Awful Announcing readers ranked local NBA announcers for the 2025-2026 season based on around 11,000 votes. The rankings reveal familiar broadcasting teams, with significant changes expected due to media partner shifts.
Credit: NBA
Weâre in the midst of the playoffs, where weâll determine which NBA team will be crowned champion. Before that happens, we asked you to help determine which local announcing crew would take home the title of your favorite for the 2025-2026 season.
We asked Awful Announcing readers to evaluate each local TV broadcast crew for all 30 NBA teams, giving each a grade from A to F. The results, based on around 11,000 individual votes, are below.
Youâll probably recognize some familiar broadcasting teams up top (and near the bottom). Itâs an interesting year for many of them, as the demise of FanDuel Sports Network and subsequent moves to new media partners mean some of these broadcasting crews wonât be back together after this season.
The average grade across all 30 broadcasting teams was 2.44, which is up slightly from last year (2.31).
The rankings are listed below, from No. 30 to No. 1. Each entry lists the team, its primary play-by-play announcer, primary analyst(s), notable substitute announcers, and sideline reporters.
Without further ado, here are your 2025-26 Awful Announcing local NBA announcer rankings!
Credit: NBC Sports Bay Area
Most common grade: F (39.8% of votes)
**Percentage of A/B/C grades:**44.7%
**2024-25 Ranking:**30th
**2023-24 Ranking:**30th
For the third consecutive year, the Warriorsâ broadcasting team finished in last place in our rankings. As with last year, their most common grade was an F, but the percentage was higher (35.8%). The main target of gradersâ criticism was Fitzgerald, with some calling him âcondescendingâ and too focused on âteachingâ the audience or complaining about referees. The âhomerismâ of the booth was considered excessive, even by Warriors fans.
Credit: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Most common grade: C (33.9% of votes)
**Percentage of A/B/C grades:**61.3%
**2024-25 Ranking:**29th
2023-24 Ranking: 29th
This might sound like damning them with faint praise, but the 76ersâ broadcast booth score is improving for the second straight year. However, those slight improvements arenât helping them out of the rankingsâ basement just yet. The comments revealed deeply polarizing feelings about the broadcast. Supporters praise Scott for her professionalism and for âovercoming a tough Philly crowd,â while critics find her style âexhaustingâ and overly biased. The loss of Taryn Hatcher was noted as a significant blow to the broadcastâs overall quality. Some praised Tom McGinnisâs radio-style play-by-play as a high point when heâs on the call.
Credit: FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin
Most common grade: C (35.4% of votes)
Percentage of A/B/C grades: 63%
**2024-25 Ranking:**26th
2023-24 Ranking: 18th
Much like the franchise itself, the Bucksâ broadcast continues moving in the wrong direction. The booth receives mixed marks from graders. Byington was praised by some as a professional in a âmiddle of the packâ crew, while others found her style âvocally dry.â Marques Johnson remains a bright spot for his personality, though some feel he has âfallen off a bit with age.â Perhaps, just like on the court, a refresh is in order to get things moving in the right direction.
Credit: Monumental Sports Network
Most common grade: C (40.7% of votes)
**Percentage of A/B/C grades:**70.7%
**2024-25 Ranking:**27th
2023-24 Ranking: 28th
The Wizardsâ booth stayed put in the rankings despite its overall grade rising slightly. The departure of Meghan McPeak was cited by several fans as a real loss, given that she was considered the strongest voice. Critics werenât too kind to Miller and Gooden, with some finding them âunwatchableâ compared to the previous announcers and analysts.
Credit: KWTV-9
Most common grade: C (29.2% of votes)
**Percentage of A/B/C grades:**69.9%
**2024-25 Ranking:**7th
2023-24 Ranking: 17th
The Thunder might be on top of the NBA as they attempt to defend their crown, but their broadcast team is in free fall. The Fisher-Cage-led crew ascended to the top of the league last year, finishing seventh, itself a 10-spot jump from the prior year. This year, however, they dropped precipitously to the bottom of the rankings. Commenters appreciated the broadcast for its high-energy, professional tone, but Cage was frequently called out for extreme âhomerism.â His âchurch leagueâ sayings are iconic to some and annoying to others. Lawson was namechecked as a standout talent who will likely move to national platforms soon.
Credit: Altitude Sports
Most common grade: C (29.2% of votes)
**Percentage of A/B/C grades:**73.9%
**2024-25 Ranking:**25th
2023-24 Ranking: 13th
After a solid ranking two seasons ago, the Nuggetsâ broadcasting team has found itself towards the bottom of the league the last two years. Some commenters described the crew as having a âliving roomâ feelâcomfortable and friendly. However, Hastings is a polarizing announcer; some find his grumpiness hilarious, while others find his âlow-browâ humor and candor distracting. Marlowe was seen as corny but high-energy by several graders. Others shared concerns that the constant shuffling of Dempsey and Winge into various roles led to a lack of consistency, with some wishing Winge were in the lead announcer chair more often.
Credit: KTVK/Arizonaâs Family Sports
Most common grade: C (34.7% of votes)
**Percentage of A/B/C grades:**72.7%
**2024-25 Ranking:**28th
2023-24 Ranking: 26th
For what itâs worth, this is the Phoenix broadcast crewâs best ranking over the last three seasons, not to mention a significant jump in overall grade from last year (1.88). A very common refrain from commenters was that this is a booth defined by its rotation. Johnson is considered one of the best âtell it like it isâ analysts in the NBA, but the constant switching between him and Meyers Drysdale prevents the broadcast from finding a consistent nightly âvoice.â
Credit: FanDuel Sports Network Ohio
Most common grade: C (40.7% of votes)
**Percentage of A/B/C grades:**75.4%
**2024-25 Ranking:**13th
2023-24 Ranking: 22nd
Another booth that saw a precipitous drop in this yearâs rankings, Cavs fans canât seem to make up their minds about this broadcast. Described by commenters as the âfunny uncleâ booth, Brad Daugherty and John Michael prioritize humor and storytelling over dry play-by-play. This makes for a relaxed, âsitting on the couchâ vibe that Cavs fans adore, but neutral viewers often find the constant tangents and âhomerismâ frustrating when they just want to know the score. Winters received praise from several commenters for her reporting work.
Quinn Buckner and Chris Denari on a Pacers' broadcast in 2024.
Most common grade: C (36% of votes)
**Percentage of A/B/C grades:**73.7%
**2024-25 Ranking:**15th
2023-24 Ranking: 16th
Another broadcast that moved in the wrong direction in the rankings, albeit not as sharply as others. Commenters did have a lot of good things to say about this âveteran crewâ that treats the game âwith respectâ and provides âa high-level basketball education.â Denari was considered âsneaky goodâ and a âproâs pro.â However, Buckner faced heavy criticism for being âout of touchâ and repetitive (notably his frequent use of âladies and gentlemenâ and âpeach boxâ references). Itâs a booth that provides a great basketball education but seems to lack the âcool factorâ of other broadcasts.
FanDuel Sports Network Detroit
Most common grade: C (37.2% of votes)
**Percentage of A/B/C grades:**74.7%
**2024-25 Ranking:**24th
2023-24 Ranking: 25th
Some positive movement from the Pistons booth this season as the team rocketed to the top of the Eastern Conference standings. Blaha remains the âgold standardâ of Michigan sports, but the discussion around him is bittersweet. While he received plenty of praise, others felt his age was catching up with him, and it was time to pass the torch. The problem is the âsuccession planâ as Kane is polarizing, with many fans feeling the quality drops off significantly when Blaha isnât there to provide his âcomfort foodâ vocabulary.
Credit: Utah Jazz
Most common grade: C (35.3% of votes)
**Percentage of A/B/C grades:**75.8%
**2024-25 Ranking:**23rd
2023-24 Ranking: 24th
This is another booth thatâs moving in the right direction after two years in the mid-20s. Bolerjack and Bailey are deeply respected by commenters but seen by some as âsafeâ and âsolid but unremarkable.â Because they are so entrenched in the Jazz organization, they rarely offer criticism, which can make the broadcast feel a bit too âoptimisticâ during a rebuild. Green received praise as a positive addition to the broadcast.
Credit: Orlando Magic
Most common grade: C (43.6% of votes)
**Percentage of A/B/C grades:**79.5%
**2024-25 Ranking:**21st
2023-24 Ranking: 14th
A little bit of a bounce-back for the Orlando broadcasting team, a year after they suffered a significant drop. Steele and Turner were viewed by graders as one of the most unbiased and âpureâ basketball booths. The âIs This Anything?â segment remains a fan favorite, though the crew is sometimes described as âaverageâ in terms of excitement. While some appreciated Marchitelliâs fill-in work, others felt it affected the broadcastâs rhythm and the main duoâs chemistry.
Credit: NBC Sports California
Most common grade: C (25.9% of votes)
**Percentage of A/B/C grades:**72%
**2024-25 Ranking:**10th
2023-24 Ranking: 10th
A bit of a drop for this booth after consecutive years in the top ten. The voting pie chart is fairly even across all five grades, which means opinions on the booth are all over the place. Some commenters loved how Jones brings the âcoolâ factor to the broadcast and appreciated his deep knowledge and great references (and theyâll have many more years ahead to appreciate them). Christensen was praised for her âcoach-likeâ perspective and âdown-to-earthâ style. âEven in a down year, they make the Sacramento Kings feel like the center of the basketball universe,â said one fan.
Credit: New Orleans Pelicans
Most common grade: B (29.8% of votes)
**Percentage of A/B/C grades:**75.3%
**2024-25 Ranking:**12th
2023-24 Ranking: 3rd
The Pelicansâ broadcast is the first in this yearâs rankings to receive a B, as itâs the most common grade. However, their precipitous fall from a No. 3 overall ranking continues this year, as opinions varied. Meyers and Daniels were praised for being âauthentically investedâ in the team. They donât hide their disappointment when the Pels struggle, which makes the broadcast feel real, though it can lead to a âsomberâ tone during blowout losses. Daniels was also praised for his âkeeping it realâ style of analysis. Some fans noted that the duo deserves a better franchise.
Credit: NBC Sports Boston
Most common grade: C (29.7% of votes)
**Percentage of A/B/C grades:**78.2%
**2024-25 Ranking:**22nd
2023-24 Ranking: 27th
The Celticsâ broadcasting team continues to see its stock rise with another solid jump up the rankings. Several commenters noted that Carter has âdone the impossibleâ by successfully replacing the legendary Mike Gorman. He brings a âSyracuse-styleâ polish, though some fans find his âtry-hardâ energy with Scalabrine a bit much. Scalabrine remains a âlove him or hate himâ figureâhis technical analysis is âtop-notch,â but his âhomerâ personality can be grating for neutral viewers. The duo has âgreat chemistry,â according to multiple graders. Chin was also singled out for her âfantasticâ work, while House received mixed reviews for his fill-in work. âOne of the most prepared and technically knowledgeable crews in the NBA,â per one fan.
Credit: FanDuel Sports Network Southwest
Most common grade: C (37.6% of votes)
Percentage of A/B/C grades: 82%
**2024-25 Ranking:**20th
2023-24 Ranking: 19th
Hereâs another booth moving in the right direction, much like the team they cover. Tobey is in the early stages of replacing legend Bill Land, but while some found him âbland,â others appreciate his âmodern, fast-paced rhythm.â Elliott remains the beloved âsilver and blackâ presence who provides âcontinuityâ for fans (though some wish heâd stop saying âweâ). Overall, they earned praise for âgreat chemistryâ and improving the broadcast from where it was even two years ago.
Credit: FanDuel Sports Network Sun
Most common grade: C (37.3% of votes)
Percentage of A/B/C grades: 81.5%
**2024-25 Ranking:**18th
2023-24 Ranking: 11th
The Heatâs broadcast split the difference in the rankings over the last two seasons. According to graders, the team is âdisciplinedâ and âprepared,â mirroring âHeat Culture.â Reid was praised as the âgold standardâ for his professionalism and âreverence for the league,â with one person saying heâs the âmost underrated announcer in the league.â Tache and Crotty were seen as rising stars, with Crotty âsneakilyâ being âone of the most underrated local analysts.â
FYI, while the Celtics, Spurs, and Heat crews all had the same score, we used the percentage of A grades received as a tiebreaker.
Credit: MavsTV
Most common grade: C (41.4% of votes)
Percentage of A/B/C grades: 86.5%
**2024-25 Ranking:**14th
2023-24 Ranking: 9th
The Mavericks broadcasting team stayed relatively steady in this yearâs rankings. A lot of that goes to Followill, who was repeatedly called the âmost underratedâ play-by-play voice in the league. Fans really seemed to appreciate the trio of Followill, Harper, and Wade, though some longtime viewers miss the days when the booth was less âhomer-yâ (i.e., using âweâ and âusâ). One commenter referred to this as the âgold standard for how to handle a franchise resetâ in the booth.
Credit: Atlanta Hawks
Most common grade: B (38% of votes)
Percentage of A/B/C grades: 81%
**2024-25 Ranking:**11th
2023-24 Ranking: 20th
The Hawksâ booth also remained relatively steady in this yearâs rankings compared to last season. Rathbun and Wilkins received plenty of kudos and were labeled âsolidâ by many. Wilkins received praise as a true âball-knower.â While Rathbun is widely respected as a âGOATâ of Atlanta broadcasting, some felt the booth could benefit from fresh energy. But in the end, this broadcast received a substantial number of positive grades and comments.
Credit: Space City Home Network
Most common grade: C (35.6% of votes)
Percentage of A/B/C grades: 80.8%
**2024-25 Ranking:**17th
2023-24 Ranking: 23rd
The Rocketsâ broadcast continues to rocket up the rankings, with a six-spot jump for the second straight season. That growth was reflected in many comments about how theyâre one of the most improved crews in the league. Ackerman and Hollins have âfound a great rhythm,â and Richardson is âwidely considered the best sideline reporter in the game.â Some graders appreciated that while they are âvery passionateâ announcers, they call games âwithout losing their objectivity.â As one person put it, âthe perfect combination of hometown love and reasonable objectivity.â
Credit: Spectrum SportsNet
Most common grade: BÂ (35.6% of votes)
Percentage of A/B/C grades: 80.7%
**2024-25 Ranking:**9th
2023-24 Ranking: 21st
After a massive jump into the top ten last year, the Lakersâ broadcast stayed put this year. Macdonald and Lantz are a âLeague Pass favoriteâ to some in part because of their lack of bias, though some local fans wish there was a bit more âfanfareâ for such a storied franchise. Lantz received nearly universal praise, while feedback on the Macdonald was a bit more mixed, with one person saying he should move into a studio host role.
Credit: FanDuel Sports Network
Most common grade: B (42.4% of votes)
Percentage of A/B/C grades: 87.9%
**2024-25 Ranking:**6th
2023-24 Ranking: 8th
Itâs not often the Clippers get to be ahead of the Lakers, but they edged out their crosstown rivals this year in the broadcasting department despite falling a few spots. Sieman was described as a ânovelist with a headset.â His dry wit and âHot Damn!â calls have made him a cult favorite. Pairing him with Jackson creates an âelite booth,â while âThe Czar,â Mike Fratello, provides legendary (if slightly âpast his primeâ) insight. âThe one team that has different combos and all are enjoyable,â said one fan.
Credit: FanDuel Sports Network North
Most common grade: B (34.1% of votes)
Percentage of A/B/C grades: 87.4%
2024-25 Ranking: 8th
2023-24 Ranking: 6th
The Timberwolvesâ broadcast spot in the rankings remained resolute. Grady is a fan favorite, but his national success is a âdouble-edged sword,â according to graders. His frequent absences for national spots leave fans âstuckâ with âthe radio guyâ (Horton), who âhasnât quite found the same TV rhythm.â There was a consensus that theyâd rank higher if Grady were around more often. Petersen remains the âglueâ and was called the best technical NBA analyst on local TV. âOne of the most underrated broadcast teams in the NBAâ with âa great cast of rotating sideline reporters.â
Credit: Memphis Grizzlies
Most common grade: AÂ (34.1% of votes)
Percentage of A/B/C grades: 83%
2024-25 Ranking: 19th
2023-24 Ranking: 7th
The first broadcast to show up in the rankings with A as its most common grade, the Grizzlies crew continued its bounce around the rankings, jumping back into the top ten a year after a precipitous fall. Commenters described Pranica and Knight as the âplatonic idealâ of local announcers. They were praised for doing their homework on opponents and reacting with genuine awe to great plays, regardless of which team makes them. Knight received several shoutouts and was referred to as âone of the most underrated analysts in NBA broadcasting.â As one fan put it, âHow these three made this team even semi-watchable is a miracle.â
Credit: Rip City TV Network
Most common grade: BÂ (36.6% of votes)
Percentage of A/B/C grades: 87.5%
2024-25 Ranking: 4th
2023-24 Ranking: 12th
Considered a âpowerhouseâ booth, Portlandâs broadcast continues to be ranked among the top in the league. Between Calabroâs âlegendary pipesâ and Benettiâs âwit,â the Blazers feature ânational-caliber PxP voices.â The âsecret sauce,â however, is Hurd, who graders frequently cite as the most underrated analyst in the league. The crewâs energy is âchaotic-good,â especially when Evan Turner makes an appearance.
Credit: FanDuel Sports Network Southeast
Most common grade: A (39.2% of votes)
Percentage of A/B/C grades: 86.4%
2024-25 Ranking: 5th
2023-24 Ranking: 5th
A third consecutive year at No. 5 for what is considered one of the best local broadcasts around the league. It starts with Collins, who is â1-of-1.â You either love his âunmatched enthusiasmâ and âHum Diddly Deeâ calls, or you find him âtoo loudâ for a random game against the Wizards. âI would listen to Eric Collins call my kidsâ t-ball game,â wrote one person. âHis enthusiasm is unmatched.â
Curry is the essential âgrounding forceâ whose calm, technical breakdown of shooting mechanics provides a necessary counterweight to Collinsâ âlightning.â Weâd be remiss if we didnât add that Spake, Farber, and Oglesby also received kudos. Overall, theyâre the âonly announcing team thatâs occasionally more entertaining than the game itself!â
Credit: Toronto Raptors
Most common grade: A (40.4% of votes)
Percentage of A/B/C grades: 88.1%
2024-25 Ranking: 16th
2023-24 Ranking: 15th
The power-movers of this yearâs rankings are the Raptorsâ broadcasting crew, which vaulted into the top five after two seasons in the middle of the pack. Armstrong is a ânational treasureâ whose high-energy catchphrases define the Raptorsâ identity. The consensus is that the broadcast is elite when Jack is on the mic but falls off when heâs not. The number of comments that were simply âJack Armstrong!â was almost too many to count. He and Devlin are âiconicâ and âthe best in the business.â
Fans would love to see some more improvement from Williams when heâs paired with Devlin. As for the play-by-play voice, he âconsistently delivers an elite-level viewing experience.â
Credit: Chicago Bulls
Most common grade: B (35.8% of votes)
Percentage of A/B/C grades: 91.6%
2024-25 Ranking: 3rd
2023-24 Ranking: 4th
Maintaining its spot in the top three for the second straight season in the Bullsâ broadcasting team. It works out, then, that Amin and King were cited as a âtop-threeâ duo. Amin was praised for bringing a ânational championshipâ feel to local games, while King provides the âsoulâ of the broadcast and âbrings the hot sauce.â
Onion received several kudos for his preparation and energy, while Polinsky âhas a bright future ahead.â
Credit: YES
Most common grade: A (67.5% of votes)
Percentage of A/B/C grades: 95%
2024-25 Ranking: 2nd
2023-24 Ranking: 2nd
All due respect to every previous local announcing team, but this and the next one are just on another level. Not only did 95% of the graders give the Netsâ broadcasting crew an A, B, or C, but over 67% gave them an A. Less a booth and more of an âAll-Star roster,â Brooklyn has an âembarrassment of richesâ when it comes to play-by-play voices. Ian Eagle, Ryan Ruocco, and Noah Eagle could all be the lead announcers for any NBA team. Kustok was universally praised for having the highest basketball IQ in the division.
If there is a debate here, it is about consistency. Some fans find the âturnstyleâ rotation jarring, while some longtime fans feel Noah sounds a bit too much like a âtribute actâ to his father.
âIâm a lifelong Nets fan,â wrote one fan. â[The announcers are] quite literally the only reason to watch.â
Credit: MSG
Most common grade: A (75.8% of votes)
Percentage of A/B/C grades: 95.4%
2024-25 Ranking: 1st
2023-24 Ranking: 1st
The New York Knicks broadcasting team isnât universally beloved, but theyâre about as close as you can possibly get. For the third consecutive year, they cruised to the title of the No. 1 local NBA announcers in our rankings. This time, three out of every four of their grades were Aâs.
For graders, the duo of Breen and Frazier remains the leagueâs âcream of the cropâ and âgold standard.â Comments centered on their lack of âhomerism,â since they are famously critical when the Knicks play poorly. Albert gets some love as well as being a âjack of all trades.â
If thereâs a complaint, itâs that thereâs a growing âBreen-withdrawalâ among fans because of his national duties for ABC/ESPN, which often leaves the booth to a rotating cast. While Hahn and McNutt are well-respected, fans are aware that the 81-year-old Frazierâs ârhyminâ and stealinââ era is in its twilight and want as much of it as they can get.
âSimply the best NBA production,â wrote one fan. âIncluding all of the national platforms.â
The post The 2025-26 Awful Announcing local NBA announcer rankings appeared first on Awful Announcing.
The rankings were based on evaluations from Awful Announcing readers, who graded each local TV broadcast crew from A to F.
Approximately 11,000 individual votes were cast by readers to determine the rankings.
The closure of FanDuel Sports Network and shifts to new media partners may lead to significant changes in local broadcasting crews for the upcoming season.
The rankings include familiar broadcasting teams, but specific teams with the highest ratings are detailed in the full results.
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