When Do the Basketball Playoffs Start in 2025?

By Sarah Miller · May 26, 2035

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

What Are the Basketball Playoffs?

The NBA playoffs are a postseason tournament that determines the league champion. After 82 regular-season games per team, the top 10 teams from each conference (Eastern and Western) qualify for playoff contention through a combination of direct seeding and the Play-In Tournament.

Key Components of the NBA Playoffs

Regular Season: Runs from October to April, with each team playing 82 games.
Play-In Tournament: Teams ranked 7th through 10th in each conference compete for the final two playoff seeds.
Postseason Format: Eight teams per conference advance to a best-of-seven elimination bracket.
NBA Finals: The Eastern and Western Conference champions face off in a best-of-seven series to crown the NBA champion.

2025 NBA Playoff Schedule Overview

The 2025 NBA postseason will follow the current format established in 2020, including the Play-In Tournament and a four-round playoff structure. Below is the projected timeline:

Event	Dates	Teams Involved	Location
Regular Season Ends	April 13, 2025	All 30 NBA Teams	Various Arenas
Play-In Tournament	April 15–18, 2025	Teams #7–10 per conference	Home-court advantage for higher seeds
First Round	April 19–May 4, 2025	Top 8 teams per conference	Home and away series (2-2-1-1-1)
Conference Semifinals	May 6–18, 2025	4 teams per conference	Surviving first-round winners
Conference Finals	May 20–June 1, 2025	2 teams per conference	Winners of semifinals
NBA Finals	June 5–June 22, 2025*	Eastern vs. Western Champion	Rotating home court (2-2-1-1-1)

Table data source:NBA Official Site, ESPN

The data shows a structured progression from the Play-In Tournament to the NBA Finals, spanning nearly two months. The First Round accounts for the longest single phase, allowing flexibility for potential seven-game series. Home-court advantage is determined by regular-season record, adding strategic importance to late-season performance.

How Teams Qualify for the Playoffs

Qualification involves both direct seeding and a competitive Play-In format introduced in 2020:

Playoff Seeding Rules

Teams ranked 1st through 6th in each conference automatically qualify for the playoffs.
Teams ranked 7th and 8th compete in the Play-In Tournament against the 9th and 10th seeds.
The winner of the 7 vs. 8 game earns the 7th seed; the loser gets another chance if they win the next game.
The 9th and 10th seeds must win two consecutive games to qualify, making their path more difficult.

Historical Trends in Playoff Start Dates

While the NBA regular season consistently ends in mid-April, minor calendar shifts affect exact playoff start dates. Over the past decade, the playoffs have begun between April 14 and April 20.

2024: Playoffs started April 20 after the Play-In (Apr 16–19).
2023: Began April 15 following a condensed post-All-Star break schedule.
2022: Started April 16, aligning with a traditional post-regular-season timeline.
2021: Delayed due to pandemic; began May 22 after a shortened season.
2020: Resumed in August bubble format after March suspension.

This trend indicates that absent extraordinary circumstances, the NBA aims to launch the playoffs on the third or fourth weekend of April.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Basketball Playoffs

When do the NBA playoffs start in 2025?

The 2025 NBA playoffs are set to begin on Saturday, April 19, 2025, following the Play-In Tournament from April 15–18. The first official playoff games will feature matchups between the top eight seeded teams in each conference.

What is the NBA Play-In Tournament?

The NBA Play-In Tournament includes teams ranked 7th through 10th in each conference. The 7th and 8th seeds play for the right to be the 7th seed; the loser faces the winner of the 9th vs. 10th game for the 8th seed. It adds excitement and stakes to the end of the regular season.

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. These include six automatic qualifiers and two additional teams from the Play-In Tournament per conference.

How long do the NBA playoffs last?

The NBA playoffs typically last about two months, starting in mid-April and concluding in mid-June. The maximum duration is 63 days if all series go to seven games, including the Play-In Tournament and four playoff rounds.

Where can I watch the NBA playoffs?

The NBA playoffs are broadcast nationally on networks like ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV in the United States. International fans can stream games via NBA League Pass or local sports broadcasters. Many platforms offer live streaming options, including Hulu Live, YouTube TV, and Sling TV.