NBA on NBC opening night: How to watch, matchups, schedule for 2025-26 season

The NBA is finally back on NBC.

For the first time since 2002, the league will once again broadcast games on the network.

It all tips off on opening night Oct. 21, with a banner-raising ceremony in Oklahoma City followed by a classic California rivalry.

Here are all the details for the NBA on NBC:

When does the NBA on NBC return?

The NBA on NBC returns Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025.

This is the beginning of an 11-year media rights deal between the NBA and NBCUniversal. The network will have two primetime windows during the week (Tuesdays and a Peacock exclusive doubleheader on Mondays), Sunday Night Basketball after football season ends and playoff games.

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Who is playing on NBA opening night on NBC?

NBA opening night will feature four Western Conference teams in a doubleheader.

First, the Oklahoma City Thunder will celebrate their first championship in the city before facing former OKC star Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets. After that, Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers will host Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors.

How to watch the NBA on NBC and Peacock this season

Both opening night games will air live on NBC, with a streaming option on Peacock.

Every game for the NBA on NBC will air on both NBC and Peacock, aside from the Monday night exclusive doubleheaders on the streaming service. That means there will be basketball on NBC every Tuesday night, plus Sunday nights once the NFL season wraps up in February.

NBC and Peacock will also air the NBA Mexico City Game 2025 (Nov. 1), the first-ever quadrupleheader on Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 19) and NBA All-Star Weekend (Feb. 14-15).

Who are the NBA on NBC broadcasters and announcers?

NBC has put together a loaded lineup for its NBA broadcasting team, including a handful of Hall of Famers — and even the GOAT.

Here’s a breakdown of the NBC team for the NBA this season:

In-arena game coverage

• Play-by-play: Mike Tirico, Noah Eagle, Terry Gannon, Michael Grady
• Game analysts: Reggie Miller, Grant Hill, Jamal Crawford, Derek Fisher, Austin Rivers, Brian Scalabrine, Robbie Hummel, Brad Daugherty
• Sideline reporters: Zora Stephenson, Jordan Cornette, Ashley ShahAhmadi

Pre-game, post-game and studio coverage

• Hosts: Maria Taylor, Ahmed Fareed
• Analysts: Vince Carter, Carmelo Anthony, Tracy McGrady, Austin Rivers, Brian Scalabrine

Insiders

• Front office: Grant Liffmann
• Breaking news: Chris Mannix

Special contributor

• Michael Jordan

Music

• Theme song: Roundball Rock
• Sunday Night Basketball lead-in: Lenny Kravitz

NBA on NBC full schedule for 2025-26 season

NBC and Peacock are set to air 100 regular-season games.

Here’s a look at the full schedule for the 2025-26 season (all times ET):

• Tuesday, Oct. 21: Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder — 7:30 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
• Tuesday, Oct. 21: Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Lakers — 10 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
• Monday, Oct. 27: Cleveland Cavaliers at Detroit Pistons — 7 p.m. (Peacock)
• Monday, Oct. 27: Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves — 9:30 p.m. (Peacock)
• Tuesday, Oct. 28: New York Knicks at Milwaukee Bucks — 8 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
• Tuesday, Oct. 28: Los Angeles Clippers at Golden State Warriors — 11 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
• Saturday, Nov. 1: Dallas Mavericks vs. Detroit Pistons — 10 p.m. (Peacock, Mexico City Game)
• Monday, Nov. 3: Minnesota Timberwolves at Brooklyn Nets — 7 p.m. (Peacock)
• Tuesday, Nov. 4: Orlando Magic at Atlanta Hawks — 8 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
• Tuesday, Nov. 4: Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Clippers — 11 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
• Monday, Nov. 10: Washington Wizards at Detroit Pistons — 7 p.m. (Peacock)
• Tuesday, Nov. 11: Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ers — 8 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
• Tuesday, Nov. 11: Denver Nuggets at Sacramento Kings — 11 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
• Monday, Nov. 17: Milwaukee Bucks at Cleveland Cavaliers — 7 p.m. (Peacock)
• Tuesday, Nov. 18: Detroit Pistons at Atlanta Hawks — 8 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
• Tuesday, Nov. 18: Phoenix Suns at Portland Trail Blazers — 11 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
• Monday, Nov. 24: Cleveland Cavaliers at Toronto Raptors — 7 p.m. (Peacock)
• Monday, Nov. 24: Houston Rockets at Phoenix Suns — 9:30 p.m. (Peacock)
• Tuesday, Nov. 25: Orlando Magic at Philadelphia 76ers — 8 p.m. (NBC, Peacock, NBA Cup Group Play)
• Tuesday, Nov. 25: Los Angeles Clippers at Los Angeles Lakers — 11 p.m. (NBC, Peacock, NBA Cup Group Play)
• Monday, Dec. 1: Chicago Bulls at Orlando Magic — 7:30 p.m. (Peacock)
• Monday, Dec. 1: Phoenix Suns at Los Angeles Lakers — 10 p.m. (Peacock)
• Tuesday, Dec. 2: New York Knicks at Boston Celtics — 8 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
• Tuesday, Dec. 2: Oklahoma City Thunder at Golden State Warriors — 11 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
• Monday, Dec. 8: Sacramento Kings at Indiana Pacers — 7 p.m. (Peacock)
• Monday, Dec. 8: San Antonio Spurs at New Orleans Pelicans — 9:30 p.m. (Peacock)
• Monday, Dec. 15: (TBD) — Peacock
• Monday, December 22: Charlotte Hornets at Cleveland Cavaliers — 7 p.m. (Peacock)
• Monday, Dec. 22: Memphis Grizzlies at Oklahoma City Thunder — 9:30 p.m. (Peacock)
• Tuesday, Dec. 23: Denver Nuggets at Dallas Mavericks — 8 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
• Tuesday, Dec. 23: Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Clippers — 11 p.m. ( NBC, Peacock)
• Monday, Dec. 29: Cleveland Cavaliers at San Antonio Spurs — 8 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
• Monday, Dec. 29: Dallas Mavericks at Portland Trail Blazers — 11 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
• Tuesday, Dec. 30: Philadelphia 76ers at Memphis Grizzlies — 8 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
• Tuesday, Dec. 30: Sacramento Kings at Los Angeles Clippers — 11 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
• Monday, Jan. 5: New York Knicks at Detroit Pistons — 7 p.m. (Peacock)
• Monday, Jan. 5: Denver Nuggets at Philadelphia 76ers — 8:30 p.m. (Peacock)
• Monday, Jan. 5: Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Clippers — 10 p.m. (Peacock)
• Tuesday, Jan. 6: Miami Heat at Minnesota Timberwolves — 8 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
• Tuesday, Jan. 6: Dallas Mavericks at Sacramento Kings — 11 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
• Monday, Jan. 12: Boston Celtics at Indiana Pacers — 7:30 p.m. (Peacock)
• Monday, Jan. 12: Los Angeles Lakers at Sacramento Kings — 10 p.m. (Peacock)
• Tuesday, Jan. 13: Minnesota Timberwolves at Milwaukee Bucks — 8 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
• Tuesday, Jan. 13: Portland Trail Blazers at Golden State Warriors — 11 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
• Monday, Jan. 19: Milwaukee Bucks at Atlanta Hawks — 1 p.m. (Peacock)
• Monday, Jan. 19: Oklahoma City Thunder at Cleveland Cavaliers — 2:30 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
• Monday, Jan. 19: Dallas Mavericks at New York Knicks — 5 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
• Monday, Jan. 19: Boston Celtics at Detroit Pistons — 8 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
• Tuesday, Jan. 20: San Antonio Spurs at Houston Rockets — 8 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
• Tuesday, Jan. 20: Los Angeles Lakers at Denver Nuggets — 10 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
• Monday, Jan. 26: Orlando Magic at Cleveland Cavaliers — 7 p.m. (Peacock)
• Monday, Jan. 26: Portland Trail Blazers at Boston Celtics — 8 p.m. (Peacock)
• Monday, Jan. 26: Golden State Warriors at Minnesota Timberwolves — 9:30 p.m. (Peacock)
• Tuesday, Jan. 27: Milwaukee Bucks at Philadelphia 76ers — 8 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
• Tuesday, Jan. 27: Los Angeles Clippers at Utah Jazz — 10 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
• Sunday, Feb. 1: Los Angeles Lakers at New York Knicks — 7 p.m. (NBC, Peacock, Telemundo)
• Sunday, Feb. 1: Oklahoma City Thunder at Denver Nuggets — 9:30 p.m. (NBC, Peacock, Telemundo)
• Monday, Feb. 2: Houston Rockets at Indiana Pacers — 7 p.m. (Peacock)
• Monday, Feb. 2: Minnesota Timberwolves at Memphis Grizzlies — 9:30 p.m. (Peacock)
• Tuesday, Feb. 3: Boston Celtics at Dallas Mavericks — 8 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
• Monday, Feb. 2: Phoenix Suns at Portland Trail Blazers — 11 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
• Monday, Feb. 9: Milwaukee Bucks at Orlando Magic — 7:30 p.m. (Peacock)
• Monday, Feb. 9: Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Lakers — 10 p.m. (Peacock)
• Sunday, Feb. 22: Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers — 6:30 p.m. (NBC, Peacock, Telemundo)
• Monday, Feb. 23: San Antonio Spurs at Detroit Pistons — 7 p.m. (Peacock)
• Monday, Feb. 23: Utah Jazz at Houston Rockets — 9:30 p.m. (Peacock)
• Tuesday, Feb. 24: New York Knicks at Cleveland Cavaliers — 8 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
• Tuesday, Feb. 24: Minnesota Timberwolves at Portland Trail Blazers — 11 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
• Sunday, March 1: Oklahoma City Thunder at Dallas Mavericks — 8 p.m. (NBC, Peacock, Telemundo)
• Monday, March 2: Boston Celtics at Milwaukee Bucks — 7:30 p.m. (Peacock)
• Monday, March 2: Los Angeles Clippers at Golden State Warriors — 10 p.m. (Peacock)
• Tuesday, March 3: San Antonio Spurs at Philadelphia 76ers — 8 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
• Tuesday, March 3: Phoenix Suns at Sacramento Kings — 11 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
• Sunday, March 8: Houston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs — 8 p.m. (NBC, Peacock, Telemundo)
• Monday, March 9: Denver Nuggets at Oklahoma City Thunder — 7:30 p.m. (Peacock)
• Monday, March 9: New York Knicks at Los Angeles Clippers — 10 p.m. (Peacock)
• Tuesday, March 10: Dallas Mavericks at Atlanta Hawks — 8 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
• Tuesday, March 10: Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Lakers — 11 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
• Sunday, March 15: Golden State Warriors at New York Knicks — 8 p.m. (NBC, Peacock, Telemundo)
• Monday, March 16: Orlando Magic at Atlanta Hawks — 7 p.m. (Peacock)
• Monday, March 16: Phoenix Suns at Boston Celtics — 8 p.m. (Peacock)
• Monday, March 16: Los Angeles Lakers at Houston Rockets — 9 p.m. (Peacock)
• Tuesday, March 17: Cleveland Cavaliers at Milwaukee Bucks — 8 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
• Tuesday, March 17: San Antonio Spurs at Sacramento Kings — 11 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
• Sunday, March 22: Minnesota Timberwolves at Boston Celtics — 8 p.m. (NBC, Peacock, Telemundo)
• Monday, March 23: Memphis Grizzlies at Atlanta Hawks — 7 p.m. (Peacock)
• Monday, March 23: Golden State Warriors at Dallas Mavericks — 9:30 p.m. (Peacock)
• Tuesday, March 24: Orlando Magic at Cleveland Cavaliers — 8 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
• Tuesday, March 24: Denver Nuggets at Phoenix Suns — 11 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
• Sunday, March 29: New York Knicks at Oklahoma City Thunder — 7:30 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
• Sunday, March 29: Golden State Warriors at Denver Nuggets — 10 p.m. (NBC, Peacock, Telemundo)
• Monday, March 30: Philadelphia 76ers at Miami Heat — 7 p.m. (Peacock)
• Monday, March 30: Detroit Pistons at Oklahoma City Thunder — 9:30 p.m. (Peacock)
• Tuesday, March 31: New York Knicks at Houston Rockets — 8 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
• Tuesday, March 31: Portland Trail Blazers at Los Angeles Clippers — 11 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
• Sunday, April 5: Los Angeles Lakers at Dallas Mavericks — 7:30 p.m. (NBC, Peacock, Telemundo)
• Sunday, April 5: Houston Rockets at Golden State Warriors — 10 p.m. (NBC, Peacock, Telemundo)
• Monday, April 6: New York Knicks at Atlanta Hawks — 7 p.m. (Peacock)
• Tuesday, April 7: Minnesota Timberwolves at Indiana Pacers — 8 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
• Tuesday, April 7: Houston Rockets at Phoenix Suns — 11 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)