If you’re waking up on this Sunday morning asking is there a basketball game today, the short answer is: yes, a ton of them. We are officially in that sweet spot of the winter calendar where the NBA is in full swing and college hoops is hitting that "January grind" where conference rivalries start getting weird. Whether you're looking for a professional showdown or some high-stakes NCAA action, Sunday, January 18, 2026, has a schedule that’ll keep your remote batteries working overtime.
Honestly, it’s a diverse slate. We've even got a special international flavor today with the NBA Global Games, which always throws a wrench in the usual "prime time" viewing habits.
The NBA Slate: From London to Los Angeles
The big news today isn’t even happening on American soil. If you're looking for the early bird special, the Orlando Magic are taking on the Memphis Grizzlies at The O2 Arena in London. Because of the time difference, that game tips off at 12:00 PM ET. It’s always kinda cool to see the league take the show on the road, even if it means Grizzlies fans in Tennessee have to drink their coffee a little faster to catch the start.
Once the action returns stateside this evening, things pick up at the usual arenas. The Houston Rockets host the New Orleans Pelicans at 7:00 PM ET. Both these teams have been battling some nasty injury luck lately—Houston is notably missing Fred VanVleet, and the Pelicans are thin in the backcourt without Dejounte Murray. It’s going to be a battle of the benches, basically.
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Sunday Evening NBA Games (Times in ET)
- Brooklyn Nets at Chicago Bulls – 7:00 PM (United Center)
- Charlotte Hornets at Denver Nuggets – 8:00 PM (Ball Arena)
- Portland Trail Blazers at Sacramento Kings – 9:00 PM (Golden 1 Center)
- Toronto Raptors at Los Angeles Lakers – 9:30 PM (Crypto.com Arena)
That Lakers vs. Raptors game is the one everyone is eyeing for the nightcap. Word is Luka Doncic is day-to-day with some groin soreness, which could drastically change the vibe in LA. If he's out, expect the Raptors to try and take advantage of a Lakers squad that’s already missing Austin Reaves.
College Hoops: A Massive Day for the Women’s Game
While the men’s side has a few solid matchups—like #7 Houston hosting Arizona State at 6:30 PM ET on ESPN—today is actually a monster day for NCAA Women’s basketball. If you haven't been following the Top 25 lately, you're missing out on some of the best technical basketball being played right now.
Earlier today, #2 South Carolina absolutely dismantled Coppin State (90-48). Ta’niya Latson is just playing at a different level. But the schedule doesn't stop there. We’ve got a massive top-15 clash with #15 Maryland heading to Pauley Pavilion to face #2 UCLA at 4:00 PM ET on NBC. That’s a "circle the calendar" kind of game.
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Other notable college games include:
- Texas A&M at #4 Texas (4:00 PM, SEC Network)
- #8 LSU at #11 Oklahoma (3:00 PM, ESPN2)
- #14 Michigan State at #13 Iowa (8:00 PM, BTN)
Is There a Basketball Game Today in Other Leagues?
You bet. If you’re a fan of the new Unrivaled league, they are keeping the momentum going during the WNBA offseason. Tonight, Rose BC takes on Laces BC at 7:30 PM ET, followed by Phantom BC vs. Hive BC at 8:45 PM ET. It’s a great way to see stars like Breanna Stewart and Angel Reese in a more intimate, high-scoring format.
Over in Europe, the EuroLeague is actually between rounds today. They just finished a heavy "double week" on Friday, with Real Madrid beating Barcelona in a classic. Most of those teams are back in their domestic league play (like the ACB in Spain or the BBL in Germany) today, so if you have a subscription to EuroLeague TV, you might find some local league streams instead of the usual continental tournament.
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How to Watch the Action
Streaming has made it easier to find out is there a basketball game today, but also way more confusing to actually watch them. Here’s the quick breakdown for the January 18 schedule:
- National TV: NBC is carrying the UCLA/Maryland game, and ESPN has the late-night Houston/Arizona State men's game.
- NBA League Pass: Necessary for the Hornets/Nuggets and Blazers/Kings games if you're out of market.
- Fubo/YouTube TV: These are your best bets for the regional sports networks (RSNs) like SportsNet LA for the Lakers or the various Bally Sports (or their 2026 equivalents) channels.
- BTN/SECN: Big Ten and SEC networks are carrying the bulk of the ranked women’s games tonight.
What to Watch For
If you’re betting or just want to look smart at the sports bar, keep an eye on the Denver Nuggets. They've been on a tear at home, and the Hornets are historically bad when traveling to high altitudes. Also, watch the "Unrivaled" games; the 3-on-3 style is much faster than the NBA, and the fatigue factor usually kicks in during the fourth quarter of these Sunday back-to-backs.
Actionable Next Steps
Check your local listings for NBA League Pass blackouts before the 7:00 PM tip-offs to ensure you have a backup streaming option like Fubo or Hulu + Live TV. If you're focusing on college, download the ESPN app now to set alerts for the LSU vs. Oklahoma game, as that's expected to be the most competitive matchup of the afternoon. Finally, if you're watching the Lakers tonight, check the official injury report 30 minutes before tip-off to see if Luka is actually cleared to play.