Best NBA playoffs streaming options: How to watch 2024 play-in, first round basketball live for free without cable
The postseason picture is nearly set for the 2024 NBA playoffs, and as the basketball action ramps up, we’re taking a look at the best way hoops fans can , as well as every round of the postseason once the field is set. Here’s a look at the best streaming services that have free trials or promotional deals for new customers looking to avoid paying for cable.
• You can watch every game of the NBA play-in tournament (free trial), or watch the entire NBA playoffs on the cheap (promotional offers, cheapest streaming plans) paired with an HDTV antennae, if you don’t have one already.
Where can I watch 2024 play-in tournament games for free? What networks or TV Channels are the NBA playoffs on?
This year’s NBA play-in tournament and the NBA playoffs will be on a combination of networks including TNT, ESPN, ABC and a few games on NBA TV. The NBA Finals will air on ABC beginning on June 6. You can find out more about which channels those networks are on in your area by using the channel finders here: Comcast Xfinity, , Dish,,Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice.
If you want to watch games for free, you can watch every game being broadcast locally on your ABC affiliate (channel finder above) with the help of an over-the-air HDTV antenna. If you need to get one now, a solid and well-rated HDTV antenna can be purchased for under $30 on Amazon and ships quickly with Prime. If you don’t have it already, sign up for a Prime free trial. After you get the antenna set up on your TV, you can watch the NBA Finals, as well as any major events going forward that happen on channels like ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX and more.
Where can I stream the NBA playoffs live for free without cable? Which service is best?
• There is only one streaming service that will have every game of the NBA play-in tournament, the first round and beyond, . It has and is the best service to sign up with for the NBA playoffs since it carries all of the channels that will broadcast NBA playoff games this month. With this option, you can at least watch every game of Rounds 1 and 2 for free and then decide if it’s worth paying for one month of access to watch the rest of the tournament. However, to get playoff games being broadcast on NBA TV, you will have to purchase the extra $15/month “Sports Pack” when you sign up.
• The second best option for watching the NBA playoffs , which is running a half-off your first month promotional offer and has the . However, if you go this route, you will need to if you don’t have one already so that you are able to watch the NBA Finals, or any playoff games airing on ABC. This way, you won’t miss the games being broadcast on ABC, which is not included in the Sling streaming service. Much like above, you will also have to purchase the extra $11/month “Sports Extra” package when you sign up to get playoff games airing on NBA TV.
Our recommendation: Even with the purchase of an HDTV antenna and additional sports extra package, than going with DirecTV Stream if you plan to purchase access to a streaming service for the duration of the NBA playoffs.
When do the 2024 NBA playoffs begin? What is the schedule of games?
After the play-in tournament games are wrapped up, the NBA playoffs will begin with Round 1 starting on Saturday, April 20. Here’s a look at the complete schedule for each round of the playoffs.
First round: April 20-May 5
Second round: Scheduled to start May 6-7. Could be moved up to May 4-5 if the first round series end early.
Conference finals: Scheduled to start May 21-22. Could be moved up to May 19-20 if second round series end early.
2024 NBA Finals: Begins on Monday, June 6. Here’s a look at the full schedule for NBA Finals games, which will all be broadcast on ABC.
- Thursday, June 6: Game 1
- Sunday, June 9: Game 2
- Wednesday, June 12: Game 3
- Friday, June 14: Game 4
- Monday, June 17: Game 5 (if necessary)
- Thursday, June 20: Game 6 (if necessary)
- Sunday, June 23: Game 7 (if necessary)
