ESPN today announced its 2026-27 regular season schedule for Inside the NBA presented by Eli Lilly. Produced by TNT Sports from its Atlanta studios, the iconic studio show will make 25 regular season appearances across ESPN and ABC, providing fans with a consistent presence throughout the NBA season.
Hosted by Sports Broadcasting Hall of Famer Ernie Johnson and featuring analysts Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith, the Inside the NBA team will continue to provide pregame, halftime and postgame coverage surrounding many of ESPN and ABC’s marquee NBA game windows and events.
The schedule begins with coverage of NBA Opening Week on October 21 and 22 and continues weekly throughout the season’s first four weeks, giving fans an early-season destination alongside ESPN’s NBA coverage. The season-long slate also features a regular presence following NBA on Christmas and throughout January before the start of NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC.
From opening week through the final day of the regular season, the Inside the NBA team will continue to deliver its signature blend of basketball insight, entertainment and candid conversation around many of the league’s most anticipated matchups and events.
NBA Tip-Off presented by Eli Lilly will generally begin one hour prior to tipoff for ESPN game telecasts and 30 minutes before tipoff on ABC, with Inside the NBA presented by Eli Lilly postgame coverage beginning immediately following game broadcasts.
ESPN’s Inside the NBA presented by Eli Lilly 2026-27 regular season schedule
| Date | Where to watch | Game franchise |
| Wed, Oct. 21 | ESPN | NBA on ESPN doubleheader/NBA Tip-Off |
| Thu, Oct. 22 | ESPN | NBA on ESPN doubleheader/NBA Tip-Off |
| Wed, Oct. 28 | ESPN | NBA on ESPN doubleheader |
| Wed, Nov. 4 | ESPN | NBA on ESPN doubleheader |
| Wed, Nov. 11 | ESPN | NBA on ESPN doubleheader |
| Wed, Nov. 25 | ESPN | NBA on ESPN Thanksgiving Eve tripleheader |
| Sat, Dec. 12 | ABC | NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC |
| Fri, Dec. 25 | ESPN/ABC | NBA Christmas Day presented by State Farm |
| Wed, Jan. 6 | ESPN | NBA on ESPN doubleheader |
| Fri, Jan. 8 | ESPN | NBA on ESPN doubleheader |
| Wed, Jan. 13 | ESPN | NBA on ESPN doubleheader |
| Fri, Jan. 22 | ESPN | NBA on ESPN doubleheader |
| Wed, Jan. 27 | ESPN | NBA on ESPN doubleheader |
| Sat, Jan. 30 | ABC | NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC/NBA Rivals Week quadrupleheader |
| Sat, Feb. 6 | ABC | NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC |
| Wed, Feb. 10 | ESPN | NBA on ESPN doubleheader |
| Fri, Feb. 12 | ESPN | NBA on ESPN |
| Sat, Feb. 13 | ABC | NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC |
| Wed, Feb. 17 | ESPN | NBA on ESPN doubleheader |
| Fri, Feb. 26 | ESPN | NBA on ESPN doubleheader |
| Sat, Feb. 27 | ABC | NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC |
| Fri, Mar. 5 | ESPN | NBA on ESPN doubleheader |
| Sat, Mar. 6 | ABC | NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC |
| Sat, Mar. 13 | ABC | NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC |
| Sun, Apr. 11 | ESPN | NBA on ESPN doubleheader/NBA regular season finale |
Schedule subject to change.
The Inside the NBA schedule for the 2027 NBA Playoffs, including the conference finals and NBA Finals, will be announced later in the season. Alongside Inside the NBA presented by Eli Lilly, ESPN’s robust NBA studio lineup includes NBA Countdown presented by Eli Lilly and NBA Today, both hosted by Malika Andrews. NBA Countdown presented by Eli Lilly will continue to provide coverage throughout the NBA season across ESPN and ABC, while NBA Today, ESPN’s weekday NBA studio show, delivers year-round news, analysis and storytelling across the league.
Inside the NBA
Over its celebrated run on television, Inside the NBA has established itself as one of the most acclaimed sports studio shows of all time. Known for its unique blend of basketball analysis, entertainment and candid discussion, the program has earned 21 Sports Emmy Awards and over three decades set the standard for NBA studio shows. Inside the NBA is exclusively produced by TNT Sports.
All of ESPN. All in One Place.
ESPN offers its full suite of networks and services directly to fans on the ESPN App with an ESPN Unlimited subscription, providing more choice, flexibility and access to all of ESPN, including more than 47,000 live events per year, on-demand replays, industry-leading studio shows and original programming, and more. The ESPN App gives fans a unique viewing experience that includes multiview and synchronized two-screen viewing options, swipe-able shortform vertical video and a personalized SportsCenter For You, as well as integrated game stats, ESPN Fantasy sports, betting odds and information from DraftKings, sports merchandise, and more. These features are available to all fans who watch on the ESPN App on mobile and connected TV devices, whether they subscribe directly or through a pay TV package from certain providers. Bundling options available for fans include a Disney+, Hulu, ESPN offering that provides a one-of-a-kind streaming package combining sports with branded and general entertainment. For more visit stream.espn.com.
About TNT Sports
TNT Sports is a global leader in the delivery of premium sports content. The TNT Sports U.S. portfolio includes expansive, multi-platform partnerships with Major League Baseball, the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship, National Hockey League, United States Soccer Federation, College Football Playoff games, BIG EAST, Big 12, Unrivaled, NASCAR and Roland-Garros. TNT Sports also produces the iconic Inside the NBA studio show. Owned and operated platforms are highlighted by Bleacher Report, the #1 digital destination for young sports fans, along with House of Highlights, B/R W, Golf Digest, and a full suite of digital and social portfolio brands. Additionally, TNT Sports co-manages NCAA.com and NCAA March Madness Live. TNT Sports in Europe and the Republic of Ireland includes partnerships with the Premier League, Emirates FA Cup, UEFA, Premiership Rugby, MotoGP, British and World Superbikes, UFC, Australian Open and Roland-Garros, Grand Tour Cycling, the UCI Mountain Bike World Series, every major winter sports World Championship and World Cup event, and the Olympic Games 2026-2032.
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