) - Ian Eagle, Grant Hill, Stephanie Ready

. Game 3 - Thursday, April 24 - Knicks at Pistons - TNT, 7:00 PM (ET) - Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, Allie LaForce

. Game 4 - Sunday, April 27 - Knicks at Pistons - ABC, 1:00 PM (ET) - Dave Pasch, Tim Legler, Katie George

. Game 5 - Tuesday, April 29 - Pistons at Knicks - TNT, 7:30 PM (ET) - Ian Eagle, Grant Hill, Stephanie Ready

. Game 6 - Thursday, May 1 - Knicks at Pistons - TNT, 7:30 PM (ET) - Ian Eagle, Grant Hill, Stephanie Ready

. * Game 7 (if nec.) - Saturday, May 3 - Pistons at Knicks - TNT, TBD

|| Western Conference:

| (W8) Memphis Grizzlies vs. (W1) Oklahoma City Thunder == Oklahoma City wins series, 4-0 (Series begins on Sunday, April 20)

- vs. -

. Game 1 - Sunday, April 20 - Grizzlies at Thunder - ABC, 1:00 PM (ET) - Dave Pasch, Tim Legler, Katie George

. Game 2 - Tuesday, April 22 - Grizzlies at Thunder - TNT, 7:30 PM (ET) - Spero Dedes, Candace Parker, Dennis Scott

. Game 3 - Thursday, April 24 - Thunder at Grizzlies - TNT, 9:30 PM (ET) - Spero Dedes, Candace Parker, Dennis Scott

. Game 4 - Saturday, April 26 - Thunder at Grizzlies - TNT, 3:30 PM (ET) - Spero Dedes, Candace Parker, Dennis Scott

. * Game 5 (if nec.) - Monday, April 28 - Grizzlies at Thunder - TNT, 7:30 PM (ET)

. * Game 6 (if nec.) - Thursday, May 1 - Thunder at Grizzlies - TBD

. * Game 7 (if nec.) - Saturday, May 3 - Grizzlies at Thunder - TBD 

| (W5) Los Angeles Clippers vs. (W4) Denver Nuggets == Denver wins series, 4-3 (Series begins on Saturday, April 19)

- vs. -

. Game 1 - Saturday, April 19 - Clippers at Nuggets - ESPN, 3:30 PM (ET) - Ryan Ruocco, Bob Myers, Angel Gray

. Game 2 - Monday, April 21 - Clippers at Nuggets - TNT, 10:00 PM (ET) - Brian Anderson, Stan Van Gundy, Lauren Jbara

. Game 3 - Thursday, April 24 - Nuggets at Clippers - NBA TV, 10:00 PM (ET) - Jared Greenberg, Brendan Haywood, Taylor Rooks

- Nabil Karim originally scheduled

. Game 4 - Saturday, April 26 - Nuggets at Clippers - TNT, 6:00 PM (ET) - Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, Allie LaForce

. Game 5 - Tuesday, April 29 - Clippers at Nuggets - TNT, 10:00 PM (ET) - Brian Anderson, Stan Van Gundy, Lauren Jbara

. Game 6 - Thursday, May 1 - Nuggets at Clippers - TNT, 10:00 PM (ET) - Brian Anderson, Stan Van Gundy, Lauren Jbara

. Game 7 - Saturday, May 3 - Clippers at Nuggets - TNT, 7:30 PM (ET) - Ian Eagle, Grant Hill, Stephanie Ready

| (W7) Golden State Warriors vs. (W2) Houston Rockets == Golden State wins series, 4-3 (Series begins on Sunday, April 20)

- vs. -

. Game 1 - Sunday, April 20 - Warriors at Rockets - TNT, 9:30 PM (ET) - Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, Allie LaForce

. Game 2 - Wednesday, April 23 - Warriors at Rockets - TNT, 9:30 PM (ET) - Brian Anderson, Stan Van Gundy, Lauren Jbara

. Game 3 - Saturday, April 26 - Rockets at Warriors - ABC, 8:30 PM (ET) - Mark Jones, Jay Bilas, Jorge Sedano

. Game 4 - Monday, April 28 - Rockets at Warriors - TNT, 10:00 PM (ET) - Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, Allie LaForce

. Game 5 - Wednesday, April 30 - Warriors at Rockets - TNT, 7:30 PM (ET) - Spero Dedes, Candace Parker, Dennis Scott

. Game 6 - Friday, May 2 - Rockets at Warriors - ESPN, 9:00 PM (ET) - Mike Breen, Doris Burke, Richard Jefferson, Lisa Salters

. Game 7 - Sunday, May 4 - Warriors at Rockets - TNT, 8:30 PM (ET) - Brian Anderson, Stan Van Gundy, Lauren Jbara

| (W6) Minnesota Timberwolves vs. (W3) Los Angeles Lakers == Minnesota wins series, 4-1 (Series begins on Saturday, April 19)

- vs. -

. Game 1 - Saturday, April 19 - Timberwolves at Lakers - ABC, 8:30 PM (ET) - Mark Jones, Jay Bilas, Jorge Sedano

. Game 2 - Tuesday, April 22 - Timberwolves at Lakers - TNT, 10:00 PM (ET) - Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, Taylor Rooks

- Allie LaForce originally scheduled, replaced by Taylor Rooks (reasons unknown)

. Game 3 - Friday, April 25 - Lakers at Timberwolves - ESPN, 9:30 PM (ET) - Mike Breen, Doris Burke, Richard Jefferson, Lisa Salters

. Game 4 - Sunday, April 27 - Lakers at Timberwolves - ABC, 3:30 PM (ET) - Mike Breen, Doris Burke, Richard Jefferson, Lisa Salters

. Game 5 - Wednesday, April 30 - Timberwolves at Lakers - TNT, 10:00 PM (ET) - Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, Allie LaForce

. * Game 6 (if nec.) - Friday, May 2 - Lakers at Timberwolves - ESPN, 7:30 PM (ET)

. * Game 7 (if nec.) - Sunday, May 4 - Timberwolves at Lakers - TBD

• 2025 NBA Playoffs presented by Google: Conference Quarterfinals (First Round) Daily Television Schedule | All Times ET | Subject to Change

| Saturday, April 19

. Game 1 - Bucks at Pacers - ESPN, 1:00 PM (ET) - Michael Grady, Stephanie White, Katie George

. Game 1 - Clippers at Nuggets - ESPN, 3:30 PM (ET) - Ryan Ruocco, Bob Myers, Angel Gray

. Game 1 - Pistons at Knicks - ESPN, 6:00 PM (ET) - Mike Breen, Doris Burke, Richard Jefferson, Lisa Salters

. Game 1 - Timberwolves at Lakers - ABC, 8:30 PM (ET) - Mark Jones, Jay Bilas, Jorge Sedano

| Sunday, April 20

. Game 1 - Grizzlies at Thunder - ABC, 1:00 PM (ET) - Dave Pasch, Tim Legler, Katie George

. Game 1 - Magic at Celtics - ABC, 3:30 PM (ET) - Mike Breen, Doris Burke, Richard Jefferson, Lisa Salters

. Game 1 - Heat at Cavaliers - TNT, 7:00 PM (ET) - Spero Dedes, Candace Parker, Dennis Scott

. Game 1 - Warriors at Rockets - TNT, 9:30 PM (ET) - Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, Allie LaForce

| Monday, April 21

. Game 2 - Pistons at Knicks - TNT, 7:30 PM (ET) - Ian Eagle, Grant Hill, Stephanie Ready

. Game 2 - Clippers at Nuggets - TNT, 10:00 PM (ET) - Brian Anderson, Stan Van Gundy, Lauren Jbara

| Tuesday, April 22

. Game 2 - Bucks at Pacers - NBA TV, 7:00 PM (ET) - Jared Greenberg, Brendan Haywood, Nabil Karim

. Game 2 - Grizzlies at Thunder - TNT, 7:30 PM (ET) - Spero Dedes, Candace Parker, Dennis Scott

. Game 2 - Timberwolves at Lakers - TNT, 10:00 PM (ET) - Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, Taylor Rooks

- Allie LaForce originally scheduled, replaced by Taylor Rooks (unknown reasons)

| Wednesday, April 23

. Game 2 - Magic at Celtics - TNT, 7:00 PM (ET) - Ian Eagle, Grant Hill, Stephanie Ready

. Game 2 - Heat at Cavaliers - NBA TV, 7:30 PM (ET) - Matt Devlin, Greg Anthony, Nabil Karim

- Taylor Rooks originally scheduled

. Game 2 - Warriors at Rockets - TNT, 9:30 PM (ET) - Brian Anderson, Stan Van Gundy, Lauren Jbara

| Thursday, April 24

. Game 3 - Knicks at Pistons - TNT, 7:00 PM (ET) - Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, Allie LaForce

. Game 3 - Thunder at Grizzlies - TNT, 9:30 PM (ET) - Spero Dedes, Candace Parker, Dennis Scott

. Game 3 - Nuggets at Clippers - NBA TV, 10:00 PM (ET) - Jared Greenberg, Brendan Haywood, Taylor Rooks

- Nabil Karim originally scheduled

| Friday, April 25

. Game 3 - Celtics at Magic - ESPN, 7:00 PM (ET) - Dave Pasch, Tim Legler, Katie George

. Game 3 - Pacers at Bucks - ESPNU/NBA TV, 8:00 PM (ET) - Ryan Ruocco, Cory Alexander, Monica McNutt

. Game 3 - Lakers at Timberwolves - ESPN, 9:30 PM (ET) - Mike Breen, Doris Burke, Richard Jefferson, Lisa Salters

| Saturday, April 26

. Game 3 - Cavaliers at Heat - TNT, 1:00 PM (ET) - Matt Devlin, Greg Anthony, Taylor Rooks

. Game 4 - Thunder at Grizzlies - TNT, 3:30 PM (ET) - Spero Dedes, Candace Parker, Dennis Scott

. Game 4 - Nuggets at Clippers - TNT, 6:00 PM (ET) - Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, Allie LaForce

. Game 3 - Rockets at Warriors - ABC, 8:30 PM (ET) - Mark Jones, Jay Bilas, Jorge Sedano

| Sunday, April 27

. Game 4 - Knicks at Pistons - ABC, 1:00 PM (ET) - Dave Pasch, Tim Legler, Katie George

. Game 4 - Lakers at Timberwolves - ABC, 3:30 PM (ET) - Mike Breen, Doris Burke, Richard Jefferson, Lisa Salters

. Game 4 - Celtics at Magic - TNT, 7:00 PM (ET) - Brian Anderson, Stan Van Gundy, Lauren Jbara

. Game 4 - Pacers at Bucks - TNT, 9:30 PM (ET) - Ian Eagle, Grant Hill, Stephanie Ready

| Monday, April 28

. Game 4 - Cavaliers at Heat - TNT, 7:30 PM (ET) - Spero Dedes, Candace Parker, Dennis Scott

. Game 4 - Rockets at Warriors - TNT, 10:00 PM (ET) - Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, Allie LaForce

| Tuesday, April 29

. Game 5 - Bucks at Pacers - NBA TV, 6:00 PM (ET) - Matt Devlin, Greg Anthony, Taylor Rooks

. Game 5 - Pistons at Knicks - TNT, 7:30 PM (ET) - Ian Eagle, Grant Hill, Stephanie Ready

. Game 5 - Magic at Celtics - NBA TV, 8:30 PM (ET) - Jared Greenberg, Brendan Haywood, Nabil Karim

. Game 5 - Clippers at Nuggets - TNT, 10:00 PM (ET) - Brian Anderson, Stan Van Gundy, Lauren Jbara

| Wednesday, April 30

. Game 5 - Warriors at Rockets - TNT, 7:30 PM (ET) - Spero Dedes, Candace Parker, Dennis Scott

. Game 5 - Timberwolves at Lakers - TNT, 10:00 PM (ET) - Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, Allie LaForce

| Thursday, May 1

. Game 6 - Knicks at Pistons - TNT, 7:30 PM (ET) - Ian Eagle, Grant Hill, Stephanie Ready

. Game 6 - Nuggets at Clippers - TNT, 10:00 PM (ET) - Brian Anderson, Stan Van Gundy, Lauren Jbara

| Friday, May 2

. Game 6 - Rockets at Warriors - ESPN, 9:00 PM (ET) - Mike Breen, Doris Burke, Richard Jefferson, Lisa Salters

| Saturday, May 3

. Game 7 - Clippers at Nuggets - TNT, 7:30 PM (ET) - Ian Eagle, Grant Hill, Stephanie Ready

| Sunday, May 4

. Game 7 - Warriors at Rockets - TNT, 8:30 PM (ET) - Brian Anderson, Stan Van Gundy, Lauren Jbara

|| Sources 🛈: SportsLogos.Net, NBA, ESPN Press Room, & Warner Bros. Discovery

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2025 NBA SoFi Play-In Tournament: Broadcast Schedule & Commentators

The current logo used for NBA's SoFi Play-In Tournament. (Tamir Moore/Canva)

Monday, April 7, 2025

• The SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament returns for the fifth consecutive season on a full-time basis this week (Tuesday, April 15 through Friday, April 18), with ESPN and Turner Sports teaming up to televise all six Play-in Tournament games.

• Teams seeded #7 through #10 in each conference (Eastern and Western) will participate in this mini-postseason tournament to determine the #7 and #8 seeds for the upcoming 2025 NBA Playoffs presented by Google.

• On Tuesday, April 15, the SoFi Play-In Tournament begins on TNT - Trae Young and the #8 seed Atlanta Hawks visit Paolo Banchero and the #7 Orlando Magic (7:30 PM ET) to decide the #7 seed in the East (and which squad will get the tough assignment of facing the defending champion Celtics in First Round) followed by Desmond Bane and the hungry #8 seed Memphis Grizzlies playing Stephen Curry and the veteran-led #7 seed Golden State Warriors (10:00 PM ET) with the #7 seed in the West at stake.

• Then, on Wednesday, April 16, the SoFi Play-In Tournament will continue on ESPN with two win-or-go home games. The doubleheader tips off at 7:30 PM (ET) on ESPN with the #9 vs. #10 game in the East. Bam Adebayo and the Miami Heat (#10 seed) clash with Josh Giddey and the Chicago Bulls (#9 seed) as both squads face a must-win situation. Then, at 10:00 PM (ET) on ESPN, the #9 vs. the #10 matchup out in the Western Conference will be played. Anthony Davis and the Dallas Mavericks (#10 seed) travel to Sacramento for a Western Conference duel with Domantas Sabonis and the Sacramento Kings with both teams trying to keep their postseason dreams alive.

• The 2025 SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament then wraps up with two games on Friday, April 18 with TNT and ESPN carrying a game each. Both games will see the eighth and final playoff spot in each conference get rewarded to the winners of these games.

Hello, everyone! Welcome to the beginning of the 2025 NBA postseason. Obviously, we are not officially in the playoffs just yet. However, the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament does signal that the actual main postseason draw is inching closer by the day.

This week, eight NBA teams will compete in the fifth annual Play-In Tournament to find out which ones will receive the #7 and #8 seeds in the upcoming 2025 NBA Playoffs. The #1 and #2 seeds in each conference will be observing this Play-In Tournament very closely, since their opponents will be determined via this tournament. The teams in this year's SoFi Play-In Tournament are: Magic, Hawks, Heat, Bulls, Grizzlies, Warriors, Mavericks, & Kings.

The 2025 SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament begins on Tuesday, April 15 with a doubleheader on TNT. At 7:30 PM (ET), Dyson Daniels and the #8 seed Atlanta Hawks compete in a Southeast Division Play-In matchup against Wendell Carter Jr. and the #7 seed Orlando Magic. The winner grabs the #7 seed in the Eastern Conference and will play the defending Boston Celtics in the First Round. The loser, meanwhile, plays on Friday night vs. the Heat-Bulls winner. 🎙 Brian Anderson calls the play-by-play alongside analyst and former NBA coach Stan Van Gundy and reporter Lauren Jbara.

In the Tuesday Play-In doubleheader nightcap on TNT, two familiar postseason foes get together once again as Desmond Bane and the #8 seed Memphis Grizzlies travel to San Francisco to play four-time NBA champion Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler III and the homestanding #7 seed Golden State Warriors at 10:00 PM (ET). These two teams are tussling in the postseason environment for the third time since the 2020-21 season. The victorious team secures the #7 seed and earns a trip to Houston for a First Round date with the Rockets. The team that falls short must prepare for a win-or-go-home on Friday evening vs. the Mavericks or the Kings. 🎙 Kevin Harlan (play-by-play), Hall of Famer Reggie Miller (analyst), & Allie LaForce (reporter) will provide commentary.

The 2025 SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament will resume the following evening, Wednesday, April 16, with a doubleheader of game action over on ESPN. To begin the night's lineup, at 7:30 PM (ET), Tyler Herro and the #10 seed Miami Heat head north to the Windy City of Chicago for a must-win Eastern Conference duel versus Kevin Huerter and the #9 seed Chicago Bulls. The winner keeps their season alive and advances to Friday's 8th Place Game vs. the #8 seed Hawks. The loser sees their season come to an abrupt end. 🎙 Wednesday's Heat vs. Bulls Play-In commentary team on ESPN features Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer play-by-play commentator Mike Breen, Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Doris Burke, fellow analyst and 2016 NBA Champion Richard Jefferson, and Cassidy Hubbarth reporting from the sidelines.

After Heat vs. Bulls wraps up, ESPN is set to move out to the West Coast for the second game of Wednesday's Play-In slate. At 10:00 PM (ET), Klay Thompson and the reigning Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks (#10 seed) strive to keep their season alive against DeMar DeRozan and the Sacramento Kings (#9 seed) from Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. Whoever survives this Western Conference battle will earn an additional game in the Play-In Tournament on Friday night vs. the #8 seed Grizzlies. The team that drops this game sees their playoff run end. 🎙 Play-by-play commentator Dave Pasch is joined by analyst Tim Legler and reporter Jorge Sedano for commentary duties.

The 2025 SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament culminates on Friday, April 18 with the final two games of this six-game mini-postseason tournament. 

TNT will televise the first matchup on Friday evening, beginning at 7:00 PM (ET), as Zaccharie Risacher and the East's #8 seed Atlanta Hawks host Bam Adebayo and the Miami Heat (#10 seed) for a chance at the East's final remaining postseason berth from State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 🎙 Ian Eagle is on play-by-play commentary with analyst Greg Anthony and reporter Stephanie Ready.

The 2025 SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament grand finale takes place on Friday night at 9:30 PM (ET) on ESPN following TNT's coverage of TBD vs. Hawks. Jaren Jackson Jr. and the West's #8 seed Memphis Grizzlies welcome in Dereck Lively II and the Dallas Mavericks (#10 seed) to FedEx Forum in Memphis for a matchup that will resolve who will lock up the final playoff berth (#8 seed) in the Western Conference First Round. 🎙 The commentary team of Dave Pasch, Tim Legler, & Jorge Sedano call their second game in three days.

Here is the conference breakdown and the daily television schedule for the 2025 NBA SoFi Play-In Tournament! Good luck to all of the teams competing this week.

• 2025 NBA SoFi Play-In Tournament: Conference Breakdown | All Times ET | Subject to Change

|| Eastern Conference (#7 through #10; the #7 seed plays the #2 seed in the Conference Quarterfinals while the #8 seed plays the #1 seed in the Conference Quarterfinals):

| East Play-In Game #1: (E8) Atlanta Hawks at (E7) Orlando Magic | Winner earns #7 seed (Magic) and faces the #2 seed Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. Loser (Hawks) advances to Friday's 8th Place Game vs. the winner (Heat) of Wednesday's Play-In Game.

- vs. -

. Tuesday, April 15 - Hawks at Magic - TNT, 7:30 PM (ET) - Brian Anderson, Stan Van Gundy, Lauren Jbara

| East Play-In Game #2: (E10) Miami Heat at (E9) Chicago Bulls | Winner (Heat) advances to Friday's 8th Place Game vs. the loser (Hawks) of Tuesday's Play-In Game. Loser (Bulls) is eliminated from postseason contention.

- vs. -

. Wednesday, April 16 - Heat at Bulls - ESPN, 7:30 PM (ET) - Mike Breen, Doris Burke, Richard Jefferson, Cassidy Hubbarth

- Cassidy Hubbarth's final NBA on ESPN broadcast

| East 8th Place Game: (E10) Miami Heat at (E8) Atlanta Hawks | Winner (Heat) earns #8 seed and faces the #1 seed Cleveland Cavaliers in the Conference Quarterfinals. Loser (Hawks) is eliminated from postseason contention.

- vs. -

. Friday, April 18 - Heat at Hawks - TNT, 7:00 PM (ET) - Ian Eagle, Greg Anthony, Stephanie Ready

|| Western Conference (#7 through #10; the #7 seed plays the #2 seed in the Conference Quarterfinals while the #8 seed plays the #1 seed in the Conference Quarterfinals):

| West Play-In Game #1: (W8) Memphis Grizzlies at (W7) Golden State Warriors | Winner earns #7 seed (Warriors) and faces the #2 seed Houston Rockets in the Western Conference Quarterfinals. Loser (Grizzlies) advances to Friday's 8th Place Game vs. the winner (Mavericks) of Wednesday's Play-In Game.

- vs. -

. Tuesday, April 15 - Grizzlies at Warriors - TNT, 10:00 PM (ET) - Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, Allie LaForce

| West Play-In Game #2: (W10) Dallas Mavericks at (W9) Sacramento Kings | Winner (Mavericks) advances to Friday's 8th Place Game vs. the loser (Grizzlies) of Tuesday's Play-In Game. Loser (Kings) is eliminated from postseason contention.

- vs. -

. Wednesday, April 16 - Mavericks at Kings - ESPN, 10:00 PM PM (ET) - Dave Pasch, Tim Legler, Jorge Sedano

| West 8th Place Game: (W10) Dallas Mavericks at (W8) Memphis Grizzlies | Winner (Grizzlies) earns #8 seed and faces the #1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Quarterfinals. Loser (Mavericks) is eliminated from postseason contention.

- vs. -

. Friday, April 18 - Mavericks at Grizzlies - ESPN, 9:30 PM (ET) - Dave Pasch, Tim Legler, Jorge Sedano

• 2025 NBA SoFi Play-In Tournament: Daily Television Schedule | All Times ET | Subject to Change

| Tuesday, April 15

. East Play-In: Hawks at Magic - TNT, 7:30 PM (ET) - Brian Anderson, Stan Van Gundy, Lauren Jbara

. West Play-In: Grizzlies at Warriors - TNT, 10:00 PM (ET) - Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, Allie LaForce

| Wednesday, April 16

. East Play-In: Heat at Bulls - ESPN, 7:30 PM PM (ET) - Mike Breen, Doris Burke, Richard Jefferson, Cassidy Hubbarth

- Cassidy Hubbarth's last NBA on ESPN broadcast

. West Play-In: Mavericks at Kings - ESPN, 10:00 PM PM (ET) - Dave Pasch, Tim Legler, Jorge Sedano

| Friday, April 18

. East 8th Place Game: Heat at Hawks - TNT, 7:00 PM (ET) - Ian Eagle, Greg Anthony, Stephanie Ready

. West 8th Place Game: Mavericks at Grizzlies - ESPN, 9:30 PM (ET) - Dave Pasch, Tim Legler, Jorge Sedano

|| Sources 🛈: SportsLogos.Net, NBA, Warner Bros. Discovery (Turner Sports), & ESPN Press Room

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