ESPN is one of the two main broadcast homes for the NBA, along with the NBA on TNT, but how can you watch the NBA on ESPN to make sure you don't miss any of the on-court action? We've got you covered.
The sports cable network is dubbed the worldwide leader in sports for a reason, with Monday Night Football, the NHL on ESPN, college football and more live sports helping to back up that claim. The NBA is also a key component of that, often with multiple games a week airing on ESPN.
Here is what you need to know on how to watch the NBA on ESPN.
How to watch the NBA on ESPN
ESPN is a cable network, but thankfully there are a few ways to get it whether you have cut the cord or not. First, the network is available from just about all traditional cable TV providers (though it never hurts to double-check), which means if you're signed up for a cable package then you should have access to all live games on ESPN.
Those who have opted to move away from traditional pay-TV options can still watch ESPN live if they sign up for a live TV streaming service. ESPN is carried by all four of the most prominent live TV streaming services: Fubo, Hulu with Live TV, Sling TV and YouTube TV.
All of these options allow you to watch the game on your TV, but if you are signed up for any of them you can also watch on your computer or mobile device through either ESPN.com or the Watch ESPN app.
Some NBA games also air on ABC (i.e., Christmas Day games, playoffs). All of the above options, except for Sling TV in some markets, apply to watch ABC as well. However, you can also watch your local ABC station with no such subscription if you have a TV antenna to receive local over-the-air signals.
In case you're wondering if you can watch the NBA on ESPN Plus since the sports network covers the league intensively, the answer is: sometimes. Most NBA games are not available to stream on ESPN Plus, however, simulcasts of select ESPN NBA games (in English and in Spanish) are now being offered on ESPN Plus, as is Stephen A. Smith's alternate broadcast, which you can learn more about below.
For UK basketball fans, Sky TV carries many games live, though at least in the early part of the season it does not look like they do so for games carried on ESPN.
NBA games on ESPN: October 22-27
The NBA season is tipping off on Tuesday, October 22. While opening night games will air on TNT, ESPN has a number of high profile games airing on its network throughout the week. Here's the schedule for the first week of the season.
Wednesday, October 23
- Milwaukee Bucks vs Philadelphia 76ers, 7:30 pm ET/4:30 pm PT
- Phoenix Suns vs Los Angeles Clippers, 10 pm ET/7 pm PT
Friday, October 25
- Indiana Pacers vs New York Knicks, 7:30 pm ET/4:30 pm PT
- Phoenix Suns vs Los Angeles Lakers, 10 pm ET/7 pm PT
What else to know about the NBA on ESPN
In addition to live game coverage, ESPN has a dedicated pre-game show for its NBA broadcasts, NBA Countdown, which features Mike Greenberg, Stephen A. Smith, Michael Wilbon, Jalen Rose and Adrian Wojnarowski.
There’s also Hoop Streams, which is streamed on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and the Watch ESPN app, hosted by Cassidy Hubbarth, Rosalyn Gold-Onwude and Kendrick Perkins.
Stephen A. Smith's alternate NBA broadcast
Just like Peyton and Eli Manning have their Manningcast that serves as an alternate broadcast for Monday Night Football, ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith is going to be doing an alternate broadcast for NBA games on the network called NBA in Stephen A's World for select games throughout the season.
