The 2024 NBA playoffs have been exciting with the next generation of players Anthony Edwards, Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander outlasting the likes of LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Steph Curry.
The Boston Celtics secured their spot in the second round after defeating the Miami Heat with a resounding victory in Game 5, concluding the series with a 4-1 triumph. As the top-seeded team, the Celtics now await the outcome of the Cavaliers-Magic series to determine their next opponent. In the Western Conference, the Timberwolves, Nuggets, and Thunder also advanced, with Minnesota and Oklahoma City sweeping their opponents and Denver prevailing over the LeBron Lakers in five games.
We’re in the heat of it all. It’s time to place your bet on NBA game parlays, series wins and other wagers on player performance.
Four first-round series are yet to be concluded: the classic-in-the-making Knicks vs. 76ers series, Bucks versus Pacers, Cavaliers versus Magic, and Clippers versus Mavericks, all of which are poised for at least six games. The Mavericks dominated the Kawhi Leonard-less Clippers in Game 5, setting up a potential series-clinching game at home. The Knicks and Pacers, having missed opportunities to close out their respective series, will seek redemption in Game 6, while the Cavaliers aim to eliminate the Magic with a crucial road victory in Orlando.
2024 NBA Playoffs Schedule
The NBA Playoffs schedule in 2024 is just like 2023. We know for sure when the Play-in tournament, first round, and finals start. The start of the second round and conference finals just depends on how quickly teams wrap up their current series. IE, if everyone gets swept, the next round happens more quickly. Here’s the current schedule for the playoffs.
- Play-In Tournament April 16
- First Round April 20
- Second Round May 6*
- Conference Finals May 21*
- 2024 NBA Finals June 6
What Day do the 2024 NBA Playoffs Begin?
The NBA Play-In tourney runs from Tuesday April 16th through the 19th. The First Round doesn’t waste any time and starts on the 20th. These series will typically run through the first weekend in May. This is when we’ll see if teams that practice load management had their efforts pay off, or if it was all for nothing.
How Does the NBA Setup the Playoff Bracket?
This will be the fifth year in-a-row that the NBA holds the Play-In tournament. The #7 through #10 seeds in both the East and Western Conference compete for the right to be in the 16-team playoff bracket. Once there, it’s a standard eight-team bracket setup for each conference. 1 vs 8, 2 vs 7 and so on.
What Happens in the NBA Play-In Tournament?
So, I got really confused the first year the NBA did this. But I have it down now! 🙂 I think. During the NBA Play-In tournament, the #7 and #8 seeds will play a single game against each other. If they win the first one–boom, they have the #7 seed. If they lose, then they will take on the winner of the #9 vs #10 seed. If they win that one, they are the #8 seed. If they lose, then they #9 or #10 team who won their first game is in as the #8. We have it drawn out with arrows for you on the bracket as well.
Printable 2024 NBA Playoff Bracket
We have the blank, printable 2024 NBA Playoff bracket for you in PDF format. This format is the easiest to share and print as we all work through the current playoff picture for both conferences. Once the final seeds and matchups are set, we’ll come back and post a complete bracket for you to follow the game action. It definitely looks to be an exciting postseason in the NBA. I always love to print out the blank bracket first before the complete one is set.
