The conference semi-finals of the NBA playoffs have begun. Expect plenty of drama after an exciting start to the playoffs.
The Boston Celtics, the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and the No. 1 overall seed, face the No. 4 seed Cleveland Cavaliers. In the other East series, the New York Knicks, seeded No. 2, renew their old rivalry with the Indiana Pacers, seeded No. 6.
In the West, the Oklahoma City Thunder, seeded No. 1, faces the Dallas Mavericks, seeded No. 5. The other West matchup pits the No. 2 seed and reigning NBA Finals champion Denver Nuggets against the No. 3 seed Minnesota Timberwolves.
The four teams from each conference compete in a best-of-7 series to advance. All four rounds of the NBA playoffs are best-of-7 and teams are not reseeded after each round. The team with the best regular season record in each series will have home-field advantage for that series. All series are played in a 2-2-1-1-1 format, with the team with the best record hosting games 1, 2, 5 and 7 (if necessary).
We’ll have full coverage of the NBA Playoffs throughout the 2024 NBA Finals, which begin June 6 on ABC and the ESPN app.
MORE: First round news and scores | Off-season guides
EAST CONFERENCE
Game 1: Tuesday May 7 in Boston (7 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 2: Thursday, May 9 in Boston (7 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Game 3: Saturday, May 11 in Cleveland (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
Game 4: Monday, May 13 in Cleveland (7 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 5 (if necessary): Wednesday May 15 in Boston (TNT)
Game 6 (if necessary): Friday, May 17 in Cleveland (ESPN)
Game 7 (if necessary): Sunday May 19 in Boston
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Game 1: Knicks 121, Pacers 117
Game 2: Wednesday, May 8 in New York (8 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 3: Friday, May 10 at Indiana (7 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Game 4: Sunday, May 12 at Indiana (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
Game 5 (if necessary): Tuesday May 14 in New York (TNT)
Game 6 (if necessary): Friday, May 17 at Indiana (ESPN)
Game 7 (if necessary): Sunday May 19 in New York
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Game 1: Tuesday, May 7 in Oklahoma City (9:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 2: Thursday, May 9 in Oklahoma City (ESPN)
Game 3: Saturday, May 11 in Dallas (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
Game 4: Monday, May 13 in Dallas (9:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 5 (if necessary): Wednesday, May 15 in Oklahoma City (TNT)
Game 6 (if necessary): Saturday, May 18 in Dallas (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Game 7 (if necessary): Monday, May 20 in Oklahoma City (8:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 1: Timberwolves 106, Nuggets 99
Game 2: Timberwolves 106, Nuggets 80
Game 3: Friday, May 10 at Minnesota (9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Game 4: Sunday, May 12 at Minnesota (8 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 5 (if necessary): Tuesday, May 14 in Denver (TNT)
Game 6 (if necessary): Thursday, May 16 at Minnesota (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Game 7 (if necessary): Sunday May 19 in Denver
