The 2026-27 NBA season opens today with three games, all on NBC and streaming on Peacock. Celtics at Pistons tips at 3pm ET (12pm PT), 76ers at Knicks at 7pm ET (4pm PT), and Thunder at Spurs at 9:30pm ET (6:30pm PT).
These are national exclusives, so local channels sit this one out and League Pass blacks them out live. For the full channel grid, see Tonight's games.
What NBA games are on TV tonight?
All times are Tuesday, October 20, 2026. NBC's NBA Showtime pregame show starts at 6:30pm ET (3:30pm PT).
| Game | ET / PT | National TV | Stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| Celtics at Pistons | 3pm / 12pm | NBC | Peacock |
| 76ers at Knicks | 7pm / 4pm | NBC | Peacock |
| Thunder at Spurs | 9:30pm / 6:30pm | NBC | Peacock |
How can I stream tonight's games?
Peacock streams all three games. Peacock Premium is $12.99 a month with ads, or $129.99 a year (prices checked October 18, 2026).
NBC is also free over the air with an antenna, and it's on cable and live TV streaming services that carry your local NBC station.
Want the season total for your team? Try the cheapest way to watch your team calculator.
Will tonight's games be blacked out?
On League Pass, yes. National NBC and Peacock games are blacked out live on League Pass across the US, so League Pass is not an option tonight.
Your team's usual local channel will not air these games either. Check any ZIP code on the League Pass blackout checker for regular-season local games.
Celtics at Pistons: 3pm ET, NBC
Where to watch: NBC and Peacock. Little Caesars Arena, Detroit.
Local homes when not national: the Celtics are on NBC Sports Boston (its Peacock regional add-on is unconfirmed, one source so far). The Pistons moved off FanDuel Sports Network to WMYD TV20, free over the air, and DAZN.
Why watch: last season's top two seeds in the East meet in the first game of the year. Cade Cunningham and the Pistons host Jayson Tatum, Paul George and a retooled Celtics roster (NBA.com).
Injury report (9am ET): Boston's Devin Carter is out with an illness. Detroit's Taurean Prince is questionable for personal reasons.
76ers at Knicks: 7pm ET, NBC
Where to watch: NBC and Peacock. Madison Square Garden, New York.
Local homes when not national: the 76ers are on NBC Sports Philadelphia. The Knicks are on MSG Network, with MSG+ on DAZN in market.
Why watch: the defending champion Knicks start their title defense, and LeBron James and Jaylen Brown make their Sixers debuts (NBA.com).
Injury report (9am ET): Philadelphia lists Anfernee Simons (left hamstring), Adem Bona (left foot) and Dean Wade (left ankle) as questionable. Dominick Barlow, Tacko Fall and Ariel Hukporti are out. The Knicks have no one listed.
Thunder at Spurs: 9:30pm ET, NBC
Where to watch: NBC and Peacock. Frost Bank Center, San Antonio.
Local homes when not national: the Thunder moved off FanDuel Sports Network to Thunder+ and KSBI 52. The Spurs stream local games on DAZN; the free-TV station for their 22 promised over-the-air games is unconfirmed (not named yet).
Why watch: it's a rematch of last season's seven-game West Finals, which San Antonio won. Two-time reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander faces reigning Defensive Player of the Year Victor Wembanyama (NBA.com).
Injury report (9am ET): Oklahoma City has Otega Oweh, Thomas Sorber and Nikola Topic out. San Antonio's Tobias Harris is out with a left calf strain.
What's next after tonight?
ESPN has Wednesday and Thursday, then Prime Video takes Friday. Our week-ahead guide has every national game through October 25, and Where every team moved covers the new local homes after FanDuel Sports Network.
Injury statuses change through the day, so check the NBA's latest report before tip-off.
Frequently asked questions
What channel are the NBA games on tonight, October 20?
All three opening-night games are on NBC and stream on Peacock. Celtics at Pistons is at 3pm ET (12pm PT), 76ers at Knicks at 7pm ET (4pm PT) and Thunder at Spurs at 9:30pm ET (6:30pm PT).
Are tonight's NBA games on local TV?
No. NBC and Peacock games are national exclusives, so the teams' local channels (NBC Sports Boston, TV20, NBC Sports Philadelphia, MSG, Thunder+ / KSBI and the Spurs' DAZN feed) do not carry them.
Can I watch tonight's games on NBA League Pass?
Not live. National games on NBC and Peacock are blacked out live on League Pass everywhere in the US. Use NBC with an antenna or a TV service, or Peacock.
Can I watch the NBC games for free?
Yes, if you get your local NBC station over the air with an antenna. Streaming them needs Peacock Premium, which is $12.99 a month with ads (checked October 18, 2026).
What time is the NBA pregame show tonight?
NBC's NBA Showtime pregame show starts at 6:30pm ET (3:30pm PT), before the 76ers at Knicks game.
Sources
- ESPN NBA scoreboard for Oct 20, 2026 (tip times and TV)
- NBC Insider: How to watch the 2026 NBA Tip-Off Tripleheader (Oct 20, 2026)
- NBA.com Starting 5: American Express Tip-Off guide (Oct 13, 2026)
- NBA official injury report, Oct 20, 2026, 9:00 AM ET
- Peacock: subscription prices (checked Oct 18, 2026)
- NBA League Pass blackout guide
Scores, stats and tip times checked against at least two sources. Local channels hand-checked October 17, 2026. Spot an error? Email hello@howtowatchnba.com.
← All news · Tonight's games · Blackout checker · All 30 teams