The NBA’s broadcast lineup looks genuinely different this season. TNT’s 17-year run with the league ended, and three new partners — NBC, Peacock, and Amazon Prime Video — have stepped in alongside longtime partners ABC and ESPN. Here’s exactly where to find your team’s games.
The 2026-27 season tips off October 20 with a tripleheader on NBC and Peacock. National games are split across ABC/ESPN, NBC/Peacock, and Amazon Prime Video — all available through any live TV streaming service or their standalone apps. Local team games not on national broadcast typically require your team’s regional sports network through a streaming service.
Season Start & Key Dates
Mark Your Calendar
- October 20: Season opener — a tripleheader on NBC and Peacock, led by Celtics at Pistons
- November 25 (day before Thanksgiving): Three Emirates NBA Cup games on ESPN
- Christmas Day (Friday): The traditional five-game showcase across networks
- December 4–11: NBA Cup Knockout Rounds, streaming on Prime Video
Where Each Network Fits In
| Network | What They Carry | Streaming Option |
|---|---|---|
| NBC / Peacock | Coast 2 Coast Tuesdays, Peacock Monday nights, Sunday Night Basketball (from January) | Peacock app |
| ABC / ESPN | Wednesday doubleheaders, select marquee matchups | ESPN’s direct-to-consumer app |
| Amazon Prime Video | Friday night games, NBA Cup Knockout Rounds, the Play-In Tournament | Included with Prime subscription |
Every national game is available on a broadly distributed streaming service tied to its broadcaster — there’s no need to track down a specific cable package just to catch a nationally televised game.
Watching Your Local Team’s Games
National broadcasts cover a limited slate — some teams get up to 34 national appearances, while others get as few as two. For everything else, you’re looking at your team’s regional sports network, typically bundled through a live TV streaming service. See our RSN blackout guide for how regional sports coverage and blackout rules generally work.
NBA League Pass
For out-of-market fans who want access to every team’s games regardless of local blackouts, NBA League Pass remains the dedicated option, accessible through the NBA App and NBA.com directly.
Local NBA Coverage Varies by State
Which channels carry your team, and whether you’re in-market for blackout purposes, depends heavily on where you live. We’ve built deep local guides for several NBA-relevant states worth checking:
- California — home to the Lakers, Warriors, Clippers, and Kings
- Texas — home to the Mavericks, Rockets, and Spurs
- Georgia — home to the Hawks
- Colorado — home to the Nuggets
- Illinois — home to the Bulls
- Indiana — home to the Pacers
Don’t see your state above yet? Browse the full By State directory for local channel and sports coverage notes everywhere else.
Setting Up Your Device
Whichever combination of apps you land on, our device comparison guide can help you pick the right streaming box, and our full tutorials library covers setup for whichever one you choose.
Official Schedule Resource
Broadcast assignments and game times can shift throughout the season. For the most current, authoritative schedule, check NBA.com’s official schedule page directly.
Quick Questions People Ask
Final Thoughts
This season’s broadcast shake-up sounds more complicated than it plays out in practice — national games are covered by standalone apps tied to each network, and your local team’s remaining games run through whatever streaming service already carries your regional sports network.
Need help with your setup? Our troubleshooting guide covers common streaming issues across every device.