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How to watch the NBA Play-In Tournament
Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

How to watch the NBA Play-In Tournament

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This post was written in partnership with Sling TV.

Now that the NBA regular season has ended, it's time to find out which teams will advance to the playoffs. This week, eight teams will compete for the remaining playoff spots, and four will continue. 

Here's what to know about the Play-In Tournament and how to watch live. 

When is the 2024 NBA Play-In Tournament?

The tournament will take place from Tuesday, April 16, through Friday, April 19.

2024 NBA Play-In Tournament schedule

Western Conference schedule

  • Los Angeles Lakers vs. New Orleans Pelicans, Tuesday, April 16, at 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT
  • Golden State Warriors vs. Sacramento Kings, Tuesday, April 16, at 10 p.m. ET on TNT

Eastern Conference schedule

  • Miami Heat vs. Philadelphia 76ers, Wednesday, April 17, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN
  • Atlanta Hawks vs. Chicago Bulls, Wednesday, April 17, at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN

The game for the number 8 seed will take place on Friday, April 19. Time and channel are TBD.

How to watch the 2024 NBA Play-In Tournament

Tuesday's games will air on TNT. Wednesday's games will air on ESPN.

Channel Sling TV DIRECTV STREAM Fubo Hulu + Live TV YouTube TV
ESPN




TNT




Watch the Play-In Tournament on Sling TV (Featured partner)

Sling TV is an affordable live TV streaming service that has both channels you'll need to watch the Play-In Tournament. Sling Orange, which costs $40 per month, includes both ESPN and TNT in its 32-channel lineup. For an extended channel lineup, you can also opt for the Sling Orange & Blue plan for $55 per month which includes every channel from both the Orange and Blue plans.

Sling customers can also add the Sports Extra package for an extra $11 per month to get more sports coverage, including NBA TV. New Sling TV subscribers can get 50% off of their first month.

Watch the Play-In Tournament on DIRECTV STREAM

DIRECTV STREAM has several packages to choose from, starting with the Entertainment package with over 90 channels for $79.99 per month. ESPN and TNT are included in every package. DIRECTV STREAM is also one of the few services to offer a full lineup of regional sports networks (RSNs) in addition to local channels, giving subscribers everything they need to keep up with their favorite NBA teams all season long. DIRECTV STREAM has a five-day free trial for new customers. 

Watch the Play-In Tournament on Fubo

Fubo is a sports-focused streaming service with three plans to choose from, starting at $79.99 per month. While every plan includes ESPN in its channel lineup, Fubo is missing TNT, so you won't be able to watch some games. Like DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo also has a full list of RSNs, making it easy to keep up with games that aren't nationally aired during the season. The streaming service offers a seven-day free trial. 

Watch the Play-In Tournament on Hulu + Live TV

With Hulu + Live TV, you'll get ESPN and TNT in the  95+ channel lineup. Hulu + Live TV subscribers also get access to ESPN Plus for more sports coverage. Subscribers have the option of adding even more sports channels to their plan with the Sports Extra for $9.99 per month which includes NFL RedZone and more. Hulu + Live TV now has a three-day free trial to test the service out before committing to a monthly subscription.

Watch the Play-In Tournament on YouTube TV

YouTube TV has over 100 channels for $72.99 per month. That lineup includes both ESPN and TNT, allowing subscribers to catch the entire Play-In Tournament. Basketball fans will be happy to see NBA TV in the lineup for additional coverage during the season. YouTube TV also has features that allow fans to see stats, key plays, and live scores on demand for any game. Try YouTube TV out with a five-day free trial.

FAQ

When do the 2024 playoffs start?

The 2024 NBA playoffs begin on Saturday, April 20.

What channel is the NBA play-in tournament on?

Tuesday's games will air on TNT and Wednesday's games will air on ESPN.

How many games is the NBA play-in?

Six games will be played to determine the 7th and 8th seeds.

Jess is a writer, editor, and Cleveland sports fan. She previously worked for TV Guide and Cord Cutters News where she covered all things streaming and sports.