NBA Playoffs 2026: Bracket, Schedule, and Broadcast Rights Under New Media Deal
The Sporting News has released the full 2026 NBA Playoffs schedule and bracket, detailing a new three-pronged media rights agreement and the current state of the postseason series.
The 2025-26 NBA regular season has concluded, paving the way for the 2026 postseason, which is now defined by a significant shift in media distribution. According to a report from The Sporting News, the league has entered a new era with a three-pronged media rights deal involving ESPN/ABC, NBC/Peacock, and Prime Video. This agreement reshapes how fans access the playoffs, moving away from traditional single-network dominance to a fragmented landscape that requires viewers to navigate multiple platforms to follow the action.
Under the new structure, the NBA Finals remain exclusive to ABC, with the championship series scheduled to conclude on June 19. However, the earlier rounds of the tournament, including the Play-In Tournament, are distributed across the specified platforms. Notably, the entirety of the Play-In Tournament has moved to Prime Video, while other games are split between ESPN, NBC, and their respective streaming counterparts, Peacock and Amazon Prime Video.
The broadcast landscape also accommodates modern viewing habits through digital integration. All games airing on ABC, ESPN, and NBC are available via DIRECTV Stream, providing an alternative for cord-cutters. The Sporting News notes that fans can access the postseason through a variety of services, including the ESPN app, Peacock, and Prime Video, depending on the specific broadcast rights for each game.
In terms of the current bracket, dominant performances have already shaped the second round. The Oklahoma City Thunder and Detroit Pistons secured the top seeds and advanced to the second round. Series results indicate that Cleveland has defeated Detroit 4-3, while New York has swept Philadelphia 4-0. Oklahoma City has also swept Los Angeles 4-0, and San Antonio has defeated Minnesota 4-2. Other completed series include Detroit beating Orlando 4-3, Philadelphia overcoming Boston 4-3, and New York defeating Atlanta 4-2.
Looking ahead, the conference semifinals are scheduled for May 4-5, with a possible move up to May 2-3. The conference finals are set for May 19-20, potentially advancing to May 17-18. The Sporting News has published a live-updating bracket to track these matchups as they unfold, offering a comprehensive guide to tip-off times and streaming options for the remainder of the postseason.
