Where Can I Watch NBA Games On?

Staying up-to-date with the National Basketball Association has never been easier, but with various broadcast channels, streaming services, and packages available, it can sometimes feel overwhelming to figure out exactly where NBA games are on. Whether you're a die-hard fan trying to catch every single matchup or a casual observer looking for tonight's marquee game, this guide will break down all the essential viewing options. We'll cover everything from traditional television networks to the latest in live streaming technology, helping you find the best way to watch NBA games live.

Starting with the 2025-26 NBA season, the landscape of where NBA games are broadcast has seen a significant shift. While some familiar names remain, new partnerships and exclusive rights agreements mean fans will need to adjust their viewing habits. This guide is designed to provide clarity on how and where NBA games are airing, ensuring you don't miss a moment of the action.

Understanding the Broadcast Landscape: National TV Channels

The primary way to catch NBA games on traditional television involves a few key networks. For the 2025-26 season and beyond, the national broadcast rights are split among major players. ABC and ESPN remain crucial partners, often airing Sunday games (ABC) and Wednesday night doubleheaders (ESPN) respectively. These channels are typically available through most cable and satellite packages, as well as through various live TV streaming services.

Newcomers to the NBA broadcasting scene include NBC and Amazon Prime Video. NBC will air Tuesday night doubleheaders, with corresponding games also available on Peacock. Amazon Prime Video has secured rights for a package of games, often airing on Friday nights, providing another major streaming avenue for fans. These new agreements mark a significant change, most notably ending a long-standing partnership with TNT Sports [9].

Key National Broadcasters for the 2025-26 Season:

• ABC: Primarily Sunday games and the NBA Finals.
• ESPN: Wednesday night doubleheaders and select playoff games.
• NBC: Tuesday night doubleheaders and Sunday night showcase games after the NFL season.
• Peacock: Streams all games broadcast on NBC, plus exclusive Monday night games.
• Amazon Prime Video: A package of regular-season games, Play-In Tournament matchups, and select playoff games.

While these national broadcasts cover many of the most anticipated matchups, it's important to remember that many regular-season games are still broadcast locally on Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) [6].

Streaming NBA Games: Your Options Beyond Cable

For those who have cut the cord or prefer streaming, there are numerous ways to watch NBA games live. The most direct route for fans seeking comprehensive access to games, especially out-of-market ones, is through NBA League Pass.

NBA League Pass: The Ultimate Fan Subscription

NBA League Pass is the NBA's official direct-to-consumer subscription service, offering live and on-demand access to a vast number of games throughout the season [2, 7]. It's particularly valuable for fans who want to follow teams outside their local market. The service provides access to hundreds of out-of-market games, with options for live viewing, full replays, and condensed game formats. Features often include multiple broadcast feeds (home and away), real-time stats overlays, and even a "Multiview" option to watch up to four games simultaneously [7].

However, it's crucial to understand the limitations, especially for subscribers in the US and Canada. Local and national blackout restrictions apply, meaning games that are broadcast locally on RSNs or nationally on major networks might not be available live on League Pass in your region [2, 7]. For international subscribers, NBA League Pass typically offers full access to all games without these blackout restrictions [2].

There are different tiers of NBA League Pass, such as the standard version and League Pass Premium, which may offer ad-free viewing, offline downloads, and simultaneous streaming on multiple devices [7, 13]. You can also often subscribe to NBA League Pass through platforms like Amazon Prime Video [13].

Live TV Streaming Services

Beyond NBA League Pass, several live TV streaming services offer packages that include the national channels broadcasting NBA games. These services are excellent alternatives for cord-cutters looking to replicate a traditional cable experience without the long-term commitment.

• Sling TV: Offers a flexible option. The Sling Orange plan includes ESPN and TNT (for games broadcast on these channels), and NBA TV can often be added via a sports package [1, 4].
• Hulu + Live TV: Provides access to ABC, ESPN, and other national sports networks, making it a strong contender for catching nationally televised NBA games [5].
• YouTube TV: Similar to Hulu + Live TV, it includes ABC and ESPN, and importantly, also offers NBA TV, giving it an edge for comprehensive NBA coverage [4].
• FuboTV: Carries ABC and ESPN, providing access to a good portion of the national NBA schedule [4].

When choosing a live TV streaming service, it's essential to check which local channels (like ABC and NBC) and national sports networks are included in the package for your specific region, as availability can vary [4, 12].

Dedicated Streaming Apps

For specific content, dedicated apps are becoming increasingly important:

• Peacock: Essential for watching any NBA games broadcast on NBC, and it also features exclusive Monday night games [4, 11].
• Amazon Prime Video: The platform for games broadcast directly through Amazon's NBA package [4, 11].

To watch all nationally broadcast games without cable, fans might need to subscribe to a combination of ESPN Unlimited (for ABC/ESPN games), Peacock (for NBC/Peacock games), and Prime Video (for Amazon Prime games). This combination can sometimes be more cost-effective than a full live TV streaming package [11].

Watching NBA Games on NBA TV

NBA TV is another dedicated channel that offers year-round basketball content, including live NBA games, analysis, and exclusive features [14, 15]. It broadcasts a significant number of regular-season games, though these are often simulcast from local broadcasters and subject to market blackouts [15]. NBA TV is available through many cable providers (like DISH, often as part of a sports package) and can also be accessed via streaming services or as a standalone subscription [14, 15]. It's also often included as part of NBA League Pass subscriptions or accessible through platforms like Amazon Prime Video [7, 12].

Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) and Local Games

For fans who want to watch their local team, Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) are paramount. Many NBA games, especially during the regular season, are broadcast on these local channels [6]. Services like FanDuel Sports Network (formerly Bally Sports) and NBC Sports Regional Networks are common examples [20].

The challenge for cord-cutters is that RSNs have historically been absent from many popular live TV streaming services due to carriage disputes [4, 6]. To watch in-market games, you might need to subscribe directly to the RSN if available, or find a live TV streaming service that carries your specific local RSN. Some teams might offer their own direct-to-consumer streaming options for local games, which can sometimes be linked to an NBA League Pass subscription [20].

Navigating the 2025-26 Season and Beyond

The NBA's media rights landscape has evolved, with new deals starting in the 2025-26 season. This means that while ABC and ESPN continue their broadcast partnerships, NBC/Peacock and Amazon Prime Video are now major players [9, 11]. TNT's departure from its long-standing NBA coverage marks the end of an era [9].

For fans, this means keeping a closer eye on which platform carries which game. The cheapest way to catch all nationally broadcast games might involve a combination of ESPN Unlimited, Peacock, and Prime Video subscriptions, rather than a single, all-encompassing live TV package [11].

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the main channels that broadcast NBA games nationally? A1: For the 2025-26 season, the primary national broadcasters are ABC, ESPN, NBC, Peacock, and Amazon Prime Video. Historically, TNT was a major broadcaster, but its role has concluded.

Q2: How can I watch NBA games if I don't have cable? A2: You can watch NBA games without cable using live TV streaming services (like Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV), the NBA's own streaming service (NBA League Pass), or dedicated streaming apps for networks like Peacock and Amazon Prime Video. A combination of these services might be necessary to catch all games.

Q3: Does NBA League Pass show all games live? A3: NBA League Pass primarily shows out-of-market games live. Games that are nationally broadcast or broadcast on your local Regional Sports Network (RSN) are typically subject to blackout restrictions and may not be available live through League Pass in your region.

Q4: Where can I find the NBA game schedule for today or this week? A4: You can find the most up-to-date NBA game schedules on the official NBA website (NBA.com), major sports news outlets (like ESPN, CBS Sports, FOX Sports), and often directly within the apps or websites of the streaming services that carry the games.

Q5: How much does NBA League Pass cost? A5: Pricing can vary by season and tier. Generally, a full-season subscription for standard NBA League Pass is around $100-$140, with premium tiers costing slightly more. Monthly options are also available, typically around $17-$25 per month [13]. It's best to check the official NBA League Pass website for the most current pricing.

Conclusion

Finding out where NBA games are on requires a clear understanding of the current broadcast and streaming landscape. With new media rights deals in place for the 2025-26 season, fans have more options than ever, but also need to be more strategic. Whether you rely on national networks like ABC, ESPN, and NBC, opt for comprehensive streaming via NBA League Pass, or piece together a viewing package from services like Peacock and Amazon Prime Video, you can stay connected to the action. By understanding the roles of RSNs, blackout restrictions, and the evolving partnerships, you can ensure you’re always ready for tip-off, no matter which team you're following or where you are.