How to watch NBA games live online in 2024

How to watch NBA games with a VPN

Bypass streaming restrictions on your school or office Wi-Fi and learn how to watch NBA games live from anywhere:

1. Get ExpressVPN.
2. Connect to a server location that matches the broadcaster you want to watch. For example, United States basketball fans can connect to a server in the U.S. to catch games on Hulu+Live TV, Fubo, or YouTube TV.
3. It’s game time!

Watching on a computer? For the best streaming experience, use the ExpressVPN browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.

Why you need a VPN to stream the NBA

Your internet provider might slow your connection when it detects streaming activity, causing laggy streams and buffering. A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, which hides your activity from your ISP, allowing you to bypass this type of throttling and watch NBA games without any issues.

If you’re trying to watch at work and the Wi-Fi at your job blocks streaming services, you could miss out on watching some games. VPN encryption prevents the network from monitoring your activity, allowing you to unblock streaming platforms with ease. Just make sure you don’t cheer too loudly when your favorite team pulls off an incredible last-second victory! 

Best VPN for watching the NBA in 2024

ExpressVPN has a global network of servers in 105 countries and 12 U.S. states, making it easy to find one in your preferred location. Our service works seamlessly with sports streaming platforms that broadcast NBA games, such as NBA League Pass, Fubo, and YouTube TV. Our 10-Gbps servers give you a blazing-fast VPN connection, so you can enjoy pixel-perfect video quality, even in UHD.

You can connect up to 8 devices to the VPN at once with a single account, so you can watch any game of your choosing on your smart TV while your roommates stream movies and shows on their smartphones, gaming consoles, and other devices. Try ExpressVPN now with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee. 

How to watch NBA games with League Pass

In the U.S., NBA League Pass is subject to blackouts, but in other countries, you can enjoy the NBA without blackouts with the international version of NBA League Pass, which also comes with a 7-day free trial. Various packages are available, including one for those who only want to watch a specific team. 

NBA game blackouts: International League Pass vs. U.S. League Pass

NBA League Pass is available both inside and outside the United States. However, there are key differences every fan needs to know.

The U.S. League Pass offers live games and full-game replays for all teams. However, blackouts apply. This means that games are not available live on the U.S. League Pass in a team’s home market. For example, if you’re in New York City, you won’t be able to watch the Milwaukee Bucks playing the Knicks on League Pass because the game will be blacked out in your area. However, you can watch if the Bucks are playing the Los Angeles Clippers, and the game is only airing on local networks in the Bucks broadcast area.

Nationally broadcast games on ESPN, ABC, TNT, and NBA TV—in other words, most of the playoffs—are also blacked out for United States customers. Sticking with the above examples, a Bucks-Clippers game airing on ESPN would be blacked out in New York City because, in theory, anyone living in the United States can watch it. 

Blackouts are put in place to protect local broadcasters’ viewership while preserving users’ ability to watch out-of-market games. If you’re streaming from a country outside the United States or Canada, every game is effectively “out-of-market,” meaning that there are no blackouts to worry about. 

Is ISP throttling ruining your streaming quality and enjoyment of the game? Connect to one of ExpressVPN’s servers in 105 countries to bypass activity-based throttling and enjoy picture-perfect streaming quality wherever you are. The NBA’s official website has a full list of countries where NBA League Pass is available.

Regional sports networks explained

As in Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League, most NBA games air locally on regional sports networks. However, not every streaming service offers every RSN, and YouTube TV doesn’t offer Bally Sports Networks in any area. Fubo, DirecTV Stream, and Hulu + Live TV all offer free trials and select regional sports networks depending on the ZIP code you use when signing up. 

As of October 2024, 13 of the NBA’s 30 teams play on Bally Sports Network RSNs. As for the other 17 teams, some like the Chicago Bulls (Chicago Sports Network), Houston Rockets (Houston Sports Network), and New York Knicks (MSG) either own or co-own their own regional sports networks. The Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, and Sacramento Kings all play on NBC Sports Regional Networks, and the Toronto Raptors’ rights are shared between Sportsnet and TSN. 

Stream the NBA using cord-cutting services

Prefer to watch on the big screen? Learn about all the ways to get ExpressVPN on your TV.

How to watch NBA games on ESPN+

ESPN+ will often simulcast NBA games airing on ABC and ESPN throughout the 2024-25 season. Please note that a valid TV subscription, either to a traditional cable company or a cord-cutting service like Fubo, is typically required to stream NBA broadcasts on ESPN+ even if you’re already subscribed to ESPN+.

Watching on a computer? For the best streaming experience, use the ExpressVPN browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.

We’ll keep this page updated with more ways to watch NBA games as they’re announced.

Live stream the NBA on all your streaming devices

ExpressVPN has apps for computers, smart phones, tablets, and smart TVs, and is also compatible with gaming consoles. You can connect on up to eight devices simultaneously, so you’re set to watch the NBA at home or on the go.

Key dates for the 2024-25 NBA season

The 2024-25 NBA season officially begins Tuesday, October 22. Here are some key dates to keep in mind throughout the league’s 79th season.

ExpressVPN is a VPN service not intended to be used as a means of copyright circumvention. Please read the ExpressVPN Terms of Service and your content provider’s Terms of Use for more details.

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