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There are a lot of sports to watch right now. In the midst of MLB playoffs, college football, and NFL action, basketball is also returning to our TVs. The 2025 NBA preseason kicks off this week with a game in Abu Dhabi between the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks.
At a Glance: How to Watch NBA Preseason Games
- Stream: DirecTV, Sling, Fubo
- TV channels: NBA TV, local channels/NBA League Pass, ESPN, ESPN2, TNT
- Preseason dates: Thursday, Oct. 2 – Friday, Oct. 17
As always, the preseason is a great time to get a sneak peek at every team. If you don’t have a way to watch NBA preseason games this year, read on. Ahead is a quick guide on how to livestream NBA preseason games online without cable.
How to Watch NBA Preseason Games Without Cable
Most 2025 NBA preseason games will air on NBA TV or League Pass and local channels, and a handful of games will be shown on ESPN, ESPN2, and TNT.
The best way to stream NBA preseason games without cable is to get a live TV streaming service that carries all those channels and NBA League Pass. Here are the three best options:
editor’s Pick
DirecTV
➤ $69.99/month
➤ Five-day free trial
➤ Up to 185+ channels
The best live TV streaming service for watching NBA preseason games without cable is DirecTV. The service offers access to NBA TV, ESPN, ESPN2, and TNT, plus excellent local coverage and the option to get NBA League Pass. The most affordable option with all the above channels is DirecTV’s MySports plan, which costs $69.99 a month after a five-day free trial.
Fubo
➤ $55.99/month
➤ Five-day free trial
➤ Up to 300+ channels
Sling also carries all the channels you’ll need to watch NBA preseason games, and you can add League Pass to your subscription. You’ll want to get the upgraded Sling Orange + Blue package, which starts at $60.99 a month.
Sling
➤ $45.99/month
➤ Short-term passes available
➤ Up to 46 channels
Fubo carries all the TV channels showing NBA preseason games, but it doesn’t let you add League Pass to your subscription (you can still get League Pass separately here, however). Fubo subscriptions start at $55.99 a month and come with a five-day free trial.
NBA Preseason Dates, Schedule 2025
The 2025 NBA preseason starts on Thursday, Oct. 2, with the NBA Abu Dhabi Game between the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers. Preseason action ends on Friday, Oct. 17.
