When do the NBA playoffs start 2024, NBA playoff bracket, how do the NBA playoffs work

The NBA playoffs are set to begin imminently. Here’s everything you need to know about the NBA playoffs 2024, how they were and who has qualified.

It was where NBA icons such as Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant made their name and now anticipation is with the regular NBA season complete and the playoff on the horizon.

With just the play in to go, eyes are now on the main prize of the NBA Championship as Denver Nuggets and Nikola Jokić looking to hold on to their title. However, they face tough competition from the in-form Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder.

Whether you’re new to the NBA or a diehard fan, the NBA playoffs are a must watch. Want to know everything about the NBA playoffs, the upcoming play in and all the important dates? We have you covered below.

How do NBA playoffs work

The NBA is split into two divisions - the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference. Teams who finish from positions 1-6 in the standings of each conference are guaranteed a playoff spot. Teams in positions 7-10 enter a ‘play in’ (more on that below) to determine the final four positions in the playoffs. Once the ‘play in’ is concluded a total of 16 teams take part in the playoffs.

The NBA playoffs clashes are all seven-game series and the team with the higher seed is given home court advantage, meaning those sides will play games one, two, five and seven (if game five and seven are required) on their home court. The first-round matchups are will see the following play each: 1st place vs 8th place, 2nd place vs 7th place, 3rd place vs 6th place and 4th place vs 5th place.

The winner of the first round will qualify for the next round and play a seven-game series. The winners of those series will then face each other in the Eastern/Western Conference final. The winner of each conference playoffs will then head to the 2024 NBA World Championship final in order to be crowed world champions. The final will also played over seven games (if required).

NBA playoff bracket - who has qualified for the NBA play offs?

The NBA bracket for 2024 is available here and the playoff picture currently looks like this:

How does the NBA play in work

First, the seventh-place team faces the eighth-place team and the ninth-place team plays the 10th-place team. The teams play just one game, with the team higher in the standings having home-court advantage. The winners of those ties will enter the NBA playoffs.

NBA play in dates, NBA play in fixtures

The play in will run from April 17-19 and will see the following match ups:

Wednesday 17 April (All times BST):

Pelicans vs Lakers - 12.30am

Kings vs Warriors - 3am

Thursday 18 April

76ers vs Heat - 12.30am

Bulls vs Hawks - 2.30am

How can I watch the NBA playoffs

TNT Sports confirmed they will be screening NBA games this coming season and that will include some playoff games. BT Broadband, Sky and NOW TV all offer TNT as part of their package at various different costs.

The simpler option is to buy the NBA League Pass app. This will give you the option to watch every game live at the touch or a button, while you can watch the recap of each game - or the game in full if you prefer - immediately after the game is done. If you have RokuTV, you can also get the app on your TV.

If you want to follow just the one team, you can purchase the League Pass for one team and this is priced at $89.99 for the entire season or $13.99 per month.

If you want to watch every team and every game, you could also purchase the NBA League Pass on a monthly basis with packages starting at $14.99 to $19.99 for the Premium version which allows you to watch without advertisements.

You can purchase the NBA League Pass here.

NBA playoff dates

The NBA playoffs will take place between April 20 and will last through until May 22. The NBA finals begin on June 6. The full dates are listed in order below.

April 20: NBA Playoffs begin

May 6-7: NBA Conference Semi-finals begin (possible move up to May 4-5)

May 21-22: NBA Conference Finals begin (possible move up to May 19-20)

June 6: NBA Finals 2024 Game 1

June 9: NBA Finals 2024 Game 2

June 12: NBA Finals 2024 Game 3

June 14: NBA Finals 2024 Game 4

June 17-20: NBA Finals 2024 Games 5-7 (if required)