NBA Schedule: Broadcast TV Surge & Team TV Peaks

The newly released 2026-27 NBA schedule highlights a significant return to traditional broadcast television, with NBC and ABC set to air a combined 90 games, an increase from the previous season. Five teams are tied for the most national television appearances with 34 games each: the New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Los Angeles Lakers.

Efforts to improve player rest and reduce grueling stretches have resulted in fewer back-to-back games, averaging 14.2 per team, the lowest since the NBA Cup's inception. Travel is also down, with teams expected to cover approximately 42.5K miles, near an all-time low. The San Antonio Spurs, despite having a large portion of their national games in the second half, benefit from ample rest days. Conversely, the Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, and New Orleans Pelicans face the most back-to-back sets with 16 each.

The schedule also features notable road and home stretches. The Minnesota Timberwolves and Memphis Grizzlies will each have an eight-game home stand, while the Knicks, Lakers, and Pelicans face seven-game road trips. Notably, the Spurs will host five neutral site games, including two in Europe against the Pelicans in January 2027.