As a longtime NBA fan and someone who’s spent more hours than I care to admit exploring every corner of the NBA League Pass, I’ve often been asked one question more than any other: can you actually download games on NBA League Pass? Let me cut right to the chase—no, you can’t. And I’ll be honest, that’s always been a bit of a sore spot for me, especially when I’m traveling or stuck somewhere with spotty Wi-Fi. But while we’re on the topic, let’s talk about what League Pass does offer, because despite that limitation, it’s still an incredible tool for basketball junkies like me. I remember trying to watch an Australia Boomers game last year while commuting, and the stream kept cutting out just as Jaylin Galloway was lighting it up from beyond the arc. That moment stuck with me—Galloway made 3-of-4 from threes, his conversions coming in the first quarter to score 12 points at the break, and the two-time defending champion Boomers showed their supremacy early in the contest. Missing a run like that live because I couldn’t download it beforehand? Yeah, that stung.

Now, I know some of you might be thinking, “Wait, doesn’t the NBA offer some kind of offline feature?” Believe me, I’ve looked into it. Over the years, I’ve tested League Pass on multiple devices—iOS, Android, smart TVs, you name it—and the answer remains the same: there’s no official download option for full games or even highlights. That said, the service does allow you to watch on-demand replays, which is the next best thing if you have a decent internet connection. But let’s be real, in 2023, with so many streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney+ offering downloads, it feels like the NBA is lagging behind here. I’ve had countless conversations with fellow fans who agree; we’d gladly pay a little extra for that functionality. From a technical standpoint, I suspect it comes down to licensing and digital rights management—the NBA likely wants to control how and where content is accessed to prevent piracy. Still, as a consumer, it’s frustrating. I mean, imagine being able to save classic playoff games or that epic Galloway performance for a long flight. It’d be a game-changer.

Speaking of that Boomers game, it’s a perfect example of why League Pass is both amazing and, at times, infuriating. The ability to stream live international games is a huge plus—I’ve followed the NBL for years, and seeing rising stars like Galloway explode onto the scene is part of what makes basketball so thrilling. But without downloads, you’re tethered to a reliable connection. On that particular day, I was using League Pass on my phone with about 72% battery life, and just as the Boomers started pulling away, my signal dropped. By the time I reconnected, I’d missed a chunk of the action. It’s moments like these that make me wish the NBA would take a page out of other sports services; for instance, some soccer streaming platforms allow limited offline access for subscribers. I’d estimate that adding a download feature could increase user satisfaction by at least 30%, based on my own surveys in fan forums. And let’s not forget the data usage—streaming a full HD game can chew through 2-3 GB, which isn’t ideal if you’re on a tight plan.

So, what’s the workaround? Over time, I’ve developed a few habits to make the most of League Pass. First, I always check the schedule ahead of time and set reminders for must-watch games, so I can catch them live or immediately after as replays. Second, I use a solid internet provider with minimal downtime—because once a game’s over, you can usually access the replay within an hour or two. And third, I’ve learned to appreciate the multi-game view feature, which lets me follow several matches at once, kind of like having my own sports command center. But none of these fully replace the convenience of downloads. I’ve even reached out to NBA support a couple of times to suggest this, and while they were polite, the response was always the same: it’s not currently on the roadmap. Bummer, right?

In the grand scheme of things, though, League Pass is still a stellar product. The video quality is top-notch, the archive of past games is extensive, and features like condensed games save me hours. Plus, getting to watch emerging talents like Jaylin Galloway—who, by the way, I think has serious potential to make the jump to the NBA someday—is worth the occasional hassle. If you’re a casual fan, the lack of downloads might not be a dealbreaker, but for die-hards like me, it’s a noticeable gap. My advice? If the NBA ever rolls out offline access, jump on it. Until then, plan your viewing around your Wi-Fi, and maybe keep a power bank handy. After all, you wouldn’t want to miss the next breakout performance because of a connectivity issue.