You’re staring at the remote. The clock is ticking toward tip-off at the Chase Center, or maybe they’re out on a brutal road trip in the East, and you just realized you have no idea what channel the warriors game on right now. It happens to the best of us. Honestly, tracking the NBA broadcast schedule in 2026 feels like trying to defend Steph Curry on a fast break—you think you’ve got him pinned, then he disappears behind a screen and pops up somewhere completely different.
The Golden State Warriors aren't just a basketball team; they are a media circus. Because they pull massive ratings even during "rebuilding" years or injury spells, their broadcast rights are split into a dizzying patchwork of local cable, national networks, and streaming exclusives. If you’re in the Bay Area, it’s one story. If you’re a fan in Maine or London, it’s a whole different headache.
The Local Lockdown: NBC Sports Bay Area
For the locals, the answer is almost always NBC Sports Bay Area. This is the "home" of the Dubs. If you live in San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, or even up toward Sacramento (though that gets dicey with Kings overlap), this is your primary destination.
But there is a catch. Sometimes there isn’t.
When the Warriors are on ABC or certain TNT "exclusive" windows, the local broadcast might be dark. Generally, though, Bob Fitzgerald and Kelenna Azubuike are going to be your soundtrack on NBCSBA. If you’ve cut the cord, this is where the frustration peaks. You can't just buy a standalone NBC Sports app subscription in most cases; you usually need a "skinny bundle" like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or FuboTV that carries the regional sports network (RSN). If you’re using Sling TV? Forget it. They dropped most RSNs years ago. It’s a mess, frankly.
National TV and the "Blackout" Nightmare
Nationally, the Warriors are staples on ESPN, TNT, and ABC. This is where most people get confused about what channel the warriors game on tonight.
Here is a rule of thumb: If the game is on ABC, it’s a "National Exclusive." Everyone in the country sees the same broadcast. If it’s on TNT, it’s usually exclusive, meaning the local NBC Sports Bay Area feed won't even air the game. However, ESPN games are often "co-broadcasts." This means if you live in San Francisco, the game might be blocked out on ESPN because the local station wants those advertising dollars. You’ll switch to ESPN and see a spinning logo or a message saying "This program is unavailable in your area," which is basically the digital equivalent of a slap in the face.
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Switch back to the local channel. It’s there.
What about NBA TV?
NBA TV is the "worst of both worlds" for many fans. It isn't a true national exclusive. If the game is on NBA TV and you live in the Warriors' home market, it will almost certainly be blacked out in favor of NBC Sports Bay Area. NBA TV is basically for the out-of-market fans who don't have League Pass.
The Streaming Era: League Pass and Prime Video
Let's talk about NBA League Pass. It sounds like the perfect solution, right? Every game for one price.
Not quite.
If you live in the Bay Area, League Pass is basically useless for watching the Warriors live. Because of those pesky local broadcast rights, every single live Warriors game will be blacked out on League Pass if you are within the local zip codes. You’ll only be able to watch the replay three hours after the final whistle blows.
However, if you are a fan living in Chicago or Miami, League Pass is your best friend. It’s the most reliable way to figure out what channel the warriors game on because it aggregates everything that isn't on TNT or ESPN.
Recently, we've seen more games migrating to streaming platforms. The NBA has been flirting with Amazon Prime Video and Peacock for specific "Friday Night" or "holiday" windows. While not as frequent as NFL’s Thursday night move, it is becoming a thing. If you check your usual cable guide and see nothing, check your Prime app. It’s annoying, but that’s the 2026 sports landscape for you.
Why the Schedule Changes Last Minute
The NBA loves "flex" scheduling. If the Warriors were supposed to play a struggling team on a Wednesday night on national TV, but Steph is resting or the opponent has tanked, the league might "flex" that game off of ESPN and move a higher-stakes matchup in.
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Suddenly, the game you thought was on Channel 206 is only on the local RSN.
- Check the official Warriors app or NBA.com about two hours before tip.
- Look specifically for the "National" vs "Local" tag.
- If it says "ABC," just go to your local affiliate.
- If it says "TNT," stay there.
Radio: The Reliable Backup
If you are stuck in traffic on the 101 or the Bay Bridge, you don't need to worry about blackouts. 95.7 The Game (KGMZ-FM) is the flagship station. Tim Roye is a legend on the mic. There is something visceral and honest about Warriors radio that the flashy TV broadcasts sometimes lose. If you’re outside the Bay, the NBA App usually lets you stream the radio feed for a much lower price than the video packages. It’s a solid hack for fans on a budget.
Solving the "Where is the Game?" Problem
To wrap this up, your hunt for what channel the warriors game on usually ends in one of three places.
If you are a local: Start with NBC Sports Bay Area. If it's not there, check ABC or TNT.
If you are out of market: Start with NBA League Pass. If it's blacked out there, it’s because the game is on ESPN or TNT.
If you are a cord-cutter: Make sure your streaming service (YouTube TV or Hulu) actually carries your local RSN, or you’ll be hunting for "alternative" streams that lag thirty seconds behind and crash right when Draymond Green starts jawing with a ref.
The most practical next step is to download the "Sports Alerts" app or a similar lightweight score tracker. These apps usually list the exact broadcast station based on your specific GPS location, which saves you from scrolling through 500 channels of junk just to find the opening tip. Also, double-check the tip-off time; West Coast home games usually start at 7:00 PM or 7:30 PM PT, while those East Coast swings will catch you off guard with 4:00 PM PT starts.
Stop hunting and start watching. The window for this core trio won't stay open forever, and missing a game because of a cable menu glitch is a rookie mistake. Check the RSN first, then the national giants, and you’re golden.