NEW YORK – The NBA and Turner Sports announced today that they will provide NBA fans with access to view the first live professional sports game in virtual reality.  The live stream will take place on opening night of the 2015-16 NBA season when the defending NBA Champion Golden State Warriors take on the New Orleans Pelicans on Oct. 27 at 10:30 p.m. ET on TNT.

Along with the live game presentation, fans will have the opportunity to view the Warriors ring ceremony presentation in virtual reality – with the team receiving their championship rings on the court prior to the game.

NBA and Turner Sports will work closely with NextVR, a technology company that captures and delivers live and on-demand virtual reality experiences, to deliver the live game and ring ceremony in high-definition virtual reality, further bringing the courtside experience to fans.

Fans will be able to access the Warriors vs. Pelicans game and the Warriors’ pre-game ceremony at the Oracle Arena in virtual reality with a Samsung Gear VR headset via the NextVR portal, found on the Oculus Home app.  Complete details to access the experience are available at www.nextvr.com/nba-tnt

The NBA began experimenting with virtual reality during the 2013-14 NBA season when NextVR captured a Warriors game against the Denver Nuggets at Oracle Arena.  Last season, the NBA became the first U.S. professional sports league to bring virtual reality experiences to the public by capturing and distributing highlights of the NBA All-Star Game and State Farm All-Star Saturday Night.

TNT’s opening night coverage of the 2015-16 NBA season, will also feature NBA Eastern Conference Champion Cleveland Cavaliers visiting the Chicago Bulls at 8 p.m. ET.   This will be TNT’s 32^nd consecutive year of NBA coverage.