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The current logo used for ESPN's NBA live game broadcasts (2022-present). (πΈ Photo courtesy of SportsVideo.org)
| ⦿ Thursday, August 14, 2025
- ABC returns for the 24th consecutive season of NBA coverage with a 23-game schedule (Christmas Day, Saturday Primetime, & Sunday Showcase).
- As per usual, ABC kicks off its regular season lineup of games with a full slate of Christmas Day π— Thursday, December 25 — with 13 live hours of game coverage beginning at 12:00 PM (ET) (with a simulcast available on ESPN).
- "NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC presented by Wingstop" — the widely celebrated national game of the week — returns with a special tripleheader (Knicks vs. 76ers, 3:00 PM ET; Warriors vs. Timberwolves, 5:30 PM ET; & Lakers vs. Mavericks, 8:30 PM ET) on Saturday, January 24 during the fourth annual "NBA Rivals Week".
- π Super Bowl Sunday brings the season debut of ABC's longstanding Sunday afternoon package — "NBA Sunday Showcase on ABC presented by Popeyes" — New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics on Sunday, February 8 at 12:30 PM (ET).
On Thursday (Aug. 14) of this week, the National Basketball Association (NBA), in conjunction with ABC and ESPN, announced the complete broadcast schedule for the 2025-26 NBA regular season. ABC celebrates its 24th season of carrying national NBA broadcasts with a schedule full of enticing matchups — including Christmas Day, NBA Saturday Primetime, and NBA Sunday Showcase.
As a general rule, ABC holds the rights to two of the most important NBA properties that a singular network can have — "NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC presented by Wingstop" and "NBA Sunday Showcase on ABC presented by Popeyes" — with the Saturday package starting in January and the Sunday package kicking off in February. ABC resumes its investment in NBA coverage during the 2025-26 season with a spectacular group of play-by-play commentators, game analysts, sideline reporters, studio hosts, & studio analysts.
Christmas Day Star Power:
This year, ESPN will once again have the responsibility of televising all five Christmas Day games presented by State Farm on Thursday, December 25. Game coverage starts at 12:00 PM (ET) from Madison Square Garden, where Darius Garland and the Cleveland Cavaliers compete against Karl-Anthony Towns and the New York Knicks. At 2:30 PM (ET), Devin Vassell and the San Antonio Spurs travel to Oklahoma City for a showdown with Jalen Williams and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Coverage continues at 5:00 PM (ET) as Cooper Flagg — playing his first-ever Christmas game — leads the Dallas Mavericks into a Western Conference battle against Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors. At 8:00 PM (ET), Los Angeles plays host to a Western Conference game that features a pair of future Hall of Famers, as Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets clash with LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.
The full Christmas lineup wraps up with the 10:30 PM (ET) nightcap. In this game, Julius Randle and the Minnesota Timberwolves — fresh off two consecutive Western Conference Finals matchups — come into Denver to play Jamal Murray and the Denver Nuggets.
NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC presented by Wingstop:
"NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC presented by Wingstop" is back for the 11th consecutive season, serving as the marquee NBA national game each week. ABC's 2025-26 "NBA Saturday Primetime" package will kick off with an exciting tripleheader on Saturday, January 24, during NBA Rivals Week. The first game starts at 3:00 PM (ET) with the New York Knicks, led by Jalen Brunson, visiting the Philadelphia 76ers, featuring Joel Embiid. At 5:30 PM (ET), the Minnesota Timberwolves, with Anthony Edwards, will compete against the Golden State Warriors and Stephen Curry. The night will wrap up at 8:30 PM (ET) as Luka DonΔiΔ, joined by LeBron James, guides the Los Angeles Lakers against his former team, the Dallas Mavericks, nearly a year after his trade.
NBA Sunday Showcase on ABC presented by Popeyes:
The "NBA Sunday Showcase on ABC presented by Popeyes" franchise returns for another season on ABC. Coverage begins on π Super Bowl Sunday - Sunday, February 8 - with an Atlantic Division matchup featuring the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics at 12:30 PM (ET). Following this game, ABC will present at least one game on Sunday afternoons from February 22 through March 15 (with February 22, March 1, and March 8) being doubleheaders.
. Additional NBA on ABC Schedule Highlights:
- Six appearances each by the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, & New York Knicks.
- Five appearances by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
- Massive interconference Sunday Showcase game between the best two teams in the league last year in terms of the record — Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder — Sunday, February 22 at 1:00 PM (ET).
- Stephen Curry and LeBron James are set to add two more chapters to their longstanding rivalry during two Saturday Primetime games in February as the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers play on Saturday, February 7 and Saturday, February 28.
- Lone-Star Showdown: Anthony Davis and the Dallas Mavericks face one of their biggest rivals, Jabari Smith Jr. and the Houston Rockets, in the Saturday, January 31 edition of "NBA Saturday Primetime".
Coupled with ABC's expansive regular season offerings, ABC is the exclusive home of the 2026 NBA Finals presented by YouTube TV, a simulcast of ESPN's first-round coverage of he 2026 NBA Draft, and first-round and second-round playoff games.
As always, all ESPN NBA programming (ABC/ESPN) is available on the ESPN App. NBA Today, ESPN's daily weekday NBA studio program, returns for the fifth consecutive season. The show will air Monday through Friday from 3:00 PM (ET) to 4:00 PM (ET). Furthermore, the programming lineup for ESPN's adjoining NBA coverage, including "Inside the NBA", will be announced later this summer.
Links π:
- » 2025-26 NBA on ESPN/ABC Game Commentators: https://tamirmoore.blogspot.com/2025/08/2025-2026-nba-on-espnabc-announcers.html
- » 2025-26 NBA on ESPN Schedule: https://tamirmoore.blogspot.com/2025/08/2025-2026-nba-on-espn-schedule.html
The 2025-2026 NBA on ABC Schedule is listed below, with regular updates on the broadcast schedule and commentators.
| ▣ NBA on ABC: 2025-26 NBA Regular Season Broadcast Schedule (All Times Eastern and Subject to Change)
- Regular Season:
| ● Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day π)
. Cavaliers at Knicks - ABC/ESPN; ESPN2, 12:00 PM (ET) - Ryan Ruocco, Doris Burke, Jorge Sedano (ABC/ESPN); Drew Carter, Monica McNutt, Daisy Duck (animated characters) ("Dunk The Halls" alternate presentation: ESPN2)
. Spurs at Thunder - ABC/ESPN, 2:30 PM (ET) - Mark Jones, Jay Bilas, Katie George
. Mavericks at Warriors - ABC/ESPN, 5:00 PM (ET) - Dave Pasch, PJ Carlesimo, Malika Andrews
. Rockets at Lakers - ABC/ESPN, 8:00 PM (ET) - Mike Breen, Richard Jefferson, Tim Legler, Lisa Salters
. Timberwolves at Nuggets - ABC/ESPN, 10:30 PM (ET) - Marc Kestecher, Stephanie White, Alyssa Lang
| ● Saturday, January 24 — "NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC" (Season Premiere) & NBA Rivals Week
. Knicks at 76ers - ABC, 3:00 PM (ET) - Ryan Ruocco, PJ Carlesimo, Alyssa Lang
. Warriors at Timberwolves - ABC, 5:30 PM (ET) - Dave Pasch, Doris Burke, Jorge Sedano
- » Game postponed due to shooting involving ICE officers in Minneapolis. Rescheduled to Sunday, Jan. 25.
. Lakers at Mavericks - ABC, 8:30 PM (ET) - Mark Jones, Richard Jefferson, Tim MacMahon
- » Mike Breen, Tim Legler, & Lisa Salters originally scheduled. Due to a snow storm impacting most of the country, Breen & Legler were reassigned to the Celtics-Bulls game. That game started at 8:00 PM ET and aired exclusively on the ESPN App.
| ● Saturday, January 31 — "NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC"
. Mavericks at Rockets - ABC, 8:30 PM (ET) - Mike Breen, Tim Legler, Lisa Salters
| ● Saturday, February 7 — "NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC"
. Rockets at Thunder - ABC, 3:30 PM (ET) - Dave Pasch, Doris Burke, Katie George
. Warriors at Lakers - ABC, 8:30 PM (ET) - Mike Breen, Richard Jefferson, Tim Legler, Lisa Salters
| ● Sunday, February 8 — π Super Bowl Sunday & "NBA Sunday Showcase on ABC" (Season Premiere)
. Knicks at Celtics - ABC, 12:30 PM (ET) - Ryan Ruocco, PJ Carlesimo, Jorge Sedano
| ● Saturday, February 21 — "NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC"
. Rockets at Knicks - ABC, 8:30 PM (ET) -
| ● Sunday, February 22 — "NBA Sunday Showcase on ABC"
. Cavaliers at Thunder - ABC, 1:00 PM (ET) -
. Nuggets at Warriors - ABC, 3:30 PM (ET) -
| ● Saturday, February 28 — "NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC"
. Lakers at Warriors - ABC, 8:30 PM (ET) -
| ● Sunday, March 1 — "NBA Sunday Showcase on ABC"
. Spurs at Knicks - ABC, 1:00 PM (ET) -
. Timberwolves at Nuggets - ABC, 3:30 PM (ET) -
| ● Saturday, March 7 — "NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC"
. Warriors at Thunder - ABC, 8:30 PM (ET) -
| ● Sunday, March 8 — "NBA Sunday Showcase on ABC"
. Celtics at Cavaliers - ABC, 1:00 PM (ET) -
. Knicks at Lakers - ABC, 3:30 PM (ET) -
| ● Saturday, March 14 — "NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC" (Season Finale)
. Nuggets at Lakers - ABC, 8:30 PM (ET) -
| ● Sunday, March 15 — "NBA Sunday Showcase on ABC" (Season Finale)
. Timberwolves at Thunder - ABC, 1:00 PM (ET) -
|| Sources π: NBA Communications & ESPN Press Room ||
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Ryan ruocco, pj carlesimo and Alyssa lang are calling Knicks at the sixers, Dave Pasch, Doris Burke, jorge Sedano on warriors-timberwolves and mike breen, Richard Jefferson, Tim legler, Lisa salters are calling lakers-mavericks
ReplyDelete@royalsfan Thanks bro!
Deletewarriors timberwolves has been postponed to tomorrow at 4:30 PM due to some bad stuff (not weather related), it should still air on ABC, with the same crew
ReplyDeleteI just checked, and the warriors timberwolves tommorow is airing on NBA TV, not ABC
ReplyDelete@royalsfan Makes sense. ABC knows that tomorrow is the NFL Conference Championship, and airing any NBA games on a Sunday would be pointless as the NFL would kill them in the ratings. Obviously, ABC is probably going to get an extra game added to their schedule to make up for this GS/MIN postponement.
DeleteI am watching Knicks-Sixers and I cant figure out who the color commentator is.
ReplyDelete@Mark T. PJ Carlesimo is the game analyst for today's Knicks-76ers game. Carlesimo normally calls games on the radio, but is getting additional games this season on the television side.
DeleteAh. That name sounded familiar.
DeleteAlso the Warriors-Timberwolves game was postponed due to the killing of Alex Pretti by ICE agents
ReplyDelete@Mark T. Mark, thank you for that update! Pretty pissed off by that video by the way. I watched and it was so inhumane and disgusting. May Alex Pretti Rest in Peace. Now, ABC is scrambling to find last minute programming.
DeleteWhat did they end up airing?
Delete"Inside the NBA" postgame show from 5:30 PM ET to 6:00 PM ET. Then, ABC News coverage on the shooting death of Alex Pretti by ICE agents from 6:00 PM ET to 8:00 PM ET.
DeleteOnce 8 PM ET hit, the "Inside the NBA" crew returned to preview the Lakers/Mavericks game. Just like they were scheduled to do before the Warriors/Timberwolves game was postponed in the first place.
NBA on ESPN/ABC | Media Press Release
ReplyDeleteSaturday, January 24, 2026
| NBA on ESPN Full Court Press: 11th Season of NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC presented by Wingstop kicks off this Saturday with a tripleheader
NOTE: The GS/MIN game has been postponed due to an shooting involving ICE officers in Minneapolis, MN.
ESPN’s 11th season of NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC, presented by Wingstop, kicks off on Saturday, January 24, featuring a highly anticipated star-studded tripleheader. The action begins at 3:00 PM (ET), as the Philadelphia 76ers, led by NBA All-Star starter Tyrese Maxey, host the New York Knicks, featuring fellow All-Star starter and reigning Clutch Player of the Year, Jalen Brunson. Ryan Ruocco will provide play-by-play commentary, accompanied by analyst PJ Carlesimo and sideline reporter Alyssa Lang.
At 5:30 PM (ET), the Golden State Warriors, with two-time NBA MVP Stephen Curry, will travel to face the Minnesota Timberwolves and their rising star, Anthony Edwards. Dave Pasch will deliver the play-by-play, joined by analyst Doris Burke, while Jorge Sedano reports from the sidelines. (Note: This game has been POSTPONED, but was originally scheduled.)
The primetime lineup concludes with the Dallas Mavericks, led by this year’s first overall draft pick, Cooper Flagg, hosting the Los Angeles Lakers at 8:30 PM (ET). This matchup features four-time NBA MVP LeBron James and league scoring leader Luka DonΔiΔ, who returns to Dallas nearly a year after his trade from the team. Mike Breen will call the action, supported by analysts Richard Jefferson and Tim Legler, with sideline reporter Lisa Salters.
Prior to the tripleheader, NBA Tip-Off presented by Eli Lilly will air at 2:30 PM (ET) on ABC, featuring Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O’Neal. The crew will return at 8:00 PM (ET) for Inside the NBA, providing halftime and postgame coverage for all three games. The postgame show will air immediately after the final game, with any additional coverage available on the ESPN App.
All three matchups are part of NBA Rivals week.
Upcoming NBA on ABC Schedule (All Times ET):
|| ● Saturday, January 24 — NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC (Tripleheader)
. 2:30 PM ET - NBA Tip-Off presented by Lilly - ABC, ESPN App
Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley
. 3:00 PM ET - New York Knicks at Philadelphia 76ers presented by Wingstop - ABC, ESPN App
Ryan Ruocco, PJ Carlesimo, Alyssa Lang
. 5:30 PM ET - Golden State Warriors at Minnesota Timberwolves presented by Wingstop - ABC, ESPN App
Dave Pasch, Doris Burke, Jorge Sedano — POSTPONED
. 8:00 PM ET - Inside the NBA presented by Lilly - ABC, ESPN App
Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley
. 8:30 PM ET - Los Angeles Lakers at Dallas Mavericks presented by Wingstop - ABC, ESPN App
Mike Breen, Richard Jefferson, Tim Legler, Lisa Salters
. 11:00 PM ET - Inside the NBA presented by Lilly - ABC, ESPN App
Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley
- ✼ Note: This week's broadcast lineup and commentator assignments are SUBJECT TO CHANGE without notice.
| π Source: https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2026/01/espn-nba-full-court-press-espn-tips-off-nba-saturday-primetime-on-abc-presented-by-wingstop-with-blockbuster-tripleheader/
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Hey Tamir, you mentioned that ABC might be added an extra game to make up for the GSW-MIN postponement. When do you see them maybe adding an extra game?
ReplyDelete@Smash Probably after the All-Star Break some time.
DeleteNBA on ESPN/ABC | Media Press Release
ReplyDeleteTuesday, February 3, 2026
πΆ NBA on ESPN: Full Court Press — This week, ESPN presents multiple days of live NBA coverage, including the first edition of the "NBA Sunday Showcase" on Super Bowl Sunday
The 2025-26 NBA regular season continues this week with six combined national NBA telecasts between ABC (three games) and ESPN (three games).
On Wednesday, February 4, The New York Knicks, guided by NBA All-Star starter and reigning Clutch Player of the Year Jalen Brunson, will host the Denver Nuggets, who feature three-time NBA MVP and fellow All-Star starter Nikola JokiΔ at 7:00 PM ET.
The evening’s highlight presents a clash between the top two teams in the Western Conference, as the defending NBA champion and league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder, led by reigning MVP and All-Star starter Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, visit the San Antonio Spurs, featuring fellow All-Star starter Victor Wembanyama at 9:30 PM ET.
On Saturday, February 7, ABC will showcase NBA Saturday Primetime presented by Wingstop, highlighting the marquee national NBA games of the week, starting at 3:30 PM ET. The Houston Rockets, led by Kevin Durant, who currently ranks sixth on the NBA's all-time scoring list, will visit the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Later that evening, at 8:30 PM ET, the Los Angeles Lakers, led by four-time NBA MVP LeBron James and league scoring leader and NBA All-Star starter Luka DonΔiΔ, will host the Golden State Warriors and fellow All-Star starter Stephen Curry.
On Sunday, February 8, ESPN will present the season debut of NBA Sunday Showcase on ABC, presented by Popeyes, as the New York Knicks visit the Boston Celtics and NBA All-Star starter Jaylen Brown at 12:30 PM ET.
The action will continue on ESPN with a Western Conference matchup, presented by State Farm, featuring the Minnesota Timberwolves and Anthony Edwards hosting the LA Clippers and Kawhi Leonard at 3:00 PM ET.
Upcoming broadcast schedule for the NBA on ESPN & and the NBA on ABC (All Times ET | Subject to Change):
| ● Wednesday, February 4 -- "NBA Wednesday" (ESPN):
. 6:30 PM ET - NBA Countdown presented by Eli Lilly - ESPN, ESPN App
Malika Andrews, Brian Windhorst, Kendrick Perkins, Michael Malone, Kenny Smith
. 7:00 PM ET - Denver Nuggets at New York Knicks presented by State Farm - ESPN, ESPN App
Dave Pasch, Jay Bilas, Katie George
. 9:30 PM ET - Oklahoma City Thunder at San Antonio Spurs presented by State Farm - ESPN, ESPN App
Mike Breen, Richard Jefferson, Tim Legler, Jorge Sedano
| ● Saturday, February 7 -- "NBA Saturday Primetime" (ABC):
. 3:00 PM ET - NBA Countdown presented by Eli Lilly - ABC, ESPN App
Malika Andrews, Brian Windhorst, Kendrick Perkins, Michael Malone
. 3:30 PM ET - Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder presented by Wingstop - ABC, ESPN App
Dave Pasch, Doris Burke, Katie George
. 8:00 PM ET - NBA Tip-Off presented by Eli Lilly - ABC, ESPN App
Ernie Johnson Jr., Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith, Chris Webber
. 8:30 PM ET - Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Lakers presented by Wingstop - ABC, ESPN App
Mike Breen, Richard Jefferson, Tim Legler, Lisa Salters
. 11:00 PM ET - Inside the NBA presented by Eli Lilly - ABC, ESPN App
Ernie Johnson Jr., Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith, Chris Webber
| ● Sunday, February 8 -- "NBA Sunday Showcase" (ABC & ESPN):
. 12:00 PM ET - NBA Countdown presented by Eli Lilly - ABC, ESPN App
Malika Andrews, Brian Windhorst, Kendrick Perkins, Michael Malone
. 12:30 PM ET - New York Knicks at Boston Celtics presented by Popeyes - ABC, ESPN App
Ryan Ruocco, P.J. Carlesimo, Jorge Sedano
. 3:00 PM ET - Los Angeles Clippers at Minnesota Timberwolves presented by State Farm - ESPN, ESPN App
Mark Jones, Stephanie White, Alyssa Lang
- π» Note: The broadcast schedule and commentator assignments may be subject to change.
| π Source: https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2026/02/espn-nba-full-court-press-espn-presents-three-days-of-nba-coverage-including-the-season-debut-of-nba-sunday-showcase-on-abc-presented-by-popeyes/ |
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