As the world eagerly anticipates the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, one of the most thrilling events to watch is undoubtedly Olympic basketball. With Team USA as the heavy favorite in both the men’s and women’s tournaments, basketball enthusiasts around the globe are gearing up to witness some of the most exciting and competitive games in Olympic history. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to watch Olympic basketball from anywhere, ensuring you don’t miss a single moment of the action.
Team USA: The Dominant Force
Team USA has a storied history of dominance in Olympic basketball. The men’s team, composed of NBA superstars like LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Anthony Edwards, will be defending their gold medal, aiming for their fifth consecutive Olympic victory since the 2008 Beijing Games. The women’s team, equally formidable, has won gold in every Olympics since 1996 and will be striving for their eighth straight title, starting with their game against Japan on Monday, July 29.
How to Watch Olympic Basketball
Streaming on Peacock
For viewers in the US, Peacock is the go-to streaming service for watching the 2024 Olympic basketball games. Despite a recent price increase, Peacock remains one of the most affordable options, costing $8 per month. Peacock will stream 5,000 hours of live coverage throughout the Games, including every basketball game for both the men’s and women’s events. Additionally, Peacock offers a whip-around show called Gold Zone, available daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, which covers various events live.
NBC and Its Family of Channels
Apart from Peacock, you can watch Olympic basketball across NBC’s family of channels, including NBC, USA Network, E!, CNBC, and Golf Channel. These channels are accessible via cable, satellite TV, or live TV streaming services, ensuring you can follow the games without interruption.
Live TV Streaming Services
If you’re looking for live TV streaming services, here are the best options:
- Sling TV: The most affordable choice, but only available in select markets for NBC.
- YouTube TV: The best overall option, offering all five channels needed for Olympic coverage at $73 per month.
- Hulu with Live TV: Another great choice, costing $77 per month and providing all necessary channels.
Where Are the 2024 Olympic Basketball Games Held?
The 2024 Olympic basketball games will be held at two main venues. The group stage games for both men and women will take place in Lille, France, approximately 2.5 hours north of Paris. The knockout rounds, including the quarterfinals, semifinals, and gold medal games, will be held at the Bercy Arena in Paris.
Competing Countries in Olympic Basketball
Twelve teams will compete for the gold medal in both the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments. The teams are divided into three groups of four, with the top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-place finishers, advancing to the knockout rounds.
Olympic Men’s Basketball Groups
- Group A: Australia, Canada, Greece, Spain
- Group B: France, Germany, Japan, Brazil
- Group C: Serbia, South Sudan, United States, Latvia
Olympic Women’s Basketball Groups
- Group A: China, Puerto Rico, Serbia, Spain
- Group B: Australia, Canada, France, Nigeria
- Group C: Belgium, Germany, Japan, United States
Schedule and Time Differences
Men’s Basketball Schedule
The men’s basketball tournament starts on Saturday, July 27, and concludes with the gold medal game on Saturday, August 10.
Women’s Basketball Schedule
The women’s basketball event begins on Sunday, July 28, and ends with the gold medal game on Sunday, August 11.
Time Differences
Paris is six hours ahead of New York (Eastern Time), seven hours ahead of Central Time, eight hours ahead of Mountain Time, and nine hours ahead of Pacific Time. This means most events will be broadcast live in the morning and afternoon for US viewers.
Team USA Roster
Men’s Team
- Guards: Stephen Curry, Devin Booker, Anthony Edwards, Jrue Holiday, Tyrese Haliburton, Derrick White
- Forwards: LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum
- Centers: Joel Embiid, Anthony Davis, Bam Adebayo
Women’s Team
The roster for the women’s team includes many of the top WNBA players, though specific names may be updated closer to the event.
Notable NBA Stars on Other Teams
Several NBA stars will be representing their home countries in the 2024 Olympics. Victor Wembanyama will be playing for France, bringing his impressive stats from the San Antonio Spurs. Rudy Gobert, another French player, adds to their strong lineup. Canada boasts ten active NBA players, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jamal Murray. Germany’s team features Franz and Mo Wagner and Dennis Schroeder. Nikola Jokic will lead Serbia, and Giannis Antetokounmpo will spearhead Greece’s efforts.
Conclusion
With the 2024 Summer Olympics just around the corner, basketball fans are in for a treat. Whether you choose to watch through Peacock, NBC’s family of channels, or a live TV streaming service, there are plenty of options to ensure you don’t miss any of the action. From the group stages in Lille to the gold medal games in Paris, this guide provides everything you need to know about how to watch Olympic basketball from anywhere.
