What NBA Games Are On TV Today? Channels, Live Streams, Local And National Networks

With the 2026 NBA preseason in full swing, basketball fans have a massive 12-game slate to dive into today. Whether you are tuning in to catch the Boston Celtics face the Philadelphia 76ers or just want to see how your favorite squad looks ahead of opening night, tracking down the right channel can be a hassle. From national broadcasts on NBA TV to regional networks and live-streaming options like NBA League Pass and Peacock, here is your complete guide to every tip-off, channel, and live stream so you don’t miss a minute of today’s hardwood action.

Tuesday, October 20

READ MORE: NBA Regional Sports Networks

Wednesday, October 21

Thursday, October 22

Friday, October 23

Saturday, October 24

Sunday, October 25

FAQs

Can I watch NBA games for free?

The classic method is still one of the best. If you pick up a digital OTA antenna (often under $30), you can tune into your local ABC affiliate for free. ABC broadcasts marquee NBA matchups throughout the regular season, especially during their “NBA Saturday Primetime” and “NBA Sunday Showcase” slates, and holds exclusive rights to the NBA Finals. This means you get high-definition, uncompressed broadcasts without paying a monthly cable or streaming fee.

If you need immediate access to cable networks like ESPN or regional sports networks (RSNs) without committing to a subscription, Fubo is an excellent short-term fix. Fubo currently offers a five-day free trial for new subscribers.

Are there NBA games on Amazon Prime Video?

Beginning with the 2025-26 season, Amazon Prime Video became an exclusive streaming partner for the NBA, part of an 11-year media rights deal.

Here is what you can expect on Prime Video:

• Regular Season: Prime Video streams roughly 66 regular-season games. This includes Thursday and Friday night games, as well as Saturday afternoon matchups.

• The Emirates NBA Cup: Prime Video is a major home for the in-season tournament, carrying group play games and the knockout rounds, culminating with the championship game.

• Playoffs: The deal includes the entire SoFi Play-In Tournament, roughly a third of the first and second rounds of the playoffs, and a Conference Finals series each year. Prime Video will also carry the NBA Finals in six of the 11 years of the deal.

What is the best streaming service to watch NBC?

If you are looking for the absolute best streaming service specifically for watching NBC, Peacock is the clear winner.

Since Peacock is owned by NBCUniversal, it offers a Premium Plus tier that provides a live, 24/7 stream of your local NBC affiliate. This guarantees you get all the national broadcasts, live sports (like Sunday Night Football, Premier League, and upcoming NBA games), and local news directly from the source. It is also generally the most affordable way to get a direct NBC live stream if that is your primary focus.

However, if you are looking for a complete cable-replacement package that includes NBC along with many other channels, Fubo is an excellent alternative. Following a new distribution agreement in June 2026, Fubo has been rolling out local NBC affiliates across its markets. Fubo is particularly strong if you want NBC alongside a massive lineup of regional sports networks and other sports-centric channels.

What is the best streaming service to watch ESPN?

If you want a dedicated streaming service directly from the source, ESPN Unlimited is the best option.

Launched by Disney in 2025 as their flagship direct-to-consumer service, ESPN Unlimited replaces the old ESPN+ model and gives you access to every major ESPN channel (including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network, and ACC Network) without needing a traditional cable subscription. It is the ultimate hub for ESPN’s sports coverage, providing everything from Monday Night Football to NBA games and college sports. It currently costs $29.99 per month, though bundle options with Disney+ and Hulu are available.

However, if you want ESPN channels alongside other sports networks like regional sports networks (RSNs) and local channels, Fubo remains an excellent alternative. ESPN’s linear channels are included in Fubo’s channel lineup, making it a great choice if you want a complete cable replacement package rather than just a standalone ESPN app.

How do I watch NBA games in-market?

A major shift in the NBA landscape is the move away from cable RSNs toward free, local television. If your team has made this switch, a one-time purchase of a digital HD antenna will give you free access to their local games.

Teams offering OTA games: The Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, and Chicago Bulls broadcast their games locally over the air. Several other teams, including the Cavaliers, Pacers, Clippers, Heat, Bucks, and Magic, offer a select number of games on local free-to-air channels.

Team-Specific Services: Many teams offer their own streaming platforms, often available as add-ons directly through the NBA App or League Pass interface. Examples include MavsTV (Mavericks), Spectrum SportsNet+ (Lakers), Pelicans+ (Pelicans), Suns+ (Suns), BlazerVision (Trail Blazers), and Jazz+ (Jazz).

FanDuel Sports Network: For teams still tied to this RSN network, you can subscribe to the FanDuel Sports Network app as a standalone service or as a channel add-on inside Amazon Prime Video.

Gotham Sports App: New York Knicks fans can access MSG Networks through this app.

If you want your local NBA games alongside national sports networks like ESPN and NBC, you can subscribe to a live TV streaming service that carries your local RSN.

• Fubo: Carries most Regional Sports Networks, including FanDuel Sports Network.

• DirecTV Stream: You must subscribe to the “Choice” package or higher to access your local RSNs.

How do I watch NBA games out-of-market?

NBA League Pass provides live streams for practically every out-of-market regional broadcast. If you live in Chicago and want to watch the Denver Nuggets, League Pass is exactly what you need. Subscriptions start at around $16.99 per month, though there are also premium tiers that remove commercials.

However, there is a major catch to understand with League Pass: Blackouts.

League Pass will never let you watch your local, in-market team live. Your local team’s games are blacked out to protect the regional sports network or local channel that paid for the exclusive local rights. Those games become available on replay three days after the live broadcast ends.