What time are the NBA Playoff games today? TV schedule, channels for Saturday's first-round series

Sam Jarden

What time are the NBA Playoff games today? TV schedule, channels for Saturday's first-round series image

After nearly six months of NBA action, the 2023 Playoffs are finally here.

16 teams will begin their playoff journey this weekend, but only one will ultimately lift the Larry O'Brien Trophy in June and be crowned champion of the NBA. That journey gets underway this Saturday, when the first playoff games of the year tip off.

The action will begin at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday afternoon with the Nets taking on the Sixers. The final matchup of the evening will be Game 1 of the highly-anticipated series between the Kings and Warriors. ESPN will be broadcasting the first three games on Saturday, with ABC carrying the Kings vs. Warriors nightcap. 

Here's everything you need to know to catch all the action this Saturday.

MORE: Can the Kings take the fight to experienced Warriors?

When do the 2023 NBA playoffs start?

  • NBA Playoffs start date: Saturday, April 15
  • NBA Finals start date: Thursday, June 1

The format is the same as it was last season, with the Play-In Tournament preceding the start of the 2023 Playoffs. The first official playoff games will take place on Saturday, April 15, with 76ers vs. Nets getting things underway at 1 p.m. ET. 

The postseason will run through the month of May and into June, when the NBA Finals will begin on June 1. Depending on how many games the title-deciding series goes, the NBA season will conclude sometime between June 9-June 18. 

MORE: Full game, TV schedule for 2023 NBA Playoffs

How to watch Saturday's first round NBA Playoff games

  • TV networks: ESPN, ABC
  • Live stream: ESPN+, Sling TV

The first three NBA Playoff matchups on Saturday will air on ESPN, with the final game of the night (Warriors vs. Kings at 8:30 p.m. ET) airing on ABC. Live streamers can tune into the action on ESPN+ or Sling TV.

Fans in the U.S. can also watch the NBA's biggest playoff games on Sling TV, which is now offering HALF OFF your first month! Stream Sling Orange for $20 in your first month to catch all the games on TNT, ESPN & ABC. For games on NBA TV, subscribe to Sling Orange & Sports Extra for $27.50 in your first month. Local regional blackout restrictions apply.

SIGN UP FOR SLING: English | Spanish

NBA Playoffs TV schedule for Saturday, April 15

Brooklyn Nets vs. Philadelphia 76ers

  • Start time: 1 p.m. ET
  • Venue: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA 
  • TV channel: ESPN
  • Live streams: ESPN+, Sling TV

Atlanta Hawks vs. Boston Celtics

  • Start time: 3:30 p.m. ET
  • Venue: TD Garden, Boston, MA
  • TV channel: ESPN
  • Live streams: ESPN+, Sling TV

New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

  • Start time: 6 p.m. ET
  • Venue: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH
  • TV channel: ESPN
  • Live streams: ESPN+, Sling TV

Sacramento Kings vs. Golden State Warriors

  • Start time: 8:30 p.m. ET
  • Venue: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
  • TV channel: ABC
  • Live streams: ESPN+, Sling TV

NBA Playoffs bracket 2023

NBA Playoffs and Play-In Tournament bracket
(NBA)

Eastern Conference

1. Milwaukee Bucks vs. 8. Heat
2. Boston Celtics vs. 7. Hawks
3. Philadelphia 76ers vs. 6. Brooklyn Nets
4. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 5. New York Knicks

Western Conference

1. Denver Nuggets vs. 8. Timberwolves
2. Memphis Grizzlies vs. 7. Lakers
3. Sacramento Kings vs. 6. Golden State Warriors
4. Phoenix Suns vs. 5. LA Clippers

Sam Jarden

Sam Jarden Photo

Sam Jarden joined Sporting News as an intern in 2020 and returned as a content producer in 2022. In between, he spent a year and a half at Turner Sports, managing the social media accounts for Bleacher Report, NBA on TNT, NBA TV and others. A proud UNC alumnus, he spends his free time following the Tar Heels, Buffalo Bills and Newcastle United FC, and has been known to occasionally hit the links.