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How to watch the 2024 NBA Playoffs for free tonight with Hulu + Live TV

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket against Kyrie Irving #11 of the Dallas Mavericks during the third quarter in Game One of the Western Conference Second Round Playoffs at Paycom Center on May 07, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  Joshua Gateley/Getty Images

The second round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs is in full swing with the league's new class of stars, led by OKC Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum dominating at every turn. A new class of NBA stars means every playoff game has the potential of becoming a star-making contest you won't want to miss.

Hulu + Live TV is one of the few live TV streaming apps on which you can watch nearly every game of the 2024 NBA Playoffs. That's big for NBA fans looking for a single platform to cover all their sports viewing needs. Even better, you can watch tonight's 2024 NBA Playoffs games for free with Hulu + Live TV.

Keep reading for more on how to watch the NBA Playoffs for free with Hulu + Live TV.


When are the 2024 NBA Playoffs?

The 2024 NBA Playoffs began on April 20, 2024 and are ongoing. The four-round NBA championship tournament will continue through the NBA Finals, which will begin on June 6, 2024.


What channel will air the NBA Playoffs?

The NBA Playoffs will air on ABC, ESPN, TNT and NBA TV. The games will stream on Hulu + Live TV.


What channel will air the NBA Finals?

The 2024 NBA Finals will air on ABC and stream on Hulu + Live TV.


Key dates for the NBA Playoffs

  • April 16-19: NBA Play-In Tournament
  • April 20: NBA Playoffs begin
  • May 6-7: NBA Conference Semifinals 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 necessary)

Hulu + Live TV: Watch the 2024 NBA Playoffs and the NBA Finals without cable

You can watch the 2024 NBA Playoffs and the NBA Finals with a subscription to Hulu + Live TV, which comes bundled with ESPN+ and Disney+. The live TV streamer features 95 channels, including ABC, TNT and ESPN, so you'll be able to watch most games of the playoffs and finals without a cable subscription. The streamer offers a three-day free trial so you can stream the NBA Playoffs free before signing up.

Hulu + Live TV currently offers a three-day free trial, so you can watch today's NBA (and NHL!) games for free. After that, a subscription to Hulu + Live TV is $77 per month.

Top features of Hulu + Live TV:

  • Unlike other streaming apps that don't carry TNT, Hulu + Live TV carries nearly every channel you'll need to watch the playoffs, all on one streaming platform.
  • Hulu + Live TV includes CBS, so you'll be able to watch CBS network-aired NFL games next season.
  • The streamer offers unlimited DVR storage, perfect for recording the biggest games of the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
  • No cable box is needed (though you will need an internet connection).
  • There are no contracts. You can cancel or upgrade anytime.
  • A Hulu + Live TV subscription is less expensive than a cable subscription but delivers the same access to NBA basketball.

2024 NBA Playoffs: Full playoff schedule

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Isaac Okoro #35 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics battle for a loose ball during Game One of the Eastern Conference Second Round Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden on May 07, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

The conference semifinals of the 2024 NBA Playoffs are being played now through May 22, 2024. 

2024 NBA Playoffs: Second round schedule

(1) Boston vs. (4) Cleveland

• Game 1: Celtics 120, Cavaliers 95
• Game 2: Cavaliers vs. Celtics, Thursday, May 9 (7 ET, ESPN)
• Game 3: Celtics vs. Cavaliers, Saturday, May 11 (8:30 ET, ABC)
• Game 4: Celtics vs. Cavaliers, Monday, May 13 (7 ET, TNT)
• Game 5: Cavaliers vs. Celtics, Wednesday, May 15 (TBD, TNT) *
• Game 6: Celtics vs. Cavaliers, Friday, May 17 (TBD, ESPN) *
• Game 7: Cavaliers vs. Celtics, Sunday, May 19 (TBD, TBD) *

Boston leads the series 1-0

* = If necessary

(2) New York vs. (6) Indiana

• Game 1: Knicks 121, Pacers 117
• Game 2: Pacers vs. Knicks, Wednesday, May 8 (8 ET, TNT)
• Game 3: Knicks vs. Pacers, Friday, May 10 (7 ET, ESPN)
• Game 4: Knicks vs. Pacers, Sunday, May 12 (3:30 ET, ABC)
• Game 5: Pacers vs. Knicks, Tuesday, May 14 (TBD, TNT) *
• Game 6: Knicks vs. Pacers, Friday, May 17 (TBD, ESPN) *
• Game 7: Pacers vs. Knicks, Sunday, May 19 (TBD, TBD) *

New York leads the series 1-0

* = If necessary

Western Conference

(1) Oklahoma City vs. (5) Dallas

• Game 1: Thunder 117, Mavericks 95 
• Game 2: Mavericks vs. Thunder, Thursday, May 9 (9:30 ET, ESPN)
• Game 3: Thunder vs. Mavericks, Saturday, May 11 (3:30 ET, ABC)
• Game 4: Thunder vs. Mavericks, Monday, May 13 (9:30 ET, TNT)
• Game 5: Mavericks vs. Thunder, Wednesday, May 15 (TBD, TNT) *
• Game 6: Thunder vs. Mavericks, Saturday, May 18 (8:30 ET, ESPN) *
• Game 7: Mavericks vs. Thunder, Monday, May 20 (8:30 ET, TNT) *

Oklahoma leads the series 1-0

* = If necessary

(2) Denver vs. (3) Minnesota

• Game 1: Timberwolves 106, Nuggets 99
• Game 2: Timberwolves 106, Nuggets 80
• Game 3: Nuggets vs. Timberwolves, Friday, May 10 (9:30 ET, ESPN)
• Game 4: Nuggets vs. Timberwolves, Sunday, May 12 (8 ET, TNT)
• Game 5: Timberwolves vs. Nuggets, Tuesday, May 14 (TBD, TNT) *
• Game 6: Nuggets vs. Timberwolves, Thursday, May 16 (8:30, ESPN) *
• Game 7: Timberwolves vs. Nuggets, Sunday, May 19 (TBD, TBD) *

Minnesota leads series 2-0

* = If necessary


2024 NBA Playoffs: First round results

Below are the results of the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs.

Eastern Conference

(1) Boston Celtics vs. (8) Miami 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: Celtics 118, Heat 84

(2) New York Knicks vs. (7) Philadelphia 76ers

• Game 1: Knicks 111, 76ers 104
• Game 2: Knicks 104, 76ers 101
• Game 3: 76ers 125, Knicks 114
• Game 4: Knicks 97, 76ers 92
• Game 5: 76ers 112, Knicks 106 (OT)
• Game 6Knicks 118, 76ers 115

(3) Milwaukee Bucks vs. (6) Indiana Pacers

• Game 1: Bucks 109, Pacers 94
• Game 2: Pacers 125, Bucks 108
• Game 3: Pacers 121, Bucks 118
• Game 4: Pacers 126, Bucks 113
• Game 5: Bucks 115, Pacers 92
• Game 6: Pacers 120, Bucks 98 

(4) Cleveland vs. (5) Orlando

• 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: Cavaliers 104, Magic 103
• Game 6: Magic 103, Cavaliers 96 
• Game 7: Cavaliers 106, Magic 94

Western Conference

(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (8) New Orleans 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

(2) Denver Nuggets vs. (7) Los Angeles Lakers

• Game 1: Nuggets 114, Lakers 103
• Game 2: Nuggets 101, Lakers 99
• Game 3: Nuggets 112, Lakers 105
• Game 4: Lakers 119, Nuggets 108
• Game 5: Nuggets 108, Lakers 106

(3) Minnesota Timberwolves vs. (6) Phoenix Suns

• Game 1: Timberwolves 120, Suns 95
• Game 2: Timberwolves 105, Suns 93
• Game 3: Timberwolves 129, Suns 109
• Game 4: Timberwolves 112, Suns 116

(4) LA Clippers vs. (5) Dallas 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 123, Clippers 93
• Game 6: Mavericks 114, Mavericks 101


Conference finals schedule

The conference finals will begin May 21-22, but can move up to May 19-20 if the prior round's series ends early.


NBA Finals schedule

The 2024 NBA Finals will begin June 6, airing on ABC.

  • 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)

What teams are the top seeds going into the 2024 NBA Playoffs?

Coming into the playoffs, the Boston Celtics held the top seed in the Eastern Conference, while the Thunder sat at No.1 in the West. For the most current NBA standings, check out our sister site, CBS Sports.


Who won the 2023 NBA Championship?

Despite tough competition from the Miami Heat, the Denver Nuggets won the 2023 NBA Championship, beating the Heat in five games. The Nuggets come into the playoffs No. 2 in the Western Conference


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