Inside the NBA expands to 25 dates for 2026-27, starting October 21

Inside the NBA will appear on 25 regular-season dates across ESPN and ABC in 2026-27, beginning October 21 and 22. The schedule announced Thursday gives the studio crew a weekly presence through the season’s first four weeks.

Ernie Johnson returns alongside Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith. TNT Sports continues producing the program in Atlanta under the distribution arrangement that brought the show to ESPN and ABC for the 2025-26 season.

Where the schedule grows

Last season’s original schedule contained 20 regular-season dates. This year’s 25 represents five additional dates, a 25% increase. The count refers to scheduled coverage dates, rather than individual games or separate pregame and postgame segments.

The difference is especially visible before Christmas. The original 2025-26 calendar listed one November appearance and then Christmas Day. This season lists three November dates and a December 12 stop before Christmas. For fans trying to follow the panel regularly, those shorter early-season gaps are the most practical change.

The complete regular-season calendar

October through December dates are in 2026; January through April dates are in 2027. The schedule remains subject to change.

Christmas Day appears in both network columns but counts as one date. The playoff schedule will be announced later.

Opening-week games and viewing times

The first two evenings surround ESPN doubleheaders:

• October 21: Minnesota at Miami at 7:30 p.m. ET, followed by Golden State at the Los Angeles Lakers at 10 p.m. ET
• October 22: Cleveland at Philadelphia at 7 p.m. ET, followed by Denver at Oklahoma City at 9:30 p.m. ET

Those are game tipoff times. NBA Tip-Off generally starts an hour before ESPN games and 30 minutes before ABC games. Postgame coverage follows the game broadcasts.

The wider ESPN and ABC game schedule also includes nights outside this studio-show calendar. Viewers following a particular team should check the game listing separately rather than treating the 25-date list as the full national television schedule.