How to Watch the NBA Livestream (2024-2025 Season)

Paid and free options give you the all the hoops action you want

Streaming NBA games can be complicated because there are many places to watch an NBA livestream. ABC, TNT, ESPN, NBA TV, and various regional sports networks have broadcast rights for NBA games, so you need access to streaming sources for those if you want the best coverage.

NBA Season

Pre-Season: October 4-22, 2024

Regular Season: October 22, 2024-April 18, 2025

Playoffs Start: April 19, 2025

Finals Start: June 5, 2025

How to Watch the NBA Season

Four national networks share the rights to broadcast regular season and postseason games. Some games are also available on regional sports networks. That means the best way to watch is with a cable subscription or a subscription to a cable replacement streaming service.

Each team in the NBA plays dozens of games per season. So, it's unlikely that anyone would want, or be able, to watch every game.

To leave your options open and want to watch as many games as possible, make sure you have some type of access to the channels in the table below, which also shows which days they typically broadcast games (although not every week).

Check the NBA's official schedule for the most accurate information on game days, times, and broadcasters.

   M T W Th F Sa Su
ABC X X
NBA TV X X
ESPN       
 TNT X   X    
NBA League Pass X X X X X X

You may also pick up your local team's games on a regional sports channel.

How to Stream the NBA on a Streaming Service

Since NBA games are broadcast from a variety of sources, including regional sports networks, the best way to catch the most possible is to use a streaming service.

To use a television streaming service, you need high-speed internet and at least one device that's capable of streaming, like a computer, a phone, a set-top box like a Roku, or a game console.

These streaming services offer unique lineups of channels, so some are better for watching the NBA than others.

The streaming services in this list offer some type of free trial, so you can start streaming NBA games without paying ahead of time.

Here are the most popular streaming services and the relevant channels each offer:

  ESPN TNT NBA TV ABC
YouTube TV Yes Yes Yes Most markets
Hulu With Live TV Yes Yes No Most markets
DirecTV Stream Yes Yes Yes (Some plans) Most markets
Sling TV Blue/Blue & Orange All plans Add-on Limited markets
fuboTV No Yes Yes Most markets

YouTube TV is the best option for streaming NBA games throughout the season and postseason. It includes ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV, and it also has ABC in most markets.

DirecTV Stream is a good choice as well, depending on your area, but the required channels aren't included with cheaper plans. Sling TV is also a decent option, but only if you live in one of the few markets where they're able to provide a livestream of ABC.

fuboTV and Hulu with Live TV are the worst options for streaming the NBA. fuboTV doesn't have ESPN, and Hulu with Live TV doesn't have NBA TV.

The availability of ABC from these services is based on your ZIP code. If a service doesn't have an agreement with the ABC affiliate in your area, you can't livestream NBA games on ABC through that service.

How to Stream the NBA With NBA League Pass

NBA League Pass is a subscription service that allows you to stream NBA games. It has three pricing tiers, and each gives you a different level of access. The least expensive version allows you to stream games from a single team. The most expensive version gives you access to the most games possible.

While NBA League Pass offers a good deal of flexibility, it's subject to blackout rules. That means you may not be able to stream games from your local team, depending on where you live, and nationally broadcast games may also be restricted.

NBA League Pass offers free trial periods a few times throughout the season. If a free trial isn't available when you sign up, either pay for your subscription right away or wait for the next free trial.

Livestream the NBA Season on Your Phone, Tablet, or Streaming Device

To watch NBA games on your mobile device, set-top box, or game console, you'll need the appropriate app. Each of these apps requires some type of subscription to use.

The ESPN, TNT, and ABC apps only allow you to livestream NBA games if you have a cable subscription. The NBA app only lets you livestream games if you have an NBA League Pass subscription.

Here are some of the apps that allow you to stream NBA games:

  • iOS: YouTube TV, ESPN, TNT, ABC, NBA
  • Android: YouTube TV, ESPN, TNT, ABC, NBA
  • Amazon devices: ESPN, TNT, ABC, NBA
  • Roku: YouTube TV, ESPN, TNT, ABC, NBA
  • PlayStation consoles: ESPN, NBA
  • Xbox consoles: YouTube TV, ESPN, TNT, NBA
FAQ
  • How can you live stream March Madness games?

    The best way to watch many March Madness games online is to stream your local CBS station. Of course, if you're a die-hard fan who needs access to every game, then you'll need CBS, plus three Turner cable stations (TNT, TBS, and truTV).

  • What's the difference between CBS All Access and Paramount+?

    There really isn't any difference. Both are streaming services from ViacomCBS that offer access to CBS online. CBS All Access was simply rebranded as Paramount+ on March 4, 2021. Since then, all CBS All Access subscribers became Paramount+ subscribers.

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