NBA streaming guide
Where to watch Warriors vs Rockets in 2026
Warriors vs Rockets is Western Conference rivalry — Steph Curry vs the new Houston rebuild. Here's the cord-cutter streaming playbook.
TL;DR: Warriors vs Rockets in 2026 most likely airs on ESPN (national), NBC/Peacock (new NBA partner for 2025-26), or Amazon Prime Video for primetime games. Local broadcasts: NBC Sports Bay Area for Warriors home games, Space City Home Network for Rockets home games. Out-of-market: NBA League Pass ($22.99/mo full, $14.99 team) covers it. Free options limited — only ABC/NBC national games are free via OTA antenna. SDZ at $39.95/mo includes ESPN, ABC, NBC, NBA TV — fulfilled by AccuViewTV.
| Cable / vMVPDs | Slam Dunk Zone | |
|---|---|---|
| Most likely network | ESPN, NBC, or Amazon Prime | ESPN/NBC via SDZ |
| YouTube TV | $82.99/mo | $39.95 |
| Hulu + Live TV | $82.99/mo | $39.95 |
| Sling Orange (ESPN) | $46/mo | $39.95 |
| Peacock Premium | $7.99/mo (ads) | $39.95 |
| Amazon Prime | $14.99/mo | $39.95 |
| NBA League Pass | $22.99/mo (out-of-market) | $39.95 |
Which network shows Warriors vs Rockets?
NBA’s 2025-26 media rights are split across:
- ESPN/ABC: 80+ national games including playoffs and Finals. Most marquee Warriors games end up here.
- NBC/Peacock (new): 100+ games including some Peacock-exclusive streams. Sunday primetime fixture starting 2025-26.
- Amazon Prime Video (new): 66 exclusive games per season.
- Local RSN: NBC Sports Bay Area for Warriors home games (in-market only), Space City Home Network for Rockets.
Verify the specific game’s broadcast on NBA.com or your streaming service’s guide. Warriors-Rockets is high-profile enough to land on national TV most weeks.
Cord-cutter streaming options
Cord-cutter options for NBA games in the 2025-26 season:
- ESPN/ABC: 80+ games per season including playoffs and Finals. Available via YouTube TV ($82.99), Hulu Live ($82.99), Sling Orange ($46), fuboTV ($84.99), or any service carrying ESPN.
- NBC/Peacock (new for 2025-26): 100+ games including some Peacock-exclusive streams. Peacock Premium is $7.99/mo with ads, $13.99 ad-free. NBC linear available via YouTube TV, Hulu Live, Sling Blue, fuboTV.
- Amazon Prime Video (new for 2025-26): 66 exclusive games. Requires Amazon Prime ($14.99/mo) or Prime Video standalone ($8.99/mo).
- NBA League Pass: $14.99/mo team pass, $22.99/mo full league pass. Out-of-market games only — does NOT include nationally-televised games or your local team’s home market.
- Local RSN: Home-market games on Bally Sports, NBC Sports regional, MSG, or YES depending on team. Available via cable, some vMVPDs (varies by zip), or directly through DirecTV Stream.
- Slam Dunk Zone — $39.95/mo. 5,000+ HD channels including ESPN, ABC, NBC, NBA TV. Fulfilled by AccuViewTV.
Free legal options
Free legal options for NBA games in 2026:
- OTA antenna for ABC/NBC games. Some NBA games air on ABC (national) and NBC (national), free with a $20-$40 antenna in metro areas.
- NBA app preview minutes. The free NBA app shows abbreviated highlights and some game previews, but not full live games.
- Network app trials. Peacock and Amazon Prime Video both offer 7-day or 30-day trials at signup.
Free has limits: most NBA games are on paid networks (ESPN cable, NBC linear, Amazon Prime, RSNs). A free OTA antenna only covers ABC/NBC national games, not the ESPN cable games or RSN home games.
How Slam Dunk Zone fits in for NBA fans
Slam Dunk Zone at $39.95/mo includes ESPN, ABC, NBC, and NBA TV in its 5,000+ HD channel lineup. For NBA fans, that means coverage of ESPN-broadcast games, ABC national games, NBC’s new 100+ game package starting 2025-26, and NBA TV’s national lineup. 6 simultaneous device streams.
Honest disclosure: SDZ does not include Amazon Prime’s exclusive NBA games (those are Amazon-only). It also doesn’t replace NBA League Pass for fans who specifically need every out-of-market game. For most NBA households watching national games and their local team’s broadcast, SDZ at $39.95 is the dominant value pick. /checkout/.
12-month cost: cable vs streaming vs SDZ for NBA
Annual cost to follow every Warriors or Rockets game:
- Cable + Sports Pack: $145-$200/mo × 12 = $1,740-$2,400/year
- YouTube TV: $82.99 × 12 = $995.88/year
- YouTube TV + NBA League Pass: $82.99 + $22.99 × 12 = $1,271.76/year
- Sling Orange + League Pass: $46 + $22.99 × 12 = $827.88/year
- Slam Dunk Zone: $39.95 × 12 = $479.40/year
- SDZ + League Pass + Peacock + Amazon Prime: ~$80/mo total
For NBA superfans needing every game: SDZ + League Pass + Peacock + Amazon Prime ≈ $80/mo all-in. Saves $300+/year vs cable + Sports Pack and ~$455/year vs YouTube TV + League Pass.
The Slam Dunk Deal
Why people are dropping cable for Slam Dunk Zone
| Cable / Big Box | Slam Dunk Zone | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $150 – $220 | $39.95 |
| Channels | 200 if you’re lucky | 5,000+ |
| Devices | 1–2, extra fees per room | Up to 6 simultaneously |
| Contract | 1–2 year lock-in | Cancel anytime |
| Sports coverage | Premium tiers cost extra | Major games included |
| Mastery & training | None | 24/7 support + cord-cutter education |
| Setup | Truck-roll + installer fee | Self-serve, Firestick-first |
Save up to $2,160 / year (Average $150 cable bill − $39.95 SDZ = ~$110 saved per month, every month.)
Frequently asked
Common questions
What channel is Warriors vs Rockets on?
Can I watch Warriors vs Rockets free?
Does NBA League Pass include Warriors vs Rockets?
What's the cheapest way to watch every Warriors or Rockets game?
Does Sling carry NBA games?
Tip-off
Stop paying $150 for cable.
Same sports. More channels. More devices. $39.95/mo.
Fulfilled by AccuViewTV · Cancel anytime · No contract