The NBA preseason marks the perfect opportunity to rekindle your passion for your favorite basketball teams. Fortunately, you can watch most preseason games across local and national channels.
DIRECTV STREAM is the best service for tuning in because it carries every national NBA channel and most regional sports networks. But signing up might be unnecessary, depending on the games you want to watch.
Keep scrolling to see this year’s NBA preseason game times and channel listings. We also review other ways to get the most coverage.
What channels are NBA preseason games on?
You can watch nationally televised NBA preseason games on NBA TV, ESPN, ESPN2, and TNT. Though, most preseason matchups air locally on each team’s regional sports network (RSN) or over-the-air affiliate.
Pro tip: NBA preseason games that air locally also stream on NBA League Pass for out-of-market fans.
2023 NBA preseason schedule
This season’s NBA preseason calendar spans the first three weeks of October. Teams will play various home and away games, with some happening in non-NBA markets. Additional preseason contests will occur internationally or feature teams from foreign leagues. It all leads to the start of the regular season on October 24.
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Mavericks at Minnesota Timberwolves (in Abu Dhabi) | Thursday, October 5 | Noon | NBA TV |
| Dallas Mavericks at Minnesota Timberwolves (in Abu Dhabi) | Saturday, October 7 | Noon | NBA TV |
| Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors | Saturday, October 7 | 8:30 p.m. | NBA TV, Spectrum SportsNet, NBC Sports Bay Area |
| Chicago Bulls at Milwaukee Bucks | Sunday, October 8 | 1 p.m. | NBC Sports Chicago, Bally Sports Wisconsin |
| Phoenix Suns at Detroit Pistons | Sunday, October 8 | 3 p.m. | NBA TV, Arizona’s Family, Bally Sports Detroit |
| Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics | Sunday, October 8 | 6 p.m. | ESPN, NBC Sports Boston |
| Indiana Pacers at Memphis Grizzlies | Sunday, October 8 | 8 p.m. | TBA, Bally Sports Southeast |
| Sacramento Kings at Toronto Raptors | Sunday, October 8 | 8 p.m. | Kings.com, Sportsnet |
| Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Clippers | Sunday, October 8 | 9 p.m. | NBA TV, KTLA, ClipperVision |
Data effective as of post date.
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Celtics at New York Knicks | Monday, October 9 | 7:30 p.m. | NBC Sports Boston, MSG Network |
| San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder | Monday, October 9 | 8 p.m. | NBA TV, Bally Sports Oklahoma |
| Brooklyn Nets at Los Angeles Lakers | Monday, October 9 | 9 p.m. | YES Network, Spectrum SportsNet |
| Dallas Mavericks at Real Madrid (in Madrid) | Tuesday, October 10 | 2:45 p.m. | NBA TV, Bally Sports Southwest |
| Cairns Taipans at Washington Wizards | Tuesday, October 10 | 7 p.m. | Monumental Sports Network |
| Charlotte Hornets at Miami Heat | Tuesday, October 10 | 7:30 p.m. | NBA TV, Bally Sports Southeast, Bally Sports Sun |
| Cleveland Cavaliers at Atlanta Hawks | Tuesday, October 10 | 7:30 p.m. | Bally Sports Ohio, Bally Sports Southeast |
| Indiana Pacers at Houston Rockets | Tuesday, October 10 | 8 p.m. | TBA |
| Milwaukee Bucks at Memphis Grizzlies | Tuesday, October 10 | 8 p.m. | Bally Sports Wisconsin, Bally Sports Southeast |
| Orlando Magic at New Orleans Pelicans | Tuesday, October 10 | 8 p.m. | TBA, Bally Sports New Orleans |
| Denver Nuggets at Phoenix Suns | Tuesday, October 10 | 10 p.m. | TNT, Arizona’s Family |
| New Zealand Breakers at Portland Trail Blazers | Tuesday, October 10 | 10 p.m. | TBA |
| Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ers | Wednesday, October 11 | 7 p.m. | NBA TV, NBC Sports Boston, NBC Sports Philadelphia |
| Sacramento Kings at Los Angeles Lakers | Wednesday, October 11 | 10 p.m. | NBA TV, Kings.com, Spectrum SportsNet |
| Charlotte Hornets at Washington Wizards | Thursday, October 12 | 7 p.m. | TBA |
| Detroit Pistons vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (in Montreal) | Thursday, October 12 | 7 p.m. | TBA, Bally Sports Oklahoma |
| Orlando Magic at Cleveland Cavaliers | Thursday, October 12 | 7 p.m. | TBA |
| Maccabi Ra’anana at Brooklyn Nets | Thursday, October 12 | 7:30 p.m. | YES Network |
| Memphis Grizzlies at Atlanta Hawks | Thursday, October 12 | 7:30 p.m. | NBA TV, Bally Sports Southeast, Bally Sports Southeast |
| Denver Nuggets at Chicago Bulls | Thursday, October 12 | 8 p.m. | TBA, NBC Sports Chicago |
| Houston Rockets at New Orleans Pelicans (in Birmingham) | Thursday, October 12 | 8 p.m. | TBA, Pelicans.com |
| Phoenix Suns at Portland Trail Blazers | Thursday, October 12 | 10 p.m. | NBA TV, Arizona’s Family |
| Miami Heat at San Antonio Spurs | Friday, October 13 | 8 p.m. | TNT |
| Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Lakers | Friday, October 13 | 10 p.m. | ESPN2, Spectrum SportsNet |
| New Orleans Pelicans at Atlanta Hawks (in College Park) | Saturday, October 14 | 3:30 p.m. | NBA TV, Pelicans.com, Bally Sports Southeast |
| Minnesota Timberwolves at New York Knicks | Saturday, October 14 | 7:30 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Portland Trail Blazers at Utah Jazz | Saturday, October 14 | 9 p.m. | TBA |
| Oklahoma City Thunder at Charlotte Hornets | Sunday, October 15 | 5 p.m. | Bally Sports Oklahoma, Bally Sports Southeast |
| Cairns Taipans at Toronto Raptors | Sunday, October 15 | 6 p.m. | TBA |
| Memphis Grizzlies at Miami Heat | Sunday, October 15 | 6 p.m. | Bally Sports Southeast, TBA |
| Milwaukee Bucks at Los Angeles Lakers | Sunday, October 15 | 8 p.m. | ESPN, Spectrum SportsNet |
| Chicago Bulls at Denver Nuggets | Sunday, October 15 | 9 p.m. | NBC Sports Chicago, TBA |
| Golden State Warriors at Sacramento Kings | Sunday, October 15 | 9 p.m. | ESPN, NBC Sports California |
Data effective as of post date.
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Hawks at Indiana Pacers | Monday, October 16 | 7 p.m. | TBA |
| Maccabi Ra’anana at Cleveland Cavaliers | Monday, October 16 | 7 p.m. | TBA |
| Philadelphia 76ers at Brooklyn Nets | Monday, October 16 | 7:30 p.m. | NBA TV, YES Network |
| Houston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs | Monday, October 16 | 8 p.m. | TBA |
| New Zealand Breakers at Utah Jazz | Monday, October 16 | 9 p.m. | TBA |
| Portland Trail Blazers at Phoenix Suns | Monday, October 16 | 10 p.m. | NBA TV, Arizona’s Family |
| New Orleans Pelicans at Orlando Magic | Tuesday, October 17 | 7 p.m. | Pelicans.com, TBA |
| New York Knicks at Boston Celtics | Tuesday, October 17 | 7:30 p.m. | NBA TV, NBC Sports Boston |
| Maccabi Ra’anana at Minnesota Timberwolves | Tuesday, October 17 | 8 p.m. | Bally Sports North Extra |
| Milwaukee Bucks at Oklahoma City Thunder | Tuesday, October 17 | 8 p.m. | Bally Sports Wisconsin, Bally Sports Oklahoma |
| Toronto Raptors at Chicago Bulls | Tuesday, October 17 | 8 p.m. | TBA, NBC Sports Chicago |
| Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Clippers | Tuesday, October 17 | 10:30 p.m. | ESPN2 |
| Brooklyn Nets at Miami Heat | Wednesday, October 18 | 7:30 p.m. | NBA TV, YES Network |
| Houston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs | Wednesday, October 18 | 8 p.m. | TBA |
| Sacramento Kings at Golden State Warriors | Wednesday, October 18 | 10 p.m. | NBA TV, Kings.com |
| Boston Celtics at Charlotte Hornets | Thursday, October 19 | 7 p.m. | NBA TV, NBC Sports Boston, Bally Sports Southeast |
| Detroit Pistons at Oklahoma City Thunder | Thursday, October 19 | 8 p.m. | TBA, Bally Sports Oklahoma |
| Minnesota Timberwolves at Chicago Bulls | Thursday, October 19 | 8 p.m. | Bally Sports North Extra, NBC Sports Chicago |
| Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Clippers | Thursday, October 19 | 10 p.m. | TBA |
| Phoenix Suns at Los Angeles Lakers | Thursday, October 19 | 10 p.m. | NBA TV, Arizona’s Family, Spectrum SportsNet |
| Utah Jazz at Sacramento Kings | Thursday, October 19 | 10 p.m. | TBA, Kings.com |
| Atlanta Hawks at Philadelphia 76ers | Friday, October 20 | 7 p.m. | NBA TV, NBC Sports Philadelphia |
| Cleveland Cavaliers at Indiana Pacers | Friday, October 20 | 7 p.m. | TBA |
| Orlando Magic at Flamengo | Friday, October 20 | 7 p.m. | TBA |
| Washington Wizards at Toronto Raptors | Friday, October 20 | 7:30 p.m. | TBA |
| Detroit Pistons at Dallas Mavericks | Friday, October 20 | 8 p.m. | TBA |
| Memphis Grizzlies at Milwaukee Bucks | Friday, October 20 | 8 p.m. | Bally Sports Southeast, Bally Sports Wisconsin |
| Miami Heat at Houston Rockets | Friday, October 20 | 8 p.m. | TBA |
| San Antonio Spurs at Golden State Warriors | Friday, October 20 | 10 p.m. | NBA TV |
Data effective as of post date.
Best TV plans for watching the NBA preseason
DIRECTV STREAM is our favorite way to watch the NBA preseason because it carries every national NBA channel and most regional sports networks (RSNs). With plans starting at $64.99 a month, DIRECTV STREAM is expensive for simply watching preseason matchups. But it’ll set you up nicely for the NBA regular season.
Ultimately, the best TV plan for watching any sports league depends on the teams you wish to follow. Using the schedule above for reference, here are three viewing recommendations based on game type.
- Local games: DIRECTV STREAM and fuboTV offer the most RSN coverage of any streaming service. Though, some local games stream free online and air on antenna TV channels—making a paid TV subscription unnecessary for certain fans.
- Out-of-market games: NBA League Pass is the league’s out-of-market TV package designed for fans who don’t live near their preferred team. The service also comes with NBA TV for additional NBA and WNBA coverage.
- National games: Any TV service that offers ESPN, NBA TV, and TNT will get you nationally televised NBA games. Sling TV offers the cheapest way to get all three channels with its Sling Orange plan ($40.00 a month) and Sports Extra add-on ($11.00 a month).
Which TV providers carry NBA preseason games?
TV providers that offer ESPN, NBA TV, and TNT will get you some NBA preseason games. Services like DIRECTV, fuboTV, and Spectrum offer more coverage through RSNs, but channel lineups and game availability can vary based on your location.
| Provider | Price | ESPN | NBA TV | TNT | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | $56.00–$139.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Cox review |
| DIRECTV | $64.99–$154.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read DIRECTV review |
| DIRECTV STREAM | $64.99–$154.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read DIRECTV STREAM review |
| DISH | $79.99–$109.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read DISH review |
| fuboTV | $74.99–$94.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | — |
View plans Read fuboTV review |
| Hulu + Live TV | $69.99–$82.99/mo. | ✔ | — | ✔ |
View plans Read Hulu + Live TV review |
| Optimum | $35.00–$115.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Optimum review |
| Philo | $25.00/mo. | — | — | — |
View plans Read Philo review |
| Sling TV | $40.00–$55.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Sling TV review |
| Spectrum | $59.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Spectrum review |
| Vidgo | $69.99–$99.99/mo. | ✔ | — | — |
View plans Read Vidgo review |
| Xfinity | $20.00–$80.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Xfinity review |
| YouTube TV | $72.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read YouTube TV review |
Data effective as of post date. Compatible device and internet connection required. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
How to watch the NBA preseason for free
Some NBA teams offer free viewing options during the preseason. For instance, the Sacramento Kings stream matches on Kings.com, while the Phoenix Suns air on Arizona’s Family channels (KTVK and KPHE-LD).
If you want more robust preseason coverage, you can also opt for a free trial of DIRECTV STREAM or fuboTV. Both services have an array of regional sports networks and national NBA channels—though fuboTV doesn’t include TNT.
How to watch the NBA preseason FAQ
Does NBA League Pass include preseason games?
Yes, you can stream select NBA preseason games on NBA League Pass. The streaming service also includes NBA TV, which airs many NBA and WNBA matchups each year.
Is the NBA preseason on Hulu?
Yes, all NBA preseason games that air on ESPN and TNT are available to stream on Hulu + Live TV. The live TV streaming service doesn’t offer NBA TV and NBA League Pass, but you can sign up for those services separately.
When does the NBA preseason start?
The 2023 NBA preseason starts on Thursday, October 5, with a matchup between the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves in Abu Dhabi. Preseason ends on Friday, October 20, four days before NBA Opening Day.
Methodology
Our experts researched and compiled a list of every NBA preseason game this year. Using that list, we examined channel listings and compared popular TV providers to determine the best ways to watch the NBA preseason. We based our provider recommendations on game counts, pricing, and ease of use.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
