ESPN and ABC, in partnership with the NBA, today announced the broadcast schedule for the 2026-27 NBA regular season. Marking ESPN’s 25th consecutive season of NBA game coverage, the schedule will feature many of the league’s top stars, rivalries and marquee matchups throughout the season.
NBA games will generally air on ESPN, presented by State Farm, including Wednesday nights throughout the season and Friday night doubleheaders from January through March. On ABC, games will air Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons through NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC, the exclusive national NBA game of the week, and NBA Sunday Showcase on ABC, respectively. In addition to carrying many of the season’s highest-profile games, ESPN will continue its comprehensive NBA coverage with industry-leading commentators, analysts and reporters.
NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC — return of NBA’s national game of the week
NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC returns for the 2026-27 season as the exclusive national NBA game of the week, continuing to showcase many of the league’s premier teams and biggest stars. The action begins Dec. 12 as the defending NBA Champion New York Knicks and Finals MVP Jalen Brunson visit the Miami Heat and two-time Kia NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The schedule is highlighted by a blockbuster NBA Rivals Week quadrupleheader on Jan. 30, beginning at 12:30 p.m. with the Philadelphia 76ers and four-time Kia NBA MVP LeBron James visiting the Miami Heat and Giannis Antetokounmpo. At 3 p.m., the Denver Nuggets and three-time Kia NBA MVP Nikola Jokić face the Oklahoma City Thunder and reigning two-time Kia NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in a matchup featuring the winners of four of the last five Kia NBA MVP awards. Coverage continues at 5:30 p.m. when the Western Conference Champion San Antonio Spurs and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Victor Wembanyama visit the Golden State Warriors and two-time Kia NBA MVP Stephen Curry.
The quadrupleheader concludes at 8:30 p.m. as the New York Knicks and Jalen Brunson host the Los Angeles Lakers and reigning NBA scoring champion Luka Dončić. Additional NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC matchups include Los Angeles Lakers vs. San Antonio Spurs on Feb. 6, Golden State Warriors vs. New York Knicks on Feb. 13, Philadelphia 76ers vs. New York Knicks on Feb. 27, Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers on March 6 and Philadelphia 76ers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves on March 13.
Super Bowl Week in Los Angeles
Los Angeles hosts this season’s Super Bowl – ESPN’s first – and the network’s NBA week in the host city helps sets the stage, beginning Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 10 p.m. on ESPN with a cross-town showdown between the Los Angeles Lakers and LA Clippers, and continuing Friday, Feb. 12 at 10:30 p.m. on ESPN as the Denver Nuggets visit the Lakers – all leading into Super Bowl LXI across ESPN and ABC on Sunday, Feb. 14.
Additional ABC schedule highlights
- League-leading six appearances by the New York Knicks;
- Five appearances each by the Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers and San Antonio Spurs;
- NBA Rivals Week quadrupleheader on Jan. 30 featuring Philadelphia 76ers vs. Miami Heat, Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs vs. Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers vs. New York Knicks;
- Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks square off in NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC on Feb. 27;
- NBA Sunday Showcase on ABC features Jaylen Brown’s return to Boston with the Philadelphia 76ers on March 7 and a March 14 doubleheader featuring Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder.
Additional ESPN schedule highlights
- League-leading eight appearances each by the Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves;
- Seven appearances each by the Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, New York Knicks and Oklahoma City Thunder;
- Thanksgiving Eve tripleheader on Nov. 25: Miami Heat vs. Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs vs. Portland Trail Blazers;
- Second annual Pioneers Classic on Feb. 3 as the Detroit Pistons host the New York Knicks, honoring the legacy of the NBA’s first Black players;
- Jaylen Brown returns to Boston with the Philadelphia 76ers to face the Celtics on March 7;
- Opening week features Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Miami Heat debut, LaMelo Ball’s Minnesota Timberwolves debut and LeBron James’ Philadelphia home debut;
- Super Bowl week in Los Angeles features a pair of marquee games as the Los Angeles Lakers host the LA Clippers on Feb. 10 and the Denver Nuggets on Feb. 12.
Thanksgiving Eve tripleheader
ESPN will once again present a Thanksgiving Eve tripleheader on Wednesday, Nov. 25. The action begins at 5 p.m. as the Miami Heat and Giannis Antetokounmpo visit the Philadelphia 76ers and LeBron James. At 7:30 p.m., the Minnesota Timberwolves and Anthony Edwards, along with LaMelo Ball, travel to Oklahoma City to face the Thunder and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The evening concludes at 10 p.m. when the San Antonio Spurs and Victor Wembanyama visit the Portland Trail Blazers and Damian Lillard.
All three matchups are Group Play games in the Emirates NBA Cup 2026.
Second annual Pioneers Classic
ESPN will present the second annual Pioneers Classic on Wednesday, Feb. 3, at 7 p.m. as the Detroit Pistons and Cade Cunningham host the New York Knicks and Jalen Brunson. The game honors the legacy of the NBA’s first Black players and continues a league initiative recognizing the pioneers who helped shape the game.
NBA Sunday Showcase on ABC
NBA Sunday Showcase on ABC returns with three doubleheaders beginning Feb. 28. The schedule tips off with the Denver Nuggets facing the San Antonio Spurs, followed by the Los Angeles Lakers visiting the Dallas Mavericks.
On March 7, the Philadelphia 76ers and Jaylen Brown return to Boston to face the Celtics and Jayson Tatum before the Minnesota Timberwolves meet the Denver Nuggets. The package concludes March 14 with the Boston Celtics visiting the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs facing the Oklahoma City Thunder.
NBA Christmas Day presented by State Farm
As previously announced, ESPN continues its longstanding tradition of presenting all five NBA Christmas Day presented by State Farm games on Friday, Dec. 25, the biggest day of the regular season. All games will once again air on both ESPN and ABC.
American Express NBA Tip-Off
As announced earlier this week, ESPN tips off its 2026-27 NBA regular season coverage on Wednesday, Oct. 21, beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET as the Minnesota Timberwolves and Anthony Edwards, along with newly acquired LaMelo Ball in his Timberwolves debut, visit the Miami Heat and Giannis Antetokounmpo in his Heat debut.
American Express NBA Tip-Off Schedule
| Date | Time (ET) | Game | Where to Watch |
| Wed, Oct. 21 | 7:30 p.m. | Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Miami Heat | ESPN |
| Wed, Oct. 21 | 10 p.m. | Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers | ESPN |
| Thu, Oct. 22 | 7 p.m. | Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Philadelphia 76ers | ESPN |
| Thu, Oct. 22 | 9:30 p.m. | Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | ESPN |
NBA Christmas Day presented by State Farm Schedule
| Time (ET) | Game | Where to Watch |
| 12 p.m. | San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks | ESPN, ABC |
| 2:30 p.m. | Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics | ESPN, ABC |
| 5 p.m. | Philadelphia 76ers vs. Los Angeles Lakers | ESPN, ABC |
| 8 p.m. | Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | ESPN, ABC |
| 10:30 p.m. | Denver Nuggets vs. Golden State Warriors | ESPN, ABC |
NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC Schedule
| Date | Time (ET) | Game |
| Dec. 12 | 8:30 p.m. | New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat |
| Jan. 30 | 12:30 p.m. | Philadelphia 76ers vs. Miami Heat |
| Jan. 30 | 3 p.m. | Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder |
| Jan. 30 | 5:30 p.m. | San Antonio Spurs vs. Golden State Warriors |
| Jan. 30 | 8:30 p.m. | Los Angeles Lakers vs. New York Knicks |
| Feb. 6 | 8:30 p.m. | Los Angeles Lakers vs. San Antonio Spurs |
| Feb. 13 | 8:30 p.m. | Golden State Warriors vs. New York Knicks |
| Feb. 27 | 8:30 p.m. | Philadelphia 76ers vs. New York Knicks |
| Mar. 6 | 8:30 p.m. | Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers |
| Mar. 13 | 8:30 p.m. | Philadelphia 76ers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves |
NBA Sunday Showcase on ABC Schedule
| Date | Time (ET) | Game |
| Feb. 28 | 1 p.m. | Denver Nuggets vs. San Antonio Spurs |
| Feb. 28 | 3:30 p.m. | Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks |
| Mar. 7 | 1 p.m. | Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics |
| Mar. 7 | 3:30 p.m. | Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets |
| Mar. 14 | 12 p.m. | Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks |
| Mar. 14 | 2:30 p.m. | San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder |
Full ESPN and ABC Broadcast Schedule
| Date | Time (ET) | Game | Where to Watch |
| Wed, Oct. 21 | 7:30 p.m. | Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Miami Heat | ESPN |
| Wed, Oct. 21 | 10 p.m. | Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers | ESPN |
| Thu, Oct. 22 | 7 p.m. | Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Philadelphia 76ers | ESPN |
| Thu, Oct. 22 | 9:30 p.m. | Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | ESPN |
| Wed, Oct. 28 | 7 p.m. | Philadelphia 76ers vs. Indiana Pacers | ESPN |
| Wed, Oct. 28 | 9:30 p.m. | Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks | ESPN |
| Wed, Nov. 4 | 7 p.m. | Philadelphia 76ers vs. Detroit Pistons | ESPN |
| Wed, Nov. 4 | 9:30 p.m. | Dallas Mavericks vs. San Antonio Spurs | ESPN |
| Wed, Nov. 11 | 7 p.m. | Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks | ESPN |
| Wed, Nov. 11 | 9:30 p.m. | Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets | ESPN |
| Wed, Nov. 18 | 7 p.m. | Milwaukee Bucks vs. Miami Heat | ESPN |
| Wed, Nov. 18 | 9:30 p.m. | Golden State Warriors vs. Dallas Mavericks | ESPN |
| Wed, Nov. 25 | 5 p.m. | Miami Heat vs. Philadelphia 76ers | ESPN |
| Wed, Nov. 25 | 7:30 p.m. | Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | ESPN |
| Wed, Nov. 25 | 10 p.m. | San Antonio Spurs vs. Portland Trail Blazers | ESPN |
| Sat, Dec. 12 | 8:30 p.m. | New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat | ABC |
| Wed, Dec. 16 | 7 p.m. | Washington Wizards vs. Boston Celtics | ESPN |
| Wed, Dec. 16 | 9:30 p.m. | Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | ESPN |
| Fri, Dec. 25 | 12 p.m. | San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks | ESPN, ABC |
| Fri, Dec. 25 | 2:30 p.m. | Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics | ESPN, ABC |
| Fri, Dec. 25 | 5 p.m. | Philadelphia 76ers vs. Los Angeles Lakers | ESPN, ABC |
| Fri, Dec. 25 | 8 p.m. | Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | ESPN, ABC |
| Fri, Dec. 25 | 10:30 p.m. | Denver Nuggets vs. Golden State Warriors | ESPN, ABC |
| Wed, Jan. 6 | 7:30 p.m. | Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Philadelphia 76ers | ESPN |
| Wed, Jan. 6 | 10 p.m. | New York Knicks vs. Golden State Warriors | ESPN |
| Fri, Jan. 8 | 7 p.m. | Miami Heat vs. Philadelphia 76ers | ESPN |
| Fri, Jan. 8 | 9:30 p.m. | Phoenix Suns vs. Dallas Mavericks | ESPN |
| Wed, Jan. 13 | 7 p.m. | New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics | ESPN |
| Wed, Jan. 13 | 9:30 p.m. | Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | ESPN |
| Wed, Jan. 20 | 7 p.m. | Chicago Bulls vs. Brooklyn Nets | ESPN |
| Wed, Jan. 20 | 9:30 p.m. | Miami Heat vs. San Antonio Spurs | ESPN |
| Fri, Jan. 22 | 7 p.m. | New York Knicks vs. Atlanta Hawks | ESPN |
| Fri, Jan. 22 | 9:30 p.m. | Minnesota Timberwolves vs. San Antonio Spurs | ESPN |
| Wed, Jan. 27 | 7 p.m. | Detroit Pistons vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | ESPN |
| Wed, Jan. 27 | 9:30 p.m. | Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | ESPN |
| Fri, Jan. 29 | 7 p.m. | Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Toronto Raptors | ESPN |
| Fri, Jan. 29 | 9:30 p.m. | Charlotte Hornets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | ESPN |
| Sat, Jan. 30 | 12:30 p.m. | Philadelphia 76ers vs. Miami Heat | ABC |
| Sat, Jan. 30 | 3 p.m. | Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | ABC |
| Sat, Jan. 30 | 5:30 p.m. | San Antonio Spurs vs. Golden State Warriors | ABC |
| Sat, Jan. 30 | 8:30 p.m. | Los Angeles Lakers vs. New York Knicks | ABC |
| Wed, Feb. 3 | 7 p.m. | New York Knicks vs. Detroit Pistons | ESPN |
| Wed, Feb. 3 | 9:30 p.m. | Utah Jazz vs. Houston Rockets | ESPN |
| Sat, Feb. 6 | 8:30 p.m. | Los Angeles Lakers vs. San Antonio Spurs | ABC |
| Wed, Feb. 10 | 7:30 p.m. | Golden State Warriors vs. Boston Celtics | ESPN |
| Wed, Feb. 10 | 10 p.m. | LA Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers | ESPN |
| Fri, Feb. 12 | 10:30 p.m. | Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers | ESPN |
| Sat, Feb. 13 | 8:30 p.m. | Golden State Warriors vs. New York Knicks | ABC |
| Wed, Feb. 17 | 7 p.m. | New York Knicks vs. Detroit Pistons | ESPN |
| Wed, Feb. 17 | 9:30 p.m. | Boston Celtics vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | ESPN |
| Fri, Feb. 26 | 7:30 p.m. | Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics | ESPN |
| Fri, Feb. 26 | 10 p.m. | Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets | ESPN |
| Sat, Feb. 27 | 8:30 p.m. | Philadelphia 76ers vs. New York Knicks | ABC |
| Sun, Feb. 28 | 1 p.m. | Denver Nuggets vs. San Antonio Spurs (From Moody Center in Austin, Tex.) | ABC |
| Sun, Feb. 28 | 3:30 p.m. | Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks | ABC |
| Wed, Mar. 3 | 7:30 p.m. | Toronto Raptors vs. Miami Heat | ESPN |
| Wed, Mar. 3 | 10 p.m. | San Antonio Spurs vs. Denver Nuggets | ESPN |
| Fri, Mar. 5 | 7 p.m. | Boston Celtics vs. Detroit Pistons | ESPN |
| Fri, Mar. 5 | 9:30 p.m. | San Antonio Spurs vs. Houston Rockets | ESPN |
| Sat, Mar. 6 | 8:30 p.m. | Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers | ABC |
| Sun, Mar. 7 | 1 p.m. | Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics | ABC |
| Sun, Mar. 7 | 3:30 p.m. | Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets | ABC |
| Wed, Mar. 10 | 7 p.m. | Orlando Magic vs. Miami Heat | ESPN |
| Wed, Mar. 10 | 9:30 p.m. | Atlanta Hawks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | ESPN |
| Sat, Mar. 13 | 8:30 p.m. | Philadelphia 76ers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | ABC |
| Sat, Mar. 13 | 10:30 p.m. | LA Clippers vs. Portland Trail Blazers | ESPN |
| Sun, Mar. 14 | 12 p.m. | Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks | ABC |
| Sun, Mar. 14 | 2:30 p.m. | San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | ABC |
| Wed, Mar. 17 | 7:30 p.m. | Dallas Mavericks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | ESPN |
| Wed, Mar. 17 | 10 p.m. | Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers | ESPN |
| Wed, Mar. 24 | 7:30 p.m. | San Antonio Spurs vs. Boston Celtics | ESPN |
| Wed, Mar. 24 | 10 p.m. | Philadelphia 76ers vs. Golden State Warriors | ESPN |
| Sun, Mar. 28 | 12:30 p.m. | New York Knicks vs. Orlando Magic | ESPN |
| Sun, Mar. 28 | 3 p.m. | Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets | ESPN |
| Wed, Mar. 31 | 7 p.m. | Golden State Warriors vs. Philadelphia 76ers | ESPN |
| Wed, Mar. 31 | 9:30 p.m. | Denver Nuggets vs. Dallas Mavericks | ESPN |
| Wed, Apr. 7 | 7:30 p.m. | Cleveland Cavaliers vs. San Antonio Spurs | ESPN |
| Wed, Apr. 7 | 10 p.m. | Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Lakers | ESPN |
| Sun, Apr. 11 | 6 p.m. | TBD | ESPN |
| Sun, Apr. 11 | 8:30 p.m. | TBD | ESPN |
In addition to its regular season coverage, ESPN platforms are the exclusive home of the NBA Finals on ABC, the 2027 Western Conference Finals and the 2027 NBA Draft and also broadcast first- and second-round NBA 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. Information regarding ESPN’s NBA studio pre- and postgame programming lineup, including Inside the NBA, NBA Tip-Offand NBA Countdown will be announced separately.
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