The NBA officially returned to NBC on Tuesday night for opening night of the 2025-2026 NBA season for a double header, but the broadcast did not get off to a good start. The first game of the night featured the defending Finals champion Oklahoma City Thunder taking on Oklahoma City icon Kevin Durant and his new team,

The start of the new Golden State Warriors season was kicked behind the paywall of a streaming service, in what feels like a foreboding sign for NBC in its return to NBA coverage.

Houston went with an ultra-tall starting lineup in the wake of Fred VanVleet's torn ACL. It's not clear if that will be sustainable for Ime Udoka or if the roster will need tweaks down the line, but it's a strong start for the center.

Fans tuning into the NBA this season will have to adjust their viewing habits to new networks and a seven-day-a-week national TV schedule.

Despite the shuffling, not much will change for Sixers fans. Sixty nine of the team’s 82 games will air on NBC Sports Philadelphia (seven on NBC Sports Philadelphia+), with Kate Scott and Alaa Abdelnaby back to call all the action.

More than two decades after it last aired an NBA game, NBC is betting on Peacock and Michael Jordan as launches year one of its 11-year deal for the sport.

Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder at 7:30 PM ET and Warriors vs. Lakers at 10 PM ET. Lineups, injuries, players, where to watch, and more.