If you’re staring at your remote wondering exactly what basketball games come on tonight, you’ve actually hit a pretty great night for it. January 15, 2026, is serving up a weirdly perfect mix of international NBA flair, heavy-hitting college matchups, and those late-night West Coast battles that make the next morning’s coffee feel absolutely necessary.
Whether you’re looking for a pro showdown on Prime Video or a top-10 women's college basketball clash, the schedule is packed. Honestly, it’s one of those nights where you probably need two screens if you’re serious about catching the best runs.
The NBA Slate: Berlin Vibes and National Primetime
The biggest headline for today isn't even happening on U.S. soil. The NBA has gone global again, and tonight (well, this afternoon if you're on the East Coast) we get the Memphis Grizzlies vs. Orlando Magic live from Berlin, Germany. It’s part of the league’s push to keep growing the game in Europe, and since it tipped off at 2:00 PM ET on Prime Video, you might already be catching the highlights or the tail end of it depending on when you’re reading this.
But if you’re just settling in for the evening, don’t worry. The night schedule is solid.
- Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Houston Rockets (7:30 PM ET): This one is a Prime Video exclusive. If you’ve been following the standings, the Thunder are absolutely rolling this year—currently sitting at 34-7. Houston isn't a pushover at home, though. It’s going to be fast, loud, and probably a high-scoring affair.
- Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat (7:30 PM ET): A classic Eastern Conference grudge match. It’s not on national TV, but it’s the game most people will be trying to find a stream for. Boston is trying to snap a two-game skid, while Miami is hovering right around .500.
- New York Knicks vs. Golden State Warriors (10:00 PM ET): This is the "stay up late" game. Also on Prime Video. There’s something about the Knicks playing at Chase Center that always feels like a playoff atmosphere.
You’ve also got the Phoenix Suns taking on the Detroit Pistons at 7:00 PM ET. Interestingly, the Pistons are actually leading the East right now with a 28-10 record. Who would've predicted that three years ago? Basically nobody.
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College Basketball’s Massive Thursday Night
While the NBA is doing its thing, the college world—specifically the women's side—is arguably stealing the spotlight tonight. We have some genuine "Game of the Year" contenders on the schedule.
The Women’s Top 25 Gauntlet
The biggest game of the night, hands down, is #4 Texas vs. #2 South Carolina. They’re playing at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN2. It’s a rematch that everyone has had circled since the season started. South Carolina is rarely beatable at home, but Texas has the size this year to actually make them sweat.
If you’re a fan of the Big Ten or ACC, your night is basically booked:
- #9 Louisville at #23 Notre Dame (6:00 PM ET, ACC Network): A brutal conference rivalry.
- #25 Nebraska at #14 Michigan State (7:00 PM ET, BTN): Nebraska is fighting to stay in the rankings.
- #15 Maryland at USC (9:00 PM ET, Peacock): The cross-country Big Ten move still feels weird, but the basketball is elite.
- #20 Alabama at Auburn (9:00 PM ET, SEC Network): It's the Iron Bowl, just on the hardwood. Expect chaos.
Men's Mid-Major Gems
On the men’s side, things are a bit more focused on the mid-majors and the West Coast tonight. #9 Gonzaga is traveling to face Washington State at 10:00 PM ET on CBSSN. It’s one of those classic regional matchups that usually ends up closer than the experts predict.
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Also, keep an eye on College of Charleston vs. Towson at 8:00 PM ET (CBSSN). Charleston has been a bracket-buster favorite lately, and Towson is always a tough out in the CAA.
Where and How to Watch
Navigating the "which app has what" game is basically a sport in itself now. For the NBA games tonight, Prime Video is your best friend. They’ve locked up the Berlin game, the OKC/Houston game, and the Knicks/Warriors nightcap.
For college, it’s the usual suspects: ESPN2, ACC Network, SEC Network, and BTN. If you’re looking for the Maryland/USC game or the Illinois/Michigan game, you’ll need a Peacock subscription. It's kinda annoying to have it spread out like that, but that's just the 2026 landscape for you.
Quick Reference: What Time Do They Start?
I know some people just want the list. Here’s the "can’t miss" stuff:
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- 6:00 PM: Louisville vs. Notre Dame (W) - ACCN
- 7:00 PM: Texas vs. South Carolina (W) - ESPN2
- 7:00 PM: Phoenix vs. Detroit (NBA) - Local/Fubo
- 7:30 PM: OKC vs. Houston (NBA) - Prime Video
- 7:30 PM: Boston vs. Miami (NBA) - Local
- 8:00 PM: Charleston vs. Towson (M) - CBSSN
- 9:00 PM: Alabama vs. Auburn (W) - SECN
- 10:00 PM: Knicks vs. Warriors (NBA) - Prime Video
- 10:00 PM: Gonzaga vs. Washington State (M) - CBSSN
Why Tonight Actually Matters
Look, it’s easy to dismiss mid-January games as part of the "winter slog," but the standings are starting to harden. In the NBA, the Pistons are legitimately trying to prove they belong at the top of the East. In college, every one of these ranked matchups is basically a seed-hunting mission for March.
If you're wondering what basketball games come on tonight because you want to see who’s actually "for real," watch that Texas/South Carolina game. It'll tell you everything you need to know about the national championship picture. Or, if you just want to see if the Warriors still have that late-night magic against a gritty Knicks team, the Prime Video double-header is your play.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Viewing Tonight:
- Check your Prime Video login: Since three major NBA games are there tonight, make sure you aren't stuck resetting a password at 7:25 PM.
- Sync your DVR for the 7:00 PM window: With Texas/South Carolina and the Pistons/Suns starting at the same time, you're going to miss something live.
- Monitor the West Coast lines: If you're into the betting side of things, Gonzaga is a heavy favorite against Wazzu, but the late-night Pullman atmosphere has swallowed up ranked teams before.
Whatever you pick, enjoy the hoops. It’s a deep schedule for a Thursday.