The NBA has never been more popular in the UK — basketball's global growth has created a passionate British fanbase following franchises from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Milwaukee Bucks. The challenge for UK fans is the time zone: most NBA games tip off between midnight and 4am UK time. This guide covers every watching option and how to make the most of the NBA in the UK.
NBA Broadcasting Rights in the UK
NBA broadcast rights in the UK are shared between multiple providers:
- Sky Sports — primary UK NBA broadcaster, carries multiple live games per week including marquee matchups
- TNT Sports — secondary UK broadcaster, selected live games and NBA on TNT simulcasts
- NBA League Pass — the NBA's own streaming service, available directly in the UK with access to all out-of-market games
- Sky Sports YouTube channel — occasional free streaming of selected NBA clips and highlights
- BBC Sport website — NBA news and highlights, no live games
NBA League Pass: Every Game On Demand
NBA League Pass is the most comprehensive option for UK fans who want access to every game. Available directly from the NBA website or app, it offers:
- Live out-of-market games — all games not blacked out by local broadcast agreements
- On-demand replays — every game available immediately after the final buzzer
- Condensed game replays — watch a full game in 30 minutes without all the dead time
- Multiple camera angles and commentary options
- UK pricing: approximately £25–35/month or £120–140 for the annual pass
- Limitation: blackout rules apply — games broadcast on Sky Sports UK may be blacked out on League Pass
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See plansIPTV: Every NBA Game Without Blackouts
Smooth Stream eliminates NBA blackouts entirely by providing access to every US broadcast feed alongside the UK channels:
- Sky Sports — UK NBA broadcast feed, no blackout issues within the subscription
- TNT Sports — TNT's weekly NBA games including Thursday Night Basketball
- ESPN (US feed) — Monday Night Basketball, playoff games, NBA Finals
- ABC (US feed) — primetime NBA games, All-Star Weekend, NBA Finals
- TNT (US feed) — Tuesday and Thursday night NBA doubleheaders
- NBA TV — dedicated 24-hour NBA channel with classic games and daily programming
- No blackouts — IPTV international feeds bypass regional broadcast restrictions entirely
The UK Time Zone Challenge
Most NBA games tip off at 7:30pm, 8pm, or 10pm Eastern US time. For UK viewers:
- 7:30pm ET tip-off = 12:30am UK time (GMT) / 1:30am BST (summer) — late but watchable
- 8pm ET tip-off = 1am UK time — very late for a weeknight
- 10pm ET tip-off = 3am UK time — dedicated fans only
- Saturday and Sunday afternoon games (1pm ET) = 6pm UK time — the best time zone games for UK fans
- Strategy for UK fans: watch Saturday/Sunday afternoon games live, replay weeknight games the next day
- VOD replay: Smooth Stream's catch-up means you can watch last night's Lakers game over your lunch break
NBA Playoffs and Finals: Prime Time for UK Fans
The NBA Playoffs run from April through June, with Conference Finals and NBA Finals games scheduled for prime time US viewing — which means more reasonable hours for UK fans. Game 1 of the NBA Finals at 9pm ET = 2am UK time, but later rounds often include weekend games at better hours. For the biggest moments in basketball, UK fans will set the alarm regardless of the time.
Start Your Free Trial
Smooth Stream gives UK basketball fans access to every NBA game across every broadcast feed — Sky Sports, TNT Sports, ESPN, ABC, and NBA TV. Start your free 24-hour trial via WhatsApp and watch tonight's games.