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The NBA Finals journey kicks off this evening with two thrilling play-in contests. The No. 9 Charlotte Hornets will face off against the No. 10 Miami Heat at home, while the Portland Trail Blazers, seeded eighth, head to Phoenix to challenge Devin Booker and the seventh-seeded Suns, all streaming on Prime Video!
This exciting doubleheader sets the stage for Wednesday night’s matchups, featuring the Orlando Magic squaring off against the Philadelphia 76ers at 7:30 p.m. ET, followed by the Golden State Warriors traveling to confront the Los Angeles Clippers at 10:00 p.m. ET, both also available on Prime Video.
For those needing a quick update, the victors of the 9/10 games will compete against the losers of the 7/8 games on Friday, April 17, to clinch the coveted 8th seed.
The Hornets, who have captured fans’ hearts throughout the season, are gearing up to host their first playoff game in a decade. Their last postseason appearance concluded with a crushing 106-73 Game 7 defeat to the Heat. Will Miami triumph over Charlotte once more, or can LaMelo Ball and Kon Knueppel steer the Hornets to success? The answer lies just ahead.
Here’s how you can catch all the action live online.
What Time/Channel Are The NBA Play-In Games On Tonight?
The playoffs begin tonight with two play-in games. The first matchup features the No. 9 Charlotte Hornets taking on the No. 10 Miami Heat at 7:30 p.m. ET on Prime Video. Game 2 is between the No. 7 Phoenix Suns and No. 8 Portland Trail Blazers at 10:00 p.m. ET on Prime Video.
NBA Play-In Schedule:
Wednesday, April 15:
- No. 8 Orlando Magic vs. No. 7 76ers (7:30 p.m. ET on Prime Video)
- No. 9 Los Angeles Clippers vs. No. 10 Golden State Warriors (10:00 p.m. ET on Prime Video)
The winners of the 9/10 games battle the losers of the 7/8 games on Friday, April 17, at 7:30 and 10:00 p.m. ET on Prime Video.
How To Watch The Suns vs. Blazers and Heat vs. Hornets Live on Prime Video:
The NBA Play-In Tournament will stream live on Prime Video.
Amazon Prime is available for $14.99/month or $139/year. Prime for Young Adults and Prime Access (eligible government assistance recipients or income-verified customers) are also options for $7.49/month and $6.99/month, respectively.
Does Prime Video Offer a Free Trial?
Yes! Amazon offers a 30-day free trial for new and eligible subscribers.
When Does The First Round of The NBA Playoffs Start?
The first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs begins on Saturday, April 18. Games will air on Prime Video, ABC, NBC, and Peacock.
NBA Playoffs 2026 Schedule:
Saturday, April 18:
- Toronto Raptors @ Cleveland Cavaliers Game 1: 1:00 p.m. ET on Prime Video
- Minnesota Timberwolves @ Denver Nuggets Game 1: 3:30 p.m. ET on Prime Video
- Atlanta Hawks @ New York Knicks Game 1: 6:00 p.m. ET on Prime Video
- Houston Rockets @ Los Angeles Lakers Game 1: 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC
Enjoy the playoffs!