With the eight-team bracket set, the 2024 NBA playoffs kick off with the first round on Saturday, April 20. As in previous years, broadcasting of the postseason tournament will be divided among four networks: ABC, TNT, ESPN, and NBA TV.
Cord-cutters don’t have to miss out on the thrilling dunks, buzzer-beaters, and high-stakes drama. With a variety of streaming services now offering live sports, hoop heads have more options than ever to catch all the playoff action without the need for a traditional cable subscription. This guide will walk you through the best streaming platforms that ensure you don’t miss a single shot of the NBA postseason tournament.
Sling TV offers one of the least-expensive alternatives to cable, but you’ll need a TV antenna to watch your local broadcast channels.
Sling TV offers one of the least-expensive alternatives to cable, but you’ll need a TV antenna to watch your local broadcast channels.
Sling TV offers one of the least-expensive alternatives to cable, but you’ll need a TV antenna to watch your local broadcast channels.
Over the air
Winegard’s Flatwave Amped antenna (model number FL-5500A) is one of our favorite indoor antennas.
Winegard’s Flatwave Amped antenna (model number FL-5500A) is one of our favorite indoor antennas.
Martyn Williams/IDG
Winegard’s Flatwave Amped antenna (model number FL-5500A) is one of our favorite indoor antennas.
Martyn Williams/IDG
Martyn Williams/IDG
ABC has the exclusive rights to air the NBA Finals, so you’ll be able to watch the championship series for free if you have an over-the-air TV antenna that’s capable of pulling in your local ABC broadcast affiliate; otherwise, you’ll need need a streaming subscription if you’ve ditched cable. You’ll find our top antenna picks here. Read on for your other cable-free options.
DirecTV Stream
DirecTV Stream will give you access to ESPN, TNT, TBS, ABC and NBA TV through its Choice package for $108.99 per month. Currently, the service is offering $10 off the monthly rate for the first three months of your subscription. You can try the service for free for five days.
Fubo
Fubo‘s $89.99-per-month Elite package includes ABC and ESPN, and NBA TV. None of its packages include TNT or TBS, though. A 7-day free trial is available.
Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV gives you access to ABC, ESPN, and TNT. As with most other strreaming services, however, the exact channel lineup varies by market. The service costs $76.99 per month with ads or $89.99 a month without ads. There’s a 3-day free trial available.
Sling TV
The easiest way to watch all the postseason action with Sling TV is to sign up for the Sling Orange + Blue package for $30 a month. That will give you ABC, TNT, and ESPN and you can get NBA TV with the Sports Extra add-on for an additional $11 a month. If you have an antenna to pull in your local ABC affiliate, then all you need it the Sling Orange package for $20 a month, which gives you TNT and ESPN, plus the the Sports Extra add-on for NBA TV, bringing your total to about $31 per month. Currently, Sling is offering an AirTV Anywhere + OTA Bundle for $89 when you prepay 3 months of Sling TV.s
YouTube TV
YouTube TV is our top pick in TV-streaming services overall, and it includes local ABC stations (in 99.5 percent of the homes in the U.S.), ESPN, TNT, TBS, and NBA TV. Subscriptions are $72.99 per month, but the service is currently offering the first three months for just $57.99. A 7-day free trial is available.
Author: Michael Ansaldo, Freelance contributor
Michael Ansaldo is veteran consumer and small-business technology journalist. He contributes regularly to TechHive and PCWorld.