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Prime Video Announces Broadcast Details for NBA Play-In Tournament and Playoffs

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Prime Video Unveils Broadcast Plans for 2024 NBA Playoffs

Prime Video's exclusive coverage of the NBA Play-In Tournament and early playoff rounds marks the first postseason under its new 11-year broadcast rights agreement with the NBA and WNBA.

The streaming service has detailed its announcing teams, studio lineup, and innovative technology features for the upcoming games.

Broadcast Schedule and Announcing Teams

Prime Video will deploy multiple commentary teams across its coverage.

Ian Eagle and Stan Van Gundy will serve as a primary commentary team. They are scheduled to call:

  • The first Eastern Conference play-in game on Tuesday in Charlotte.
  • The final Eastern Conference play-in game on Friday.
  • The New York Knicks vs. Atlanta Hawks playoff game at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.
  • Sideline reporter Cassidy Hubbarth will join this team for these games.

Kevin Harlan will call three games with different analyst partners:

  • The first Western Conference play-in game in Phoenix on Tuesday, with Jim Jackson.
  • The second Western Conference play-in game on Wednesday, with Candace Parker.
  • The Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets playoff game in Denver on Saturday, with Candace Parker and Dwyane Wade.

Michael Grady and Brent Barry will call two games together:

  • The Orlando Magic at Philadelphia 76ers Eastern Conference play-in game on Wednesday.
  • The final Western Conference play-in game on Friday, which will be in either Phoenix or Portland.

Sideline reporters Allie Clifton, JayDee Dyer, and Kristina Pink will rotate on reporting duties.

Studio Coverage Lineup

Studio coverage throughout the postseason will be anchored by Taylor Rooks, with regular panelists Blake Griffin, Dirk Nowitzki, and Udonis Haslem.

Additional contributors will include:

  • Analyst Zach Lowe, joining remotely for Tuesday and Wednesday night's play-in games.
  • Indiana Pacers player Tyrese Haliburton, appearing remotely on Wednesday.
  • Analyst Steve Nash, returning in-studio on Friday and Saturday.
  • Philadelphia 76ers player Kyle Lowry, who will join the studio show for select broadcasts during the NBA playoffs, according to a Prime Video press release.

Technology and Broadcast Features

Prime Video will integrate several technology features into its broadcasts, leveraging its experience from other sports properties.

  • The "Prime Vision" alternate broadcast feed will be available starting Tuesday night.
  • AI-powered features, referred to in some releases as "Prime Insights," will be used. This includes a "Mismatch" icon that appears on screen to indicate when an offensive player is assessed to have gained an advantage over a defender.
  • According to the announcements, Amazon uses cloud computing and machine learning to predict certain real-time situational outcomes for these features. This approach is similar to the "Pressure Alert" technology used in Prime Video's Thursday Night Football broadcasts.

Broadcast Rights Context

This postseason coverage is part of the first year of an 11-year broadcast rights agreement with the NBA and WNBA that began in 2024.

Prime Video acquired NBA broadcast rights in 2024. The company's coverage for the 2024 postseason includes the Play-In Tournament and the first and second rounds of the playoffs. Since beginning its NBA coverage, Prime Video has utilized a rotation of analysts in its studio broadcasts rather than designating a single set of top announcers.