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The regular NBA season is here — here's what you need to know about streaming every game, including local and out-of-market games
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The 2024-2025 NBA season tipped off this week, giving basketball fans fresh fodder for water cooler conversations — are a second LeBron James and a new coach what the Lakers need to reclaim their past glory? Will the Celtics hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy for the second year in a row? Do the Knicks really have a shot this year? The best way to find out is by tuning in — here’s what you need to know about streaming the 2024-2025 NBA season without cable.
At A Glance: How To Watch the 2024-2025 NBA Season
- Stream: DirecTV Stream, NBA League Pass, Sling TV
- TV Channels: ESPN, ABC, TNT, NBA TV, and Regional Sports Networks
- Key Dates: Season duration: Oct. 22, 2024 – April 13, 2025; NBA Finals; June 5, 2025
How To Watch NBA Games Without Cable
Nationally televised NBA games are aired on four channels: ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV. Games in your area that aren’t nationally televised can typically be found on Regional Sports Networks (RSNs), which vary by city and are typically included as part of a cable package. RSNs are experiencing a much-publicized period of turmoil as Diamond Sports Group, which operates the FanDuel Sports network (formerly known as Bally Sports), has been undergoing bankruptcy for a year and a half.
The Mavericks and Pelicans are no longer with their regional sports networks, with both teams opting to launch over-the-air (OTA) channels and their own streaming services. The long-term future of RSNs is cloudy at best, with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver calling the RSN model “broken.” But for the time being, RSNs still cover most teams for those looking to watch local, non-nationally televised NBA games.
If you want to keep up with a team outside your region, your best bet will be NBA League Pass, which will get you access to out-of-market games (but not local or national games). To catch nationally televised games across the multiple OTA and paid TV channels, DirecTV Stream is our pick, which has the most comprehensive selection of channels, including RSNs (with the Choice package). Sling is a great value option that carries TNT and ESPN. Sling doesn’t carry ABC, but games are simulcast on EPSN3, and Sling is available with an NBA TV/League Pass add-on. Another option to watch local channels and ABC is an antenna, which allows you to see OTA channels for free, though you won’t get TNT, ESPN, or NBA TV.
best overall
DirecTV Stream
DirecTV Stream offers the channel-flipping convenience and comprehensive coverage of DirecTV’s satellite service, without the need for contracts or hardware. The Choice package includes many RSNs, as well as ABC, NBA TV, ESPN, and TNT. You can also get a 5-day free trial, and the Choice package is $94.99/mo for the first 3 months. DirecTV Stream is one of the most expensive options, but also the most comprehensive.
best add-on
NBA League Pass
NBA League Pass is a great way to get access to regular season games, but there are some caveats. Any nationally broadcast games or games in your local market are blacked out. League Pass is best for fans of out-of-market teams — that is, if your favorite team isn’t in the city you’re in, League Pass is the best way to catch their games, and League Pass is available with a discount if you only want to watch one team’s games. A regular plan, with commercials, costs $109.99/season.
best value
Sling TV
Sling offers two packages, Orange and Blue, plus add-ons for sports fans. Sling’s offerings are more limited, but considerably more affordable at about half the price of other live TV competitors. With Sling Orange, you’ll get ESPN and TNT. Sling doesn’t carry ABC, but you can see games that are simulcast on ESPN3 or buy an antenna for OTA channels like ABC. You can add the NBA League Pass add-on for $16.99/mo, which will get you NBA TV and out-of-market games. The first month of Sling Orange is $15, then $40 after that.
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YouTube TV
YouTube TV (not to be confused with YouTube Premium), includes access to NBA TV, TNT, ESPN, and ABC, though you won’t find RSNs on YouTube TV. Plans start at $72.99/mo, and there are additional add-ons worth considering.
Other Options To Consider
There are other options to consider that have great live TV and sports coverage but lack key channels. Hulu with Live TV doesn’t include NBA TV, while Fubo, which is popular with sports fans, has RSNs but notably lacks TNT.
Hulu with Live TV
Hulu with Live TV gets you access to ABC affiliates, plus TNT and ESPN. However, you won’t get access to NBA TV. Hulu with Live TV includes three great streaming services in addition to the live TV offerings; you’ll get Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+.
Fubo
Fubo carries ABC, ESPN, and NBA TV, but there’s a trade-off. Due to a contract dispute, TNT is not available on Fubo. Fubo also includes access to RSNs for streaming in-market games that aren’t nationally televised.
When Does the 2024-2025 NBA Season Start
The NBA season kicked off this week, on Oct. 22, and the regular season runs until April 13, 2025. The Finals will begin on June 5, 2025.
NBA 2024-2025 Season: Key Dates
The 2024-2025 sees the return of the In-Season Tournament, introduced in 2023 and now known as the Emirates NBA Cup. The NBA Cup features all 30 teams competing during the regular season, and the Los Angeles Lakers were the inaugural winners.
Oct 22: Start of the 2024-25 NBA regular season
Nov 12: Emirates NBA Cup begins
Dec 17: Emirates NBA Cup Championship (Las Vegas, NV)
Feb 6: NBA trade deadline
Feb 14-16: NBA All-Star weekend
April 13: All 30 teams play, the regular season ends
April 15-18: Play-in tournament
April 19: NBA Playoffs begin
June 5: NBA Finals begin
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