You’re stuck in traffic on the Bay Bridge. The sun is dipping behind the Salesforce Tower, and the tip-off at Chase Center is only ten minutes away. You reach for the dial. If you’ve lived in Northern California for more than a minute, you know that missing the start of a Dubs game feels like a personal failure. But where exactly do you turn?
The warriors basketball radio station isn’t just a frequency; it’s the heartbeat of the "Strength in Numbers" era. For years, 95.7 The Game (KGMZ-FM) has been the flagship home for Golden State Warriors basketball. It’s where Tim Roye—one of the most underrated play-by-play voices in all of professional sports—paints the picture of Steph Curry’s circus shots and Draymond Green’s defensive masterclasses.
Honestly, in a world dominated by TikTok highlights and 10-second clips, there is something deeply grounding about radio. It’s visceral. You can hear the squeak of the floor and the roar of the crowd in a way that feels more intimate than a polished TV broadcast. But finding the game isn't always as simple as hitting "scan." Signal strength varies, digital blackouts are real, and sometimes the station you expect to hear isn't the one carrying the feed.
Why 95.7 The Game is the Flagship
Since 2016, 95.7 The Game has been the undisputed king of Warriors radio. Before that, the team spent decades on KNBR 680, "The Sports Leader." That split was a massive deal in the Bay Area media landscape. It was basically a messy divorce that forced fans to pick sides between the "Old Guard" and the "New School."
KGMZ-FM won out because they leaned hard into the Warriors' resurgence. They didn't just broadcast the games; they built a 24/7 ecosystem around them. If you’re looking for pre-game breakdowns or post-game rants from fans calling in from Oakland or San Jose, this is where it happens. The station operates under the Audacy umbrella, which means they have the infrastructure to push the signal across the region, though FM signals have their quirks. FM is line-of-sight. If you're tucked behind a mountain in Marin or deep in a valley in Walnut Creek, you might get some static.
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The Voice of the Warriors: Tim Roye
You can't talk about the Warriors basketball radio station without mentioning Tim Roye. He’s been behind the mic since the mid-90s. Think about that for a second. He was there for the "Todd Fuller" years. He was there for the "We Believe" miracle against Dallas. He’s been the soundtrack for four championships.
Roye has a specific cadence. He calls it "The Elevation." When Steph hits a transition three, Roye’s voice climbs an octave, matching the energy of the arena. He’s usually paired with analysts like Tom Tolbert or Jim Barnett, depending on the season and the medium. It’s a chemistry that feels like a conversation at a bar rather than a formal lecture. That’s the magic of radio—it’s companionship.
Beyond the FM Dial: Digital and Satellite Options
Sometimes the radio in your car is garbage. Or maybe you're at work and your boss is watching, so you need to listen through an earbud.
- The Warriors App: This is probably the most reliable way to catch the Warriors basketball radio station if you aren't near a traditional radio. It’s free. It’s direct. It usually bypasses the weird geo-fencing issues you get with other apps.
- Audacy App: Since 95.7 is an Audacy station, their proprietary app carries the stream. It’s useful, though sometimes the ads can be a bit repetitive.
- SiriusXM: If you’re driving cross-country or living outside the Bay Area, SiriusXM is your best bet. They usually dedicate a specific channel (often in the 800s for the app or various "Play-by-Play" channels on the hardware) to the Warriors feed.
You’ve gotta be careful with TuneIn or other third-party aggregators. Because of NBA broadcasting rights, those streams often go dark the second the ball is tipped. There’s nothing more frustrating than listening to pre-game analysis for 20 minutes only to have the stream cut to a "This program is unavailable in your area" message right at tip-off.
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The Regional Network: Strength in Numbers (Literally)
The Warriors' reach extends way beyond San Francisco. The Warriors Radio Network is a web of stations that carry the games for fans who can't pick up the 95.7 FM signal.
Up in Sacramento, fans often have to hunt for a signal because the Kings dominate the airwaves. Down in Santa Cruz, where the G-League affiliate plays, the signal is usually crisp. If you’re in the Central Valley, you might be looking for an AM affiliate. The team usually maintains a list of these regional partners, but they change more often than you'd think. Contracts expire, stations flip formats from sports to "Classic Hits," and suddenly your reliable game-day station is playing Fleetwood Mac.
Always check the AM band if the FM signal is fuzzy. AM 1140 in Sacramento or various stations in the Fresno area often pick up the slack. It sounds "crunchier," sure, but it gets the job done when you're on the 5 Freeway.
Common Misconceptions About Warriors Radio
People often think KNBR still carries the games. They don't. They’re the home of the Giants and the 49ers. If you tune into 680 expecting to hear the Dubs, you’re probably going to hear talk about pitch counts or linebacker rotations instead.
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Another big one: "The radio is perfectly synced with the TV."
It isn't. It never is.
If you're trying to mute the TV and listen to Tim Roye because you can't stand the national announcers on TNT or ESPN, you’re going to be disappointed. The radio signal usually arrives 5 to 10 seconds before the TV broadcast. You’ll hear the "Swoosh" on the radio before the player even shoots on your screen. There are "delay" apps you can use to sync them up, but it’s a hassle.
The Post-Game Ritual
The real reason people stay tuned to the Warriors basketball radio station long after the final buzzer is the post-game show. Usually hosted by guys like Steinmetz or Guru, these segments are the "venting sessions" for the fan base.
After a tough loss to the Lakers or Suns, the phone lines light up. It’s pure, unadulterated emotion. You hear from the guy who’s been a season ticket holder since 1974 and the teenager who thinks the team should trade everyone for draft picks. It’s a community. In an era where everything is digital and distant, this feels like the town square.
How to Get the Best Signal Tonight
If you’re preparing for a game right now, here is the hierarchy of how you should listen:
- Local FM: Tune your physical radio to 95.7 FM. It has zero lag and the best audio quality.
- Official App: Download the Warriors + Chase Center app. It’s the most stable digital stream.
- Smart Speakers: Say "Play 95.7 The Game on Audacy." Don't just say "Play the Warriors game," or your speaker might get confused and play a podcast from 2019.
- The AM Backup: If you're in the deep East Bay or North Bay, scan the AM sports stations between 1050 and 1300; occasionally, secondary feeds appear there during scheduling conflicts.
The Warriors basketball radio station remains a vital piece of the team's culture. Whether you're listening to Tim Roye's iconic "Elevates and Decides!" call or just want some background noise while you work in the garage, 95.7 The Game is the place to be.
Check the schedule. Tip-off is usually at 7:00 PM or 7:30 PM PST for home games. Tune in 30 minutes early to get the scouting report. And if you’re driving through a tunnel, just hold your breath—the signal will be back on the other side.