ESPN is bringing a mix of old and new to its coverage of the 2025-26 NBA season.

Basketball fans will hear plenty of familiar voices on ESPN and ABC broadcasts, as lead play-by-play announcer Mike Breen, analyst Richard Jefferson and reporter Lisa Salters remain fixtures on the lead team. Analyst Tim Legler will join the rest of the crew this season, replacing Doris Burke, who will continue to call games alongside Dave Pasch.

The biggest change for ESPN is the addition of “Inside the NBA,” featuring Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith. The iconic show will air on ESPN and ABC for weeknight doubleheaders as well as marquee weekend games.

Here is everything you need to know about watching NBA games on ESPN and ABC throughout the 2025-26 season.

How to watch the NBA on ESPN and ABC

• TV channel: ABC, ESPN
• Live stream: ESPN app

ABC and ESPN will continue to broadcast games during the regular season and playoffs, and ABC will be the exclusive home of the 2026 NBA Finals.

Now you can watch ESPN without cable. Stream live NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL and college sports, plus “SportsCenter,” “First Take” and all your favorite ESPN shows — anytime, anywhere — only in the new ESPN app.

NBA on ESPN and ABC schedule for 2025-26 season

• Dates: Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays

ESPN and ABC will primarily cover games on Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays during the 2025-26 regular season. “Inside the NBA” will serve as ESPN’s main pregame, halftime and postgame show for its biggest events, but “NBA Countdown” will still air before select games.

ESPN and ABC will also be the home of several major events on the NBA calendar, including the Eastern Conference Finals, NBA Finals and NBA Draft.

‘Inside the NBA’ schedule for 2025-26 season

ESPN has released the full “Inside the NBA” schedule for the 2025-26 regular season. The show will also air throughout the 2026 NBA Playoffs, including the Eastern Conference Finals and NBA Finals.

“Inside the NBA” will make its ESPN debut on Wednesday, Oct. 22.

ESPN app subscription plans, prices

ESPN offers two basic streaming plans. Coverage of live NBA games is not included in the Select plan.

Here is a breakdown of each plan:

Select plan

• $12.99 per month or $129.99 per year
• Access to ESPN+ content
• More than 32,000 live sporting events each year
• Studio shows, on-demand replays and original content

Unlimited plan

• $29.99 per month or $299.99 per year
• Access to all of ESPN’s linear networks and other services, including ESPN+
• 47,000 live sporting events each year
• Studio shows, on-demand replays and original content

NBA on ESPN and ABC announcers, analysts for live games, studio shows

Here is ESPN’s full roster for the 2025-26 NBA season:

Play-by-play announcers

• Mike Breen
• Mark Jones
• Dave Pasch
• Ryan Ruocco

Game analysts

• Jay Bilas
• Doris Burke
• Richard Jefferson
• Tim Legler

‘Inside the NBA’

• Charles Barkley
• Ernie Johnson
• Shaquille O’Neal
• Kenny Smith

Sideline reporters/insiders

• Shams Charania
• Katie George
• Alyssa Lang
• Lisa Salters
• Jorge Sedano
• Brian Windhorst

Studio hosts

Studio analysts

• Michael Malone
• Bobby Marks
• Monica McNutt
• Chiney Ogwumike
• Kendrick Perkins
• Stephen A. Smith
• Michael Wilbon

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