On Tuesday, March 3, 2026, NBC Sports will present a special NBA NBC throwback broadcast featuring legendary commentators calling a highly anticipated game between Victor Wembanyama’s San Antonio Spurs and Tyrese Maxey’s Philadelphia 76ers. The live broadcast will air at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock, bringing together iconic voices from the 1990s and early 2000s to relive the classic NBA on NBC atmosphere with modern coverage.
Iconic Commentators Lead the Broadcast and Pre-Game Show
Bob Costas, Doug Collins, and Mike Fratello will reunite as the primary play-by-play and game analysts for the Coast 2 Coast Tuesday broadcast, while Jim Gray returns as courtside reporter. The pre-game NBA Showtime segment begins at 7 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock, hosted by Hannah Storm and featuring Isiah Thomas and P.J. Carlesimo as studio analysts. All involved were prominent NBA on NBC Sports broadcasters and analysts during the 1990s and early 2000s, making this reunion a nostalgic moment for sports fans.
Legendary Careers Behind the Voices
Bob Costas served as the play-by-play announcer from 1990 to 2002, renowned for his compelling storytelling. Doug Collins, a four-time NBA All-Star and former head coach for several NBA teams, provided expert analysis from 1998 to 2001. Mike Fratello, nicknamed the “Czar of the Telestrator” by Marv Albert, worked as both game and studio analyst during the early 1990s and early 2000s. Jim Gray’s role as courtside reporter spanned 1994 to 2002, delivering critical updates from the sidelines.
Hannah Storm contributed as both courtside reporter and studio host from 1993 to 2000, with a celebrated broadcasting career across major networks. Isiah Thomas, a two-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer, appeared as an analyst between 1998 and 2000. P.J. Carlesimo, known for his almost four decades of coaching, joined as a studio analyst from 2001 to 2002. Their combined expertise offers viewers rich perspectives on the game and history of the NBA.
Authentic 1995-96 NBA on NBC Visuals and Soundscapes
The special broadcast will incorporate a graphics package and tape elements from the 1995-96 NBA on NBC season, including traditional score bars, statistics, replay wipes, and full-page presentations. While the in-game coverage reflects the 2025-26 NBA season, these nostalgic visuals and audio cues will provide viewers with a blend of current action and vintage broadcast aesthetics throughout the night.
In homage to NBC’s original NBA coverage era, the soundtrack will feature John Tesh’s iconic theme “Roundball Rock,” AI-generated cues voiced by the late Jim Fagan, and narrated elements from Bob Costas, Marv Albert, and Tom Hammond. This melding of modern technology with classic themes recreates the familiar sounds that defined basketball broadcasts for a generation.
Production Leadership and Creative Team
The NBC Sports broadcast is led by Executive Producer and NBC Sports Production President Sam Flood, who expressed enthusiasm for the project:
“Everyone at NBC Sports has so many great memories of the 1990s and NBA on NBC,”
and
“We are excited to get the band of iconic voices back together with Bob, Doug, Mike, Jim, Hannah, Isiah and P.J. and celebrate the game of basketball with viewers of all ages.”
Sam Flood’s leadership is supported by coordinating producer Frank DiGraci and director Drew Esocoff, who recently directed Super Bowl LX. The NBA Showtime program is coordinated by Adam Littlefield and directed by Jared Sumner.
Significance of the Throwback Broadcast
This NBC NBA throwback broadcast celebrates both the enduring legacy of NBA on NBC and the renewal of NBC Sports’ NBA coverage after a hiatus. By uniting beloved commentators with today’s star players like Victor Wembanyama and Tyrese Maxey, NBC honors the history and cultural impact of the league while connecting with new audiences. The blend of classic elements and modern production highlights the evolution of NBA broadcasting.
NBC Sports continues its tradition of delivering compelling live sports programming, reaffirming its role in producing some of the most memorable moments in U.S. sports media history. This event not only offers nostalgia for longtime fans but also elevates the viewing experience for newcomers, setting a hopeful tone for the future of basketball broadcasts on NBC and Peacock.
