As the NBA calendar rolls into early January, many U.S. fans ask the same question every year: Can you legally watch NBA games for free during the week?

For the stretch covering January 5–7, 2026, the short answer is no — not nationwide. But there are legal, affordable alternatives worth understanding.

Read more:

- How to Watch NBA Games Live If You Work Night Shifts or Late Hours

- Where to Watch NBA Games If You Live Outside Your Team’s Home Market

- The Ultimate Guide to Watching NBA Games Live in the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, and India

Can You Watch Live NBA Games for Free? The Legal Alternatives: TV Channels, Streaming Sites
Fans in the U.S. cannot watch NBA games for free and legally nationwide from January 5–7, 2026

Are Any NBA Games Free and Legal in the U.S. (Jan. 5–7, 2026)?

No Nationwide Free Games Confirmed

Based on official schedules and national broadcast listings, no NBA games from January 5–7, 2026 are airing nationwide on free over-the-air television.

In the U.S., the only major NBA broadcaster that offers true free access (with a TV antenna) is ABC.
However, ABC typically airs NBA games on weekends, holidays, or special showcase dates — not standard Monday–Wednesday regular-season slates like this one.

For this specific midweek window:

  • No NBA games are scheduled on ABC

  • No free national over-the-air broadcasts are available

What About Local Free TV?

There is one limited exception, but it depends entirely on where you live.

Some NBA teams partner with local over-the-air (OTA) stations in their home markets. If:

  • You live inside that team’s local market

  • The game is carried on a local free channel

  • You use a TV antenna

You may be able to watch that specific local game for free.

However:

  • This does not apply nationwide

  • Most games remain blacked out outside the home market

  • Many teams now rely on cable or streaming-only regional networks

For most U.S. viewers, local free NBA broadcasts are rare and inconsistent.

Read more: Full NBA Game Schedule This Week: January 5–7, 2026 - What’s on the Court This Week

If It’s Not Free, How Can You Watch Legally?

While free options are limited, legal access is widely available through national TV and streaming platforms.

National Cable & Sports Networks

Several NBA games during Jan. 5–7, 2026 are carried by major sports channels, including:

  • ESPN

  • NBA TV (league-owned cable channel)

To watch these games, you’ll need:

  • A cable subscription or

  • A live-TV streaming service that includes those channels

NBA League Pass (Official Streaming Option)

For fans who want maximum game access, NBA League Pass remains the most comprehensive option.

League Pass allows viewers to:

  • Watch most regular-season games live or on demand

  • Follow out-of-market teams

  • Access multi-game viewing features

Important:

  • Games shown on ESPN or local networks may be temporarily blacked out

  • League Pass is not free, but pricing is often lower mid-season

Live TV Streaming Services (Cable Alternatives)

Cord-cutters can still watch NBA games legally using streaming TV platforms that carry ESPN and NBA TV, such as:

  • YouTube TV

  • Hulu + Live TV

  • FuboTV

  • DirecTV Stream

These services typically include:

  • ESPN

  • ABC (when applicable)

  • NBA TV

Some may offer short free trials, but availability varies and often changes.

Why Free NBA Games Are Rare During the Week

The NBA’s media strategy prioritizes:

  • Weekend national showcases on ABC

  • Prime-time cable slots on ESPN

  • Subscription streaming revenue via League Pass

Midweek games (Monday–Wednesday) are designed primarily for:

  • Regional markets

  • Cable and streaming audiences

  • Dedicated fans rather than casual viewers

As a result, free nationwide broadcasts during the workweek are extremely uncommon.

What Fans Should Avoid

It’s worth stating clearly:
Unauthorized “free streaming” websites are illegal in the U.S.
These sites pose risks including malware, data theft, and ISP warnings

Legal alternatives are safer, more reliable, and support the league and teams.

Official NBA Schedule (Jan. 5–7, 2026)

According to the NBA’s official schedule and verified Basketball-Reference data, the following regular-season games are confirmed:

Monday, January 5

  • New York Knicks @ Detroit Pistons — 7:00 PM ET

  • Chicago Bulls @ Boston Celtics — 7:30 PM ET
    (Times are local ET, actual TV windows may vary.)

Tuesday, January 6

  • Based on broader Peacock/NBC planning, the NBA schedule on Jan. 6 includes:

    • Miami Heat @ Minnesota Timberwolves — ~8:00 PM ET (Peacock/NBC)

    • Dallas Mavericks @ Sacramento Kings — ~11:00 PM ET (Peacock/NBC)
      (Actual NBA.com game list will confirm opponents and exact slate closer to game day.)

Wednesday, January 7

While comprehensive official game listings for Jan. 7 are limited in the publicly accessible archives, third-party verified sources list multiple matchups including:

  • Philadelphia 76ers vs. Washington Wizards

  • Portland Trail Blazers vs. Houston Rockets

  • Charlotte Hornets vs. Toronto Raptors

  • Detroit Pistons vs. Chicago Bulls
    (Additional games on Jan. 7 require final confirmation from NBA.com.)

These matchups reflect the standard NBA Regular Season calendar across January.

Legal Ways to Watch These NBA Games

If free viewing isn’t available nationally, here are your legal, official alternatives:

1. Peacock + NBC (Peacock Only)

The NBA’s 2025–26 broadcast agreement includes a Peacock/NBC slate, which often has exclusive midweek games on Mondays and Tuesdays. For example:

  • January 5:

    • Knicks @ Pistons — Peacock Only (7:00 PM ET)

    • Nuggets @ 76ers — Peacock Only (8:30 PM ET)

    • Warriors @ Clippers — Peacock Only (10:00 PM ET)

  • January 6:

    • Heat @ Timberwolves — NBC/Peacock

    • Mavericks @ Kings — NBC/Peacock
      (Identified from NBC/Peacock schedule planning.)

Peacock requires a paid subscription (Premium or higher).

2. NBA League Pass

The league’s own streaming service allows fans to watch most regular-season games live or on demand across all teams:

  • Nationwide streams of games not exclusive to Peacock/NBC or ESPN/ABC

  • Works on web, mobile, and connected TV devices

This is the most comprehensive pay option, but some games may be blacked out if they are also on Peacock/NBC or local regional sports networks (RSNs).

3. Live TV Streaming Services

If you have a cable alternative subscription — such as:

  • YouTube TV

  • Hulu + Live TV

  • FuboTV

  • DirecTV Stream

...You can access channels like ESPN/ESPN2, NBA TV, and ABC when they carry NBA games.

4. Local Regional Sports Networks (RSNs)

Certain NBA games may be available locally on RSNs if you live in the home market for the teams involved. These are not free nationwide, but you might receive them as part of your cable or streaming package.

Final Verdict: Can You Watch NBA Games Free (Jan. 5–7, 2026)?

Nationwide, the answer is no.

There are no confirmed free over-the-air NBA broadcasts in the U.S. for January 5–7, 2026.

Your Legal Options:

  • ESPN or NBA TV (via cable or streaming TV)

  • NBA League Pass

  • Local OTA TV (only in rare, market-specific cases)

For fans who want flexibility without cable, League Pass or a live-TV streaming service remains the most practical solution during the NBA workweek.