The regular season curtain has fallen, and the road to the 2026 NBA championship is officially paved. Before the main event tips off, the high-stakes Play-In Tournament will determine the final playoff berths, setting the stage for two months of unforgettable basketball.

Mark your calendars: the NBA Play-In Tournament runs from Tuesday, April 14 through Friday, April 17. This thrilling prelude features win-or-go-home matchups where seeds No. 7 through No. 10 in each conference battle for the final two playoff spots. The action kicks off with the No. 10 Miami Heat visiting the No. 9 Charlotte Hornets on April 14th.

Immediately following the Play-In, the full 16-team NBA playoffs begin on Saturday, April 18. One of the first marquee matchups will see the No. 4 seeded Cleveland Cavaliers host the No. 5 Toronto Raptors at 1 p.m. ET that day, a series sure to test both teams' defensive grit and offensive firepower.

For fans looking to catch every clutch shot and dramatic upset, all Play-In and playoff games will be broadcast exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. The journey will culminate in the NBA Finals, with Game 1 scheduled for Wednesday, June 3. The quest for the Larry O'Brien Trophy is about to begin—make sure you're geared up and ready to watch.