Last updated: 7 May 2026 · All four Round 2 series are underway. Every Game 1 is complete and Game 2s are in progress this week. The NBA Finals start Thursday 4 June at 10:30am AEST.
The 2026 NBA Playoffs delivered one of the most chaotic first rounds in years — including the biggest upset of the modern era when the seventh-seeded 76ers eliminated the Celtics in Boston. Round 2 is now well underway, and here’s everything Australian fans need to know: full schedule in AEST, current series standings and exactly where to watch every game on Kayo, ESPN, NBA League Pass, Prime Video and Disney+.
On this page
- How to watch the NBA Playoffs in Australia
- Round 2 Conference Semifinals — current standings
- Round 1 — complete results
- Full schedule in AEST — this week
- Big storylines of the 2026 Playoffs
- FAQ — your NBA Playoffs questions answered
How to watch the NBA Playoffs in Australia
The 2026 Playoffs are split across four platforms in Australia. Which one you need depends entirely on which games matter to you.
Quick comparison
| Platform | Cost (AUD) | What you get | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kayo Sports | From $35/mo | All ESPN/ABC NBA broadcasts, every Finals game | Casual fans, big games, NBA Finals |
| NBA League Pass | ~$229/year | Every game, every team, every feed | Diehards, NBC games, single-team fans |
| Disney+ | $14–$18/mo | Every ESPN and TNT NBA game | Households already paying for Disney+ |
| Prime Video | $9.99/mo | Selected playoff games (Round 1 had Game 3s) | Existing Prime members |
Important for Australian fans: NBC and Peacock are not available in Australia. Any 2026 Playoff game broadcast on NBC or Peacock in the US is on NBA League Pass only for Australian viewers — including the entire Lakers vs Thunder series and most Western Conference Finals games.
Want every Conference Finals & NBA Finals game live?
Kayo Sports has every ESPN/ABC playoff game including all NBA Finals games on a 7-day free trial.Watch NBA on Kayo →
For a deeper breakdown of every platform, prices and what each subscription includes, see our full How to Watch NBA in Australia guide.
Round 2 — Conference Semifinals (current state)
All four Round 2 series are underway. Here’s the current state of every matchup.
Eastern Conference Semifinals
| Series | Status | Where to watch (AU) |
|---|---|---|
| (3) Knicks vs (7) 76ers | NYK lead 1-0 (won G1 137-98). G2 Thu 7 May 9:00am AEST | ESPN/Kayo/Disney+ |
| (1) Pistons vs (4) Cavaliers | DET lead 1-0 (won G1 111-101). G2 Fri 8 May 9:00am AEST | ESPN/Kayo/Disney+ |
Western Conference Semifinals
| Series | Status | Where to watch (AU) |
|---|---|---|
| (2) Spurs vs (6) Wolves | MIN lead 1-0 (won G1 104-102 in San Antonio). G2 Thu 7 May 11:30am AEST | Disney+ / League Pass |
| (1) Thunder vs (4) Lakers | OKC lead 1-0 (won G1 108-90). G2 Fri 8 May 11:30am AEST | League Pass only (NBC) |
The standout result of Round 2 so far is the Wolves’ Game 1 win in San Antonio — the only road victory across the four openers. Read the full Round 2 Game 1 wrap.
Lakers vs Thunder is on NBC in the US which means NBA League Pass is your only way to watch the entire series live in Australia. Spurs vs Wolves is on TNT, available on Disney+ or League Pass. Both Eastern series are on ESPN, available on Kayo, Disney+ and ESPN Australia.
Round 1 — complete results
Round 1 of the 2026 NBA Playoffs is in the books. The headline: a 7 vs 2 upset for the ages, plus the Thunder doing exactly what champions do.
Eastern Conference Round 1 — final results
- (7) 76ers def. (2) Celtics 4-3 — Boston eliminated 109-100 in Game 7. The biggest upset of the 2026 Playoffs.
- (3) Knicks def. (6) Hawks 4-2 — New York closed it out 140-89 in Game 6. The Knicks looked the part of a contender.
- (1) Pistons def. (8) Magic 4-3 — Detroit advanced after a hard-fought seven-game series, finishing it 116-94 in Game 7.
- (4) Cavaliers def. (5) Raptors 4-3 — Cleveland survived a seven-game thriller, winning Game 7 114-102 to set up the matchup with Detroit.
Western Conference Round 1 — final results
- (1) Thunder def. (8) Suns 4-0 — OKC’s emphatic sweep. SGA looked unstoppable.
- (2) Spurs def. (7) Trail Blazers 4-1 — San Antonio handled Portland comfortably with Wembanyama returning from concussion protocol mid-series.
- (6) Wolves def. (3) Nuggets 4-2 — Minnesota knocked out the higher-seeded Nuggets in six.
- (4) Lakers def. (5) Rockets 4-2 — LeBron and Bronny James made history as the first father-son duo to win a playoff series.
Full schedule in AEST — this week
| Day (AEST) | Time | Matchup | Where to watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 7 May (today) | 9:00am | Knicks vs 76ers — Game 2 | ESPN/Kayo/Disney+ |
| Thu 7 May (today) | 11:30am | Spurs vs Wolves — Game 2 | Disney+ / League Pass |
| Fri 8 May | 9:00am | Pistons vs Cavaliers — Game 2 | ESPN/Kayo/Disney+ |
| Fri 8 May | 11:30am | Thunder vs Lakers — Game 2 | League Pass only |
| Sat 9 May | 9:00am | 76ers vs Knicks — Game 3 (Philly) | ESPN/Kayo/Disney+ |
| Sat 9 May | 11:30am | Wolves vs Spurs — Game 3 (Minneapolis) | Disney+ / League Pass |
| Sun 10 May | 5:00am | Cavaliers vs Pistons — Game 3 (Cleveland) | ESPN/Kayo/Disney+ |
| Sun 10 May | 10:30am | Lakers vs Thunder — Game 3 (LA) | League Pass only |
For live scores, full week schedules and time-zone toggles for AWST and ACST, use our live US Sports TV Guide.
The big storylines of the 2026 Playoffs
Boston’s stunning Game 7 collapse. The 76ers became the first 7-seed in over a decade to eliminate a 2-seed in seven games. Read the full Celtics elimination wrap.
OKC’s dynasty in motion. The reigning champions have now won 11 consecutive first-round playoff games and took Game 1 of the Lakers series by 18 points. They face the Lakers in a series that will define the 2026 title race.
The Wolves’ Game 1 stunner. Anthony Edwards walked into San Antonio and stole Game 1 with a clutch three with 47 seconds left. The only road win across the four Round 2 openers — and a result that has turned the Spurs vs Wolves series into the most must-watch matchup of Round 2.
Knicks demolish 76ers. A 39-point Game 1 win — the largest Game 1 margin for a 3-seed in a Conference Semifinal since 1992. After Round 1’s heroic seven-game upset of Boston, the 76ers got found out fast in Round 2.
VJ Edgecombe’s playoff arrival. The 76ers rookie was a revelation in Round 1 but has so far struggled to maintain that level against the Knicks’ defence. How he responds in Game 2 will define Philadelphia’s series.
LeBron and Bronny make history. The first father-son duo in NBA history to win a playoff series together. They face the Thunder next — a far tougher test, and Game 1 confirmed it.
FAQ — your NBA Playoffs questions answered
How can I watch the NBA Playoffs 2026 in Australia for free?
There is no completely free option for live NBA Playoff games in Australia. Kayo Sports offers a 7-day free trial which covers a week of ESPN-broadcast playoff games. Disney+ is the cheapest paid path if you already subscribe.
What time are the NBA Playoffs in AEST?
Most evening US games tip off between 9:00am and 12:30pm AEST the following day. The NBA Finals are at 10:30am AEST — perfect timing for Australian viewers.
Is the NBA on Kayo in Australia?
Yes — Kayo carries every ESPN and ABC broadcast NBA game including all of the 2026 NBA Finals. Kayo does not carry NBC, TNT or Peacock games. Plans start at $35/month with a 7-day free trial.
How much does NBA League Pass cost in Australia?
NBA League Pass costs around $229 AUD for the full season or roughly $32.99 per month. It’s the only way to watch every single playoff game live, including NBC broadcasts that don’t appear on Kayo or Disney+.
Can I watch the NBA Finals on free-to-air in Australia?
No. The 2026 NBA Finals are not on Australian free-to-air TV. Every Finals game is on Kayo Sports, ESPN Australia, Disney+ or NBA League Pass.
When do the NBA Finals 2026 start?
NBA Finals 2026 Game 1 tips off Thursday 4 June at 10:30am AEST. The series runs through mid-June with Games 5-7 only if needed.
Want every game including NBC broadcasts?
NBA League Pass is the only way to watch the entire Lakers vs Thunder series live in Australia.Get NBA League Pass →
Where next?
- Live US Sports TV Guide — every NBA, NHL, MLB and NFL game with AEST times and live scores
- How to Watch NBA in Australia 2026 — full platform breakdown
- NBA Round 2 Game 1 Wrap — Wolves shock Spurs in San Antonio
- Celtics Eliminated by 76ers in Game 7
All times shown in AEST (Sydney/Melbourne/Brisbane). Subscription prices accurate as of May 2026 and subject to change. Mac Johannson covers US sports for Australian fans, with a focus on AEST schedules, streaming options and playoff coverage.
