NBA playoffs 2024: Conference semifinals news, schedule, scores and highlights

The NBA playoffs’ conference semifinals are underway. Expect plenty of drama after a thrilling start to the postseason.

The Boston Celtics, the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and top overall seed, battle the No. 4 seed Cleveland Cavaliers. In the other East series, the No. 2 seed New York Knicks renew their old rivalry with the No. 6 seed Indiana Pacers.

In the West, the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder take on the No. 5 seed Dallas Mavericks. The other West clash pits the No. 2 seed and defending NBA Finals champion Denver Nuggets against the No. 3 seed Minnesota Timberwolves.

The four teams from each conference face off in a best-of-7 series to advance. All four rounds of the NBA playoffs are best-of-7, and teams are not reseeded after each round. The team with the better regular-season record in each series will have home court advantage for that series. All series are played in a 2-2-1-1-1 format, with the team with the better record hosting Games 1, 2, 5 and 7 (if necessary).

We’ll have complete coverage of the NBA playoffs all the way through the 2024 NBA Finals, which tip off on June 6 on ABC and the ESPN app.

MORE: First-round news and scores | Offseason guides

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Boston Celtics (1) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (4)

Game 1: Tuesday, May 7 at Boston (7:00 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 2: Thursday, May 9 at Boston (7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Game 3: Saturday, May 11 at Cleveland (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
Game 4: Monday, May 13 at Cleveland (7:00 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 5 (if necessary): Wednesday, May 15 at Boston (TNT)
Game 6 (if necessary): Friday, May 17 at Cleveland (ESPN)
Game 7 (if necessary): Sunday, May 19 at Boston

The postseason challenges Stephen A. sees for the Celtics

Stephen A. Smith breaks down the challenges the Celtics could face before the NBA Finals following Kristaps Porzingis’ injury.

Celtics ‘learning from our mistakes’ after eliminating Heat
Kristaps Porzingis (calf injury) out at least several games

New York Knicks (2) vs. Indiana Pacers (6)

Game 1: Monday, May 6 at New York (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 2: Wednesday, May 8 at New York (8:00 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 3: Friday, May 10 at Indiana (7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Game 4: Sunday, May 12 at Indiana (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
Game 5 (if necessary): Tuesday, May 14 at New York (TNT)
Game 6 (if necessary): Friday, May 17 at Indiana (ESPN)
Game 7 (if necessary): Sunday, May 19 at New York

Herring:
Tinsley:

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Oklahoma City Thunder (1) vs. Dallas Mavericks (5)

Game 1: Tuesday, May 7 at Oklahoma City (9:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 2: Thursday, May 9 at Oklahoma City (ESPN)
Game 3: Saturday, May 11 at Dallas (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
Game 4: Monday, May 13 at Dallas (9:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 5 (if necessary): Wednesday, May 15 at Oklahoma City (TNT)
Game 6 (if necessary): Saturday, May 18 at Dallas (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Game 7 (if necessary): Monday, May 20 at Oklahoma City (8:30 p.m. ET, TNT)

Mavericks big man Maxi Kleber (AC joint) out indefinitely
MacMahon:
Pelton:
Shelburne:

Minnesota Timberwolves (3) lead Denver Nuggets (2), 1-0

Game 1: Timberwolves 106, Nuggets 99
Game 2: Monday, May 6 at Denver (10:00 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 3: Friday, May 10 at Minnesota (9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Game 4: Sunday, May 12 at Minnesota (8:00 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 5 (if necessary): Tuesday, May 14 at Denver (TNT)
Game 6 (if necessary): Thursday, May 16 at Minnesota (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Game 7 (if necessary): Sunday, May 19 at Denver