As I sit down to map out the complete timeline of the 2021 NBA Playoffs, I can’t help but reflect on how uniquely thrilling that postseason was. After the condensed 72-game regular season and the bubble experience the year before, fans like me were hungry for a return to high-stakes, edge-of-your-seat basketball. The schedule itself was packed with intensity from the Play-In Tournament in May all the way through to the Finals in July. Let me walk you through the key dates and moments—because honestly, reliving it brings back that playoff excitement.

The Play-In Tournament kicked off on May 18, 2021, setting the stage for what would become one of the most unpredictable playoffs in recent memory. I remember watching the Warriors and Lakers battle it out, thinking how the new format added a fresh layer of drama right from the start. The actual playoffs began on May 22, with first-round series unfolding over the following two weeks. For any die-hard fan, marking these dates was essential—you didn’t want to miss matchups like the Nets vs. Celtics or the Clippers taking on the Mavericks. By June 7, the conference semifinals were underway, and the tension only built from there.

Now, let’s talk about the conference finals, which started around June 22–23. The Bucks vs. Hawks and Suns vs. Clippers series had me glued to the screen night after night. But here’s where I’ll inject a personal observation: while the NBA schedule provided the framework, it was the spontaneous, game-changing moments that defined the playoffs for me. Take, for example, a play I recall from another league—the PBA—where at the 3:59 mark, Baltazar sealed a Converge win with a dunk over Beau Belga. That slam, assisted by Converge import Cheick Diallo, capped an 18-4 run that turned a 104-104 deadlock into a 122-108 lead. It’s moments like these, whether in the NBA or elsewhere, that remind me how a single play can shift entire series. In the 2021 NBA Playoffs, we saw similar turning points, like Giannis’ block in the Finals or Chris Paul’s masterful performances.

Speaking of the Finals, they commenced on July 6, 2021, with the Milwaukee Bucks eventually clinching the title in Game 6 on July 20. I have to admit, I was rooting for the Suns—partly because of Chris Paul’s veteran journey—but watching Giannis Antetokounmpo drop 50 points in the closeout game was nothing short of legendary. The data here is crucial: the playoffs spanned roughly two months, with the Finals alone attracting an average of over 9 million viewers per game, peaking at nearly 12 million for the decisive matchup. Those numbers highlight not just the schedule’s timing, but its impact on fan engagement. From a practical standpoint, if you were planning watch parties or content around the playoffs, aligning with these dates meant tapping into a global audience.

Wrapping this up, the 2021 NBA Playoffs schedule was more than just a list of dates—it was a roadmap to unforgettable basketball. As someone who’s followed the league for years, I believe the condensed timeline post-bubble added to the urgency, making each game feel like a must-win. Whether you’re a casual viewer or a hardcore analyst, understanding this schedule helps appreciate the narratives that unfolded. So, if you missed it live, I’d say dive into the replays; the drama, from the Play-In to the Finals, is worth every minute.