NBA Playoffs

Here's the updated bracket and schedule for Round 1 of the NBA playoffs

Here's an updated look at the first-round schedule and where each series stands.

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The 2024 NBA playoffs are underway.

The opening round features rematches of both conference final series from last year, with the No. 2 Denver Nuggets up against the No. 7 Los Angeles Lakers and the No. 1 Boston Celtics seeking revenge over the No. 8 Miami Heat.

Meanwhile, the No. 2 New York Knicks and No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers are squaring off in the postseason for the first time since 1989, while the No. 4 Los Angeles Clippers and No. 5 Dallas Mavericks are meeting for the third time in five years.

From the updated schedule to where each series stands and more, here's what to know about the first round of the playoffs:

What are the first-round NBA playoff matchups?

Here's an updated look at where each first-round series stands:

Eastern Conference

  • No. 1 Boston Celtics vs. No. 8 Miami Heat: Celtics lead 3-1
  • No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 5 Orlando Magic: Series tied 2-2
  • No. 3 Milwaukee Bucks vs. No. 6 Indiana Pacers: Indiana leads 3-1
  • No. 2 New York Knicks vs. No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers: New York leads 3-1

Western Conference

  • No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 8 New Orleans Pelicans: Oklahoma City wins series 4-0
  • No. 4 Los Angeles Clippers vs. No. 5 Dallas Mavericks: Series tied 2-2
  • No. 3 Minnesota Timberwolves vs. No. 6 Phoenix Suns: Minnesota wins series 4-0
  • No. 2 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 7 Los Angeles Lakers: Denver leads 3-1
Kazeem Famuyide discusses why these three players have the most to prove in the 2024 NBA playoffs.

What is the first-round NBA playoff schedule?

Here's an updated look at the first-round schedule (* = if necessary):

Eastern Conference

No. 1 Celtics vs. No. 8 Heat

  • Game 1: Celtics 114, Heat 94
  • Game 2: Heat 111, Celtics 101
  • Game 3: Celtics 104, Heat 84
  • Game 4: Celtics 102, Heat 88
  • Game 5: Heat at Celtics; Wednesday, May 1 (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
  • Game 6*: Celtics at Heat; Friday, May 3 (TBD, TBD)
  • Game 7*: Heat at Celtics; Sunday, May 5 (TBD, TBD)

No. 2 Knicks vs. No. 7 76ers

  • Game 1: Knicks 111, 76ers 104
  • Game 2: Knicks 104, 76ers 101
  • Game 3: 76ers 125, Knicks 114
  • Game 4: Knicks 97, Sixers 92
  • Game 5: 76ers at Knicks; Tuesday, April 30 (7 p.m. ET, TNT)
  • Game 6*: Knicks at 76ers; Thursday, May 2 (TBD, TBD)
  • Game 7*: 76ers at Knicks; Sunday, May 4 (TBD, TNT)

No. 3 Bucks vs. No. 6 Pacers

  • Game 1: Bucks 109, Pacers 94
  • Game 2: Pacers 125, Bucks 108
  • Game 3: Pacers 121, Bucks 118 (OT)
  • Game 4: Pacers 126, Bucks 113
  • Game 5: Pacers at Bucks; Tuesday, April 30 (9:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
  • Game 6*: Bucks at Pacers; Thursday, May 2 (TBD, TBD)
  • Game 7*: Pacers at Bucks; Saturday, May 4 (TBD, TNT)

No. 4 Cavaliers vs. No. 5 Magic

  • Game 1: Cavaliers 97, Magic 83
  • Game 2: Cavaliers 96, Magic 86
  • Game 3: Magic 121, Cavaliers 83
  • Game 4: Magic 112, Cavaliers 89
  • Game 5: Magic at Cavaliers; Tuesday, April 30 (8 p.m. ET, NBA TV)
  • Game 6: Cavaliers at Magic; Friday, May 3 (TBD, TBD)
  • Game 7*: Magic at Cavaliers; Sunday, May 5 (TBD, TBD)

Western Conference

No. 1 Thunder vs. No. 8 Pelicans

  • Game 1: Thunder 94, Pelicans 92
  • Game 2: Thunder 124, Pelicans 92
  • Game 3: Thunder 106, Pelicans 85
  • Game 4: Thunder 97, Pelicans 89
  • Game 5*: Pelicans at Thunder; Wednesday, May 1 (8:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV)
  • Game 6*: Thunder at Pelicans; Friday, May 3 (TBD, TBD)
  • Game 7*: Pelicans at Thunder; Sunday, May 5 (TBD, TBD)

No. 2 Nuggets vs. No. 7 Lakers

  • Game 1: Nuggets 114, Lakers 103
  • Game 2: Nuggets 101, Lakers 99
  • Game 3: Nuggets 112, Lakers 105
  • Game 4: Lakers 110, Nuggets 108
  • Game 5: Lakers at Nuggets; Monday, April 29 (10 p.m. ET, TNT)
  • Game 6*: Nuggets at Lakers; Thursday, May 2 (TBD, TBD)
  • Game 7*: Lakers at Nuggets; Saturday, May 4 (TBD, TNT)

No. 3 Timberwolves vs. No. 6 Suns

  • Game 1: Timberwolves 120, Suns 95
  • Game 2: Timberwolves 105, Suns 93
  • Game 3: Timberwolves 126, Suns 109
  • Game 4: Timberwolves 122, Suns 116

No. 4 Clippers vs. No. 5 Mavericks

  • Game 1: Clippers 109, Mavericks 97
  • Game 2: Mavericks 96, Clippers 93
  • Game 3: Mavericks 101, Clippers 90
  • Game 4: Clippers 116, Mavericks 111
  • Game 5: Mavericks at Clippers, Wednesday, May 1 (10 p.m. ET, TNT)
  • Game 6: Clippers at Mavericks, Friday, May 3 (9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
  • Game 7*: Mavericks at Clippers, Sunday, May 5 (TBD, TBD)

How many games is the first round of the NBA playoffs?

All playoff series are best of seven with a 2-2-1-1-1 format. The higher seed hosts Games 1, 2, 5 and 7.

Does the NBA reseed in the playoffs?

Unlike the NFL playoffs, teams aren't reseeded after the first round. So the winner of the 1-8 matchup faces the winner of the 4-5 matchup in Round 2, while the winner of the 2-7 matchup faces the winner of the 3-6 matchup.

When does the second round of the NBA playoffs start?

The second round is scheduled to start May 6-7, though it could be moved up to May 4-5 if the first-round ends early.

Where to watch and stream the NBA playoffs

NBA playoff games will be broadcast nationally across ESPN, TNT, NBA TV and ABC.

Games on ABC and ESPN will be available to stream on ESPN.com and the ESPN app. TNT games can be streamed on TNTdrama.com and the TNT app. Games on NBA TV can be streamed on NBA.com and the NBA app.

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