2021-22 NBA Schedule: 5 teams with the most nationally televised games

The LA Lakers have the most games on national TV for next season.
The LA Lakers have the most games on national TV for next season.

The NBA released the schedule for the 2021-22 NBA season on Friday. Fans seem to be very excited for this new season, as it seems to be one of the most unpredictable campaigns in recent years.

The Brooklyn Nets aren't the only team with a 'big-three' in their ranks right now, as the LA Lakers, Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls and Golden State Warriors all boast at least two All-Stars on their rosters.

The national TV schedule was also released, along with the fixtures for next season. With so much superstar-level talent spread across the NBA this time around, there are at least ten teams that will have 26 matches televised on either NBA TV, ESPN, ABC or TNT for next season.

On that note, let's take a look at which five teams will have the most number of games broadcasted on national TV.


#5 Phoenix Suns - 34 games

Devin Booker (#1) of the Phoenix Suns celebrates with Mikal Bridges (#25), Jae Crowder (#99), Deandre Ayton (#22) and Chris Paul (#3)
Devin Booker (#1) of the Phoenix Suns celebrates with Mikal Bridges (#25), Jae Crowder (#99), Deandre Ayton (#22) and Chris Paul (#3)

The Phoenix Suns are coming off a brilliant comeback season as they made their first NBA Playoffs appearance in over a decade. They also made the NBA Finals in 18 years. The Suns failed to win the championship, though, losing to the Milwaukee Bucks 2-4 in the finals.

Nonetheless, it was still a remarkable run for the team and with most of their squad back, they will be eager to win the title this time around.

Their resurgence has helped them earn 34 games on national TV next season. It's the most in franchise history; 11 of those 34 games will be televised on ESPN and NBA TV, nine on TNT and three on ABC.

Some of the Suns' must-see games early on in the campaign will be against the LA Lakers on October 22nd (ESPN), the Brooklyn Nets on 27th November (NBA TV) and the Golden State Warriors on Christmas Day (ABC), among others.


#4 Milwaukee Bucks - 36 games

Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks cheers with the crowd during the Milwaukee Bucks' 2021 NBA Championship parade.
Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks cheers with the crowd during the Milwaukee Bucks' 2021 NBA Championship parade.

The defending champion Milwaukee Bucks will have 36 games televised nationally in the 2021-22 NBA season. Giannis Antetokounmpo and co. had a remarkable 2021 NBA Playoffs run, and will hope to replicate their heroics from last season.

The Bucks have revived the small market bracket with their title-winning campaign. They will enter the 2021-22 campaign as one of the favorites to win the championship.

They have been one of the best regular-season teams in the last few years, which unsurprisingly sees them ranked fourth on the list of teams that will have the most nationally televised games this year. The Bucks have 11 games on NBA TV, ten on ESPN and TNT apiece, and five on ABC.

Some of the Bucks' must-see-games early on will be against the Brooklyn Nets on opening day (TNT), the Philadelphia 76ers on November 9th (TNT, and the LA Lakers on November 17th (ESPN).

#3 Brooklyn Nets - 38 games

Brooklyn Nets bench high-fives Kevin Durant (#7) after the second half against the Atlanta Hawks at the Barclays Center on December 30, 2020.
Brooklyn Nets bench high-fives Kevin Durant (#7) after the second half against the Atlanta Hawks at the Barclays Center on December 30, 2020.

The Brooklyn Nets were one of the most attractive destinations for players looking to win an NBA championship last season, and despite them not winning the title last year, nothing has changed in that regard.

Led by three All-Stars -Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving - the Nets will be heading into the 2021-22 NBA campaign as the favorites to win the title.

The Nets, despite playing their 'big-three' just eight times together during the regular season, finished as the second seed in the Eastern Conference. They were the team to beat in the NBA last time, and will once again be in that bracket due to the superstar talent level they have at their disposal.

Brooklyn will have 38 games televised nationally; 12 of them will be televised on NBA TV, 11 on TNT, ten on ESPN and five of them will be televised on ABC.

Some of the Nets' must-see games early on will be against the Bucks (TNT) on the opening day, the Knicks (TNT) on November 30th and the Lakers (ABC/ESPN) on Christmas day.


#2 Golden State Warriors - 41 games

Damion Lee (#1), Kent Bazemore (#26), Draymond Green (#23) and Stephen Curry (#30) of the Golden State Warriors celebrate on the bench.
Damion Lee (#1), Kent Bazemore (#26), Draymond Green (#23) and Stephen Curry (#30) of the Golden State Warriors celebrate on the bench.

The Golden State Warriors will be eager to get back into the mix as title-contenders after failing to qualify for the NBA Playoffs for the last two seasons. Klay Thompson is expected to return from injury as early as December.

Stephen Curry signed a max extension, while Draymond Green returned to playing to his All-Star caliber level last season. The trio has had a lot of success in the last decade, and will be hoping to recreate some of that magic.

The Warriors' brass has made it clear they are going to go all in to return to championship contention, as their own 'big-three' have a limited time span to win their fourth chip together.

The franchise will have a total of 41 games televised nationally this season; 12 of them will be on NBA TV and TNT apiece, 11 on ESPN and six on ABC.

The Warriors' marquee matchups early on will be against the Lakers on opening day (TNT), the Nets on November 16th and the Suns on November 30th (TNT).


#1 LA Lakers - 42 games

LA Lakers Introduce Russell Westbrook.
LA Lakers Introduce Russell Westbrook.

The LA Lakers are aiming to win their second title in three seasons. They acquired Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard as their marquee signings this offseason.

They look like the 'showtime' Lakers on paper, and the presence of LeBron James, naturally makes them one of the most popular teams in the sport to watch at the moment.

The Lakers will also be in action on opening day, Christmas Day and MLK day. They have a total of 43 games on national television, the most in the NBA this season.

Thirteen of those games will be televised on TNT, 12 on ESPN and TNT apiece and five on ABC. The Lakers will be squaring off against the Warriors on opening day (TNT), the Milwaukee Bucks on 17th November (TNT) and the Nets on Christmas Day (ABC/ESPN).

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