What's the Best Way to Watch NBA Basketball in 2026-27?
The 2026-27 NBA season tipped off Tuesday, October 20, 2026, and it's the second year of the league's national TV deals with ABC and ESPN, NBC and Peacock, and Prime Video. TNT no longer carries the NBA. Local rights and distribution have changed for many teams. The best way to watch depends on whether you follow one local team, the national games, or teams from out of town.
Where national NBA games air in 2026-27
| Network | On DIRECTV | What airs there |
|---|---|---|
| ABC | Your local ABC station | Selected national regular-season games and the NBA Finals |
| ESPN and ESPN2 | Channels 206 and 209 | Selected national regular-season and playoff games |
| NBC | Your local NBC station | Selected national regular-season games, All-Star Weekend and playoff coverage |
| NBA TV | Channel 216 (CHOICE and higher) | Selected regular-season games and NBA programming |
| Prime Video | App on DIRECTV Gemini devices | Selected regular-season games, NBA Cup knockout rounds, Play-In and playoff coverage (separate subscription) |
| Peacock | App on DIRECTV Gemini devices | Selected exclusive games and streams of NBC games; some games also air on NBCSN (separate subscription; verify provider carriage) |
Watching your local team
Local access varies by team. Some games air on local broadcast stations; others require a regional network, qualifying pay-TV package or team streaming service. Antenna broadcasts can cover only a limited set of games, including for Oklahoma City. DIRECTV carriage depends on your ZIP code, channel and package. Celtics, Lakers, Knicks and Warriors fans should check the relevant regional network before ordering; no single package provides every team in every market.
On October 26, 2026, DIRECTV added DAZN's local channels for five teams for customers inside each team's home territory with CHOICE or higher: Cavaliers (660), Grizzlies (649), Pacers (671), Timberwolves (668) and Spurs (680). Our NBA on DIRECTV guide lists all 30 teams, and the DAZN local games guide covers eligibility.
Following an out-of-market team
NBA League Pass offers eligible out-of-market regular-season games as a separate add-on for DIRECTV satellite and streaming customers. Games involving your local team and exclusive national games are blacked out. League Pass doesn't include the playoffs, which air on the national networks.
Picking a DIRECTV setup for basketball
| If you want | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| National games only | ENTERTAINMENT or higher, with local channels | ESPN, ESPN2, ABC and NBC |
| National games plus NBA TV and your regional network | CHOICE or higher | Adds NBA TV (216) and regional sports networks where available |
| A sports-only streaming plan | MySports Genre Pack (check the current offer) | Check the current channel lineup, local stations and any regional add-on for your ZIP code; eligible packages include ESPN Unlimited |
| Every out-of-market team | NBA League Pass add-on | Eligible out-of-market regular-season games, subject to blackouts |
Prime Video carries its own national NBA package with a separate subscription. See how to watch local NBA games for more on local options.
Frequently asked questions
Is TNT still showing NBA games?
No. TNT stopped carrying the NBA after the 2024-25 season. National games are on ABC, ESPN, NBC, Peacock, Prime Video and NBA TV.
What channel is NBA TV on DIRECTV?
Channel 216, included with CHOICE and higher and with the MySports Genre Pack.
Where are the 2027 NBA Finals?
The 2027 NBA Finals air on ABC, which DIRECTV includes as a local channel where locals are available.
Why did my team's local channel change?
Local rights and distribution changed for many teams; the current outlet may be a local station, team service, regional network or DAZN channel. Check the team table in our NBA on DIRECTV guide.
Can I watch Prime Video and Peacock NBA games on DIRECTV?
Their apps run on DIRECTV Gemini devices, but each needs its own subscription.
Want us to check which channels and packages are available at your address? Call 1-855-690-9884.
Details reviewed October 30, 2026. Schedules, local TV homes, channel numbers, prices and package contents can change and vary by ZIP code. DIRECTV and related marks belong to their respective owners. AmericanTV.com is an independent dealer and resource site.