Exciting news for basketball fans!

Mike Tirico is set to take the courts once again as NBC Sports’ lead play-by-play voice for NBA coverage, beginning with the 2025-26 season, kicking off this October on NBC and Peacock. This marks Tirico's triumphant return to the NBA after having called games for ESPN from 2002 to 2016.

A Versatile Sports Voice

Tirico's rich history with sports broadcasting is nothing short of impressive. He has become a familiar voice during many of NBC Sports' major events, including the Olympics, Sunday Night Football, and prestigious golf tournaments like the Kentucky Derby and U.S. Open. His return to the NBA promises to reinvigorate the network's coverage, and fans can't wait!

"I could not be more thrilled about returning courtside to call NBA games," Tirico stated enthusiastically. He reminisced about his time covering the NBA, highlighting it as a career highlight. The nostalgia of the beloved “NBA on NBC” from the '90s reignites excitement among fans and broadcasters alike.

Once NBC’s commitment to NFL and the Milan Cortina Olympic Winter Games wraps up in February 2026, Tirico will likely cover one or more NBA games weekly. There’s no doubt that he’s ready, as he will already be calling select games, including the much-anticipated NBA season opener in October 2025.

Bringing Back Tradition

Sam Flood, Executive Producer of NBC Sports, expressed enthusiasm for Tirico’s return, emphasizing his versatility across sports. "Mike is the most versatile voice in sports," Flood lauded. This strategic move comes after NBCUniversal and the NBA locked in an 11-year deal to showcase NBA and WNBA regular-season and playoff games—an agreement that has fans buzzing with excitement.

Tirico's extensive experience includes calling around 375 NBA regular-season and playoff games during his tenure with ESPN. Notably, he acted as studio host during the NBA Finals and played a pivotal role in delivering the Larry O’Brien Trophy presentation.

Hall of Fame Recognition

Tirico’s accolades further highlight his broadcasting prowess. He’s a two-time Sports Emmy Award winner for Outstanding Sports Personality, having earned these honors in consecutive years (2022 and 2023). Moreover, he gathered praise this past summer for his exceptional hosting of the Paris Olympics, which drew daily audiences exceeding 30 million viewers across multiple NBC platforms. This January, he was inducted into the National Sports Media Association’s Hall of Fame—a testament to his remarkable career.

New Additions to the Team

Adding to the excitement, NBC Sports announced that NBA veteran Jamal Crawford will join the coverage as a game analyst, while Emmy Award-winning producer Frank DiGraci will coordinate the production. Fans can expect an energetic and comprehensive approach to NBC’s NBA broadcasts, including exclusive livestreams of national Monday night games on Peacock and regional doubleheaders on Tuesday nights.

Additionally, the network is set to introduce “Sunday Night Basketball” in 2026, catering to fans with consecutive nights of captivating basketball action.

Conclusion

Stay tuned for more information regarding NBC Sports' electrifying 2025-26 NBA coverage—it promises to be an unforgettable season!