The 2024 NBA Playoffs are here, and there an obvious front-runner has emerged in both the East and the West. The Denver Nuggets are the reigning NBA champions seeking back-to-back titles behind all-everything superstar center Nikola Jokic. The Boston Celtics posted the NBA’s most wins (64) and by far its highest net-rating (+11.7). Can anyone stop what feels like an inevitable 2024 NBA Finals showdown?
Four matchups in the 2024 NBA Playoffs are already locked in. The play-in tournament will determine the final four teams to make the postseason. The playoffs begin on April 20 and stretch until the 2024 NBA Finals start on June 6.
The No. 2 seed Nuggets will have the tougher path in the Western Conference, starting with a first round series against the winner of the play-in tournament game between the New Orleans Pelicans and Los Angeles Lakers. Denver’s biggest challenger in the West has been a topic of debate all season. I favor the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder despite their youth and lack of size inside. The Thunder have a true superstar guard in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and two phenomenal young co-stars in Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren.
The Celtics will begin the playoffs with a first round series against the winner of the Miami Heat vs. Philadelphia 76ers play-in game. Boston finished with 14 more wins than the No. 2 seed New York Knicks in the East. After reloading with new additions Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis over the offseason, it will be considered a massive upset if the Celtics don’t reach the NBA Finals.
We’re keeping track of the schedule and results for every game of the 2024 NBA Playoffs in this post. Here’s what you need to know.
2024 NBA Playoffs bracket
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Best-of-7 series will be played throughout the 2024 NBA Playoffs until a champion is crowned.
2024 NBA Playoffs matchups
Western Conference
No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Pelicans
No. 2 seed Denver Nuggets vs. No. 7 seed Los Angeles Lakers
No. 3 seed Minnesota Timberwolves vs. No. 6 seed Phoenix Suns
No. 4 seed Los Angeles Clippers vs. No. 5 seed Dallas Mavericks
Eastern Conference
No. 1 seed Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat
No. 2 seed New York Knicks vs. No. 7 seed Philadelphia 76ers
No. 3 seed Milwaukee Bucks vs. No. 6 seed Indiana Pacers
No. 4 seed Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 5 seed Orlando Magic
2024 NBA playoffs schedule: First round
Saturday, April 20
Game 1: Knicks vs. East No. 7, Time/TV TBD
Game 1: Cavaliers vs. Magic, Time/TV TBD
Game 1: Nuggets vs. Lakers, Time/TV TBD
Game 1: Timberwolves vs. Suns, Time/TV TBD
Sunday, April 21
Game 1: Celtics vs. East No. 8, Time/TV TBD
Game 1: Bucks vs. Pacers, Time/TV TBD
Game 1: Thunder vs. West No. 8, Time/TV TBD
Game 1: Clippers vs. Mavericks, Time/TV TBD
2024 NBA Finals schedule and start date
The 2024 NBA Finals will begin June 6, with ABC as the exclusive broadcaster.
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)
