When Do Basketball Playoffs Start? 2025 NBA Schedule

By Sarah Miller · April 13, 2052

The NBA basketball playoffs typically start in mid-to-late April each year, immediately following the conclusion of the regular season. For the 2024-2025 season, the playoffs are scheduled to begin on Saturday, April 19, 2025, with the Play-In Tournament taking place from April 15–18, 2025.

When Do the Basketball Playoffs Start?

The NBA postseason follows a predictable annual schedule. After 82 regular-season games per team, the top eight teams from each conference (Eastern and Western) qualify for the playoffs. The exact start date varies slightly each year based on the regular-season finish, but it consistently falls in mid-April.

Key Dates for the 2024-2025 NBA Playoffs

Regular Season End: Sunday, April 13, 2025
Play-In Tournament: April 15–18, 2025
NBA Playoff Games Begin: Saturday, April 19, 2025
NBA Finals Start: June 5, 2025 (projected)
Last Possible Playoff Game: June 22, 2025

How the NBA Playoff Format Works

The NBA revised its playoff structure in 2020 with the introduction of the Play-In Tournament, adding excitement and urgency to the final stretch of the regular season.

Playoff Qualification Process

The top six teams in each conference automatically qualify for the playoffs based on win-loss record.
Teams ranked 7th through 10th compete in the Play-In Tournament.
The 7th vs. 8th seed play for the #7 playoff spot.
The winner of the 9th vs. 10th game plays the loser of the 7v8 game for the #8 spot.

Postseason Structure

All playoff rounds are best-of-seven series.
Rounds: First Round, Conference Semifinals, Conference Finals, NBA Finals.
Higher-seeded teams host Games 1, 2, 5, and 7 (2-2-1-1-1 format).

Season	Regular Season End	Play-In Dates	Playoffs Start	NBA Finals Start
2021–2022	April 10, 2022	April 12–15, 2022	April 16, 2022	June 2, 2022
2022–2023	April 9, 2023	April 11–14, 2023	April 15, 2023	June 1, 2023
2023–2024	April 14, 2024	April 16–19, 2024	April 20, 2024	June 6, 2024
2024–2025 (Projected)	April 13, 2025	April 15–18, 2025	April 19, 2025	June 5, 2025

Table data source:1, 2, 3

The data shows a consistent pattern: the NBA regular season ends in early to mid-April, followed by a four-day Play-In Tournament. The playoffs then launch over the subsequent weekend. Over the past three seasons, the first playoff games have fallen between April 15 and April 20, confirming mid-April as the standard timeframe.

Why the Play-In Tournament Matters

The Play-In Tournament has transformed late-season NBA basketball. Teams from 7th to 10th place remain competitive deeper into the season, increasing viewership and engagement.

Increases competitiveness among fringe playoff teams.
Reduces tanking incentives near season’s end.
Adds high-stakes games before the official playoffs.
Generates additional broadcast revenue.

How Teams Prepare for the Playoffs

NBA teams adjust their strategies in the final weeks of the regular season to optimize playoff readiness.

Key Preparation Strategies

Injury Management: Stars often rest to recover from minor injuries.
Seeding Goals: Teams compete for higher seeds to gain home-court advantage.
Matchup Planning: Coaches study potential opponents and refine game plans.
Bench Rotation Tuning: Ensuring depth players are ready for expanded roles.

Frequently Asked Questions About NBA Playoff Start Dates

When do the NBA playoffs start in 2025?

The NBA playoffs for the 2024–2025 season are set to begin on Saturday, April 19, 2025, following the Play-In Tournament from April 15–18.

What is the NBA Play-In Tournament?

The Play-In Tournament involves teams ranked 7th through 10th in each conference. It determines the final two playoff seeds, with the 7th and 8th seeds playing for the #7 spot and the winner of 9th vs. 10th facing the loser of the 7v8 game for the #8 spot.

How are NBA playoff teams selected?

The top six teams in each conference (East and West) qualify automatically. The 7th and 8th seeds are determined via the Play-In Tournament, which includes teams finishing 7th through 10th in the standings.

How long do the NBA playoffs last?

The NBA playoffs typically last about six weeks, starting in mid-April and concluding with the NBA Finals in mid-June. The maximum duration is 60 days if all series go to seven games.

Where can I watch the NBA playoffs?

The NBA playoffs are broadcast nationally in the U.S. on ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV. International fans can stream games via NBA League Pass or local sports networks.