The NBA playoffs are here, and fans are excited to watch their teams try to compete for a championship.
But if you cheer for the Cleveland Cavaliers or Orlando Magic, that was a bit harder to do on Monday night. Unlike the other two postseason games on the slate, that game is only carried on NBA TV, which requires a League Pass subscription to watch.
To make matters worse for fans based out of Cleveland, Orlando or the surrounding areas, the game was also blacked out locally. It was only broadcast by the local Bally Sports networks, which is not included in the packages for YouTube TV and several other carriers.
As you can imagine, not being able to watch a playoff game locally was not particularly well received by fans of both teams, who took to social media to voice their frustrations.
lol cavs got a 1 o’clock Saturday playoff game and then a blacked out Monday game on NBA tv
— Patty B (@PatrickButter) April 22, 2024
How are we only showing the Cavs playoffs game on NBA TV??? Blacked out in the Columbus area…
— Owen Fankhauser (@owen_fankhauser) April 22, 2024
The Magic game being blacked out in NBA TV in Jacksonville is utterly ridiculous!
— / (@157Gale) April 22, 2024
Getting ready to watch your favorite NBA team play its Playoff game on NBA TV: pic.twitter.com/Q5pjeRLJWt
— Jeff D. Lowe (@JeffDLowe) April 22, 2024
so can anyone watch the game? I didn’t think they’d black out an NBATV playoff game..
— Offseason Chopz (@Pchopz_) April 22, 2024
Putting your playoff game on NBATV might be the most disrespectful thing that can happen to a team
— 𝐉𝐚𝐤𝐞 (@SixthManJake) April 22, 2024
Unbelievable that we’re in 2024 and I cannot watch @OrlandoMagic PLAYOFF games because it’s only available on Bally Sports and they aren’t offered on @YouTubeTV! And blacked out on @NBATV! How is this model good for the fans?!?!
— Brandon Ratay (@ChatRat_UCF) April 22, 2024