The Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers meet Wednesday night at 8 p.m. ET in a pivotal Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, with the series locked at 2-2. The contest airs live on ESPN, and for cord-cutters, ESPN+ offers access at $9.99 per month - though the broader 2026 playoff picture is considerably more complicated to navigate.
Why Watching the NBA Playoffs Now Requires Multiple Subscriptions
Starting with the 2026 postseason, the NBA restructured its broadcast rights across three separate media companies: Disney (ESPN/ABC), Comcast (NBC/Peacock), and Amazon (Prime Video). The arrangement, running for 11 seasons, distributes games across all three platforms with no single service offering complete coverage. ESPN and ABC hold rights to 18 first- and second-round contests and the NBA Finals. NBC and Peacock carry 28 first- and second-round outings. Amazon Prime Video has exclusive rights to the Play-In Tournament - previously split between ESPN and TNT - and will broadcast roughly one-third of the first two rounds.
The practical consequence for viewers is that following a single series from start to finish may require switching platforms mid-run. Game 5 between Detroit and Cleveland airs on ESPN tonight; Game 6 on Friday, May 15 moves exclusively to Prime Video. If a Game 7 is required, that would air Sunday, May 17, with the broadcast destination still to be confirmed. The same pattern applies to the San Antonio Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves series, where Game 6 also lands on Prime Video Friday at 9:30 p.m. ET.
Streaming Options for Viewers Without Cable
For viewers who want to consolidate access, several live television streaming services bundle the relevant channels. The options vary significantly in price and scope:
- Amazon Prime Video - $14.99/month or $139 annually; covers all Amazon-exclusive playoff broadcasts. An Ultra plan at an additional $4.99/month adds 4K streaming.
- DirecTV - The Entertainment package at $89.99/month includes ABC, NBC, and ESPN.
- ESPN Select - Live sports streaming starting at $12.99/month, covering ESPN broadcasts.
- Fubo - Sports plan at $55.99/month includes ABC and ESPN; quarterly pricing available.
- Hulu + Live TV - $89.99/month with ads; includes ABC and ESPN.
- Peacock Premium - $10.99/month; required for all NBC-broadcast playoff games.
- Sling Orange & Blue - $60.99/month; covers ABC, NBC, and ESPN. Cheaper single-network packages are available.
- YouTube TV Sports Plan - $64.99/month; includes ABC, NBC, and ESPN.
No single streaming service fully replaces the combination of ESPN, NBC, and Amazon unless a viewer independently subscribes to Prime Video alongside a live TV bundle. Those seeking complete coverage will need to account for Amazon separately, as it is not included in any of the live TV packages listed above.
The Full Playoff Road Ahead
With both remaining Eastern Conference series still undecided, the Conference Finals picture is not yet complete. The New York Knicks are confirmed for the Eastern Conference Finals, with a planned start date of May 17 or 19. Their opponent will emerge from the Detroit-Cleveland series. In the West, the Oklahoma City Thunder await their Conference Finals opponent - to be determined by the Spurs-Timberwolves series - with games scheduled to begin May 18 or 20.
The NBA Finals are set for June 3 through June 19, with all games broadcasting on ABC. Seven games are scheduled across that window, each with an 8:30 p.m. ET start time. For viewers planning ahead, ABC is accessible through Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV, Fubo, Sling, and YouTube TV, making Finals access more straightforward than the earlier rounds.
One practical note for viewers streaming in high definition: enabling motion-smoothing settings on your television can improve picture clarity during fast-moving broadcasts. However, that same setting should be disabled when returning to standard programming - it produces an artificial, over-smooth look on scripted content that most viewers find distracting.
For those outside the United States where certain games may be geographically restricted, a VPN can provide access to domestic streams - though users should verify this complies with their service agreement before proceeding.
