The postseason is underway with Round 1 of the 2024 NBA playoffs in full swing. If you don’t have cable, or are looking for a new way to watch the games, we’ve outlined the best way hoops fans can watch the first round and more playoff games for free. Here’s a look at the best options for streaming services that have free trials or promotional deals for new customers looking to avoid paying for cable.
• You can watch nearly every game of the first round live for free with DirecTV Stream (free trial), or watch the entire NBA playoffs on the cheap with Sling (promotional offers, cheapest streaming plans) paired with an HDTV antennae, if you don’t have one already.
Where can I watch 2024 Round 1 games for free? What networks or TV Channels are the NBA playoffs on?
This year’s 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 exclusively 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, DIRECTV, Dish, Verizon Fios, 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, which is DirecTV Stream. It has a seven-day free trial 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 is Sling, which is running a half-off your first month promotional offer and has the cheapest overall streaming plans. However, if you go this route, you will need to purchase an HDTV antennae 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, Sling is considerably cheaper 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?
The NBA playoffs began 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)
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