Checking the clock is basically a ritual for Dubs fans. If you are trying to figure out what time does the Golden State Warriors play, you’ve probably realized the NBA schedule is a moving target of time zones and TV windows.
Honestly, it gets confusing. One night it’s a 7:00 PM tip-off at Chase Center, and the next they are playing a matinee in New York or a late-night set in Salt Lake City. Today is Sunday, January 18, 2026, and if you’re looking for a game right this second, you can actually take a breather. The Warriors aren't on the court today. They just finished a high-scoring 136-116 win over the Charlotte Hornets last night, and they've got a day off before the schedule picks back up.
The Upcoming Warriors Schedule (January 2026)
The rest of January is looking pretty intense for Steph and the crew. They aren't traveling far for the next couple of games, but the competition is heating up.
Here is the rundown for the next week:
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- Monday, Jan 19 vs. Miami Heat: This one starts at 7:00 PM PT (10:00 PM ET). It's a home game at Chase Center.
- Tuesday, Jan 20 vs. Toronto Raptors: Back-to-back at home. Tip-off is again at 7:00 PM PT.
- Thursday, Jan 22 at Dallas Mavericks: The team hits the road for this one. Game time is 6:30 PM local time (CT), which is 4:30 PM for those of us on the West Coast.
- Saturday, Jan 24 at Minnesota Timberwolves: An afternoon special. This one starts early at 2:30 PM PT (4:30 PM local time).
Why Do Warriors Game Times Change So Much?
It’s mostly about the money—specifically TV money. If the game is on ABC, like the upcoming matchup against the Timberwolves, it’s often an afternoon slot to hit that prime East Coast viewing window. When it's a local broadcast on NBC Sports Bay Area, they almost always stick to the 7:00 PM or 7:30 PM PT start time to let fans actually get through San Francisco traffic and into their seats.
National broadcasts on ESPN or TNT (or the newer Amazon Prime slots) can push things even later. Sometimes you’ll see "doubleheader" nights where the Warriors don't even start until 10:00 PM ET because the league wants to stack two powerhouse games back-to-back.
Finding the Exact Tip-Off Time
If you’re ever in doubt about what time does the Golden State Warriors play, there are three "golden rules" for checking:
- The Official NBA App: It’s usually the most accurate, but be careful—it often defaults to Eastern Time if you haven't checked your settings.
- Local Radio: 95.7 The Game usually starts their pre-game coverage about an hour before the actual tip. If you hear them talking, you’ve got time to get your snacks ready.
- Chase Center Website: If it’s a home game, the venue site is actually more reliable for "doors open" times, which is usually 90 minutes before the game starts.
Typical Start Windows
Most weeknight home games are 7:00 PM PT.
Most weekend home games are 5:30 PM PT or 6:00 PM PT.
Road games are the wild card. East Coast road trips usually mean 4:00 PM or 4:30 PM PT starts.
Watching the Warriors in 2026
The media landscape changed a bit recently. You’ve got the standard NBC Sports Bay Area for local folks, but keep an eye out for Peacock and Amazon Prime Video. The NBA's new deal means more games are moving to streaming-only platforms. For example, the January 26th game against Minnesota is slated for Peacock. If you’re just turning on your TV expecting to find it on cable, you might be disappointed.
If you are planning to attend in person, remember that "game time" is when the ball goes up, not when the festivities start. The player intros—especially for Steph Curry’s tunnel shot—happen about 15-20 minutes before the official start time.
Keep your schedule synced with a calendar app if you can. Most fan sites offer a downloadable ICS file that will automatically adjust for your time zone. This is a lifesaver if you travel a lot but never want to miss a fourth-quarter rally.
The best way to stay prepared is to check the schedule every Sunday night for the week ahead. Since there is no game today, January 18, use the time to make sure your streaming logins are working for tomorrow’s battle against the Heat. Head over to the official Warriors team site or your preferred ticket app to double-check that 7:00 PM PT start for Monday night.