Stream NBA games online with a VPN

Whether you’re looking to stream NBA games for free, find the best way to watch on NBA League Pass, or test cord-cutting services that include NBA action, you’ve come to the right place.

On this page you can find information on how to watch the league you love, analyses and predictions for big games coming up, and which team looks like a good bet to win it all.

Stream NBA games free — or listen along

There are a couple of options if you want to follow the NBA all season long without paying a dime. We recommend Locast.org as an option for taking in nationally-televised games on ABC, and ESPN Radio for fans who are on the go, love to multitask, or just can’t get enough of an old-school experience.

Watch NBA games on ABC using Locast.org

Price: Free

Channel: ABC

Locast.org is a not-for-profit service that offers free local programming from a variety of major American media markets. With its help you can tune into nationally-televised games that appear on ABC. Not only do you get prime-time matchups during the season, ABC’s offerings skyrocket during the playoffs and include the NBA Finals.

To watch the NBA live on Locast:

1. Get ExpressVPN.
2. Fire up the ExpressVPN browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.
3. Connect to a server location in the U.S. that Locast serves (such as Chicago or Los Angeles).
4. Go to Locast.org and sign up for a free profile.
5. Select the market that corresponds with the server location you’re connected to.
6. Tune into the local ABC channel and enjoy the game!

Follow basketball games on ESPN Radio

Price: Free

While ABC, TNT, ESPN, and NBA TV hold TV broadcasting rights, ESPN Radio offers a free online audio broadcast of the entire season.

1. Get ExpressVPN.
2. Connect to a secure server location in the U.S. For assistance, contact ExpressVPN Support via live chat.
3. Head to the official website of ESPN Radio.
4. You’re all set!

Listening on mobile? Fire up the ESPN app on your Android or iOS device.

Stream NBA games using NBA League Pass

If you are a serious fan who wants access to every single game, or at least all of your team’s games, there isn’t a better option than NBA League Pass. You can enjoy the games without blackouts by using the international version of the service.

Use NBA League Pass international to watch every game without blackouts

Want to catch all the NBA action throughout the year with the privacy and security of a VPN? NBA League Pass is your best option. To make things even better, it currently comes with a seven-day free trial.

To watch basketball on NBA League Pass:

1. Get ExpressVPN.
2. Connect to a fast and secure server location. For assistance, contact ExpressVPN Support via live chat.
3. Head to NBA League Pass and sign up.
4. Enjoy the games!

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

Stream NBA games using services with free trials

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

Watch live basketball games on YouTube TV

Price: 65 USD/month

Channels: ABC, TNT, ESPN, Stadium, and NBA TV

YouTube TV provides secure access to all four channels that broadcast the 2019-2020 basketball regular season: ABC, TNT, ESPN, and NBA TV. A five-day free trial is available.

Note: Some locally televised games may not be available.

To watch basketball live on YouTube TV:

1. Get ExpressVPN.
2. Connect to a secure server location in the United States, such as Chicago. For assistance, contact ExpressVPN Support via live chat.
3. Head to YouTube TV and use the free trial.
4. Enjoy the games!

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

Watching on mobile? Fire up the YouTube TV app on your Android or iOS device.

Stream live basketball on Hulu + Live TV

Price: 65 USD/month

Channels: ESPN, ABC, and TNT

Hulu’s live TV package includes three channels for secure NBA streams: ESPN, ABC, and TNT. You may need a U.S. credit card or PayPal account to subscribe. While some locally televised games may not be available, you can try the service with a seven-day free trial.

To stream the NBA on Hulu:

1. Get ExpressVPN.
2. Connect to a secure server location in the United States, such as Chicago. For assistance, contact ExpressVPN Support via live chat.
3. Visit Hulu and use the free trial.
4. Enjoy the games!

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

Watching on mobile? Fire up the Hulu app on your iOS device.

Learn more about connecting to Hulu with ExpressVPN.

Stream live basketball games with AT&T TV Now

Price: 55 USD/month and up

Channels: ESPN, ABC, TNT, and NBA TV (NBA TV is available via the “Xtra” package or above for 124 USD/month)

Looking for another secure way to watch live basketball? AT&T TV Now offers ABC, TNT, and ESPN. While some locally televised games may not be available, you can try the service with a seven-day free trial.

To watch NBA games on AT&T TV Now:

1. Get ExpressVPN.
2. Connect to a secure server location in the United States, such as San Francisco. For assistance, contact ExpressVPN Support via live chat.
3. Visit AT&T TV Now and use a free trial.
4. Enjoy the games!

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

Watching on mobile? Fire up the AT&T TV Now app on your Android or iOS device.

Learn more about watching AT&T TV Now with ExpressVPN.

Watch basketball games live on Sling TV Orange

Price: 20 USD/month and up

Channels: ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV (NBA TV is available via the “Sports Extra” add-on for an extra 10 USD/month)

Use ExpressVPN and Sling TV to watch two out of four channels for streaming basketball securely this season: TNT and ESPN. While some locally televised games may not be available, you can try the service with a three-day free trial.

To watch live NBA games on Sling TV:

1. Get ExpressVPN.
2. Connect to a secure server location in the United States, such as Los Angeles. For assistance, contact ExpressVPN Support via live chat.
3. Go to Sling TV and sign up for a free trial.
4. Enjoy the games!

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

Watching on mobile? Fire up the Sling TV app on Android and iOS.

Learn more about how to watch Sling TV with ExpressVPN.

Watch basketball live streams on fuboTV

Price: 65 USD/month

Channels: NBA TV and TNT

You can use fuboTV to securely watch two out of the four channels that carry the games: TNT and NBA TV. While some locally televised games may not be available, you can try the service with a seven-day free trial.

To watch the NBA on fuboTV:

1. Get ExpressVPN.
2. Connect to a secure server location in the United States, such as Chicago. For assistance, contact ExpressVPN Support via live chat.
3. Go to fuboTV and use a free trial.
4. Enjoy the games!

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

Watching on mobile? Fire up the fuboTV app on Android

Learn more about watching fuboTV with ExpressVPN.

Pro tip: Use the free trials for all of the channels above for over a month of free streams!

Watch basketball highlights and more on the NBA’s official YouTube channel

Check out the latest highlights, interviews, funny moments, and more on NBA’s official YouTube channel.

To watch highlights on YouTube:

1. Get ExpressVPN.
2. Connect to a server location in the U.S.
3. Go to the NBA YouTube channel.
4. You’re all set!

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

Watching on mobile? Fire up the Amazon Prime Video app on your Android or iOS device.

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.? The 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 will also not 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. If you only want to watch the games for a single team, select the “Team Choice” option to save some money!

NBA Award Races

We’re just a few games into the season, so it’s probably too early to be commenting on the awards races. However, here are our top picks so far.

MVP – Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets

Now that the Nets look poised to take off behind their “big three” of Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving, the Slim Reaper has a chance to look like the engine of a dominant team. After a year off recovering from his Achilles injury, Durant has been outstanding, putting up some of the best scoring numbers in the league with elite efficiency. Since the Harden trade Durant has been asked to take on more defensive responsibilities, and if he’s able to hold up as the Nets’ biggest difference maker on both ends of the floor, he’s got a great chance to earn the trophy.

(Preseason prediction: Giannis Antetokounmpo)

Defensive Player of the Year – Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz

Gobert didn’t get the nickname “The Stifle Tower” for nothing. He entered the week in the top three in the NBA in blocks, rebounds per game, and shots defended per game—and held opponents to approximately 40 percent on those shots. The Jazz have gotten off to an excellent start and behind their strong defense helps and he’s been the centerpiece of that success.

(Preseason prediction: Bam Adebayo)

Rookie of the Year – LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets

While Ball still isn’t an efficient scorer, or a valuable defender, he makes a varied and valuable contribution to the Hornets side. The 19-year-old has been effective as a playmaker, and on the glass, while providing some isolation scoring late in the shot clock. This rookie class hasn’t impressed thus far, but Ball looks like the best of the bunch in the early going. Anthony Edwards has been a slightly more prolific scorer, but he hasn’t made as much of a difference in other aspects of the game.

(Preseason prediction: LaMelo Ball)

Most Improved Player – Christian Wood, Houston Rockets

Wood looks like the steal of free agency for the Rockets and he’s changed the paradigm for a team that looked like it would collapse due to James Harden-related chaos. He’s been entrusted with far more minutes than he’s played at any point in his career and has rewarded that trust with impressive production. Wood entered Tuesday’s action with more points per game (23.8) than Lebron James. While that probably won’t last, he looks like a true difference maker—especially if he can recapture the three-point shooting form he displayed last season.

(Preseason prediction: Ben Simmons)

Sixth Man of the Year – Jordan Clarkson, Utah Jazz

None of the favorites for this award have put themselves on the map yet, but Clarkson has given the Jazz some much-needed offensive punch. Not only is the veteran providing volume scoring, but his three-point shot has been deadly, which has created space for his teammates. The 52 million USD contract Clarkson landed in the offseason raised some eyebrows around the NBA, but it looks like a strong investment by the Jazz so far.

(Preseason prediction: Dennis Schröder)

Coach of the Year – Doc Rivers, Philadelphia 76ers

Prior to the season we picked Rivers for this award thanks to the 76ers’ ability to turn things around and the likelihood that he’d get credit for that. So far, Philadelphia has been perhaps the only consistently great team in the Eastern Conference. Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons are co-existing effectively, and the duo of Tobias Harris and Seth Curry is providing enough outside shooting to keep the spacing reasonable. It’s hard to pinpoint how much of that Rivers is responsible for, but he seems to be having a positive impact.

(Preseason prediction: Doc Rivers)

Who’s going to win the NBA title?

We’re so early in the season that nothing we’ve seen thus far should shake our preconceived notions of what each team brings to the table. The Lakers are still the clear favorites, and their rival Clippers are probably the next-best team in the Western Conference. Dark horses include the Nuggets, who shocked the Clippers in the playoffs last season, and and the Suns, who are off to a hot start behind the duo of Chris Paul and Devin Booker.

In the East, the Boston Celtics have a starting lineup that plays shutdown defense with a still-improving Jayson Tatum anchoring the offense. The 76ers are grappling with whether their superstars, Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, fit alongside each other, but they’ve got talent up and down the roster. Their shooting has improved, too. The Bucks will always have a seat at the table as long as they feature Giannis Antetokounmpo. Rounding out the list are the Brooklyn Nets, with their superstar trio of Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving providing a solid opportunity to disrupt the established order. But despite questionable early returns, the Nets still have a lot of potential as the season goes into full swing.

Key Dates for the NBA Season