How to Watch NBA Games Without Cable in 2025

Don't Miss March Madness or Your Team's Championship Run

Love basketball but tired of paying high cable bills? You can watch every NBA game through streaming services and save hundreds of dollars each year. Whether you follow your local team or a favorite player on another team, there are simple streaming solutions that work perfectly with Starry internet.

The NBA has made their games widely available on streaming platforms, recognizing that fans are moving away from traditional cable. You'll often get better picture quality than cable, plus the flexibility to watch on any device.

When and Where NBA Games Air

Understanding the NBA schedule helps you choose the right streaming service:

Regular Season Games (October - April):

• ESPN - Multiple games per week, including big matchups
• TNT - Thursday night double-headers and marquee games
• ABC - Saturday and Sunday afternoon showcase games
• NBA TV - Games not on other networks
• Local Sports Networks - Your regional team's games

Playoffs and Finals (April - June):

• ESPN, TNT, ABC - All playoff games
• ABC - NBA Finals exclusively

Local Games: Your regional sports network shows most of your local team's games, available through most streaming services.

Best Streaming Services for NBA Games

Here are the top options that work great with Starry internet:

1. YouTube TV ($73/month) - Best Overall

What You Get:

• ESPN, TNT, ABC, and NBA TV
• Local regional sports networks (in most areas)
• Unlimited DVR to record games
• Over 100 channels total
• NBA League Pass available as add-on

Why It's Great:

• Simple interface that's easy to navigate
• Works on any device (TV, phone, tablet, computer)
• No contracts - cancel after basketball season
• Excellent picture quality with no buffering

"YouTube TV has everything I need for basketball. I can watch my local team's games and the national games on ESPN and TNT. The DVR is perfect when games run late." - Robert, age 66, Denver

2. Hulu + Live TV ($77/month) - Good All-Around Choice

What You Get:

• ESPN, TNT, ABC for national games
• Regional sports networks (varies by location)
• Regular Hulu shows and movies included
• 50 hours of DVR storage

Why Seniors Like It:

• Combines live sports with on-demand entertainment
• Simple remote control options
• Easy to pause and rewind live games
• Good customer service support

3. Sling TV ($40-55/month) - Most Affordable

What You Get:

• Sling Orange ($40): ESPN and ESPN2
• Sling Blue ($40): TNT and local channels
• Sling Orange + Blue ($55): All of the above
• NBA TV available as add-on

Perfect if:

• You want to save money
• You only watch national games
• You don't need every channel

4. fuboTV ($75/month) - Best for Sports Fans

What You Get:

• TNT, ABC, and NBA TV
• Many regional sports networks
• Over 100 sports channels total
• 1,000 hours of DVR storage

Good to Know:

• Does NOT include ESPN (major limitation for NBA)
• Great for other sports if you're a general sports fan
• Excellent picture quality

Watching Your Local Team's Games

Good News: Most local team games are available through streaming services, but it depends on your area:

Check Your Regional Sports Network

1. Find your team's regional network (like NBC Sports Chicago or FOX Sports Southwest)
2. Verify it's included in your chosen streaming service
3. Use the streaming service's website to check local channel availability in your area

If Your Regional Network Isn't Available:

• NBA League Pass (see below for out-of-market games)
• Local sports bars often have all the games
• Radio broadcasts are free through team websites and apps

Watching Out-of-Market Games (NBA League Pass)

Want to follow a team from another city? NBA League Pass is your solution:

NBA League Pass ($15/month or $100/season)

• What you get: Every out-of-market game live and on-demand
• Blackout rule: Can't watch your local team's games live (watch 3 hours after game ends)
• Perfect for: Fans who moved away from their favorite team's city

Example: If you live in Boston but want to watch Golden State Warriors games, NBA League Pass lets you watch every Warriors game that's not nationally televised.

NBA Team Pass ($9/month or $60/season)

• What you get: All games for one specific team
• Best for: Fans who only care about one team
• Same blackout rules apply for local games

Free Options to Watch NBA Games

Antenna for National Games

• Cost: $20-50 one-time purchase
• Games: About 20 games per season on ABC
• Perfect for: Casual fans who only want playoff games and big matchups

NBA App

• Free highlights and analysis
• Live radio broadcasts of all games
• Some free games throughout the season

Local Team Websites

• Most teams stream radio broadcasts for free
• Highlight packages and post-game analysis

Setting Up NBA Streaming

Getting started is straightforward:

1. Choose your streaming service based on which channels you need
2. Check local channel availability on the service's website
3. Sign up online or call their customer service
4. Download the app on your TV, phone, or tablet
5. Start watching - most services offer free trials

All these services work excellently with Starry internet. Our high-speed connection ensures smooth streaming without interruptions during crucial game moments.

Cost Comparison: Streaming vs. Cable

Traditional Cable with Sports Package:

• Monthly cost: $120-150
• Annual cost: $1,440-1,800

Starry Internet + YouTube TV:

• Starry Internet: $50/month
• YouTube TV: $73/month
• Annual cost: $1,476

Starry Internet + Sling TV + NBA League Pass:

• Starry Internet: $50/month
• Sling Orange + Blue: $55/month
• NBA League Pass: $15/month
• Annual cost: $1,440

You save $200-500 per year compared to cable, plus get more flexibility.

March Madness and NBA Finals

Great news: All major basketball events are available through streaming:

March Madness (NCAA Tournament)

• CBS, TNT, TBS, truTV - All tournament games
• Available on: YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV
• NCAA March Madness app - Free with cable login or streaming service

NBA Finals

• ABC exclusively - All Finals games
• Available with: Any service that includes ABC
• Free with antenna if you just want the Finals

What About Local College Basketball?

Most streaming services also include:

• ESPN networks for major college games
• Regional sports networks for local college teams
• CBS Sports Network for additional college coverage

Internet Speed Requirements

NBA games stream smoothly with these internet speeds:

• Standard HD: 5 Mbps
• 4K games: 25 Mbps
• Multiple games at once: 50+ Mbps

Starry provides speeds up to 1 Gig, which easily handles multiple 4K streams simultaneously. Our network is optimized for streaming, so you get consistent performance even during popular game times.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Game seems to freeze during exciting moments?

• Check your internet speed during the game
• Close other apps or devices using internet
• Try connecting your streaming device directly to your router

Can't find your local team's games?

• Verify your regional sports network is included in your service
• Check for local blackout restrictions
• Consider NBA League Pass for out-of-market viewing

Picture quality isn't as good as expected?

• Ensure you're streaming in HD or 4K if available
• Check that your TV supports the resolution you're streaming
• Test your internet speed - you may need a faster plan

Getting Help

Need help choosing a service? Visit a Starry website where our team can explain how each streaming service works with our internet and help you find the best option for your basketball viewing.

Need help setting up? Most streaming services offer phone support to guide you through setup. You can also ask a tech-savvy family member for assistance.

Our Recommendation

For most basketball fans, we recommend YouTube TV because:

• It includes all major networks (ESPN, TNT, ABC, NBA TV)
• Most regional sports networks are included
• Unlimited DVR for games that run late
• Simple, reliable interface
• Works perfectly with Starry internet

If you're budget-conscious and only watch national games, Sling Orange + Blue gives you ESPN and TNT for much less money.

The Basketball Season Timeline

October-December: Regular season begins, lighter schedule January-March: Season intensifies, trade deadline excitement April-June: Playoffs and Finals - the most exciting basketball July-September: Off-season, draft, free agency news

You can sign up for streaming services just during basketball season and cancel in the off-season to save even more money.

The Bottom Line

You don't have to choose between cutting the cord and following your favorite team. Streaming services give you all the NBA action you want, often with better picture quality than cable, and you'll save money every month.

Ready to stream basketball without cable?

• Choose a streaming service that covers your viewing needs
• Make sure you have fast, reliable internet (call Starry at 1-888-STARRY-1)
• Enjoy basketball season with lower monthly billsQuestions about streaming NBA games with Starry internet? Visit the Starry site or call us. We're here to help you get the best basketball viewing experience possible.