NBC
The NBA returned to NBC’s airwaves for the first time in 23 years on Tuesday night and made an immediate impression on basketball fans, who have unanimously praised the network for their opening night coverage.
After the “NBA on NBC” last aired in 2002, the network lost the rights to the NBA for the following two-plus decades until finally regaining them last year With the new deal in place, the NBA — alongside its beloved “Roundball Rock” theme song returned to NBC.
NBC has two games on the NBA’s opening night: the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder against the Houston Rockets, and the Golden State Warriors against the Los Angeles Lakers.
And while it was just the first night of NBC’s NBA coverage, fans were blown away all the same, praising everything from the pregame show to Michael Jordan’s presence to the score bug shaking after a slam dunk.
Basketball fans rip ESPN and TNT after seeing the NBA broadcast that NBC put on in its first show in 23 years
The quality of NBC’s broadcast, though, naturally led NBA fans to compare it to what they’ve gotten from ESPN and TNT over the decades, with many placing the blame on those two networks for not properly packaging the sport.
NBC made a regular season game feel far more special than ABC/ESPN made the Finals feel the last half decade.
WE ARE SO BACK
— Jaylon Tyson Fan Club (@IsaacOkoroFan) October 21, 2025
TNT was entertaining, but different. Its nucleus was the Inside crew and their banter. The on-court product always felt secondary.
Dating back to the 90s, NBC *always* prioritizes what you’re about to see…not what we’re going to be talking about after.
1) Maria’s pre-recorded… https://t.co/B96PktXXXe
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) October 22, 2025
“NBC snatched ESPN chain within minutes,” summarized one viral tweet with over 700,000 views.
“How are we ever supposed to go back to listening to Stephan A Smith’s bulls— on ESPN coverage after a 10/10 perfect start to the season by NBC,” said another.
“Yeah ESPN is gonna be forced to step it up. NBA on NBC is too good and it’s just day 1,” a third added.
ESPN executives when they see people praising NBC for simply making the actual basketball game the focus of the broadcast https://t.co/gmJk8iflVF pic.twitter.com/H8wWjUQRR6
— Zach Seidel (@Seidel_Z) October 22, 2025
ESPN executives watching NBA on NBC pic.twitter.com/malH4VAxJM
— The r/BillSimmons Podcast (@rBillSimmonsPod) October 22, 2025