How to Watch Thunder vs. Spurs on Opening Night on DIRECTV: Tip-Off Time, NBC Channel and Peacock
The 2026-27 NBA season's opening night closes in San Antonio. The Oklahoma City Thunder visit the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 9:30 p.m. ET, and the game airs nationally on NBC and Peacock. On DIRECTV, you'll find it on your local NBC station.
It's the late game of NBC's first-ever Tip-Off tripleheader, after Celtics at Pistons at 3 p.m. and 76ers at Knicks at 7 p.m. Here's how to watch on DIRECTV, how Peacock fits in and what to know before tip-off.
Thunder vs. Spurs: quick facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Date | Tuesday, October 20, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 9:30 p.m. ET |
| National TV | NBC (your local NBC station on DIRECTV) |
| Streaming | Peacock (separate subscription) |
| Arena | Frost Bank Center, San Antonio |
| Game type | Regular-season opener for both teams; NBC Tip-Off tripleheader nightcap |
What channel is Thunder vs. Spurs on DIRECTV?
The game is on NBC, so tune to your local NBC station. NBC doesn't have one national channel number on DIRECTV. It comes through the NBC station in your market, and the channel number depends on where you live. DIRECTV includes local channels with its packages wherever they're available, so ENTERTAINMENT and higher plans get this game where locals are carried.
To find it, press Guide and look for your NBC station's call letters, or search "Thunder" or "Spurs" to see every upcoming airing. Not sure your address gets local channels? Call 1-855-690-9884 and we'll check.
This is a national NBC game. Local Spurs games otherwise stream on DAZN (a separate subscription, San Antonio area only), and Thunder local games air on Thunder Gameday Network on Griffin Media stations in Oklahoma. Neither replaces the national telecast on opening night.
Is Thunder vs. Spurs on Peacock?
Yes. Peacock streams the game live, but it's a separate app with its own subscription. It isn't a DIRECTV channel. If you have a DIRECTV Gemini device, you can open the Peacock app there. You don't need Peacock to watch, though. NBC's broadcast on your local station is the same game.
How to stream Thunder vs. Spurs
- DIRECTV app: where your local NBC station is available in the app, you can watch on your phone, tablet or streaming device.
- DIRECTV streaming: includes your local NBC station where local channels are available, including with the MySports Genre Pack.
- Peacock: streams every NBC game with a Peacock subscription.
- NBA League Pass: national TV games aren't available live on League Pass.
Thunder vs. Spurs channels on DIRECTV
| Network | DIRECTV channel | Who gets it |
|---|---|---|
| NBC | Your local NBC station | Packages with local channels, where available |
| Peacock | App on Gemini devices (not a channel) | Separate Peacock subscription |
| Thunder Gameday Network (OKC local, other nights) | Griffin Media local stations | Oklahoma-market local channels where carried |
| DAZN (Spurs local, other nights) | Not a DIRECTV channel | Separate subscription, San Antonio area only |
What to know before tip-off
- NBC's Tip-Off tripleheader: opening night is exclusively on NBC and Peacock. One local NBC station covers all three games where locals are available.
- Spurs home opener: San Antonio opens at Frost Bank Center against the Thunder on national TV.
- Preseason is over: exhibition games end Friday, Oct. 16. There are no NBA games Oct. 17–19.
- Check availability on game day: both teams post injury reports before tip-off, so confirm who's playing that afternoon.
The rest of opening night
All three opening-night games are on NBC and Peacock, so one local channel covers the whole tripleheader:
| Tip-off (ET) | Game | Arena | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 p.m. | Celtics at Pistons | Little Caesars Arena, Detroit | NBC and Peacock |
| 7 p.m. | 76ers at Knicks | Madison Square Garden, New York | NBC and Peacock |
| 9:30 p.m. | Thunder at Spurs | Frost Bank Center, San Antonio | NBC and Peacock |
Thunder and Spurs on national TV: the next few days
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | National TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu., Oct. 15 | Thunder at Rockets (preseason) | 8:30 p.m. | NBA TV (216) |
| Tue., Oct. 20 | Thunder at Spurs (opening night) | 9:30 p.m. | NBC and Peacock |
| Thu., Oct. 22 | Nuggets at Thunder | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN (206) |
| Fri., Oct. 23 | Rockets vs. Spurs (Austin, Texas) | 9:30 p.m. | Prime Video (app) |
Prime Video games stream only in the Prime Video app, which needs its own Amazon subscription and is available on Gemini devices. Team-by-team local channels, League Pass details and the full national schedule are in our guide to watching the NBA on DIRECTV.
Which DIRECTV package is best for Thunder and Spurs fans?
- ENTERTAINMENT: covers opening night on your local NBC station, plus ESPN (206) and ESPN2 (209) for national games.
- CHOICE: adds NBA TV (216) for about 60 regular-season games starting Oct. 24.
- MySports Genre Pack: a sports-focused streaming option with ESPN, NBA TV and local channels where available.
Spurs fans in the San Antonio area will still need DAZN for most local games after opening night, and Thunder fans can watch most local games on Griffin Media stations in Oklahoma. Want NBC, ESPN and NBA TV on one plan before October 20? Check DIRECTV options at your address or call 1-855-690-9884.
Frequently asked questions
What time is Thunder vs. Spurs on opening night?
Tip-off is 9:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio.
What channel is Thunder vs. Spurs on DIRECTV?
The game is on NBC, so watch on your local NBC station. The channel number depends on your market. Press Guide and look for your NBC station's call letters, or search the team name.
Do I need Peacock to watch Thunder vs. Spurs?
No. Peacock streams the game, but the same broadcast airs on NBC, which DIRECTV includes as a local channel where available. Peacock is a separate subscription.
Is Thunder vs. Spurs on DAZN or Thunder Gameday Network?
No. Opening night is a national NBC and Peacock game. DAZN (Spurs local) and Thunder Gameday Network (Oklahoma City local) don't replace the national telecast.
What else is on opening night?
NBC and Peacock's tripleheader also includes Celtics at Pistons at 3 p.m. ET and 76ers at Knicks at 7 p.m. ET. One local NBC station covers all three games where locals are available.
Questions about getting NBC or your team's channel on DIRECTV? Call 1-855-690-9884.
Details reviewed October 12, 2026. Tip times, TV assignments and broadcast plans are set by the NBA, its teams and their TV partners and may change. Player availability is often announced close to tip-off. Local channel availability, channel numbers, packages and prices vary by address and are subject to change. NBA, NBC, Peacock, Prime Video, ESPN, DIRECTV and related marks belong to their respective owners. American TV is an independent dealer and resource site.