NBA League Pass blocks fans across the globe from watching playoffs

Basketball fans across the globe have gone nuclear after the NBA’s viewing platform left them in the dark on Thursday.

NBA league pass blocks out fans

Basketball fans have been losing their minds on Thursday morning thanks to the NBA’s League Pass stopping them from watching playoff action.

The playoffs got underway at 9.30am (AEST) when the Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies squared up in game two of their opening round series.

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But as fans logged into their league pass accounts, they were met with a not so helpful message as they attempted to tune into the game.

Fans worldwide were blocked from viewing the action as they received an error message which read: “The game is not available LIVE on NBA League Pass because it is being broadcast on a channel in your local market. Subscribers can listen live or watch 3 days after the game.”

Unfortunately for fans across the globe, the game wasn’t being broadcast on a local market, only being shown through League Pass. Leaving fans seeing red and unable to catch the action.

SEN’s Nic Negrepontis’ wrote: “ESPN not showing Lakers/Grizzlies and NBA League Pass not working because “the game is being broadcast in our local market”. Cool. League Pass is so garbage.”

Why are Australian residents blacked out on nba league pass?

— 🏀Lakers downunder 🇦🇺 (@Aussie_Lakers) April 19, 2023

Is anyone else in Australia (WHO PAYS HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS FOR LEAGUE PASS) getting this message?!?!?! #lakers#NBAPlayoffs#nba#nbaleaguepass#lakersgrizzlies#lakeshowpic.twitter.com/8E21Ph5gms

— Lola Bunny (@Kdawwwgz) April 19, 2023

@NBA I’m in London. This game is not on tv here, on Sky or anything else. Why on earth can’t I watch it on league pass?! @NBAUKpic.twitter.com/a1xpC3UYgP

— Mike (@mickjamessport) April 19, 2023

Renowned basketball personality Rob Perez, known better as WorldWideWob, tweeted updates regarding the League Pass issues plaguing fans around the world.

“received more messages than i ever have re: League Pass, this time the international product as an entire continent is unable to view Lakers/Grizzlies. ill try and find out what’s up and report back if any news.

“Australia: ive been told the game is available through the desktop league pass website, as of the time of this tweet. still no updates on the app.”

Anyone else in NZ getting this message on their NBA league pass? Can’t watch the game with my paid subscription, not broadcast on SkyTV? Where am I supposed to watch it? pic.twitter.com/sVWntDYmI7

— andrewbprice (@andrewbprice) April 20, 2023

The Lakers took game one against the Grizzlies and headed into the second game as the favourites with their rivals forced to play without star guard Ja Morant.

Morant injured his hand during the final quarter after driving to the rim and challenging Anthony Davis.

Unfortunately the Grizzlies star came down hard on the floor with his right hand getting trapped in the fall.

Morant went down hard. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)

The NBA playoff action has been explosive since getting underway with no bigger moment than Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green copping a one-game suspension after stomping on Sacramento Kings big man Domantas Sabonis.

Sabonis momentarily grabbed the ankle of Green as he was on the ground, but Green fired back by stomping on the sternum of his opponent.

The moment divided the basketball world, but in the end the NBA determined the action was deserving of a one-game suspension.

It means Green will miss the third game in the series which the Kings currently lead 2-0.