NBA releases revised playoff schedule
The NBA has announced revised dates and times for this weekend's postseason contests following game postponements from Aug. 26-28.
The league paused games in response to player protests stemming from the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Aug. 23. The Milwaukee Bucks became the first team to sit out when they decided to remain in the locker room ahead of tipoff for Game 5 of their first-round series against the Orlando Magic on Aug. 26. Other teams followed the Bucks' lead shortly after.
Milwaukee and Orlando kick off Saturday's triple-header of Game 5s, beginning at 3:30 p.m. ET. Sunday's action gets underway with Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals between the defending champion Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics.
The revised dates and times for the upcoming postseason contests are as follows.
Saturday, Aug. 29
| Game | Teams | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Bucks vs. Magic | 3:30 p.m. |
| 5 | Thunder vs. Rockets | 6:30 p.m. |
| 5 | Trail Blazers vs. Lakers | 9 p.m. |
Sunday, Aug. 30
| Game | Teams | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raptors vs. Celtics | 1 p.m. |
| 6 | Clippers vs. Mavericks | 3:30 p.m. |
| 6 | Nuggets vs. Jazz | 8:30 p.m. |
The NBA also laid out multiple scheduling scenarios for Monday and Tuesday, depending on the outcome of certain matchups.
Monday, Aug. 31
If Game 6 is necessary for Bucks-Magic and Lakers-Blazers
| Game | Teams | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Bucks vs. Magic | 4 p.m. |
| 6 | Rockets vs. Thunder | 6:30 p.m. |
| 6 | Lakers vs. Blazers | 9:00 p.m. |
If Game 6 is necessary for Lakers-Blazers
| Game | Teams | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heat vs. Bucks | 4 p.m. |
| 6 | Rockets vs. Thunder | 6:30 p.m. |
| 6 | Lakers vs. Blazers | 9:00 p.m. |
If Game 6 is necessary for Bucks-Magic
| Game | Teams | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Bucks vs. Magic | 6:30 p.m. |
| 6 | Rockets vs. Thunder | 9:00 p.m. |
If Game 6 isn't necessary for Bucks-Magic and Lakers-Blazers
| Game | Teams | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heat vs. Bucks | 6:30 p.m. |
| 6 | Rockets vs. Thunder | 9:00 p.m. |
Tuesday, Sept. 1
If Game 7 is necessary for Clippers-Mavericks and Nuggets-Jazz
| Game | Teams | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Raptors vs. Celtics | 3 p.m. |
| 7 | Nuggets vs. Jazz | 5:30 p.m. |
| 7 | Clippers vs. Mavericks | 8:30 p.m. |
If Game 7 is necessary for Clippers-Mavericks
| Game | Teams | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Raptors vs. Celtics | 5:30 p.m. |
| 7 | Clippers vs. Mavericks | 8:30 p.m. |
If Game 7 is necessary for Nuggets-Jazz
| Game | Teams | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Raptors vs. Celtics | 5:30 p.m. |
| 7 | Nuggets vs. Jazz | 8:30 p.m. |
If Game 7 isn't necessary for Clippers-Mavericks and Nuggets-Jazz
| Game | Teams | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Raptors vs. Celtics | 5:30 p.m. |
| 1 | Clippers vs. Jazz | 8:30 p.m. |