How to watch NBA 25/26: live stream pre-season games from anywhere
Reigning MVP SGA is poised to run it back with OCK

Statements of intent don't come much more emphatic than locking down MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren. The Thunder harbor legitimate dynastic ambitions, and with the Celtics' Jayson Tatum and the Pacers' Haliburton both out with achilles ruptures, it's difficult to see who could stop Mark Daigneault and the OCK.
You can watch NBA live streams from anywhere with a VPN and potentially for free.
The 25/26 NBA season runs from October 21, 2025 to June 2026.
• India — YouTube (FREE select games)
• Belgium — RTBF Auvio (FREE select games)
• China — CCTV5 (FREE select games)
• U.S. — ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, NBC and NBA TV via Sling TV
• Watch anywhere — Try NordVPN 100% risk free
LeBron James' 23rd season looks likely to be his last with the Lakers, if not his career, though here's hoping we don't all have to sit through the farce of a "Decision" sequel. It's a big campaign for fellow old boys Chris Paul and Kevin Durant too. CP3 has reversed the clock by returning to the Clippers, while KD's Rockets switch triggered the first ever seven-team trade in NBA history.
The Mavericks miraculously winning the draft lottery to sign Cooper Flagg with the first overall pick hasn't quite made up for the Luka Doncic debacle, but it's a start. Victor Wembanyama, meanwhile, will feel like a new signing for the Spurs, after his season was cut frustratingly short by a blood clot last February.
The Eastern Conference has now had a losing record against the West in 23 of the past 26 seasons, though the Cavaliers and Knicks look well-positioned to buck the trend. In the Western Conference, the Rockets, Lakers and Nikola Jokic's Nuggets — who took the Thunder to Game 7 in their playoff series last season — are each aiming high.
Check out all of the TV and streaming details below to find out how to watch NBA 25/26 from anywhere, including free options.
Watch NBA live streams for FREE
You can watch select NBA games free-of-charge on the NBA YouTube channel in India, RTBF Auvio in Belgium, and CCTV5 in China.
Away from home? You may not be able to watch the action like you normally would due to regional restrictions. Fortunately, there’s an easy solution — you can use a VPN to watch NBA 25/26 for free. We’ll show you how to do that below.
Watch NBA 25/26 from anywhere
Away from home at the moment and blocked from watching the basketball on your usual subscription?
You can still watch NBA 25/26 live thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network). The software can make your devices appear to be back in your home country regardless of where you are, making it ideal for viewers away on vacation or on business. Our favorite is NordVPN — we explain why in our NordVPN review.
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Use NordVPN to unblock your usual streaming service and watch NBA 2025/26 live with this exclusive deal.
How to watch NBA live streams in the U.S.
In the U.S., NBA games are televised on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, NBC and NBA TV.
The most cost-efficient way of watching the NBA, therefore, is via one of the best cable TV alternatives.
Sling will give you the most bang for your buck. Sling Blue includes local network affiliates from ABC, NBC and FOX (availability varies by market). Sling Orange carries ESPN and ESPN2. Both plans start at $46/month, but you can combine them for $66/month. You'll get 50% off your first month if you subscribe to Blue or Orange & Blue.
You can add NBA TV via the $11/month Sports Extra add on.
ESPN simulcasts its coverage on ESPN Unlimited, which carries ESPN Select and all ESPN channels, and costs $29.99/month or $299.99/year, but for a limited time you can bundle it with Disney Plus and Hulu for $29.99/month for 12 months.
NBC simulcasts its games on Peacock. You'll need at least a Premium plan to watch live sports, including the NFL and Premier League, starting at $10.99/month or $109.99/year.
Prime Video is home to select Thursday, Friday and Saturday games, plus Berlin and London games, and the NBA Cup knockout round. Prime Video costs $14.99/month or $139/year after a 30-day FREE trial.
YouTube TV, the Fubo Elite with Sports Plus plan and the DirecTV Stream MySports Genre Pack will also get you comprehensive NBA coverage, while Hulu With Live TV carries ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2.
How to watch NBA live streams in the U.K.
In the U.K., at least nine NBA games per week are available to watch via TNT Sports, across multiple channels.
You can stream TNT Sports live online by subscribing to the Discovery Plus Premium plan for £30.99/month, or you can add TNT Sports through Sky, BT, EE or Virgin Media to watch via your television provider.
Alternatively, comprehensive NBA coverage is available through NBA League Pass, which starts at £16.99/month or £114.99 for the season.
If you're not in the U.K. right now but already subscribe to one of these services, try using NordVPN to watch the NBA as if you were back at home.
How to watch NBA live streams in Canada
In Canada, NBA coverage is split between Sportsnet and TSN, which are showing 41 regular-season Raptors games each.
You can stream NBA games live on Sportsnet Plus, which starts at CA$29.99/month CA$249.99/year.
Similarly, TSN+ grants access to everything TSN has to offer for $8/month or $80/year.
If you live in Canada but aren't at home right now, you can still watch NBA live streams by using a quality VPN like NordVPN to unlock your usual service.
How to watch NBA live streams in Australia
Aussies will find NBA live streams on ESPN via Foxtel.
Don't have Foxtel and don't want to subscribe? The games are also shown on Kayo Sports, with its affordable, commitment-free plans starting from just AU$30/month, and hosting plenty of NFL, cricket, AFL, rugby, F1 and more.
Anybody who hasn't used the service before can choose between a 7-day FREE trial and 1 month for AU$1.
ESPN's NBA coverage is available to live stream via Disney Plus too. A subscription starts at AU$15.99/month or AU$159.99/year.
Alternatively, comprehensive NBA coverage is available through NBA League Pass, which starts at AU$24.99/month or AU$174.99 for the season.
Not in Australia right now? You can simply use a VPN like NordVPN to watch all the action on your account as if you were back home.
NBA pre-season
October 7, 2025
Pacers @ Timberwolves
October 8, 2025
Spurs @ Heat
Celtics @ Grizzlies
Jazz @ Rockets
Raptors @ Kings
Trail Blazers @ Warriors
October 9, 2025
Timberwolves @ Knicks
Hornets @ Thunder
Pistons @ Bucks
Cavaliers @ Bulls
Guangzhou Loong-Lions @ Clippers
October 10, 2025
Suns @ Nets
Magic @ 76ers
Celtics @ Raptors
Jazz @ Spurs
Kings @ Trail Blazers
October 11, 2025
Thunder @ Pacers
Hawks @ Grizzlies
Hornets @ Mavericks
October 12, 2025
Nets @ Suns
More from Tom's Guide
- NFL 2025 Full Streaming Guide
- Champions League Streaming Guide 2025/26
- How to watch NFL 2025 live streams
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

Aatif is a freelance journalist and copywriter based in the UK. He’s written about technology, sport and politics for a wide range of publications including TechRadar, What Hi-Fi?, The Independent, Trusted Reviews, and Newsweek. These days, he focuses mainly on streaming at Future, an arrangement that combines two of his greatest passions: live TV and penny-pinching. When he's not attending a top-flight English soccer match, you can find him perfecting his table tennis skills.
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