Honestly, trying to figure out what channel is the Cleveland Cavaliers game tonight feels like you need a master's degree in broadcast communications lately. Between the rebrands, the streaming exclusives, and those weird "simulcast" deals, it’s a lot. If you're looking for the Cavs game for Sunday, January 18, 2026, here is the deal: Cleveland is hosting the Oklahoma City Thunder at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, and the tip-off is set for 7:30 PM ET.
The Quick Answer: Where to Watch Tonight
If you just want to flip the TV on and stop reading, here’s the short version. Tonight’s game is actually a bit of an outlier compared to the usual regional broadcasts.
- Primary Channel: FanDuel Sports Network Ohio (the artist formerly known as Bally Sports).
- National Exposure: No, this isn't on TNT or ESPN tonight, though those national windows happen more often now that the Cavs are legit contenders.
- Radio: WTAM 1100 AM or WMMS 100.7 FM if you're stuck in the car.
Why Finding the Channel is Suddenly So Confusing
Remember when you just turned on Channel 43 or Fox Sports Ohio and called it a day? Those days are mostly gone. The biggest curveball for fans in 2026 has been the total rebranding of the regional sports networks.
Basically, Bally Sports is dead. It’s all FanDuel Sports Network now. If you're searching your guide for "Bally," you're going to see a whole lot of nothing. For the Cleveland market, you’re looking for FanDuel Sports Network Ohio.
The Rock Entertainment Factor
There’s another layer to this. The Cavs recently inked a deal with Rock Entertainment Sports Network. They’ve been simulcasting select games for free over-the-air. If you have a digital antenna, you can sometimes catch games on Channel 22.1 or Cleveland 43 (WUAB). However, these are "select" games—usually only about five or six a season. For tonight’s matchup against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder, you'll likely need the standard FanDuel subscription or a cable package that carries it.
Streaming Options for Cord Cutters
If you’ve ditched cable, you’ve probably realized that YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV are kinda hit-or-miss with regional sports. They carry the big national games on ESPN and ABC, but they often lack the local FanDuel feeds.
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If you want to stream the game tonight without a traditional cable box, you have two real paths:
- Fubo: This is usually the safest bet for Ohio sports fans because they actually carry the FanDuel regional networks.
- FanDuel Sports Network App: You can subscribe directly to the app (DTC) for about $20 a month. It’s basically the "Netflix for Cavs games" if you live in-market.
Out-of-Market Problems
If you’re a Cavs fan living in, say, Seattle or Florida, what channel is the Cleveland Cavaliers game tonight changes entirely. You won't find it on your local cable. You basically have to use NBA League Pass. Just a heads-up: if the game does happen to be on a national network like NBATV or TNT, League Pass will black it out. It’s annoying, but that’s the current state of NBA broadcasting rights.
What to Watch For in the Matchup
This isn't just another mid-season slog. The Thunder are arguably the most dangerous young team in the West, and seeing how Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen handle their five-out offense is going to be a chess match.
Donovan Mitchell has been playing at an MVP level this month, and the Cavs' bench—led by some surprising veteran depth—has been the real story of the season. Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse is going to be loud. The Sunday night slot usually brings a different energy, especially with the "Junkyard Dog" mentality this roster has embraced.
Actionable Steps for Game Time
To make sure you don't miss the opening tip, follow this checklist:
- Check your provider's rebrand: If you use Spectrum, Cox, or Breezeline, search for "FanDuel Sports" instead of Bally.
- Antenna users: Do a quick channel scan if you haven't lately. With the new Rock Entertainment Sports Network deals, new sub-channels are popping up that might carry the game for free.
- Update your apps: If you’re streaming via the FanDuel Sports Network app, make sure it’s updated. The old Bally Sports app might not redirect you properly on older Smart TVs.
- Sync the Audio: If you hate the national announcers (when the game is on national TV), you can usually sync the WTAM 1100 feed via the iHeartRadio app, though the delay can be a pain to manage.
The most important thing is to verify your access at least 15 minutes before 7:30 PM. There is nothing worse than missing a 10-0 Cavs run because you were busy resetting your streaming password or trying to find where FanDuel moved on your channel lineup.