The NBA season has kicked off, and tonight’s matchup is a replay of last season’s finals featuring the Oklahoma City Thunder against the Indiana Pacers. You can catch it on ESPN.
This opening game has an extra layer of tension for the Pacers, who are still reeling from their tough loss to the Thunder last June when they lost the championship in a close 4-3 series. And to add to their challenges, they’ll be without Tyrese Haliburton, their top player, as well as Myles Turner, who was traded to the Bucks during the offseason.
Meanwhile, the Thunder come into this game riding high from their previous wins and eager for more success. Are you excited for the big game? Here’s the essential info you’ll need to catch the action.
Thunder vs. Pacers: Key Details
- When: October 23, 2025 @ 7:30 PM EST
- Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Channel: ESPN
- Streaming: DIRECTV (free trial available)
Game Start Time:
The game between OKC and the Pacers is set to start at 7:30 PM ET tonight.
How to Watch for Free:
If you don’t have cable, you can look into a live TV streaming service. DIRECTV often offers a good option for watching live basketball without a subscription. Their five-day free trial includes ESPN and other important channels for the NBA season. After the trial, you can access over 90 channels starting at $49.99 a month.
If you’re hesitant to sign up for a full service, consider the Sling Orange Day Pass, which costs $4.99 and allows 24-hour access to Sling TV Orange, including ESPN. Sling also provides weekend and week passes for more flexible viewing.
Important Dates for the 2025-26 NBA Season
- October 21: Regular season starts
- October 31: NBA Cup group play begins
- November 1: NBA Mexico City Game (Pistons vs. Mavericks)
- November 28: NBA Cup group play ends
- December 9-10: NBA Cup Quarterfinals
- December 13: NBA Cup Semifinals
- December 16: NBA Cup Finals
- December 25: Christmas Day games (5 matches)
- January 15: NBA Berlin Game (Magic vs. Grizzlies)
- January 18: NBA London Game (Magic vs. Grizzlies)
- January 20-24: NBA Rivals Week
- February 1: NBA Pioneers Classic (Bucks vs. Celtics)
- February 5: Trading deadline
- February 13-15: NBA All-Star Weekend
- April 12: Regular season concludes
