The NBA Playoffs schedule has been released, and fans are eager to identify which series is considered the “NBATV series.” This designation typically indicates the matchup deemed the least appealing from a national television perspective. However, this year, it’s not just relegated to NBATV; it also includes ESPNU.
As the 2025 NBA Playoffs commence this weekend, there’s only one series featuring multiple games on NBATV: the Eastern Conference showdown between the #4 seed Indiana Pacers and the #5 seed Milwaukee Bucks. Presently, both Game 2 and Game 3 of their series are scheduled for NBATV, with later games still to be determined based on how the series unfolds. The Cavs series against the winner of the Heat-Hawks play-in game and Game 3 of the Nuggets-Clippers series are the only other games currently set for NBATV.
Save the dates. pic.twitter.com/34MptNdw0P
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) April 16, 2025
Interestingly, Game 3 of the Pacers-Bucks series will be simulcast on both NBATV and ESPNU. While simulcasts are not uncommon—Warner Bros. Discovery has been utilizing them this season for games on truTV and TNT as they aim to establish truTV as a sports destination—the concept of an NBA playoff game airing on ESPNU is quite unusual. This is largely due to the scheduling conflict with night two of the NFL Draft, which will air on ESPN2, while the Magic and Celtics are also set to play on ESPN that same night. As such, broadcasting an NBA playoff game on a channel primarily dedicated to college sports has led to widespread confusion among viewers.
A NBA playoff game on ESPNU is wild work
— Kofie (@Kofie) April 16, 2025
The NCAA D3 Football Championship between North Central and Mount Union was on ESPN proper this year. An NBA Playoff game will be on ESPNU. https://t.co/O9MrtuTZA6
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) April 17, 2025
NBA Playoff games on ESPNU in 2025. What’s happened to America man https://t.co/myKCslF58v
— Jeremy (@EmbraceMeHere) April 17, 2025
One possible explanation for this unusual arrangement may lie in specific details of the current media deal that permits ESPN to broadcast this game. It raises the question: why not simply air it exclusively on NBATV? While having an NBA postseason game on ESPNU may not seem revolutionary, it highlights the peculiarities of the current television landscape, akin to broadcasting rugby on CNBC or college football games being moved to platforms like NewsNation or Fox Business.
