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The 2024 NBA playoffs start this Saturday (April 20) and if you’ve recently cut the cable cord, you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on a new package in order to livestream the games at home. NBA League Pass is a one-stop hub to watch select playoff games live at home as well as on-demand matches and post-season coverage.
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While there are a number affordable streaming options on the market, this one is designed specifically for basketball lovers to catch all of the action without paying for a cable package. Plus, right now the best NBA League Pass deals can score you a free trial to watch NBA playoff games for free.
Keep reading to learn more about the streaming platform and current deals, discounts and promos going on.
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What Is the Cheapest Way to Get NBA League Pass?
Amazon is offering Prime members an exclusive deal that can get you a seven-day free trial of NBA League Pass. All you have to do is log into your Prime account and add the channel through the Prime Channel storefront and you’ll immediately get a week-long free trial. Once the free trial is over, you’ll be charged $14.99/month. Or you can cancel at any time to avoid being charged.
Don’t have a Prime membership? Amazon is offering new users a 30-day free trial when you sign up, in addition to the seven-day free trial of NBA League Pass.
What Are the Best NBA League Pass Deals?
Besides Prime Video’s offer, there are a couple more deals going on that’ll get you access to the streaming platform for an affordable price. Keep reading to see the latest NBA League Pass deals below.
NBA League Pass Subscription
The basketball platform provides affordable subscription options that’ll get you instant access to watch playoff games without cable. There are two NBA League Pass subscriptions you can choose from: League Pass and League Pass Premium. League Pass is ad-supported and the cheapest option of the two at only $14.99/month. Subscribing will let you stream on a single device as well as watch every out-of-market game live, 24/7 access to NBA TV, condensed versions of games and customizable broadcasts, angles and stats.
With League Pass Premium, you’ll get everything in League Pass with no ads and the ability to stream on up to three devices at one for just $22.99/month.
Looking for additional savings? You can sign up for the Single Team plan for $13.99/month that’ll allow you to choose one team of your choice to follow. You’ll only receive access to content for that team eliminating having to do the digging yourself.
NBA League Pass Student Plan
College students can take advantage of 40% off the NBA League Pass Monthly subscription for 12 months. Once the year is up, they’ll have to reverify their student status in order to continue receiving the discount.
It’s only offered for the League Pass plan and cannot be redeemed for another plan or upgrade. You can verify your student status here using the SheerID through NBA.com.
Does NBA League Pass Have a Free Trial?
NBA League Pass doesn’t come with a free trial on its own, but you can take advantage of Amazon’s promo, which is offering seven days free when you add the premium channel onto your subscription. There is no promo code needed to score this free trial.
Is NBA TV the Same As NBA League Pass?
NBA League Pass is a dedicated 24/7 streaming service for basketball games and exclusive coverage — with an ad-free experience too. NBA TV, meantime, is a channel included in the streaming service that provides non-stop coverage live for you to stream on your tablet, TV or smartphone as well as access to features, interviews, archived shows, NBA events and press conferences.
While you’ll have access to a number of games through both subscription plans, nationally televised games and local team games televised in your area won’t be available to livestream.
2024 NBA Playoffs Schedule
Check out the upcoming games below or click here to see the full schedule.
Saturday (April 20)
Cavaliers vs. Magic at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN
Timberwolves vs. Suns at 3:30 ET on ESPN
Knicks vs. TBD at 6 p.m. on ESPN
Nuggets vs. Lakers at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC
Sunday (April 21)
Celtics vs. TBD at 1 p.m. ET on ABC
Clippers vs. Mavericks at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC
Bucks vs. Pacers at 7 p.m. ET on TNT
Thunder vs. West No. 8 at 9:30 p.m. ET on TNT
Monday (April 22)
Cavaliers vs. Magic at 7 p.m. ET on NBA TV
Knicks vs. TBD at 7:30 p.m. on TNT
Nuggets vs. Lakers at 10 p.m. on TNT
Tuesday (April 23)
Timberwolves vs. Suns at 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT
Bucks vs. Pacers at 8:30 p.m. ET on NBA TV
Clippers vs. Mavericks at 10 p.m. ET on TNT
Wednesday (April 24)
Celtics vs. TBD at 7 p.m. ET on TNT
Thunder vs. TBD at 9:30 p.m. ET on TNT
Thursday (April 25)
Magic vs. Cavaliers at 7 p.m. ET on NBA TV
TBD vs. Knicks at 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT
Lakers vs. Nuggets at 10 p.m. ET on TNT
Friday (April 26)
Pacers vs. Bucks at 5:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
Mavericks vs. Clippers at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN
Suns vs. Timberwolves at 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
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Source: Alika Jenner / Getty
Online gambling may be all the rage amongst sports fans, but pro sports players themselves are finding out that there are repercussions for placing bets on games, especially in their own profession.
Such is the case with NBA player Jontay Porter who’s facing the real possibility of being permanently banned from the league as he’s currently under investigation for “multiple instances of betting irregularities over the past several months.” According to ESPN, Adam Silver has bluntly stated that if the Toronto Raptors forward is found to have committed the “cardinal sin” of “playing” down or up to the over/unders set around his personal performances.
After multiple instances in which Porter’s performances (or lack thereof) in games between Jan. 26 and March 20 led to some big money making nights for betters, the NBA began an investigation. And Silver isn’t shy about laying down the law on Porter should it come to that.
Per ESPN:
“I have an enormous range of discipline available to me,” Silver said at a midtown Manhattan hotel, after the league’s annual board of governors meetings. “But it’s a cardinal sin, what he’s accused of in the NBA, and the ultimate, extreme option I have is to ban him from the game.
“That’s the level of authority I have here. Because there’s nothing more serious, I think, around this league when it comes to gambling: betting on our games. And that is a direct player involvement. And so, the investigation is ongoing, but the consequences could be very severe.”
One has to wonder if Porter actually did play up or down to the bets placed on his performances, but should it turn out that he did, it could be a wrap for the man’s young NBA career. That being said, it felt like it was only a matter of time before a professional player got caught up in such a scandal. Adam Silver is not going to hesitate to make a prime example of someone who isn’t exactly the cornerstone of an NBA franchise.
More from ESPN:
“At the end of the day, there’s nothing more important than the integrity of the competition,” Silver said. “And so, any issue raised around that is of great concern to me and to all commissioners, to all people who are safeguards, who are all people who are in a position and have a responsibility to safeguard the game. Again, this is a burgeoning industry in the United States. It’s been legal in other places in the world for decades. There’s lessons to be learned from the way that sports betting is monitored and regulated in other jurisdictions.
Should be interesting to see how this one ends up playing out. You can bet it’ll be ugly if Silver’s biggest fear is confirmed.
What do y’all think? Should Jontay Porter be permanently banned if he’s found to have committed the “cardinal sin” in sports? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Source: Xinhua News Agency / Getty
It looks like Jontay Porter might have to explain his performance on the court. The NBA is investigating him over gambling activity connected to his play.
The Score is reporting that the Toronto Raptors player is now at the center of a new probe being conducted by the National Basketball Association. According to ESPN the league has identified multiple betting irregularities over the last couple of months that are linked to him. Proposition bets, better known as prop bets, are wagers not tied to the final outcome or score of a game but outcomes within the game including will a certain player surpass the over under for points.
The occurrences specifically under questioning are two games. On January 26 against the Los Angeles Clippers his props were set to 5.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and assists. That outing he only played a little over four minutes before leaving due to a nagging eye injury. On March 20 against the Sacramento Kings he only played two minutes before excusing himself to an illness. That day he only put up two rebounds but his prop bets were set at 7.5 points and 5.5 rebounds. After those games DraftKings Sportsbook announced that Jontay Porter had produced the most winnings compared to the previous night.
“We have no comment on this story,” a DraftKings spokesman said in a statement to The Athletic. “In general, it is important to note that one of the many benefits of legal and regulated sports betting is that sports betting operators identify and report suspicious activity and the integrity of sport is therefore protected in a manner that does not exist in the illegal market.” The Toronto Raptors have declined to comment on the matter while an NBA spokesperson has told ESPN “We’re looking into it.”
Jontay Porter has not suited up for the Raptors in the last two games citing personal reasons. The NBA forbids players, officials and employees from making wagers on the league.
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Anime and NBA fans rejoice! Crunchyroll has a limited-edition collaboration with the anime series My Hero Academia, the NBA and apparel company Hyperfly available online.
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Starting at $59.99, the clothing line features satin jackets, hoodies and tees sporting the character All Might from My Hero Academia and various NBA teams, including the Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat and many others.
Meanwhile, Crunchyroll has a 14-day free trial available for the streamer’s premium service. After the free trial is over, you can either cancel it or keep watching with plans starting at $7.99 per month. Crunchyroll is the home for all things anime, including the aforementioned My Hero Academia, One Piece, Penguin Highway, Demon Slayer, Fruits Basket and much more.
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In addition, Crunchyroll is also available as an add-on for Prime Video, if you’re an Amazon Prime member. However, there’s a shorter 7-day free trial ready to use too.
Not a member? Sign up for a 30-day free trial to take advantage of all that Amazon Prime has to offer, including access to Prime Video and Prime Gaming; fast free shipping in less than two days; in-store discounts at Whole Foods Market, access to exclusive shopping events — such as Prime Day and Black Friday — and more.
In the meantime, scroll down and shop MHA x NBA x Hyperfly gear, below.
Crunchyroll
My Hero Academia x Hyperfly x NBA: All Might Golden State Warriors Satin Jacket
Made from hand-crafted soft nylon with champagne-silk quilted lining, this satin jacket is ideal for any Golden State Warriors fan in the Bay Area. It even has All Might on its back dunking a basketball!It’s also available for the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks.
Crunchyroll
My Hero Academia x Hyperfly x NBA: Chicago Bulls All Might Hoodie
Show your love for the Windy City with this stylish black pullover hoodie. It even has the Chicago Bulls, “My Hero Academia” and Hyperfly logos on one sleeve. It’s also available for the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors.
Crunchyroll
My Hero Academia x Hyperfly x NBA: Boston Celtics All Might T-Shirt
This mashup tee between anime and pro basketball is elite with the team’s name, Boston Celtics, in Japanese characters. Here’s your chance to showoff your Boston Pride and your love for My Hero Academia at the same time.It’s also available for the Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors.
MHA x NBA x Hyperfly gear also comes in other NBA teams’ styles, including Philadelphia 76ers, Dallas Mavericks, Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings and Toronto Raptors.
Starting at $59.99, the limited-edition MHA x NBA x Hyperfly collab is available at Crunchyroll.com
Want more deals? For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best Xbox deals, studio headphones and Nintendo Switch accessories.
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Source: Winslow Townson / Getty / John Wall
John Wall took the passing of his mother very hard and considered even taking his own life.
*Trigger warning: this story pertains to descriptive accounts of suicide attempts.*
Spotted on TMZ Sports, former Washington Wizards star John Wall opened up about moments he wanted to take his own life.
In a recent episode of The OGs podcast, Wall revealed to fellow NBA hoopers Mike Miller and Undonis Haslem that he suffered a great deal following the passing of his mother, who succumbed to breast cancer.
Wall revealed losing his mother, whom he considered his “best friend,” led to him putting a gun to his head on two occasions but ultimately deciding not to pull the trigger because of his two sons.
Per TMZ Sports:
“My mom was my best friend,” the 33-year-old said.
“I put a gun to my head twice, and a lot of people that are close to me, friends at the time, didn’t know.”
Wall explains dealing with his mom’s death was his “darkest moment,” combined with a litany of injuries after signing a $170 million contract extension with the Wizards.
But, Wall chose not to pull the trigger … ’cause he couldn’t bear the thought of leaving his two sons behind.
“If I take myself away from this Earth, I’m failing my kids, like, who gon’ be able to raise them,” Wall said.
“I know I gotta be there for them.”
John Wall Is Currently In Therapy
Wall revealed he went to see a therapist and is still actively in therapy and advocates for other men who are struggling with their mental health to do the same.
“If you ever feel like you in a spot where you not comfortable as a Black man, African American, or any race, no offense to that, go get help. It’s okay, there’s nothing wrong with that,” Wall continued.
“I had to figure that out or I wouldn’t be here today.”Salute to John Wall. We’re rooting for you.
*If you or anyone in your family or circle are struggling with mental health or dealing with a crisis, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.*
It was never a phase, mom! Especially for Jimmy Butler. The NBA star appears in the new music video for Fall Out Boy’s “So Much (For) Stardust” released on Wednesday (Feb. 28), bringing back his viral “emo” hairstyle, featuring straightened locks in long bangs across his face, which he originally debuted last October for the […]
The odds of anyone making it into the NBA are slim to none. You have to be one of the world’s most skilled individuals to even dream about being drafted into the league — so when pro basketball players turn out to have additional talents on top of their sport, it’s almost not fair.
And yet, such is the case for Memphis Grizzlies teammates Brandon Clarke and Jaren Jackson Jr., who both release music under rap alter-egos, as well as the Denver Nuggets’ Zeke Nnaji, who just so happens to be a gifted pianist. These athletes are just three of several b-ballers with a penchant for the artform, carrying on an unofficial tradition of music in the NBA that’s lasted decades.
A 27-year-old Vancouver native, Clarke records music under the alias BCVS and dropped a pair of albums over the summer, the latter of which is a 14-track set titled Ride the Lightning. Jackson, 24, features on one of the LP’s songs, “How U Know?” under his stage name, Trip J. His newest album arrives Friday (Feb. 16), and he proudly tells Billboard that it’s his “best project to date.”
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Then there’s Nnaji, who’s been playing piano since he was first-grader. While his colleagues see music as a separate entity from their basketball careers, the 23-year-old power forward finds a surprising harmony between the two.
Ahead of 2024’s All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis, Billboard caught up with Clarke, Jackson and Nnaji about their musical pursuits off the court. See what they had to say below.
How long have you been a musician?
Brandon Clarke: I’ve been making music for about 2.5 years now. I got involved with it from just messing around in the studio with my teammate, Jaren [Jackson Jr.], a while back.
Jaren Jackson Jr.: I have been making music for over five years, but it all started in high school and college when I would rap with some of my friends and teammates. Early in my career in Memphis, I met one of my now producers who showed me the ins and outs of music engineering and how you can find your sound.
Zeke Nnaji: I’ve been playing piano since I was six years old. Growing up, I had a little toy piano I’d play a lot. My parents saw how much I enjoyed playing on that, so around the age of six, they enrolled me in piano lessons. From then on, I’ve been playing on my own and teaching myself new things.
How would you describe the music you make?
Brandon Clarke: The music is just me having fun and storytelling. I try not to take it too seriously, but it’s just fun to do.
Jaren Jackson Jr.: I would describe my music as effortless and authentic. It’s very versatile. You can listen to it while riding in the whip, walking around with your headphones in or at the house.
Zeke Nnaji: I like playing different genres of music, from ragtime to classical, jazz to modern music. I just like being able to hear a song, and if I enjoy that song, sit down and learn how to play it on piano. I do also compose some of my own music as well, I’ve been doing that since I was in fourth grade — it started off as little one-note songs here and there, and as I’ve gotten older, the songs become more complex and intricate.
How do you make time for music in your busy schedule as an athlete?
Brandon Clarke: It’s become something I love doing. It’s my No. 1 hobby outside of hoops. I have a studio inside of my house now, and I’m good friends with my engineer. I love to be able to find pockets of time to sit down and make a couple of songs. I listen to beats and write lyrics all the time on flights to and from cities we play in.
Jaren Jackson Jr.: When I first started making music, it used to take a lot longer. As I’ve developed in my career, I have gotten to a point where music feels effortless. Typically, it takes me around 15-30 minutes to make one song. I also find that I don’t have a ton of time on my hands during the NBA season. A lot of my work is done in the off-season.
Which artists are you most inspired by?
Brandon Clarke: Favorite musicians are Playboi Carti and Lil Uzi Vert, and they are definitely who I take inspiration from. I love the careless vibe of their music.
Jaren Jackson Jr.: Some of my favorite artists and influences in my career are Ken Carson, Baby Smoove, ICYTWAT and Midwxst. Living in Memphis defines a lot of my style and how I view making music. I’ve been fortunate to work with incredible artists that I have helped identify and put on, including Daicia, RAGEHARAJUKU and Fububanks.
What music goals do you have currently?
Brandon Clarke: I dropped a couple of albums in the summer, both just for fun! I don’t really care to advertise it much, the drop is just for me and the real locked-in fans, really. I’m currently not really working on any project, I’m just having fun discovering new sounds and seeing what I can create. Music-wise, I hope to just keep adding to my range of music I can make. I almost wanna start making some rock songs. I love rock, so that would be dope.
Jaren Jackson Jr.: Personally, I want to continue to find my sound and continue to get better in the space. I have learned so much in five years and know I will keep learning as time goes on. Aside from my personal goals, I also want all of my artists that I support to get record deals and awards and truly be the best they can be. The music industry is all about getting better and I want to continue growing with those who have been around me since day one.
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How, if at all, does your music overlap with your basketball career?
Brandon Clarke: For me, it’s just a great hobby. I try not to take it seriously like I take basketball, or else I start to lose the fun in it a little bit. I am my favorite artist really, so whenever I make new songs, it’s new music for me to bump.
Jaren Jackson Jr.: Making music is a huge stress reliever for me but also something I keep separate from my basketball career. I try not to let the two blend into one another.
Zeke Nnaji: Early on, I noticed a lot of correlations between practicing piano and playing basketball — the same dedication, the same practice that you have to put into your craft. The same hours of repetition you put on the keys to master a song can be applied to basketball when you’re trying to craft your shot. I noticed that the same kind of discipline I had on the piano, I could apply to basketball. It made both of them that much easier, being able to see how each helps the other.
The National Basketball Association is home to a few hundred athletes who are the best in the world at what they do. But many of those players have talents beyond shooting hoops, too — and several of these pro ballers nurture a passion for music off the court. For some, the artform is simply a […]
50 Cent and Lil Wayne have been mentoring rappers for decades, and now, they’ll exchange a microphone for a basketball and put their hoops knowledge to the test.
The pair of hip-hop icons will line up on opposing sidelines, as the NBA announced on Wednesday (Feb. 7) that they’ll serve as assistant coaches in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game.
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Kicking off NBA All-Star weekend, the Celebrity Game is set for next Friday (Feb. 16) at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN, when the Association will take over Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium.
50 will be coaching Team Shannon, which is led by NFL legends Shannon Sharpe and Peyton Manning. Weezy is slated to assist ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith and WNBA superstar A’ja Wilson.
“I’m coaching, you know my team is gonna win. @liltunechi is probably gonna get high and not show up ! LOL,” 50 joked in his Instagram caption, while fans voiced their hopes he’ll be mic’d up for the game.
Participants in the Celebrity Game include streamer Kai Cenat, SiR, Anuel AA, Metta World Peace, Dallas Cowboys superstar Micah Parsons, actor Quincy Isaiah, Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud and more.
Lil Wayne will be on double duty, as he’ll be taking the stage during All-Star weekend, which will be filled with performances from Weezy, T-Pain, Zedd and Keith Urban as part of the NBA Crossover Concert Series.
LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Nikola Jokic and more NBA stars are coming to Indiana for the main event, where the NBA All-Star Game tips off Sunday, Feb. 18.
The league has enlisted Babyface to sing the national anthem prior to the ASG, while Jennifer Hudson will provide entertainment as the halftime performer.
Find the full rosters for the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game below.
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Source: Matthew Stockman / Getty / Udonis Haslem
Miami Heat’s legendary enforcer Udonis Haslem shook the sports table with comments about the late Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell.
Udonis Haslem has never been one to bite his tongue about anyone or anything, so his latest comments shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone.
On a recent episode of The OG’s podcast, Haslem’s former teammate, center Bam Adebayo, shared a story about a 2022 pregame speech Haslem gave before the Heat took on the Celtics where he expressed his full disdain for his Eastern Conference rival.
Per NBC Sports Boston:
“We playing Boston, so you know his feelings,” Adebayo said. “So we’re in the huddle. Cap (Haslem) come in there, he gave his pregame speech, and you know they retired Bill Russell’s jersey for everybody in the league. So they got 6 in our rafters. And he ends his pregame speech like, ‘F— Bill Russell, too.’ I said, ‘This man dead, OG!”
Haslem tried to explain his stance, explaining he meant no disrespect, noting he was more upset about the fact a Russell’s Boston Celtics jersey was hanging in the Kaseya Center’s rafters, an honor Haslam says will never be given to a Heat player.
The NBA paid respect to Russell by retiring his jersey across the league following his passing in July 2022. LeBron James switched his number from 6 to 23 to honor the legendary big man.
“Tell me when you’re going to see a Miami Heat jersey hanging in Boston,” Haslem said. “I had to repent that, I love Bill. No disrespect to Bill,” Haslem stated. “He just caught that stray. Respect to Bill Russell.”
He continued, “The s— that comes out of people’s mouths to us when we playing there (in Boston)? I might not take back what I said, now that I think about it.”
As you can imagine, the NBA X, formerly known as NBA Twiter, was not feeling his comments, mainly because he didn’t have the same smoke for Michael Jordan’s jersey hanging up in the Kaseya Center’s rafters.
Boston Celtic all-star Jaylen Brown liked a tweet bringing that fact up.
Interesting.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
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Photo: Matthew Stockman / Getty
2. Yes, please
8. Bam Adebayo cleaing things up