How to Watch Knicks Game Live Without Cable or Blackouts

If you’re a New York Knicks fan, you definitely know the struggle, when one night the game is on MSG, the next it’s blacked out, and sometimes you have no clue which app even carries it.

But don’t worry, this guide will walk you through all the ways to catch Knicks games live, legally, and without cable. And it doesn’t matter whether you’re watching from the heart of Manhattan or following every shot from across the world.
We will also show you the way of bypassing blackouts and slow streams by using a decent VPN like VeePN, so you could never miss a game.

Oliver Bennett

Jun 20, 2025

7 min read

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How to watch Knicks games without a cable

Following the Knicks no longer requires cable. And if you are local in New York, you have good choices. And even if you aren’t, you can still watch it in a great way.

Gotham Sports App (MSG streaming)

This is the direct way to watch Knicks games if you’re in the New York area. The Gotham Sports App is what used to be MSG+, and it now offers two ways to watch:

Pay $29.99 a month and enjoy every MSG-broadcasted game live.
Or get a game-by-game option at 9.99, which is excellent when you are just a casual viewer.

If you already have MSG through your TV provider, then you can just sign in through the app and watch for free. It works on smart TVs, phones, tablets, and any modern browser.

Live TV streamers with MSG

MSG is also available on some streaming platforms. Then you simply need to be in the correct location.

DirecTV Stream (choice package)

This one has MSG and feels like traditional cable, but it’s on the pricey side. Still, it’s reliable and works across most devices.

Fubo

Excellent choice provided you are in New York, New Jersey or Connecticut. It has MSG and YES Network (in case you also follow Brooklyn Nets), and a 7-day free trial in case you want to give it a test.

But keep in mind that these platforms use your device’s IP address and GPS-based geolocation to decide what channels you get. If you’re outside the local market, you might get blocked. That’s where a trustworthy VPN like VeePN can really help.

Watch Knicks games with NBA League Pass

Outside of New York, NBA League Pass will be your best bet to regular-season games:

You can buy a full League subscription or just a “Team Pass” to follow only the New York Knicks at a lower price. It lets you stream every game live in HD, as long as it’s not a national broadcast.
Games shown on ESPN, ABC, or TNT get blacked out on League Pass, but you can still watch the full replay a couple of days later.

You can stream on your phone, smart TV, tablet, game console, or desktop. The app is solid and works globally.

Nationally televised games: ESPN, TNT, and ABC

Some Knicks games, especially against other big teams like the Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder, or those in the playoffs are shown nationwide.

For instance, when the Knicks played with the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals, fans in other parts of the country could watch the games on TNT and ABC, not MSG.

Here’s how to stream those channels:

Service	Channels	Perks
Sling Orange	ESPN, TNT (ABC in some areas)	Often 50% off your first month
YouTube TV	ESPN, TNT, ABC, NBA TV	Comes with a 7-day free trial
Max	TNT games live	Great for watching playoffs and big Saturday matchups

If you only care about national games, Sling is the cheapest. But Max is a smart add-on during the postseason, especially when TNT handles most of the broadcasts.

Free ways to watch New York Knicks games (at least for a while)

You can stretch your budget by taking advantage of free trials and promos.

Fubo

7-day free trial that includes MSG and national channels.

DirecTV Stream

Also offers a short free window, enough to catch a few games.

Sling

They are not free but they have frequent intro offers, such as first month just $20 or less.

NBA League Pass

Provides free preview weeks of preseason and sometimes the early season.

If you time your trials right, you can watch an entire series or two without paying a dollar.

Don’t use pirate websites and shady streams

Whenever you read comments on Reddit threads or NBA forums, you will likely come across fans talking about how they use free and illegal websites to watch Knicks games. Others who use the pirate links claim to do so because they are blocked out by blackouts or simply do not wish to pay. But it’s quite risky business.

Here’s why:

Malware and phishing threats

Some of these sites may be filled with aggressive pop-ups or false buttons that may try to install junk on your machine. A single wrong click may result in malware or data loss or questionable tracking scripts executing in the background.

No security or accountability

When something doesn’t work out, your screen freezes, the feed is lost, you are all by yourself. No help desk, no money back, and no security.

Legal gray zone

Pirated sports streams are not only dangerous to watch for your privacy. Depending on the laws of the country that you live in, it may also get you into legal trouble.

At VeePN, we highly advise against unofficial sites and untrustworthy streaming services. Instead, use NBA League Pass, national broadcasters or verified streaming services. Combining them with a VPN provides you with access and privacy. We will discuss how it helps in a moment.

Streaming issues and how to fix them

Even if you’re subscribed to the right service, streaming isn’t always smooth. Two big issues come up often:

Blackouts and location blocks

Streaming services restrict content to particular areas. And thus when you are not within the right zone, or when you are traveling outside the zone, you may get an error message telling you that the game is not available.

A VPN like VeePN helps you get around this. It lets you change your virtual location to New York so that streaming services like Gotham App or NBA league pass think you’re exactly where you need to be.

Slow speeds or buffering during games

Ever notice how your stream freezes up? Usually, that happens due to ISP throttling, where your Internet provider deliberately slows down your connection speed since you have consumed too much bandwidth

VeePN encrypts your connection so your ISP can’t see what you’re doing. That means no throttling, no buffering, and way smoother games.

How VeePN VPN makes watching Knicks games better

VeePN isn’t just for privacy. It’s made for streaming sports without roadblocks. Here’s why Knicks fans love it:

Watch blocked games from anywhere

Traveling out-of-state? Connect to VeePN and change your IP address to New York to get access to MSG or local feeds without any limitations.

Keep your Internet speed consistent

You won’t have any sudden drop to 480p. VeePN hides your streaming activity so your provider doesn’t throttle your speed.

Massive global network

With 2,500+ servers that include special streaming servers in 89 countries, you get a stable connection every time. If one server’s crowded, just switch to another in seconds.

Stay safe on public Wi-Fi

When you stream a Knicks game outside a stadium, say, in a cafe or at an airport, VeePN encrypts your login and data, thus preventing any potential snoopers from accessing your connection.

Use one account on 10 devices

VeePN protects all your devices simultaneously, no matter if it is your smart TV, phone, laptop, or tablet.

Try VeePN risk-free with our 30-day money-back guarantee. If you don’t love it during your next series, get a full refund.

FAQ

Use the Gotham Sports App to stream locally, or NBA League Pass if you’re out of market. For big matchups, national networks like espn, abc, and tnt carry the games. You can also use a VPN like VeePN to avoid blackouts and unlock all streams.

These platforms don’t offer MSG, so they won’t help you catch regular New York Knicks games. But they do carry national networks like ABC, ESPN, and TNT, which we’ll get into next.

No. Hulu + Live TV has ESPN, TNT, and ABC, which means you’ll catch nationally aired Knicks games and the playoffs. But it doesn’t include MSG, so you’ll miss local broadcasts.

Written by Oliver Bennett Oliver Bennett is a dedicated cyber security content writer with a knack for breaking down intricate cyber topics into accessible and actionable insights.