For the first time, the legendary studio show Inside the NBA will have a new home for the upcoming NBA season. Produced by TNT Sports, the 21-time Emmy award-winning show hosted by Ernie Johnson with Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith will stream live on ESPN and ABC, as part of the network’s 2025-26 NBA coverage.
After a nearly four-decade run on TNT, Warner Bros. Discovery is licensing the show to ESPN and ABC, after the company lost its NBA rights. The program will serve as pregame, halftime, and postgame coverage for many of the season’s highest-profile events, including Christmas Day games and ABC’s coverage of the NBA Finals.
“We’re proud that Inside the NBA – one of the most iconic and beloved shows in all of media – will play a leading role in our NBA coverage. Fans should expect the same great show they’re accustomed to watching as it becomes an essential part of the highest-profile events in the NBA, including the NBA Finals,” ESPN President, Content Burke Magnus said in a statement.
The studio show will debut during the season-opening doubleheaders on October 22–23, and ESPN says Inside the NBA will appear around many marquee events throughout the season. The 20-announced dates can be viewed below.
Inside the NBA on ESPN Schedule
| Date | Network | Game franchise |
| Wed, Oct. 22 | ESPN | NBA on ESPN doubleheader presented by State Farm |
| Thu, Oct. 23 | ESPN | NBA on ESPN doubleheader presented by State Farm |
| Wed, Oct. 29 | ESPN | NBA on ESPN doubleheader presented by State Farm |
| Wed, Nov. 12 | ESPN | NBA on ESPN doubleheader presented by State Farm |
| Thu, Dec. 25 | ESPN, ABC | NBA on Christmas presented by State Farm |
| Sat, Jan. 24 | ABC | NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC presented by Wingstop |
| Wed., Jan. 28 | ESPN | NBA on ESPN doubleheader presented by State Farm |
| Sat, Jan. 31 | ABC | NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC presented by Wingstop |
| Sat, Feb. 7 | ABC | NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC presented by Wingstop |
| Fri, Feb. 20 | ESPN | NBA on ESPN doubleheader presented by State Farm |
| Sat, Feb. 21 | ABC | NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC presented by Wingstop |
| Sun, Feb. 22 | ABC | NBA Sunday Showcase presented by Popeye’s |
| Fri, Feb. 27 | ESPN | NBA on ESPN doubleheader presented by State Farm |
| Sat, Feb. 28 | ABC | NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC presented by Wingstop |
| Sun, Mar. 1 | ABC | NBA Sunday Showcase presented by Popeye’s |
| Fri, Mar. 6 | ESPN | NBA on ESPN doubleheader presented by State Farm |
| Sat, Mar. 7 | ABC | NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC presented by Wingstop |
| Sun, Mar. 8 | ABC | NBA Sunday Showcase presented by Popeye’s |
| Sat, Mar. 14 | ABC | NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC presented by Wingstop |
| Sun, Apr. 12 | ESPN | NBA on ESPN doubleheader presented by State Farm |
The NBA on ESPN
Beyond Inside, ESPN is covering more than 100 games for the upcoming season, which will stream live on the ESPN app. Along with ABC, ESPN’s 2025-26 NBA broadcast schedule leans hard into event-driven national nights and premium matchups for the season’s biggest regular-season moments.
For the upcoming season, ESPN will anchor Wednesday-night national windows, while ABC continues to carry marquee Saturday Primetime and Sunday Showcase games. Combined, the networks are set to showcase the league’s top teams, top players, and the new-season storylines every week.
To start the season, Opening Week on ESPN features two back-to-back nights of doubleheaders:
- Wed, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. ET — Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks (ESPN)
- Wed, Oct. 22 at 9:30 p.m. ET — San Antonio Spurs vs. Dallas Mavericks (ESPN)
- Thu, Oct. 23 at 7:30 p.m. ET — Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Indiana Pacers (ESPN)
- Thu, Oct. 23 at 10 p.m. ET — Denver Nuggets vs. Golden State Warriors (ESPN)
To fill out the rest of the calendar, a number of marquee matchups will stream on ESPN, including:
- Thanksgiving Eve Tripleheader — Wed, Nov. 26, 2025: The first-ever Thanksgiving Eve tripleheader (Detroit at Boston; Minnesota at OKC; Golden State at Houston), giving cord cutters a full night of marquee matchups tied to Emirates NBA Cup Group Play.
- Christmas Day — Thu, Dec. 25, 2025: ESPN and ABC carry all five exclusive Christmas Day games (starting at 12 p.m. ET and running through a 10:30 p.m. ET late window), continuing ESPN’s long tradition of must-watch holiday basketball.
- NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC — Jan. 24, 2026 (tripleheader) & select Saturdays: ABC’s premier Saturday package opens with a tripleheader on Jan. 24 (Knicks-76ers; Warriors-Timberwolves; Lakers-Mavericks) and returns across the season as the national Saturday night showcase.
- NBA Sunday Showcase — Feb. 22, 2026 (colossal interconference slate): The Sunday Showcase includes a marquee Feb. 22 matchup between the Cavaliers and Thunder (plus a second afternoon marquee game)
- All-Star/Allied Events — Feb. 13, 2026: The 2026 Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game returns as part of the network’s NBA event slate.
Check out the full slate of NBA on ESPN matchups below.
NBA on ESPN/ABC 2025-26 Schedule
| Date | Time (ET) | Game | Platforms |
| Wed, Oct. 22 | 7 p.m. | Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks | ESPN |
| Wed, Oct. 22 | 9:30 p.m. | San Antonio Spurs vs. Dallas Mavericks | ESPN |
| Thu, Oct. 23 | 7:30 p.m. | Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Indiana Pacers | ESPN |
| Thu, Oct. 23 | 10 p.m. | Denver Nuggets vs. Golden State Warriors | ESPN |
| Wed, Oct. 29 | 7 p.m. | Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics | ESPN |
| Wed, Oct. 29 | 9:30 p.m. | Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | ESPN |
| Wed, Nov. 5 | 7:30 p.m. | Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New York Knicks | ESPN |
| Wed, Nov. 5 | 10 p.m. | San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Lakers | ESPN |
| Sat, Nov. 8 | 10:30 p.m. | Phoenix Suns vs. LA Clippers | ESPN |
| Wed, Nov. 12 | 7 p.m. | Orlando Magic vs. New York Knicks | ESPN |
| Wed, Nov. 12 | 9:30 p.m. | Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | ESPN |
| Wed, Nov. 19 | 7 p.m. | Golden State Warriors vs. Miami Heat | ESPN |
| Wed, Nov. 19 | 9:30 p.m. | New York Knicks vs. Dallas Mavericks | ESPN |
| Wed, Nov. 26 | 5 p.m. | Detroit Pistons vs. Boston Celtics | ESPN |
| Wed, Nov. 26 | 7:30 p.m. | Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | ESPN |
| Wed, Nov. 26 | 10 p.m. | Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors | ESPN |
| Thu, Dec. 25 | 12 p.m. | Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks | ESPN, ABC |
| Thu, Dec. 25 | 2:30 p.m. | San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | ESPN, ABC |
| Thu, Dec. 25 | 5 p.m. | Dallas Mavericks vs. Golden State Warriors | ESPN, ABC |
| Thu, Dec. 25 | 8 p.m. | Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers | ESPN, ABC |
| Thu, Dec. 25 | 10:30 p.m. | Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets | ESPN, ABC |
| Wed, Jan. 7 | 7:30 p.m. | Los Angeles Lakers vs. San Antonio Spurs | ESPN |
| Wed, Jan. 7 | 10 p.m. | Milwaukee Bucks vs. Golden State Warriors | ESPN |
| Wed, Jan. 14 | 7 p.m. | Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Philadelphia 76ers | ESPN |
| Wed, Jan. 14 | 9:30 p.m. | Denver Nuggets vs. Dallas Mavericks | ESPN |
| Fri, Jan. 16 | 7 p.m. | Chicago Bulls vs. Brooklyn Nets | ESPN |
| Fri, Jan. 16 | 9:30 p.m. | Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Houston Rockets | ESPN |
| Wed, Jan. 21 | 7 p.m. | Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Charlotte Hornets | ESPN |
| Wed, Jan. 21 | 9:30 p.m. | Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Milwaukee Bucks | ESPN |
| Sat, Jan. 24 | 3 p.m. | New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers | ABC |
| Sat, Jan. 24 | 5:30 p.m. | Golden State Warriors vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | ABC |
| Sat, Jan. 24 | 8:30 p.m. | Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks | ABC |
| Wed, Jan. 28 | 7 p.m. | Los Angeles Lakers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | ESPN |
| Wed, Jan. 28 | 9:30 p.m. | San Antonio Spurs vs. Houston Rockets | ESPN |
| Fri, Jan. 30 | 7:30 p.m. | Memphis Grizzlies vs. New Orleans Pelicans | ESPN |
| Fri, Jan. 30 | 10 p.m. | LA Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets | ESPN |
| Sat, Jan. 31 | 8:30 p.m. | Dallas Mavericks vs. Houston Rockets | ABC |
| Sun, Feb. 1 | 3:30 p.m. | Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics | ESPN |
| Wed, Feb. 4 | 7 p.m. | Denver Nuggets vs. New York Knicks | ESPN |
| Wed, Feb. 4 | 9:30 p.m. | Oklahoma City Thunder vs. San Antonio Spurs | ESPN |
| Sat, Feb. 7 | 3:30 p.m. | Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | ABC |
| Sat, Feb. 7 | 8:30 p.m. | Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers | ABC |
| Sun, Feb. 8 | 12:30 p.m. | New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics | ABC |
| Sun, Feb. 8 | 3 p.m. | LA Clippers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | ESPN |
| Wed, Feb. 11 | 7:30 p.m. | New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers | ESPN |
| Wed, Feb. 11 | 10 p.m. | Memphis Grizzlies vs. Denver Nuggets | ESPN |
| Fri, Feb. 20 | 7:30 p.m. | Dallas Mavericks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | ESPN |
| Fri, Feb. 20 | 10 p.m. | LA Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers | ESPN |
| Sat, Feb. 21 | 8:30 p.m. | Houston Rockets vs. New York Knicks | ABC |
| Sun, Feb. 22 | 1 p.m. | Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | ABC |
| Sun, Feb. 22 | 3:30 p.m. | Denver Nuggets vs. Golden State Warriors | ABC |
| Wed, Feb. 25 | 7:30 p.m. | Golden State Warriors vs. Memphis Grizzlies | ESPN |
| Wed, Feb. 25 | 10 p.m. | Boston Celtics vs. Denver Nuggets | ESPN |
| Fri, Feb. 27 | 7 p.m. | Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons | ESPN |
| Fri, Feb. 27 | 9:30 p.m. | Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | ESPN |
| Sat, Feb. 28 | 8:30 p.m. | Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors | ABC |
| Sun, Mar. 1 | 1 p.m. | San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks | ABC |
| Sun, Mar. 1 | 3:30 p.m. | Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets | ABC |
| Wed, Mar. 4 | 7 p.m. | Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New York Knicks | ESPN |
| Wed, Mar. 4 | 9:30 p.m. | Atlanta Hawks vs. Milwaukee Bucks | ESPN |
| Fri, Mar. 6 | 7 p.m. | Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics | ESPN |
| Fri, Mar. 6 | 9:30 p.m. | LA Clippers vs. San Antonio Spurs | ESPN |
| Sat, Mar. 7 | 8:30 p.m. | Golden State Warriors vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | ABC |
| Sun, Mar. 8 | 1 p.m. | Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | ABC |
| Sun, Mar. 8 | 3:30 p.m. | New York Knicks vs. Los Angeles Lakers | ABC |
| Wed, Mar. 11 | 7:30 p.m. | Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Orlando Magic | ESPN |
| Wed, Mar. 11 | 10 p.m. | Houston Rockets vs. Denver Nuggets | ESPN |
| Sat, Mar. 14 | 8:30 p.m. | Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers | ABC |
| Sat, Mar. 14 | 10:30 p.m. | Sacramento Kings vs. LA Clippers | ESPN |
| Sun, Mar. 15 | 1 p.m. | Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | ABC |
| Wed, Mar. 18 | 7 p.m. | Golden State Warriors vs. Boston Celtics | ESPN |
| Wed, Mar. 18 | 9:30 p.m. | Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets | ESPN |
| Wed, Mar. 25 | 7 p.m. | Atlanta Hawks vs. Detroit Pistons | ESPN |
| Wed, Mar. 25 | 9:30 p.m. | Houston Rockets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | ESPN |
| Wed, Apr. 1 | 7:30 p.m. | Atlanta Hawks vs. Orlando Magic | ESPN |
| Wed, Apr. 1 | 10 p.m. | San Antonio Spurs vs. Golden State Warriors | ESPN |
| Wed, Apr. 8 | 7:30 p.m. | Milwaukee Bucks vs. Detroit Pistons | ESPN |
| Wed, Apr. 8 | 10 p.m. | Oklahoma City Thunder vs. LA Clippers | ESPN |
| Sun, Apr. 12 | 6 p.m. | TBD | ESPN |
| Sun, Apr. 12 | 8:30 p.m. | TBD | ESPN |