HOUSTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 01: Jalen Williams #8 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots against Jabari Smith Jr. #10 of the Houston Rockets during the second half at Toyota Center on December 01, 2024 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
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For the first time since 2002, NBA games will be appearing on NBC.
The new arrangement comes about via the league’s new media rights deal, which gives NBC and Peacock games every Tuesday evening, plus Sunday evenings once the NFL season concludes. Peacock will also exclusively air Monday night games.
NBC’s return to NBA games begins with an opening night doubleheader to tip off the 2025-26 season. Here’s how, and when, to watch the start of the regular season on Tuesday, Oct. 21.
Game 1: Houston Rockets At Oklahoma City Thunder (7:30 p.m. EST On NBC/Peacock)
Just like the network does for the NFL every season, NBC begins the new NBA campaign with a spotlight on the defending champions.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are largely the same team that sprinted to 68 wins during the regular season, and then gutted out a game seven win the NBA Finals to win its first championship since moving to OKC. Offseason losses were largely limited to fringe roster players, all additions came courtesy of the draft, and the biggest news was the team signing max extensions with all three of (MVP) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams.
Oklahoma City is currently the betting favorite to repeat as NBA champs, listed at +200 with ESPN Bet (well ahead of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Denver Nuggets, tied for second at +650).
That title defense starts against a Houston Rockets team that surprised with a 52-30 record last season before a first-round exit in seven games to the Golden State Warriors.
Despite the early loss, Houston made a big splash to try and energize its young core and add needed scoring with future Hall-of-Famer Kevin Durant joining the squad. He’s one of several new faces with the Rockets, including acquisitions like Dorian Finney-Smith, Clint Capela and Josh Okogie (among others).
In return for Durant, Houston dealt Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks, which changes the look of the 2024-25 club. But the biggest absence is likely that of Fred VanVleet, who tore his ACL and may now miss the full season. It’s a critical blow for the Rockets’ title hopes and a significant subtraction from last year’s positive team chemistry.
Oklahoma City will be favored by 7.5 points (according to ESPN) on Tuesday. Coverage of game one will begin across NBC and Peacock at 6:30 p.m. EST, with NBA Showtime.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 03: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors drives against Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of a game at Crypto.com Arena on April 03, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
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Game 2: Golden State Warriors At Los Angeles Lakers (10 p.m. EST On NBC/Peacock)
The second game in NBC’s opening-night doubleheader heads to the West Coast, where Pacific Division rivals face off at L.A.’s Crypto.com Arena.
While neither squad is on the short list of title favorites this year, the Warriors and Lakers are both among the most popular teams in the league, and feature some of its biggest stars.
Los Angeles will be without LeBron James, who’s out several weeks while dealing with sciatica. So the offense will largely run through Luka Doncic, arriving fresh from an offseason of headlines around how he’s in the best shape of his life. Without LeBron, Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent and Rui Hachimura are the main offensive supporting cast. Free agent addition DeAndre Ayton will man the middle, while fellow newcomer Marcus Smart should also be a help on defense.
Golden State will be without a key player as well on Tuesday, with starting shooting guard Moses Moody missing. But the bigger focus for the Warriors comes from how an older team is able to stay as healthy as possible during the regular season, to best prepare for the playoffs.
Last year, adding Jimmy Butler helped spur a second-half surge and a trip to the Western Conference semifinals. However, once Stephen Curry went down with a hamstring injury, the Minnesota Timberwolves made quick work of Golden State.
This year’s team is aiming for a better result with Butler in the fold for a full season, plus the addition of Al Horford, who takes over center duties after the departure of Kevon Looney. The Warriors also re-signed Gary Payton II and Jonathan Kuminga as key parts of the rotation.
What If You Don’t Have Peacock?
For streaming households that don’t have NBC and have yet to subscribe to Peacock, there are some cost-efficient options available to do so.
New Apple One (includes Apple TV) subscribers can bundle it with Peacock for as little as $14.99 per month, or pay the $19.99 per month rate to get Peacock Premium Plus, which is ad-free and allows users to download content as well. Existing Apple One subscribers also get the option to subscribe to Peacock Premium plus for just $10.99 per month (compared to the usual price of $16.99).