Watch NBA live streams on NBA League Pass 2023

The road to the NBA Finals rages on as the season’s second half is officially underway. Although the Boston Celtics opened the campaign as favorites to win their first title since 2008, any road to celebrating with the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy might need to go through Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. The Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, Philadelphia 76ers, and Phoenix Suns headline the list of other aspiring title contenders. We’ll see if LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and the Los Angeles Lakers can get hot and return to the playoffs. 

Whether you’re looking to find the best way to watch the NBA using NBA League Pass, or test cord-cutting services that include NBA action, you can do it all with the help of a VPN.

On this page, you can find information on how to watch the league you love, plus who looks like a good bet to win the NBA Finals.

How to stream the NBA with a VPN

You can stream the NBA in just a few simple steps:

1. Get ExpressVPN.
2. Connect to a server location in the U.S.
3. Clear browsing data and cookies.
4. Open your NBA League Pass or choose your preferred streaming platform to watch ABC or ESPN.
5. Tune in and enjoy!

Watching on a computer? For the best streaming experience, be sure to use the ExpressVPN browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.

How to stream the NBA with League Pass

If you want to check out the biggest showcase game the NBA has to offer, there isn’t a better option than NBA League Pass. You can enjoy games without blackouts by using the international version of the service and it comes with a strong seven-day free trial.

NBA League Pass

Price: From 12 USD/season

Want to enjoy NBA games with the privacy and security of a VPN? NBA League Pass is your best option.

NBA game blackouts: International League Pass vs. U.S. League Pass

What’s the difference between watching NBA League Pass in Germany, Australia, Canada, or the U.S.? League Pass is available both inside and outside the States. However, there are key differences every fan needs to know.

The U.S. League Pass offers live games and full-game replays for all teams. However, blackouts apply. When a team is playing, that game will be “blacked out” on the U.S. League Pass for the team’s home market. Nationally broadcast games on ESPN, ABC, TNT, and NBA TV—in other words, most of the playoffs—will also be blacked out. (All blacked-out games are available three days after broadcast. If you purchased the 3-Game Choice package, nationally telecast games will be available for purchase three hours after they have aired. Locally telecast games will be available for purchase three days after they air.)

Want to tune in without having to worry about blackouts? The International League Pass also offers live games for all teams, but without a single blackout!

That’s because blackouts are put in place to protect local broadcasters’ viewership while preserving users’ ability to watch out-of-market games. If you’re streaming from a country outside the United States or Canada, every game is effectively “out-of-market,” meaning that there are no blackouts to worry about. If you only want to watch the games for a single team, select the “Team Choice” option to save some money!

How to cancel NBA League Pass

If you feel like you’re not getting value out of your subscription, cancelling it is not an arduous process. There’s actually a comprehensive guide on how to cancel. You should also be aware that the service auto-renews monthly—if you’re on a monthly subscription—or prior to the season if you’ve purchased an annual subscription. You can opt out of auto-renewals and you will be notified by email prior to getting auto-renewed for a full season.

Stream the NBA using services with free trials

There are a number of cord-cutting services available that should cover your needs. They can be slightly pricey, but most offer free trials so you have ample opportunity to see if they’re worth it for you.

SlingTV

Price: 35 USD/month and up
Channels: ABC, ESPN, TNT

SlingTV includes channels that carry NBA games, such as ESPN, TNT, and ESPN3 (NBA on ABC). To get all of these channels, you’ll need to get Sling Orange as well as Sling Blue (a combined package costs 50 USD).

Note: You will need a U.S. credit card or PayPal in order to subscribe.

YouTube TV

Price: 73 USD/month and up
Channels: ABC, ESPN, TNT, NBA TV

YouTube TV offers over 70 local channels, including ABC. A subscription costs 73 USD/month, and doesn’t require a U.S. billing address (though you may need to provide a U.S. ZIP code based on your preferred viewing area). The service includes a variety of sports channels and a 14-day free trial.

DirecTV Stream

Price: 70 USD/month and up
Channels: ABC, ESPN, NBA TV, TNT

DirecTV Stream is on the pricier side but if you prefer a cord-cutting service over an additional streaming app it’s a great option as the “Choice” package (80 USD/month) includes many regional sports networks. DirecTV offers a 5-day free trial.

Hulu+Live TV

Price: 70 USD/month and up
Channels: ABC, ESPN, NBA TV, TNT

Hulu+Live TV carries all the channels broadcasting national NBA games, as well as many regional sports networks. The monthly rate also includes subscriptions to Disney+ and ESPN. Note that Hulu does not offer a free trial, however, and requires both a U.S. ZIP code and credit card billing address.

Fubo

Price: 70 USD/month
Channels: ESPN, ABC, NBA TV

Fubo is a fantastic, if pricey, option for streaming NBA games, but do note that Fubo does not include TNT, which airs both regular season and playoff games. A 7-day free trial is available for those who don’t want to commit to a subscription.

2023 NBA Finals odds

Will Stephen Curry and the Warriors repeat as champions? Here are the latest 2023 NBA Finals odds according to the FanDuel Sportsbook.

NBA Games of the Week

From nationally televised Thursday night matchups to intriguing late-night showdowns, we’ve got you covered with the best NBA games to watch each week. Note that you can stream all these games using the international version of NBA League Pass. 

Kings vs. Celtics – Tuesday, March 21, 10 p.m. EDT / 2 a.m. GMT: Pop quiz: When did the Kings and the Celtics last make the postseason in the same year? The answer is not 2006, which before this year marked the Kings’ most recent playoff berth. You have to go back to 2005, when Gary Payton served as the Celtics’ starting point guard and Chris Webber led the Kings in scoring. Things will look quite different Tuesday night, let alone when the playoffs start next month. NBA TV will offer national coverage outside of the Sacramento and Boston markets.

Mavericks vs. Warriors – Wednesday, March 22, 7:30 p.m. EDT / 11:30 p.m. GMT: The wacky and wild Western Conference playoff picture is nowhere close to finalized. The Mavericks and Warriors still have enough time to find themselves as either top-6 seeds or out of the postseason entirely. Although the likeliest scenario is both teams will make the Play-In Tournament, why leave that up to chance? Catch the action on ESPN.

Lakers vs. Suns – Wednesday, March 22, 10 p.m. ET / 2 a.m. GMT: Barring an unexpected collapse in the season’s final weeks, Devin Booker and the Suns are assured of a playoff spot. We can’t say the same for Anthony Davis and the Lakers, who are still chasing one of the Western Conference’s playoff spots; the Purple and Yellow entered the week in tenth-place. Can Davis and the Lakers record a crucial win Wednesday night? Tune in on ESPN.

Magic vs. Knicks – Thursday, March 23, 7 p.m. EDT / 11 a.m. GMT: Although the Magic are likely to miss the postseason yet again, they’ve at least shown promise throughout the 2022-23 campaign. We’re especially impressed with young forward Bol Bol, who has exploded for career-highs in points (9.1), rebounds (5.8), and blocks (1.2) in his first season with the Magic. Can the 7-foot-2 big man help upset Jalen Brunson and the Knicks? NBA TV will offer national coverage unless you live in Orlando or New York. 

Clippers vs. Thunder – Thursday, March 23, 10:30 p.m. EDT / 2:30 a.m. GMT: Elsewhere in the Western Conference, Paul George and the Clippers remain on pace to avoid the Play-In Tournament. However, the playoff picture remains so chaotic and congested that, yes, the Clippers could easily lose their current No. 5 seed and potentially face All-Star point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s talented Thunder squad come the tournament. As we’d love to see these two squads face off in the first round, Thursday night will hopefully be a preview of things to come. Tune in on League Pass or NBA TV.

Nuggets vs. Bucks – Saturday, March 25, 9 p.m. EDT / 1 a.m. GMT: Nikola Jokić missed the Nuggets’ 107-99 victory over the Bucks on January 25 while battling hamstring tightness. Ideally, no injuries or (shudders) load management will keep the two-time defending MVP from facing Giannis Antetokounmpo on Saturday night. We deserve to see one regular-season battle between the two before officially predicting a Nuggets-Bucks NBA Finals showdown. Catch the game on League Pass or NBA TV.

2023 NBA second-half storylines

All eyes are on the Celtics as they look to complete their sensational season with their first championship in 15 years. Here’s what other storylines we’ll be watching during the 2022-23 NBA season’s second half:

Dreams (or drama) in Dallas? All-Star guard Luka Dončić’s presence already made the Dallas Mavericks an aspiring title contender. In theory, the midseason arrival of point guard Kyrie Irving should have turned the Mavs into legitimate championship hopefuls. However, Irving’s history of injuries and off-court controversies quickly raised concerns about how he and Dončić would mesh in the high-stakes environment of a stretch run. Basketball fans can only hope we see Irving and the Mavericks battle Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns during the playoffs.

Jokić for three! Only 10 players, including Michael Jordan and LeBron James, have won the MVP Award at least three times. Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić is vying to become the 11th, and the odds appear in his favor so long as he avoids the injury bug. Perhaps in part because he plays for the Nuggets, we don’t discuss Jokić the way we do James or Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. It’s time to start putting respect on the Nuggets’ name as the Jokić-led squad gears up for another championship chase.

Load management woes: The NBA’s long-standing issues with star players sitting out for “load management” clearly aren’t changing anytime soon. Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards and commissioner Adam Silver chimed in on the controversial approach around the All-Star Break, with Silver suggesting there’s not enough data to determine where the problem specifically lies. He might be right, but that doesn’t change the fact that basketball fans want to see a healthy Stephen Curry suit up when they buy tickets to a Warriors game. Look for load management to remain a problem in the second half, especially as teams clinch playoff berths.

New-look Nets: The Brooklyn Nets finally ended their latest disastrous attempt at a Big 3 when Irving and Durant were dealt ahead of the trade deadline. Although oft-criticized guard Ben Simmons remains in Brooklyn for now, he likely won’t be with the team next season. Young guard Cam Thomas, center Nic Claxton, and fan-favorite point guard Spencer Dinwiddie headline a core that hopes to make a deep playoff run without the controversial Irving and injury-prone Durant around to take the focus off basketball.

Win games, lose Wembanyama: Whichever team earns the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft will almost certainly select French big man Victor Wembanyama, who has frequently drawn comparisons to Hall of Fame center Ralph Sampson and Washington Wizards forward Kristaps Porziņģis. As of March 20, Tankathon currently believes the Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, and Houston Rockets all have the best odds (14%) of winning the Draft Lottery and a shot at Wembanyama.

2023 NBA Award Watch

Will Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokić be crowned NBA MVP for the third straight season? Here’s who we believe have positioned themselves to earn some hardware in the coming months.

NBA MVP: Nikola Jokić, C, Denver Nuggets

We might as well rename the award after Jokić if he’s again named MVP. The five-time All-Star is on pace to average a triple-double for the season and has the Nuggets in an excellent position to earn the Western Conference’s top seed. Oh, and Jokić is still only 28 years old. Perhaps this will be the year that the NBA world at large finally starts talking about the Joker the way they do LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Other candidates: Giannis Antetokounmpo, F, Milwaukee Bucks; Luka Dončić, G, Dallas Mavericks; Joel Embiid, C, Philadelphia 76ers

Rookie of the Year: Paolo Banchero, F, Orlando Magic

Barring anything unexpected over the regular season’s final weeks, Banchero has likely clinched Rookie of the Year. The No. 1 overall pick in last summer’s draft has been a potent scorer for the Magic, who remain on pace for their most wins since a 42-victory output during the 2018-19 campaign. Previous Magic players to win Rookie of the Year include Shaquille O’Neal (1992-93) and Mike Miller (2000-01).

Other candidates: Bennedict Mathurin, F, Indiana Pacers; Jaden Ivey, G, Detroit Pistons

Sixth Man of the Year: Malcolm Brogdon, G, Boston Celtics

After primarily being a starter throughout his time with the Bucks and Pacers, Brogdon immediately transitioned into a dangerous sixth man upon joining the Celtics. The 2016-17 Rookie of the Year entered the All-Star Break shooting a career-best 45.5% from 3-point land and has played a pivotal role in Boston’s latest sensational season. Brogdon has an opportunity to become the Celtics’ first Sixth Man of the Year since Hall of Fame center Bill Walton in 1986. Good news for Celtics fans: Walton ended that season with an NBA Finals victory.

Other candidates: Norman Powell, G/F, Los Angeles Clippers; Russell Westbrook, G, Los Angeles Clippers; Tyrese Maxey, G, Philadelphia 76ers

Defensive Player of the Year: Jaren Jackson Jr., C, Memphis Grizzlies

Good luck scoring on Jackson, the fifth-year center who reached his first All-Star Game this season. Both his highlights and statistics have gone viral throughout the Grizzlies’ latest bid to finally reach the NBA Finals. No Grizzlies player has won Defensive Player of the Year since center Marc Gasol in 2013.

Other candidates: Bam Adebayo, C, Miami Heat; Brook Lopez, C, Milwaukee Bucks; Nic Claxton, C, Brooklyn Nets

Most Improved Player: Lauri Markkanen, F, Utah Jazz

In the end, all Lauri Markkanen needed was a change of scenery. The Finnisher has dominated in his first season with the Jazz, earning All-Star honors and averaging career-highs in points and field-goal percentage through the All-Star Break. Not only has the 25-year-old Markkanen emerged as a legitimate building block, but he has an excellent chance to become the first Jazz member to win Most Improved Player.

Other candidates: Cam Thomas, G, Brooklyn Nets; Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, G, Oklahoma City Thunder; Tyrese Haliburton, G, Indiana Pacers

Coach of the Year: Joe Mazzulla, Boston Celtics

Celtics fans were forgiven if they confused Mazzulla with mozzarella when the 34-year-old replaced Ime Udoka on the eve of the season. Mazzulla, a former West Virginia University standout, may have clinched Coach of the Year when he earned both the permanent job and an extension in February. No Celtics coach has won Coach of the Year since Bil Fitch in 1979-80.

Other candidates: Jacque Vaughn, Brooklyn Nets (interim); J.B. Bickerstaff, Cleveland Cavaliers; Taylor Jenkins, Memphis Grizzlies

Other professional basketball leagues

Basketball fans had no shortage of alternative leagues to watch this summer. Here’s our guide on how to get your basketball fix throughout the NBA offseason:

NBA Summer League

What to know: All 30 teams will field rosters primarily consisting of rookies, young players, and veterans trying to earn a regular-season spot during an 11-day, 75-game competition this summer. The official NBA 2K23 Summer League will mostly take place in Las Vegas, with some July games also happening in San Francisco and Salt Lake City.

Our favorite way to watch with a VPN: All 75 Summer League games will air live on ESPN Networks or NBA TV. The international version of NBA League Pass is expected to carry every game this summer.

The Basketball Tournament (TBT)

What to know: Although the NBA Summer League is primarily focused around younger players, The Basketball Tournament provides a flashback to stars of old. Former college basketball and NBA standouts will represent their alma maters in a 64-team tournament in Dayton, Ohio. The winning team will earn a 1 million USD cash prize.

Notable names expected to participate in the 2022 TBT include former BYU guard and National Player of the Year Jimmer Fredette (The Money Team), ex-Syracuse standout Tyler Ennis (Boeheim’s Army), and longtime NBA veteran C.J. Miles (Sideline Cancer). Amen and Ausar Thompson, two projected 2023 lottery picks, are expected to play for Team Overtime.

Our favorite way to watch with a VPN: Games will air on ESPN starting with the tip-off on July 16 and culminating with the championship game on Monday, July 25. SlingTV offers ESPN at an affordable rate.

BIG3

What to know: Ice Cube’s popular 3-on-3 pro basketball league is back for another year. Former Brooklyn Nets shooting guard and seven-time All-Star Joe Johnson dropped 30 points in the 2022 opener and still looks sharp despite turning 41 this summer. Other notable names include former Miami Heat forward Michael Beasley, high-flying dunker Gerald Green, and ex-Orlando Magic big man Rashard Lewis. Teams will play an eight-week regular season, a two-week postseason, and end the year with an All-Star Weekend trip to the Bahamas from September 3-4.

Our favorite way to watch with a VPN: Although BIG3 will stream some games on its official YouTube channel, other games will air on CBS, Paramount+, and DAZN. Make sure to check the league’s comprehensive schedule.

Key dates for the 2022-2023 NBA season

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