Calling all basketball fans: wondering whether Fubo is the right streaming service to cater to all your NBA needs? Is there a better streaming service out there for you? Would a VPN help?
In this guide, we’ll answer all those questions, and confirm whether Fubo is the perfect streaming service for NBA fans, or if you should look elsewhere.
Fubo Pro
Try 7 days free
- 1000 hours of cloud DVR
- Stream on ten screens
- 180+ channels
$84.99/month
Fubo Elite
Try 7 days free
- Stream on ten screens
- 1000 hours of cloud DVR
- 250+ channels
- HD and 4K video quality
$94.99/month
Fubo Premier
Try 7 days free
- Stream on ten screens
- 250+ channels
- HD and 4K video quality
- 1000 hours of cloud DVR
- Showtime included
$109.99/month
How to watch the NBA on Fubo in 3 steps
Fubo offers NBA coverage on a few different channels. If you want to see which games are available in your area, you can enter your ZIP code here.
1. National broadcasts
If you’re looking for national broadcasts of NBA games, the channel selection may vary based on the subscription plan you’ve chosen. If you’ve subscribed to the base plan, you’ll get the following channels:
- ABC (depending on your location)
- ESPN
- ESPN2
To get ESPN3 and NBA TV, you’ll need to pay a little bit extra for the Elite plan.
2. Regional broadcasts
Fubo offers a great selection of Regional Sports Networks so you can catch games from some of your favorite local teams. Keep in mind that availability may vary based on your location.
| Team | Regional Sports Network |
|---|---|
| New York Knicks | MSG/MSG+ |
| Boston Celtics | NBC Sports Boston |
| Chicago Bulls | NBC Sports Chicago |
| Denver Nuggets | Altitude Sports |
| Houston Rockets | AT&T Sportsnet Southwest |
| Sacramento Kings | NBC Sports California |
| Portland Trail Blazers | ROOT Sports Northwest |
| Philadelphia 76ers | NBC Sports Philadelphia |
| Golden State Warriors | NBC Sports Bay Area |
| Utah Jazz | AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain |
| Washington Wizards | NBC Sports Washington |
Source: Fubo
3. NBA League Pass
If you’re already a Fubo subscriber, you can easily add the NBA League Pass to your subscription. Here’s how:
- Log into Fubo.
- Select “Manage Add-Ons”.
- Select NBA League Pass.
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
It’s that simple. If you’re a new subscriber, all you need to do is choose “NBA League Pass” at sign-up when you’re setting up your plan and add-ons.
What are the perks of NBA League Pass?
Mainly the fact that you’ll be able to watch out-of-market regular season games. However, if a game is broadcast nationally on ABC or ESPN, it won’t be available on NBA League Pass—you’ll need those specific channels to watch them. Some other benefits of NBA League Pass is that you can watch plenty of live games without the interruption of commercials.
What are the pros and cons of watching the NBA on Fubo?
Fubo is widely known as a great cord-cutting option for sports fans, since it’s packed with tons of sports channels and great features. And we don’t disagree.
You can catch a ton of NBA matches on Fubo, regardless of which subscription plan you choose. However, Fubo doesn’t offer TNT in any of its plans or add-ons, due to unsuccessful deal negotiations with TNT’s parent company, WarnerMedia. This is a significant downside for basketball fans, since if you want to watch the NBA play-offs, you’ll need TNT.
Is there a better streaming service for NBA games?
There are a few different streaming services we’d recommend for all your NBA needs.
Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV is a great option for NBA fans for a few different reasons. First of all, it gives you a ton of channels that air NBA games, including ESPN, ABC and TNT. That means you’ll never miss a play-off game, and you can easily watch nationally broadcast regular-season NBA games. However, you won’t get Regional Sports Networks.
Sling TV
Sling Orange was made with basketball fans in mind: you get ESPN and TNT, so you can watch many nationally broadcast games. You can also pay a little extra for the Sports Extra add-on, which will get you 11 more sports channels, including NBA TV. If you want to get ABC, you can set up an antenna, since they’re compatible with Sling. If you want to get some Regional Sports Networks through NBC Sports, you can upgrade to the Sling Blue + Orange plan.
DirecTV Stream
DirecTV Stream offers ESPN, ABC and TNT with its base Entertainment package, but you’ll need to upgrade to the Choice plan to get NBA TV and some Regional Sports Networks.
Packed with great features and plenty of channels, DirecTV Stream is a great option for sports fans in general.
Do VPNs help when it comes to watching NBA games?
Yes, VPNs can help when it comes to watching NBA games, even if you’re located within the US—and here’s why.
If you’re subscribed to NBA League Pass, some games may be subject to blackout restrictions.
VPNs are useful when watching NBA games, since it can help you get around those blackouts. All you need to do is:
- Get a VPN. Preferably one that prioritizes speed and has a ton of US-based servers. We recommend checking out NordVPN, ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access.
- Download the app. Get the app or browser extension you need to be able to use the VPN to watch NBA games.
- Connect to a server. When it comes to choosing the right server, you need to find a location where there are no blackout restrictions on that particular game. Choose a different state or different country and try your luck.
- Log into your NBA League Pass account and watch. Log into your account as normal or sign up for one and watch the game as you usually would! The use of the VPN should help you to overcome blackout restrictions caused by your location.
Our takeaway: Fubo is a good choice for watching the NBA
Overall, our take on Fubo for NBA viewers is that it’s a great option, with the exception of its lack of the TNT channel, meaning you might miss out on NBA play-offs. You will however get ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2 with the base plan, and can upgrade to the Elite plan to get ESPN3 and NBA TV. The NBA League Pass is also available as an add-on so you can watch out-of-market regular season games.
If you want to go for a different option, then our top choices would be Sling TV as the most affordable, DirecTV Stream as the most comprehensive for NBA fans, and Hulu + Live TV if you’re okay without RSNs.
Alternatively, you can opt for NBA League Pass, and use a VPN like ExpressVPN to overcome blackout restrictions and watch live games commercial-free. It’s the most cost-effective way to watch NBA games, if you don’t need all the other channels.
Tara Khudairi • Author
Tara Khudairi is a freelance content writer and copywriter based in Toronto. Since 2014, she has contributed to brands and blogs alike to tackle popular topics relating to technology, personal finance, entertainment, travel and lifestyle. Whether it’s the latest streaming service or cryptocurrency, she’s passionate about making the complex simple. When she’s not busy typing away, you’ll find Tara watching Netflix’s latest true crime doc or a classic 90’s horror flick.
Lisa Holden • Editor
Lisa Holden is an editor and creative based in Houston, TX. Lisa holds a BA in African-American Studies from Temple University and has spent her career working in news publications and magazines, even founding a magazine herself. She began working as an editor for Flixed in 2023. When she’s not editing or working on one of her many creative endeavors (whenever that is), she enjoys traveling to new places and biking on sunny days.
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