NBA’S 75th Anniversary Season tips off 20 October 2021 on ESPN Africa
When the 75th anniversary season of the National Basketball Association (NBA) gets underway this week, fans across Africa can look forward to the return of the world’s premier basketball competition. ESPN Africa will broadcast the opening game on Wednesday, 20 October, with select game broadcasts every Saturday and Sunday, live and delayed, including more than 25 live primetime games.
Last season, in a finals matchup that few could have predicted, the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Phoenix Suns 4 games to 2 to seal a deserved championship. The Bucks, coached by Mike Budenholzer and led by superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, sealed their first championship in 50 years after an impressive campaign.
Competition for this season’s championship will be fierce. Can the Bucks repeat? Will a revamped LA Lakers with Russell Westbrook on-board bounce back or can Trae Young maintain his scintillating form with the Atlanta Hawks?
There is only one way to find out. It all starts with the opening game when title contenders Brooklyn Nets go head-to-head with the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, 20 October at 01:30 CAT with a repeat broadcast at 08:00 (CAT) on ESPN2.
This season, the NBA commemorates its 75th anniversary. In celebration of this milestone, a 75th anniversary diamond logo will be featured in various promotions across all NBA properties. Additionally, this week, the NBA will release a list of the 75 greatest players in league history chosen by a panel of media, current and former players, coaches, general managers, and team executives.
A new addition to ESPN’s line up, the ESPN NBA Today show, will premiere on ESPN Africa on Wednesday, 20 October at 21:00 CAT. Thereafter, the show will air every weekday in this slot. Host Malika Andrews will be joined by a regular panel of analysts to bring viewers in-depth analysis, behind-the-scenes insights and running commentary as the season progresses.
For now, fans can look forward to their favourite players returning to the court, including LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers), Luka Dončić (Dallas Mavericks), Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors), Cameroonian Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers) and Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers) while all eyes will be on last season’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets).
The game fixtures in the first two weeks of this year’s NBA regular season with live broadcast times (in CAT / SAST) are:
Wednesday, 20 October at 01:30, repeat at 08:00 on ESPN2
Brooklyn Nets @ Milwaukee Bucks
Saturday, 23 October at 01:30, repeat at 08:00 on ESPN2
Brooklyn Nets @ Philadelphia 76ers
Saturday, 23 October at 04:00, repeat at 10:30 on ESPN2
Phoenix Suns @ Los Angeles Lakers
Sunday, 25 October at 22:00 on ESPN, repeat Monday at 10:30 on ESPN2
Charlotte Hornets @ Brooklyn Nets
Saturday, 30 October at 01:30, repeat at 8:00 on ESPN2
Charlotte Hornets @ Miami Heat
Sunday, 1 November at 21:30 on ESPN, repeat Monday at 10:30 on ESPN2
Sacramento Kings v Dallas Mavericks
The Saturday games will be repeated the same day at 8:00 and 10:30 on ESPN, with the Sunday games being repeated on Mondays at 10:30.
How to tune in:
ESPN: DStv 218, Starsat 248
ESPN2: DStv 219, Starsat 249
- All times are stated in CAT / SAST.
- Schedule subject to change
