The 2025-26 NBA season is in full swing, and with it comes the annual ranking of local announcing crews. This year, the New York Knicks broadcasting team has once again taken the top spot, with a staggering 75.8% of grades being A's. The duo of Mike Breen and Kenny Albert, along with Bill Pidto, Gus Johnson, and the rest of the crew, has set the bar for excellence in NBA broadcasting. Their lack of 'homerism' and critical analysis when the Knicks play poorly has earned them the title of 'gold standard' in the league.
The Brooklyn Nets and Chicago Bulls closely follow, with the Nets' 'All-Star roster' of announcing voices and the Bulls' 'top-three' duo of Adam Amin and Mark Schanowski, respectively. These teams have consistently delivered high-quality broadcasts, with the Nets' 95% A, B, or C grades and the Bulls' 91.6% A and B grades.
The Toronto Raptors and Charlotte Hornets round out the top five, with the Raptors' 'iconic' duo of Matt Devlin and Jack Armstrong, and the Hornets' 'unmatched enthusiasm' of Eric Collins. These teams have shown consistent improvement and have earned their place among the league's best.
However, not all teams have seen success. The Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, and Milwaukee Bucks have all struggled, with the Warriors receiving an F as their most common grade. The 76ers' broadcast has seen some improvement, but it's still not enough to move them out of the rankings' basement. The Bucks' broadcast has also been on a downward trend, with mixed marks from graders.
The Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, and Phoenix Suns have all seen some positive movement, with the Thunder climbing to the 26th spot, the Nuggets to the 25th, and the Suns to the 28th. The Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers have also seen significant improvements, with the Rockets climbing to the 11th spot and the Clippers to the 9th.
Overall, the 2025-26 season has seen some exciting changes in the local announcing ranks. While some teams have struggled, others have risen to the top, with the New York Knicks once again setting the bar for excellence in NBA broadcasting.
