Watch and live stream NBA Games on ESPN

The NBA is into a brand-new era of broadcasting with the 2025-26 season, and fans will barely have time to catch their breath. With $76 billion in fresh media rights deals now locked in, hoops will be everywhere, more platforms, more nights, more eyes. TNT is bowing out, Amazon is stepping in, and NBC is making its long-awaited return to the basketball spotlight.

ESPN and ABC, the league's broadcast heavyweights, are entering their 24th consecutive season of NBA coverage, and they're not easing up. Between them, they'll televise 80 regular-season matchups, including the ever-glitzy Christmas Day slate. When the postseason arrives, ESPN and ABC will show roughly 18 games across the first two rounds, one conference final in 10 of the next 11 years, and — of course — remain the exclusive home of the NBA Finals.

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Viewers can expect plenty of familiar voices on the mic. Veteran play-by-play maestro Mike Breen, analyst Richard Jefferson, and sideline reporter Lisa Salters are all back to keep the coverage sharp and steady. Analyst Tim Legler joins the crew this season, stepping into the seat once held by Doris Burke, who’ll now call games with Dave Pasch.

But the biggest shake-up? ESPN just landed basketball television's crown jewel — Inside the NBA. Yes, you read that right. Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal, and Kenny Smith are bringing their legendary chemistry and unapologetic banter to ESPN and ABC. Their new home will feature weeknight doubleheaders and prime-time weekend showdowns, turning basketball nights into must-watch television once again.

How to watch NBA on ESPN and ABC

• TV Channel: ESPN, ABC
• Livestream: DirecTV,Fubo, ESPN Select, ESPN App

ABC and ESPN aren't going anywhere — they'll continue to be the backbone of NBA coverage throughout the regular season and playoffs, with ABC once again holding the keys to the 2026 NBA Finals. If you’re looking to follow every dunk, dagger three, and buzzer-beater, there's no shortage of ways to stay locked in.

ESPN Select

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ESPN is shaking up its streaming game with a fresh one-two punch: ESPN Unlimited and ESPN Select. Think of ESPN Select as a revamped, rebranded version of ESPN+ — solid for on-demand content, but without any of the live ESPN channels fans crave. The real heavy hitter here is ESPN Unlimited, which delivers the full package — every ESPN network, plus everything available on ESPN Select.

For starters, DirecTV's Entertainment tier is a slam dunk for basketball fans, serving up a mix of channels to keep pace with the entire 2025 campaign. You can catch Tuesday matchups on your local NBC station, Wednesday showdowns on ESPN, Saturday doubleheaders split between ABC and ESPN, and Sunday clashes airing on both NBC and ABC. Even better — DirecTV is currently running a promotion that slashes the usual $94.99 monthly cost (plus fees) down to just $49.99 ($59.99 with fees) for your first month. Not bad for front-row access from your living room.

Watch NBA Games on ESPN with Fubo

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Meanwhile, Fubo continues to be a haven for sports junkies, featuring ESPN in its stacked lineup. Its Pro plan, which boasts over 200 channels, will run you $84.99 per month — or $64.99 for your first month if you jump on early.

And if you’re looking to keep costs under control without missing the action, Sling TV's Orange plan is a sneaky-good play. It offers multiple ESPN channels at just $45.99 per month, or you can go big and pair it with the Blue plan for $60.99 monthly, unlocking an even deeper roster of channels.

NBA on ESPN and ABC 2025-26 Schedule

ESPN and ABC are set to anchor much of the NBA’s 2025-26 regular-season coverage, with marquee matchups lighting up screens on Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. The legendary "Inside the NBA" crew will now take center stage as ESPN's go-to team for pregame, halftime, and postgame coverage of its biggest broadcasts, while "NBA Countdown" will still make select appearances before certain games.

The two networks won't just handle regular-season action, either — they'll also be the stage for some of the league's crown jewels. From the Eastern Conference Finals to the NBA Finals and even the NBA Draft, ESPN and ABC will once again hold court when the basketball world tunes in.

The full list is below:

• Opening Week doubleheaders: Wed, Oct. 22 and Thur, Oct. 23
• Early-season doubleheaders: Wed, Oct. 29 and Wed, Nov. 12 
• NBA on Christmas Day: Thur, Dec. 25
• Every NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC: Jan. 24 & 31, Feb. 7, 21 & 28, March 7 & 14
• Three NBA Sunday Showcase on ABC: Feb. 22, March 1 & 8

ESPN's streaming service pricing, plans and subscriptions

For sports enthusiasts who want to watch all their favorite sports teams on ESPN, this update means unprecedented flexibility. No more missing games because you're traveling or dealing with regional blackouts that plague cable. The ESPN streaming service promises accessibility as we witness the evolution of sports content, where your viewing experience is no longer dictated by your zip code or cable provider's rules.

ESPN's slightly rebranded direct-to-consumer streaming model launched on August 21, 2025. The sports giant is now offering two distinct plans designed to cater to different viewing habits and budgets. These consist of ESPN Select (formerly what ESPN+ was in its entirety), which becomes the more affordable of the two plans. ESPN Unlimited, the newest premium plan, offers subscribers more live content and an increased selection of channels for a higher monthly price.

Below are the two tiers of subscriptions you can pick from, detailing what each does and does not offer to customers. As you can see, the pricing reflects ESPN's strategy to capture both cord-cutters seeking comprehensive sports coverage and budget-conscious fans wanting premium digital content without traditional TV channels.

As far as subscription TV bundles go, ESPN's remains simple, offering streaming deals monthly and annually, with two bundling options.  

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Unlimited and Select subscriptions and the sports app rebrand