Timberwolves and 76ers fans frustrated by glitchy NBA League Pass stream

Fans eager to watch Anthony Edwards make his preseason debut were greeted with a 'technical difficulties' banner.

Detailed view of the Minnesota Timberwolves logo against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans on Nov. 18, 2023. / Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Minnesota Timberwolves fans eager to watch Anthony Edwards make his preseason debut against the Philadelphia 76ers Friday night were greeted with a “technical difficulties” banner as NBA League Pass, the NBA’s streaming service which is carrying the game, was having apparent issues that didn't appear to be fully resolved by the end of the first quarter.

For fans attempting to tune in, they likely saw little of the first quarter of Friday night's game as a rotating "technical difficulties" banner stole most of the show. The stream cut in and out at times, and even when it was working, there were still issues like low quality video, and at one point, there was no commentary coming through during the stream.

While there were no television commentators at the game, which also isn't being televised on Bally Sports North, the broadcast was piping in audio from Wolves radio voice Alan Hortan. Or at least it was supposed to.

Timberwolves and 76ers fans alike took to social media to express frustrations about the outage. For the 76ers, Paul George was also making his preseason debut. "NBA League pass is not working well. There might be no way to watch this game," one fan posted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. That wasn't the only frustrated fan.

NBA League pass is not working as well.

There might be no way to watch this game. https://t.co/gI7i2bZbik pic.twitter.com/jC0AJFLdTd

— J🐐 (@SixersJustin) October 11, 2024

"NBA League Pass is TERRIBLE," another fan posted. "... Billions in revenue and y'all got technical difficulties."

NBA League Pass is TERRIBLE lmfao. Billions in revenue and y’all got technical difficulties.

— The Big OG said TRADE TOBIAS HARRIS! (@OHGEENiCK) October 11, 2024

Several other fans voiced their frustrations with the service, not just this year, but in years past.

Pathetic product NBA league pass is every year

— Will Ruck (@Will_Rucker3_AD) October 11, 2024

It's only available through League Pass. I got a glimpse of the arena feed and now I'm back to a generic NBA screen so I might've spoken too soon. https://t.co/6Lcv8iGkz3

— Paul Hudrick (@PaulHudrick) October 11, 2024

NBA League Pass is showing me nothing…

Come on man 🤦🏼‍♂️

— RB (@RBPhillyTake) October 11, 2024

Oh and technical difficulties! https://t.co/TnTforP7Su

— WolvesShowYo (@WolvesShowYo) October 11, 2024

The Timberwolves’ official account on X acknowledged the outage, telling fans to “standby.”

having technical difficulties… standby. pic.twitter.com/koLV4PyyJr

— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) October 11, 2024

NBA league pass keeps going down. It's working now and then two minutes later it goes down

— Sistah Outlaw™ (@Dr_McCloud) October 11, 2024

@NBA how are you having streaming difficulties on league pass for PRESEASON……what did oubre tells those refs? Cus im saying the same thing to yall! pic.twitter.com/MueGxID9PQ

— cruise (@cruzortiz3) October 11, 2024

NBA League Pass Support also responded to a fan inquiring about the issues.

Thanks for contacting us! Please send us a DM with the email address associated with your League Pass account and details of any issues you may be experiencing.  Thanks, NBA Support.

— NBA League Pass Support (@NBALPSupport) October 11, 2024