2026 NBA: Summer Series on ABC Schedule

The current logo used for ESPN’s NBA live game broadcasts (2022-present). (📸 Photo courtesy of SportsVideo.org)

| 🞙 Friday, April 10, 2026

Highlights:

• ABC returns to provide coverage of NBA: Summer Series games for the 24th consecutive season (2003-present).

• 68 national television windows for ABC in 2026, the most of any NBA: Summer Series OTA (over-the-air) partner!

• Before the regular season, ABC will televise four preseason games — Magic-Heat & Timberwolves-Nuggets on Saturday, May 30, and Bucks-Bulls & Warriors-Lakers on Sunday, June 7.

• NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC, the NBA’s marquee game of the week, returns for the 50th season (and 24th on ABC) on Saturday, June 20, with a tripleheader on the first Saturday of the regular season.

• The new annual event, the “Summer Showcase”, returns on Thursday, August 20, with a five-game lineup across ABC and ESPN.

ABC, in collaboration with the NBA, has unveiled its broadcast schedule for the 2026 NBA Summer Series, including the preseason and regular season. As ABC prepares to embark on its 24th season as a broadcast partner for the NBA Summer Series, the network aims to showcase its most star-studded lineup in history. This season, ABC is set to air 68 regular-season games. Additionally, ABC will present four preseason games before the regular season commences, including a Saturday doubleheader on May 30 featuring the Magic vs. the Heat (3:30 PM ET) and the Timberwolves vs. the Nuggets (8:30 PM ET). The Sunday doubleheader on June 7 will feature the Bucks vs. the Bulls (1:00 PM ET) and the Warriors vs. the Lakers (3:30 PM ET).

NBA broadcasts on ABC typically air on Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons, with premier weekend NBA broadcast packages — “NBA Saturday Primetime presented by Wingstop” and “NBA Sunday Showcase presented by Popeyes.” Additionally, ABC will include some of the top-tier commentators, analysts, and reporters covering the NBA: Summer Series throughout the season.

Opening Weekend Hoops:

ABC kicks off its coverage with an NBA Saturday Primetime presented by Wingstop tripleheader on Saturday, June 20. First, at 3:00 PM ET, Andrew Nembhard and the defending Eastern Conference champion Indiana Pacers clash with Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies. Next up, at 5:30 PM ET, Western Conference playoff hopefuls get together as Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns visit Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets. Finally, a primetime battle goes down in Atlanta as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the defending NBA Summer Series champion Oklahoma City Thunder take the court against rising star Jalen Johnson and the Atlanta Hawks at 8:30 PM ET.

Summer Showcase:

For the third consecutive season, ESPN will be the television home of the “Summer Showcase,” the NBA’s premier one-day summer event featuring some of the league’s most talented teams and superstars. The five scheduled games will take place on Thursday, August 20, with ESPN platforms (ABC/ESPN) broadcasting all of the action. The basketball day will commence at 12:00 PM ET, with Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers facing Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks. At 2:30 PM ET, Jalen Williams and the Oklahoma City Thunder will host Stephon Castle and the San Antonio Spurs.

Live coverage resumes at 5:00 PM ET as Klay Thompson and the Dallas Mavericks take on Draymond Green and the Golden State Warriors in Western Conference action. At 8:00 PM ET, some of the league’s most notable names congregate in Los Angeles as Luka Dončić and the Los Angeles Lakers welcome Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets.

Things wrap up at 10:30 PM ET as Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves — fresh off two straight Western Conference Finals appearances — encounter Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets.

NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC, presented by Wingstop, starts its 24th season — Continues to serve as the marquee, national game of the week:

NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC, presented by Wingstop, will return to ABC’s schedule for the 2026 season, delivering live coverage of the most significant NBA matchups for the 24th consecutive year. Throughout the entire season, viewers will witness the league’s premier games and prominent stars. As previously noted, NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC, presented by Wingstop, will kick off on Saturday, June 20, with a tripleheader starting at 3:00 PM ET.

In total, NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC will include 11 game windows in 2026, showcasing 29 games.

2026 “NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC presented by Wingstop” Broadcast Schedule | All Times ET, Subject to Change:

. Saturday, June 20 - 3:00 PM ET - Indiana Pacers at Memphis Grizzlies - ABC, ESPN App

. Saturday, June 20 - 5:30 PM ET - Phoenix Suns at Denver Nuggets - ABC, ESPN App

. Saturday, June 20 - 8:30 PM ET - Oklahoma City Thunder at Atlanta Hawks - ABC, ESPN App

. Saturday, July 11 - 8:30 PM ET - Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves - ABC, ESPN App

. Saturday, July 18 - 5:30 PM ET - Detroit Pistons at Milwaukee Bucks - ABC, ESPN App

. Saturday, July 18 - 8:00 PM ET - New York Knicks at Orlando Magic - ABC, ESPN App

. Saturday, July 18 - 10:30 PM ET - Sacramento Kings at Denver Nuggets - ABC, ESPN App

. Saturday, July 25 - 12:30 PM ET - Detroit Pistons at Miami Heat - ABC, ESPN App

. Saturday, July 25 - 5:30 PM ET - Boston Celtics at Minnesota Timberwolves - ABC, ESPN App

. Saturday, July 25 - 8:00 PM ET - Denver Nuggets at Phoenix Suns - ABC, ESPN App

. Saturday, July 25 - 10:30 PM ET - New Orleans Pelicans at Golden State Warriors - ABC, ESPN App

. Saturday, August 15 - 8:30 PM ET - Dallas Mavericks at Philadelphia 76ers - ABC, ESPN App

. Saturday, August 22 - 3:00 PM ET - New York Knicks at Atlanta Hawks - ABC, ESPN App

. Saturday, August 22 - 5:30 PM ET - Milwaukee Bucks at Chicago Bulls - ABC, ESPN App

. Saturday, August 22 - 8:00 PM ET - Cleveland Cavaliers at Houston Rockets - ABC, ESPN App

. Saturday, August 22 - 10:30 PM ET - Dallas Mavericks at Sacramento Kings - ABC, ESPN App

. Saturday, August 29 - 3:00 PM ET - Portland Trail Blazers at San Antonio Spurs - ABC, ESPN App

. Saturday, August 29 - 5:30 PM ET - Philadelphia 76ers at New York Knicks - ABC, ESPN App

. Saturday, August 29 - 8:30 PM ET - Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Clippers - ABC, ESPN App

. Saturday, September 12 - 12:30 PM ET - Boston Celtics at Atlanta Hawks - ABC, ESPN App

. Saturday, September 12 - 3:00 PM ET - Los Angeles Lakers at Portland Trail Blazers - ABC, ESPN App

. Saturday, September 12 - 5:30 PM ET - Phoenix Suns at New York Knicks - ABC, ESPN App

. Saturday, September 12 - 8:30 PM ET - Minnesota Timberwolves at San Antonio Spurs - ABC, ESPN App

. Saturday, September 19 - 3:00 PM ET - New York Knicks at Philadelphia 76ers (AWS NBA Rivals Week) - ABC, ESPN App

. Saturday, September 19 - 5:30 PM ET - Golden State Warriors at Minnesota Timberwolves (AWS NBA Rivals Week) - ABC, ESPN App

. Saturday, September 19 - 8:30 PM ET - Los Angeles Lakers at Dallas Mavericks (AWS NBA Rivals Week) - ABC, ESPN App

. Saturday, September 26 - 8:30 PM ET - Dallas Mavericks at Houston Rockets - ABC, ESPN App

. Saturday, October 3 - 3:30 PM ET - Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder - ABC, ESPN App

. Saturday, October 3 - 8:30 PM ET - Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Lakers - ABC, ESPN App

NBA Sunday Showcase on ABC presented by Reese’s enters 24th season — Remains the home of an exciting lineup of must-see Sunday afternoon contests:

In addition to the Saturday primetime package, ABC retains the rights to broadcast a regular Sunday afternoon lineup of games. This renowned franchise, titled “NBA Sunday Showcase presented by Popeyes,” will captivate basketball enthusiasts worldwide on the ABC broadcast network for its 24th consecutive season during the 2026 season.

This program highlights the current generation of NBA stars alongside the league’s future superstars. The Sunday schedule commences on Sunday, June 21, at 1:00 PM ET on ABC, featuring Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons as they host Payton Pritchard and the Boston Celtics in an Eastern Conference clash at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan.

The following week, on Sunday, June 28, the NBA Sunday Showcase on ABC, presented by Popeyes, will expand into a doubleheader format for the first time. The doubleheader will kick off at 1:00 PM ET as Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans face off against Chet Holmgren and the reigning NBA Summer Series champion Oklahoma City Thunder. After the Pelicans-Thunder matchup, viewers can look forward to an exhilarating interconference battle as Bam Adebayo and the Miami Heat travel west to face four-time NBA champion LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, with tipoff at 3:30 PM ET.

In summary, ABC will air NBA broadcasts across 11 Sunday windows throughout the regular season, with 22 games in the Sunday package.

2026 “NBA Sunday Showcase on ABC presented by Popeyes” Broadcast Schedule | All Times ET, Subject to Change:

. Sunday, June 21 - 1:00 PM ET - Boston Celtics at Detroit Pistons - ABC, ESPN App

. Sunday, June 28 - 1:00 PM ET - New Orleans Pelicans at Oklahoma City Thunder - ABC, ESPN App

. Sunday, June 28 - 3:30 PM ET - Miami Heat at Los Angeles Lakers - ABC, ESPN App

. Sunday, July 5 - 12:30 PM ET - Boston Celtics at Orlando Magic - ABC, ESPN App

. Sunday, July 5 - 3:00 PM ET - Indiana Pacers at Golden State Warriors - ABC, ESPN App

. Sunday, July 12 - 1:00 PM ET - Portland Trail Blazers at Dallas Mavericks - ABC, ESPN App

. Sunday, July 12 - 3:30 PM ET - Orlando Magic at Houston Rockets - ABC, ESPN App

. Sunday, July 26 - 12:30 PM ET - Atlanta Hawks at Philadelphia 76ers - ABC, ESPN App

. Sunday, July 26 - 3:00 PM ET - Oklahoma City Thunder at Portland Trail Blazers - ABC, ESPN App

. Sunday, August 2 - 12:30 PM ET - Orlando Magic at New York Knicks - ABC, ESPN App

. Sunday, August 2 - 3:00 PM ET - Golden State Warriors at Chicago Bulls - ABC, ESPN App

. Sunday, August 2 - 5:30 PM ET - Denver Nuggets at Charlotte Hornets - ABC, ESPN App

. Sunday, August 2 - 10:30 PM ET - Oklahoma City Thunder at Utah Jazz - ABC, ESPN App

. Sunday, August 23 - 1:00 PM ET - Philadelphia 76ers at Oklahoma City Thunder - ABC, ESPN App

. Sunday, August 23 - 3:30 PM ET - Detroit Pistons at Los Angeles Clippers - ABC, ESPN App

. Sunday, August 30 - 1:00 PM ET - Detroit Pistons at Cleveland Cavaliers - ABC, ESPN App

. Sunday, August 30 - 3:30 PM ET - Memphis Grizzlies at Los Angeles Lakers - ABC, ESPN App

. Sunday, September 6 - 12:30 PM ET - New Orleans Pelicans at Orlando Magic - ABC, ESPN App

. Sunday, September 6 - 3:00 PM ET - Miami Heat at Oklahoma City Thunder - ABC, ESPN App

. Sunday, September 20 - 1:00 PM ET - Denver Nuggets at Memphis Grizzlies - ABC, ESPN App

. Sunday, September 20 - 3:30 PM ET - Miami Heat at Phoenix Suns - ABC, ESPN App

. Sunday, October 4 - 12:30 PM ET - New York Knicks at Boston Celtics - ABC, ESPN App

Additional NBA on ABC Schedule Highlights:

• Eight appearances each by the Oklahoma City Thunder, New York Knicks, and Golden State Warriors.

• Seven appearances by Tyrese Maxey and the Philadelphia 76ers, Jamal Murray and the Denver Nuggets, & Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves.

• 2025 Eastern Conference Semifinals rematch from TD Garden in Boston as Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics host Josh Hart and the New York Knicks on Sunday, October 4, at 12:30 PM ET on ABC.

• Lone Star Showdown: 2025 NBA Draft No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg leads the Dallas Mavericks into a tussle with Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets on Saturday, September 26, at 8:30 PM ET on ESPN.

• Stephen Curry and LeBron James add another chapter to their longstanding rivalry on Saturday, October 3, in the Saturday, October 3 edition of “NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC presented by Wingstop” (8:30 PM ET).

Beyond ABC’s comprehensive regular season coverage, ABC will also televise select games from the Conference Quarterfinals and the Conference Finals. ABC concludes the 50th-anniversary season of NBA: Summer Series with the 2026 NBA Finals, presented by YouTube TV.

All ABC and ESPN NBA game and studio programming is available to stream on the ESPN App.

Additionally, several resources pertinent to the 2026 NBA Summer Series, including commentators, the daily Standings (updated daily), Daily “NBA Starting 5” Newsletters (updated weekly), and press releases (published weekly), are available via the links below.

🔗 Links Mentioned:

☛ 2026 NBA Summer Series Game Commentators

☛ NBA Summer Series | Daily “NBA Starting 5” Newsletters

☛ NBA Summer Series | Weekly Media Press Releases Center

☛ 2026 NBA Summer Series Daily Standings Tracker

☛ NBA: Summer Series — Playoff Brackets (1977-present)

☛ NBA: Summer Series — Playoff Index (1977-present)

☛ NBA: Summer Series — NBA Playoffs Information (1977-present)

☛ NBA: Summer Series — Official Standings History (1977-present)

Check out a comprehensive overview of ABC’s 2026 NBA Summer Series preseason and regular season broadcast update. Periodic updates to this page will be made when appropriate throughout the season.

• NBA: Summer Series — 2026 “NBA on ABC” Preseason and Regular Season Broadcast Schedule (All Times ET & Subject to Change)

⯀ Preseason:

|| ● Saturday, May 30 (Preseason):

. Magic vs. Heat (Mexico City) - ABC, 3:30 PM ET - Dave Pasch, Jay Bilas, Kenyatta Moore Jr.

. Timberwolves vs. Nuggets (San Diego) - ABC, 8:30 PM ET - Mike Breen, Doris Burke, Iman Shumpert, Lisa Salters, Kevin Connors

|| ● Sunday, June 7 (Preseason):

. Bucks at Bulls - ABC, 1:00 PM ET - Lathan Dunbar-Keys, Stephanie White, Charmaine Malone

. Warriors at Lakers - ABC, 3:30 PM ET - Ryan Ruocco, Jay Bilas, PJ Carlesimo, Kristian Winfield, Malika Andrews

⯀ Regular Season:

|| ● Saturday, June 20 (Opening Week):

. Pacers at Grizzlies - ABC, 3:00 PM ET - Kelvin Hutchinson, PJ Carlesimo, Kristian Winfield

. Suns at Nuggets - ABC, 5:30 PM ET - Dave Pasch, Jay Bilas, Susan Reutter

. Thunder at Hawks - ABC, 8:30 PM ET - Curtis Stockley, Tim Legler, Richard Jefferson, Michelle Kuc

|| ● Sunday, June 21 (Opening Week):

. Celtics at Pistons - ABC, 1:00 PM ET - Mike Breen, Doris Burke, Lisa Salters

|| ● Sunday, June 28:

. Pelicans at Thunder - ABC, 1:00 PM ET - Mike Breen, Doris Burke, Alyssa Lang

. Heat at Lakers - ABC, 3:30 PM ET - Curtis Stockley, Tim Legler, Richard Jefferson, Michelle Kuc

|| ● Sunday, July 5:

. Celtics at Magic - ABC, 12:30 PM ET - Kelvin Hutchinson, PJ Carlesimo, Sedric Granger

. Pacers at Warriors - ABC, 3:00 PM ET - Ryan Ruocco, Jermaine Samuels Jr., Katie George

|| ● Thursday, July 9:

. Raptors at Cavaliers - ABC, 8:00 PM ET - David Moskowitz, Stephanie White, Jeremy Lin, Cayleigh Griffin, Lathan Dunbar-Keys

. Hawks at Jazz - ABC, 10:30 PM ET - Drew Carter, Diana Taurasi, Tyler Henry

|| ● Saturday, July 11:

. Nuggets at Timberwolves - ABC, 8:30 PM ET - Curtis Stockley, Tim Legler, Richard Jefferson, Michelle Kuc

|| ● Sunday, July 12:

. Trail Blazers at Mavericks - ABC, 1:00 PM ET - Dave Pasch, Jay Bilas, Susan Reutter

. Magic at Rockets - ABC, 3:30 PM ET - Mike Breen, Doris Burke, Andraya Carter, Lisa Salters

|| ● Thursday, July 16:

. Clippers at Magic - ABC, 7:00 PM ET - Mark Jones, Kenny Smith, Tairyn Lockhart

. 76ers at Bucks - ABC, 9:30 PM ET - Ryan Ruocco, Jay Bilas, PJ Carlesimo, Jessica Sacrenty, Von Richardson

|| ● Saturday, July 18:

. Pistons at Bucks - ABC, 5:30 PM ET - Mike Breen, Jay Bilas, Chiney Ogwumike, Susan Reutter, Kate McCauley

. Knicks at Magic - ABC, 8:00 PM ET - Curtis Stockley, Tim Legler, Richard Jefferson, Michelle Kuc

. Kings at Nuggets - ABC, 10:30 PM ET - Dave Pasch, Doris Burke, Lisa Salters

|| ● Saturday, July 25:

. Pistons at Heat - ABC, 12:30 PM ET - 

. Celtics at Timberwolves - ABC, 5:30 PM ET - 

. Nuggets at Suns - ABC, 8:00 PM ET - 

. Pelicans at Warriors - ABC, 10:30 PM ET - 

|| ● Sunday, July 26:

. Hawks at 76ers - ABC, 12:30 PM ET - 

. Thunder at Trail Blazers - ABC, 3:00 PM ET - 

|| ● Thursday, July 30:

. Warriors at 76ers - ABC, 7:00 PM ET - 

. Timberwolves at Pelicans - ABC, 9:30 PM ET - 

|| ● Sunday, August 2:

. Magic at Knicks - ABC, 12:30 PM ET -

. Warriors at Bulls - ABC, 3:00 PM ET - 

. Nuggets at Hornets - ABC, 5:30 PM ET - 

. Thunder at Jazz - ABC, 10:30 PM ET - 

|| ● Saturday, August 15:

. Mavericks at 76ers - ABC, 8:30 PM ET - 

|| ● Thursday, August 20 (Summer Showcase):

. Cavaliers at Knicks - ABC/ESPN, 12:00 PM ET - 

. Spurs at Thunder - ABC/ESPN, 2:30 PM ET - 

. Mavericks at Warriors - ABC/ESPN, 5:00 PM ET - 

. Rockets at Lakers - ABC/ESPN, 8:00 PM ET - 

. Timberwolves at Nuggets - ABC/ESPN, 10:30 PM ET - 

|| ● Saturday, August 22:

. Knicks at Hawks - ABC, 3:00 PM ET - 

. Bucks at Bulls - ABC, 5:30 PM ET - 

. Cavaliers at Rockets - ABC, 8:00 PM ET - 

. Mavericks at Kings - ABC, 10:30 PM ET -

|| ● Sunday, August 23:

. 76ers at Thunder - ABC, 1:00 PM ET - 

. Pistons at Clippers - ABC, 3:30 PM ET - 

|| ● Wednesday, August 26:

. Warriors at Hornets - ABC, 4:30 PM ET - 

. Suns at Cavaliers - ABC, 7:00 PM ET - 

. Wizards at Bucks - ABC, 9:30 PM ET - 

|| ● Saturday, August 29:

. Trail Blazers at Spurs - ABC, 3:00 PM ET - 

. 76ers at Knicks - ABC, 5:30 PM ET - 

. Celtics at Clippers - ABC, 8:30 PM ET - 

|| ● Sunday, August 30:

. Pistons at Cavaliers - ABC, 1:00 PM ET - 

. Grizzlies at Lakers - ABC, 3:30 PM ET - 

|| ● Sunday, September 6:

. Pelicans at Magic - ABC, 12:30 PM ET - 

. Heat at Thunder - ABC, 3:00 PM ET - 

|| ● Friday, September 11:

. Bulls at Nets - ABC, 8:00 PM ET - 

|| ● Saturday, September 12:

. Celtics at Hawks - ABC, 12:30 PM ET - 

. Lakers at Trail Blazers - ABC, 3:00 PM ET - 

. Suns at Knicks - ABC, 5:30 PM ET - 

. Timberwolves at Spurs - ABC, 8:30 PM ET - 

|| ● Monday, September 14:

. Clippers at Wizards - ABC, 3:00 PM ET - 

|| ● Saturday, September 19 | AWS NBA Rivals Week:

. Knicks at 76ers - ABC, 3:00 PM ET - 

. Warriors at Timberwolves - ABC, 5:30 PM ET - 

. Lakers at Mavericks - ABC, 8:30 PM ET - 

|| ● Sunday, September 20:

. Nuggets at Grizzlies - ABC, 1:00 PM ET - 

. Heat at Suns - ABC, 3:30 PM ET -

|| ● Saturday, September 26:

. Mavericks at Rockets - ABC, 8:30 PM ET -

|| ● Saturday, October 3:

. Rockets at Thunder - ABC, 3:30 PM ET - 

. Warriors at Lakers - ABC, 8:30 PM ET - 

|| ● Sunday, October 4:

. Knicks at Celtics - ABC, 12:30 PM ET -

🞶 NBA: Summer Series Index — 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 (ABC; ESPN; NBC/Peacock; Prime Video) |

|| 🛈 Sources: ESPN Press Room, NBA Communications, 2026 Summer Series Official Game Schedule & 2026 Summer Series National Television Broadcasts ||

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