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How to Watch the 2023 NBA Finals Live Without Cable

Written by Derek Fleming

You can live stream the 2023 NBA Finals, and it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. In this NBA Finals viewing guide, we will show you a simple trick to watch all of the NBA Finals action on a budget.


Under the NBA’s current TV contract, ABC has exclusive rights to air the NBA Finals, and the 2023 series is no exception. While DIRECTV STREAM, fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV all carry ABC affiliates nationwide in the base package, each service will run at least $65 per month after the expiration of any free trials. If you want to get access to the entirety of the NBA Finals live stream, and save money in the process, we recommend Sling TV Orange.

Sling Orange

Live stream the NBA Finals on the Watch ESPN app using your Sling TV login credentials.

$35 / month

Explore offers

Fubo

Watch ABC, ESPN, Bally Sports RSNs, and more.

$74.99 / month

7 Day Free Trial

While Sling TV doesn’t carry ABC in any of its packages, cord cutting NBA fans can use their Sling TV credentials to login into the ESPN app and gain access to the ESPN3 simulcast of the NBA Finals. Here is how to make that happen.

Time needed: 20 minutes

How to watch the NBA Finals with Sling TV login credentials on the ESPN app

  1. Signup for a Sling TV Orange subscription

    Signing up for Sling TV Orange gets you access to both ESPN and TNT, two channels that are important for watching nationally televised NBA action.

  2. Write down your password

    Make sure you have your Sling TV username and password handy, you will need them to access the ESPN3 simulcast on the ESPN app.

  3. Download the ESPN app

    If you haven’t already, download the ESPN app to your phone, tablet, or smart TV.

  4. Select Sling TV as your TV provider on the Watch ESPN app

    Under the “TV Providers” tab on the Watch ESPN app, select Sling as your TV provider. How to watch the NBA Finals with a Sling TV account

  5. Enter your Sling TV username and password to login

    The screenshot below was taken on a laptop running the Chrome web browser, so if you’re logging in on a tablet, phone, or smart TV, the screen will be slightly different, however, the key here is to have your Sling logins ready. Login to Watch ESPN with Sling TV

  6. Start streaming the NBA Finals on ESPN3

    Your Sling account gets you access to the NBA Finals on ESPN even though Sling TV doesn’t carry ABC. Congrats on saving some money!

Can I watch the NBA Finals on fuboTV?

fuboTV carries ABC affiliates nationwide, which makes the platform a good option for live streaming the NBA Finals. One significant advantage with fuboTV is the service’s excellent selection of regional sports networks for watching the NBA regular season when it starts back up again in the fall.

Can I watch the NBA Finals on DIRECTV STREAM?

DIRECTV STREAM carries ABC in the base package, which means you can watch all of the NBA Finals with DIRECTV STREAM. Upgrade to DIRECTV STREAM “Choice” to get access to DIRECTV’s extensive library of regional sports networks, including the YES Network.

Can I watch the NBA Finals on YouTube TV?

Yes, you can watch the NBA Finals on YouTube TV on ABC. However, if you’re in a Bally Sports RSN market, YouTube TV won’t be the best choice for watching the NBA regular season in the upcoming year as the service currently lags behind the competition when it comes to regional sports networks.

Can I watch the NBA Finals on Hulu?

Yes, Hulu + Live TV carries ABC affiliates nationwide, making the service a good option for watching the NBA Finals. If you’re planning for next season as well, be sure to check to see if you can watch your local team on Hulu before signing up. Based on regional sports network selection, Hulu is currently best for the Bay Area, Philly, DC, and Boston markets.

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