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For the first NBA season since 2001-02, the league has returned to NBC airwaves.
It's been known for well-over a year that NBC would be back in the NBA's broadcast lineup -- but the official arrival of the "NBA on NBC" didn't come until Tuesday night, which was opening day for the 2025-26 season. While ESPN and Amazon's first broadcasts under the new rights deal remain to be seen, NBC was first in the league's spotlight.
NBA on NBC's official return -- which featured a doubleheader, the Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder and the Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers -- included looks at new analysts like Carmelo Anthony, the return of its iconic "Roundball Rock" theme, and a special halftime interview with Michael Jordan.
For the most part, fans were into the nostalgia of NBC's debut NBA broadcast for 2025-26. However, there were a few hiccups along the way Tuesday night and other aspects fans didn't enjoy.
Here's a full breakdown of NBC's debut broadcast for the 2025-26 NBA season, including top social media reactions to various parts of the production.
MORE: Meet the full "NBA on NBC" crew for 2025-26, from Vince Carter to Reggie Miller
NBA on NBC opening night top moments
Here were some of the key features, moments and interviews from NBC's first NBA broadcast of 2025-26.
'Roundball Rock' return
Many fans were looking forward to the return of NBC's iconic intro music, the song called "Roundball Rock." Synonymous for many fans to the iconic basketball moments of the 1990s, Tuesday marked the return of the theme.
A few hours before its broadcast began, NBC released a return video that highlighted current NBA players, the Michael Jordan and 1990s era of the "NBA on NBC," the return of the "Roundball Rock" song and more.
Some of the top NBA stars were asked what they remember about the old "NBA on NBC."
— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) October 21, 2025Here was the full intro to Rockets-Thunder as "Roundball Rock" played.
Here it is... John Tesh's 'Roundball Rock' to tip off the return of the 'NBA on NBC' and the 2025-26 NBA season.
Mike Tirico has the Rockets-Thunder call for NBC. 🏀 📺 🎙️ 🎶 #NBA #NBC #NBAonNBC pic.twitter.com/Mselz8qkfW
New analysts, broadcast crews
A large majority of NBC's new NBA crew is already well-known by sports and NBA fans, such as Reggie Miller and Grant Hill having worked for TNT, and play-by-play announcers Mike Tirico and Noah Eagle having covered the NFL for the network. Still, there were a few new faces.
Carmelo Anthony and Tracy McGrady made more official TV broadcast debuts on the pregame show.
First look at NBC’s ‘NBA Showtime’ pregame crew 👀⭐️
▪️ Maria Taylor
▪️ Carmelo Anthony
▪️ Vince Carter
▪️ Tracy McGrady pic.twitter.com/tcjydnjKsM
Additionally, Tirico led the broadcast for Rockets-Thunder, already known for his role on NBC's "Sunday Night Football" NFL coverage. He was joined by analysts Jamal Crawford and Reggie Miller.
Here's the moment that crew got on the air:
Mike Tirico, Jamal Crawford, and Reggie Miller are set to call Rockets-Thunder in the return of the NBA on NBC to open the season. 🏀 📺 🎙️ #NBA #NBC #NBAonNBC pic.twitter.com/Ah4gW463aQ
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 21, 2025Audio, technical issues
It was likely that at least one new NBA media rights partner would experience early hiccups -- and it turned out, that was NBC on opening night.
On the pregame broadcast to Rockets vs. Thunder, analysts Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady joined host Maria Taylor to highlight the upcoming game and other NBA storylines. But just a few minutes into that show, audio issues struck.
The broadcast paused and blacked out for a few moments not long after it came on. The analysts also said they couldn't hear each other at one point, and static went over the broadcast for over five seconds when McGrady was talking, causing Carter to hand him a different mic. A camera also focused on McGrady a bit too long when he wasn't talking.
Here's a full look the up-and-down opening five minutes of "NBA on NBC," with multiple audio issues pregame:
NBC comes on the air for an NBA broadcast for the first time in 23 years... and it's marred by audio issues 😬 pic.twitter.com/5Z1Wc9uVIb
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 21, 2025New scorebug
Sports fans have paid more attention to a broadcast's unique scorebug at the bottom of their screen over the years. So, with NBC's debut NBA broadcast, that aspect of the production was certainly under some watchful eyes.
Here is the network's scorebug for NBA games:
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 22, 2025Pregame segments
Before the Thunder vs. Rockets matchup, Maria Taylor interviewed Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams about their relationship, banner night and more.
Taylor also hit on Gilgeous-Alexander's unique outfits:
Maria Taylor learns about the relationship of the Thunder's young core ahead of NBA Tip-Off. 👀 pic.twitter.com/VKhMUYnukh
— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) October 21, 2025STREAM: Sign up to watch NBA games live on Peacock during 2025-26 season
NBA on NBC opening night reactions
The audio and technical issues were a rough start for NBC on Tuesday night, causing some fans to criticize the network on social media.
— Matt Burke (@matt_burke_44) October 21, 2025NBC execs seeing mics cut out on their opening NBA night pic.twitter.com/k2AjTZKGvj
— Josh (@jetsfan24x7) October 21, 2025Still, the nostalgia hit quickly. Many enjoyed the pre-broadcast hype video NBC released, highlighting the network's 1990s era covering the league, along with the feeling the intro to the broadcast brought.
Please watch this. As we all hoped, NBC absolutely nails integrating their precious 90s nostalgia into the modern day game through a two and a half minute storytelling experience. Wonderfully edited, produced, the perfect about of Michael Jordan, AND THE UPDATED PEACOCK LASER. https://t.co/qwsCSwLm9P
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) October 21, 2025Growing up no sport was bigger than NBA ON NBC…. NO SPORT https://t.co/eFRYSj3PR1
— Richard Jefferson (@Rjeff24) October 21, 2025— No Ceilings (@NoCeilingsNBA) October 21, 2025How the NBA on NBC feels right now. pic.twitter.com/d4wWoEkKMD
— Kev Kelly (@_KevKells) October 21, 2025actual chills watching this NBC broadcast
this is how you celebrate a league
NBA on NBC pregame
* Opening excellent
* Tirico has moved into tier of voice instantly means big event
* Pregame show is a work in progress, analysts didn't say one memorable thing, probably need to add a strong personality to give it some spice and depth
I smile every single time watching that NBC logo switch from SD to HD while Roundball Rock plays. 10/10 no notes
— Master (@MasterTes) October 21, 2025The artificial intelligence voice of Jim Fagan to say "This is the NBA on NBC" drew mixed reactions, though.
A couple of notes. Great montage, great job recreating the opening graphic of the NBA wordmark over the court. NBC lasers were somewhat janky, but OK.
But the Fagan AI "This is the NBA on NBC" is a "no." This is one situation where you don't need AI, just use the original. https://t.co/gyqmv4AkaE
The NBA on NBC is using AI to recreate the voice of longtime promo announcer Jim Fagan.
Kind of awesome. Sports should do the same for PA announcers like Bob Sheppard or have Pat Summerall introduce The Masters. pic.twitter.com/HRpKdiiGwL
Everything about this is 🔥 except Jim Fagan as the announcer. Having him recreated in AI is weird, especially since there’s so many voice actors who could’ve capably done the job, even if they chose a Fagan soundalike. https://t.co/KLNpYdRBGO
— Jeremy Nelson (@houseoftrivia) October 21, 2025As for the broadcast debut of Carmelo Anthony, some fans were confused as to why he wasn't wearing a suit. He opted for more of a sweatsuit in the pregame show.
Carmelo thought this was a Podcast. He on the NBC set with a quarter zip up 🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/F4cFuqys2v
— The Hood Therapist (@OhhMar24) October 21, 2025Does Carmelo Anthony think he is the Fabolous of the NBA? Dude couldn't wear a suit on opening night?
— Lance Roberson (@lance_972) October 21, 2025Still, the reactions to the new Hill-McGrady-Carter-Anthony crew were mostly positive, despite the initial audio issues.
Maria Taylor, Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady are a fireeee team already. #NBAonNBC 🦚
— Razzlé Dazzlé 🪄 (@KandidlyKrys) October 21, 2025NBA On NBC (NBA Showtime) studio crew with Maria Taylor, Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady already DESTROYS anything on ESPN but obviously still falls short of the iconic Inside The NBA On TNT crew.
I have a feeling that will be a shared and similar sentiment.
The Tirico-Crawford-Miller trio also seemed to be a hit, calling the first game of the evening.
This NBC broadcast group is such a breath of fresh air
It's early but Tirico, Miller, & Crawford is fun
Jamal Crawford in particular is one of those gifts to basketball, from playing to all the ways of articulating the game
Jamal Crawford is a natural for commentary
— 500 🏎 (@Kameron_Hay) October 22, 2025I know some were critical of the pregame show on NBC, but the actual broadcast crew of Mike Tirico, Jamal Crawford, and Reggie Miller are awesome. Tirico is one of the best to ever talk into a mic, Crawford gives great info, and Reggie brings the energy. Great chemistry.
— Sam Humphreys (@SamHumphreys34) October 22, 2025Another negative aspect that likely had to do with OKC's ring night: a delayed start. New York Knicks player Josh Hart was among those who didn't like waiting for the game to start on NBC.
It’s 7:42pm and the 7:30pm game hasn’t started yet. The NBA is so back 🙌🏽
— Josh Hart (@joshhart) October 21, 2025MORE: The story behind NBA on NBC's iconic 'Roundball Rock' theme song
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