You've probably been there. It’s a random Wednesday in late June, you’ve got the wings ready, the group chat is buzzing about whether your team is going to actually take a wing or blow another pick on a "project" big man, and then you realize you have no idea when the actual broadcast starts. It’s annoying. Especially now that the league has decided to mess with the format.
If you are looking for the nba draft 2025 start time, here is the deal: the first round kicks off at 8:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, June 25, 2025.
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But wait. There is a catch.
The NBA recently moved to a two-night format, which means if you tune in on Wednesday expecting to see all 59 picks (yes, 59, not 60—we’ll get to that), you’re going to be disappointed. The second round doesn’t even happen until the following night.
The Two-Night Grind: Breaking Down the Schedule
Honestly, the shift to two nights was a bit of a shock for fans who grew up watching the marathon one-night sessions that bled into the early hours of Friday morning. The league claims it’s to give teams more time to "regroup," but let's be real: it’s mostly for TV revenue and more commercial slots.
Here is how the 2025 schedule actually looks:
- Round 1: Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. ET.
- Round 2: Thursday, June 26, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Both nights are happening at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. For a while, there was talk about moving the second round to a studio setting, but the 2025 event is sticking to the big stage in New York for both days.
Why 59 picks? The New York Knicks had to forfeit a second-round pick because of a free agency violation involving Jalen Brunson a couple of years back. So, the draft is technically one person short of a full 60.
Where to Watch (And How to Avoid the Lag)
You've got options, but they vary depending on which night you’re watching.
On Wednesday, the first round is basically everywhere. You can catch it on ABC and ESPN. If you have a basic digital antenna, you can get the ABC broadcast for free. It’s the "prestige" broadcast, usually featuring more human-interest stories and fluff.
The ESPN broadcast is usually where the "draft nerds" hang out. You’ll get more in-depth analysis from guys like Jay Bilas and the trade-breaking madness of Shams Charania, who is taking over the throne after Adrian Wojnarowski’s retirement.
Thursday is different. The second round is exclusively on ESPN. No ABC. If you don't have cable, you'll need something like YouTube TV, Fubo, or a friend's login for the ESPN app.
Why the Start Time Actually Matters This Year
The 2025 class isn't your average group of prospects. It is the Cooper Flagg draft.
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If you aren't familiar, Flagg is the Duke phenom who has been touted as the "next big thing" since he was about 15. The Dallas Mavericks secured the #1 overall pick after a wild stroke of luck in the Draft Lottery (they only had a 1.8% chance!).
Because the Mavericks are on the clock first, that 8:00 p.m. start time is a hard deadline. In previous years, the first pick might not actually be announced until 8:15 or 8:20 because of the intro montages. But with a prospect like Flagg on the board, the energy is going to be different. You don't want to be late and miss the moment the Mavs change their franchise trajectory.
The "Second Night" Strategy
Here’s a tip: don’t sleep on the Thursday broadcast.
Because teams now have nearly 24 hours to "regroup" between rounds, the trade market on Thursday morning is usually insane. General Managers spend the whole day on the phone. By the time the nba draft 2025 start time rolls around for Round 2 on Thursday, the draft order might look completely different than it did when you went to bed on Wednesday.
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Teams also get more time to make their picks in the second round now. It used to be a two-minute whirlwind where half the picks weren't even shown on TV because of commercials. Now, they have four minutes per pick. It’s slower, sure, but you actually get to hear about the players.
Key Dates for Your Calendar
- NBA Draft Lottery: Held on May 11, 2025 (Dallas won, Spurs at 2, Sixers at 3).
- NBA Draft Combine: May 11–18, 2025, in Chicago.
- The Main Event: June 25–26, 2025.
If you’re watching from the West Coast, remember that the 5:00 p.m. PT start time means you might be catching the first few picks during your commute. Set those DVRs or get your mobile app ready.
Actionable Steps for Draft Night
- Verify your ESPN login today. Nothing is worse than trying to reset a password while the commissioner is walking onto the stage.
- Follow Shams Charania on X (Twitter). He usually leaks the picks a few minutes before they are announced on TV. If you hate spoilers, put your phone in another room.
- Check the trade wire at 7:00 p.m. ET. Most of the "pick swapping" happens in the hour leading up to the start time.
- Prepare for the long haul. With the increased time between picks in Round 2, Thursday night might actually feel longer than Wednesday.
Make sure your streaming setup is solid, get the snacks ready by 7:30 p.m., and prepare for a two-day rollercoaster that's going to define the league for the next decade.