On Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at 6:00 PM UTC, the Houston Rockets take on the Golden State Warriors in a nationally televised NBA matchup — and you don’t need a cable subscription to watch it. The game, part of ESPN’s Wednesday night doubleheader, is streaming live through Sling TV, marking one of the most significant shifts in how fans access professional basketball in years. With TNT and NBA TV out of the picture for the 2025-26 season, the landscape has flipped: NBC, Peacock, and Amazon Prime Video are now the primary national partners, leaving ESPN as the last remaining cable-aligned broadcaster still widely accessible via streaming services like Sling.
What You Need to Watch the Game
To catch the Rockets-Warriors tip-off, you need Sling Orange, which includes ESPN and ABC — the two channels carrying most of the week’s national games. Sling Orange’s base plan, priced at $1 for the first month, gives you access to ESPN’s Wednesday doubleheaders, including this matchup. But here’s the catch: if you’re in a market where NBC is available through Sling, you’ll need Sling Blue to catch those games — and if you want the full slate of nationally televised NBA action, you’ll have to subscribe to both. That’s right. To get everything, you’re looking at $40+ per month. No cheap shortcuts.ABC games are simulcast on ESPN3, so if you’re watching on a laptop or phone, you can log into the ESPN app with your Sling credentials and stream the game without switching channels. That’s a small win for cord-cutters. Sling also offers 50 hours of free cloud DVR storage — no box, no wires — and you can upgrade to unlimited storage for $5 a month. Just don’t expect to record ESPN3, ACC Network Extra, or SEC Network+; those are blocked.
The Broadcast Revolution No One Saw Coming
The 2025-26 season isn’t just a tweak — it’s a full-scale realignment. For over two decades, TNT was the go-to for NBA nights, especially Thursday games. But now? Gone. Amazon Prime Video took over Thursday nights. Peacock owns Monday. Friday and Saturday afternoons are Amazon’s domain. And Sunday? ABC and ESPN handle the afternoon games, while Peacock takes the evening slot. It’s a fragmented mess — and fans are feeling it.Why does this matter? Because it’s not just about where you watch — it’s about how much you pay. If you’re a Warriors fan in San Francisco, you might be locked out of the game on Sling due to local blackout rules unless you buy NBA League Pass. Same goes for Rockets fans in Houston. The league’s blackout policy hasn’t changed: if you live in a team’s broadcast territory, you can’t stream their home games on national services unless you’re paying for the league’s own out-of-market package. That’s a bitter pill for fans who ditched cable hoping for simplicity.
Who’s Winning? The Bigger Story Behind the Game
While the Rockets and Warriors are both rebuilding, the bigger narrative this season is about who’s dominating. The Oklahoma City Thunder are the favorites to win their second straight NBA title — a stunning turnaround after years of lottery picks. Their young core, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, has turned into a juggernaut. Meanwhile, Nikola Jokić of the Denver Nuggets is the overwhelming MVP favorite. His stats? 27.8 points, 12.1 rebounds, 7.9 assists per game. He’s not just playing — he’s rewriting the role of a center.Meanwhile, the Warriors are clinging to relevance. Stephen Curry, now 38, is still dropping 24 a night, but the team’s depth is thin. The Rockets? They’ve got a top-five draft pick from last year and a coach who believes in pace and space. Neither team is contending — but this game could be a glimpse of the future. Both squads are experimenting with young guards, and the matchup could determine which roster gains momentum heading into the All-Star break.
What’s Next? The Streaming Maze Gets Worse
By next season, expect even more fragmentation. The NBA’s new media deals are worth $76 billion over 11 years — but that money isn’t making things easier for fans. You’ll need separate subscriptions for Amazon, Peacock, ESPN+, and NBA League Pass just to follow your favorite team without missing a game. And don’t forget: not all markets get NBC through Sling Blue. If you’re in Texas, Ohio, or parts of the Midwest, you might be out of luck unless you upgrade to Sling Blue + NBC add-on — if it’s even available in your zip code.Sling TV says it’s working to expand NBC availability, but the details remain murky. No official list of eligible markets has been published. That’s the problem with this new era: everything’s changing, but no one’s telling you how.
Why This Matters to You
If you’re still paying for cable because you think it’s the only way to watch basketball — think again. But if you thought cutting the cord meant fewer headaches? Think again. The trade-off is clear: you save money on cable, but you pay more in subscriptions, deal with blackouts, and juggle five different apps to watch a full season. It’s not freedom — it’s complexity.For now, if you want to see the Rockets vs. Warriors, get Sling Orange. Record it. Watch it on your phone. Maybe even invite a friend over. Just don’t expect it to be easy next week — or next month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch the Rockets vs. Warriors game on Sling TV if I live in Houston?
No — if you’re in the Houston broadcast territory, local blackout rules block the game on Sling TV, even with Sling Orange. You’ll need NBA League Pass to watch out-of-market, but even then, blackouts apply. The only legal way to watch live in Houston is through the Rockets’ local TV partner or the team’s official streaming platform.
Do I need both Sling Orange and Sling Blue to watch all NBA games?
Yes — if you want every nationally televised game. Sling Orange gives you ESPN and ABC, while Sling Blue (in eligible markets) gives you NBC and Peacock. Since the NBA’s broadcast rights are split between these networks, you need both packages to avoid missing games on Tuesdays (NBC) or Wednesdays (ESPN). Without both, you’ll miss at least 15+ games per season.
Why did TNT stop broadcasting NBA games?
Turner Sports lost its NBA rights after the 2024-25 season when the league signed new 11-year, $76 billion deals with Amazon, NBC, and Disney. TNT had held the rights since 1988, but the NBA chose to move away from traditional cable networks in favor of streaming-first partners. Amazon now handles Thursday nights; NBC takes Tuesday and Sunday evenings. The shift reflects the industry’s move toward direct-to-consumer streaming.
Is NBA League Pass worth it if I use Sling TV?
Only if you follow teams outside your region — and you’re okay with blackouts. League Pass costs $14.99/month or $119.99/year and gives you access to out-of-market games. But if you live in a team’s market, you still can’t watch their home games live on League Pass. It’s useful for tracking the Thunder or Nuggets, but not for catching your local team’s games.
What’s the best way to record NBA games on Sling TV?
Sling TV offers 50 hours of free cloud DVR storage with every subscription. You can record any live channel except ESPN3, ACC Network Extra, and SEC Network+. To record the Rockets-Warriors game, just set a reminder in the Sling app before tip-off. For unlimited storage, add $5/month. Recordings stay in the cloud — no extra hardware needed.
Are there any free ways to watch this game?
Not legally. Sling’s $1 trial for Orange is the closest thing, but it requires a credit card and auto-renews. Some games air on free over-the-air ABC, but only if you live in a market with an ABC affiliate carrying the game — and this matchup isn’t on ABC. Avoid unofficial streams; they’re unreliable and often illegal.
