When do the NBA Playoffs start? Key dates for the NBA Playoffs Schedule

The NBA’s final stretch of the season is underway with the 2023 NBA Playoffs in the not-so-distant future. 

The 2022-23 NBA season has been quite the whirlwind. Dating back to the offseason, there have been plenty of unexpected twists and turns. And it hasn’t just been the crazy amount of player movement that has taken place.

Speaking of the transactions, we’ve seen the likes of Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Durant traded this “season.” And on the court, there have been plenty of other headlining events – from LeBron James breaking the all-time scoring record to historic play from the likes of Nikola Jokic, Jayson Tatum, and Giannis Antetokounmpo as they lead their respective teams atop the league standings.

All that has happened and the greatest chapter of this season has yet to be written – which is the NBA Playoffs. While plenty of the league interest during the first portion of the season is generated by the transaction, the NBA Playoffs are in a league of their own.

When it’s competitive and done the right way, there’s very little that can replicate the drama and intrigue of the league playoffs. And, thankfully, the NBA Playoffs are right around the corner. With the final stretch of the regular season in full swing, that only means one thing – the main event will soon be here.

When do the 2023 NBA Playoffs begin?

The NBA Play-In Tournament, which features the 7-10 seeds in both conferences, will take place April 11-14. That will determine the final two seeds in both conferences and it will trigger the start of the official playoffs on April 15.

Heading into the playoffs, there will be plenty of storylines to keep a close eye on. For instance, can the Boston Celtics finally get over the hump in the Eastern Conference after falling just short of winning the NBA Championship last season? Will the Milwaukee Bucks return back to form, remain healthy, and reclaim their spot atop the NBA after a disappointing title defense last season? Or will a dark horse contender emerge, such as the Philadelphia 76ers or Cleveland Cavaliers?

In the Western Conference, there is much more unsettled, if that’s even imaginable. The Denver Nuggets are all but a lock for the No. 1 seed, but will anyone truly trust this team in a seven-game playoff series? The Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings round out the top 3 in the West. The same can be said about those two teams. Even more so considering the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks added Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, respectively, at the NBA Trade Deadline.

The next few weeks will be a great appetizer for what we can expect in the NBA Playoffs. And it will be here sooner than we realize.