The second round of the 2026 NBA Western Conference Playoffs begins Monday, May 4, when the San Antonio Spurs host the Minnesota Timberwolves at 9:30 p.m. ET. The series marks a significant broadcasting moment: for the first time under the NBA's new rights agreement with NBC, a postseason contest will air exclusively on Peacock, making a paid streaming subscription the only path to watching Game 1 live. The series is scheduled to run through May 17, if all seven contests are needed.
Where and How to Watch the Opening Contest
Game 1 tips off Monday, May 4, at 9:30 p.m. ET and is broadcast exclusively through Peacock. Viewers whose cable or satellite provider carries NBC Sports Network will also find the game there. For everyone else, a Peacock subscription is required. The platform's Premium tier, priced at $11 per month, unlocks the broadcast along with a full month of additional content spanning NFL, English Premier League, Olympic programming, and a broad library of on-demand entertainment.
The full series broadcast schedule is as follows:
- Game 1 - Monday, May 4, 9:30 p.m. ET: Timberwolves at Spurs - Peacock, NBC Sports Network
- Game 2 - Wednesday, May 6, 9:30 p.m. ET: Timberwolves at Spurs - ESPN, ESPN Unlimited
- Game 3 - Friday, May 8, 9:30 p.m. ET: Spurs at Timberwolves - Prime Video
- Game 4 - Sunday, May 10, 7:30 p.m. ET: Spurs at Timberwolves - NBC, Peacock
- Game 5 - Tuesday, May 12, TBA (if necessary): Timberwolves at Spurs - TBA
- Game 6 - Friday, May 15, TBA (if necessary): Spurs at Timberwolves - TBA
- Game 7 - Sunday, May 17, TBA (if necessary): Timberwolves at Spurs - TBA
A New Era in Playoff Broadcasting
The Peacock exclusive reflects a broader structural shift in how live postseason content reaches American audiences. NBC's renewed rights partnership with the NBA introduced streaming-exclusive windows into the postseason calendar for the first time, a move that mirrors what other major rights holders - including Amazon and ESPN - have already established across their own properties. The practical implication is straightforward: viewers accustomed to finding big-event broadcasts on free over-the-air or basic cable channels now face a fragmented landscape where a single evening can require subscriptions to multiple platforms.
For Monday's contest specifically, the Peacock exclusivity means cord-cutters without an active subscription will need to sign up to watch. The $11 Premium plan is the entry point that unlocks the broadcast. Viewers traveling outside the United States can retain access through a VPN service, which routes their connection through a domestic server and preserves their ability to stream normally. A subscription to Peacock remains necessary regardless of VPN use.
Choosing the Right VPN for Streaming on the Go
For viewers away from home during the series, a VPN provides a reliable and secure solution. The service masks your actual location, presenting your connection as originating from within the United States so that your Peacock subscription functions as it would at home. ExpressVPN is a consistently well-regarded option: it operates servers across 105 countries, applies strong encryption, offers round-the-clock live customer support, and currently prices entry-level access at approximately $5 per month, backed by a 30-day refund guarantee. For those prioritizing cost or security above all else, alternatives worth considering include:
- Most Secure: NordVPN - from $3.09 per month
- Best Budget Option: Surfshark - from $2.50 per month
- Best Free Option: Proton VPN - free tier available
Each of these providers maintains a credible track record for privacy and streaming performance. The right choice depends on whether your priority is price, security depth, or the flexibility of a no-cost entry point.