NBA Playoffs: Your Simple Guide to Watching Every Game

If you love basketball, the NBA Playoffs are the biggest event of the year. It’s when the best teams clash, heroes rise and every game feels like a final. This page gives you everything you need – dates, how to watch, who to follow and a few tips to make the experience even better.

When & Where the Games Are Played

The 2025 NBA Playoffs start in mid‑April and run through early June. Each round follows a best‑of‑seven format, so you could see up to seven games per series. The first two rounds are usually on weekday evenings, while the conference finals and the Finals move to prime‑time slots.

Games are held at each team’s home arena, alternating according to the 2‑2‑1‑1‑1 schedule after Game 4. That means if you’re a fan of the Dallas Mavericks, you’ll see most early games in the American Airlines Center and later ones on the road if they advance.

Best Ways to Stream the Action

The easiest way to catch every playoff game is through an NBA‑approved streaming service. In the U.S., you can watch live on ESPN, TNT or ABC depending on the round – all of them are available via major platforms like Hulu Live, YouTube TV, Sling TV and DirecTV Stream.

If you prefer a direct NBA source, the NBA League Pass offers every game with no black‑out restrictions if you’re outside the local market. It works on phones, tablets, smart TVs and gaming consoles, so you can follow the action from anywhere.

For South African viewers, look for the NBA on SuperSport or the DStv Stream app. Both carry all playoff games live and often include extra analysis shows that break down key moments.

A quick tip: set up notifications in your streaming app so you never miss a start time. The playoffs move fast – a game can end early or go to overtime, and you’ll want to be ready.

Beyond the games themselves, keep an eye on the buzz around players like Luka Dončić. His emotional homecoming with the Dallas Mavericks sparked huge fan reactions, and his performance in the playoffs could define the series for the Mavs. Watching those storylines adds extra excitement to every matchup.

Finally, join the conversation on social media. Twitter hashtags #NBAPlayoffs and team‑specific tags bring real‑time highlights, memes and fan polls that make the experience more interactive.

Whether you’re new to basketball or a seasoned fan, this guide should help you enjoy every buzzer‑beater, slam dunk and comeback. Grab your snack, fire up your streaming service, and get ready for the biggest showdown in sports – the NBA Playoffs.