How to Watch Warriors vs. Rockets NBA Playoff Games Without Cable: All Your Options

Caspian Hollingsworth
May 5 2025
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Your Playbook for Streaming Warriors vs. Rockets NBA Playoff Games

Cable TV used to have a monopoly on NBA playoff games, but not anymore. If you’re looking to catch the Warriors vs. Rockets playoff faceoff and don’t have a cable subscription, you still have plenty of ways to watch all the action live. Gone are the days of begging friends for their cable login or resorting to sketchy streams. Now, streaming services make it totally legit—and surprisingly easy—to stay in the game.

Let’s start with NBA League Pass. If you want the most direct, no-nonsense way to watch both teams, League Pass is basically the NBA’s own streaming service. You can buy access for specific teams or the entire season. But here’s the kicker: NBA League Pass might blackout playoff games that ESPN, ABC, or TNT have exclusive rights to. So if you’re in the Bay Area or Houston, or the playoffs are running on a national network, League Pass might not work for you during these games. Always check game availability before signing up.

If you hit a blackout, then live TV streaming services are your new best bet. YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV all include channels like ESPN, ABC, and TNT, which usually air the high-stakes playoff matches. Each service comes with its own perks—YouTube TV has unlimited cloud DVR and an easy-to-use interface. Hulu mixes NBA games with a mountain of other shows and movies. Sling can be the cheapest if you just want essential sports channels. Just be sure you’re picking the right package: for instance, Sling’s Orange tier gives you ESPN and TNT, but not ABC. Look closely at channels and try out their free trials before locking in.

Breaking Down Free Trials, Prices, and Regional Surprises

Here’s where things can get tricky: not every service works everywhere the same. Regional sports blackouts apply to streaming too. Sometimes, even if you’re paying for League Pass or YouTube TV, the live game might get blacked out in your zip code. That’s because local or national broadcasters want exclusive rights. The workaround? Use a service that carries your local regional sports channel (if available), or check if national broadcasts are affected by blackouts in your area.

Signing up for a streaming service often means a free trial. This can be your ticket to watching the first batch of Warriors vs. Rockets games without paying a dime—if you time it right. YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV typically offer 5- to 7-day free trials. Sling TV sometimes mixes in special 3-day passes. Just remember, you’ll need to cancel before the trial ends to dodge any surprise bills.

NBA League Pass: Best for out-of-market games; playoff blackouts possible
YouTube TV: Wide channel selection, unlimited DVR, national NBA broadcasts
Hulu + Live TV: Includes ESPN/ABC/TNT, plus tons of on-demand content
Sling TV: Budget pick, flexible channel bundles, watch with Orange package
ESPN+: Good for bonus NBA coverage, not always live playoff games

Check pricing, channel lineups, and blackout policies before hitting subscribe. Streaming playoffs used to be complicated, but these days, you don’t need cable to catch every heart-stopping three-pointer or buzzer-beater. Whether you’re team Curry or pulling for the Rockets, now you’ve got the tools to watch every play.

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