If you asked an Indian sports fan ten years ago what they were watching, the answer was just always Cricket.
But now, when you walk through the streets of Mumbai, Delhi, or Bangalore today, you’ll see something different: the orange glow of a basketball on a concrete court and jerseys featuring names like Curry, James, and Doncic.
The 2025–26 season has officially marked a “slam dunk” for the sport in India. With Amazon Prime Video now streaming 67 regular-season games for free to Indian subscribers, basketball has moved from a niche hobby to a mainstream obsession.
But in a league with 30 different teams, which ones have actually captured the hearts of 1.4 billion people?
Well, there are only four teams we’ve been seeing a lot on online platforms in India, and let’s take a closer look.
The “Superstar Effect” in India
In India, fans don’t just choose a team because of where they are on the map. Usually, many would choose a team because of the person leading it.
Just as millions of Indians support a specific Indian Premier League team because of Virat Kohli or MS Dhoni, NBA fandom in India is driven by icons. We follow the players who make the impossible look easy, and right now, there is no bigger “magician” in the eyes of Indian fans than Stephen Curry.
The Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are arguably the most popular team in India today, and the reason can be summed up in two words: Steph Curry.
Often called “The Chef,” Curry has revolutionized the game by proving you don’t have to be the biggest or strongest person on the court to actually be great at the sport. For many Indian fans, who might not have the height of a traditional basketball player, Curry’s reliance on skill, practice, and long-range shooting makes him incredibly relatable.
Even outside of India, the Warriors have become an international phenomenon. They represent a “New Era” of basketball where the three-pointer is king. Since 2015, they have won four championships.
With the 2025–26 season now in full swing, the Warriors continue to be one of the most-watched teams on Amazon Prime Video. Whether you are in San Francisco, London, or Mumbai, wearing a “Dub Nation” jersey is a symbol that you appreciate the highest level of skill in the sport.
The Los Angeles Lakers
If the Warriors are the team of the “new generation,” the Los Angeles Lakers are the team of the legends. In India, the “Purple and Gold” of the Lakers is as recognizable as the blue of the Indian cricket team.
For decades, names like Kobe Bryant made the Lakers famous here, but in the 2025–26 season, the “Laker-mania” has reached a whole new level.
The most likely reason? Luka Doncic.
He came in after a league-altering trade and joined LeBron James in Hollywood. These two have created what many fans consider the most talented duo in sports history. For Indian supporters, they’re pretty much the ultimate dream team.
As of December, the Lakers hold an impressive 18–7 record, making them one of the most consistent teams in the Western Conference. If you are looking for LA Lakers betting tips, experts currently suggest keeping an eye on their “Against the Spread” (ATS) record, which is great at 16–10.
The Sacramento Kings
While the Lakers and Warriors have the most jerseys on the street, the Sacramento Kings are the team many Indian fans are hoping will succeed. Why? Because they are the only NBA team owned by an Indian-born businessman, Vivek Ranadivé.
Vivek, who grew up in Mumbai, has made it his personal mission to make the Kings “India’s team.” He was the driving force behind the first-ever NBA games played on Indian soil in 2019. Because of this connection, the Kings often feature Indian culture in their stadium, like Bollywood dance performances.
For an Indian fan, seeing your culture celebrated by an American team makes it very easy to stay loyal, even when the team is going through a rough patch.
Do they actually have fans outside of India? Well, the Kings are considered a small-market team, so they definitely don’t have the massive global following of a team like the Chicago Bulls. But they do have a dedicated fanbase in Northern California.
Final Thoughts
Aside from these three teams, others that’re also finding their way to the heart of local sports fans are the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Dallas Mavericks, and the Boston Celtics.
But that’s just for now.
India is showing more interest in other sports aside from cricket, and if basketball gains more fans in the coming months and years, we might eventually see a more diverse fandom.
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