The NBA season officially started on October 18, 2022, and will end on April 9, 2023. 

Watching the NBA games may be challenging if you reside outside the US.

This is mainly because even if you’re living in a country where NBA is indeed available, the NBA blackouts live broadcasts of games in your area. But, again, this is mainly done to lure people to the stadium to watch the games and earn more money.

This includes countries such as the United States and the UK as well. However, one of the ways to work around this and gain access to the NBA playoffs is to install a VPN service.

The following guide will show you how to watch the NBA playoffs with a VPN.

Where to watch the NBA Playoffs live online

Ordinarily, to watch a specific US TV channel, you’ll need to use a US cable TV subscription. However, the good news is that a range of streaming sites will allow you to watch NBA, including Monday night football and Thursday night football.

Let’s take a look at a few of the options:

  • YouTube TV: YouTube TV allows you to catch up on live broadcasts from various US TV channels on YouTube TV. Some channels you will have access to include TNT, NBC, ABC, CBS, NBA TV, NFL Network, NBC Sports, ESPN, and ESPN3.
  • DAZN: DAZN tends to focus more on combat sports such as MMA and boxing. However, it also includes NBA games, and if you’re looking for the action only contained in live fights, this is the streaming service to use.
  • Amazon Prime Video: Amazon Prime video allows you to watch classic shows, new movies, original programming, and broadcasts of NBA games as well.
  • Hulu + Live TVHulu + Live TV offers a wide range of entertainment from US TV channels. Aside from NBA games, you will also have access to comedy and drama, new movies, sports, and music. Additionally, this live TV streaming service offers DVR storage.

Other live stream options with an on-demand library include fuboTV, DirecTV stream, SlingTV (orange package), which usually offers special deals on the first month, Disney+, and more. However, all these options will only work with a VPN.

Why use a VPN to watch the NBA Playoff games?

It’s not always easy to keep up with your favorite sports, especially when you think of dealing with broadcast blackouts, purchasing game passes, and channel hopping. Ultimately, it tends to be a complicated process. This is all the more reason why you need a VPN.

NBA blackouts all of the live broadcasts for local viewers, and unless you have a reliable VPN service provider to help, you will miss out on the action. NBA blackouts live broadcasts because they want more people to attend stadiums and watch the games there.

However, you may not be able to access any NBA games due to geo-restrictions if you live in a country that doesn’t have NBA broadcasting licenses. In a case such as this, you will receive an error message telling you that you don’t have access.

However, downloading and installing a competent VPN service will allow you to connect to a server of your choice and change your IP address to watch all the geo-restricted games without hassle.

NBA Playoffs schedule

2022-2023 NBA season key dates

DateEvent
Thursday, September 27Training camp starts
Sunday, October 2 to Friday, October 14NBA Preseason 2022
Thursday, October 18Regular season begins
Sunday, February 19, 2023NBA All-Star Game
Tuesday, April 11-14, 2023Play-in tournament
Saturday, April 152023 NBA Playoffs begin
Thursday, June 1NBA Finals Game 1
Sunday, June 18NBA Finals Game 7 (If needed)
Thursday, June 222023 NBA Draft

NBA International Games in 2022-2023

TeamDateVenue
Warriors vs. WizardsSeptember 30 & October 2, 2022Japan
Jazz vs. RaptorsOctober 2, 2022Edmonton, AB
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Atlanta HawksOctober 6 and October 8, 2022Abu Dhabi
Celtics vs. RaptorsOctober 15, 2022NBA Canada Series
Spurs vs. HeatDecember 17Mexico City
Detroit Pistons vs. Chicago BullsJanuary 19, 2023NBA Paris Game

2022 NBA Christmas day matchups

New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Golden State Warriors vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns

How to install a VPN service to watch the NBA Playoffs (step by step)

Follow these simple instructions to use a VPN to watch the NBA playoffs from anywhere:

Step 1: Download a VPN

Start by deciding on a VPN service and downloading the relevant software.

Step2: Connect to a server

Check whether the game you want to watch is only available in a specific state. If it is, then connect to a server in that state.

Step 3: Enjoy watching the NBA playoffs

Sign in with a TV provider or streaming service and watch the NBA playoffs in HD.

Best VPNs for streaming the NBA Playoffs from anywhere

ExpressVPN

Our top pick!
  • Always evades internet control in the PRC
  • Keeps ahead of the Netflix VPN detection algorithm
  • Benchmark tests show excellent speed

ExpressVPN is more than just a competent and reliable VPN service; it is trusted and used by millions worldwide. Therefore, we recommend it as the best option to watch the NBA playoffs, irrespective of where you are in the world.

Surfshark

  • Smart DNS service, understands the technology
  • Comprehensive security add-on package.
  • No data throughput limits and has a no-logs policy

Surfshark is another widely used VPN service that offers fast streaming speeds. With approximately 3200 servers in over 99 countries around the world, Surfshark is another great option for streaming the NBA playoffs.

NordVPN

  • More US city locations than its rivals
  • Includes malware protection
  • No-logs policy

Whether you’re looking to stream the NBA playoffs, NFL playoffs, MLB, Eastern Conference finals, and more, NordVPN is a highly recommended VPN service provider. With over 5300 servers in approximately 59 countries worldwide, NordVPN maintains consistently fast speeds, geo-blocking capabilities, and more.

FAQs

Are VPNs compatible with android and iOS operating systems?

All our recommended VPN service providers support Android and iOS operating systems.

How to watch the NBA Playoffs without cable?

You may use services like Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, and Chromecast to watch the NBA playoffs.

When did the NBA semifinals start?

The semifinals started on May 1.

Who will carry the Western Conference Finals?

ESPN will carry the Western Conference Finals.

Who are the most popular teams you expect at the NBA Playoffs?

Popular teams include the Nets, Miami Heat, Pelicans, Warriors, Timberwolves, etc.