How to Watch NBA Games Without Cable

Basketball season is back in full swing, and many fans believe they need an expensive cable plan to catch all the action.

Thanks to live TV streaming services, that is no longer the case.

You can easily watch NBA games without cable. Our guide shares the best ways to enjoy the entire season without breaking the bank.

What Channels Do You Need to Watch Basketball Games?

In order to stream NBA games without cable, you need just a few channels.

Here are the networks you need to catch the action:

• ABC
• ESPN
• TNT

If you want to watch all of your local NBA games, you will also need access to a regional sports network (RSN). RSNs often allow cord-cutters to watch their local market teams.

NBA TV is also a good choice if you want to watch games, though not all internet-based streaming services offer the network.

Ways to Watch NBA Games Without Cable

There are numerous ways to watch basketball without cable. Here are the top choices to get games this NBA season.

1. Purchase an Antenna

If you are a casual fan who merely wants nationally televised NBA games, an over-the-air antenna is your best option.

An antenna lets you watch national broadcasts of Sunday games and the NBA Finals.

If this is sufficient for your needs, you can purchase an antenna on Amazon for an affordable, one-time cost.

However, an antenna won’t be sufficient for the devout NBA fan. You will need a no-contract service to stream basketball games.

2. Sling TV

Sling TV is the most economical option for streaming live NBA games. The service has two package options, including Orange and Blue. Both cost $35 a month.

You will want to select Sling Orange since that gives you both ESPN and TNT. If you want NBA TV, you can add the Sports Extra add-on for an additional $11 per month.

When paired with an antenna, you can watch most of the regular season and the NBA playoffs.

Read our review of Sling TV to learn more.

3. Hulu with Live TV

Hulu Live is another suitable alternative to watch pro basketball without a TV provider. The service includes ESPN and TNT in its base package as well as all your local networks.

Unfortunately, Hulu Live is on the more expensive end at $69.99 per month. It also does not offer NBA TV in any add-on package, unlike other streaming services.

However, the service will offer an unlimited DVR as of April 13, 2022.

You will be able to access many games, but not all of them.

Read our review of Hulu with Live TV to learn more.  

4. YouTube TV

YouTube TV is one of the best choices to watch the NBA livestream. The service includes ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV in its base package.

The streaming giant also offers all local channels in this package.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t include most RSNs. Aside from that, you get everything you need in its $65 per month plan.

If RSNs are essential to you, DIRECTV STREAM may be a suitable choice. Read our comparison of the two streaming services to learn more.

That aside, you can watch most national games and the entirety of the playoffs with a YouTube TV subscription.

It also has an unlimited DVR, which helps it stand out against other live TV streaming services.

Read our review of YouTube TV to learn more.

5. DIRECTV STREAM

DIRECTV STREAM is the best service to stream NBA games. The service includes ESPN and TNT in its base package. You can even access all your local networks.

It’s also the primary service for RSNs. You can access the Bally and NBC Sports RSNs through DIRECTV STREAM. You can even access some NBC RSNs on YouTube TV and Hulu Live.

*Related: Do you love college basketball? Read our guide here on the top services to stream March Madness without cable.

However, that comes with a significant caveat. You must subscribe to the Choice plan to access RSNs. This costs $90 per month.

The Choice package also includes NBA TV, so it provides you everything you need to watch NBA games.

One other drawback is that the DVR recordings expire after 90 days. They do offer unlimited recording ability, but the 90 day limit is a drawback.

Read our review of DIRECTV STREAM to learn more.

6. NBA League Pass

If your favorite NBA team is out-of-market, NBA League Pass may be a good solution to watch their games.

NBA League Pass costs $199.99 per season, and you can watch on two simultaneous streams. The package includes commercials.

Alternately, you can opt for the $249.99 per season price. This includes in-area feeds instead of commercials.

If you only want to watch one team, you can choose NBA Team Pass for $119.99 per season.

There are two things to keep in mind when choosing either of the standalone options:

• Blackout restrictions apply, so you will not be able to watch your local market team
• Nationally televised games are also blacked out

As you can see above, I’m unable to use the service to watch the Denver Nuggets, Oklahoma City Thunder, or Minnesota Timberwolves here in Omaha as they’re considered in my market.

However, if you live across the country from your favorite team and want a legit way to watch their games, League or Team Pass is a good solution.

National vs. Regional Broadcasts

NBA games air in one of two forms – national or regional broadcasts. Games that air on ABC, ESPN, NBA TV, or TNT are considered national telecasts.

You will need a cable replacement service to watch those games.

All other games typically are aired on RSNs. DIRECTV STREAM is the best choice for RSNs unless you purchase League or Team Pass.

Remember, either of the premium services will blackout nationally televised games.

Best Way to Watch Your Favorite NBA Team Without Cable              

The best way to watch your favorite team is to have access to an RSN. DIRECTV STREAM carries the most RSNs, including Bally and NBC channels.

YouTube TV, Hulu Live, and fuboTV carry some NBC RSNs, though they’re not as reliable.

Here are the RSNs you will need to watch your favorite teams.

Ways to Watch the NBA: Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have additional questions about how to watch professional basketball games without a cable provider?

Here are some commonly asked questions.

How can I watch NBA games for free?

It is not possible to watch free NBA games. Any website that promotes free options is often untrustworthy and full of spam.

The cheapest way to watch games is with an antenna. That will give you access to all nationally televised games on ABC.

Beyond that, you can get a free trial to one of the previously mentioned live streaming services.

Can I watch NBA without cable?

Yes, you can watch basketball games without a cable or satellite subscription. YouTube TV, Sling, and DIRECTV STREAM are your best choices to watch games.

You can also use NBA League or Team Pass to watch your favorite team. All of these choices are available contract-free, and you can cancel whenever you want.

What is the cheapest NBA streaming service?

Sling TV is the most affordable way to watch NBA games. The service includes ESPN and TNT in its Orange package.

You can add the Sports Extra add-on for an additional cost. If you pair that with an antenna, you will be able to watch many games.

Can I watch NBA on Amazon Prime?

Yes, it is possible to watch live NBA games through the Prime platform. Simply purchase the League or Team Pass through your Prime account.

This will let you watch any available games through Amazon.

Bottom Line

Missing NBA games is a big reason why people choose not to cut the cord. Thankfully, there are many ways to watch sports without cable that don’t require a pricey subscription.

With minimal effort, you can ditch cable, save money, and still watch your favorite team.

 

What’s one thing that is keeping you from cutting the cord on cable?