Pro basketball fans have a seemingly endless number of ways to watch their favorite NBA games. But sometimes expensive cable packages, subscription streaming platforms, or geo–restricted websites can be a deterrent.
As a solution, NBA lovers have been flocking to free sports streaming sites. However, since many unverified platforms don’t host their content, external links can lead anywhere. So basketball streamers could end up on questionable or unsecured domains operated by third parties.
So, we’ve rounded up an all-star list of the best free NBA streaming sites for basketball enthusiasts. Just click on one of our picks below to jump to its section and access its full description.
- DaddyLiveHD: The number one place to go for streaming sports
- StreamEast: A user-friendly site with updated NBA streams
- SportSurge: Great platform to easily find your favorite sports
- LiveTV SX: Watch live sports streams through this old-school-looking but reliable site
- BuffStreams: One of the best sports streaming websites with a user-friendly interface
- NBABox TV: The ideal platform for all things NBA
- NBA Stream.net: The best streaming solution to watch NBA on your iOS or Android device
- NBA-Stream: A good site to watch NBA games in HD
- Bosscast: One of the few all-encompassing online sports sites
- ROJADIRECTA: Great platform to watch international basketball games
- Cricfree: A basic-looking site with a wide variety of sports
- Livesport24: An easy-to-navigate platform that offers many sporting events
- Reddit: One of the most well-established social media sites with a large number of sports forums
Some streamers utilize VPNs to modify their IP addresses and bypass geo-restrictions on sports content in various countries. Other sports fans use VPNs to secure their identity from hackers, trackers, or malicious actors who may be lurking on unsecured streaming platforms.
Regardless of the reason, if you want to safeguard your personal information online, Surfshark VPN can provide optimal streaming quality while ensuring privacy protection and cybersecurity.
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For more information about the best free NBA streaming sites, read our in-depth article below.
If you’re a pro basketball fan looking to stay up-to-date on all the latest NBA games but don’t want to shell out loads of money for cable TV or streaming services — you’re not alone. There are many free ways to stream NBA games online.
From regular season rivalries and the play-in tournament to the NBA Playoffs and the Finals, you don’t have to miss out on a minute of buzzer-beaters, clutch moments, or game-changing plays.
In this guide, we’ll take a deep dive into the 13 best free NBA streaming sites for catching live games.
How to Safely Stream NBA Games Online
Basketball enthusiasts are always looking for ways to safely stream NBA games online for free. However, free streaming sites can be dangerous as they may contain malware that could harm your devices and steal your personal information.
To prevent this, you need a VPN and an antivirus program. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) hides your IP address, masking your location and encrypting your information to keep it away from prying eyes. Meanwhile, antivirus software will keep dangerous malware off of your device.
We recommend using Surfshark to solve both of these issues in one go. Surfshark is one of our favorite VPNs that safeguards your location, online identity, and internet connection. On top of that, it also offers an antivirus service, Surfshark One, that will protect you from any malware on NBA streaming sites. The best part? Surfshark provides a 30–day money–back guarantee, making it possible to test various free NBA streaming sites without disclosing your personal information.
Is It Legal to Stream NBA Games for Free Online?
Streaming NBA games is considered legal in most countries, short of those where Western media may be banned. Nevertheless, numerous sports streaming sites exist that unlawfully host copyrighted content, and depending on your location, this could be considered piracy and lead to serious consequences.
Moreover, due to their unsecured and legally–questionable nature, some internet service providers, or ISPs, block access to these sites. So, sports streamers often use a VPN as the encrypted connection it offers hides their activity from their ISP because traffic goes through the VPN server. However, keep in mind that this doesn’t make illegal content legal to watch, and using a VPN does not necessarily shield you from prosecution!
The 13 Best Free NBA Streaming Websites
We’ve compiled a list of the best NBA streaming sites based on a number of factors:
- If the NBA is covered
- Whether there are many invasive and aggressive ads (i.e., pop-ups)
- The user-friendliness of the site
- How long the streaming platform has been operational
- The streaming quality and reliability of streams
While you can save big money on NBA League Pass by using a VPN, unfortunately, there is no site to watch live NBA games for free that comes with no strings attached. VPNOverview can’t verify the legitimacy or authenticity of the sites on this list. The homepages themselves are generally safe to visit, though some might still read as “not secured” — meaning hackers or other lurkers could read data that you exchange with the site.
Some of these sites do not host the streams they provide but rather offer links to other third-party domains. Since these stream domains are always rotating and changing, you never know where you might end up.
Be careful with unofficial sites:
The sites mentioned in this article are purely for informative purposes. We do not own, host, resell, or operate any streaming sites or add-ons. We cannot verify if these sites hold licenses to distribute or stream content. Readers should exercise caution before visiting any of these websites because they are solely responsible for obtaining access to the media there.
Here are the 13 best free NBA streaming sites that the internet has found to be MVPs for NBA streaming.
1. DaddyLiveHD: The best streaming site for NBA fans
Visit: DaddyLiveHD
Pros
- Total NBA coverage from around the world
- Reliable streams
- Minimal pop-up ads
Cons
- Unauthenticated, third-party hosted streams
DaddyLiveHD has become a go–to hotspot for sports streaming enthusiasts, pro basketball fans included. With a constant flow of streams coming in from 300+ channels in the USA, the EU, and Latin America, there’s no shortage of ways to watch NBA games.
Though streams are split up by channel, sports are also separated into different categories. So NBA basketball is pretty easy to find.
Some online streaming sites are more riddled with pop-up ads than others. While a good ad-blocker can keep even the most obnoxious and browser-bending ads at bay, DaddyLiveHD finds itself with a low number of intrusive ads to begin with.
This site says that it hosts no content but rather links to streams hosted on other third-party servers. So while DaddyLiveHD is one of the most used among NBA streamers, it’s up to the individual whether to risk visiting free streaming links or to stick with licensed paid platforms.
2. StreamEast: A trustworthy site to watch free NBA games
Visit: StreamEast
Pros
- Upvoted, reliable NBA streams
- Minimalist, easy-to-navigate interface
- Limited ads
Cons
- Unauthenticated third-party streams
StreamEast is another free sports streaming site that NBA basketball fans have adopted. They don’t strictly specialize in hoops, but they’ve got a section that fully covers the NBA. This site tends to be a stream-as-you-go type of site, so there are no replays, but NBA streams are updated and upvoted based on their quality. So once you get there, the cream of the crop (as far as streams hosted by third parties go) has risen to the top.
If you get yourself a solid ad blocker — we’ve used Adblocker Ultimate extensively — this site operates very smoothly and without the barrage of pop-up ads that typically come with sites of this nature. Its sleek, minimalistic, and modern design might almost fool you into thinking you’re visiting a paid streaming platform.
3. SportSurge: A user-friendly platform for NBA enthusiasts
Visit: SportSurge
Pros
- Easy-to-use website
- Often reliable source of basketball streams
- Pop-up ads are bearable
Cons
- Third-party hosted streams can't be verified
SportSurge is another one of those hotbeds where fans tend to stop first to watch NBA streams. Any site where external links are vetted and rated by the streaming community is usually quite popular. In general, the most high-quality and reliable streams with the least amount of pop-up ads find their way to the No. 1 slot. On this site, streams are reliable, but the definition varies.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that they have been authenticated or licensed. And it also doesn’t guarantee user privacy or security. However, SportSurge is still a site streamers have come to appreciate.
Another reason for SportSurge’s popularity is the lack of invasive or aggressive advertising on the site. When using a good ad-blocker (we used Adblock Plus on this site), you can get a clean and painless navigating experience.
4. LiveTV SX: A live-streaming site with a wide range of sports
Visit: LiveTV SX
Pros
- Long-time source of reliable basketball streams
- Coverage of numerous basketball leagues
- Minimal ad intrusion
Cons
- Unverified sources for streams
The online streaming world has been making its way to LiveTV for quite some time. By most accounts, the website has been around since 2006 in one form or another. By just looking at the site layout, you might think it hasn’t been updated since then.
Regardless of its old–school layout and design, it’s got pretty much every sport taken care of. If you’re looking for a specific NBA game in real–time, it will likely appear under “Other Top Broadcasts” or “Popular Videos” sections. Otherwise, you’d just have to take a look at their basketball section, which covers everything from the NBA to European, South American, and Australian professional leagues. Just keep in mind that links are hosted on other third-party domains, so security and legitimacy can’t be ensured.
5. BuffStreams: A good streaming solution for free NBA games
Visit: BuffStreams
Pros
- Popular website among sports streamers
- Reliable source for basketball streams
- Site is often up and running
Cons
- Aggressive pop-up ads
- Unauthenticated, third-party streams
Ask any Facebook or Reddit group about where to stream sports for free, and many veterans will tell you to check BuffStreams. It often popped up in the now-shuttered Reddit NBA streams groups. And it’s long been a solution when online users are on the hunt for free NBA streams. While it runs the gamut when it comes to sports coverage, the first category on its list is basketball.
Not only does it have a live NBA TV stream, but it also leads you to any other stream that is playing a game someone might want.
Pop-ups are inevitable but can be easily blocked. The site itself boasts that it only brings up the best available streams, which are rated by the community to keep the quality and reliability up. At the same time, BuffStreams also mentions in its privacy policy that it doesn’t host any streams and that you’ll be redirected to other third-party streaming sites.
The security and legitimacy of those domains are really up in the air, and streams can’t be verified as legit. Therefore, to protect the privacy of your data while accessing unfamiliar streaming websites, you should stick with using a VPN with robust security features like Surfshark. The VPN provider will hide your IP address, thereby masking your real location and ensuring your data stays encrypted so no one will be able to steal it.
6. NBABox TV: A great NBA-focused website
Visit: NBABox TV
Pros
- NBA-focused free streaming site
- Well-organized, laid out site
- Coverage of other leagues
Cons
- Unverified externally hosted streams
- Aggressive advertising and redirection
NBABox TV is next up. It’s a site that lays out pertinent free NBA streams right on its homepage. Even with an all-aces ad blocker installed, we still ran into some pop-ups on this site. So if you’re trying to get to free streams, you’ll have to click your way there.
In a disclaimer on the site, NBABox TV tells the visitor that they’re not “in the business of crafting, hosting, or spreading videos” but rather “simply showcase video streams from external sites that are generously accessible on the web.”
Any unverified third–party sites can have security and privacy issues, so it’s up to the user if they want to venture onward.
7. NBA Stream.net: A simple-to-navigate streaming platform
Visit: NBA Stream.net
Pros
- NBA-centric site
- Streams are easy to find
- Easy to navigate site
- Can watch NBA games on iOS and Android
Cons
- Streams not always reliable
- Unverified third-party sites host streams
- Pop-up ads and redirection
As this site’s name suggests, it’s a sports streaming destination dedicated strictly to the NBA. Compared to other sites, its navigation is far easier to manage. Since its focus is pro basketball, the homepage is split up into divisions as well as individual teams. Visitors looking for specific games can find them easily enough by clicking through images and icons. Moreover, they can watch mobile NBA streams on their iOS or Android devices.
Like many other free sites, visitors have to dodge pop–up ads. However, they’re not as relentless on NBA Stream.net as other sites are known to be.
Fans might find redirects to third–party sites that promote HD NBA streams and request sign-up information. Of course, the main issue with sites like these is that no streams are hosted on the site itself. So make sure you are careful when clicking on these links.
8. NBA-Stream: A great live-streaming solution for NBA games
Visit: NBA-Stream.com
Pros
- Simple site layout
- Focused on NBA streams
- Easy to navigate site
Cons
- Unauthenticated streams
- Aggressive advertising and redirection
Is that déjà vu? Well, not to be confused with the site at No. 7, NBA–Stream is another top source for streaming free basketball. Though there are tabs for NFL, MLS, and NHL, the layout for NBA has a very easy-to-navigate interface. Upcoming games are simply listed on the homepage. Streamers can find the match they want and then click and go.
Similar to other unofficial free streaming sites, NBA–Stream claims it hosts no actual content on its site and rather picks up its streams from sites like Reddit, YouTube, and other sources. Since the site declares that it bears no responsibility for third-party hosted streams, visitors have to decide if they want to continue down that path.
Accessing third–party sites can be dangerous for streamers as their devices may be in danger from malware such as computer viruses or remote access trojans, for example. Therefore, in this case, using a good antivirus solution like Bitdefender can help protect them from online threats.
9. Bosscast: A sports site with an active community
Visit: Bosscast
Pros
- Reliable source of free streams
- Active streaming community
- Site is often up and running
Cons
- Site not particularly user-friendly
- Pop-up ads
- Unverified third party streams
Bosscast may not look like much, but it has garnered massive amounts of traffic from sports streamers. It’s another all-encompassing sports site, but it lets users watch live streams of NBA TV, ESPN, TNT, Sky Sports, and other channels that carry NBA games.
Another feature that Bosscast shares with other streaming websites is its live chat. Fans can engage with others while games are going down live.
For the downsides, streamers will likely run into aggressive pop–up ads that tend to hamper viewing experiences. While the website allows users to watch games and events within the site, it appears that there are still some redirects and links to external sites. Bosscast also makes it clear that it doesn’t host the content.
So, any visitors would certainly want a VPN and premium antivirus if venturing onto unfamiliar external sites and streams when accessing Bosscast. Surfshark VPN also provides you with a great antivirus solution, Surfshark One. This software offers real-time protection against malware, and it is easy to use. Hence, in combination with Surfshark VPN, you will have peace of mind when clicking on a streaming site through Bosscast.
10. ROJADIRECTA: A streaming platform to watch basketball from all over the world
Visit: ROJADIRECTA
Pros
- Reliable source of free sports streams
- Basketball coverage worldwide
- Easy site to use
Cons
- Some broadcasts aren't in English
- External streams can't be verified
It doesn’t get any simpler than ROJADIRECTA. The site hosts links for basketball matchups in different leagues around the world, so there’s usually a game on. When scrolling through different options, streamers will typically spot NBA games. But it might take a bit of digging. There are European leagues, Australian leagues, and every kind of basketball game you can imagine to sort through.
As with any free sports streaming site, users will likely run into the usual issues. Some links could be from foreign broadcasters, others might be broken, and some unlicensed or unsecured.
Generally, VPNOverview has found the success rate of streams listed on ROJADIRECTA a bit better than many competitors. So NBA fans have found a home here, and it gets a mention.
11. Cricfree: A popular website for sports lovers
Visit: Cricfree
Pros
- Comprehensive NBA coverage
- Additional sports to choose from
- Reliable streams
Cons
- Unauthenticated live streams
- Invasive advertising
Though the name might imply a cricket-only streaming site, Cricfree is anything but. This is a popular sports streaming website that offers links to NBA streams. Users can also watch various other sports, such as cricket, hockey, baseball, soccer, football, boxing, tennis, and racing.
Of course, it’s made its way to this list for its selection and availability of NBA games. The website manages its links effectively to ensure that users can access high-quality streams. Additionally, Cricfree has a user–friendly interface that categorizes the streams according to different sports types. Besides the website, Cricfree also offers an Android and iOS app to keep users updated.
However, like other sites on this list, Cricfree primarily provides links to streams and content hosted elsewhere, which may be geo-restricted, unlicensed, or contain pop-up ads. So take great care when clicking on any of these links, and ensure you have a good antivirus program installed on your device.
12. Livesport24: A well-established platform for live sporting events
Visit: Livesport24
Pros
- Reliable source of basketball content
- Lots of other sports available
Cons
- Site navigation can be confusing
- Lots of aggressive ads
- Unverified external streams
Since its establishment in 2008, livesport24 has become a popular platform for accessing live sporting events, including the NBA.
The website is easy to navigate, allowing users to search for sports channels and browse specific sports. However, users may encounter aggressive and invasive pop–up advertising, which even a good ad-blocker cannot fully eliminate.
To access the streams, users must let the pop–ups run their course. But once settled on a live NBA stream, users have reported that they are high–quality and reliable. It is worth noting that browsers may mark livesport24 as unsecured — you’ll see that where a padlock usually should be — and the streams are links coming from external sites.
Our antivirus software immediately warned us as soon as we opened the livesport24 website that it may contain malicious software. In light of this, using an antivirus like Surfshark One will be a great option since it offers enhanced protection against malicious programs and eliminates malware as soon as it detects it. Hence, it may be the best option for websites like livesport24.
13. Reddit: A social media site with many sports forums
Visit: Reddit
Pros
- One of most popular social media sites
- Plenty of basketball-themed groups
- Site is secure, if you stay within it
Cons
- Links come from other users
- Streaming links could be unsecured or unauthenticated
This site was originally considered ground zero when it came to free sports streaming. It’s quite possible that Redditors were the first to truly organize groups (subreddits) dedicated to free sports streaming sites. Reddit and social media sites could be how all the streaming platforms on our list got so popular in the first place. However, many of those once-popular Reddit NBA streams groups have been shut down.
Chances are, if you go searching for free NBA streaming sites on Reddit before your favorite games, Redditors will point you in the direction of some sites that we’ve mentioned above. While Reddit and other social media platforms like it (like private Facebook sports streaming groups) are typically secure, users there may post dangerous or poorly-secured links. So Reddit NBA streams are never guaranteed to be safe.
You should also be wary of social media scams and ploys that other users might try to run. Just take a look at the top Facebook scams that are currently making their rounds. Privacy-conscious streamers might also want to tweak their Reddit privacy settings.
Do You Need a VPN to Stream Live Sports?
Streaming live sports is a common activity for many, and VPNs are often utilized for this purpose. By using a VPN, individuals can bypass geographic restrictions and access content that is otherwise unavailable in their region. For instance, one can effortlessly connect to a top VPN service with servers in Luxembourg and enjoy free live streaming of the entire Formula 1 season.
Likewise, you can connect to Ireland or Austria to catch free local broadcasts of Champions League matches.
A VPN service like Surfshark will provide you with added protection against malicious links and third–party trackers while streaming live sports. Moreover, free NBA streaming websites are often prone to such dangers, leading to “unsecured site” notifications on web browsers. To ensure optimal security, it is imperative to use a good antivirus program and popup ad blocker in addition to a VPN. Surfshark also offers an effective antivirus software, Surfshark One.
Surshark is a reputable VPN service that offers users data encryption and an anonymous internet connection. This shields streamers from potential threats such as hackers, scammers, and other malicious parties who could otherwise exploit their true identities and sensitive data.
Conclusion: Access the Best Free NBA Streaming Sites Today
There is a vast selection of online NBA streaming sites available for free. While most of these sites don’t actually host any sports content, they effectively organize and lead users to reliable streams coming from other third-party sites.
It is essential to note that certain streaming links and platforms may not be authorized in your country. Before accessing free sports streams, live events, or game coverage, you’ll need to be aware of your country’s copyright protection and streaming regulations.
Moreover, exercise caution when searching for live game streaming links. Numerous websites could host harmful links, third–party tracking programs, or bombard your browser with aggressive advertising. To safeguard yourself, it is advisable to double up on protection by utilizing both a VPN and a powerful antivirus program. A solid ad blocker can also keep nuisance ads from overwhelming your device. Surfshark can be ideal as It includes all these features and comes at an affordable price.
If you want to learn more about how you can access streaming sites safely online, check out our articles below:
- NCAA Basketball Live Streams: Watch 2023 March Madness
- How to Stream NHL Games From Anywhere in the World
- How to Watch Rugby Online for Free From Anywhere
Got questions about sites streaming NBA games for free? Just click on one of the FAQs below for the answer.
To watch NBA streams for free, you can get a free trial on many streaming platforms, including NBA League Pass. But there are also other options. We’ve listed the best free NBA streaming sites that streamers are flocking to.
Free trials on streaming platforms like FuboTV, YouTube TV and NBA League Pass will offer high-quality HD streams of NBA games. We’ve also laid out the best free NBA streaming sites in our guide for streamers looking to take that route.
One of the best sites to watch free NBA games is DaddyLiveHD. However, this site hosts no content but rather links to streams hosted on other third-party servers. So, consider using a good antivirus program like Surfshark One to protect yourself from malware that may potentially infect your device while accessing third-party links.
