NBA Countdown is the flagship NBA pregame studio program produced by ESPN. The show airs before marquee NBA broadcasts on ESPN and ABC, including regular-season primetime matchups, the NBA Playoffs, and the NBA Finals.
NBA Countdown premiered in 2002, under the title NBA Shootaround. The program was created to anchor the NBA’s return to ABC and ESPN, replacing the long-running NBA on NBC era. Over the years, the show has undergone several rebrandings; it was previously known as NBA Hangtime, NBA Game Time, NBA Nation, and NBA Sunday Countdown, before settling on its current title.
The program delivers game previews, injury updates, player interviews, and tactical breakdowns ahead of kick-off. The format blends studio debate with in-depth analysis, feature storytelling, and live reports from the arena. During major events such as the NBA Finals, NBA Countdown expands into extended on-site coverage with special guests and in-depth features.
NBA Countdown is anchored by lead host Malika Andrews, who is in her third season at the helm. The show also features a panel of analysts, including 2008 NBA Champion Kendrick Perkins, 2023 championship coach Michael Malone, and senior NBA writer Brian Windhorst. The coverage is also supported by regular contributors such as Shams Charania, as well as a host of ESPN’s NBA reporting team.
Over the years, NBA Countdown has been hosted by some of the most recognizable names in sports media. Notable past hosts include Mike Tirico, Dan Patrick, Stuart Scott, Doris Burke, and Sage Steele. The program has also featured a rotating cast of legendary players-turned-analysts, including Magic Johnson, Jalen Rose, and Bill Walton.
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