How To Watch NBA Live Anywhere in 2025 (No Blackouts)

NBA broadcast rights are split between multiple networks and streaming services, including YouTube TV, beIN Sports, and DAZN. Even if you have a League Pass, local blackouts mean you can't watch games airing on TV in your area. International League Pass subscribers, however, can stream all matches.

What’s the best way to watch live NBA games online? A VPN provides a secure way to access the 79th and 80th NBA seasons from anywhere. It assigns new IP addresses and encrypts internet traffic, keeping your streaming activity private and preventing ISPs from slowing down your connection.

We tested 40+ VPNs, and ExpressVPN consistently delivered the best experience for live-streaming NBA games. It has high-performance servers in over 105 countries and fast speeds to watch NBA games without buffering. ExpressVPN is also user-friendly and has a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free. Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

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Short on Time? Here Are the Best VPNs for Watching NBA Games in 2025

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

How To Watch NBA Games Live From Anywhere: Step-by-Step Guide

How can I watch NBA games live online for free? You can watch some NBA games live for free using a free trial of a platform that carries all NBA broadcasters (NBC, ABC, NBA TV, ESPN) and offers a League Pass add-on, like FuboTV and YouTube TV. Combining free trials can help catch key matchups. To watch the entire season, you’ll need a paid subscription.

The league's official streaming service, NBA League Pass, offers comprehensive coverage. Any free NBA stream you encounter is likely illegal and may expose you to risks and data security issues. A VPN with high-speed servers worldwide can provide uninterrupted access to NBA games from anywhere.

1. Download a VPN

Choose a VPN with fast servers for uninterrupted NBA streaming. One with many servers worldwide makes it easy to find one near you for the best speed. I recommend ExpressVPN since it’s the fastest VPN we tested and works on all major devices, including smart TVs.

You can also find the ExpressVPN app in your device's app store

2. Connect to a Server

ExpressVPN offers extensive coverage in countries where the NBA is broadcast. Most countries have city-level locations, so pick the right one, especially if you’re in the US. For example, the Bulls vs. Detroit Pistons will be blacked out on League Pass in Chicago due to local broadcast rights.

Use the search bar to quickly find a server

3. Sign Up for NBA League Pass

Visit the NBA website, click on League Pass, and pick your subscription plan. The service offers different packages, from single-team passes to full league access. International subscribers often get better deals — in India, a subscription can cost as little as $13.99 for the season, whereas US residents pay up to $129.99 for the same plan.

The platform also offers frequent deals and promo codes. For example, students can get 40% off a 12-month NBA League Pass monthly subscription (NBA, 2024)¹.

Unfortunately, the service doesn't offer a free trial anymore

4. Start Watching NBA Games

Launch NBA League Pass and enjoy watching basketball without interruptions. Connecting a VPN while streaming encrypts your traffic, preventing your ISP from detecting high-bandwidth activity and throttling your connection. If the game you’re trying to watch is blacked out on your mobile app, try switching to a browser.

Every US server can access League Pass in HD

Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

Where Can I Watch NBA Games Online?

NBA League Pass is the official streaming service for watching NBA games. However, League Pass users in the US will see even more matches blacked out than before. Under the new agreement, 75 regular-season games will now air on broadcast TV each season — up from the previous minimum of 15 games (ESPN, 2024)².

NBC/Peacock is set to showcase up to 100 regular-season games per season, including an Opening Night doubleheader. Their package includes airing the Conference Finals in 6 of the 11 contract years, covering all USA Basketball senior men’s and women’s games, and being the exclusive home of NBA All-Star Weekend. With a VPN, it's possible to access Peacock in HD from anywhere.

Disney’s ABC/ESPN will broadcast 80 regular-season games per season and serve as the exclusive home of the NBA Finals. They will also air all five Christmas Day games, provide national coverage on the final day of the regular season, and show the Conference Finals in 10 of the 11 contract years. In addition, Disney retains the rights to the NBA Draft and Draft Lottery.

Amazon Prime Video will be the exclusive home for all six Play-In Tournament games and will broadcast one-third of the first- and second-round playoff games. Their rights also cover the Conference Finals in 6 of the 11 contract years, a new annual Black Friday game (the day after Thanksgiving), and the knockout rounds of the NBA Cup. Amazon Prime Video offers a free trial in select regions, plus you can get a League Pass add-on.

Note. Prices and availability may vary by location, even within the same region.

Best VPNs for Watching NBA Games From Anywhere in 2025

A reliable VPN can access all NBA games in HD without blackouts or buffering from anywhere. After extensive testing, we selected options that consistently work with NBA broadcasters and deliver 4K streaming quality. These VPNs also offer apps for all major streaming devices to watch every dunk, buzzer-beater, and fast break on your favorite screen.

1. ExpressVPN — Impressive Speeds for Watching NBA Games Live Without Buffering

Editor’s Choice Editor’s Choice Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
Tested April 2025

Works With:

Sky ESPN+ Dazn FIFA+

Netflix Disney+ APV More

Try ExpressVPN >

www.expressvpn.com

ExpressVPN's proprietary Lightway protocol maintains HD and 4K quality NBA streaming from anywhere, so you don’t miss any basketball action. The protocol uses less code, making it faster without sacrificing security. It’s also an excellent option for streaming on your tablet, phone, or laptop, as it consumes less battery. Our speeds stayed above 153.88Mbps during tests on nearby servers, and we watched Spurs vs. Mavericks live without issues.

The VPN frequently rotates its IP addresses to reliably access platforms like League Pass. Plus, all ExpressVPN servers disguise VPN traffic as a regular internet connection, making it difficult to detect and block, even on restricted networks like work and school. If you like watching the NBA on your big screen, ExpressVPN offers intuitive Android, Apple TV, and Fire TV Stick apps.

Subscriptions are slightly more expensive, starting at $4.99/month. However, ExpressVPN regularly offers discounts of up to 61% on long-term plans. You can try it risk-free with NBA broadcasters since it has a 30-day money-back guarantee. I tested this refund policy — the 24/7 live chat agent processed my cancelation request in minutes without pressuring me to stay.

2. CyberGhost — Optimized Streaming Servers for Reliable Access To NBA Games

Works With:

Sky ESPN+ Dazn FIFA+

Netflix Disney+ APV More

Try CyberGhost VPN >

www.cyberghostvpn.com

CyberGhost has dedicated servers for many platforms broadcasting the NBA, like NBC, YouTube TV, and DAZN. So, it's safe and easy to access all basketball games online. Just expand the app and choose For streaming, and a list of optimized servers will appear on the right-hand side. While slightly slower than ExpressVPN, CyberGhost maintained stable HD quality with 148.46Mbps while testing its NBC-optimized server.

On the downside, monthly plans have a short refund period, and the price is a bit high. However, long-term subscriptions are affordable at only $2.03/month, and there is an extended money-back guarantee that lets you use the VPN with services airing NBA free for 45 days. This gives you plenty of time to test CyberGhost's streaming capabilities.

3. Private Internet Access — Global Server Network to Securely Access NBA Games From Anywhere

Works With:

ESPN+ FIFA+ Netflix Disney+

APV More

Try Private Internet Access >

www.privateinternetaccess.com

PIA's extensive network, with 53 server locations in the US, helps avoid NBA blackouts. There are even US streaming servers, but these aren't platform-specific like CyberGhost’s. It also supports unlimited simultaneous connections. During our tests, we connected several devices to the same US server and could watch ESPN+ on all of them without issues.

The extensive customization options might overwhelm VPN beginners. However, its apps come preconfigured for streaming, so you can start watching NBA games immediately without adjusting settings. Long-term plans start at $2.03/month and include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Our Methodology for Testing VPNs for Streaming NBA

We tested each VPN's ability to maintain stable connections with NBA League Pass and other basketball streaming platforms. We also measured speeds across the network during live games and selected only VPNs that delivered HD and 4K sports streaming without interruption.

NBA Season 2025 Schedule

The NBA regular season runs from October to April, with each team playing 82 games. Understanding the schedule helps you plan your viewing and ensure you don't miss essential matchups:

• Regular Season: October - April
• Play-In Tournament: Mid-April
• NBA Playoffs: Late April - May
• NBA Finals: June

The NBA schedule is divided into several key periods:

• Opening Week (October): Features high-profile matchups between championship contenders
• Christmas Day Games: Traditionally showcase 5 marquee matchups
• All-Star Weekend (February): Including the Rising Stars Challenge, Skills Challenge, and All-Star Game. Here’s a step-by-step guide to watching this season’s NBA All-Star Game.
• Final Week (April): Critical games determining playoff seeding

Understanding blackout zones helps you choose the right viewing option:

• In-market games require a cable/satellite subscription
• Out-of-market games are available through League Pass
• National broadcasts are accessible through respective network apps
• International viewers need region-specific subscriptions

FAQs on Watching NBA Games Online

What is the cheapest way to watch NBA games?

NBA League Pass International is the most cost-effective way to watch games. Subscription prices vary significantly by region, with some countries, like India and Turkey, offering much lower rates than the US version. The service provides access to all regular-season games, though local blackouts may apply.

Can I record NBA games to watch later?

Most major streaming platforms offering NBA games support recording. YouTube TV provides unlimited cloud DVR storage, while Sling TV includes 50 hours. You can also sign up for NBA League Pass and get full game replays for all regular season and playoff games. These become available shortly after the live broadcast ends and remain accessible throughout the season.

Why is NBA TV blocked in my area?

Broadcasting agreements determine which games you can watch in your area. The NBA sells exclusive rights to regional sports networks, leading to game blackouts on competing platforms. This means you might be unable to watch your local team's games through NBA TV or League Pass. A VPN makes it possible to safely access all NBA games from anywhere.

Blackout restrictions vary by location and apply to live games only. Depending on your region and subscription type, replays become available after 24-48 hours.

To summarize, these are the best VPNs for watching the NBA from anywhere...

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

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References

1. https://support.watch.nba.com/hc/en-us/articles/9382586457623-NBA-League-Pass-Student-Discount/
2. https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/40635523/faq-nba-signed-new-deal-disney-nbc-amazon-prime/