NBA Returns to NBC in 2025-26: Bucks, Spurs, Suns Highlight 100-Game Broadcast Deal

Nov, 20 2025
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Kieran Blackwood

The NBA is back on NBC after a 22-year absence — and this time, it’s streaming first. With the NBCUniversal announcement of its 2025-26 broadcast schedule, fans are getting more than just games; they’re getting a full return to primetime basketball culture, complete with marquee matchups, exclusive Peacock streams, and a new rhythm to the week. The season kicks off with an NBA Tip-Off doubleheaderNBA arenas nationwide on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, but the real buzz starts with Peacock NBA Monday — a night built for the streaming generation.

The Return of NBC Basketball

It’s hard to overstate how big this is. The last time NBC aired NBA games was in 2002, when Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls had long since retired and the league was still finding its post-Jordan footing. Now, in 2025, the league returns not just to broadcast TV, but to a hybrid model where Peacock handles the bulk of the weeknight action. That’s a shift from the old days — back then, you waited for Saturday nights with Hoops on NBC. Now, Monday nights belong to Peacock, Tuesday nights are coast-to-coast, and Sunday nights? Those are the crown jewels.

Marquee Matchups: Bucks, Spurs, Suns Take Center Stage

The schedule doesn’t waste time. On Monday, November 17, 2025, the Milwaukee Bucks visit the Cleveland Cavaliers at 7:00 PM ET — and it’s Peacock-only. No cable, no broadcast. Just a packed Fiserv Forum, Giannis Antetokounmpo in full stride, and a streaming audience primed for the new era. The next night, Tuesday, November 18, the San Antonio Spurs host the Memphis Grizzlies at 8:00 PM ET on both NBC and Peacock. It’s a classic matchup: youth versus grit, with Victor Wembanyama’s rising star clashing with Ja Morant’s explosive drive. Later that same night, the Phoenix Suns take on the Portland Trail Blazers at 11:00 PM ET — a late-night thriller for West Coast fans and night owls alike.

Then comes Monday, November 24: the Houston Rockets visit the Phoenix Suns at 9:30 PM ET — another Peacock exclusive. With Kevin Durant still in Phoenix and Jabari Smith Jr. leading Houston’s rebuild, this game feels like a turning point for both franchises.

Three Nights, One Strategy

This isn’t random scheduling. It’s a calculated rollout:

Peacock NBA Monday (debuting October 27, 2025): All 14 Monday games are exclusive to Peacock. No ads. No cable login. Just pure streaming.
Coast 2 Coast Tuesday (starting October 28, 2025): Two games, back-to-back, one on NBC, one on Peacock. It’s designed for national attention — think Boston vs. Philly, Clippers vs. Lakers.
Sunday Night Basketball (launching February 1, 2026): The crown jewel. A single, high-stakes game each week, broadcast live on NBC, designed to compete with NFL’s Sunday night dominance.

That’s 100 regular-season games total — and that’s not counting playoffs, the Conference Finals, or the NBA All-Star Game. Peacock’s official page confirms it: every single one is included. The Oklahoma City Thunder, reigning 2025 champions after their 103-91 Game 7 win over the Indiana Pacers, will likely be front and center on those Sunday nights.

Why This Matters to Fans

This deal isn’t just about TV rights. It’s about access. For years, NBA fans have been caught in a subscription maze: ESPN+, NBA League Pass, regional sports networks — and now, Peacock steps in as the one-stop hub for a huge chunk of the schedule. The move also signals a quiet revolution: live sports are becoming streaming-first. NBC isn’t abandoning TV; it’s using it as a spotlight for its biggest games, while letting Peacock handle the volume.

And let’s not forget the business side. With NBCUniversal already owning Peacock, this is a direct play to boost subscriptions. The 2025 NBA Finals drew over 15 million viewers — imagine what happens when fans realize they can watch 100 regular-season games without a cable contract.

What’s Next?

The schedule is locked in — but changes are still possible. Peacock’s fine print says it all: “All times ET. Schedule subject to change.” That’s standard, but it’s also a reminder: with so many games, injuries, and playoff implications, NBC will likely shuffle matchups late in the season. Expect the Thunder, Suns, and Bucks to get moved into prime slots as the season heats up.

Meanwhile, the NBA Mexico City Game 2025 — a regular-season game played in Latin America — will be broadcast on Peacock, marking another step in the league’s global expansion. And with the Thunder as champions, the narrative is set: a new dynasty may be rising in Oklahoma City, and NBC will be there to capture every buzzer-beater.

Background: The Long Absence

NBC’s last NBA broadcast was the 2002 Finals — Lakers vs. Nets. The network had aired the league since 1954, but lost rights to ESPN and ABC in 2002 after a bidding war. For two decades, fans missed the iconic NBC theme, the “NBA on NBC” logo, and the smooth, cinematic feel of those broadcasts. Now, with modern production values and a streaming-first mindset, NBC is coming back not as a relic, but as a disruptor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which NBA teams will appear most frequently on NBC and Peacock in the 2025-26 season?

The Phoenix Suns, Milwaukee Bucks, and Oklahoma City Thunder are scheduled for the most high-profile matchups, with at least four appearances each across NBC and Peacock. The Suns appear on both Monday and Tuesday nights, while the Bucks and Thunder are positioned as marquee draws for prime-time streaming. The Thunder, as reigning champions, will likely get additional late-season boosts.

Do I need a Peacock subscription to watch all NBA games on NBC’s platforms?

No — but you’ll need one for most of them. Games airing on NBC (Tuesday and Sunday nights) are free with a TV antenna or cable login. However, all 14 Monday night games and select Tuesday night games are Peacock exclusives, requiring a Premium subscription. Over 70% of the 100 regular-season games are only available via Peacock, making a subscription essential for die-hard fans.

Why are some games only on Peacock and not on NBC?

NBC is using Peacock as a subscriber driver. By reserving high-demand games — especially those with younger stars or rebuilding teams — for Peacock, they incentivize sign-ups. Monday nights are deliberately less mainstream, allowing NBC to save its broadcast slot for bigger matchups like Lakers-Clippers or Celtics-Heat on Sundays. It’s a smart tiered strategy, not a limitation.

How does this compare to ESPN’s NBA coverage in 2025-26?

ESPN still holds the rights to Wednesday and Friday night games, plus the NBA Finals and All-Star Weekend. But NBC’s deal is unique: it’s the only one offering 100 regular-season games across broadcast and streaming, with a clear weekly rhythm. ESPN’s schedule is more fragmented, while NBC’s is structured like a TV season — Monday, Tuesday, Sunday — making it easier for fans to plan.

Is the NBA Mexico City Game 2025 available on Peacock?

Yes. The NBA Mexico City Game 2025 will be streamed exclusively on Peacock, marking the league’s first regular-season game in Latin America broadcast under this new NBC deal. It’s part of a broader push to grow international audiences, with Spanish-language commentary also available on the platform.

What time do games start, and why does everything say Eastern Time?

All listed times are Eastern Time (ET), as confirmed by Peacock’s official schedule. This is standard for national broadcasts — it avoids confusion across time zones. Viewers in the Central, Mountain, and Pacific zones should subtract 1, 2, or 3 hours respectively. For example, a 9:30 PM ET game on Peacock is 6:30 PM in Los Angeles — perfect for West Coast fans to watch after dinner.