When Are NBA Playoffs? Dates, Format & Schedule

By Sarah Miller · January 21, 2051

The NBA basketball playoffs typically begin in mid-April and run through June, following the conclusion of the regular season. The exact dates vary slightly each year based on the NBA’s schedule, but the postseason usually starts around the second or third week of April, with the Finals culminating in mid-June.

When Do the NBA Playoffs Start?

The NBA playoffs are scheduled annually after the 82-game regular season ends in early April. The postseason tournament begins in mid-April, with the Play-In Tournament determining the final playoff seeds before the official first round.

Key Dates in the NBA Playoff Timeline

Regular Season Ends: Early to mid-April
Play-In Tournament: Mid-April (typically April 15–19)
First Round Begins: Around April 20
Conference Semifinals: Early May
Conference Finals: Mid-to-late May
NBA Finals: Begin in early June, conclude by mid-June

How Are Teams Qualified for the Playoffs?

In the NBA, 16 teams qualify for the playoffs: eight from the Eastern Conference and eight from the Western Conference. Since the 2023 expansion of the Play-In Tournament, the top six teams in each conference automatically secure playoff spots based on win-loss records. Teams ranked 7th through 10th compete in a play-in format to determine the final two seeds.

Play-In Tournament Format

Teams ranked 7th and 8th play each other; the winner earns the No. 7 seed.
Teams ranked 9th and 10th play; the loser is eliminated.
The loser of the 7v8 game faces the winner of the 9v10 game for the No. 8 seed.

NBA Playoff Structure and Format

The NBA playoffs consist of four rounds, all using a best-of-seven series format:

First Round
Conference Semifinals
Conference Finals
NBA Finals

The team with the better regular-season record hosts Games 1, 2, 5, and 7 (home-court advantage).

Season	Regular Season End	Play-In Dates	Playoffs Start	NBA Finals End	Champion
2021–22	April 10, 2022	April 12–15	April 16	June 16	Golden State Warriors
2022–23	April 9, 2023	April 11–14	April 15	June 12	Denver Nuggets
2023–24	April 14, 2024	April 16–19	April 20	June 17	Boston Celtics
2024–25 (Projected)	April 13, 2025	April 15–18	April 19	June 15	TBD

Table data source:1, 2

The data shows consistent scheduling patterns over recent seasons, with the playoffs starting approximately one week after the regular season concludes. The Play-In Tournament has added excitement and competitive balance, particularly for teams ranked 7th to 10th. Projected dates for the 2024–25 season align closely with historical trends.

International and Other Basketball Leagues

While the NBA playoffs dominate global attention, other leagues have different timelines:

FIBA Basketball World Cup: Held every four years; next in 2027.
EuroLeague: Playoffs typically occur in May, concluding with the Final Four in late May.
NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament (March Madness): Single-elimination tournament held every March.
NBA G League: Playoffs follow the NBA model, usually in April.

Frequently Asked Questions About NBA Playoffs

When do the NBA playoffs start in 2025?

The NBA playoffs for the 2024–25 season are projected to begin on April 19, 2025, following the Play-In Tournament from April 15–18. The exact dates will be confirmed by the NBA in its official schedule release.

How many teams make the NBA playoffs?

A total of 16 teams qualify for the NBA playoffs — eight from the Eastern Conference and eight from the Western Conference. This includes six automatic qualifiers and two teams from the Play-In Tournament.

What is the NBA Play-In Tournament?

The NBA Play-In Tournament involves teams ranked 7th through 10th in each conference. It determines the final two playoff seeds using a mini-tournament format introduced in 2020 to increase competition at season’s end.

How long do the NBA playoffs last?

The NBA playoffs typically last about two months, starting in mid-April and ending in mid-June. The duration depends on how many games each series requires, especially if the NBA Finals go to seven games.

What happens if a playoff game is tied?

If a playoff game is tied at the end of regulation, overtime periods (each 5 minutes) are played until a winner is determined. There is no limit to the number of overtimes, ensuring a decisive outcome in every game.