How to Watch NBA Games Without Cable in 2025-26

The NBA completely overhauled its media rights starting with the 2025-26 season, and the new deal reshapes how cord-cutters access basketball. National games are now split among three partners: Disney (ABC and ESPN), NBC and Peacock, and Amazon Prime Video. Regional sports networks still carry local broadcasts for most teams, though that system continues to fracture. Here is every way to watch NBA basketball without a cable subscription this season.

The New National TV Partners

Amazon Prime Video: Friday Night Basketball

Amazon secured exclusive rights to Friday night doubleheaders, making Prime Video the home of the NBA’s marquee end-of-week matchups. Amazon will broadcast 66 regular-season games total, including 10 during the Emirates NBA Cup group stage. Thursday night games shift to Amazon exclusivity starting in 2026.

Prime Video costs $9 per month standalone or is included with an Amazon Prime membership at $15 per month. The production features alternate viewing modes with real-time statistics, X-Ray player identification, and multiple commentary options, similar to what Amazon has done with Thursday Night Football.

Peacock and NBC: Tuesday and Sunday Nights

NBC’s return to the NBA brings up to 100 regular-season games on Peacock and NBC broadcasts. The schedule features Tuesday night regional doubleheaders and a new Sunday night showcase launching in January. Every NBC broadcast simultaneously streams on Peacock, and the service will carry exclusive Monday night games not available on traditional TV.

Peacock costs $6 per month with ads or $12 per month ad-free, making it one of the cheapest ways to watch a significant slate of NBA basketball.

ESPN and ABC: The Legacy Partner

ESPN retains its traditional NBA windows including Saturday primetime games, Wednesday night doubleheaders, and the NBA Finals on ABC. ESPN Select at $13 per month gives streaming-only viewers access to these games without a cable or live TV subscription. Games airing on ABC are also available free over the air with a digital antenna.

NBA League Pass: Out-of-Market Games

NBA League Pass remains the option for watching out-of-market regular-season games. The service costs $17 to $25 per month depending on the tier, with a premium option that removes ads and adds multi-game viewing. League Pass is available as a standalone subscription through the NBA app or as an add-on through Amazon Prime Video and YouTube TV.

The major limitation of League Pass is blackout restrictions. If a game airs on a national broadcast or involves your local team, it is blacked out on League Pass. This means League Pass works best for fans following a specific team in a different city, not for watching whatever game is on tonight.

Live TV Streaming Services

For the broadest NBA coverage on a single platform, a live TV streaming service remains the simplest solution.

YouTube TV at $83 per month includes ESPN, ABC, NBC, TNT, NBA TV, and local channels. It covers virtually every nationally televised game.

Hulu + Live TV at $90 per month offers similar coverage with ESPN, ABC, and NBC plus the added benefit of including Disney Plus and ESPN Select or Unlimited in the subscription.

Sling TV Orange at $40 per month is the budget option that includes ESPN and TNT but lacks local channels and NBC. You miss some games but save significantly.

Fubo starting at $80 per month carries regional sports networks that other platforms do not include, which matters if your local NBA team’s games air primarily on an RSN.

Regional Sports Networks: The Complicated Part

Local NBA broadcasts still air primarily on regional sports networks like Bally Sports, NBC Sports regional channels, and team-owned networks. RSN availability through streaming services varies dramatically by market. Fubo carries the most RSNs, but coverage gaps exist everywhere. Some teams, like the Los Angeles Lakers on Spectrum SportsNet, remain difficult to stream without their specific carrier.

Check your team’s broadcast schedule on their official website to determine which RSN carries local games and which streaming services include it in your area.

The Budget Basketball Setup

For casual NBA fans on a budget, the combination of Peacock at $6 per month and Amazon Prime Video at $9 per month covers Friday nights, Tuesday and Sunday nights, and Monday exclusives for just $15 per month total. Add a digital antenna for ABC Saturday games and you have access to the majority of national broadcasts.

For dedicated fans who follow a specific team, add NBA League Pass for out-of-market access or a live TV streaming service with your team’s RSN for local games.

Playoffs and Finals

NBA playoff games air across ESPN, ABC, and TNT with streaming on their respective platforms. The NBA Finals remain exclusively on ABC, meaning a free antenna is the cheapest way to watch the championship. ESPN Select subscribers can also stream Finals games.

For the full breakdown of sports streaming across all leagues, check our sports streaming guide. NFL fans should see our football without cable guide for a similar breakdown.