Thursday nights in January usually mean the NBA is hitting that weird, grueling middle stretch where the "new season smell" has faded and the playoff race starts getting desperate. If you’re asking is there an nba game tonight, the answer is a resounding yes. In fact, tonight, January 15, 2026, is one of those massive nights where the league feels like it's in ten places at once—literally.
We aren't just talking about the standard North American slate. Today is actually the NBA Berlin Game 2026. The Orlando Magic and the Memphis Grizzlies took their talents across the Atlantic to the Uber Arena in Germany. It’s a 2:00 PM ET tip-off for those of us stateside, which basically means if you didn't have the TV on during lunch, you might have missed a heavy-hitter matchup between Paolo Banchero and Ja Morant.
But don't worry. The night is just getting started.
Is There an NBA Game Tonight? The Full Thursday Slate
Honestly, the schedule is packed. We have a nine-game marathon that spans from Germany to California. If you're looking for where to park your remote, here is the breakdown of the evening matchups.
The 7:00 PM ET window kicks off with the Phoenix Suns visiting the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. Detroit has been a surprise this year, actually sitting at the top of the Eastern Conference with a 28-10 record. Who would've guessed that three years ago?
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Shortly after, at 7:30 PM ET, we get a double-header of sorts. The Boston Celtics are in Miami to face the Heat at the Kaseya Center. This is a classic "Heat Culture" vs. "Celtics Depth" battle. At the same time, the Oklahoma City Thunder head to Houston to play the Rockets. This is a massive game for the Western Conference standings. OKC is currently the 1-seed (34-7), but Kevin Durant and the Rockets are trying to claw back into the top tier after a shaky start to 2026.
The Battle of the Titans in Texas
The game most people have circled on their calendar starts at 8:00 PM ET. The Milwaukee Bucks face the San Antonio Spurs.
This is Victor Wembanyama vs. Giannis Antetokounmpo. Or at least, we hope so. Giannis has been dealing with some left ankle soreness following a brutal loss to Minnesota. He’s officially "probable," and let’s be real, Giannis rarely sits out these marquee matchups against the league's newest stars. On the other side, the Spurs are rolling. They are 27-13 and sitting comfortably in the 3rd spot in the West.
Night Owl Matchups and West Coast Action
If you're a fan of late-night hoops, the schedule doesn't let up. At 8:30 PM ET, the Utah Jazz visit the Dallas Mavericks. Dallas has been struggling lately, sitting at 12th in the West, so they desperately need a win against a Jazz team that’s also fighting to stay relevant.
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Then we hit the 10:00 PM ET window:
- Atlanta Hawks at Portland Trail Blazers: A battle of the mid-tier teams trying to secure a Play-In spot.
- New York Knicks at Golden State Warriors: Jalen Brunson vs. Steph Curry. Two of the best scorers in the league at the Chase Center. The Knicks are currently 2nd in the East, while the Warriors are hovering at the 8th spot in the West.
Finally, the night caps off at 10:30 PM ET with the Charlotte Hornets visiting the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena. Keep an eye on LaMelo Ball here—he’s been healthy and putting up solid numbers (20.1 PPG), but he’s facing a Lakers squad led by LeBron James and Luka Dončić that has won 7 of its last 10.
Injury Reports: Who is Actually Playing?
You can't talk about is there an nba game tonight without looking at the injury report. It changes everything.
In the Bucks-Spurs game, Milwaukee is thin. Beyond the Giannis "probable" tag, they are definitely without Taurean Prince (neck surgery) and Alex Antetokounmpo. Kyle Kuzma is also a game-time decision with an illness. San Antonio is mostly healthy, though they are still missing Devin Vassell.
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For the Knicks-Warriors game, the news is a bit grimmer for New York fans. Jalen Brunson is listed as OUT with an ankle injury. That puts a huge burden on Miles McBride and Josh Hart to handle the scoring load against a Golden State team that is notoriously tough at home.
How to Watch the Games
The NBA's broadcasting landscape is a bit of a maze in 2026. Here’s the quick guide:
- National/Streaming: Many of tonight’s games, including the Berlin matchup, are available on Amazon Prime Video and Fubo.
- Local Networks: If you're in Wisconsin, look for the Bucks on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin. New Yorkers can find the Knicks on MSG.
- NBC/Peacock: Keep an eye out for "Coast 2 Coast Tuesday" next week, but for tonight, it's mostly regional sports networks and Prime.
The league is leaning hard into streaming this season, so if you're still relying on basic cable, you might find yourself locked out of some of the better out-of-market games unless you have League Pass.
Why Tonight Matters for the Standings
We are roughly halfway through the 82-game marathon. The "dog days" of January are when teams either find their identity or fall apart.
Look at the Detroit Pistons. They are 28-10. They are leading the Eastern Conference. If they beat the Suns tonight, they solidify their status as a legitimate title contender, not just a hot-start fluke. Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks are sitting at 17-23. That is 11th in the East. For a team with Giannis and Myles Turner, that’s borderline catastrophic. A loss tonight to Wembanyama and the Spurs would put them even further behind the Chicago Bulls for that final Play-In spot.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Check the Lineups Early: With Giannis and LaMelo Ball both having "probable" or "questionable" tags earlier this week, always check the official NBA injury report 30 minutes before tip-off.
- Watch the Berlin Highlights: Since the Magic-Grizzlies game started early, the full highlights should be available on the NBA App by the time the 7:00 PM games start.
- Monitor the Trade Market: We are less than a month away from the February 5 trade deadline. Pay attention to which players are getting "DNP - Coach's Decision" tonight. It’s often a sign that a trade is brewing.
If you’re planning your night around the couch and some wings, aim for the 8:00 PM ET window. The Bucks and Spurs matchup is the highest-level basketball you're likely to see tonight, provided the stars actually suit up. If not, the Knicks and Warriors at 10:00 PM is your best bet for high-scoring drama.