Boston Celtics Earn No. 1 Seed in Eastern Conference, Eye Return to NBA Finals

After play-in, the 16-team NBA playoffs begin with eight teams from each conference in the first round meeting in a best-of-7 series. The four rounds of the NBA playoffs are best of 7 and teams are not reseeded after each round. The team with the best regular season record in each series will have the advantage for that series. All series are played in a 2-2-1-1-1 format, with the team with the best record in hosting Games 1, 2, 5 and 7 (if needed).

We’ll have full coverage of the NBA playoffs through the 2024 NBA Finals, which begin June 6 on ABC, ESPN Deportes and the ESPN app for the United States.

How to watch NBA games on ESPN

Watch every game on ESPN DeportesESPN and ABC in the US: Download free ESPN program | Watch ESSPN | TV

Watch the games in Mexico on Star +: Get Star+ here (in Mexico).

Don’t have ESPN? Get instant access.

Access exclusive original series, top articles from our NBA experts, and more: Get ESPN+ here.

Last news

• Bucks: Damian Lillard practicing completely; Giannis Antetokounmpo not yet

• Luka Doncic believes the Mavs have a team to overcome

• LeBron James: A lot of pressure on Lakers-Nuggets to be revenge

• Celtics and Nuggets bet on the favorites to win the championship

• The uphill battle of the Lakers against the champion Nuggets

• The stars 25 years old or younger who can shine in the playoffs

• A look at the unlikely rise of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

• The chemistry of the Oklahoma City Thunder generates viral moments

COUNCIL

play

1:58

Perk has a high concern for Celtics

Kendrick Perkins explains why he is concerned about how the Celtics will handle physicality in the playoffs.

Game 1: Heat in the CelticsSunday 1pm ET (ABC/ESPN3)
Game 2: Heat in the CelticsWednesday 7 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 3: Celtics at Heat, Saturday, April 27, 6 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 4: Celtics at Heat, Monday, April 29
* Game 5: Heat at Celtics, Wednesday, May 1
* Game 6: Celtics at Heat, Friday, May 3
* Game 7: Heat at Celtics, Sunday, May 5th
* if necessary; ** all programming for USA.

play

1:15

76ers-Knicks: the special numbers in the first match round

Check out some of the key stats in the first round matchup between the Sixers and Knicks.

Game 1: Sixers to Knicks, Saturday 6pm ET (ESPN/ESPN Deportes/ESPN3)
Game 2: Sixers to KnicksMonday at 7:30pm ET (TNT)
Game 3: Knicks at Sixers, Thursday 7:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 4: Knicks at Sixers, Sunday, April 28, 1 p.m. ET (ABC)
* Game 5: Sixers at Knicks, Tuesday, April 30
* Game 6: Knicks at Sixers, Thursday, May 2
*Game 7: Sixers at Knicks, Saturday, May 4 (TNT)
* if necessary; ** all programming for USA.

Game 1: Pacers in BucksSunday 7pm ET (TNT)
Game 2: Pacers in BucksTuesday 8:30pm ET (NBA TV)
Game 3: Bucks at Pacers, Friday 5:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Game 4: Bucks at Pacers, Sunday, April 28, 7 PM ET (TNT)
* Game 5: Pacers at Bucks, Tuesday, April 30
* Game 6: Bucks at Pacers, Thursday, May 2
* Game 7: Pacers at Bucks, Saturday, May 4 (TNT)
* if necessary; ** all programming for USA.

Game 1: Magic and Cavaliers, Saturday 1pm ET (ESPN/ESPN3)
Game 2: Magic and CavaliersMonday 7pm ET (NBA TV)
Game 3: Cavaliers at Magic, Thursday 7 p.m. ET (NBA TV)
Game 4: Cavaliers at Magic, Saturday, April 27, 1 PM ET (TNT)
* Game 5: Magic at Cavaliers, Tuesday, April 30
* Game 6: Cavaliers at Magic, Friday, May 3
* Game 7: Magic at Cavaliers, Sunday, May 5
*if necessary; ** all programming for USA.

WESTERN COMMUNICATION

Game 1: Pelicans at Thunder, Sunday 9:30pm ET (TNT)
Game 2: Pelicans at Thunder, Wednesday 9:30pm ET (TNT)
Game 3: Showers at Pelicans, Saturday, April 27, 3:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 4: Showers at Pelicans, Monday, April 29
* Game 5: Pelicans at Thunder, Wednesday, May 1
* Game 6: Showers at Pelicans, Friday, May 3
* Game 7: Pelicans at Thunder, Sunday, May 5
* if necessary; ** all programming for USA.

play

3:06

Stephen A.: the Lakers have to give it their all against the Nuggets

Stephen A. Smith criticizes the Lakers for their recent struggles against the Nuggets before their next playoff game.

Game 1: Lakers and Nuggets, Saturday 8:30pm ET (ABC/ESPN Deportes/ESPN3)
Game 2: Lakers and NuggetsMonday at 10pm ET (TNT)
Game 3: Nuggets at Lakers, Thursday 10 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 4: Nuggets at Lakers, Saturday, April 27, 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
* Game 5: Lakers at Nuggets, Monday, April 29
* Game 6: Nuggets at Lakers, Thursday, May 2
* Game 7: Lakers at Nuggets, Saturday, May 4 (TNT)
* if necessary; ** all programming for USA.

play

2:48

Can Suns surprise T-Wolves and become a dark horse in the playoffs?

Listen to the full episode of Basket IQ on ESPN’s digital platforms.

Game 1: Suns and Timberwolves, Saturday 3:30pm ET (ESPN/ESPN3)
Game 2: Suns and TimberwolvesTuesday 7:30pm ET (TNT)
Game 3: Timberwolves at Suns, Friday 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Game 4: Timberwolves at Suns, Sunday, April 28 at 9:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
* Game 5: Suns at Timberwolves, Tuesday, April 30
* Game 6: Timberwolves at Suns, Thursday, May 2
* Game 7: Suns at Timberwolves, Saturday, May 4
* if necessary; ** all programming for USA.

Game 1: Mavericks at LA Clippers, Sunday 3:30pm ET (ABC/ESPN3)
Game 2: Mavericks at LA ClippersTuesday 10pm ET (TNT)
Game 3: LA Clippers at Mavericks, Friday 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Game 4: LA Clippers at Mavericks, Sunday, April 28 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
* Game 5: Mavericks at LA Clippers, Wednesday, May 1
* Game 6: LA Clippers at Mavericks, Friday, May 3
* Game 7: Mavericks at LA Clippers, Sunday, May 5
* if necessary; ** all programming for USA.

Related content

• Who was the MVP, the rookie and the disappointment of the regular season

• What changes will the Warriors need to make after elimination?

• Kyrie Irving has once again been the player everyone wants to see in the NBA