Helena Frye
Basketball fans can rejoice as most NBA preseason games are aired on TV across local and national channels. For those with a preference for national games, any TV service that offers ESPN, NBA TV, and TNT will allow you to watch nationally televised NBA preseason games. However, if you're an out-of-market fan, NBA League Pass is the way to go, as it includes NBA TV for additional coverage. For those who want to watch local games, DIRECTV STREAM and Fubo are recommended as they offer the most RSN coverage of any streaming service. So, whether you're tuning in to see the Nets and Suns preseason games or keeping up with the latest trades, there are plenty of options to catch all the preseason basketball action on TV.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Channels | ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, NBA TV, NBA League Pass, Sling TV, DIRECTV, Fubo, Spectrum |
| National games | ESPN, NBA TV, TNT |
| Out-of-market games | NBA League Pass, NBA TV |
| Cheapest option | Sling Orange plan ($45.99/mo.) and Sports Extra add-on ($11.00/mo.) |
| 2025 Preseason games | Nets and Suns on Oct. 10 and 12, 2025 |
| 2024 Preseason games | Celtics vs. Nuggets on Oct. 4 and 6, 2024 |
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What You'll Learn
Nationally televised games
Nationally televised NBA preseason games are aired on channels such as ESPN, NBA TV, and TNT. Sling TV is the cheapest option to watch these channels, with its Sling Orange plan ($45.99/month) and Sports Extra add-on ($11/month). Other TV providers like DIRECTV, Fubo, and Spectrum offer more coverage through regional sports networks (RSNs), but channel lineups and game availability can vary depending on your location.
For out-of-market games, the NBA League Pass provides a TV package for fans who don't live near their preferred team. This service also includes NBA TV for additional NBA and WNBA coverage. Most games on NBA League Pass also air on each participating team's in-market NBA channel.
DIRECTV STREAM is another popular choice for watching the NBA preseason as it carries every national NBA channel and most RSNs. However, with plans starting at $69.99 per month, it may be expensive for viewers only interested in preseason games.
Preseason games often air locally on each team's regional sports network (RSN) or over-the-air affiliate. For example, the Nets and Suns played preseason games on October 10 and 12, 2025, at the Venetian Arena, which may have been broadcast locally.
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Local games
Local NBA preseason games are mostly aired on each team's regional sports network (RSN) or over-the-air affiliate. These games also stream on NBA League Pass for out-of-market fans. To watch local games, DIRECTV STREAM and Fubo are recommended as they offer the most RSN coverage of any streaming service.
If you're looking to watch out-of-market games, NBA League Pass is the league's official out-of-market TV package. It is designed for fans who don't live near their preferred team and also comes with NBA TV for additional NBA and WNBA coverage.
For nationally televised NBA preseason games, you can tune in to NBA TV, ESPN, ESPN2, and TNT. Services like DIRECTV, Fubo, and Spectrum offer more coverage through RSNs, but channel lineups and game availability can vary depending on your location.
To find the best options for watching local and national NBA coverage in your area, it is recommended to check your local TV providers by entering your zip code.
Some key dates for the 2025-26 NBA preseason include:
- September 23: Media days for teams travelling outside of North America, including the Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans, and Phoenix Suns.
- September 24: First allowable date for players participating in preseason games outside North America to report to their teams.
- September 29: First allowable date for all other veteran players to report to their teams.
- October 4 & 6: NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2024 (Celtics vs. Nuggets) and NBA Canada Series (Toronto Raptors vs. Washington Wizards).
- October 10 and 12: Nets and Suns Preseason Games at The Venetian Arena.
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Out-of-market games
If you're an NBA fan who doesn't live near your favourite team, you can still catch out-of-market preseason games with the NBA League Pass. This is the league's out-of-market TV package, which also comes with NBA TV for additional NBA and WNBA coverage. Preseason games that air locally also stream on NBA League Pass for out-of-market fans.
Most games appearing on NBA League Pass also air on each participating team's in-market NBA channel. However, it's worth noting that DIRECTV STREAM is the preferred option for viewers as it carries every national NBA channel and most RSNs. With plans starting at $69.99 a month, DIRECTV STREAM is expensive for just watching preseason games, but it will also set you up for the regular season.
Other services like DIRECTV, Fubo, and Spectrum offer more coverage through RSNs, but channel lineups and game availability can vary based on your location. To find the best options in your area, it's recommended to enter your zip code to view your region's top TV providers for watching local and national NBA coverage.
To summarise, for out-of-market games, NBA League Pass is the go-to option, while DIRECTV STREAM is a comprehensive choice for both preseason and regular-season games.
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Streaming services
DIRECTV STREAM
DIRECTV STREAM is a popular choice for watching the NBA preseason as it carries every national NBA channel and most regional sports networks (RSNs). Plans start at $69.99 per month, which may be expensive for just watching preseason games, but it will also cover you for the regular season.
NBA League Pass
NBA League Pass is the league's out-of-market TV package, ideal for fans who don't live near their favourite team. It also includes NBA TV for additional coverage. Most games appearing on NBA League Pass also air on each participating team's in-market NBA channel.
Sling TV
Sling TV is the cheapest option to get ESPN, NBA TV, and TNT, which will give you access to nationally televised NBA preseason games. The Sling Orange plan is $45.99 per month, and you'll need the Sports Extra add-on for $11.00 per month.
Fubo and Spectrum
Fubo and Spectrum also offer coverage of NBA preseason games through RSNs, but channel lineups and game availability can vary depending on your location.
It's worth checking the specific channels that will be broadcasting preseason games, such as ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, and NBA TV, and then comparing that with the channels offered by each streaming service to make sure you get the coverage you need.
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TV schedules
Preseason basketball games are aired on TV, with national games available on channels such as ESPN, NBA TV, and TNT. Local games, on the other hand, are typically aired on each team's regional sports network (RSN) or over-the-air affiliate.
For those who want to watch preseason NBA games, DIRECTV STREAM is recommended as it carries every national NBA channel and most RSNs. However, with plans starting at $69.99 a month, it may be an expensive option for some. Other options include Fubo and Sling TV. Fubo offers extensive RSN coverage, while Sling TV's Sling Orange plan ($45.99/month) with the Sports Extra add-on ($11/month) provides access to ESPN, NBA TV, and TNT at a more affordable price point.
For out-of-market games, NBA League Pass is an option. This service is designed for fans who don't live near their preferred team and includes NBA TV for additional coverage. Most games on NBA League Pass also air on each participating team's in-market NBA channel. Additionally, NBA preseason games that air locally are also streamed on the NBA League Pass for out-of-market fans.
It's worth noting that channel lineups and game availability can vary based on your location, so checking your local listings or using online tools to enter your zip code and find the best options in your area is recommended.
For the 2025-26 NBA season, key preseason dates include:
- September 23: Media days for teams traveling outside of North America for preseason games, including the Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans, and Phoenix Suns.
- September 24: First allowable date for players participating in preseason games in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Australia, and China to report to their teams.
- September 29: NBA Training Camps open and Media days for the remaining 25 teams.
- October 2 and 4: NBA Preseason games in Abu Dhabi, with the Knicks vs. 76ers at the Etihad Arena.
- October 4 and 6: NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2024, featuring the Celtics vs. Nuggets in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
- October 6: NBA Canada Series, with the Toronto Raptors taking on the Washington Wizards in Montreal, QC.
- October 10 and 12: Nets and Suns playing preseason games at The Venetian Arena.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, preseason basketball games are televised.
Preseason games are televised on national channels like ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, and NBA TV. They are also aired on local channels like each team's regional sports network (RSN) or over-the-air affiliate.
DIRECTV STREAM is recommended as it carries every national NBA channel and most regional sports networks (RSNs). Sling TV is the cheapest option to get ESPN, NBA TV, and TNT, with its Sling Orange plan ($45.99/month) and Sports Extra add-on ($11/month).
Yes, NBA League Pass is the out-of-market TV package that also comes with NBA TV.
The preseason usually starts in late September or early October.
