The NBA revealed the 2025-26 regular-season schedule on Thursday, pointing out when all the major contests will occur. The initial tip-off is still more than two months away on Oct. 21, but now supporters will have the chance to contemplate how effectively — or terribly — their group will act reliant on when the matches are arranged. Besides the thrill encompassing initial tip-off games, such as the Thunder engaging the Rockets and the Lakers opposing the Warriors, or the Christmas Day slate, an essential element that continually draws consideration is which groups will be highlighted the most on public TV.
2025-26 NBA schedule announcement: Best 10 must-see games from the season start to Lakers vs. Mavericks, etc.
Jasmyn Wimbish
This season mirrors previous ones, where clarifying the list-topping teams is straightforward. Yet, unlike the prior year, no single team leads in televised games, possibly indicating that fans desire diverse viewing options nightly rather than only four or five squads. Nevertheless, four teams will gain more attention than others. A team’s ranking can reveal insights into the league’s perspectives on different franchises or players, specifically identifying emerging teams and those losing nationwide focus. Also, one can deduce how off-season actions impact airtime allocation, similarly to the influence of injuries.
Considering the above, let’s investigate all 30 teams’ rankings in national TV game broadcasts for the 2024-25 season, offering justifications for their positions.
Number of nationally televised games: 2
The Wizards concluded with the second-lowest record last season, have not been in the playoffs since 2021, and despite having numerous high-draft selections, have not progressed during rebuilding. It’s not surprising they are sharing the bottom spot of this list.
Number of nationally televised games: 2
The Jazz, like the Wizards and other groups with merely two games on TV, are presently revamping, and this will keep them near the list’s bottom until something happens. Securing the No. 1 selection next summer will certainly shift things.
Number of nationally televised games: 2
Toronto nearly made the play-in round a season prior and included Brandon Ingram on the lineup, but that didn’t raise their ranking in this lineup. If Ingram succeeds in Toronto and works well with Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett and the other young players, they might gain a better list spot next season.
Number of nationally televised games: 2
The Nets are fully dedicated to revamping, to the point of negotiating intensely with Cam Thomas about contract extension offerings. The Nets will remain a project next year, so it might be some time before they show on TV sufficient to utilize more than one digit.
Number of nationally televised games: 2
One might assume Zion Williamson’s existence would be enough to prevent the Pelicans from joining the lowest-rated teams. Yet, reservations about his longer future and trading CJ McCollum clearly showed that the organization viewed them not strong enough for further recognition on nationwide stages than once.
Number of nationally televised games: 3
Depending on LaMelo Ball’s fitness and how fast Kon Knueppel builds up during the rookie season, perhaps the group is one the league would desire to have more regularly broadcast on public TV. However, Ball’s fitness is not guaranteed, and the Hornets are not an exciting team to observe when absent.
Number of nationally televised games: 3
It’s regrettable that the organization within the third biggest media market in this country cannot obtain greater national prominence. But that’s been the situation with the Bulls in recent times. Satisfied with being mediocre and in no hurry to change it. Coby White and Matas Buzelis might stimulate this historically well-known franchise, though, until it occurs, there will merely be a handful of nationally broadcast games for Chicago.
Number of nationally televised games: 5
Regardless of how successful the period is, the Heat usually never accumulate substantial attention, apart from LeBron James’ period in South Beach. The Bam Adebayo-Tyler Herro pairing clearly wasn’t sufficient to raise their standing here, and it’s honestly not surprising given the Heat usually underperform during regular-season contests, even in seasons when they surprisingly advance to the playoffs.
Number of nationally televised games: 8
It seems somewhat shocking to observe Portland securing eight games, particularly compared to a Miami group that indeed reached the playoffs last period. Damian Lillard’s return is a touching story, yet he won’t be in action until at least October 2026. I would not have thought the league would allocate this numerous publicly broadcast matches to them, although they possess some thrilling young members.
Number of nationally televised games: 9
It’s funny realizing that the Bulls would’ve secured this same number of publicly broadcast matches had they still utilized DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine. During the previous year, the Kings transformed into the West Coast Bulls, thus occupying that same small spot on the nationwide platform.
Number of nationally televised games: 9
How drastically things shifted. Clearly, not including Kevin Durant drained Phoenix’s public stature entirely, and this confirms it. Seeing the Devin Booker and Jalen Green tandem will intrigue, but the league clearly determined they did not require greater national coverage.
Number of nationally televised games: 9
Tyrese Haliburton’s Achilles tendon tear during the NBA Finals makes it unfortunate since the Pacers would secure a considerably greater spot on this list otherwise. Sadly, they’re handling themselves as though they never performed a memorable NBA Finals run. That’s what happens when injuries negatively affect your future completely.
Number of nationally televised games: 10
The Grizzlies seem properly positioned since their national spotlight has grown and shrunk in recent seasons. Viewing Ja Morant’s performance is entertaining, yet injuries negatively affected the past two seasons. As a whole, Memphis has struggled to remain healthy, and it looks like the league is being careful in case it occurs again.
Number of nationally televised games: 13
The Hawks plan to become an intriguing team located in the East next period. They revamped entirely to surround Trae Young and increased talent through Kristaps Porziņģis and Nickeil Alexander-Walker to what was an already promising young core.
Number of nationally televised games: 14
The phrase “off-season hard work paid off” accurately expresses the current situation. In an effort to follow the Pacers’ path the prior season, the Magic strategically acquired Desmond Bane, trading four first-round picks for him, while anticipating his shooting and playmaking talents will lead Orlando past the borderline. The league clearly views the potential for the Magic and has given recognition accordingly.
Number of nationally televised games: 14
The Sixers seem appropriately rated considering how regularly they have shown on TV, and later encountered important players suffering season-ending injuries. The Sixers’ late-season matches might be promoted as nationally viewed games assuming they remain healthy. Nonetheless, the amount of 14 will prove sufficient for them to combat the injury problem again.
Number of nationally televised games: 16
Detroit basketball is now back! Well, kind of. The Pistons secured a top-6 playoff spot last time and expect to make even further developments as Jaden Ivey recovers fitness. It’s startling to view the league giving the Pistons this numerous matches on worldwide stages, which the team absolutely earned. Detroit has the ability of turning into an intriguing team next period, as predicted by the league.
Number of nationally televised games: 18
Here, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s reputation is doing much work. With Damian Lillard injured and not in Milwaukee, the Bucks do not grab everyone’s attention. They added Myles Turner, but it is not enough. Antetokounmpo, amongst the league’s most recognizable figures, is why the Bucks will be highlighted this many times, which is completely appropriate.
Number of nationally televised games: 21
The Clippers could win a title this period or Kawhi Leonard might have fitness problems, Chris Paul could become useless, and James Harden might take the team through the play-in stage. I really don’t see any middle ground. Regardless, big stars deserve many matches. It’s just that we are worried about injury reports before each match.
Number of nationally televised games: 22
Viewing Victor Wembanyama will, in a number of years, make this seem an incredibly low number of matches, yet it is appropriate now. Dylan Harper, the No. 2 selection of the draft, helps this team intrigue, in addition to De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle, the current Rookie of the Year.
Number of nationally televised games: 23
The Mavericks avoided numerous negatives after getting Cooper Flagg as the No. 1 selection. The team would absolutely achieve a less valuable spot on this list assuming Dallas were ranked No. 11, yet having Flagg, Anthony Davis, and Megan Thee Stallion’s boyfriend (Klay Thompson) implies we are going to observe the Mavericks considerably more next period.
Number of nationally televised games: 24
The Cavs aren’t properly featured at a higher position on this list, provided they performed best in the East last period. Nonetheless, their defeat in the second round might have affected their reputation and their inability to compete against big stars.
Number of nationally televised games: 25
Jayson Tatum’s Achilles tear in the playoffs prevented the team from securing further matches. This is still a decent amount due to Boston’s big fanbase and potential to achieve success in an easy Eastern Conference, despite Tatum’s absence.
Number of nationally televised games: 26
Nikola Jokić and the Nuggets are likely to become the Oklahoma City Thunder’s biggest danger. Therefore, they must show up higher on this list. You can argue they need to show up higher because they will rank above almost all teams this period.
6. Houston Rockets
Number of nationally televised games: 28
The power of including Kevin Durant on your team. The Suns experienced that energy during current seasons, though Houston is drawing the main attraction due to his relocation. Several people are likely to meet Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun this period, so we should express our gratitude to the association.
Number of nationally televised games: 28
You cannot overlook that the Timberwolves appeared twice for the Western Conference finals even though they did not guarantee a third time. Anthony Edwards is among the league’s stars and needs to show up on worldwide television.
Number of nationally televised games: 34
The Knicks have not gotten lots of discussion as they do now before the period starts. They did not assume they could appear at the conference finals during the year for almost 25 years. Currently, expectations are elevated, and they could attend the NBA Finals.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder
Number of nationally televised games: 34
The Thunder must show up since they achieved the most games shown on TV. These are champions with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (MVP) and core young players who perform dominantly. The association provided Oklahoma City consideration even if it doesn’t occupy lots of space.
2. Golden State Warriors
Number of nationally televised games: 34
Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green help the Warriors gain this high position. The Warriors will usually get lots of coverage assuming Curry takes part. Who could resist viewing the best shooter in NBA history 34 times over worldwide television?
1. Los Angeles Lakers
Number of nationally televised games: 34
The Lakers avoid the “less coverage if things get bad” idea. You can, of course, expect they will get many games if things get well. No matter how things go, they cannot stop the Lakers name. You can anticipate their placement as one of the teams shown on worldwide television since Luka Dončić occupies a main role.