Prime Video Struggles with Timing Issues for NBA Play-In Games

Delayed starts, extended pregame coverage, and technical difficulties plague Amazon's first NBA postseason broadcasts.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 4:03am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented basketball court and players, conveying the disruption and technical issues surrounding Prime Video's NBA coverage.Prime Video's technical difficulties and delayed game starts have disrupted the viewing experience for NBA play-in tournament fans.Oakland Today

In its inaugural season broadcasting NBA postseason games, Prime Video has faced several timing issues that have disrupted the viewing experience for fans. Delayed game starts, lengthy pregame shows, and technical difficulties have plagued the streamer's coverage of the NBA play-in tournament, leading to frustration among viewers.

Why it matters

As the NBA's new broadcast partner, Prime Video's struggles with live game coverage could undermine the league's efforts to expand its digital audience and generate interest in the play-in tournament. Consistent technical issues and missed tipoff times could drive viewers away and damage the perception of Prime Video as a reliable platform for premium sports content.

The details

Prime Video's NBA coverage has been plagued by delayed game starts, with the actual tipoff often happening 30-40 minutes after the scheduled time due to extended pregame shows and interviews. This has led to viewers missing the start of games, including key moments. Additionally, technical difficulties have caused the broadcast to cut out completely during overtime periods, further disrupting the viewing experience.

  • On Friday, April 14, 2026, the game between the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns did not start until around 7:40 p.m. Eastern, nearly 40 minutes after the scheduled tipoff.
  • On Tuesday, April 11, 2026, the broadcast of the game between the Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat experienced a two-minute outage during overtime due to a technical issue in the production truck.

The players

Sean Keane

A sportswriter and comedian based in Oakland, California, with experience covering the NBA, MLB, NFL, and Ice Cube's three-on-three basketball league, The Big 3. He has written for Comedy Central's 'Another Period,' ESPN the Magazine, and Audible.com.

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What they’re saying

“The scheduling of NBA play-in games should seemingly avoid any time conflicts. The early telecasts begin at 7 p.m. Eastern time, but thanks to the Prime Video pregame show, interviews with announcers and commercials, the actual tipoff happened closer to 7:40 p.m. Friday, which meant the Suns had already taken a big lead by the time Prime switched to the second game.”

— Sean Keane, Sportswriter

“The most embarrassing snafu for Prime came when the broadcast cut out completely for two minutes during overtime of Heat-Hornets. The screen went black briefly before being replaced with an anachronistic 'Technical Difficulties' sign.”

— Sean Keane, Sportswriter

What’s next

Prime Video and the NBA will need to work closely to address the timing and technical issues that have plagued the streamer's coverage of the play-in tournament. Adjustments to the pregame show, better coordination with game schedules, and improved production reliability will be crucial to ensuring a smooth viewing experience for fans.

The takeaway

Prime Video's struggles with its inaugural NBA postseason broadcasts highlight the challenges of transitioning a major sports league to a new digital platform. While the NBA is seeking to expand its reach through streaming partnerships, Prime Video's technical issues and missed tipoff times have undermined the viewing experience and could dampen fan enthusiasm for the play-in tournament.