How to Watch the NBA Games Live From Anywhere in 2023

If you're a die-hard basketball enthusiast like me, you must be riled up for the newest NBA playoffs and finals. But you might only be able to stream part of the NBA season due to regional blackouts. Signing up for an NBA International League Pass is one of the cheapest ways to access all out-of-market games live. However, it's not available in the US and Canada.

Using a VPN, you can watch the NBA pre-season, playoffs, finals, and full-season games (with no blackouts). You only need to connect your VPN to a country that allows you to sign up for an NBA International League Pass.

I tested 30+ top VPNs and found ExpressVPN is ideal for watching NBA live from anywhere. It provides the fastest speeds, so you can stream NBA games, like Trail Blazers vs. Pelicans, without buffering. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try ExpressVPN risk-free.

Live-Stream NBA Games in HD >>

Why You Need a VPN to Watch NBA Games Online

Due to broadcasting rights, some NBA games are only available in specific regions or countries. Suppose you are trying to watch a game from outside that region or country. In that case, you may encounter geo-restrictions that prevent you from accessing the content.

The NBA International League Pass is the only way to watch every single NBA game of the season without blackouts. However, it's unavailable in the US and Canada.

A VPN can help you access NBA games online from anywhere in the world. It does this by changing your virtual location so the site thinks you're accessing it from within a permitted country and grants you full access. For example, connecting to a London server gives you a UK IP address to sign up for an International League Pass. A VPN also allows you to unblock your other streaming accounts, like SkySports.

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Best VPNs to Live-Stream the NBA Games From Anywhere in 2023

1. ExpressVPN — Excellent Speeds to Watch NBA Games Live in UHD

Editor’s Choice Editor’s Choice Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
Tested July 2023

Can access:

Sky ESPN+ Dazn FIFA+

Netflix Disney+ APV More

Try ExpressVPN >

www.ExpressVPN.com

Thanks to ExpressVPN’s excellent speeds, you can watch all NBA games in picture-perfect quality. I experienced the intensity of every shoot, dribble, and dunk as the players battled for victory. My speed dropped by only 5.5% when I ran tests on several servers in the UK, Germany, and France — from a 127.15 Mbps base connection to 120.10 Mbps. I recommend using the VPN's Lightway protocol since it uses less code, making for even faster streaming.

My speeds were reduced by only 5.5% while connected to ExpressVPN’s French servers

You also won’t have trouble finding a server to watch NBA games live. I easily bypass geo-restrictions on the NBA International League Pass using servers in France, Ukraine, and Belgium. I tested ExpressVPN with other sports streaming services, too, and had no problem streaming Grizzlies vs. Lakers on my Hulu + Live account using a New York server.

The VPN allows up to 8 simultaneous connections, which means you can keep an eye on more than one NBA game at a time by streaming on different devices. Or, let someone else in your household stream Netflix or Hulu while you catch up on the latest scores. I tested the VPN out on 4 devices at once and didn't notice any drop in performance.

Using its MediaStreamer feature, you can watch the NBA playoffs on the big screen. This feature lets you connect ExpressVPN on devices not usually compatible with VPNs, like smart TVs and gaming consoles, but only works with UK and US content. It also boosts your speed since it doesn't encrypt your traffic. Following its website's step-by-step instructions, I watched my favorite basketball highlights on my older LG TV in about 7 minutes.

It is the most expensive VPN on this list, starting at $6.67/month. However, ExpressVPN regularly offers great deals and discounts. I got 49% off and three months of service for free when I signed up for a long-term plan.

All subscriptions also come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it out risk-free. I tested this claim, so you don’t have to. When I contacted customer support via live chat, the agent asked me a few standard questions about my experience and approved my refund. I received the money in my bank account 4 days later.

Useful Features

• Split tunneling. This allows you to choose which apps use the VPN connection and which do not. This can be useful for streaming because it will enable you to access the NBA League Pass through the VPN while online banking via your regular internet connection.
• Unlimited bandwidth. You can stream as much content as you want without worrying about data caps and bypass ISP throttling your speed.
• 24/7 customer support. ExpressVPN offers 24/7 customer support via live chat and email. I got an immediate response (from a human) when using the live chat service.

Try ExpressVPN for Watching NBA Games >>

2. CyberGhost — Optimized Servers for Straightforward NBA Streaming

Can access:

Sky ESPN+ Dazn FIFA+

Netflix Disney+ APV More

Try CyberGhost VPN >

www.cyberghostvpn.com

CyberGhost's optimized servers make accessing NBA streaming sites like Sling TV easy. Simply expand the app, click "For streaming" in the right-hand menu, and type your preferred platform into the search bar. I tested servers optimized for sports streaming, including YouTube TV and Sky Sports, and unblocked my accounts within seconds. With its usual servers conveniently alphabetized according to country, I also found one that worked with the International NBA League Pass.

Servers are constantly tested and updated to ensure they can unblock popular streaming platforms

Although slower than ExpressVPN, CyberGhost is great for watching NBA games without delays. I got really good connection speeds during my tests, with only a 9% drop when with servers in France. That’s fast for a VPN and made me feel like I was part of the game. Plus, it allows up to 7 simultaneous connections without a noticeable reduction in video quality.

The only downside is that monthly plans are pricey and have a short 14-day money-back guarantee period. But long-term subscriptions are affordable at only $2.19/month with all the same features.

It also gives you an extended money-back guarantee, so you can test CyberGhost free for 45 days and get a full refund if you aren’t 100% satisfied. I used 24/7 live chat support to request a refund and found it hassle-free; they didn't even ask me any questions. My PayPal account was credited after 4 working days.

Useful Features

• Dedicated IP addresses. For a small extra fee, you can subscribe to a dedicated IP that allows for exclusive use. This helps you avoid VPN blocks on NBA official streaming sites.
• User-friendly interface. If you’re unfamiliar with VPNs, I recommend CyberGhost as a beginner-friendly option. It's easy to navigate and apps for different devices look similar.
• Router compatibility. You can install CyberGhost on your router and use it on all your WiFi-connected devices. This allows you to watch NBA full-season games on your smart TV.

Try CyberGhost for Watching NBA Games >>

3. Private Internet Access — Vast Network for Full NBA Coverage From Anywhere

Can access:

Sky ESPN+ FIFA+ Netflix

Disney+ APV More

Try Private Internet Access >

www.PrivateInternetAccess.com

Private Internet Access (PIA) has thousands of servers worldwide to avoid NBA blackouts. You can effortlessly bypass geo-restrictions and have a front-row virtual seat to this season’s NBA games. I unblocked my Sky Sports account during my tests and streamed Trail Blazers vs. Pelicans without issues.

Japan's optimized server for streaming lets me watch the NBA International League Pass uninterrupted

In addition to reducing the likelihood of congestion-related delays, a sizable server network is advantageous. To assess this, I performed speed tests on four PIA servers using speedtest.net. The findings demonstrated that the VPN provides satisfactory speeds for streaming requirements. The only scenario where I noticed a decline of more than 20% was when connected to a server in Brazil, which is over 5,000 miles away from my current location. However, even in this instance, I experienced uninterrupted streaming without any buffering issues while watching NBA pre-season games on the NBA International League Pass.

For those unfamiliar with VPNs, PIA's settings may seem complex. However, the app is preconfigured for streaming, enabling you to watch NBA games right away.

PIA offers three subscription options, starting at $2.03/month. I'm always looking for ways to save money, so I opted for the 2-year plan as it's the most affordable in the long run. If you're not ready to commit, you can try PIA first with its 30-day money-back guarantee and claim a refund if it's not for you.

Useful Features

• Stream on any device. Installing PIA on your router allows you to watch NBA games on your favorite devices. I installed the VPN on my Asus router in less than 10 minutes.
• Simultaneous device support. Unlimited simultanous device connections to stream conflicting NBA games at the same time.
• SOCKS5 proxy: Enhance streaming performance by ditching the encryption.

Try PIA for Watching NBA Games >>

Where Can I Watch the NBA 2023 Season Online

If you are subscribed to cable, you have the option to watch NBA games on channels like NBA TV, TBA, TNT, and ESPN. However, for those like me who have been without cable for years, you can still catch all the thrilling action online through the NBA International League Pass. Additionally, I have provided a list of other streaming platforms below that will broadcast NBA games, although certain games may be restricted due to broadcasting rights.

Live-Stream NBA Games in HD >>

How to Sign Up for the NBA International League Pass to Watch Games Live

1. Get a VPN. I recommend ExpressVPN because it has a large server network in countries like France, Italy, and India, where NBA International League Pass is available.
2. Connect to a server. The international pass is unavailable in the US and Canada, so choose another country.
3. Head to the site. Go to the NBA League Pass website and choose your plan. You can pay per month or season. There's also a premium version available if you want access on 2 devices simultaneously.
4. Create an NBA ID. Provide an email address, your birth date, and your country. Remember to choose the same country as the VPN server you're connected to.
5. Enter payment details. You'll be directed to the "Billing Info" page. The NBA League Pass accepts all major credit cards and doesn’t require them to be linked to a specific country.
6. Hit “Submit” to complete your purchase. Start enjoying the 2023 NBA season with no blackouts.

FAQs on Watching the NBA With a VPN

Why are there blackouts on NBA games?

NBA blackouts are typically due to contractual agreements or regional restrictions enforced by the NBA, its partners, or its broadcasters. This means some games are unavailable for live streaming where you are. Luckily, a VPN can access all NBA games, including out-of-market coverage.

Can I watch NBA games live for free?

Technically no, but you can watch it for free for a short period. The NBA International League Pass offers a 7-day free trial to watch the games for a week. All the recommended VPNs on this list also have money-back guarantees (at least 30 days), so you can access and watch NBA games from your location.

How do I watch the NBA without cable?

You can use the International League Pass to watch NBA games online. Even though NBA games can be streamed on other platforms, like Sling TV and Sky SportsI like the NBA International Pass as it gives you access to every game in the season without blackouts.

However, the NBA International Pass is geoblocked in some countries like the US and Canada, so you need to use a VPN to get access if you’re in any of these countries.

Can I watch the 2023 NBA with a free VPN?

Possibly, but I don't recommend it. At best, free VPNs are unreliable and never work as promised because they limit speed and server access. At worst, they could put your data security at serious risk. A premium VPN with a trustworthy money-back guarantee is a more reliable option.

Since free VPNs don’t make money from subscriptions, they have to get revenue in other ways. Some have even been caught logging and selling your information to advertisers. Others make money from ads, which means lots of annoying pop-ups disrupting the game.

Does Amazon Prime have NBA games?

Yes. If you have an US Amazon Prime membership, you can add the NBA League Pass to your account. Unfortunately, you might not be able to access the entire season’s NBA games due to regional blackouts.

To watch live out-of-market NBA games, you need an International NBA League Pass. This pass is designed for international fans and isn’t subject to blackouts. You also need a reliable VPN to access this service if you're in the US or Canada, as it's unavailable there.

Watch the NBA Games Live in Minutes

It shouldn’t be such a challenge to watch the NBA playoffs, pre-season, and full-season games without experiencing regional blackouts. Thankfully, a good VPN can give you complete NBA access no matter where you are. All the VPNs on this list can unblock the NBA International League Pass without compromising your speed.

I recommend ExpressVPN for watching NBA games live because it has the fastest speeds and a global network of servers for uninterrupted streaming. As a bonus, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try ExpressVPN out for yourself risk-free.

To summarize, these are the best VPNs for watching the NBA games live…

Rank

Provider

Our Score

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1

9.8 /10

Save 49%!

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2

9.8 /10

Save 83%!

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3

9.6 /10

Save 83%!

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