The best TVs for NBA Playoffs are dropping in price as the postseason kicks off this weekend, with 2025 models delivering the motion handling and brightness sports fans demand. Whether you prioritize ultra-smooth fast-action playback or peak brightness for daytime viewing, this year’s crop of 4K, QLED, and OLED TVs offers something for every budget—and the discounts are substantial, with savings reaching $1,700 on flagship OLED sets.
Key Takeaways
- NBA Playoffs begin this weekend, making now the ideal time to upgrade your viewing setup for sports.
- OLED TVs like the LG C5 77-inch drop to $1,999.99 from $3,699.99, a $1,700 discount.
- Budget-friendly QLED options include TCL 98-inch at $998 and Hisense 100-inch models at $1,000–$1,200.
- 4K resolution, high refresh rates, and motion-handling tech are essential for smooth playoff action.
- Deals are available at major retailers including Walmart and Best Buy but may sell out quickly.
Why OLED and QLED Dominate Sports Viewing
OLED and QLED technologies excel at rendering fast-moving content like basketball because of their superior motion handling and brightness characteristics. OLED panels deliver perfect blacks and instant pixel response, eliminating ghosting during rapid cuts and player movement, while QLED sets use quantum dots to maintain brightness and color accuracy even in well-lit rooms where daytime games are often watched.
The LG C5 Series OLED evo AI 4K UHD Smart webOS TV represents the peak of this category. At 77 inches and priced at $1,999.99 after a $1,700 discount from its original $3,699.99, the C5 combines OLED’s motion precision with advanced upscaling for older broadcasts. For viewers in brightly lit spaces, the TCL 98-inch Q Series 4K QLED Google TV at $998 (down from $1,798) delivers exceptional brightness and a massive screen for group viewing, with a 144Hz refresh rate built for sports.
Best Budget-Friendly Picks for NBA Playoffs
If you want a dramatic screen size without flagship pricing, large-format QLED models are the sweet spot. The TCL 98-inch Q Series at $998 undercuts nearly every competitor on price while delivering 4K resolution and Google TV integration. Hisense’s 100-inch QLED options, priced between $1,000 and $1,200, offer even more screen real estate for playoff marathons, though they occupy significantly more wall space.
These budget picks sacrifice some of the motion refinement and peak brightness of premium OLED models, but for sheer viewing scale during intense playoff runs, the trade-off makes sense. A 98-inch or 100-inch screen transforms the playoff experience compared to smaller panels, and at these prices, the value proposition is hard to beat.
How to Choose Between OLED and QLED for Your Space
The choice between OLED and QLED depends primarily on your room’s lighting conditions and viewing distance. If your viewing room has significant ambient light—large windows, bright overhead lights—QLED’s superior brightness is non-negotiable. OLED can struggle in very bright environments, though newer models like the LG C5 have improved in this area. Conversely, if you watch primarily in darker conditions or want the absolute best contrast and motion performance, OLED’s instant pixel-level control wins.
Screen size also drives the decision. The largest available OLED panels top out around 83 inches, while QLED options extend to 98 and 100 inches. For a living room where seating distance allows it, the massive QLED sets deliver immersive playoff viewing that smaller OLED panels cannot match. Measure your viewing distance and compare recommended screen sizes before committing—sitting too close to a 98-inch TV creates eye strain, while sitting too far from a 55-inch OLED negates its contrast advantages.
Key Specs That Matter for Sports
When evaluating TVs for the NBA Playoffs, prioritize refresh rate, motion interpolation, and brightness. A 120Hz native refresh rate or motion-smoothing technology like TruMotion (LG) or MotionFlow (Sony) minimizes judder during fast cuts and player movement. Peak brightness—measured in nits—becomes critical for daytime playoff games; QLED sets typically exceed 1,500 nits, while OLED models range from 800 to 1,200 nits depending on the generation.
Input lag, the delay between your cable box or streaming device sending a signal and the TV displaying it, matters less for watching live broadcasts than for gaming, but newer 2025 models have generally improved this metric across the board. Color accuracy in HDR is also essential; Dolby Vision support ensures that broadcast-quality playoff feeds display with intended color grading, and all the models in this deal roundup support this standard.
Where to Find These Deals and How Long They’ll Last
The featured TVs are available at Walmart and Best Buy, the two largest electronics retailers in the US. Prices and stock levels fluctuate rapidly, especially as the playoff weekend approaches, so waiting carries real risk. The LG C5 at $1,999.99 and the TCL 98-inch at $998 are the headline deals, but inventory for these discounted units moves quickly.
Check both retailers’ websites directly rather than relying on price-comparison tools, which sometimes lag behind live updates. Set up price-drop alerts if your preferred model is in stock but at full price—these deals occasionally extend or repeat during playoff rounds, but the deepest discounts typically cluster around the playoffs’ opening weekend.
Is the LG C5 OLED worth the upgrade from older OLED models?
Yes, if you currently own a 2023 or earlier OLED. The LG C5’s improved brightness and AI upscaling make it better for sports content, and at $1,999.99 for a 77-inch, the $1,700 discount represents genuine value compared to its original $3,699.99 price. If you already own a recent C3 or C4, the upgrade is less critical unless brightness in bright rooms is a pain point.
Can I use a QLED TV for watching basketball if I have a dark living room?
Absolutely. QLED’s brightness advantage matters most in bright spaces; in dark rooms, QLED and OLED perform comparably for contrast and color. The TCL 98-inch QLED at $998 will deliver excellent playoff viewing in a dark room, and the massive screen size often trumps the panel technology for immersion. Your room lighting and seating distance are more important than the technology choice in this scenario.
Are these deals available outside the US?
The research brief confirms availability at US retailers Walmart and Best Buy. International availability and pricing for these specific 2025 models vary by region and retailer. Check local electronics retailers in your country for comparable 2025 TV deals, as global pricing and inventory differ significantly from US promotions.
The NBA Playoffs are the ideal moment to upgrade your viewing setup, and this year’s deals on 4K, QLED, and OLED TVs offer genuine savings on technology built for fast-paced sports. Whether you choose the immersive scale of a 98-inch QLED or the contrast perfection of an OLED, act quickly—playoff season waits for no one, and these discounts won’t last through the finals.
This article was written with AI assistance and editorially reviewed.
Source: TechRadar
