The road to the NBA Finals begins tonight with two play-in games as the No. 9 Charlotte Hornets host the No. 10 Miami Heat, and the Portland Trail Blazers (No. 8) travel to Phoenix to battle Devin Booker and the Suns (No. 7) on Prime Video!
Tonight’s doubleheader will be followed by two more play-in games on Wednesday night, when the Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers collide (7:30 p.m. ET on Prime Video), and the Golden State Warriors hit the road to take on the Los Angeles Clippers (10:00 p.m. ET on Prime Video).
As a quick refresher, the winners of the 9/10 games will battle the losers of the 7/8 games on Friday, April 17, for the 8th seed.
The Hornets, a league pass darling throughout the season, are preparing to host their first postseason game in 10 years. Their last trip to the playoffs ended in a devastating 106-73 Game 7 blowout loss to the Heat. Will Miami once again eliminate Charlotte, or can LaMelo Ball and Kon Knueppel lead the Hornets to victory? We’re about to find out.
Here’s how to watch 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!