Danielle Solzman
The NBA on ESPN and ABC, in partnership with the NBA, announced its highly anticipated broadcast schedule for the 2025-26 NBA regular season. Marking ESPN’s 24th consecutive season broadcasting NBA games, the 2025-26 campaign promises to deliver the most star-studded schedule yet – underscoring ESPN’s position as the premier national home of the NBA. ESPN/ABC joins NBC/Peacock and Prime Video in airing NBA games for a national audience this season.
NBA games will generally air on ESPN Wednesday nights, presented by State Farm, and on ABC Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons with the top-two marquee franchises NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC presented by Wingstop and the NBA Sunday Showcase on ABC presented by Popeyes, respectively. In addition to carrying the highest-profile games of the season, ESPN will continue its unmatched coverage with the deepest roster of NBA commentators, analysts, and reporters in the industry, all season long.
Season-Opening Action
ESPN tips off its coverage of the 2025-26 season with back-to-back nights of basketball action, beginning Wednesday, October 22 with a blockbuster doubleheader. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Donovan Mitchell visit the New York Knicks, led by reigning Clutch Player of the Year Jalen Brunson. The nightcap features the much-anticipated debut of this year’s first overall pick, Cooper Flagg, as he and the Dallas Mavericks host the San Antonio Spurs and former first overall pick Victor Wembanyama.
On Thursday, October 23, the reigning NBA Champion Oklahoma City Thunder and reigning M.V.P. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continue their pursuit of a second title with a 2025 NBA Finals rematch against the reigning Eastern Conference Champion Indiana Pacers, led by Pascal Siakam. The night concludes on the West Coast, where former M.V.P.s Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors host Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets in another must-watch matchup.
First-Ever Thanksgiving Eve Tripleheader
ESPN will present the first-ever Thanksgiving Eve NBA tripleheader on Wednesday, November 26. The action tips off at 5 p.m. ET as the Boston Celtics and Jaylen Brown host the Detroit Pistons and Cade Cunningham. At 7:30 p.m., the Minnesota Timberwolves and Anthony Edwards visit the Oklahoma City Thunder and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in a 2025 NBA Western Conference Finals rematch.
The night concludes at 10 p.m., when the Golden State Warriors and Stephen Curry host the Houston Rockets and former teammate Kevin Durant, delivering fans a full night of marquee matchups ahead of the holiday.
All three matchups are Group Play games in the Emirates NBA Cup 2025.
Xmas Day Star Power
ESPN will showcase its marquee game packages by continuing its longstanding tradition of carrying all five exclusive NBA Xmas Day games presented by State Farm on Thursday, December 25 – the biggest day on the NBA regular season calendar. The action tips off at 12 p.m. from Madison Square Garden, where the Cleveland Cavaliers and Donovan Mitchell return to New York to face the Knicks and Jalen Brunson. At 2:30 p.m., the San Antonio Spurs and Victor Wembanyama visit the Oklahoma City Thunder and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Coverage continues at 5 p.m. as the Dallas Mavericks and Cooper Flagg visit the Golden State Warriors and Stephen Curry. At 8 p.m., the game’s biggest names take center stage in Los Angeles when the Lakers, led by LeBron James and Luka Dončić, host the Houston Rockets and newly acquired star Kevin Durant.
It all wraps up at 10:30 p.m., as the Minnesota Timberwolves and Anthony Edwards, fresh off consecutive Western Conference Finals appearances, visit the Denver Nuggets and Nikola Jokić.
NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC Presented by Wingstop Enters 11th Season – Continues as Premier National Game of the Week
NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC Presented by Wingstop returns for the 2025-26 season, continuing as the premier, exclusive national NBA game of the week for over a decade, with fans being treated to the league’s most captivating and highest-profile matchups. The action tips off with a spectacular tripleheader on January 24 as part of NBA Rivals Week, beginning at 3 p.m. when the New York Knicks and Jalen Brunson visit the Philadelphia 76ers and Joel Embiid. At 5:30 p.m., the Minnesota Timberwolves and Anthony Edwards face the Golden State Warriors and Stephen Curry. The evening concludes as Luka Dončić, alongside LeBron James, leads the Los Angeles Lakers against his former team, the Dallas Mavericks – nearly a year after being traded.
Additional ABC Schedule Highlights:
- Six appearances each by the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks;
- Five appearances by the Oklahoma City Thunder and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander;
- Colossal interconference Sunday Showcase matchup between last season’s top two record holders in the Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder on February 22;
- Stephen Curry and LeBron James add another chapter to their storied rivalry in a pair of Saturday Primetime matchups as Golden State Warriors face Los Angeles Lakers on February 7 and February 28;
- Lone Star-Studded Showdown: the Houston Rockets and Kevin Durant host the Dallas Mavericks, led by Anthony Davis, on January 31.
Additional ESPN Schedule Highlights:
- League-leading eight appearances for the reigning NBA Champion Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets;
- Seven appearances each by the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, LA Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs;
- Thanksgiving Eve Tripleheader on November 26: Detroit Pistons vs. Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors;
- Winners of 4 of the last 5 M.V.P. awards clash as the Denver Nuggets and Nikola Jokić visit the Oklahoma City Thunder and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on February 27;
- 2026 Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game on February 13.
NBA on ESPN Opening Week Schedule
| Date | Time (ET) | Game | Platform |
| Wed, Oct. 22 | 7 p.m. | Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks | ESPN |
| Wed, Oct. 22 | 9:30 p.m. | San Antonio Spurs vs. Dallas Mavericks | ESPN |
| Thu, Oct. 23 | 7:30 p.m. | Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Indiana Pacers | ESPN |
| Thu, Oct. 23 | 10 p.m. | Denver Nuggets vs. Golden State Warriors | ESPN |
NBA on ESPN Xmas Schedule
| Time (ET) | Game | Platforms |
| 12 p.m. | Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks | ESPN, ABC |
| 2:30 p.m. | San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | ESPN, ABC |
| 5 p.m. | Dallas Mavericks vs. Golden State Warriors | ESPN, ABC |
| 8 p.m. | Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers | ESPN, ABC |
| 10:30 p.m. | Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets | ESPN, ABC |
NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC Presented by Wingstop Schedule
| Date | Time (ET) | Game |
| Jan. 24 | 3 p.m. | New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers |
| Jan. 24 | 5:30 p.m. | Golden State Warriors vs. Minnesota Timberwolves |
| Jan. 24 | 8:30 p.m. | Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks |
| Jan. 31 | 8:30 p.m. | Dallas Mavericks vs. Houston Rockets |
| Feb. 7 | 3:30 p.m. | Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder |
| Feb. 7 | 8:30 p.m. | Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers |
| Feb. 21 | 8:30 p.m. | Houston Rockets vs. New York Knicks |
| Feb. 28 | 8:30 p.m. | Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors |
| Mar. 7 | 8:30 p.m. | Golden State Warriors vs. Oklahoma City Thunder |
| Mar. 14 | 8:30 p.m. | Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers |
NBA Sunday Showcase on ABC presented by Popeyes Schedule
| Date | Time (ET) | Game |
| Feb. 8 | 12:30 p.m. | New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics |
| Feb. 22 | 1 p.m. | Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder |
| Feb. 22 | 3:30 p.m. | Denver Nuggets vs. Golden State Warriors |
| Mar. 1 | 1 p.m. | San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks |
| Mar. 1 | 3:30 p.m. | Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets |
| Mar. 8 | 1 p.m. | Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers |
| Mar. 8 | 3:30 p.m. | New York Knicks vs. Los Angeles Lakers |
| Mar. 15 | 1 p.m. | Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder |
NBA on ESPN/ABC Complete 2025-26 Schedule
| Date | Time (ET) | Game | Platforms |
| Wed, Oct. 22 | 7 p.m. | Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks | ESPN |
| Wed, Oct. 22 | 9:30 p.m. | San Antonio Spurs vs. Dallas Mavericks | ESPN |
| Thu, Oct. 23 | 7:30 p.m. | Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Indiana Pacers | ESPN |
| Thu, Oct. 23 | 10 p.m. | Denver Nuggets vs. Golden State Warriors | ESPN |
| Wed, Oct. 29 | 7 p.m. | Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics | ESPN |
| Wed, Oct. 29 | 9:30 p.m. | Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | ESPN |
| Wed, Nov. 5 | 7:30 p.m. | Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New York Knicks | ESPN |
| Wed, Nov. 5 | 10 p.m. | San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Lakers | ESPN |
| Sat, Nov. 8 | 10:30 p.m. | Phoenix Suns vs. LA Clippers | ESPN |
| Wed, Nov. 12 | 7 p.m. | Orlando Magic vs. New York Knicks | ESPN |
| Wed, Nov. 12 | 9:30 p.m. | Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | ESPN |
| Wed, Nov. 19 | 7 p.m. | Golden State Warriors vs. Miami Heat | ESPN |
| Wed, Nov. 19 | 9:30 p.m. | New York Knicks vs. Dallas Mavericks | ESPN |
| Wed, Nov. 26 | 5 p.m. | Detroit Pistons vs. Boston Celtics | ESPN |
| Wed, Nov. 26 | 7:30 p.m. | Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | ESPN |
| Wed, Nov. 26 | 10 p.m. | Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors | ESPN |
| Thu, Dec. 25 | 12 p.m. | Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks | ESPN, ABC |
| Thu, Dec. 25 | 2:30 p.m. | San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | ESPN, ABC |
| Thu, Dec. 25 | 5 p.m. | Dallas Mavericks vs. Golden State Warriors | ESPN, ABC |
| Thu, Dec. 25 | 8 p.m. | Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers | ESPN, ABC |
| Thu, Dec. 25 | 10:30 p.m. | Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets | ESPN, ABC |
| Wed, Jan. 7 | 7:30 p.m. | Los Angeles Lakers vs. San Antonio Spurs | ESPN |
| Wed, Jan. 7 | 10 p.m. | Milwaukee Bucks vs. Golden State Warriors | ESPN |
| Wed, Jan. 14 | 7 p.m. | Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Philadelphia 76ers | ESPN |
| Wed, Jan. 14 | 9:30 p.m. | Denver Nuggets vs. Dallas Mavericks | ESPN |
| Fri, Jan. 16 | 7 p.m. | Chicago Bulls vs. Brooklyn Nets | ESPN |
| Fri, Jan. 16 | 9:30 p.m. | Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Houston Rockets | ESPN |
| Wed, Jan. 21 | 7 p.m. | Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Charlotte Hornets | ESPN |
| Wed, Jan. 21 | 9:30 p.m. | Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Milwaukee Bucks | ESPN |
| Sat, Jan. 24 | 3 p.m. | New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers | ABC |
| Sat, Jan. 24 | 5:30 p.m. | Golden State Warriors vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | ABC |
| Sat, Jan. 24 | 8:30 p.m. | Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks | ABC |
| Wed, Jan. 28 | 7 p.m. | Los Angeles Lakers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | ESPN |
| Wed, Jan. 28 | 9:30 p.m. | San Antonio Spurs vs. Houston Rockets | ESPN |
| Fri, Jan. 30 | 7:30 p.m. | Memphis Grizzlies vs. New Orleans Pelicans | ESPN |
| Fri, Jan. 30 | 10 p.m. | LA Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets | ESPN |
| Sat, Jan. 31 | 8:30 p.m. | Dallas Mavericks vs. Houston Rockets | ABC |
| Sun, Feb. 1 | 3:30 p.m. | Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics | ESPN |
| Wed, Feb. 4 | 7 p.m. | Denver Nuggets vs. New York Knicks | ESPN |
| Wed, Feb. 4 | 9:30 p.m. | Oklahoma City Thunder vs. San Antonio Spurs | ESPN |
| Sat, Feb. 7 | 3:30 p.m. | Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | ABC |
| Sat, Feb. 7 | 8:30 p.m. | Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers | ABC |
| Sun, Feb. 8 | 12:30 p.m. | New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics | ABC |
| Sun, Feb. 8 | 3 p.m. | LA Clippers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | ESPN |
| Wed, Feb. 11 | 7:30 p.m. | New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers | ESPN |
| Wed, Feb. 11 | 10 p.m. | Memphis Grizzlies vs. Denver Nuggets | ESPN |
| Fri, Feb. 20 | 7:30 p.m. | Dallas Mavericks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | ESPN |
| Fri, Feb. 20 | 10 p.m. | LA Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers | ESPN |
| Sat, Feb. 21 | 8:30 p.m. | Houston Rockets vs. New York Knicks | ABC |
| Sun, Feb. 22 | 1 p.m. | Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | ABC |
| Sun, Feb. 22 | 3:30 p.m. | Denver Nuggets vs. Golden State Warriors | ABC |
| Wed, Feb. 25 | 7:30 p.m. | Golden State Warriors vs. Memphis Grizzlies | ESPN |
| Wed, Feb. 25 | 10 p.m. | Boston Celtics vs. Denver Nuggets | ESPN |
| Fri, Feb. 27 | 7 p.m. | Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons | ESPN |
| Fri, Feb. 27 | 9:30 p.m. | Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | ESPN |
| Sat, Feb. 28 | 8:30 p.m. | Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors | ABC |
| Sun, Mar. 1 | 1 p.m. | San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks | ABC |
| Sun, Mar. 1 | 3:30 p.m. | Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets | ABC |
| Wed, Mar. 4 | 7 p.m. | Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New York Knicks | ESPN |
| Wed, Mar. 4 | 9:30 p.m. | Atlanta Hawks vs. Milwaukee Bucks | ESPN |
| Fri, Mar. 6 | 7 p.m. | Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics | ESPN |
| Fri, Mar. 6 | 9:30 p.m. | LA Clippers vs. San Antonio Spurs | ESPN |
| Sat, Mar. 7 | 8:30 p.m. | Golden State Warriors vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | ABC |
| Sun, Mar. 8 | 1 p.m. | Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | ABC |
| Sun, Mar. 8 | 3:30 p.m. | New York Knicks vs. Los Angeles Lakers | ABC |
| Wed, Mar. 11 | 7:30 p.m. | Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Orlando Magic | ESPN |
| Wed, Mar. 11 | 10 p.m. | Houston Rockets vs. Denver Nuggets | ESPN |
| Sat, Mar. 14 | 8:30 p.m. | Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers | ABC |
| Sat, Mar. 14 | 10:30 p.m. | Sacramento Kings vs. LA Clippers | ESPN |
| Sun, Mar. 15 | 1 p.m. | Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | ABC |
| Wed, Mar. 18 | 7 p.m. | Golden State Warriors vs. Boston Celtics | ESPN |
| Wed, Mar. 18 | 9:30 p.m. | Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets | ESPN |
| Wed, Mar. 25 | 7 p.m. | Atlanta Hawks vs. Detroit Pistons | ESPN |
| Wed, Mar. 25 | 9:30 p.m. | Houston Rockets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | ESPN |
| Wed, Apr. 1 | 7:30 p.m. | Atlanta Hawks vs. Orlando Magic | ESPN |
| Wed, Apr. 1 | 10 p.m. | San Antonio Spurs vs. Golden State Warriors | ESPN |
| Wed, Apr. 8 | 7:30 p.m. | Milwaukee Bucks vs. Detroit Pistons | ESPN |
| Wed, Apr. 8 | 10 p.m. | Oklahoma City Thunder vs. LA Clippers | ESPN |
| Sun, Apr. 12 | 6 p.m. | TBD | ESPN |
| Sun, Apr. 12 | 8:30 p.m. | TBD | ESPN |
In addition to its vast regular season programming, ESPN platforms are the exclusive home of the NBA Finals on ABC, the 2026 Eastern Conference Finals and the 2026 NBA Draft, and also broadcast first- and second-round playoff games.
All ESPN NBA programming is available on the ESPN App. ESPN Radio and ESPN Deportes also offer comprehensive coverage throughout the season and postseason. NBA Today, ESPN’s daily NBA studio show, airs Monday through Friday from 3-4 p.m. Schedules for ESPN’s robust portfolio of NBA surrounding programming, including Inside the NBA, will be announced soon.
All of ESPN. All in One Place. Coming August 21.
For the first time ever, ESPN will offer its full suite of networks and services directly to fans, along with an enhanced ESPN App that integrates game stats, betting information, fantasy sports, commerce, multiview options and a personalized SportsCenter For You. Designed to give fans more choice, flexibility and access to all of ESPN, these new features and functionality will be available to all fans who watch on the ESPN App on mobile and connected TV devices, whether they subscribe directly or through a traditional pay TV package.
NBA on ESPN/ABC tips off on October 22, 2025.
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