ESPN Unveils Inside the NBA Schedule for 2025-26 NBA Regular Season

ESPN unveils its robust Inside the NBA schedule for the 2025-26 regular season. As previously announced, Inside the NBA — produced by TNT Sports from its Atlanta studios — will serve as a pregame, halftime and postgame show surrounding high-profile NBA events on ESPN and ABC throughout the regular season as well as the NBA Playoffs and the NBA Finals.

This season marks the first time Inside the NBA will serve as the official pregame, halftime and postgame show for ABC’s exclusive coverage of the NBA Finals. Sports Broadcasting Hall of Famer Ernie Johnson hosts Inside the NBA with analysts Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith.

The 21-time Emmy Award-winning Inside the NBA studio show known for its entertaining style and unfiltered commentary will make its ESPN debut across two nights of season-opening NBA action, Wednesday, October 22 and Thursday, October 23. The pregame show, originating from TNT Sports studios in Atlanta, will air from 6-7 p.m. ET on October 22 (ESPN, ESPN2) and from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on October 23 (ESPN). The postgame shows will begin on ESPN both nights immediately following the doubleheaders.

Inside the NBA will play an integral role in ESPN and ABC’s coverage of the most marquee events of the season, including the annual tradition of the NBA on Christmas Day, as well as the exclusive, national NBA game of the week franchises — NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC and ABC’s NBA Sunday Showcase. Inside the NBA will air on ESPN and ABC throughout the NBA Playoffs, including the Eastern Conference Finals and the NBA Finals.

Inside the NBA pregame shows airing on ESPN will begin one hour before tipoff, with the postgame shows starting immediately after game coverage has concluded. The pregame shows on ABC will begin 30 minutes prior to tipoff. The postgame shows following NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC will start immediately after the game on ABC and continue on the ESPN App. Inside the NBA will serve as the pregame show for the NBA Sunday Showcase series on ABC.

Burke Magnus, ESPN President, Content: “We’re proud that Inside the NBA – one of the most iconic and beloved shows in all of media – will play a leading role in our NBA coverage. Fans should expect the same great show they’re accustomed to watching as it becomes an essential part of the highest-profile events in the NBA, including the NBA Finals.”