On Thursday, the full 2025-26 NBA schedule was released. As is the case with each annual schedule release, one of the most interesting tidbits is how the league planned out its national TV broadcasts.
While it’s usually the case that every team gets at least a few prime-time slots over a long 82-game season, some squads are simply more popular than others. High-profile franchises with marketable stars are given priority for national TV slots — so, as NBA games appear nationally on ABC, ESPN, NBC, Peacock, and Prime Video in 2025-26, there are certain players you can expect to see more than others.
Some of this year’s top national TV teams are the usual suspects — high-spending squads that are in the mix of league conversations every season. Others are newer to the spotlight for 2025-26, seeking a resurgence with star players but ongoing title droughts.
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Here’s a breakdown of the NBA teams with the most and fewest nationally-televised games in the 2025-26 season.
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NBA teams with most nationally televised games 2025-26
There’s a four-way tie for the most national TV games in 2025-26, leaving no fan base to boast about owning more than the others. Three of those squads may be considered regulars to this list due to their large market: the Lakers, Warriors, and Knicks.
However, after winning the 2024-25 title with a dominant season led by league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the smaller-market Thunder also find themselves tied atop the list for 2025-26 national TV games with 34.
Anthony Edwards’ Timberwolves and the new-look Rockets, led by Kevin Durant, are tied in fifth for prime-time slots with 28. Other teams ranking toward the top include the Nuggets, Celtics, Cavaliers, and Mavericks.
Here are the top teams in terms of 2025-26 nationally televised games:
| Rank | Team | National TV Games |
| 1. | Lakers | 34 |
| Thunder | 34 | |
| Warriors | 34 | |
| Knicks | 34 | |
| 5. | Timberwolves | 28 |
| Rockets | 28 | |
| 7. | Nuggets | 26 |
| 8. | Celtics | 25 |
| 9. | Cavaliers | 24 |
| 10. | Mavericks | 23 |
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NBA teams with fewest nationally televised games 2025-26
Every NBA team has at least two nationally televised games, but some teams won’t see much time in the national spotlight due to their lack of star talent or low expectations for the 2025-26 campaign.
A total of five teams came in tied for last in 2025-26 nationally televised games, each owning two prime-time matchups: the Nets, Pelicans, Raptors, Jazz, and Wizards. Coming in right behind those squads for the least amount of national TV games were the Bulls and Hornets, who have three each.
Here are the NBA teams with the fewest number of 2025-26 nationally televised games:
