There were two notable homecomings on Tuesday night.
For one, Rockets forward Kevin Durant returned to Oklahoma City, the franchise to which he was drafted in 2007, and for another, the NBA broadcast returned to NBC for the first time in 23 years.
The network had a big legacy to live up to; the last time it carried basketball broadcasts, Michael Jordan carried the league, and the game was in one of its most popular eras. But with the first of the night's two games almost done (an overtime thriller, no less!), it's safe to say NBC nailed it, at least according to the fans.
Viewers loved how the network leaned into the nostalgia of the 90s, the energy of the pregame show and the chemistry between commentators, as well as the player intros, which fans were particularly fired up about. There was also a good bit of love for the Michael Jordan halftime segment, which will continue throughout the season.
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The network will air 100 regular-season games and a large number of playoff games, so there will be plenty of opportunities to either keep it up or screw it up. But for now, save for a pregame audio issue, we're off to a pretty strong start.
Take a look at that reaction below:
I love Roundball Rock.
All the nostalgia and feels.
This is pretty cool.
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) October 21, 2025
TNT -- as good as it was, as comfortable as it was -- never made Opening Night feel as much as an event as tonight.
— Sports Media Watch (@paulsen_smw) October 21, 2025
Showing player intros >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> (x ♾️)
— Anthony F. Irwin (@AnthonyIrwinLA) October 21, 2025
Already clear 30 mins in that NBC is going to set the standard for NBA coverage
Sidenote: Melo is good at this
— Max Klotz (@MaxKlotz_) October 21, 2025
NBC might’ve just saved the NBA i’m shaking bro
— ✧.* (@HoodiiBron) October 21, 2025
NBC already clear TNT son
— Smiley (@30GotNext) October 21, 2025
this broadcast/presentation is an A+
we're in a new era and it's dope
— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) October 22, 2025
NBC snatched ESPN chain within minutes
— 🌨️ (@NotLikeRuss) October 21, 2025
actual chills watching this NBC broadcast
this is how you celebrate a league
— Molly Morrison (@mollyhannahm) October 21, 2025
It's funny that NBC putting effort into the presentation makes game 1 feel bigger than the actual finals games last year.
— Justin Rowan (@Cavsanada) October 21, 2025
The NBA on NBC just feels right
— Kazeem Famuyide 🇳🇬 🍎 (@Kazeem) October 21, 2025
THIS IS THE NBA ON NBC
— Kofie (@Kofie) October 22, 2025
Ngl NBA on NBC got aura pic.twitter.com/T5NOxH9RWc
— Ramses🥷🏽 (@CartierGoatx2) October 21, 2025
Something as small as the NBC crew getting genuinely excited about J-Dub saying he's been working on his left hand this season is exactly what we had been missing in TV coverage. Excitement.
— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) October 21, 2025
Yeah ESPN is gonna be forced to step it up.
NBA on NBC is too good and it’s just day 1
— Silas P. Silas (@KennySpenceNBA) October 21, 2025
The NBA on NBC production is SO much better lol
— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) October 21, 2025
Tirico/Crawford/Miller is a great trio so far. Really enjoying their chemistry, passion, and knowledge.
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnor) October 22, 2025
For a full NBA on NBC 2025-26 schedule, click here.
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