The way people watch sports has changed a lot, and the NBA is no exception. The days of being locked into a pricey cable package just to follow your favorite team are long gone. Now, there are multiple legit streaming apps that let you catch NBA games live, no cable required.
The 2024–2025 season runs from October 22 to April 13, with playoffs tipping off right after. That means there are hundreds of games coming your way, and yes, you can catch all of it.
So let’s walk through the best verified ways to stream NBA games—what they cost, what they offer, and who each one’s best suited for.
A Quick Look
| Service | Cost (Monthly) | Key Channels | Best For | Limitations |
| Hulu + Live TV | $76.99 | ESPN, TNT, ABC | Full coverage w/ Hulu integration | Regional blackouts may block some games |
| Sling TV (Orange) | $46 ($57 w/ add-on) | ESPN, TNT, ESPN3, NBA TV | Budget-conscious fans | No direct ABC access |
| YouTube TV | $59.99 → $82.99 | ESPN, ABC, TNT, NBA TV | Tech-savvy households | Price jump after 2 months |
| DirecTV Stream | $79.99+ | ESPN, TNT, ABC, NBA TV | Former cable users | Fewer sports extras, higher price |
| NBA League Pass | $9.99–$24.99 | NBA TV + out-of-market games | Fans following out-of-town teams | Blackouts for national/local broadcasts |
| Over-the-Air Antenna | $20–$100 (one-time) | ABC (and others, location-based) | Local playoff games in HD | Signal strength varies by location |
| Max + B/R Sports | Max + $9.99 | TNT, TBS | Max subscribers | No ESPN or ABC coverage |
| ESPN+ | $10.99 | Select ESPN games | Supplementary use | Doesn’t include full ESPN NBA content |
Streaming Services with Live TV
For anyone who wants that traditional channel-flipping feel, with ESPN, ABC, TNT, and NBA TV included, live TV streaming apps are a solid bet.
They give you all the big games, analysis shows, and playoff coverage in one place. Most also include cloud DVR, which is handy for late-night tip-offs or overlapping matchups.
Hulu + Live TV
- Price: $76.99/month
- Channels: ESPN, TNT, TruTV, ABC
Key Features
- Cloud DVR included
- Full Hulu on-demand library
- Works on most devices (Roku, Apple TV, smartphones, etc.)
You can catch live games like the Eastern Conference Finals between the Pacers and Knicks directly on TNT or TruTV, or record them for later.
For anyone who’s already using Hulu for shows and movies, adding Live TV is seamless. Just punch in your ZIP code during sign-up to confirm local ABC availability.
Sling TV (Orange Plan)
- Price: $46/month
- With NBA TV Add-On: $57/month
- Intro Offer: First month $20 off
- Channels: ESPN, TNT, ESPN3 (ABC simulcasts), NBA TV (with Sports Extra)
Sling Orange gives you the essentials—ESPN and TNT—for less than most others. It skips ABC, but you can still catch ABC games via ESPN3 simulcasts. The add-on for NBA TV is worth it if you want even more live action.
People often praise Sling as the “value pick.” It’s affordable, flexible, and still brings you those marquee matchups.
YouTube TV
- Price: $59.99/month for first 2 months, $82.99/month after (promo ends July 31, 2025)
- Channels: ESPN, ABC, TNT, NBA TV
Add-ons
- Sports Plus ($10.99): NFL RedZone, more sports
- 4K Plus ($9.99): 4K streaming + offline viewing
YouTube TV stands out for its clean interface, reliability, and smart features like Key Plays View and Stats View. With unlimited DVR and 3 streams at once, it’s great for families or roommates. Their local coverage is excellent too—most U.S. households will get live ABC games.
DirecTV Stream
- Price: Starts at $79.99/month (Entertainment Package)
- Channels: ESPN, TNT, ABC, NBA TV
Key Features
- Cloud DVR
- Supports multiple devices
- Traditional channel grid for easy flipping
DirecTV Stream is basically cable without the box. You get all the NBA channels in one place. It’s a bit pricier, but it works well if you’re coming from cable and want that same feel. The lack of fancy features compared to YouTube TV might matter to some, but the reliability is solid.
NBA League Pass
If you follow an out-of-market team, or you want to binge 3–4 games in one night, NBA League Pass is your go-to.
Price
- Standard: $16.99/month
- Premium: $24.99/month
- Student: $9.99/month
Features
- Watch out-of-market games live
- 24/7 NBA TV channel included
- Multiview (up to 4 games on one screen)
- Alternate camera angles: player cam, backboard, sideline
- Premium = offline downloads + in-arena streams during breaks
League Pass gives you the full season experience, minus national and local blackout games. So if you’re a Lakers fan living in Chicago, you can follow every regular season game that’s not on ESPN, ABC, or TNT.
Also, alongside League Pass, savvy streamers sometimes snag Parimatch promotions to layer in bonuses during big games.
Over-the-Air Antenna
It’s not flashy, but it gets the job done. A good old-fashioned antenna can pull in ABC games, which often include Sunday matchups and playoff games.
- Price: $20–$100 (one-time)
- Channels: ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC (varies by area)
- No subscription needed
Perfect for catching big playoff games in HD, free. But results vary. A Reddit user in downtown Chicago reported inconsistent signal quality even with a quality antenna. Always check local signal maps before buying.
Other Options That Fill in the Gaps
These platforms aren’t full solutions on their own—but they can round out your setup.
Max + B/R Sports Add-On
- Price: Max subscription + $9.99/month for B/R Sports
- Channels: TNT, TBS
Key Features
- NBA games from TNT and TBS
- Max’s full content library
Great for someone already using Max for movies or HBO shows. You won’t get ESPN or ABC here, but it’s another way to stream TNT games like the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals.
ESPN+
- Price: $10.99/month
Content
- Some live NBA games
- Additional sports content and commentary
ESPN+ is often misunderstood. It doesn’t give you the ESPN channel that broadcasts the big nationally televised games. It’s best used as a supplement, not a standalone NBA platform.
Smart Combos to Maximize NBA Access
Most fans end up combining services based on what they value most. Here are a few smart pairings that work well in real life:
- Sling TV + Antenna: Cheap and effective. Sling gets you ESPN and TNT, and your antenna brings in ABC games.
- YouTube TV + NBA League Pass: YouTube handles national and local coverage. League Pass fills in the out-of-market gaps.
- Hulu + Live TV + Max (w/ B/R Sports): Everything except League Pass covered, including TNT games and all Hulu content.
- DirecTV Stream + League Pass: A high-end setup for fans who want every channel live and don’t want to worry about features or limitations.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a cable box or satellite dish to watch the NBA anymore. The 2024–2025 season is packed with drama, talent, and rivalries—and you can follow every moment from your phone, smart TV, or laptop.
There’s no perfect service for everyone, but there is a smart mix for anyone. It all depends on whether you care more about national games, out-of-market teams, or saving money.
Just pick your setup, double-check what’s available in your ZIP code, and you’re set. Whether it’s Luka hitting a step-back three or Giannis going coast-to-coast, you won’t miss a beat.
