The NBA's TV setup changed in a big way recently. National games are now split among ESPN and ABC, NBC and Peacock, and Amazon's Prime Video — and your local team's games may be on a regional sports network or a team streaming app. It sounds complicated, but once you know which bucket your games fall into, it's easy to plan.
Rights and apps change. Always check the NBA schedule and your team's website for the channel of each game. Blackout rules for local teams can also vary by region.
The three kinds of NBA games
1. National games — shown across the country on:
- ESPN and ABC (including big weekend games and much of the playoffs)
- NBC and Peacock (regular-season games and playoff coverage)
- Prime Video (a regular-season package, streaming-only, plus playoff games)
2. Local team games — most regular-season games air on a regional sports network or a local broadcast station in your team's market.
3. Out-of-market games — games of teams outside your area, available through NBA League Pass.
National games: how to watch
- ABC and NBC games: free with an HD antenna. Here's how to watch local channels without cable.
- ESPN games: through a live TV service that includes ESPN, Sling Orange, or ESPN's streaming service.
- Peacock games: on a Peacock subscription.
- Prime Video games: on a Prime membership or Prime Video subscription.
Your local team: how to watch
This depends on where you live. Your team's games might be on:
- A regional sports network — available through some live TV services (Fubo and DirecTV Stream carry many of them) or a direct-to-consumer app from the network itself.
- A local broadcast station — some teams now show games on free over-the-air channels, which you can watch with an antenna.
- A team streaming app — several teams offer their own subscription for fans in the local market.
Search "[your team name] how to watch" on the team's official website — they usually list every current option.
Out-of-market fans: NBA League Pass
If you follow a team from another city, NBA League Pass streams out-of-market games live and on demand. You can choose a single-team option to save money. Local-market games and national broadcasts are typically blacked out live on League Pass, so pair it with the options above.
The cheapest combinations
- Casual fan: antenna (ABC/NBC) + Peacock or Prime Video when big games are on.
- National-TV fan: antenna + a service with ESPN, plus Prime Video and Peacock.
- Local-team fan: your team's regional network app or a live service that carries it, plus an antenna.
- Out-of-market fan: League Pass (single team) + antenna for national broadcasts.
Remember: everything is month to month. Subscribe for the stretch of the season you care about most — or just the playoffs.
Playoffs and the Finals
The playoffs are shared among the national partners, and the NBA Finals air on ABC. With an antenna plus ESPN access you'll see most of the postseason; add Peacock and Prime Video if you want every round.
Tips for smooth game streams
- Use a modern streaming device rather than an old smart TV app.
- Connect with Ethernet or put the router close to the TV.
- If the stream lags behind the live score on your phone, turn off score notifications during the game.
For more on picking a live service, see our YouTube TV vs Hulu + Live TV vs Sling comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Can I watch NBA games for free?
Games on ABC and NBC are free with an HD antenna, and some teams show local games on free over-the-air stations. Other games require a subscription.
What channels show NBA games now?
National games air on ESPN, ABC, NBC and Peacock, and Prime Video. Local games air on regional sports networks, local stations or team apps depending on your market.
Does NBA League Pass show my local team?
Usually not live. Local-market games are blacked out on League Pass because they belong to the regional broadcaster.
What's the cheapest way to watch the NBA without cable?
Start with an antenna for ABC and NBC, then add only the streaming service that carries the games you care about most, month to month.
