How to Watch 2025-26 NBA Games Online Without Cable

Basketball is back on Oct. 21 — here’s the best way to livestream games online

By Oscar Hartzog

Oscar Hartzog

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October 20, 2025

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The 2025-26 NBA season is here. The Oklahoma City Thunder are this year’s reigning champions after defeating the Indiana Pacers in the Finals earlier this year for their first title since moving cities. The young team has a strong shot at back-to-back titles, but they’ll face tough competition in the West from the likes of the Houston Rockets, who just added Kevin Durant, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Denver Nuggets. In the East, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the New York Knicks, and the Minnesota Timberwolves are all looking strong again.

At a Glance: How to Watch NBA Games

get free trial at directv

As always, however, fans might need to dial in their streaming setup ahead of the new NBA season to watch games online. Ahead is a quick guide on the best way to livestream NBA games online without cable.

How to Watch NBA Games Online (2025-26 Season)

NBA games will air on ESPN, ABC, NBC, NBA TV, and regional sports networks (RSNs). If you don’t have cable, the best way to watch NBA games online is to get a live TV streaming service that carries all those channels.

Our favorite live TV streaming service for NBA games is DIRECTV. The service carries ESPN, ABC, NBC, NBA TV, and RSNs (vary by market and service section) in many of its plans. The most affordable option focused on sports is the MySports Genre Pack, which costs $69.99 a month. Right now, however, get $10 off your first two months* and start with a free 5-day trial.

How to Watch NBA Games Online: Stream Basketball Free Without Cable

editor’s Pick

DirecTV

get free trial

➤ $69.99/month
➤ Five-day free trial
➤ Up to 185+ channels

If you want even more channels, upgrade to one of DIRECTV’s Streaming Packages. These start at $49.99 for your first month — $79.99 for months two and three** — and carry 90+ channels. These plans also begin with a five-day free trial.

2025-26 NBA Season Dates

The 2025-26 NBA season kicks off on Oct. 21, 2025, and runs through April 12, 2026.

*New customers only. Includes free trial, followed by 2-mo. promo; thereafter svc auto-renews monthly at then-prevailing rate (curr. $69.99/mo.) unless you cancel. Cancel anytime. Local channels vary by market. Blackout restrictions apply.

**Limited Time Offer. $79.99/mo. for mos. 2-3 w/ENTERTAINMENT pkg.; $89.99/mo. for mos. 4-24). Includes $40 off for 1st mo.; $10 off for mos. 2-3, then reg. monthly price (curr. $89.99/mo.) Cancel anytime. Select Sales Channels only. See directv.com/affiliates/stream for offer details.
New residential customers only. A valid card is required; card may be charged a temporary hold during trial period. After trial, service renews monthly unless canceled. Cancel anytime. Restr’s apply.

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