ClutchBasket: Basketball News

 

NBA ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE FOR 2026-27 REGULAR SEASON

NEW YORK, Aug. 13, 2026 – The NBA today released its complete game schedule for the 2026-27 regular season, along with the broadcast and streaming schedules for Disney (ABC/ESPN/ESPN Radio), NBCUniversal (NBC/Peacock/NBCSN) and Amazon (Prime Video).

As part of the NBA Schedule Release presented by Ticketmaster, the day-by-day and team-by-team schedules are attached and available at NBA.com/schedule.  Fans can purchase tickets at NBATickets.com.

The schedule of national games generally includes the following:

NATIONAL GAME COVERAGE BY DAY
DAY	NATIONAL
Monday	Peacock/NBCSN
Tuesday	NBC/Peacock
Wednesday	ESPN/ESPN App
Thursday	Prime Video
Friday	Prime Video | ESPN/ESPN App
Saturday	ABC/ESPN App | Prime Video
Sunday	NBC/Peacock | ABC/ESPN App

 

Every national game will be available on broadly distributed streaming services – the ESPN App for all ABC/ESPN games, Peacock for all NBCUniversal games and Prime Video for all Amazon games.

Tap to Watch helps fans around the world quickly access live national, local, international and NBA League Pass game telecasts through the NBA App, NBA.com, team digital platforms and participating partner sites.  Fans can now add the NBA schedule to their digital calendars via nba.ecal.com, with Tap to Watch links that take them directly to where each game is available to watch.

As previously announced, American Express NBA Tip-Off 2026 will begin on Tuesday, Oct. 20 with an NBC/Peacock tripleheader as the Boston Celtics visit the Detroit Pistons (3 p.m. ET), the defending NBA champion New York Knicks host the Philadelphia 76ers (7 p.m. ET) and the San Antonio Spurs meet the Oklahoma City Thunder at Frost Bank Center (9:30 p.m. ET).  The NBA’s 81^st regular season will conclude on Sunday, April 11, 2027, with all 30 teams in action, highlighted by an ESPN doubleheader that will be determined at a later date.

The regular-season schedule includes defined dates and opponents for 80 of each team’s 82 games.  The two unassigned games for each team, to be played from Friday, Dec. 4 through Thursday, Dec. 10, will be determined based on the results of Group Play games in the Emirates NBA Cup 2026.  The Group Play schedule comprises 60 games on “Cup Nights” every Friday from Oct. 30 through Nov. 27 and on Tuesday, Nov. 24 and Wednesday, Nov. 25.  After Group Play, Prime Video will stream the Knockout Rounds, which consist of single-elimination games in the Quarterfinals (Friday, Dec. 4 and Saturday, Dec. 5), Semifinals (Tuesday, Dec. 8 and/or Wednesday, Dec. 9) and Championship (Friday, Dec. 11).   

Below is an overview of the game schedules for Disney, NBCUniversal and Prime Video, along with additional highlights for the 2026-27 season.  NBA TV’s game schedule will be announced at a later date.

DISNEY

• Opening Week on ESPN/ESPN App: ESPN/ESPN App will present doubleheaders on Wednesday, Oct. 21 and Thursday, Oct. 22 – the second and third days of the regular season.  On Oct. 21, two-time Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo will make his Miami Heat debut when the Heat hosts the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2022 NBA All-Star LaMelo Ball’s first game with Minnesota (7:30 p.m. ET).  The second game will feature two-time Kia NBA MVP Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors visiting 2025-26 NBA scoring leader Luka Dončić and the Los Angeles Lakers (10 p.m. ET).

On Oct. 22, NBA all-time scoring leader LeBron James will make his Philadelphia home debut when the 76ers face seven-time NBA All-Star Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers (7 p.m. ET).  Two-time reigning Kia NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will then lead the Thunder against three-time Kia NBA MVP Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets at Paycom Center (9:30 p.m. ET).

• Christmas Day on ABC/ESPN/ESPN App: The NBA will feature five games on Christmas Day (Friday, Dec. 25) for the 19^th consecutive year, with each matchup available on ABC/ESPN/ESPN App.  The NBA on Christmas Day will tip off with a 2026 NBA Finals rematch between the Knicks and Spurs at Madison Square Garden (noon ET).  The schedule will continue with Heat at Celtics (2:30 p.m. ET), 76ers at Lakers in James’ return to Los Angeles (5 p.m. ET), Thunder at Timberwolves in Minnesota’s first Christmas Day home game (8 p.m. ET), and Nuggets at Warriors (10:30 p.m. ET).

• Wednesdays on ESPN/ESPN App: ESPN/ESPN App will present a Wednesday night doubleheader throughout the regular season.  The network will also air three Emirates NBA Cup 2026 Group Play games the day before Thanksgiving on Nov. 25: Heat at 76ers (5 p.m. ET), Timberwolves at Thunder (7:30 p.m. ET) and Spurs at Portland Trail Blazers (10 p.m. ET).  On Feb. 3, the Pistons will host the Knicks in the second annual NBA Pioneers Classic (7 p.m. ET), honoring the legacy of the league’s first Black players.

• Fridays on ESPN/ESPN App: Beginning in January, ESPN/ESPN App will air select Friday night doubleheaders.  The Jan. 22 doubleheader will showcase two 2026 playoff rematches as the Knicks visit the Atlanta Hawks (7 p.m. ET) and the Spurs host the Timberwolves (9:30 p.m. ET).  On Jan. 29 during AWS NBA Rivals Week, the Cavaliers will visit the Toronto Raptors in a rematch of their 2026 First Round series (7 p.m. ET), followed by the Timberwolves hosting the Hornets (9:30 p.m. ET).

• NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC/ESPN App: NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC will return on Saturday, Dec. 12, when the Knicks visit the Heat (8:30 p.m. ET).  The marquee franchise will also feature a special AWS NBA Rivals Week quadrupleheader on Jan. 30: 76ers at Heat (12:30 p.m. ET), Nuggets at Thunder (3 p.m. ET), Spurs at Warriors (5:30 p.m. ET) and Lakers at Knicks (8:30 p.m. ET).

• NBA Sunday Showcase on ABC/ESPN App: ABC’s NBA Sunday Showcase will consist of three Sunday afternoon doubleheaders in February and March.  The first will take place on Feb. 28, when the Spurs host the Nuggets at Moody Center in Austin, Texas (1 p.m. ET), and the Lakers visit the Dallas Mavericks (3:30 p.m. ET).

• ESPN Radio: ESPN Radio will provide national audio coverage of the NBA all season long.  Game broadcasts will include 76ers at Knicks on opening night, the two Semifinals and the Championship of the Emirates NBA Cup 2026, and Spurs at Knicks and Heat at Celtics on Christmas Day.

NBCUNIVERSAL

• Tip-Off Tripleheader on NBC/Peacock: NBC/Peacock’s tripleheader on Tuesday, Oct. 20 will open with the Celtics visiting the Pistons after the teams posted the Eastern Conference’s two best records in 2025-26 (3 p.m. ET).  Next, the defending NBA champion Knicks will raise their 2025-26 championship banner before hosting the 76ers as James and five-time NBA All-Star Jaylen Brown make their Philadelphia debuts (7 p.m. ET).  Live coverage will begin with NBA Showtime at 6:30 p.m. ET.  The tripleheader will conclude with the Spurs hosting the Thunder in a rematch of the 2026 Western Conference Finals (9:30 p.m. ET).

• Peacock NBA Monday: Peacock will stream games on Monday nights nationwide throughout the regular season.  Peacock NBA Monday will begin on Oct. 26 with the Warriors visiting the Nuggets (10 p.m. ET).  The schedule will include a 2026 Eastern Conference Finals rematch between the Knicks and Cavaliers on Dec. 21 in Cleveland (7 p.m. ET).  All Peacock-exclusive games will also be presented on NBCSN.

• Coast 2 Coast Tuesday on NBC/Peacock: NBC/Peacock’s Coast 2 Coast Tuesday will feature two games on Tuesday nights all season long.  On most Tuesdays, an 8 p.m. ET game will be presented to NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones, and an 8 p.m. PT game will be presented to NBC stations in the Mountain and Pacific time zones.  Both games will stream live nationally on Peacock.

Coast 2 Coast Tuesday will return on Oct. 27 with the Knicks hosting the Pistons (8 p.m. ET) and the Trail Blazers visiting the Lakers (8 p.m. PT).  NBC/Peacock will also air two Emirates NBA Cup Group Play games on Tuesday, Nov. 24, when the Celtics visit the Washington Wizards (8 p.m. ET) and the Nuggets host the Mavericks (10 p.m. ET). 

• Holiday Hoops: NBC Sports will present seven games across four nights during the holiday season from Dec. 21-29, with six games on NBC/Peacock and one exclusively on Peacock/NBCSN.

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day on NBC/Peacock: NBC Sports will air a quadrupleheader on Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Monday, Jan. 18).  NBC/Peacock’s three games will begin with the Pistons visiting the Cavaliers in a rematch of their 2026 Eastern Conference Semifinals series (noon ET), followed by the Hawks hosting the 76ers (2:30 p.m. ET) and the Timberwolves taking on the Knicks at Madison Square Garden (5 p.m. ET).  In the fourth game, the Grizzlies will host the Houston Rockets on Peacock/NBCSN (7:30 p.m. ET).

• Sunday Night Basketball on NBC/Peacock: Sunday Night Basketball, NBC Sports’ marquee NBA program of the week, will return to NBC/Peacock on Sunday, Jan. 24 with the Thunder visiting the Warriors (8:30 p.m. ET).  The franchise will also include seven doubleheaders this season.  On Sunday, March 7, the Knicks will visit the Spurs in the last regular-season rematch of the 2026 NBA Finals (7:30 p.m. ET) before the Warriors host the Rockets (10 p.m. ET).

• Presidents’ Day on NBC/Peacock: On Monday, Feb. 15, NBC Sports’ special Presidents’ Day coverage will feature a quadrupleheader, including three games on NBC/Peacock and an exclusive Peacock/NBCSN game.  The action will begin on NBC/Peacock with Ball returning to Charlotte as the Timberwolves visit the Charlotte Hornets (noon ET), followed by the 76ers meeting the Mavericks in Dallas (2:30 p.m. ET) and the Heat hosting the Spurs (5 p.m. ET).  The Indiana Pacers then visit the Warriors on Peacock/NBCSN (7:30 p.m. ET).

• NBA All-Star 2027 on NBC/Peacock: NBC Sports is the home of NBA All-Star 2027, which will take place from Friday, Feb. 19 through Sunday, Feb. 21 in Phoenix.

PRIME VIDEO

• Fridays: Prime Video will present Friday night games throughout the regular season, with doubleheaders on most Fridays.  NBA on Prime will open with a doubleheader on Oct. 23 during American Express NBA Tip-Off 2026, with the Knicks visiting the Celtics (7 p.m. ET) and the Spurs hosting the Rockets (9:30 p.m. ET) at Moody Center on the campus of the University of Texas, where 16-time NBA All-Star Kevin Durant of the Rockets starred in college. 

A Feb. 5 doubleheader will feature the 76ers hosting the Pistons (7 p.m. ET) and the Pacers visiting the Thunder in a 2025 NBA Finals rematch (9:30 p.m. ET).  The final Friday of the regular season (April 9) will include a doubleheader: Pistons at Knicks (7 p.m. ET) and Nuggets at Spurs (9:30 p.m. ET).

• Emirates NBA Cup 2026 Group Play: Prime Video will stream five consecutive Friday night doubleheaders of Emirates NBA Cup 2026 Group Play games, beginning on Oct. 30 with the defending Emirates NBA Cup champion Knicks visiting the 76ers (7:30 p.m. ET) and the Warriors hosting the Lakers (10 p.m. ET).  NBA on Prime’s Black Friday doubleheader on Nov. 27 will highlight the final Cup Night: Heat at Knicks (7 p.m. ET) and Lakers at Spurs (9:30 p.m. ET). 

• Emirates NBA Cup 2026 Knockout Rounds: Prime Video will present all seven games in the Knockout Rounds of the Emirates NBA Cup 2026, culminating with the Championship on Friday, Dec. 11 at Butler University’s Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

• Thursday Doubleheaders: Beginning in January, Prime Video will stream Thursday night doubleheaders.  Highlights include Brown’s return to Boston to face the Celtics with the 76ers (Jan. 21 at 7:30 p.m. ET) and Antetokounmpo’s return to Milwaukee to meet the Bucks with the Heat during AWS NBA Rivals Week (Jan. 28 at 9:30 p.m. ET).  A Feb. 11 doubleheader will showcase two 2026 playoff rematches as the 76ers host the Knicks (7 p.m. ET) and the Spurs visit the Thunder (9:30 p.m. ET).

• Global Games: Prime Video will stream the NBA Paris Game 2027 presented by Tissot on Thursday, Jan. 14 (2 p.m. ET) and the NBA Manchester Game 2027 on Sunday, Jan. 17 (10:30 a.m. ET), both between the Spurs and New Orleans Pelicans.  The NBA Manchester Game 2027 will mark the NBA’s first regular-season game in Manchester, England.

• Saturdays: Select Saturday afternoon games will stream on Prime Video beginning in February.  On Feb. 6, two-time NBA All-Star Ja Morant will return to Memphis with the Trail Blazers to face the Grizzlies (5:30 p.m. ET) as part of a doubleheader, which opens with the Heat visiting the Timberwolves (3 p.m. ET).  Prime Video will stream a Feb. 27 doubleheader that begins with the first regular-season matchup between the top two picks in the 2026 NBA Draft, No. 1 AJ Dybantsa of the Wizards and No. 2 Darryn Peterson of the Utah Jazz, at Delta Center (3 p.m. ET).  In the second game, last season’s No. 1 seed in each conference will meet as the Pistons host the Thunder (5:30 p.m. ET).

• SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament 2027: Prime Video is the exclusive home for all six games of the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament 2027, which will determine the seventh and eighth playoff seeds in each conference.  Teams seeded seventh through 10^th in each conference will compete for the final two playoff berths in their conference.

ADDITIONAL SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS

• AWS NBA Rivals Week: Classic and budding rivalries between teams and players will take center stage for the fifth annual AWS NBA Rivals Week from Tuesday, Jan. 26 through Saturday, Jan. 30.  Rivalries will be the focus of 12 national games over five days across NBC/Peacock, ESPN, Prime Video and ABC.  The complete schedule for AWS NBA Rivals Week is available here.     

• Election Day: No games have been scheduled for Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 3) as the league will encourage fans and the broader NBA community to make a plan to vote and to participate in the civic process.  All 30 teams will be in action on the day before Election Day (Monday, Nov. 2).   

• Final Weekend of Regular Season: No games have been scheduled for the second-to-last day of the regular season (Saturday, April 10), and all 30 teams will be in action on the final day (Sunday, April 11).  On April 11, in an effort to maximize competitive fairness, the seven games between Eastern Conference teams and the one cross-conference game will begin at 6 p.m. ET, and the seven games between Western Conference teams will begin at 8:30 p.m. ET.

• NBA League Pass: Fans can unlock direct access to watch their favorite teams and players with NBA League Pass, which will continue to offer live, out-of-market games through NBA platforms (NBA.com and NBA App, available on mobile and connected devices), Prime Video and TV providers.  For more information, visit NBA.com/leaguepass.

• EMEA Primetime: The regular season will feature a record 115 games that will air in primetime in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) through the league’s broadcast partners and NBA League Pass.

NBA COMMISSIONER ADAM SILVER’S STATEMENT REGARDING THE PASSING OF DON NELSON

 

NEW YORK, Aug. 9, 2026 – NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement today regarding the passing of Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Don Nelson:

 

“Don Nelson revolutionized NBA basketball through his fearlessness, ingenuity and deep conviction.  He spent nearly 50 years in the NBA – winning five championships as a player with the Boston Celtics before building one of the most successful and pioneering coaching careers in league history.  He brought an unmistakable personality to everything he did, and his impact on our sport will continue to be felt for generations.

 

“I send my deepest condolences to Don’s family and many friends throughout our league.”

Lineup confirmed for FIBA Intercontinental Cup in Beijing

AUGUST 8, 2026 BEIJING (China) – After three successful years in Singapore, the FIBA Intercontinental Cup is now starting a new chapter in its 60-year long history, with the event moving to Beijing, China for the first time in September 2026. The format remains the same in terms of the number of teams represented, with six teams split into two groups of three teams. The top two teams from each group will move to the Semi-Finals, with the winners facing off in the Championship Game on September 27.

Group A will see Rytas Vilnius (Lithuania), the winners of the Basketball Champions League Europe, powered by Ameresco SUNEL; Shanghai Sharks (China), the title holders in the Chinese Basketball Association; and the RSSB Tigers (Rwanda), the reigning champions of Basketball Africa League. Group B features Boca Juniors (Argentina), the winners of the Basketball Champions League Americas; the Beijing Royal Fighters (China), as the hosts of the event; and the NBA G League United (USA) select team, back-to-back Finalists at the Intercontinental Cup events in 2024 and 2025.

On September 22, Rytas Vilnius will play the RSSB Tigers in Group A, while Boca Juniors face the hosts Beijing in Group B. On September 23, the NBA G League take the floor for the first time and battle with Boca, with Rytas taking on the Shanghai Sharks. On September 24, the RSSB Tigers are up against the Shanghai Sharks, while the Beijing Royal Fighters close out the group phase with a game versus the NBA G League United. September 25 will be a rest day, followed by the two Semi-Finals and the Fifth-Place Game on September 26. Finally, the Championship Game and the Third-Place Game will be played on September 27. Since September 2023, when the event switched to a six-team format, Europe has seen the most success, with Unicaja (Spain) lifting the trophy twice.

Sesi Franca (Brazil) are the only Americas winners in this format, picking up the title in 2023. The NBA G League United are the only team with previous Intercontinental Cup experience, reaching the Final twice. Rytas Vilnius, RSSB Tigers, Shanghai Sharks, Beijing Royal Fighters and Boca Juniors will all make their Intercontinental Cup debut in 2026. The media accreditation portal for the FIBA Intercontinental Cup 2026 is expected to open mid August. Additional information regarding the application process will be published in the coming weeks. TORONTO RAPTORS, MIAMI HEAT AND LA CLIPPERS TO HEADLINE NBA CANADA GAMES 2026 PRESENTED BY BELL   – Raptors vs. Heat on Oct. 3 Will Mark First NBA Game in Quebec City –   – Raptors and Clippers to Return to Vancouver on Oct. 10 –   – Fans Can Register for Exclusive Presale Ticket Access at NBACanadaGames.com –   TORONTO, July 29, 2026 – The National Basketball Association (NBA) today announced that the NBA Canada Games 2026 presented by Bell will feature preseason games between the Toronto Raptors and the Miami Heat at Videotron Centre in Quebec City, QC on Saturday, Oct. 3, and between the Raptors and the LA Clippers at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, B.C. on Saturday, Oct. 10.   The NBA Canada Games 2026 presented by Bell will mark the league’s first preseason game in Quebec City, the eighth NBA Canada Game in Vancouver, and the 21st and 22nd Canada Games since 2012.  To date, 16 NBA teams have played 20 preseason games in front of more than 377,000 fans across six cities as part of The NBA Canada Games.   Tickets will go on sale in both markets on Thursday, Aug. 20.  Fans can register their interest in tickets and gain access to exclusive presales by visiting NBACanadaGames.com.   The NBA Canada Games 2026 presented by Bell will air live in Canada, the U.S. and around the world, reaching fans in more than 200 countries and territories on television, digital media and social media.  Broadcast information in Canada will be announced at a later date.  In addition to Presenting Partner Bell, the games will be supported by Official Partners AWS, CeraVe, Hershey's, Michelob Ultra, Rocky Health, Sun Life Financial and Tangerine.     For more information, fans in Canada can download the NBA App and follow the NBA on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, X and YouTube.  WNBA fans in Canada can follow the league’s local accounts on Instagram and Facebook.  A full range of official NBA and WNBA merchandise is available at the NBA Store in Canada by visiting NBAStore.ca.   Executive and Player Quotes:   NBA Latin America and Canada Managing Director Arnon de Mello:  “This year’s Canada Games will mark an exciting new chapter as we welcome the Heat and Raptors to Quebec City, the seventh Canadian city to host an NBA game.  Live NBA basketball is a powerful way for us to connect with fans across Canada, and we look forward to showcasing Canadian talent and established stars from the Raptors, Heat and Clippers in Quebec City and Vancouver this fall.”      Bell Senior Vice President & Chief Brand Officer Devorah Lithwick: “Great moments in sports have the power to connect people and communities.  Since 2013, Bell has been proud to partner with the NBA to bring world-class basketball experiences to fans across Canada, and we’re delighted to help bring the excitement of the NBA to Quebec City and Vancouver while fostering the connections that unite fans from coast to coast.”   Toronto Raptors Forward Scottie Barnes: “Every time we wear the Raptors jersey, we’re representing the entire country, so it’s always special to have the opportunity to play games in communities across Canada.  It's important to us that fans from coast to coast have the chance to experience Raptors basketball, and we can't wait to share those moments together this preseason in Quebec City and Vancouver.”   Miami Heat Forward Andrew Wiggins: “Being a part of the NBA’s first game in Quebec City means a lot.  Growing up in Canada, I always dreamed of seeing the game continue to grow back home, and now I get to be part of that history wearing a HEAT jersey.  I think the fans are going to make it an unforgettable experience.”   LA Clippers Guard Darius Garland: “We’re excited to be part of the NBA Canada Games this year.  It’s a great opportunity to bring Clippers basketball to fans in Vancouver and experience the passion they have for the game.  We can’t wait to get the season started.” NBA ANNOUNCES TEAM PARTNERSHIP AND TICKET SALES & SERVICE AWARDS FOR 2025-26 SEASON    – Cleveland Cavaliers Receive NBA Team Partnership of the Year Award; LA Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic Also Earn Team Partnership Awards –   – Cavaliers, Charlotte Hornets and Detroit Pistons Receive NBA Ticket Sales & Service Awards –   – Houston Rockets and New Orleans Pelicans Recognized for AI Studio Initiatives –   NEW YORK, July 28, 2026 – The National Basketball Association (NBA) today announced the winners of its Team Partnership and Ticket Sales & Service Awards for the 2025-26 season, which collectively celebrate teams who display creativity, innovation and excellence across fan engagement, partnerships, social impact and ticket sales.  The league also recognized teams that distinguished themselves as part of AI Studio – a program dedicated to supporting teams in leveraging AI tools to improve fan experiences.   NBA Team Partnership of the Year Award and NBA Premium Experience of the Year Award – Cleveland Cavaliers: The Cavaliers won the NBA Team Partnership of the Year Award for their one-of-a-kind partnership with Redfin, making Rocket Arena the largest home listing ever on Redfin.com through an immersive, community-driven campaign.  Through the NBA Premium Experience of the Year Award, the team was also recognized for HIPP, an invite-only membership club built around a one-of-a-kind hospitality space inside Rocket Arena, delivering ultra-personalized service, luxury amenities and curated experiences. NBA Team Partnership Innovation Award – LA Clippers: The Clippers were presented with the NBA Team Partnership Innovation Award for their immersive partnership with Candy Crush that transformed live gameplay into an interactive in-arena fan experience.  NBA Team Social Impact & Inclusion Award – Philadelphia 76ers: The 76ers were presented with the NBA Team Social Impact & Inclusion Award for their partnership with Bank of America that empowered local entrepreneurs and strengthened Philadelphia’s small business community.  NBA Team International Strategy Award – Orlando Magic: For the second consecutive year, the Magic received the NBA Team International Strategy Award, which celebrates the team with the best International Team Marketing Program strategy and partner platform.  NBA New Sales Campaign of the Year Award – Detroit Pistons: The Pistons were awarded the NBA New Sales Campaign of the Year Award for an innovative, data-driven campaign that combined cross-department collaboration, creative ticket offerings and unique fan engagement strategies. NBA Membership Program of the Year Award – Charlotte Hornets: The Hornets were presented the NBA Membership Program of the Year Award for their innovative Hive Society membership program, which leveraged personalization, year-round engagement and exclusive member experiences to deepen fan loyalty and enhance the season ticket member experience. AI Studio Honorees – Houston Rockets and New Orleans Pelicans: The Rockets and Pelicans were recognized for demonstrating innovative and impactful use of AI.   All 30 teams were invited to submit for each category of the Team Partnership and Ticket Sales & Service Awards, and the winners were chosen by a finalist committee comprised of team and league executives.    “The innovation, creativity and strategic thinking NBA teams demonstrate every day continue to raise the bar for the sports industry while creating deeper connections with fans in their communities and around the world,” said Jonathan Tillman, Executive Vice President and Head of Team Marketing and Business Operations.  “Whether they’re forging impactful partnerships, pioneering new uses of AI, driving meaningful impact in their home markets, or developing innovative approaches to ticket sales and service, our teams are finding new ways to grow their businesses and deliver exceptional experiences for fans on a global basis.”   NBA Team Partnership Awards   NBA Team Partnership of the Year Award – Recognizing the best partner marketing campaign and platform, with a focus on a big idea that meets the partner’s goals and achieves measurable results   The Cavaliers and Redfin reimagined the homebuying journey by turning Rocket Arena into a live Redfin listing, complete with a larger than life, record-breaking “Open House” sign, a one-day public open house, exclusive digital sweepstakes, and a community garage sale benefiting the Cavaliers Community Foundation.  The interactive listing offered a behind-the-scenes look at the arena and allowed fans to enter limited time sweepstakes for exclusive experiences, like “owning” the arena for a day.  The partnership evolved beyond a traditional sponsorship into an immersive brand platform that generated widespread fan engagement while highlighting Redfin’s growing presence in the Midwest to new consumers through memorable experiences and highly visible brand integration.   NBA Team Partnership Innovation Award – Recognizing a partnership that drives innovation and advances team business priorities   Candy Crush launched the first sports partnership in the gaming brand’s history in collaboration with the Clippers, creating a season-long platform that reimagined fan engagement inside Intuit Dome.  Through interactive experiences including Candy Crush Halftime Crush, the Early Bird Booster program, and a dynamic arena takeover, fans actively influenced live gameplay using in-seat technology while immersive activations, live characters and surprise celebrity appearances bridged the gap between the digital and in-person experience.   NBA Team Social Impact & Inclusion Award – Recognizing a partnership that champions social impact and advances community   Through the Spirit of Small Business and Enrich programs, the 76ers and Bank of America created a year-round platform that elevated local entrepreneurs through integrated marketing campaigns, brand-led storytelling, business mentorship, and live pitch competitions.  The partnership also extended into the community through youth clinics, financial literacy workshops, equipment donations, and programs that connected small businesses with new audiences, resources, and long-term opportunities for growth.   NBA Team International Strategy Award – Recognizing robust, data-driven programs that support partner positioning and grow the team brand globally or in a specific international region   Building on the momentum of last year’s recognition, the Magic executed a comprehensive strategy in Germany that extended far beyond The NBA Berlin Game 2026.  The multi-phase approach included an in-market summer tour, an immersive fan hub called Magic Kiez, youth basketball clinics, business summits, watch parties, and integrated activations with multiple partners across Germany.  By establishing a year-round presence before, during, and after the game, the Magic strengthened relationships with fans and the business community while creating a sustainable platform for continued International Team Marketing Program (ITMP) growth through efforts with new partners such as Aida Cruises, Domino’s, Kellog’s, Telekom, Threatlocker and Visit Orlando.   NBA Ticket Sales & Service Awards   New Sales Campaign of the Year – Recognizes the best new business approach for the 2025-26 season   The Pistons’ data-driven sales campaign united Ticket Sales, Marketing, Business Intelligence, and Partnerships around innovative fan experiences and flexible ticket offerings.  By combining targeted prospecting, unique incentives and engaging sales events, the organization exceeded goals and showcased a forward-thinking approach to growing sales. Membership Program of the Year – Honors the top year-round member engagement plan executed during the 2025-26 season   The Hornets reimagined the season ticket member experience through their Hive Society Membership, creating a year-round membership program centered on community, personalization, and emotional connection.  Through tailored engagement, exclusive experiences, and elevated service, the program strengthened member loyalty while fostering a deeper sense of community and belonging. Premium Experience of the Year - Honors the most holistic premium experience executed during the 2025-26 season   The Cavaliers were also recognized for HIPP, an ultra-premium, invite-only membership club built around a uniquely curated hospitality space inside Rocket Arena that delivers elevated dining, personalized service, exclusive access, and luxury amenities for members.  HIPP combines a high-touch member experience with unparalleled exclusivity, creating a premier premium experience.