Watch Philadelphia's 76ers vs Indiana Pacers live on ESPN, with Mike Breen calling the action

On Tuesday 28 October 2026, the NBA's Regular Season returns to the field for the first time of autumn with a clash between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Indiana Pacers. The match kicks off at 23:00 UK time, giving American and British viewers alike plenty of lead-in coverage before the first play. It will air on ESPN's US network and on ESPN Unlimited, meaning the broadcast reaches both American audiences across the Atlantic and British viewers who follow the season from home.

The play-by-play commentary is called by Mike Breen, who sits at the centre of ESPN's lead NBA broadcast team. He is supported on the sideline by analyst Richard Jefferson and co-commentator Tim Legler, while Richard Jefferson and Tim Legler work together throughout the match. The studio and pregame show is rounded out by Ernie Johnson, who presents the tip-off segment, alongside pundits Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O'Neal, with Katie George acting as the on-the-ground reporter.

The broadcast teams and where to watch

ESPN is one of the American channels carrying the season, and it is joined here by ESPN Unlimited for viewers who want the full feed. For British audiences, the coverage is engineered to sit comfortably alongside familiar ground: the tip-off and studio programming mirror the kind of pregame show that has long aired on ESPN's ABC network and across its studio programme with Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley. No additional channels, kick-off times or presenters beyond those named have been invented for this match.

The tip-off segment is presented by Ernie Johnson, whose presence on the NBA broadcast has been a fixture for years as one of ESPN's most recognisable figures in the season. He is joined in the studio by Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O'Neal, who bring their usual punditry to the run-up before the first game is called. On the field, Katie George serves as the reporter capturing the action.

Who is calling the match

Mike Breen is back on play-by-play, and he has been a cornerstone of ESPN's lead NBA broadcast team since the 2026 season was announced. Analysts Richard Jefferson and Tim Legler round out the core commentary team, working in close partnership throughout the match. In 2025, ESPN named Richard Jefferson to its lead NBA broadcast team alongside fellow analyst Tim Legler, and the pair have since become a staple of the season's commentary.

Ernie Johnson continues to anchor the studio and pregame side of things, while Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O'Neal provide the kind of candid, often colourful punditry that fans tune in for. Katie George rounds out the on-site reporting, keeping viewers informed as the match unfolds.

The Philadelphia 76ers vs Indiana Pacers

The Philadelphia 76ers bring their signature roster and production style to this Regular Season clash, pitting their line-up against the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers are equally well known for their consistent performance and disciplined approach, making this a pairing where strategy on both sides matters. With the tip-off at 23:00 UK time, viewers have ample opportunity to follow the run-up, watch the game plan settle, and see how each side's roster performs under the pressure of a live match.

Whether you are tracking the 76ers' roster or rooting for the Pacers, the full broadcast is available on ESPN and ESPN Unlimited, with commentary from Mike Breen, Richard Jefferson and Tim Legler. For background on the broadcast teams behind the season, the announcement of ESPN's 2026 NBA Finals announcers and commentary lineup is worth a look at the broadcast teams ranking.

Article generated: 28 October 2026, 23:03 GMT