Watch NBA live streams on NBA League Pass 2023

The 2022-23 NBA season is officially underway, and basketball fans are paying close attention to everything from the Golden State Warriors‘ title defense to the dysfunctional (but still incredibly talented) Brooklyn Nets. 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.

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 17 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: 65 USD/month and up
Channels: ABC, ESPN, TNT, NBA TV

YouTube TV offers over 70 local channels, including ABC. A subscription costs 65 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 5-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.

FuboTV

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

FuboTV 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. 

Nets vs. Clippers – Monday, February 6, 7:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 a.m. GMT: Fans who bought tickets to a game featuring three All-Star selections will only see Clippers forward Paul George. The Nets traded controversial point guard Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks and now-former teammate Kevin Durant remains out with a knee injury. The most optimistic fans of either team might view this Monday showdown as a potential NBA Finals preview. Those who consider themselves realists—or cynics!—could instead see this game as a battle between two teams destined to lose in the first round. Regardless of how you feel, you can catch this game on NBA TV, which will offer national coverage outside the New York and Los Angeles markets.

Pelicans vs. Hawks – Tuesday, February 7, 7:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 a.m. GMT: Amid Zion Williamson’s latest injury, the Pelicans recently lost 10 straight before ending the streak last weekend. New Orleans entered the week with a 28-27 record and ninth place in the Western Conference standings. Tuesday is an excellent opportunity for Brandon Ingram and the Pelicans to get back on track against Trae Young and the Hawks. Catch the game on TNT. 

Lakers vs. Thunder – Tuesday, February 7, 10:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 a.m. GMT: If all goes to plan, this could be when LeBron James passes Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the league’s all-time scoring leader. James entered the week 36 points shy following a 27-point outburst against the Pelicans on Saturday. Will The King make history at home, or might fans have to wait just a little longer? Watch this Western Conference showdown through NBA League Pass.

Clippers vs. Mavericks – Tuesday, February 8, 10 p.m. ET / 3 a.m. GMT: We welcome Mavericks fans to the Kyrie Irving show, one that often has its share of incredible highs and unfathomable, unexplainable lows. So long as he has no issues with his physical, Irving is expected to make his Mavs debut Wednesday night against George and the Clippers. ESPN will have full coverage. 

Lakers vs. Bucks – Thursday, February 9, 10 p.m. ET / 3 a.m. GMT: Well, at least we know that if LeBron doesn’t pass Kareem on Tuesday night, the odds will certainly be in his favor to do so against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks on Thursday. That matchup also serves a tantalizing opportunity to watch LeBron vs. Giannis, so long as neither superstar rests during a nationally televised game. Watch the game on TNT.

Celtics vs. Grizzlies – Sunday, February 12, 2 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. GMT: If Super Bowl 57 is the main course for sports fans on Sunday, then the Celtics–Grizzlies game should be an impressive appetizer. Jayson Tatum scored 39 points in Boston’s 109-106 victory over Ja Morant (30 points, eight rebounds, nine assists) and Memphis all the way back on November 7. Will things be any different three months later? ABC will have full coverage.

LeBron James scoring tracker

As of February 6, 2023, Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James is currently 36 career points from passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the league’s all-time scoring leader. James’ next game is against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, February 7.

All about the 2023 NBA All-Star Game

The 2023 All-Star Game will take place on Sunday, February 19. Here’s everything you need to know about All-Star Weekend.

When is the 2023 NBA All-Star Game?

The 2023 NBA All-Star Game is the main event of All-Star Weekend, a three-day stretch in mid-February. The weekend begins with the All-Star Celebrity Game and Rising Stars Game on Friday, February 17. The Skills Challenge, 3-Point Contest, and Slam Dunk Contest are all scheduled for Saturday, February 18. LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the league’s top players hit the court on Sunday, February 19. TNT will have full coverage of the All-Star Game.

Where is the 2023 NBA All-Star Game?

Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah, will host the 2023 NBA All-Star Game. Utah last hosted the All-Star Game in 1993, when Jazz stars and hometown favorites Karl Malone and John Stockton led the West to a 135-132 victory over Michael Jordan and the East.

Who is playing in the 2023 NBA All-Star Game?

The NBA announced the All-Star starters on Thursday, January 26, and confirmed the reserves a week later. Here’s who will suit up in the 2023 NBA All-Star Game.

Eastern Conference All-Star starters

Western Conference All-Star starters

*denotes captain

+Irving was traded to the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday, February 5.

Eastern Conference All-Star reserves

Western Conference All-Star reserves

2022 NBA early season storylines

The 2022-23 NBA season features no shortage of intriguing storylines. Here’s what we’ll be clued on during the league’s 76th campaign:

A further return to normalcy: In large part because of a complete 82-game season and packed crowds, the 2021-22 NBA season took a significant step in returning to pre-pandemic standards. The 2022-23 campaign is scheduled to include international games and, barring any unexpected setbacks, no instances of unvaccinated players being barred from participating in games. That’s good news for Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving, who has a 36.5 million USD salary this year. And speaking of Irving…

Kyrie, KD, and the dysfunctional Nets: The Nets are running it back with the duo of Irving and Kevin Durant, each of whom were linked to trades throughout the offseason. Former Philadelphia 76ers All-Star Ben Simmons also finally made his debut in October, months after arriving in a trade for James Harden. If all three stay on the court and out of further drama, the Nets have the potential to be a top-3 team in the Eastern Conference. 

The Boston Celtics’ drama: Few would have guessed the Celtics would reach the postseason, much less the NBA Finals, when the 17-time champions had an 18-21 record in January 2022. Shows what we knew. However, the Celts’ 2023 championship hopes took a significant hit in September, when the team suspended head coach Ime Udoka for the season for violating team rules. Boston is also expected to open the new year without talented big man Robert Williams as he recovers from knee surgery. What’s next for the Celtics?

LeBron’s last ride? (No, probably not): LeBron James will turn 38 years old in December, which is absolutely frightening to read. Although oddsmakers are high on the Los Angeles Lakers’ chances of winning a second title in four years, we don’t see it. James and All-Star big man Anthony Davis have repeatedly struggled with injuries in recent years, and veteran point guard Russell Westbrook remains on the trade block. We’ll see if The King makes it long enough to play alongside his son, Bronny, in 2024.

Old faces, new places: For once, NBA free agency was fairly boring. Instead, the most significant names moved via trades. Longtime Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert will suit up for the Minnesota Timberwolves this season; his former teammate, Donovan Mitchell, joined the Cleveland Cavaliers. Elsewhere in the Western Conference, five-time All-Star point guard John Wall is now on the Los Angeles Clippers.

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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