The 2023 NBA playoffs will now begin with the second round, and fans can check out the schedule for the conference semifinals along with other details like key dates, how to watch live, schedule
The first round of the NBA playoffs just concluded and the four semifinalists for each conference have now been finalized.
NBA playoffs conference semifinals 2023: Schedule, dates, time, games list, format, teams seeding, live stream telecast
THE NBA CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS ARE SET 🍿 pic.twitter.com/NCqR1H2NLO
— ESPN (@espn) April 30, 2023
Across the two conferences, the NBA Conference Semifinals have one of every seed (1 through 8) for the first time since the 16-team playoff format was implemented for the 1983-84 season. pic.twitter.com/u58QOohi6S
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 30, 2023
Up until now, the 2023 NBA playoffs have been nothing short of exciting and it looks like fans are in for some more.
2023 NBA playoffs: conference semi-finals preview
Jimmy Butler led Miami Heat managed to upset the Eastern Conference No.1 seed Milwaukee Bucks in five games. By doing so, they became the first ever play-in team in NBA history to win a playoff series. They are also just the sixth No.8 seed to advance past a No.1 seed. They will face New York in the Eastern Conference semi-finals. Meanwhile, the other semi-final in the conference will see Joel Embiid led Philadelphia 76ers take on Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics.
In the western conference, Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets will host the Phoenix Suns on Saturday evening. The other semi-final matchup will feature the Los Angeles Lakers vs the Golden State Warriors.
NBA conference playoffs semi-final format
Just like the first round of the playoffs, each matchup in the best-of-seven conference semi-finals will also follow the 2–2–1–1–1 format. This means that teams with home-court advantage (higher seeded teams) will host Games 1, 2, 5, and 7. Meanwhile, their opponent will host Games 3, 4, and 6. Games 5, 6 and 7 will only be played if needed. Teams that win the first four games will advance to the next round.
2023 NBA conference semi-final schedule
Given below is the semi-final schedule for the 2023 NBA conference with local tip-off timings:
Eastern Conference
Boston Celtics (2) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (3)
| Game 1 | Sixers vs. Celtics | Monday, May 1 | 7:30 ET |
| Game 2 | Sixers vs. Celtics | Wednesday, May 3 | 8 ET |
| Game 3 | Celtics vs. Sixers | Friday, May 5 | 7:30 ET |
| Game 4 | Celtics vs. Sixers | Sunday, May 7 | 3:30 ET |
| Game 5 | Sixers vs. Celtics | Tuesday, May 9 | TBD |
| Game 6 | Celtics vs. Sixers | Thursday, May 11 | TBD |
| Game 7 | Sixers vs. Celtics | Sunday, May 14 | TBD |
New York Knicks (5) vs. Miami Heat (8)
| Game 1 | Heat vs. Knicks | Sunday, April 30 | 1 ET |
| Game 2 | Heat vs. Knicks | Tuesday, May 2 | TBD |
| Game 3 | Knicks vs. Heat | Saturday, May 6 | TBD |
| Game 4 | Knicks vs. Heat | Monday, May 8 | 7:30 ET |
| Game 5 | Heat vs. Knicks | Wednesday, May 10 | TBD |
| Game 6 | Knicks vs. Heat | Friday, May 12 | TBD |
| Game 7 | Heat vs. Knicks | Monday, May 15 | 8 ET |
Western Conference
Denver Nuggets (1) vs. Phoenix Suns (4)
| Game 1 | Suns vs. Nuggets | Saturday April 29 | 8:30 ET |
| Game 2 | Suns vs. Nuggets | Monday, May 1 | 10 ET |
| Game 3 | Nuggets vs. Suns | Friday, May 5 | 10 ET |
| Game 4 | Nuggets vs. Suns | Sunday, May 7 | 8 ET |
| Game 5 | Suns vs. Nuggets | Tuesday, May 9 | TBD |
| Game 6 | Nuggets vs. Suns | Thursday, May 11 | TBD |
| Game 7 | Suns vs. Nuggets | Sunday, May 14 | TBD |
Golden State Warriors (6) – Los Angeles Lakers (7)
| Game 1 | Lakers vs. Warriors | Tuesday, May 2 | 10 ET |
| Game 2 | Lakers vs. Warriors | Thursday, May 4 | 9 ET |
| Game 3 | Warriors vs. Lakers | Saturday, May 6 | 8:30 ET |
| Game 4 | Warriors vs. Lakers | Monday, May 8 | 10 ET |
| Game 5 | Lakers vs. Warriors | Wednesday, May 10 | TBD |
| Game 6 | Warriors vs. Lakers | Friday, May 12 | TBD |
| Game 7 | Lakers vs. Warriors | Sunday, May 14 | TBD |
2023 NBA playoffs key dates
Given below are the key dates for the 2023 NBA playoffs:
| Date | Key events |
| May 1-2 | NBA conference semifinals begin (possible move-up to 29-30 April) |
| May 16-17 | NBA conference finals begin (possible move-up to 14-15 May) |
| June 1 | NBA Finals 2023 Game 1 |
| June 4 | NBA Finals 2023 Game 2 |
| June 7 | NBA Finals 2023 Game 3 |
| June 9 | NBA Finals 2023 Game 4 |
| June 12 | NBA Finals 2023 Game 5 (if necessary) |
| June 15 | NBA Finals 2023 Game 6 (if necessary) |
| June 18 | NBA Finals 2023 Game 7 (if necessary) |
How to watch the 2023 NBA playoffs live
Fans in the U.S. can watch the 2023 NBA playoffs live on ABC, ESPN, TNT and NBA TV. All the aforementioned networks will air select games. Meanwhile, international viewers can watch the action live through local broadcasters. They can also do sousing the NBA League Pass app, which is available on mobile, PC, and smart TVs.
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