Amazon Announces Taylor Rooks as Host for NBA Coverage, Joined by Blake Griffin and Dirk Nowitzki in Studio

As anticipation builds for the debut of NBA basketball on Amazon Prime next season, the conglomerate has been deliberate in selecting analysts, color commentators, and contributors to join their team. Today, they announced two NBA legends will join host Taylor Rooks in the studio: 2011 Slam Dunk Contest winner and six-time NBA All-Star Blake Griffin, and Dirk Nowitzki, widely regarded as one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history.

Prime will stream 66 regular season NBA games, featuring doubleheaders on Thursdays and Fridays, occasional Saturday afternoon games, and the NBA Cup knockout rounds. The streaming service will also host six play-in games, select first- and second-round playoff games, and, every other year, a conference finals series. With a packed schedule and extensive coverage to deliver, Amazon is banking on fresh faces and new perspectives to draw fans.

Griffin, speaking with USA Today Sports, shared his excitement about the opportunity, noting his admiration for Amazon’s existing NFL programming.

“I have been incredibly impressed with Amazon’s NFL programming for Thursday Night Football, and my conversations with the team around the NBA partnership have been equally inspiring,” Griffin said. “To put a fresh desk together and have a new show with new insight and new voices was super exciting to me. And it gives me a chance to talk about the one thing that I truly love and the thing that I know, and that’s basketball.”

Taylor Rooks, who already appears on Amazon’s Thursday Night Football broadcasts, expressed enthusiasm for leading this new venture into NBA coverage.

“We want to create a product that everybody wants to be a part of,” Rooks said. “Something that’s appointment viewing and builds an NBA community.”

Nowitzki, a fan favorite and NBA champion, has made occasional appearances on NBA on TNT, showcasing his charm and insight. Reports of Amazon’s interest in adding him surfaced in December, and his involvement has only heightened excitement for Prime’s NBA debut.

As Amazon gears up for its first NBA season, part of the league’s new 11-year media deal, it remains to be seen who else will join this star-studded roster. The innovative partnership promises to bring fresh energy and perspectives to basketball coverage starting in the 2025-2026 season.