How to Watch NBA Games: TV Channels, Streaming, and League Pass Guide
Watching NBA games has never been easier — or more confusing. Between TV channels, streaming services, and League Pass, there are dozens of ways to watch. Here is the complete guide to watching every NBA game.
National TV games
ESPN/ABC: ESPN broadcasts games on Wednesday and Friday nights. ABC carries Saturday primetime games and the NBA Finals. These are the marquee matchups — the best teams, the biggest stars, the games everyone is talking about. You can stream ESPN/ABC games through the ESPN app with a cable login or through streaming services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or Sling TV.
TNT/TBS: TNT has Tuesday and Thursday night games, featuring the iconic Inside the NBA studio show with Charles Barkley, Shaq, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson. TNT games are available through the TNT app or through cable/streaming TV packages.
NBA TV: NBA TV carries additional games throughout the week, usually featuring smaller-market teams or early-season matchups. It's included in most cable packages and is also available as an add-on through streaming services.
NBA League Pass
League Pass is the NBA's own streaming service. It gives you access to every out-of-market game — meaning you can watch any game that isn't being broadcast on national TV or your local channel. The standard plan costs $14.99/month or $99.99/year. The premium plan ($22.99/month) removes ads and adds the ability to watch on multiple devices.
The biggest downside of League Pass is blackouts. If a game is on national TV or your local channel, it's blacked out on League Pass. This means you can't use League Pass as your only way to watch NBA games — you still need a TV package for national and local games.
International viewers
If you're outside the US, NBA League Pass International is the best option. It's cheaper than the US version, has no blackouts, and gives you access to every single game. The price varies by country, but it's typically $15-25/month. It's the best deal in basketball streaming.
Free options
The NBA app and NBA.com offer free highlights, box scores, and some live game streams (usually one free game per week). The NBA's YouTube channel posts highlights within minutes of games ending. And social media — especially Twitter/X and Instagram — is full of clips and highlights throughout the season.