Apr 9, 2023

ESPN.com

The 2023 NBA playoffs are almost here.

The Golden State Warriors are the defending champions entering the playoffs, in which 16 teams will face off in four rounds of action to determine the 2023 champion.

The top six teams in each conference automatically qualified for the playoffs, while the teams that finished the regular season in seventh through 10th places advanced to the NBA's play-in tournament to determine the final two playoff teams in each conference. The play-in tournament will take place Tuesday through Friday, with the first round of the playoffs tipping off Saturday.

The NBA Finals are slated to start June 1, with Game 7 -- should the series go that long -- scheduled for June 18. All NBA Finals games will be available on ABC and the ESPN App.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

TBD

Milwaukee Bucks (1) vs. Play-In Winner (8)

Game 1: April 16 at Milwaukee

Game 2: at Milwaukee
Game 3: at Play-In Winner
Game 4: at Play-In Winner
Game 5*: at Milwaukee
Game 6*: at Play-In Winner
Game 7*: at Milwaukee
*If necessary

Why Tim Legler would pick Bucks over Celtics in NBA playoffs

Tim Legler explains why he favors the Bucks to beat the Celtics if the two teams meet in the playoffs.

TBD

Boston Celtics (2) vs. Play-In Winner (7)

Game 1: Saturday at Boston, 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Game 2: at Boston
Game 3: at Play-In Winner
Game 4: at Play-In Winner
Game 5*: at Boston
Game 6*: at Play-In Winner
Game 7*: at Boston
*If necessary

Perk: Celtics should be 'praying' they don't see the Heat in the first round

Kendrick Perkins sees a potential upset brewing if the Celtics and Heat square off in the playoffs.

Philadelphia 76ers (3) vs. Brooklyn Nets (6)

Odds: 76ers -900 (Caesars) | 76ers: 75% (ESPN BPI)

Game 1: Saturday at Philadelphia, 1 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Game 2: at Philadelphia
Game 3: at Brooklyn
Game 4: at Brooklyn
Game 5*: at Philadelphia
Game 6*: at Brooklyn
Game 7*: at Philadelphia
*If necessary

Cleveland Cavaliers (4) vs. New York Knicks (5)

Odds: Cavaliers -205 (Caesars) | Knicks: 52% (ESPN BPI)

Game 1: Saturday at Cleveland, 6 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Game 2: at Cleveland
Game 3: at New York
Game 4: at New York
Game 5*: at Cleveland
Game 6*: at New York
Game 7*: at Cleveland
*If necessary

WESTERN CONFERENCE

TBD

Denver Nuggets (1) vs. Play-In Winner (8)

Game 1: April 16 at Denver
Game 2: at Denver
Game 3: at Play-In Winner
Game 4: at Play-In Winner
Game 5*: at Denver
Game 6*: at Play-In Winner
Game 7*: at Denver
*If necessary

Mike Malone calls out 'soft' Nuggets

Nuggets head coach Mike Malone was disappointed with his team's effort in a loss against the Rockets.

TBD

Memphis Grizzlies (2) vs. Play-In Winner (7)

Game 1: April 16 at Memphis
Game 2: at Memphis
Game 3: at Play-In Winner
Game 4: at Play-In Winner
Game 5*: at Memphis
Game 6*: at Play-In Winner
Game 7*: at Memphis
*If necessary

Sacramento Kings (3) vs. Golden State Warriors (6)

Odds: Warriors -265 (Caesars) | Warriors/Kings: 50% (ESPN BPI)

Game 1: Saturday at Sacramento, 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Game 2: at Sacramento
Game 3: at Golden State
Game 4: at Golden State
Game 5*: at Sacramento
Game 6*: at Golden State
Game 7*: at Sacramento
*If necessary

Perk: Warriors' defense has been 'horrible,' Lakers favorites in the West

Kendrick Perkins says the Warriors' defense has been 'horrible' and the Lakers are favorites in the Western Conference.

Phoenix Suns (4) vs. LA Clippers (5)

Odds: Suns -500 (Caesars) | Clippers: 82% (ESPN BPI)

Game 1: April 16 at Phoenix
Game 2: at Phoenix
Game 3: at LA
Game 4: at LA
Game 5*: at Phoenix
Game 6*: at LA
Game 7*: at Phoenix
*If necessary

Historical NBA Finals coverage

2022: Warriors champions once again

Stephen Curry & Co. returned to the top of the mountain, defeating the Boston Celtics in six games to claim their fourth championship in the past seven seasons.

Complete 2022 NBA Finals coverage

2021: Giannis, Bucks conquer the Suns

Giannis Antetokounmpo's epic Game 6 performance ended the Milwaukee Bucks' 50-year title drought, giving them their second NBA championship with a win over the Phoenix Suns.

Complete 2021 NBA Finals coverage

2020: LeBron, Lakers claim bubble title

The Los Angeles Lakers conquered the NBA's Orlando bubble, defeating the Miami Heat in six games for the 17th championship in franchise history.

Complete 2020 NBA Finals coverage

2019: Kawhi becomes King in the North

For the first time in NBA history, a team outside the United States won the championship, as the Toronto Raptors knocked off the Golden State Warriors in six games.

Complete 2019 NBA Finals coverage

2018: How sweep it is for Warriors

The Golden State Warriors capped off a second consecutive title run by defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in four games.

Complete 2018 NBA Finals coverage

2017: Durant puts Warriors back on top

The Golden State Warriors were nearly perfect in 2017, going 16-1 in the playoffs en route to winning the NBA championship.

Complete 2017 NBA Finals coverage

2016: 'Cleveland, this is for you!'

LeBron James and the Cavaliers ended Cleveland's 52-year title drought by becoming the first team to overcome a 3-1 deficit in the Finals.

Complete 2016 NBA Finals coverage