The NBA is one of the most-watched sports events in history, with over 1.5 million loyal viewers worldwide. It’s the most entertaining event anyone can be a part of. However, if you’re not from the US or don’t have access to NBA TV, you may be looking for alternative ways to watch the games and be part of the history.
If so, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll present the best platforms/websites for NBA live streaming. You can try them today and watch your favorite team thrive. We’ll also discuss how we’ve selected these platforms to help you navigate your journey and discover your ideal platform.
In this article
Part 1. How We Picked the Best NBA Live Stream Sites
Due to the number of options available, selecting the best NBA livestream platform may be a pain in the neck. They’ve prepared strict rules and guidelines that all the best sites must follow to make it to the top of our platform list. We’ll present the criteria below.
- User interface – The platform must be intuitive and easy to navigate. Even if you’ve never used such platforms before, you should easily find live NBA streams and be able to access them quickly.
- Streaming quality – We must not compromise streaming quality regarding such platforms. Thus, all of the sites you’ll see below provide high-quality NBA streaming services so you don’t miss out on the best NBA moments.
- Coverage – The platform must cover all NBA games and events in real-time. If you select one of the platforms we’ll mention below, you should be able to catch everything NBA-related.
- Cost – NBA streaming shouldn’t hurt your pockets; after all, you’re not in the audience to pay an extensive amount to watch your favorite game. We’ve selected some of the most budget options on the market.
- Compatibility – You should be able to watch NBA events regardless of your device, so we’ve selected the most compatible options.
- Accessibility – The platform should be available worldwide so that everyone can follow their team on the journey to becoming the best on the basketball court.
Part 2. Best NBA Live Stream Sites to Watch NBA Games Online Free
Below is our selection of the best NBA livestream platforms you can use to watch NBA games for free.
Hulu
Best for: budget-friendly NBA streaming
Hulu is one of the most popular streaming platforms. You may already know it as a platform with numerous TV shows and movies. The platform also offers a Live TV option, allowing you to watch all current NBA games.
If you purchase some of the plans, you’ll gain access to ESPN, ABC, and ESPNU, the main NBA broadcasters, making the coverage unforgettable.
In addition, you can select your favorite NBA teams and let the algorithm recommend the best games to watch on the Hulu platform. You can also get notifications when your team is about to play. Hulu is available on desktop and mobile devices so that you can watch on the go.
Pros and Cons
Fubo
Best for: NBA variety and coverage
Fubo is among the best streaming platforms regarding coverage; you’ll access the most renowned NBA broadcasters, such as ESPN and TNT, and take your experience to the next level. One of the best things about this platform is that you can play your favorite games for up to 72 hours and relive the whole experience again.
Another fantastic thing is that the platform allows you to record your favorite NBA moments for up to 250 hours. You don’t have to purchase a subscription immediately; instead, enjoy the 7-day free trial and determine whether you want to continue with the Fubo platform.
Pros and Cons
YouTube TV
Best for: convenient NBA streaming
If you’re a YouTube user, you’ll instantly know how easy and convenient the YouTube TV platform is. Aside from the convenience, the platform has excellent coverage, with channels like ABC, ESPN, and NBA TV appearing on it.
One of the most unique things about YouTube TV is that you’ll get unlimited DVR storage, meaning you can record everything you want without limitations. You can also watch your favorite NBA games on three devices simultaneously to avoid missing any crucial NBA moments.
Pros and Cons
DirecTV Stream
Best for: a customizable NBA streaming experience
Although DirecTV is among the most expensive streaming options, it justifies the price. You can stream up to 20 channels on a single home network, meaning you can follow all NBA games happening at any moment.
In addition, DirecTV comes with unlimited DVR cloud storage, which preserves your recordings for up to nine months. The channels you’ll get will depend on the plan you select, but all plans contain RSNs from Spectrum, Comcast, and Sinclair, which should be sufficient for your NBA streaming journey.
Pros and Cons
Max
Best for: complete coverage
Max is one of the platforms that provide the most NBA coverage. For instance, it offers TBS, TNT, and truTV channels, which is rare in the NBA streaming community. It has made it to the top of the list due to the channel variety and convenience.
Moreover, since it’s a relatively new platform in the NBA streaming world, the prices are affordable. A subscription costs $10 a month. It also lets you download and view content offline on all devices, making Max accessible and convenient.
Pros and Cons
Part 3. How to Watch NBA Live Streams
NBA schedules may initially seem confusing, especially if you’re new to the basketball world. Thus, the first step you should take is to select your desired streaming platform.
Next, the day of the game is crucial since different channels will stream NBA games on different days. For instance, TNT broadcasts games on Tuesdays and Thursdays, while ESPN broadcasts on Wednesdays and Fridays.
According to the day of the match, you can select the channel or the streaming platform and gain quick access to the current games. You can use streaming services if you don’t have cable or are outside of the US with no NBA coverage in the country.
The next step is to open your desired streaming platform and input your credentials. Head to the channel according to the streaming day and select the game you want to watch. Most of the abovementioned platforms will notify you if your team is about to play soon, so you can also rely on notifications.
You can also open the platform, and all of the games will be displayed on the homepage, ready for you to access with one click.
Conclusion
The NBA is among the most followed sports in the world, but not everyone has the opportunity to turn on their TVs and watch the game unfold. You may want to get a streaming platform or site to make your dreams come true and watch history being made.
We’ve presented the most reliable streaming platforms, including Hulu, Fubo, DirecTV, YouTube TV, and Max. These platforms have excellent coverage, allowing you to follow all NBA games.
Some platforms will also allow you to record or play your favorite games back in case you’ve missed the plot and want to relive the experience.