NBA Playoffs 2026 Schedule
LA Clippers 2026 NBA Playoffs at Intuit Dome in Inglewood. Play-In Tournament April 15-18, First Round begins April 19. Dates, rounds, tip-off windows, and planning guide for every series.
Play-In: April 15-18
First Round: April 19
Intuit Dome, Inglewood
2026 NBA Playoffs Dates at Intuit Dome
Key dates for all rounds. Individual game dates are announced 48 to 72 hours before tip-off once each series matchup is confirmed.
| Round | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Play-In Tournament | April 15-18, 2026 | Seeds 7-10 compete for the final 2 playoff spots per conference |
| First Round begins | April 19, 2026 | Best-of-7 series — Clippers host Games 1, 2, 5, 7 as higher seed |
| Conference Semifinals | May 2026 | Exact date depends on First Round series length |
| Conference Finals | Late May / Early June 2026 | Exact date depends on Semifinals series length |
| NBA Finals begin | June 2026 | Not at Intuit Dome unless Clippers advance — hosted at series participants' arenas |
| NBA Finals end | Mid to Late June 2026 | Latest possible NBA Finals conclusion |
Exact game dates and tip-off times are confirmed at NBA.com and AXS.com approximately 48 to 72 hours before each game.
Guide to Each Round at Intuit Dome
Planning requirements differ by round. Ticket demand, parking competition, and hotel availability all increase as the Clippers advance deeper into the playoffs.
Play-In Tournament
April 15-18, 2026Up to 2 home gamesSeeds 7 through 10 in each conference compete in the Play-In Tournament to determine the final two playoff spots. If the Clippers are seeded 7th or 8th, they host one home game. Seeds 9 and 10 play on the road first. The Play-In is a single-elimination mini-bracket: the 7-seed hosts the 8-seed, and the loser plays the winner of the 9-vs-10 game. Home games go on sale approximately 48 to 72 hours before tip-off.
Play-In Planning Tip
Play-In home games go on sale fast and sell out same-day for a team with the Clippers' fanbase. Set up your AXS account now and enable notifications for Clippers game on-sales. Parking at Intuit Dome goes on sale at the same time — pre-purchase immediately after securing tickets.
First Round
April 19, 2026 onwardBest-of-7, 2-4 home gamesThe First Round is a best-of-7 series. The top 6 seeds from each conference are set before the Play-In; the 7th and 8th seeds are determined by the Play-In outcome. First Round matchups are announced once the Play-In concludes. Intuit Dome hosts Games 1, 2, 5, and 7 for the higher seed. Individual game tickets go on sale approximately 48 to 72 hours before each home game.
First Round Planning Tip
The moment the First Round matchup is confirmed, open AXS and buy tickets and parking simultaneously. Games against marquee opponents (Lakers, Warriors, Thunder, Nuggets) sell out within hours of going on sale. The Wall sections (C1-C4) sell out before any other section.
Conference Semifinals
May 2026Best-of-7, 2-4 home gamesThe Conference Semifinals begin in May once First Round series conclude. The exact start date for the Clippers depends on how quickly their First Round series finishes. Four teams remain in each conference at this stage. Intuit Dome hosts games for the higher seed. Semifinals games draw significantly more national TV attention, ticket demand, and parking competition than First Round matchups.
Semifinals Planning Tip
By the Conference Semifinals, primary market tickets often sell out within minutes of going on sale for marquee matchups. The AXS official resale marketplace becomes the main option for many fans. Monitor AXS resale prices before the series starts — they often drop slightly in the 24 hours before tip-off for all but the most competitive matchups.
Conference Finals
Late May to Early June 2026Best-of-7, 2-4 home gamesThe Conference Finals determine the Western Conference champion who advances to the NBA Finals. Two teams remain in each conference at this stage. Conference Finals games at Intuit Dome represent the highest-demand regular-season basketball events in Los Angeles since the Lakers left Crypto.com Arena. Hotels within 5 miles of Intuit Dome fill for Conference Finals weeks.
Conference Finals Planning Tip
Conference Finals games at a brand-new, intimate 18,000-seat arena against elite opponents (Warriors, Nuggets, Thunder, Timberwolves) are the highest-demand games in Clippers history. Book hotels as soon as the matchup is confirmed. Parking at Intuit Dome will be sold out well in advance — the Metro K Line is the strongest backup recommendation.
2026 NBA Playoffs Planning Timeline
What to do and when — from setting up your accounts now through game day at Intuit Dome.
Now (Before Play-In)
Set up AXS account and notifications
Create an AXS account at AXS.com and enable email and push notifications for Clippers games. Individual game tickets go on sale 48 to 72 hours before each game — not as a series package. Without notifications, you may miss the on-sale window entirely for high-demand games.
Game on-sale opens
Buy tickets and parking simultaneously
The moment a Clippers playoff game goes on sale, open two browser tabs: one for tickets on AXS, one for parking on the Intuit Dome app. The parking structures sell out within hours of the game tickets going on sale for marquee matchups. Waiting even 24 hours can mean no parking.
Day before the game
Download the AXS app and check rotating barcodes
AXS uses SafeTix rotating barcodes that change every few seconds. Screenshots of your ticket will not work at the gate. Open the AXS app and verify your ticket is visible in the app wallet. Rotate your phone to landscape for the barcode scanner at Intuit Dome gates.
Game day
Arrive 75-90 minutes early
Century Blvd backs up significantly on playoff nights, and parking structures fill faster than regular season games. If taking the Metro K Line, budget extra time — the Downtown Inglewood platform is busier on playoff nights. Security lines at Intuit Dome move faster than most venues but still require 15 to 20 minutes for high-capacity games.
NBA Playoffs Tip-Off Times at Intuit Dome
NBA playoff tip-off times are driven by national broadcast schedules. Games are assigned to ESPN, ABC, and TNT with final times confirmed 48 to 72 hours in advance.
7:30 PM PT
10:30 PM ET — Primetime East Coast
The most common tip-off time for West Coast games on TNT and ESPN. Allows fans arriving on the Metro K Line from LAX or downtown LA to make tip-off comfortably if they start traveling by 6:00 PM.
10:00 PM PT
1:00 AM ET — Late Night
Late-night games are assigned to showcase marquee West Coast matchups. Intuit Dome games at this window run until midnight or later. Metro K Line service runs past midnight, covering the full game and post-game transit.
1:00 PM PT
4:00 PM ET — Afternoon
Afternoon games are less common for West Coast teams in the later rounds but appear in the First Round when multiple games run simultaneously. Check confirmed tip-off times when the game schedule is announced.
Complete 2026 NBA Playoffs Planning Guides
Everything you need to plan your Clippers playoff experience at Intuit Dome in Inglewood.
NBA Playoffs 2026 Los Angeles Guide
Full overview of tickets, parking, hotels, and best seats for playoff basketball
Clippers Playoffs Tickets Guide
AXS buying guide, pricing by round, SafeTix rotating barcodes explained
Intuit Dome Parking Guide
Structure map, playoff pricing ($40-$60), pre-purchase and Metro K Line
Hotels Near Intuit Dome
Walking distance and LAX corridor hotels, booking timing for playoff dates
Intuit Dome Seating Chart
Section map, center sideline vs. The Wall, best seats for playoffs
The Wall Section Guide
Bench seating, sell-out timing, what to expect from the loudest section in the NBA
NBA Playoffs 2026 Schedule — Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the 2026 NBA Playoffs schedule for Clippers games at Intuit Dome in Inglewood.
When does the 2026 NBA Playoffs start at Intuit Dome?
The NBA Play-In Tournament runs April 15-18, 2026. If the LA Clippers are seeded 7th through 10th in the Western Conference, they may play home games at Intuit Dome during the Play-In. The NBA First Round begins April 19, 2026. Once the Clippers' first-round matchup is confirmed after the Play-In, Intuit Dome hosts Games 1, 2, 5, and 7 of the best-of-7 series for the higher seed.
What is the 2026 NBA Playoffs schedule?
The 2026 NBA Playoffs follow this timeline: Play-In Tournament (April 15-18), First Round begins April 19, Conference Semifinals begin in May, Conference Finals in late May to early June, and the NBA Finals in June. Specific game dates and tip-off times are announced approximately 48 to 72 hours before each game once series matchups are confirmed. Visit NBA.com for the official confirmed schedule.
What time do Clippers playoff games start at Intuit Dome?
NBA playoff tip-off times at Intuit Dome depend on broadcast schedules set by TNT, ESPN, and ABC. The most common tip-off windows for Western Conference teams are 7:30 PM PT and 10:00 PM PT. Games on TNT or ESPN may also tip at 9:00 PM PT. The exact tip-off time is announced when the game date is confirmed, usually 48 to 72 hours in advance. Check the official Clippers schedule on AXS and NBA.com for confirmed times.
When do 2026 NBA Playoffs tickets go on sale for Intuit Dome?
Individual game tickets for Clippers 2026 NBA Playoffs games go on sale approximately 48 to 72 hours before each home game. Tickets are not sold as a full series package — each game goes on sale separately once the game date and opponent are confirmed. Season ticket holders receive priority access before the public on-sale. Set up an AXS account and enable notifications before the playoffs begin to catch on-sale alerts as soon as they open.
How many Clippers home games are there in the 2026 NBA Playoffs?
The number of Clippers home games at Intuit Dome depends on how deep they advance and whether they hold home-court advantage. In the First Round, the higher seed hosts Games 1, 2, 5, and 7 (up to 4 home games). In each subsequent round, the same format applies. If the Clippers advance through all four rounds as the higher seed in each, they could host up to 14 home games. If they are eliminated in the First Round, they host a minimum of 2 games.
What is the NBA Play-In Tournament 2026 schedule?
The 2026 NBA Play-In Tournament runs April 15-18. Seeds 7 through 10 in each conference compete for the final two playoff spots. The 7-seed hosts the 8-seed in Game 1 — the winner advances directly to the First Round as the 7th seed. The loser plays the winner of the 9-vs-10 game, with the winner of that matchup becoming the 8th seed. If the Clippers are seeded 7 or 8, they host a home Play-In game at Intuit Dome. Specific game dates within the April 15-18 window are announced by the NBA.
What time should I arrive at Intuit Dome for a playoff game?
Arrive at Intuit Dome at least 75 to 90 minutes before tip-off for playoff games. Century Blvd traffic backs up significantly on sold-out nights, and parking structures fill faster than regular season games. If taking the Metro K Line, the Downtown Inglewood platform is busier on playoff nights — budget an extra 10 minutes. Security lines move at a standard pace at Intuit Dome but require 15 to 20 minutes. Getting inside early also means experiencing playoff warmups and the crowd energy building before tip-off.
Are Clippers 2026 NBA Playoffs games on TV?
Yes. The 2026 NBA Playoffs are broadcast on ESPN, ABC, and TNT in the United States. National broadcasts rotate games by round. Early First Round games may be split across multiple broadcast partners. Conference Finals and NBA Finals games receive priority placement on ABC and TNT primetime slots. Check your local ESPN, ABC, and TNT listings or the NBA app for exact game broadcast assignments. International broadcasts are available through NBA League Pass.
Can I take the Metro K Line to Intuit Dome for 2026 NBA Playoffs?
Yes. The Metro K Line (Crenshaw/LAX Line) stops at Downtown Inglewood station, approximately a 10-minute walk from the Intuit Dome main entrance. From downtown Los Angeles (7th St/Metro Center), the ride takes 25 to 35 minutes. From LAX, take the free People Mover to Aviation/LAX station, then the K Line to Downtown Inglewood — about 30 to 40 minutes total. Fare is $1.75 one-way. The Metro K Line is the most reliable option on sold-out playoff nights when Century Blvd and parking structures are congested.
Is there a bag policy for Clippers playoff games at Intuit Dome?
Yes. The standard Intuit Dome clear bag policy applies to all playoff games. Clear bags up to 12x6x12 inches are permitted. Small clutch purses up to 4.5x6.5 inches with no strap are allowed. Backpacks, purses, and non-clear bags larger than the clutch size are prohibited. Security screening is thorough for playoff games — arrive early and have your mobile ticket ready before reaching the security checkpoint. There is no bag check at Intuit Dome; non-compliant bags must be returned to your vehicle.
How does the 2026 NBA Playoffs schedule compare to the regular season at Intuit Dome?
NBA Playoffs games at Intuit Dome differ from regular season games in several ways. Individual game tickets go on sale 48 to 72 hours in advance rather than weeks ahead. Parking prices are higher ($40-$60 vs. $30-$50 regular season) and structures sell out far faster. Tip-off times are set by national broadcast partners and announced later than regular season games. Security lines and entry queues run longer. The atmosphere is significantly more intense — The Wall section (C1-C4) reaches its loudest during playoff games, particularly for high-stakes matchups.