How to watch NBA games: Live stream 2024-2025 season

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Following a couple of weeks of preseason, the 2024-2025 NBA regular season tips off this week. There are no new surprises this year regarding how to watch NBA games, so if you found a way to tune into the games last season, those same options should work again this year.

However, if you're unsure where to start or find that your go-to cable, antenna, or streaming subscription is missing a key channel, we've got you covered. Keep reading to learn how to tune into every nationally broadcast game this year. Plus, we'll highlight the best way to watch out-of-market games from home.

We've broken down everything you need to know across several streaming services since each one is a little bit different and might cater more to your specific needs. Some are cheaper and only carry certain channels; others are more expensive but will grant you access to the most NBA coverage this season. We've highlighted two of the best streaming services for comprehensive NBA coverage with "Best Value" and "Staff Pick" stickers, so they're easy to find below.

Key dates for the 2025-25 NBA season

The 2024 NBA preseason ran from October 4 to October 18, 2024. The 2024-25 regular season tips off on October 22, 2024, and will run until April 13, 2025. The Play-In tournament lasts from April 15 to 18 and is immediately followed by the start of the Playoffs on April 19. The Conference Semifinals will start in early May, followed by the May Conference Finals. The NBA Finals will tip off on June 5, 2025.

How to watch NBA games: Live streams 

You can watch nationally televised NBA regular season games on ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, and NBA TV. TNT usually broadcasts games on Tuesday and Thursday nights, while ESPN games are typically scheduled for Wednesdays and Fridays. ABC usually gets in the mix at some point each season. Last year, the network aired NBA games on select Saturdays and Sundays starting in December. ABC will also broadcast all 2025 NBA Finals games.

If you already have a pay-TV provider with access to ESPN, ABC, or TNT, you can live stream each station's NBA content via their respective apps. Just log in with your credentials. It's important to remember that many ESPN games are not included with an ESPN Plus subscription since the streaming service is its own entity and not just a complete live stream of the network.

For everything else that isn't showing on broadcast TV, you'll want to know about NBA League Pass. You can purchase a monthly or annual subscription to watch every out-of-market NBA game live, plus the ability to go back and watch condensed replays. NBA League Pass includes NBA TV, which shows some games exclusively via local affiliate broadcasts.

If you don't have a cable or satellite subscription, you can sign up for one of the live TV streaming services featured below. The list of streaming services offering access to all four broadcast sources of NBA games is thin, but we've scoped out your best options. You know best when it comes to what you're looking for in a live TV plan, but basketball fanatics will find the most comprehensive national broadcast coverage with Sling TV and DirecTV Stream. Additionally, DirecTV Stream and Fubo offer solid regional sports network options. Most of these services — including Sling TV, DirecTV Stream, and Fubo — also allow you to subscribe to NBA League Pass through their apps, so you can have everything in one place.

Sling TV

Sling TV includes ESPN/ESPN2 and TNT as part of its Orange plan for $40 a month. This version of Sling doesn't offer ABC, but NBA games airing on that network are typically simulcast on ESPN3, which is included with Sling. You can also fill the gap by adding NBA TV to your plan through the Sports Extra package for an additional $11 a month, which brings your total to $51 a month. Sling Orange offers 35 live channels, and Sports Extra will add an extra 12 options. New Sling members can get their first month of service for $20 off, which helps make Sling one of the cheapest options for streaming the NBA.

DirecTV Stream

DirecTV Stream is one of the most comprehensive NBA live streaming cable alternatives out there and will enable you to watch every nationally broadcast NBA game this year, although the price tag can get a bit hefty. DirecTV Stream Entertainment subscriptions start at $87/month and will give you access to TNT, ESPN/ESPN2, ABC, and 90+ other channels. To access NBA TV, you'll need to get the Sports Pack add-on, which will cost $102/month in total, and add another 20 or so channels to your lineup. However, if you sign up right now, you can get both for $87/month for two months before your subscription renews at the standard $102/month rate. The service offers a five-day free trial.

Fubo TV

Fubo is another sports-friendly TV streaming service. However, it lacks TNT, so you'll need to find another option for Tuesdays and Thursdays. But you'll get ABC, ESPN/ESPN2, and over 100 other channels on the base Pro package ($80 monthly, before potential discounts). Fubo Extra, an $8 add-on, includes NBA TV. Fubo Extra is included with the Fubo Elite with Sports Plus package, which costs $100 and adds dozens more channels. The streamer offers a seven-day free trial and $20 off the first month of service.

Hulu + Live TV

You can get ABC, ESPN/ESPN2, and TNT with a $83 monthly Hulu + Live TV subscription. Unfortunately, Hulu + Live TV doesn't offer any NBA TV options, even via add-ons. In total, subscriptions offer at least 95 live channels. Hulu is currently running a promo that will give you your first three months of Live TV coverage for $60/month before subscriptions renew at the standard rate. All plans are bundled with ESPN Plus, Disney Plus, and on-demand Hulu.

Max

Max has a new B/R Sports add-on, which is currently free with any regular Max subscription but will eventually cost an additional $10 a month (the date is still TBA). The B/R Sports add-on features several live sports options, including TNT's NBA games. Max subscriptions start at $10 a month or $100 a year for ad-supported plans. In addition to regular season games, the add-on will live stream games from the NBA Playoffs and the Western Conference Finals.

Watch out-of-market NBA games with League Pass

TNT, ESPN, ABC, and NBA TV are the national broadcast partners of the NBA, but they only show select games throughout the season. If you want to follow additional games, subscribe to NBA League Pass to stream out-of-market regular season games from the entire league.

League Pass starts at $17 a month or $110 for a full season; for that price, you can stream the NBA TV channel and stream live games every night with commercials. You can step it up with NBA League Pass Premium for $25 a month or $160 a year. This plan offers commercial-free viewing and lets you watch on two devices simultaneously.

The price to sign up for NBA League Pass decreases as the year goes on. Games for teams in your local market will be blacked out on NBA League Pass, as will national broadcasts from ESPN, TNT, and ABC.

Watch NBA games anywhere with a VPN

Comprehensive NBA coverage isn't available overseas, which used to mean missing out on games when you're traveling abroad. Fortunately, you can keep up with most of your streaming subscriptions with the help of a VPN.

Short for virtual private network, a VPN will allow websites to see your device as though it's connecting from within whichever country you want. That means you could set it to connect through a United States server to access your usual live TV streaming services from abroad. Since these subscriptions require US methods of payment, this will work best for Americans who just happen to be outside of the US at the moment.

Don't have a VPN? The best VPN we've tested and have been using for years for streaming and beefing up our online security is Express VPN. It's the best investment for sports fans if you know you'll want to watch more international streams for future seasons and events. If you're unsatisfied, there's a hassle-free 30-day money-back guarantee. Want to learn more about the product? Take a look at our ExpressVPN review.

Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries, and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.