The second round of the NBA Playoffs began on Sunday night when Eastern conference champs the Cleveland Cavaliers played the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers outplayed the Cavs winning Game 1 of the series 121-112 and handing the Cavs their first loss of the post-season; Game 2 will tip off on Tuesday. The second round Eastern Conference bracket also includes the Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks, that series begins tonight in Boston. The Western Conference playoff bracket will have Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Golden State Warriors.
The 2025 NBA Playoff excitement will continue all week long, here’s how you can watch every game of the second round, plus find out everything else you need to know about tuning into the NBA playoffs.
How to watch the NBA playoffs:
Round 2 start date: Sunday, May 4
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TV channels: ESPN, ABC, TNT, NBA TV
Streaming: DirecTV, Max and more
When do the NBA playoffs start?
Round 2 of the 2025 NBA playoffs began May 4.
NBA Playoffs channel:
The NBA Playoffs will air across ESPN, ABC, TNT and NBA TV.
How to watch the NBA Playoffs without cable:
DIRECTV’s MySports pack is a curated live TV package geared toward sports fans, with access to ESPN’s suite of channels, TBS, TNT, USA, FS1 and an included subscription to ESPN+ for $69.99/month.
The MySports pack guarantees access to thousands of live televised events, plus all the live-streaming and library content on ESPN+, all on one interface and one bill. You can try it for free for five days before committing.
Max, aka “the one to watch,” has select live sports available through its Bleacher Report Sports add-on, which is included free of charge for ad-free Max subscribers.
On top of March Madness games on TBS, TNT and TruTV, Max has buzzy shows including The Pitt, The White Lotus, The Last of Us, House of the Dragon, Dune: Prophecy and more.
Ad-supported Max starts at $10/month. The Standard plan (which includes B/R Sports free of charge) costs $17/month.
Who is playing in the NBA playoffs?
Western Conference
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (4) Denver Nuggets
(7) Golden State Warriors vs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves
Eastern Conference
(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (4) Indiana Pacers
(2) Boston Celtics vs. (3) New York Knicks
2025 NBA playoffs TV schedule:
All times Eastern.
Monday, May 5
Game 1: Knicks vs. Celtics, 7 p.m. (TNT, Max)
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Game 1: Nuggets vs. Thunder, 9:30 p.m. (TNT, Max)
Tuesday, May 6
Game 2: Pacers vs. Cavaliers, 7 p.m. (TNT, Max)
Game 1: Warriors vs. Timberwolves, 9:30 p.m. (TNT, Max)
Wednesday, May 7
Game 2: Knicks vs. Celtics, 7 p.m. (TNT, Max)
Game 2: Nuggets vs. Thunder, 9:30 p.m. (TNT, Max)
Thursday, May 8
Game 2: Warriors vs. Timberwolves, 8:30 p.m. (TNT, Max)
Friday, May 9
Game 3: Cavaliers vs. Pacers, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Game 3: Thunder vs. Nuggets, 10 p.m. (ESPN)
Saturday, May 10
Game 3: Celtics vs. Knicks, TBD (ABC)
Game 3: Timberwolves vs. Warriors, 8:30 p.m. (ABC)
Sunday, May 11
Game 4: Cavaliers vs. Pacers, 8 p.m. ( TNT, Max)
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Game 4: Thunder vs. Nuggets, 3:30 p.m. (ABC)
Monday, May 12
Game 4: Celtics vs. Knicks, TBD (ESPN)
Game 4: Timberwolves vs. Warriors, 10 p.m. (ESPN)
Tuesday, May 13
Game 5*: Pacers vs. Cavaliers, TBD (TNT, Max)
Game 5*: Nuggets vs. Thunder, TBD (TNT, Max)
Wednesday, May 14
Game 5*: Knicks vs. Celtics, TBD (TNT, Max)
Game 5*: Warriors vs. Timberwolves, TBD (TNT, Max)
Thursday, May 15
Game 6*: Cavaliers vs. Pacers, TBD
Game 6*: Thunder vs. Nuggets, TBD (ESPN)
Friday, May 16
Game 6*: Celtics vs. Knicks, TBD (ESPN)
Sunday, May 18
Game 7*: Pacers vs. Cavaliers, TBD (TBD)
Game 7*: Nuggets vs. Thunder, TBD (TBD)
Game 6*: Timberwolves vs. Warriors, TBD (TBD)
Monday, May 19
Game 7*: Knicks vs. Celtics, 8 p.m. (TNT, Max)
Tuesday, May 20
Game 7*: Warriors vs. Timberwolves, 8:30 pm. (ESPN)
*if necessary
