Sports

NBA Playoff Schedule: Conference Semifinals Dates, Matchups, and How to Watch

By Yagya Bhargava Athlon Sports

Updated May 4, 2026 6:40 AM

The NBA playoffs are at their most unforgiving stage now. Every game matters more, every loss stings harder and every win feels earned. The field started with 20 teams when the postseason tipped off, and it has been trimmed down fast.

Four teams were knocked out in the play-in round, then eight more packed their bags after the first round. Eight teams are left standing in the conference semifinals, and each one is just eight wins away from the NBA Finals.

The Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers and Detroit Pistons all survived Game 7 battles to get here, while the Oklahoma City Thunder barely broke a sweat with a first-round sweep. Now the real questions take shape.

Here is the full breakdown of the 2026 NBA Conference Semifinals schedule, matchups and how to watch every game.

Western Conference Semifinals

No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 4 Los Angeles Lakers

On paper, the Oklahoma City Thunder hold every advantage heading into this series against the Los Angeles Lakers. Oklahoma City steamrolled the Phoenix Suns in four straight games during the first round, looking sharp and in control throughout. The Lakers got through the Houston Rockets in six games but had to work for it.

Game 1: Tuesday, May 5 - 8:30 PM ET at Paycom Center - NBA/Peacock
Game 2: Thursday, May 7 - 9:30 PM ET at Paycom Center - Prime
Game 3: Saturday, May 9 - 8:30 PM ET at Crypto.com Arena - ABC
Game 4: Monday, May 11 - 10:30 PM ET at Crypto.com Arena - Prime
Game 5:* Wednesday, May 13 - TBD at Paycom Center - TBD
Game 6:* Saturday, May 16 - TBD at Crypto.com Arena - TBD
Game 7:* Monday, May 18 - TBD at Paycom Center - TBD

No. 2 San Antonio Spurs vs. No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves

The San Antonio Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves come into this series from different directions. San Antonio took care of the Portland Trail Blazers in five games while Minnesota needed six to get past the Denver Nuggets. The regular-season history between these two leans slightly toward the Timberwolves, who won two of their three matchups.

Game 1: Monday, May 4 - 9:30 PM ET at Frost Bank Center - NBCSN/Peacock
Game 2: Wednesday, May 6 - 9:30 PM ET at Frost Bank Center - ESPN
Game 3: Friday, May 8 - 9:30 PM ET at Target Center - Prime
Game 4: Sunday, May 10 - 7:30 PM ET at Target Center - NBA/Peacock
Game 5:* Tuesday, May 12 - TBD at Frost Bank Center - TBD
Game 6:* Friday, May 15 - TBD at Target Center - TBD
Game 7:* Sunday, May 17 - TBD at Frost Bank Center - TBD

Eastern Conference Semifinals

No. 1 Detroit Pistons vs. No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers

Both the Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers had to go the distance to get here, so neither team is walking in fresh. Detroit edged the Orlando Magic 4-3 in a grinding seven-game series. Cleveland did the same against the Toronto Raptors, also winning in seven. The two teams split their regular-season meetings 2-2, and nothing about those games suggested one side had a clear edge.

Game 1: Tuesday, May 5 - 7:00 PM ET at Little Caesars Arena - Peacock/NBCSN
Game 2: Thursday, May 7 - 7:00 PM ET at Little Caesars Arena - Prime
Game 3: Saturday, May 9 - 3:00 PM ET at Rocket Arena - NBC/Peacock
Game 4: Monday, May 11 - 8:00 PM ET at Rocket Arena - NBC/Peacock
Game 5:* Wednesday, May 13 - TBD at Little Caesars Arena - TBD
Game 6:* Friday, May 15 - TBD at Rocket Arena - TBD
Game 7:* Sunday, May 17 - TBD at Little Caesars Arena - TBD

No. 3 New York Knicks vs. No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers

The New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers meet in what looks like another hard-fought series on paper. New York closed out the Atlanta Hawks in six games in the first round. Philadelphia had a harder road, going seven games against the Boston Celtics before moving on. During the regular season, the two teams split their four matchups evenly.

Game 1: Monday, May 4 - 8:00 PM ET at Madison Square Garden - NBC/Peacock
Game 2: Wednesday, May 6 - 7:00 PM ET at Madison Square Garden - ESPN
Game 3: Friday, May 8 - 7:00 PM ET at Wells Fargo Center - Prime
Game 4: Sunday, May 10 - 3:30 PM ET at Wells Fargo Center - ABC
Game 5:* Tuesday, May 12 - TBD at Madison Square Garden - TBD
Game 6:* Thursday, May 14 - TBD at Wells Fargo Center - TBD
Game 7:* Sunday, May 17 - TBD at Madison Square Garden - TBD

* - If required | TBD - To Be Determined

This story was originally published May 4, 2026 at 6:26 AM.