ESPN’s NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC Returns for Fourth Season Starting January 19
- Houston Rockets and M.V.P. Candidate James Harden Host Los Angeles Lakers in Week One
- Voices of NBA Saturdays: Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson & Lisa Salters
- Special Week One Matinee Edition of Primetime Showcases Philadelphia 76ers and Joel Embiid vs. Oklahoma City Thunder and Russell Westbrook and Paul George
The fourth season of ESPN’s NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC presented by HyperX Gaming launches this weekend, Jan. 19, with a blockbuster week one matchup. The Houston Rockets and M.V.P. candidate James Harden will host the Los Angeles Lakers, led by LeBron James, at 8:30 p.m. ET. (James is currently recovering from injury and his status is unclear). NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC generally starts at 8:30 p.m. each week with NBA Countdown presented by Straight Talk Wireless preceding the broadcast at 8 p.m. The weekly broadcasts will air on ABC and stream via the ESPN App.
The voices of NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC – Mike Breen, analysts Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson and reporter Lisa Salters – will provide commentary throughout the season. Michelle Beadle will host NBA Countdown with analysts Jalen Rose, Chauncey Billups and Paul Pierce.
ABC will also broadcast a special matinee edition of the series on Saturday, Jan. 19 – NBA Saturday presented by HyperX Gaming – as the Philadelphia 76ers and Joel Embiid host the Oklahoma City Thunder and Russell Westbrook and Paul George. The game airs at 3:30 p.m. with Mark Jones, analyst, and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Hubie Brown and reporter Israel Gutierrez calling the action.
NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC broadcasts will also feature additional production elements, including multiple Super Slo Mo cameras to provide compelling replays. Select NBA players will also be mic’d up each week.
NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC schedule:
| Date | Game |
| Jan. 19 | Oklahoma City Thunder at Philadelphia 76ers |
| Los Angeles Lakers at Houston Rockets | |
| Jan. 26 | Golden State Warriors at Boston Celtics |
| Feb. 2 | Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors |
| Feb. 9 | Oklahoma City Thunder at Houston Rockets |
| Feb. 23 | Houston Rockets at Golden State Warriors |
| Mar. 2 | Golden State Warriors at Philadelphia 76ers |
| Mar. 9 | Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers |
| Mar. 16 | Golden State Warriors at Oklahoma City Thunder |
NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC and NBA Countdown broadcasts will also include exclusive sit-down interviews, essays and other feature content connected to the top storylines in the sport.
ABC’s NBA coverage continues with the return of NBA Sunday Showcase on ABC presented by Mountain Dew Ice on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 3, with a special week one 2 p.m. start time. The Boston Celtics and Kyrie Irving will host the Oklahoma City Thunder and Russell Westbrook.
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