When do the 2023 NBA playoffs start? Dates, teams, and more

After a long grueling season, the NBA playoffs are just around the corner. This week, teams are wrapping up their final games and attempting to change their fate before the bright lights of the big stage come on.

For those that are wondering when the NBA playoffs are set to begin, we got you covered. Here is a full breakdown of the upcoming schedule.

The regular season is set to close on April, with a handful of teams playing their final game on that day. From there, the league will adjust the standings for the play-in tournament.

Just two days after the conclusion of the regular season, the NBA will begin the play-in tournament. Seeds seven seven through ten in each conference will battle it out to see who will secure the final two spots in the postseason.

The play-in is slated to wrap up on April 14th, with the final two teams battling for seeding. After that, the first round of playoffs will begin a day later on the 15th.

Depending on how the series play out, the second round will start anywhere between April 29th and May 2nd. The conference finals are scheduled to kick off between May 14th and May 16th. Then, whatever two teams are left standing will face off in the NBA Finals, starting on June 1st. The longest the season is set to go is June 18th, with a possible Game 7 of the finals.

How to watch the NBA playoffs when they get underway

Once the NBA playoffs begin, all games will be aired on national television. A handful of networks have secured rights to televize games.

The play-in tournament will be aired on both ESPN and TNT. Right now, the Miami Heat, Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors and Chicago Bulls will compete in the Eastern Conference. In the Western Conference, the OKC Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, LA Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans will battle for the remaining spots.

When the first round gets underway, games will be aired on ABC, ESPN, TNT, ESPN and NBA TV. The second round and conference finals can be watched on ABC, ESPN and TNT.

As for the NBA Finals, all seven games will be broadcast on ABC.