The best TV antennas for watching the NBA free
An antenna gets you ABC and NBC national games, plus local games for several teams, for a one-time cost and no monthly bill.
Which NBA games can you get with an antenna?
- ABC: weekend national games and the NBA Finals.
- NBC: Tuesday night national games and, from late January, Sunday Night Basketball.
- Not included: Peacock-only games (Mondays), ESPN and Prime Video.
These teams also air local games over the air this season:
- Atlanta Hawks: Many games air free on WANF Atlanta News First with an antenna.
- Charlotte Hornets: Local games air free on WSOC 9 and TV64 with an antenna.
- Cleveland Cavaliers: About 15 games air free on Cleveland 19 / Cleveland's 43.
- Dallas Mavericks: Local games air free on KFAA 29 / WFAA with an antenna.
- Denver Nuggets: About 20 games are simulcast free on 9NEWS and KTVD Channel 20.
- Detroit Pistons: Local games air free on The Spot – Detroit 20 with an antenna.
- Indiana Pacers: About 15 games air free on CBS4 Indy and FOX59.
- LA Clippers: About 10 games air free on KTLA 5.
- Memphis Grizzlies: About 15 games air free on ABC24.
- Miami Heat: Local games air free on WPLG Local 10 with an antenna.
- Milwaukee Bucks: Local games air free on MY24 and statewide affiliates with an antenna.
- Minnesota Timberwolves: About 15 games air free on KARE 11.
- New Orleans Pelicans: About 20 games air free on FOX 8 WVUE.
- Oklahoma City Thunder: About 10 games air free over the air.
- Orlando Magic: Local games air free on MagicTV 27 and WFTV 9 with an antenna.
- Phoenix Suns: Local games air free on Arizona's Family 3TV / CBS 5 with an antenna.
- Portland Trail Blazers: Games air free on KATU 2 and KUNP with an antenna.
- San Antonio Spurs: About 22 games air free on CW San Antonio (WOAI 4.2).
- Utah Jazz: Local games air free on KJZZ 14 with an antenna.
Before you buy: check your address
The right antenna depends mostly on how far you are from the TV towers. Enter your address on the FCC reception map to see which channels reach you and from which direction.
- Under 25 miles: a flat indoor antenna is enough.
- 25–40 miles: an amplified antenna near a window or in the attic.
- Over 40 miles: an outdoor or attic antenna.
The best antennas for watching the NBA
Picks based on specs and 2026 expert reviews. Check current prices on Amazon.
| Antenna | Why | |
|---|---|---|
| Channel Master FLATenna Best overall | Thin flat antenna that's the most consistent pick in 2026 reviews. Good for homes within about 35 miles of the towers, and NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0) ready. | Check price on Amazon → |
| ClearStream Eclipse 2 Best for UHF-only areas | Round, paintable antenna that pulls in many channels in tricky spots. Best if you're within 20–30 miles and your stations are UHF. | Check price on Amazon → |
| Winegard FlatWave Amped Best amplified indoor | Includes an amplifier, which helps in apartments and cities where walls and buildings weaken the signal. | Check price on Amazon → |
| GE UltraPro Best for UHF + VHF | A good choice if some of your local stations broadcast on VHF, which many flat antennas handle poorly. | Check price on Amazon → |
| Mohu Leaf Budget pick | Simple flat antenna from a long-time brand. Fine if you live close to the towers and want to spend the least. | Check price on Amazon → |
How to set it up for the most channels
- Mount it high, near a window that faces the towers (the FCC map shows the direction).
- Keep it away from metal and from the back of the TV, which causes interference.
- Scan for channels: on your TV go to Settings → Channels → Auto scan.
- Rescan whenever you move the antenna, or once a month, since stations change frequencies.
- Try it without the amplifier if you're close to the towers: sometimes you get more channels without it.
FAQ
Which NBA games can I watch free with an antenna?
National games on ABC and NBC, plus local games for teams that air games over the air. Peacock-only, ESPN and Prime Video games are not available with an antenna.
Are "4K" or "HD" antennas better?
No. Every antenna picks up the same signal; "4K" or "HD" on the box is marketing. What matters is your distance to the towers and whether your stations are UHF or VHF.
Will an antenna work with my TV?
Yes, with any TV that has a digital tuner, which is nearly every TV sold in the U.S. since 2007. Plug it in and run a channel scan.
Do I need an amplified antenna?
Only if you're far from the towers (about 25 miles or more) or there are many walls in the way. Close to the towers, an amplifier can make reception worse.
Got the gear? Now pick your plan
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