Well, it’s the 2024-2025 season, and if you cut the cord, that is completely fine. Catch all of the thrilling games played on the court, such as the highly anticipated second season by Victor Wembanyama. If you’re looking for live games or replays, or if you want to stream your favorite teams from other locations, then you are at the right place. In this easy-to-understand 2024 NBA streaming guide, we shall show you the best ways to stream NBA games from channels, features, and more. This way, it will be easy for you to pick the best NBA streaming service for what you need.
Hulu + Live TV
Best for On-Demand and Live TV Streaming
YouTube TV
Best for Replacing Cable
FuboTV
Best for Sports Fanatics
Max (HBO Max)
Best for TNT Games
Sling TV
Best for Channel Add-Ons
DirecTV Stream
Best for RSN Coverage
Best NBA Streaming Services for 2024
We tested and looked at the best NBA streaming services for this season to help you find the right one. The services include live games, replays, DVR features, and much more. These are the top choices available.
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1. Hulu + Live TV: Best for On-Demand and Live TV Streaming
Hulu + Live TV is excellent for NBA fans who want the experience of access to live broadcasting and on-demand content. It does not have any Bally Sports RSNs or most SportsNet channels, but it does bring full coverage of the NBA with national channels such as ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV. The live TV offering through Hulu has cloud DVR; it is available on virtually any streaming device, including Roku and Apple TV.
Key Features:
- Good mix of live TV channels
- Worth cloud DVR options to record games
- Mix well between live and on-demand content
- It is compatible with most streaming devices.
Pros:
- Excellent package offers
- Live TV channel listing, detailed
- User-friendly interface
Cons:
- Bally Sports and most SportsNet RSNs
- Base plan includes ads
Perfect For:
- Suitable for fans who are interested in watching live matches and seeing numerous TV programs at any time.
2. YouTube TV: Best for Replacing Cable
YouTube TV is a great service that can replace your cable subscription fully while providing a wide selection of channels for NBA games. This service covers most of the major NBA games, giving access to ESPN, TNT, ABC, and NBA TV. It’s also fantastic for families or households where multiple people want to watch different content simultaneously due to its multi-stream support.
Key Features:
- Streams up to three devices simultaneously
- Wide variety of sports, news, and entertainment channels
- Unlimited storage cloud DVR
- Cheap
Pros:
- Sophisticated DVR capabilities
- User-friendly interface
- Good channel selection for sports enthusiasts
Cons:
- No Bally Sports and SportsNet RSNs
- No A&E or Turner channels
Perfect For:
- Cord-cutters who want a full listing of sports for the NBA, NFL, and more.
3. FuboTV: Best for Sports Fanatics
True sports fans are the biggest fans of FulboTV, as it is one of the best options available. It presents a great variety of live sports channels in general, but basketball fans have the option of NBA games on ESPN, NBA TV, and TNT. Fubo is also a perfect choice for those who just need the local broadcast stations, as it carries Bally Sports RSNs and more. Fubo is a service aggregator that also gives you access to 4K streaming, awesome DVR features, and a friendly user interface. Thus, this monthly package is just one of the options available for you to follow NBA games.
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Key Features:
- Massive enlistment of live sports stations
- Live sports RGB content surfacing on selected shows
- Excellent DVR feature
- RSNN is also involved (Bally Sports is an example)
Pros:
- Wide and live sports broadcast
- Consistent quality of streaming movies
- High-quality DVR for the replays.
Cons:
- It has no A&E and Turner channels in its programming.
- The price point is higher than that of such other services by a small margin.
Perfect For:
- Elemental basketball fans looking for full game access, replays, and local sports networks.
4. Max (HBO Max): Best for TNT Games
If you love NBA broadcasts from TNT, such as the NBA Playoffs, then Max—which used to be known as HBO Max—is probably the best streaming service for you. This service boasts an enormous library of content, including movies and shows, and it also includes NBA coverage via its network of TNT. It’s not a dedicated sports streaming service, but it’s an excellent way for basketball fans who enjoy other on-demand fare.
Key Features:
- TNT NBA games access.
- Amazing library of trending shows and movies.
- App very fast and usable.
Pros:
- Ad-free tier for offline viewing
- Good 4K content is available on more expensive plans.
- Suitable for sports and entertainment.
Cons:
- Costly subscription
- No out-of-market NBA game broadcasts
Perfect For:
- Viewers who would want TNT basketball games, among other forms of entertainment.
5. Sling TV: Best for Channel Add-Ons
In addition to NBA games, Sling TV offers flexibility and cost-effectiveness. Therefore, Sling TV can prove to be beneficial, particularly if you’re interested in adding additional sports channels. You cannot enjoy all important NBA channels by availing yourself of the basic package; however, you can change your subscription to ESPN, TNT, or NBA TV. Sling also allows users to rent movies. The channel is free to those using only basic content.
Key Features:
- Add-ons with flexible subscription options.
- A free edition is also available for light viewers, featuring an amazing selection of sports channels with add-ons.
Pros:
- Low starting price
- Customizable channel lineup
- Free level for light users
Cons:
- Local stations
- Confusing channel distribution for sports fans
Perfect For:
- Budget-conscious fans who want to customize their sport streaming services.
6. DirecTV Stream: Best for RSN Coverage
One of the reasons DirecTV Stream is great is the very good RSN coverage, so it is a good choice for a one-stop shop for NBA fans looking to watch local games, starting with Bally Sports but also including NBC Sports and other regional sports networks. Expensive, but lots of live NBA coverage, especially national games on channels like ESPN and TNT.
Key Features:
- View all RSNs and key NBA networks
- Exceptional streaming with no lags.
- Available DVR options:
Pros:
- Perfect for fans looking for RSN coverage
- Reliable performance with high-quality streaming
- Supports up to 20 simultaneous streams on a home network
Cons:
- High subscription cost
- Interfacing quirks
Perfect For:
- Those who want to watch local NBA games and other live television channels.
How to Stream NBA Games Without Cable
Avoid subscribing to a cable station to watch live NBA games. Here’s how to stream NBA games in 2024:
- NBA League Pass: The premium NBA League Pass enables you to watch games that are unavailable in your local area. This will work best for a person who likes a team located elsewhere. You can get into NBA TV, League Pass, or League Pass Premium. It makes the premium feature where the advertisement is removed while on one or multiple devices for games being streamed.
- Streaming Services with RSN Coverage If you want to see your local team play their games, you will want coverage that includes RSN. In your area, this might include DirecTV Stream and FuboTV, as each offers Bally Sports along with other RSNs, ensuring you can see games by your local NBA squad.
- National Networks: Mega Networks that show NBA national games, such as ESPN, TNT, and ABC, all feature NBA games in their major packages. For many viewers, Hulu, Sling, and YouTube TV most include the majors for full events, like the playoffs.
Key Considerations When Choosing the Best NBA Streaming Service
Remember this before getting an NBA streaming service to enjoy it to the fullest.
1. Regional Coverage vs. National Coverage
This is highly important if a viewer wants to see a regional NBA team. This typically means ensuring that one of the plans selected includes your team’s affiliated RSN. Bigger RSNs feature Bally Sports, NBC Sports, and SportsNet.
2. Streaming Devices
It should work on the devices you are using to view it, such as Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, or Chromecast. Compatibility is the key to good streaming.
3. Recording and DVR Features
You may be able to replay games and catch what you missed with the service that offers DVR capability. YouTube TV, Hulu, and FuboTV all have respectable DVR options, but do check the storage so you will know you can save all your recordings.
4. Streaming Resolution
Find a service that has at least 1080p or better resolution for picture quality. FuboTV and YouTube TV offer some in 4K; not all NBA games are streamed in 4K yet.
Conclusion: The Best NBA Streaming Service for 2024
Speaking of the NBA’s online presence, each viewer can also have different tastes and requirements. You can choose to receive updates solely from local news sources, follow broadcasts from national networks, or opt for both. For the full experience, YouTube TV or FuboTV are the only options that offer national and local NBA games. FuboTV stands out for sports enthusiasts due to its focus on sports and exceptional RSN coverage. If you are considering only budget-friendly and flexible options, Sling TV is the right one for you.
Moreover, the NBA streaming service that would be most beneficial to you is the one that has the characteristics you are looking for, including local TV, DVR, and devices that support it. Consider these factors and then choose the basketball streaming service that best suits your viewing preferences for basketball leagues.
With this guide, the NBA Live streams are easy to use now. Watching the 2024 season from wherever you want will win you the championship. You can watch a live match, replay a match, or watch special events. You will surely find the service that is best for you. This is the way to have fun this season.