How to Watch The Boston Celtics Without Cable

In-market fans can watch the Celtics play at home on NBC Sports Boston. National broadcast games are on ESPN, ABC, TNT and NBA TV. Out-of-market fans can subscribe to NBA League Pass.

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There are four ways for local Boston Celtics fans to watch every live game. Whether you’re in Boston or cheering from afar, this comprehensive guide ensures you won’t miss a play.

What channels are Boston Celtics games on?

In-market fans can watch the Celtics play at home on NBC Sports Boston. National broadcast games are on ESPN, ABC, TNT and NBA TV. Out-of-market fans can subscribe to NBA League Pass.

Boston Celtics Schedule on NBC Sports Boston

I’ve gathered the information about the Boston Celtics games from December 1 to the end of the year. Here’s the table with the details including date, time, opposing team, and TV channels:

DateTime (ET)Opposing TeamTV Channels
Dec 1, 20237:30 PMPhiladelphia 76ersNBC Sports Boston, NBC Sports Philadelphia
Dec 4, 20237:30 PMIndiana PacersBally Sports Indiana, NBC Sports Boston
Dec 12, 20237:30 PMCleveland CavaliersNBC Sports Boston, Bally Sports Ohio
Dec 14, 20237:30 PMCleveland CavaliersNBC Sports Boston, Bally Sports Ohio
Dec 15, 20237:30 PMOrlando MagicNBC Sports Boston, Bally Sports Florida
Dec 17, 20233:00 PMOrlando MagicNBC Sports Boston, Bally Sports Florida
Dec 19, 202310:00 PMGolden State WarriorsNBC Sports Boston
Dec 20, 202310:00 PMSacramento KingsNBC Sports Boston, NBCSCA
Dec 23, 20233:30 PMLA ClippersBally Sports SoCal, NBC Sports Boston
Dec 25, 20235:00 PMLos Angeles LakersABC, ESPN
Dec 28, 20237:30 PMDetroit PistonsNBC Sports Boston, Bally Sports DET, NBA TV
Dec 29, 20237:30 PMToronto RaptorsNBC Sports Boston, NBA League Pass
Dec 31, 20237:00 PMSan Antonio SpursBally Sports SW-SA, NBC Sports Boston
* NOTE: These games are available to out-of-market fans via NBA League Pass

How to Watch Boston Celtics games for free

Boston Celtics fans can also catch some nationally televised games on ABC using a TV antenna.

The Boston Celtics have several high-profile games scheduled to air on ABC.

Fans can look forward to witnessing the Celtics’ prowess in key matchups, including the much-anticipated Christmas Day game against the Los Angeles Lakers, a historic rivalry that never fails to deliver intense basketball action.

With 15 appearances across ESPN and ABC, the Celtics, led by the dynamic Jayson Tatum, are poised to showcase their talent on the national stage.

The season also features intriguing games against the New York Knicks and Phoenix Suns, adding to the excitement. Celtics fans, mark your calendars for these must-watch games!

DateMatchupTime (ET)Event
Dec 25, 2023Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers5 p.m.Christmas Day Game
Feb 24, 2023Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks8:30 p.m.NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC
Mar 9, 2023Boston Celtics vs. Phoenix Suns8:30 p.m.NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC
Feb 11, 2023Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat2 p.m.ABC Sunday Showcase
Mar 3, 2023Golden State Warriors vs. Boston Celtics3:30 p.m.ABC Sunday Showcase

Here are some resources that I have assembled over the years from my own hands-on testing. 

DIRECTV STREAM

  • 5-day free trial
  • Unlimited Cloud DVR
  • Unlimited Screens within household
PLANPRICECHANNELS
Entertainment$79.99/month75+
Choice$108.99/month105+
Ultimate$119.99/month140+
Premier$164.99/month150+
Device support: Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Chromecast with Google TV along with Smart TVs by Samsung, Sony Bravia

DIRECTV STREAM (formerly AT&T TV) has all the channels you need to watch the Boston Celtics in the Choice plan.

The Choice plan is the entry-level package that includes NBC Sports Boston. A subscription costs $108.99 per month for 105 channels. NESN, TNT, ESPN and NBA TV and local channels are included in the Choice lineup.

You get unlimited Cloud DVR and options to record games from specific sports teams.

The Choice package has a wide selection of sports channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, and Big Ten Network. Choice subscribers get more than 105 channels for $99.99 per month. 

The Ultimate package has more than 140 channels, including locals, and sports channels such as NHL Network. The Ultimate package is $109.99 per month. 

The Premier package has over 150 channels, including premium channels such as HBO, Cinemax and Showtime. A subscription is $154.99 per month.

The Entertainment package has more than 75 channels, but it does not carry regional sports channels such as NBC Sports Boston or NESN.

Subscribers to Entertainment, Choice or Ultimate can get three months of Max, Showtime, Cinemax and MGM+ for free before the monthly rates kick in.

All subscribers get unlimited hours of Cloud DVR storage and 40,000 on-demand movies and shows.

You can watch live TV on unlimited screens within your home. There are no contracts. You can subscribe month to month and cancel whenever you want. 

DIRECTV STREAM is ideal for viewers seeking a broad selection of channels, surpassing Fubo’s sports-focused lineup. It has a more diverse range of entertainment options. Though pricier, DIRECTV STREAM is a better pick for those desiring a comprehensive package similar to traditional cable.

Fubo

  • Free trial
  • 1,000 hours Cloud DVR
  • 10 simultaneous streams
PLANPRICECHANNELS
Pro$74.99/month182
Elite $84.99/month248
Premier$94.99/month257 & Showtime
Device support: Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast with Google TV, Xbox One, along with Smart TVs by Hisense, Samsung, LG, Sony Bravia and VIZIO SmartCast TV. Android, iPhones and iPads with current iOS.

Fubo (formerly fuboTV) has 182 channels including NBC Sports Boston, NESN, ESPN, local channels and NBA TV.  You won’t find TNT on fubo.

New England sports fans get NESN and NESN Plus with their subscription. The Fubo starter plan costs $74.99 per month. Subscribers can watch live TV on 10 screens at a time.

You will be able to record games using 1,000 hours of Cloud DVR. The “lookback” feature also maintains an on-demand style menu for games that aired in the last 72 hours. 

A regional sports fee is included, and costs between $10.99 to $13.99 per month. 

The Elite plan is $84.99 per month, and has 65 more sports, news and entertainment channels. The Premier plan has 231 channels, including Showtime, for $94.99 per month. There are no contracts or obligations if you don’t like the service. 

Fubo is excellent for dedicated New England-based sports fans, offering NESN and NBC Sports Boston for Boston Red Sox, Boston Bruins and Boston Celtics games. It provides more sports-focused content compared to Hulu with Live TV, ideal for those primarily interested in regional sports coverage.

Just cancel before the end of your free trial if you decide the service is not for you.

Hulu + Live TV

  • Sign up & get Disney+ and ESPN+ included
  • Unlimited Cloud DVR (9 mos.)
  • Two simultaneous streams
PLANPRICECHANNELS
Hulu + Live TV$76.99/month90+
Device support: Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Chromecast with Google TV along with Smart TVs by Samsung, VIZIO SmartCast, Sony Bravia, PlayStation, XBox, Xfinity Flex and Xumo TV.

Hulu with Live TV has ESPN, NBC Sports Boston, TNT and local channels such as ABC. It has all the channels you will need to watch every Celtics game.

The live TV package has 90 channels, Disney+ Hulu’s on-demand library and ESPN+. Subscribers get unlimited Cloud DVR to record shows, movies and sporting events. It has all the channels you will need to watch every Celtics game this season.

You can watch live TV on two screens at once. And if you’re using a Roku, Apple TV or Fire TV, you can use your Hulu subscription to activate dozens of apps. A subscription costs $76.99 per month. 

Hulu with Live TV suits Celtics fans who also value a mix of sports and entertainment, including Hulu’s extensive on-demand library, a feature not offered by YouTube TV. It’s a great choice for households looking for both live and on-demand content.

YouTube TV

  • Free trial
  • Unlimited Cloud DVR
  • Three simultaneous streams
PLANPRICECHANNELS
YouTube TV$72.99/month128
Device support: Android TV, Google TV, Smart TVs by Samsung, LG, VIZIO, Hisense, Sharp and Sony; Chromecast, Google TV, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox, PlayStation and Google Nest Hub; Android and iOS devices.

YouTube TV has local channels, TNT, TBS and NBC Sports Boston. A subscription costs $72.99 per month.

The base plan has 128 channels offering a mix of sports networks, news and entertainment channels.

The YouTube TV base plan carries other key sports channels for fans such as TNT, TBS, ESPNews, FS1, FS2, NFL Network, and MLB Network. YouTube TV carries regional NBC Sports networks across the U.S. ESPN, FOX and TNT are part of the channel lineup. You can watch live TV on three screens at once.

You’ll be able to watch CNN, Golf Channel and HGTV. Unlimited Cloud DVR is included with a subscription. And you can create up to 6 profiles for a household per account.

The service works with Chromecast, Roku, Fire TV, NVIDIA Shield TV, Apple TV and Chromecast.

YouTube TV is recommended for Celtics fans seeking a comprehensive sports and entertainment package, including multiple regional sports networks. It’s a solid alternative to fuboTV for those preferring a broader variety of channels.

Can I watch the Boston Celtics on Sling TV?

You can watch some, but not all Boston Celtics games on Sling TV.

Celtics games that air on TNT and ESPN are available through the Sling Orange plan. But Sling TV doesn’t NBC Sports Boston, which carries the most Celtics games. ABC stations are available in a limited number of TV markets.

Sling Orange costs $40 per month. Roku, Amazon Fire TV and just about any other streaming device has an app for Sling TV.

The first month of a subscription costs only $10. There are no contracts, and you can cancel anytime.

What’s the best way to watch Boston Celtics games without cable?

STREAMING SERVICESPROSCONS
DIRECTV STREAMComprehensive channel lineup, unlimited DVR, multiple package options. Includes NESN and NESN Plus.Higher monthly cost, extra fee for premium channels
Hulu with Live TVIncludes ESPN, NBC Sports Boston, TNT, Disney+, and Hulu’s on-demand librarySingle plan option, higher cost
fuboTVWide range of channels including regional sports, 1,000 hours of DVR, “lookback” feature. Includes NESN and NESN Plus.Regional sports fee applies, higher base price.
YouTube TVExtensive range of channels, unlimited DVR, supports multiple screensSingle plan option. No NESN.
Fubo offers a comprehensive package for New England sports fans, including NBC Sports Boston and NESN. However, for those who prioritize a wider range of channels including premium options, DIRECTV STREAM’s Choice package is a more suitable option, albeit at a higher price point.

For more news on streaming, how-to guides and reviews, head over to the main page of The Cord Cutting Report or follow the CCR on Google News.

Jim Kimble is a seasoned industry expert with over two decades of journalism experience. He has been at the forefront of the cord-cutting movement since 2016, testing and writing about TV-related products and services. He founded The Cord Cutting Report in 2016, and serves as the editor.

Major publications, including MarketWatch, Forbes, and South Florida Sun Sentinel, have interviewed Kimble for his years of expertise. He gives advice on the complexities consumers are navigating with streaming options, and over-the-air TV. Kimble has been a staff writer or correspondent for several award-winning, daily newspapers, including The Boston Globe.

7 thoughts on “How to Watch The Boston Celtics Without Cable”

  1. I had Fubo for over a year to watch Revolution matches (NBCSports Boston too) and was very satisfied with the streaming service, but their fees kept going up. I’m switching to YouTube TV this season because it’s a little cheaper.

    Reply
  2. So what is best option, we have Verizon internet and ps4 hubby has to have every Celtics game, no problem buying roku, not sure what to get bye, YouTube live, hululive.. or just buy an antenna for outside

    Reply
    • I had slingtv recently and it seems as though you can add the sports channel on top of regular programming with sling to watch all of Celtics games. Its a regional sports channel for Celtics. However, I did not care for the formatting of the sling program. It seems to have issues.

      Reply
  3. 7/22/2018

    Re DirecTV Now:

    “NBC Sports Boston, ESPN and TNT are part of a 60+ channel lineup that costs $35 per month.”

    This bit is flat out wrong. I just signed up for DirecTV Now in the hopes of getting Boston Celtics games all season, but when I did, I couldn’t find access to NBC Sports Boston.

    I chatted with a customer service agent. It turns out, NBC Sports Boston is a Regional Sports Network that’s only available in the $50/mo package, not the $35/mo package.

    Your article needs to be corrected.

    Reply
  4. PS Vue does let you watch Celtics/Sox/Bruins away from your home network. You just have to log in and stream on your home network once with the device you want to use. Then you are able to stream whenever and wherever with that device.

    Reply

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