Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Entertainment
  3. Deals

Bucks vs Lakers live stream: Can you watch for free?

Add as a preferred source on Google

The Milwaukee Bucks’ California road trip continues tonight with a showdown against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.

If you want to watch the game, you better choose a streaming option soon. It starts at 10:00 p.m. ET and will be televised nationally on ESPN. There are also a handful of different ways you can watch a live stream of the game, including some free options.

The Best Way to Watch the Bucks vs Lakers Live Stream

The Sling TV logo against a black background.
Sling

Sling TV‘s “Sling Orange” package comes with 32 live-TV channels, including ESPN. There’s no free trial (you can find some of those options in the next section), but chances are you’re going to want to watch more NBA throughout the season, and this is by far the cheapest long-term option for watching nationally televised NBA games (it also has TNT and ESPN3, which simulcasts ABC games). It costs just $20 per month for your first month, and then it moves to $40 after that, which is still cheaper than any streaming service with these channels.

If you do plan on trying out Sling for a month, make sure to add in the Paramount+ With SHOWTIME, Starz, AMC+ and MGM+ add-ons. They’re all free for your first month.

Is There a Free Bucks vs Lakers Live Stream?

FuboTV app icon on Apple TV.
Phil Nickinson / Digital Trends

There are three ways to watch the Bucks vs Lakers live online for free.

Fubo (“Pro” channel package), YouTube TV (“Base Plan”) and DirecTV Stream (“Entertainment” plan and up) all include ESPN in their channel lineups. They’re all significantly more expensive than Sling on a monthly basis, but they do each come with a free trial if you’re just trying to watch tonight’s game.

With the Fubo free trial, you’ll be able to watch for free for seven days. YouTube TV and DirecTV Stream will each give you five days before needing to pay.

How to Watch the Bucks vs Lakers Live Stream from Abroad

The NordVPN app on the App Store on Apple TV.
Derek Malcolm / Digital Trends

Looking to watch the game via one of the aforementioned streaming services from outside of the United States? The only way to do that is with a virtual private network (VPN), which hides your IP address/location, letting you access content that is normally restricted to a different country.

We recommend NordVPN for its reliability, speed and sheer number of services. It works with all of the above streaming services, and if you decide to change your mind within 30 days of signing up, you’ll get your money back. If you want some other options, we’ve put together a rundown of the best VPN services right now.

Tim Keeney
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Tim is a long-time sports journalist who has written about everything from the NFL to more popular sports such as chess…
Topics
Christopher Nolan’s personal take on smartphones is surprisingly practical
Christopher Nolan says not owning a smartphone helps him think better
Christopher Nolan sits in front of an IMAX camera.

Christopher Nolan has spent his career embracing cutting-edge filmmaking technology while resisting one of the most common gadgets on the planet: the smartphone. The Oscar-winning director behind Oppenheimer, Inception, and the upcoming The Odyssey says his decision isn't about rejecting technology altogether. It's about protecting something he believes has become increasingly rare - time to think.

In an interview with The Telegraph ahead of the premiere of The Odyssey, Nolan explained that he still doesn't own a smartphone, despite living in a world where QR codes, digital tickets, and messaging apps have become everyday necessities. His reasoning, however, is far more practical than philosophical.

Read more
Letterboxd could find a new home at Netflix, but Sony is fighting for it, too
Netflix wants Letterboxd, but Hollywood isn't letting it go without a fight
Letterboxd

Letterboxd, the fast-growing social network for film lovers, could soon have a new owner. According to a report by Puck News, the New Zealand-based platform has been exploring a potential sale, attracting interest from several major entertainment companies, including Netflix, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Paramount Skydance.

While no deal has been confirmed, the discussions highlight how valuable online fan communities have become as streaming platforms compete not just for viewers, but also for the audiences that influence what people watch next.

Read more
Disney+ is exploring a free tier to fight back against YouTube’s growing TV dominance
Disney is eyeing a free tier as YouTube keeps stealing its TV audience
The Disney+ app on a TV screen while blue lights illuminate the wall behind.

Watching Disney+ without paying for a subscription could eventually become an option. According to Business Insider, Disney is considering a free tier that would let people watch some content without a paywall.

The idea is still in the early stages, with no timeline or launch details, but it reflects a growing challenge. YouTube and other free, ad-supported platforms like Tubi and Roku are attracting more TV viewers, forcing streaming services to rethink how they compete.

Read more