2026 NBA Playoffs presented by Google: First Round Television Schedule & Commentators

The logo used during the 2026 NBA Playoffs presented by Google. (NBA)

| ▸ Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Highlights:

• The 2026 NBA Playoffs presented by Google kick off on Saturday, April 18 with a tripleheader on Prime Video (Raptors vs. Cavaliers, Game 1; Timberwolves vs. Nuggets, Game 1; Hawks vs. Knicks, Game 1), followed by a primetime Rockets vs. Lakers showdown (Game 1) at 8:30 PM ET on ABC.

• Basketball fans, rejoice! Eight playoff games will be contested over the course of two days this weekend, with four series beginning on Saturday and the other four series getting started on Sunday.

• Prime Video, NBC/Peacock, Peacock/NBCSN, ABC and ESPN team up to televise First Round games.

• Time For Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder begin their playoff journey vs. the West 8th seed. Can Oklahoma City become the first team since the Warriors in 2017 & '18 to repeat as NBA champions?

• The 2026 SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament precedes the 2026 NBA Playoffs presented by Google. Head over to this provided link for additional information.

The 2026 NBA Playoffs presented by Google is set to begin this weekend, with 16 teams starting their pursuit of the Larry O'Brien Trophy. First Round action begins on Saturday, April 18 with four games, highlighted by a playoff series opener between two future Hall of Famers in Kevin Durant (HOU) and LeBron James (LAL). The following day, the four remaining series open up shop, including the defending champion Thunder hosting the Warriors or Suns and the West's No. 2 seed Spurs hosting their first playoff game since the 2018-19 seed.

During the first round, viewers can find games on ABC, ESPN, NBC/Peacock, Peacock/NBCSN, & Prime Video. NBC Sports carries NBA playoff games for the first time since 2002, while Peacock and Amazon show NBA Playoff broadcasts for the first time ever.

The 2026 NBA Playoffs begin in Northeast Ohio as Scottie Barnes and the young Toronto Raptors (#5 in East) take on Donovan Mitchell and the experienced Cleveland Cavaliers (#4 in East) in Game 1 of their best-of-seven playoff series on Saturday, April 18 at 1:00 PM ET on Prime Video. Toronto swept Cleveland in the three regular-season matchups. The Cavaliers are just one season removed from being the top seed in the Eastern Conference and added 11-time NBA All-Star James Harden during the season to help bolster the squad ahead of this particular postseason odyssey.

A pair of Western Conference teams renew their budding postseason rivalry as Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves (#6 in West) square off against Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets (#3 in West) in Game 1 of this Western Conference Quarterfinal on Saturday, April 18 at 3:30 PM ET on Prime Video. These teams are meeting in the playoffs for the third time in the past four seasons, with Denver knocking out Minnesota in the 2023 West 1st Round, 4-1, and Minnesota responding with a SPELLBINDING seven-game series victory over the Nuggets in the 2024 West Semifinals. Grab your popcorn 🍿, because this is about to be a movie!

Day 1 of the 2026 NBA Playoffs continues from Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY as Jalen Johnson and the Atlanta Hawks (#6 seed) come marauding into MSG for Game 1 of this best-of-seven Eastern Conference opening round series against Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks (#3 seed) on Saturday, April 18 at 6:00 PM ET on Prime Video. The Knicks are back in the playoffs for the fourth straight year, ready to dispatch Atlanta (and any other team) on their way to hopefully another Eastern Conference Finals. Atlanta, meanwhile, shocked the basketball world with a marvelous second half following a subpar 26-30 record by All-Star Weekend. The Hawks went 22-9 over the final 31 regular season games.

Talk about a Saturday Showcase to wrap up the first day of these 2026 NBA Playoffs! We have a riveting Western Conference Game 1 matchup as Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets (#5 seed) get the assignment of matching up with LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers (#4 seed) on Saturday, April 18 at 8:30 PM ET on ABC. IS THIS THE LAST TIME THAT WE SEE KD VS. BRON IN PLAYOFFS?! Of course, we have seen Durant and James play on some of basketball's biggest stages through the years, including the two NBA Finals head-to-head (2017 and 2018) while KD was with Golden State and LeBron played for the Cavaliers. For the first time since 2018, though, Durant & James oppose each other in the playoffs with a second round berth hanging in the balance.

The 2026 NBA Playoffs presented by Google will resume on Sunday, April 19, with four additional Game 1 matchups.

Tyrese Maxey and the Philadelphia 76ers (#7 in East) face off against four-time All-NBA Star selection Jayson Tatum and fellow NBA All-Star Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics (#2 in East) in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first-round series on Sunday, April 19 at 1:00 PM ET on ABC. Boston finds themselves in the playoffs for the 12th straight year. As for Philadelphia, they are back in the NBA Playoffs following a one-year absence last season. However, the 76ers go into the playoffs without franchise superstar Joel Embiid, who is OUT following appendicitis surgery. 

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder (#1 in West) open up their title defense in Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against Devin Booker, Jalen Green and the Phoenix Suns (#8 in West) on Sunday, April 19 at 3:30 PM ET on ABC.

Cade Cunningham and the top-seeded Detroit Pistons (#1 in East) start their playoff journey against Desmond Bane and the Orlando Magic (#8 in East) on Sunday, April 19 at 6:30 PM ET on NBC and Peacock. Paolo Banchero and the Magic are in for a difficult assignment against Jalen Duren and the 60-win Detroit Pistons. Detroit has smashed any and all expectations, finishing as the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference for the first time since 2006. However, it is very important to keep in mind that BOTH Orlando and Detroit have not claimed victory in a playoff series in over 15 years.

The weekend's full slate of playoff action concludes in San Antonio, as first-time NBA All-Star Deni Avdija and the Portland Trail Blazers (#7 in West) visit Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs (#2 in West) on Sunday, April 19 at 9:00 PM ET on NBC and Peacock. San Antonio enters playoff action for the first time since 2019 following a 62-20 regular season. The Spurs feature a young and exciting group of players, highlighted by 2024-25 Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle and two-time NBA All-Star Victor Wembanyama. San Antonio won two of the three regular season meetings between the clubs this season.

Following the Game 1's this weekend, First Round action will continue on ABC, ESPN, NBC/Peacock, Peacock/NBCSN, and Prime Video through at least Monday, April 27. If any additional First Round games are necessary beyond that date, they will be played between Tuesday, April 28 and Sunday, May 3.

Ladies and gentlemen, get ready for an exhilarating journey as we dive into the series-by-series breakdown and the daily television schedule for the Conference Quarterfinals (First Round) of the 2026 NBA Playoffs presented by Google! The NBA playoffs begin this weekend, and the excitement is growing by the second!

• 2026 NBA Playoffs presented by Google: First Round (Conference Quarterfinals) Conference Breakdown by Series (Subject to Change)

⯀ Eastern Conference:

| ● (E8) Orlando Magic vs. (E1) Detroit Pistons — Orlando leads series, 1-0 | Series begins on Sunday, April 19

🆚

. Game 1 - Sunday, April 19 - Magic at Pistons - NBC/Peacock, 6:30 PM (ET) - Noah Eagle, Grant Hill, Ashley ShahAhmadi

. Game 2 - Wednesday, April 22 - Magic at Pistons - ESPN, 7:00 PM (ET) -

. Game 3 - Saturday, April 25 - Pistons at Magic - Peacock/NBCSN, 1:00 PM (ET) -

. Game 4 - Monday, April 27 - Pistons at Magic - TBD, TBD PM (ET) -

. 🞼 Game 5 (if nec.) - Wednesday, April 29 - Magic at Pistons - TBD, TBD PM (ET) -

. 🞼 Game 6 (if nec.) - Friday, May 1 - Pistons at Magic - TBD, TBD PM (ET) -

. 🞼 Game 7 (if nec.) - Sunday, May 3 - Magic at Pistons - TBD, TBD PM (ET) -

| ● (E5) Toronto Raptors vs. (E4) Cleveland Cavaliers — Cleveland leads series, 1-0 | Series begins on Saturday, April 18

 🆚

. Game 1 - Saturday, April 18 - Raptors at Cavaliers - Prime Video, 1:00 PM (ET) - Eric Collins, Dell Curry, Kristina Pink

. Game 2 - Monday, April 20 - Raptors at Cavaliers - Peacock/NBCSN, 7:00 PM (ET) - Mark Followill, Robbie Hummel, Chris Mannix

. Game 3 - Thursday, April 23 - Cavaliers at Raptors - Prime Video, 8:00 PM (ET) -

. Game 4 - Sunday, April 26 - Cavaliers at Raptors - ESPN, 1:00 PM (ET) -

. 🞼 Game 5 (if nec.) - Wednesday, April 29 - Raptors at Cavaliers - TBD, TBD PM (ET) -

. 🞼 Game 6 (if nec.) - Friday, May 1 - Cavaliers at Raptors - TBD, TBD PM (ET) -

. 🞼 Game 7 (if nec.) - Sunday, May 3 - Raptors at Cavaliers - TBD, TBD PM (ET) -

| ● (E7) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (E2) Boston Celtics — Boston leads series, 1-0 | Series begins on Sunday, April 19

🆚

. Game 1 - Sunday, April 19 - 76ers at Celtics - ABC, 1:00 PM (ET) - Ryan Ruocco, Jay Bilas, Jorge Sedano

. Game 2 - Tuesday, April 21 - 76ers at Celtics - Peacock/NBCSN, 7:00 PM (ET) - Jason Benetti, Robbie Hummel, Jordan Cornette

. Game 3 - Friday, April 24 - Celtics at 76ers - Prime Video, 7:00 PM (ET) -

. Game 4 - Sunday, April 26 - Celtics at 76ers - NBC/Peacock, 7:00 PM (ET) -

. 🞼 Game 5 (if nec.) - Tuesday, April 28 - 76ers at Celtics - TBD, TBD PM (ET) -

. 🞼 Game 6 (if nec.) - Thursday, April 30 - Celtics at 76ers - TBD, TBD PM (ET) -

. 🞼 Game 7 (if nec.) - Saturday, May 2 - 76ers at Celtics - TBD, TBD PM (ET) -

| ● (E6) Atlanta Hawks vs. (E3) New York Knicks — New York leads series, 1-0 | Series begins on Saturday, April 18

🆚

. Game 1 - Saturday, April 18 - Hawks at Knicks - Prime Video, 6:00 PM (ET) - Ian Eagle, Stan Van Gundy, Cassidy Hubbarth

. Game 2 - Monday, April 20 - Hawks at Knicks - NBC/Peacock, 8:00 PM (ET) - Noah Eagle, Jamal Crawford, Jordan Cornette

. Game 3 - Thursday, April 23 - Knicks at Hawks - Prime Video, 7:00 PM (ET) -

. Game 4 - Saturday, April 25 - Knicks at Hawks - NBC/Peacock, 6:00 PM (ET) -

. 🞼 Game 5 (if nec.) - Tuesday, April 28 - Hawks at Knicks - TBD, TBD PM (ET) -

. 🞼 Game 6 (if nec.) - Thursday, April 30 - Knicks at Hawks - TBD, TBD PM (ET) -

. 🞼 Game 7 (if nec.) - Saturday, May 2 - Hawks at Knicks - TBD, TBD PM (ET) -

⯀ Western Conference:

| ● (W8) Phoenix Suns vs. (W1) Oklahoma City Thunder — Oklahoma City leads series, 1-0 | Series begins on Sunday, April 19

🆚

. Game 1 - Sunday, April 19 - Suns at Thunder - ABC, 3:30 PM (ET) - Dave Pasch, Doris Burke, Malika Andrews

. Game 2 - Wednesday, April 22 - Suns at Thunder - ESPN, 9:30 PM (ET) -

. Game 3 - Saturday, April 25 - Thunder at Suns - NBC/Peacock, 3:30 PM (ET) -

. Game 4 - Monday, April 27 - Thunder at Suns - TBD, TBD PM (ET) -

. 🞼 Game 5 (if nec.) - Wednesday, April 29 - Suns at Thunder - TBD, TBD PM (ET) -

. 🞼 Game 6 (if nec.) - Friday, May 1 - Thunder at Suns - TBD, TBD PM (ET) -

. 🞼 Game 7 (if nec.) - Sunday, May 3 - Suns at Thunder - TBD, TBD PM (ET) -

| ● (W5) Houston Rockets vs. (W4) Los Angeles Lakers — Los Angeles Lakers leads series, 1-0 | Series begins on Saturday, April 18

🆚

. Game 1 - Saturday, April 18 - Rockets at Lakers - ABC, 8:30 PM (ET) - Mike Breen, Richard Jefferson, Tim Legler, Lisa Salters

. Game 2 - Tuesday, April 21 - Rockets at Lakers - NBC/Peacock, 10:30 PM (ET) - Terry Gannon, Grant Hill, Ashley ShahAhmadi

. Game 3 - Friday, April 24 - Lakers at Rockets - Prime Video, 8:00 PM PM (ET) -

. Game 4 - Sunday, April 26 - Lakers at Rockets - NBC/Peacock, 9:30 PM (ET) -

. 🞼 Game 5 (if nec.) - Wednesday, April 29 - Rockets at Lakers - TBD, TBD PM (ET) -

. 🞼 Game 6 (if nec.) - Friday, May 1 - Lakers at Rockets - TBD, TBD PM (ET) -

. 🞼 Game 7 (if nec.) - Sunday, May 3 - Rockets at Lakers - TBD, TBD PM (ET) -

| ● (W7) Portland Trail Blazers vs. (W2) San Antonio Spurs — San Antonio leads series, 1-0 | Series begins on Sunday, April 19

🆚

. Game 1 - Sunday, April 19 - Trail Blazers at Spurs - NBC/Peacock, 9:00 PM (ET) - Mike Tirico, Reggie Miller, Zora Stephenson

. Game 2 - Tuesday, April 21 - Trail Blazers at Spurs - NBC/Peacock, 8:00 PM (ET) - Mike Tirico, Reggie Miller, Zora Stephenson

. Game 3 - Friday, April 24 - Spurs at Trail Blazers - Prime Video, 10:30 PM (ET) -

. Game 4 - Sunday, April 26 - Spurs at Trail Blazers - ESPN, 3:30 PM (ET) -

. 🞼 Game 5 (if nec.) - Tuesday, April 28 - Trail Blazers at Spurs - TBD, TBD PM (ET) -

. 🞼 Game 6 (if nec.) - Thursday, April 30 - Spurs at Trail Blazers - TBD, TBD PM (ET) -

. 🞼 Game 7 (if nec.) - Saturday, May 2 - Trail Blazers at Spurs - TBD, TBD PM (ET) -

| ● (W6) Minnesota Timberwolves vs. (W3) Denver Nuggets — Denver leads series, 1-0 | Series begins on Saturday, April 18

🆚

. Game 1 - Saturday, April 18 - Timberwolves at Nuggets - Prime Video, 3:30 PM (ET) - Kevin Harlan, Candace Parker, Dwyane Wade, Allie Clifton

. Game 2 - Monday, April 20 - Timberwolves at Nuggets - NBC/Peacock, 10:30 PM (ET) - Michael Grady, Brian Scalabrine, Austin Rivers, Grant Liffmann

. Game 3 - Thursday, April 23 - Nuggets at Timberwolves - Prime Video, 9:30 PM (ET) -

. Game 4 - Saturday, April 25 - Nuggets at Timberwolves - ABC, 8:30 PM (ET) -

. 🞼 Game 5 (if nec.) - Monday, April 27 - Timberwolves at Nuggets - TBD, TBD PM (ET) -

. 🞼 Game 6 (if nec.) - Thursday, April 30 - Nuggets at Timberwolves - TBD, TBD PM (ET) -

. 🞼 Game 7 (if nec.) - Saturday, May 2 - Timberwolves at Nuggets - TBD, TBD PM (ET) -

• 2026 NBA Playoffs presented by Google: First Round (Conference Quarterfinals) Daily Television Schedule (All Times ET; Subject to Change)

|| ● Saturday, April 18:

. Game 1 - Raptors at Cavaliers - Prime Video, 1:00 PM ET - Eric Collins, Dell Curry, Kristina Pink

. Game 1 - Timberwolves at Nuggets - Prime Video, 3:30 PM ET - Kevin Harlan, Candace Parker, Dwyane Wade, Allie Clifton

. Game 1 - Hawks at Knicks - Prime Video, 6:00 PM ET - Ian Eagle, Stan Van Gundy, Cassidy Hubbarth

. Game 1 - Rockets at Lakers - ABC, 8:30 PM ET - Mike Breen, Richard Jefferson Tim Legler, Lisa Salters

|| ● Sunday, April 19:

. Game 1 - 76ers at Celtics - ABC, 1:00 PM ET - Ryan Ruocco, Jay Bilas, Jorge Sedano

. Game 1 - Suns at Thunder - ABC, 3:30 PM ET - Dave Pasch, Doris Burke, Malika Andrews

. Game 1 - Magic at Pistons - NBC/Peacock, 6:30 PM ET - Noah Eagle, Grant Hill, Ashley ShahAhmadi

. Game 1 - Trail Blazers at Spurs - NBC/Peacock, 9:00 PM ET - Mike Tirico, Reggie Miller, Zora Stephenson

|| ● Monday, April 20:

. Game 2 - Raptors at Cavaliers - Peacock/NBCSN, 7:00 PM ET - Mark Followill, Robbie Hummel, Chris Mannix

. Game 2 - Hawks at Knicks - NBC/Peacock, 8:00 PM ET - Noah Eagle, Jamal Crawford, Jordan Cornette

. Game 2 - Timberwolves at Nuggets - NBC/Peacock, 10:30 PM ET - Michael Grady, Brian Scalabrine, Austin Rivers, Grant Liffmann

|| ● Tuesday, April 21:

. Game 2 - 76ers at Celtics - Peacock/NBCSN, 7:00 PM ET - Jason Benetti, Robbie Hummel, Jordan Cornette

. Game 2 - Trail Blazers at Spurs - NBC/Peacock, 8:00 PM ET - Mike Tirico, Reggie Miller, Zora Stephenson

. Game 2 - Rockets at Lakers - NBC/Peacock, 10:30 PM ET - Terry Gannon, Grant Hill, Ashley ShahAhmadi

|| ● Wednesday, April 22:

. Game 2 - Magic at Pistons - ESPN, 7:00 PM ET - 

. Game 2 - Suns at Thunder - ESPN, 9:30 PM ET - 

|| ● Thursday, April 23:

. Game 3 - Knicks at Hawks - Prime Video, 7:00 PM ET - 

. Game 3 - Cavaliers at Raptors - Prime Video, 8:00 PM ET - 

. Game 3 - Nuggets at Timberwolves - Prime Video, 9:30 PM ET - 

|| ● Friday, April 24:

. Game 3 - Celtics at 76ers - Prime Video, 7:00 PM ET - 

. Game 3 - Lakers at Rockets - Prime Video, 8:00 PM ET - 

. Game 3 - Spurs at Trail Blazers - Prime Video, 10:30 PM ET - 

|| ● Saturday, April 25:

. Game 3 - Pistons at Magic - Peacock/NBCSN, 1:00 PM ET - 

. Game 3 - Thunder at Suns - NBC/Peacock, 3:30 PM ET - 

. Game 4 - Knicks at Hawks - NBC/Peacock, 6:00 PM ET - 

. Game 4 - Nuggets at Timberwolves - ABC, 8:30 PM ET - 

|| ● Sunday, April 26:

. Game 4 - Cavaliers at Raptors - ESPN, 1:00 PM ET - 

. Game 4 - Spurs at Trail Blazers - ESPN, 3:30 PM ET - 

. Game 4 - Celtics at 76ers - NBC/Peacock, 7:00 PM ET - 

. Game 4 - Lakers at Rockets - NBC/Peacock, 9:30 PM ET - 

|| ● Monday, April 27:

. Game 4 - Pistons at Magic - TBD

. Game 4 - Thunder at Suns - TBD

. 🞼 Game 5 (if nec.) - Timberwolves at Nuggets - TBD

|| ● Tuesday, April 28:

. 🞼 Game 5 (if nec.) - 76ers at Celtics - TBD

. 🞼 Game 5 (if nec.) - Hawks at Knicks - TBD

. 🞼 Game 5 (if nec.) - Trail Blazers at Spurs - TBD

|| ● Wednesday, April 29:

. 🞼 Game 5 (if nec.) - Magic at Pistons - TBD

. 🞼 Game 5 (if nec.) - Raptors at Cavaliers - TBD

. 🞼 Game 5 (if nec.) - Suns at Thunder - TBD

. 🞼 Game 5 (if nec.) - Rockets at Lakers - TBD

|| ● Thursday, April 30:

. 🞼 Game 6 (if nec.) - Celtics at 76ers - TBD

. 🞼 Game 6 (if nec.) - Knicks at Hawks - TBD

. 🞼 Game 6 (if nec.) - Nuggets at Timberwolves - TBD

. 🞼 Game 6 (if nec.) - Spurs at Trail Blazers - TBD

|| ● Friday, May 1:

. 🞼 Game 6 (if nec.) - Pistons at Magic - TBD

. 🞼 Game 6 (if nec.) - Cavaliers at Raptors - TBD

. 🞼 Game 6 (if nec.) - Thunder at Suns - TBD

. 🞼 Game 6 (if nec.) - Lakers at Rockets - TBD

|| ● Saturday, May 2:

. 🞼 Game 7 (if nec.) - 76ers at Celtics - TBD

. 🞼 Game 7 (if nec.) - Hawks at Knicks - TBD

. 🞼 Game 7 (if nec.) - Trail Blazers at Spurs - TBD

. 🞼 Game 7 (if nec.) - Timberwolves at Nuggets - TBD

|| ● Sunday, May 3:

. 🞼 Game 7 (if nec.) - Magic at Pistons - TBD

. 🞼 Game 7 (if nec.) - Raptors at Cavaliers - TBD

. 🞼 Game 7 (if nec.) - Suns at Thunder - TBD

. 🞼 Game 7 (if nec.) - Rockets at Lakers - TBD

|| 🛈 Sources: SportsLogos.Net, NBA, ESPN Press Room (Coming Soon), Amazon Studios & NBC Sports Press Box ||

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