How to watch NBA games online in 2024
The 2024/25 NBA season has already started, and you can watch games on ESPN, ABC, TNT, NBA TV, or through NBA League Pass. However, not all games air on national networks. Some games air only on regional channels like Bally Sports or NBC Sports, due to team and regional coverage agreements.
The best way to stream all the games live is with the NBA League Pass. Sadly, even it is not immune to regional blackouts. In that case, I recommend using a Virtual Private Network (VPN), which easily changes your IP address and unblocks restricted content.
In this article, I’ll guide you through the ways to stream every NBA game, whether it’s a local game or a national showdown, no matter where you are. So get comfy, and keep reading!
| Regular season | October 22, 2024 – April 13, 2025 |
| Playoffs | April 20, 2025 |
| Broadcasters | ABC, ESPN, TNT, NBA TV |
| Watch NBA from anywhere | NordVPN with 74% OFF & 30-day money-back guarantee |
How to watch NBA games without cable
That said, here’s a quick guide on how to watch NBA games online:
- Get the best VPN for NBA. My top pick is NordVPN, now with 74% OFF!
- Connect to a VPN server where your game isn’t restricted.
- Sign up for a streaming service with ABC, ESPN, TNT, or NBA TV.
- Enjoy NBA games from anywhere in the world!
Best NBA streaming sites for 2024-25 season
You can watch nationally televised NBA games on ESPN, TNT, ABC, and NBA TV, depending on the day of the week. For example, TNT usually broadcasts on Tuesdays and Thursdays, while ESPN covers Wednesdays and Fridays. ABC shows weekend games, and NBA TV fills in the gaps. That said, if you’re looking for out-of-market coverage, NBA Leagues Pass gives you access to over 40 extra weekly matchups.
If you don’t have a cable or satellite subscription, you can instead watch games on streaming platforms like YouTube TV, Sling, or NBA League Pass, among others.
| Streaming service | Price per month | Free trial |
NBA Coverage | Blackout restrictions |
| NBA League Pass | $16.99/month | Free trial may be offered occasionally, no money-back guarantee | Out-of-market games, replays, 40+ weekly games | Yes, regional blackouts for local channels |
| Sling TV | $40.00/month | No free trial, no money-back guarantee | ESPN, TNT; ABC (via antenna) | Yes, regional blackouts for local channels |
| DirecTV Stream | $89.99/month | 5-day free trial, no money-back guarantee | ESPN, TNT, NBA TV, ABC | Yes, regional and national blackouts |
| Hulu + Live TV | $82.99/month | 3-day free trial, no money-back guarantee | ESPN, TNT, ABC | Yes, regional and national blackouts |
| YouTube TV | $72.99/month | Free trial may be offered occasionally (7-10 days), no money-back guarantee | ESPN, TNT NBA TV, ABC | Yes, regional and national blackouts |
| Fubo TV | $79.99/month | 7-day, no money-back guarantee | ESPN, NBA TV, ABC | Yes, regional and national blackouts |
However, most streaming services – NBA League Pass, Sling TV, DirecTV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, Fubo TV, and more – face blackout restrictions, affecting the viewing experience for certain NBA games. The only way to bypass NBA game blackout restrictions is to use a reliable VPN, like NordVPN. A VPN masks your location, allowing you to connect to servers in areas where games aren't blacked out, ensuring uninterrupted access to live NBA action regardless of your region.
1. NBA League Pass — best for out-of-market NBA games
Includes: over 40 live games per week + full-game replays, but no national or local team matchups
Price: from $16.99/month
NBA League Pass gives access to over 40 live games weekly, plus full-game replays. However, national and local team games are subject to blackout restrictions. To bypass these restrictions, use a reliable VPN service to connect to a server in a different region where the games are available.
NBA League Pass prices start at $16.99/month or $109.99/season if you seek out-of-market games, plus NBA TV coverage. The League Pass Premium plan, priced at $24.99/month or $159.99/season, removes ads and lets you stream on up to three devices simultaneously. Besides, the Premium plan lets you get access to in-arena streams. As for blackouts – they affect local games, but a top VPN can help you around them.
You can get NBA League Pass on desktop, mobile devices, smart TVs, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, and gaming consoles. You can also get live commentary on Apple Watch and CarPlay.
Get the best VPN for NBA League Pass
2. Sling TV — affordable way to watch NBA games without cable
Includes: ESPN and TNT for nationally televised NBA games
Price: from $40/month
If you’re looking for an option to stream NBA games without breaking the bank, look no further than Sling TV. With the Sling Orange plan, you can watch nationally televised NBA matchups on ESPN and TNT without needing cable.
Sling TV has two main plans: Sling Orange for $40/month and Sling Blue for $45/month. Sling Orange is perfect for NBA fans as it includes both ESPN and TNT, but you’re limited to streaming on only one device at a time.
Meanwhile, Sling Blue also offers TNT and possibly ABC (depending on your location) and lets you stream on three devices simultaneously. If ABC isn’t available, you’ll need an antenna or use ESPN3 on Sling Orange. For full NBA coverage, the Orange + Blue plan costs $60/month. Plus, for an extra fee, you can add NBA TV with the Sports Extra package.
Sling TV works on smart TVs, desktop, mobile devices, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, gaming consoles, and more.
Enjoy the NBA season through Sling TV with NordVPN
3. Direct TV Stream — best for complete local and primetime NBA coverage
Includes: ESPN, TNT, and ABC for nationally televised NBA games + RSN coverage
Price: from $89.99/month
DirecTV Stream is a fantastic option for complete NBA coverage. With the Choice plan, you get access to NBA TV, RSN, and national channels like ESPN, TNT, and ABC, available in all of its plans.
Starting at $89.99/month, DirecTV provides extensive coverage of regional sports networks. It’s perfect for fans who don’t want to miss local team or national matchups. On top of that, DirecTV stands out because it has RSN coverage. That way, you don't have to worry about missing local games. Besides, if you are after even more games, you can get NBA League Pass as an add-on, so rest assured that you won’t miss out on any action.
You can stream DirecTV on desktop and mobile devices, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and a few other platforms.
4. Hulu + Live TV — watch every local and nationally televised NBA game
Includes: ESPN, TNT, and ABC for nationally televised NBA games
Price: from $82.99/month
If you're looking to stream all of the local and national NBA games, Hulu + Live TV has you covered with channels like TNT, ESPN, ABC, and many more.
Priced at $82.99/month with ads and $95.99/month without ads, Hulu + Live TV offers a wide selection of channels, making it a solid choice for NBA fans. What’s more is that it comes with Hulu's on-demand library, combining live sports with shows and movies. However, NBA TV isn’t included, so some out-of-market games will be missed.
You can stream Hulu + Live TV on smart TVs, desktop, mobile devices, Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV.
Enjoy NBA matches without blackouts
5. YouTube TV — top rated streaming service for NBA
Includes: ESPN, TNT, NBA TV, and ABC for nationally televised NBA games
Price: from $72.99/month
For NBA fans, YouTube TV is a top pick with channels like ESPN, TNT, ABC, and NBA TV. Plus, YouTube TV is currently offering a free trial, which can be up to 10 days, depending on the ongoing promotion. Be sure to check their site for the latest details.
YouTube TV's base plan starts at $72.99/month and gives you access to over 100 channels, including NBA TV. However, local games might be subject to blackout restrictions. On the plus side, though, it has unlimited DVR and streaming on up to three devices, which makes it a top pick for NBA action.
YouTube TV works on smart TVs, desktops, Roku, mobile devices, and more.
Get the best VPN for streaming NBA
Top 3 NBA VPNs to bypass local blackouts
If you're in an area where the NBA is blocked due to local blackouts, use a VPN to solve this issue. By connecting to a server in a different location, you can access the game without any restrictions. This way, you're essentially changing your virtual location, which then lets you easily bypass blackout restrictions and watch NBA games from anywhere.
1. NordVPN – the best VPN to watch blackout NBA games from anywhere
118
7000
24/7, email
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Fastest VPN for streaming
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Unblocks most streaming services
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Excellent security
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Only 10 simultaneous connections
For streaming NBA games without blackouts, NordVPN is the best choice. With 7000+ servers all over the globe and 1970+ in the US, NordVPN is one of the fastest VPNs, reaching 471.2 Mbps, with a retention rate of about 94%. Besides, using the NordLynx connection protocol, I had no lag or buffering when streaming HD or even 4K video quality. Unblocking services like NBA League Pass, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV was a breeze, ensuring that I never missed a game. Besides, you can setup NordVPN on devices that don’t natively support VPNs, like smart TVs and gaming consoles, thanks to the SmartDNS feature.
You can get NordVPN for the low price of $2.99/month, backed up by a 30-day money-back guarantee, making it the top VPN for NBA streaming.
For a deeper investigation of NordVPN, read our NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark – fast VPN for NBA streaming with no device limit
100
3200
24/7, FAQ
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Widest global coverage
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Top-shelf streaming performance
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Unlimited simultaneous connections
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Some features cost extra
Surfshark is a fast, reliable VPN, perfect for streaming NBA games without blackouts. Out of its 3200+ servers worldwide, 600+ of them are based in the US. It delivers 469 Mbps download speeds, resulting in around 93% of initial speed retention for smooth HD streaming. Bypassing restrictions on services like DirecTV, Sling TV, YouTube TV was no challenge for this VPN provider. Surfshark is unique in offering unlimited device connections, and you can even configure it on devices that don’t support VPN apps, like smart TVs and gaming consoles.
With no device limit and a 30-day money-back guarantee, you can get this cost-effective VPN for as low as $2.19/month. However, if you aren’t ready to fully commit, you can always look into Surfshark’s 7-day free trial.
For a deeper investigation of Surfshark VPN, read our Surfshark VPN review.
3. CyberGhost - cheap VPN to watch NBA outside the US
100
11700
24/7
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Strict no-logs policy
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Fast speeds
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Dedicated streaming servers
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Unknown number of US servers
If you’re looking for a cost-effective VPN for NBA streaming, look no further than CyberGhost. It has 11700 servers all over the world, and while there isn't a precise number, CyberGhost confirms that there are 11 US locations covered. Delivering impressive speeds, with 464 Mbps download speeds and a retention rate of almost 93%, it ensures a smooth, uninterrupted streaming experience. Besides, it easily bypassed blackouts on services like Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, NBA League Pass. Setting up CyberGhost on devices that don’t support native VPN apps is also possible via a router setup or using the Smart DNS service.
You can get this budget-friendly VPN for just $2.03/month, and with a 45-day money-back guarantee, CyberGhost delivers great value for NBA fans.
How to watch NBA games for free
Several streaming platforms offer free trials that let you watch NBA games without paying. For example, Hulu + Live TV has a 3-day trial, DirecTV offers 5 days, and Fubo TV gives you 7 days. Using these trials with a VPN, you can bypass blackout restrictions and stream NBA for free. Here’s how you can do that:
- Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN. I’d recommend NordVPN, now CyberGhost VPN discount off!
- Install the VPN app on your device.
- Connect to a server in the US.
- Sign up for a free trial on platforms like DirecTV or Hulu + Live TV.
- Watch NBA games for free from anywhere!
Enjoy NBA for free with NordVPN
How to watch NBA on your streaming devices
Depending on your streaming device, how you watch NBA games can differ. For example, Roku and Firestick support apps like Hulu + Live TV and NBA League Pass, while Kodi requires add-ons to stream NBA games. However, to bypass blackout restrictions, you’ll need a VPN. In short, each device has its limits when it comes to app support, and there are different ways to set up VPNs for you to stream without any blackouts.
Watch live NBA games on Roku
You can watch NBA live games on Roku through services like NBA League Pass, Sling TV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and more. However, while these platforms cover major channels like TNT and ESPN, blackout restrictions could still block local games. To get around this, you’ll need to set up a VPN on your router. VPNs like NordVPN support a broad range of routers, allowing you to change your location and stream NBA games blackout-free.
Watch NBA games on Firestick
With Firestick, you can stream live NBA games through apps like Hulu, YouTube TV, Sling TV, and more. These platforms offer access to TNT, ESPN, and other channels, but blackouts might restrict local games. In that case, simply download a VPN app, like NordVPN, directly on your Firestick. This will help you change your virtual location and stream NBA games without blackouts.
Watch NBA games on Kodi
There are several high-quality Kodi add-ons that let NBA fans stream live games. For example, the Sling TV add-on provides access to NBA TV, TNT, ABC, and ESPN, while the Hulu add-on offers TNT, ABC, and ESPN channels. However, blackout restrictions could still get in the way, and to get around them, you’ll need a VPN. By setting up a VPN on your router, you can change your location and watch NBA games without restrictions.
Watch NBA anywhere with NordVPN
Stream NBA in any country
Global NBA League Pass is the best way to catch up with the 2024/25 NBA season. It’s available in most countries and streams all the games. However, each country also has its own platforms that stream the matches.
How to watch NBA games in Canada
NBA fans in Canada can stream matches through Sportsnet and TSN. However, their selection of games can be limited, therefore Global NBA League Pass is a great option for Canadians. To access NBA games outside of the country you will need a Canada VPN.
- Get a solid VPN provider. My choice is NordVPN, now 74% OFF.
- Connect to a country outside the US.
- Purchase Global NBA League Pass.
- Enjoy NBA games worry-free!
How to stream NBA in UK
NBA games are available in the UK through Sky Sports or NOW TV (with a Sky Sports pass). Fans can also purchase a Global NBA League Pass.
Since Sky Sports is only available in the UK, fans outside the UK must rely on the best VPN for the UK to watch the games from anywhere. Here’s a guide on how to watch Sky Sports or get a Global NBA League Pass:
- Get a trustworthy VPN. I recommend NordVPN, with 440+ servers in the UK.
- Connect to a server in the UK.
- Log in to the Sky Sports website or NOW TV.
- Unblock NBA games from anywhere!
How to stream NBA games in Australia
Australians can enjoy NBA games through Foxtel, and Kayo Sports. While both platforms offer ESPN coverage, they are unavailable outside the country. Therefore, if you’re traveling, you should get a trustworthy VPN for Australia to catch up with the games.
Another way to watch the games is through NBA League Pass or other streaming platforms, such as YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV. However, services like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV only work in the US, and you would also need a VPN for this to work. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to stream NBA games in Australia:
- Get a VPN service provider. My recommendation is NordVPN, known for its fast speeds and strong security.
- Connect to a server in Australia or the US, depending on which platform you want to access.
- Log in to a streaming service such as Foxtel or Kayo Sports.
- Enjoy all NBA matches!
Get the best VPN for Australia
NBA Standings 2024/25
| Western Conference | W-L | Eastern Conference | W-L | ||
| 1 | Golden State Warriors | 5-0 | 1 | New York Knicks | 4-0 |
| 2 | Oklahoma City Thunder | 4-1 | 2 | Boston Celtics | 4-1 |
| 3 | Utah Jazz | 4-1 | 3 | Miami Heat | 3-1 |
| 4 | LA Clippers | 4-1 | 4 | Detroit Pistons | 3-2 |
| 5 | Memphis Grizzlies | 3-1 | 5 | Philadelphia 76ers | 3-2 |
| 6 | Houston Rockets | 3-1 | 6 | Indiana Pacers | 2-2 |
| 7 | Portland Trail Blazers | 2-1 | 7 | Toronto Raptors | 2-2 |
| 8 | Phoenix Suns | 3-2 | 8 | Chicago Bulls | 2-2 |
| 9 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 2-3 | 9 | Charlotte Hornets | 2-2 |
| 10 | San Antonio Spurs | 2-3 | 10 | Brooklyn Nets | 1-2 |
Conclusion: best way to watch NBA games in 2024
You can catch the 2024/25 NBA season on streaming platforms like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV, which offer access to ESPN, ABC, and TNT. NBA League Pass is also a great option for live games, but keep in mind that blackout restrictions may apply for certain games based on your location. To bypass blackout restrictions and watch all NBA games live during the 2024/25 season, consider using a reliable VPN service.
NordVPN is the top choice for bypassing blackouts and watching NBA games seamlessly. With its extensive server network, you can easily access games from anywhere. Its lightning-fast speeds, powered by the NordLynx protocol, ensure smooth, lag-free 4K streaming, making it an ideal solution for uninterrupted NBA viewing.
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FAQ
Where can I watch NBA games online?
You can watch NBA games online through NBA League Pass and other streaming platforms, such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV, which offer access to networks like ESPN, ABC, and TNT. Depending on your location, you can still experience blackouts and limited coverage.
Can I watch NBA games without cable?
Yes, you can watch NBA games without cable through streaming services such as NBA League Pass, YouTube TV, and Hulu + Live TV. NBA League Pass streams most games live, so you can get the best game coverage.
What is the cheapest way to watch the NBA?
The cheapest way to watch the NBA is with NBA League Pass which costs only $16.99/month. You can cancel this plan anytime. You can also buy a seasonal subscription to save 40%. One-team fans and students also pay less.
Is there an app to watch all NBA games live?
Yes, the NBA League Pass app allows you to watch all NBA games live. Depending on your subscription, you can watch both in- and out-of-market games. However, local blackout restrictions may still apply. For those, I recommend using a reliable VPN, such as NordVPN.
Does Hulu have NBA TV?
While Hulu itself doesn’t have NBA TV, you can catch up with the games through Hulu + Live TV. It has access to live networks like TNT, ESPN, and others, that broadcast many NBA games.
Is it possible to watch NBA games for free?
Yes, some platforms, such as NBA League Pass, YouTube TV, or Hulu + Live TV, offer free game streaming through free trials or special offers. Additionally, you can try some local networks to see if they stream local games for free. However, be wary of illegitimate streaming sites as they can pose risks, such as malware or legal consequences.
