Honestly, trying to figure out the nba basketball channel tonight has become a bit of a puzzle. Remember when you just turned on TNT on a Thursday or ESPN on a Wednesday and called it a day? Those days are mostly gone. The 2025-26 season has completely rewired how we watch hoops. Between the new NBC/Peacock deal and Amazon Prime Video moving into the neighborhood, checking the TV guide feels like doing homework.
Tonight is Wednesday, January 14, 2026. If you're looking for the national spotlight, the "Worldwide Leader" still has its grip on the mid-week slot.
The National TV Doubleheader
ESPN is the primary nba basketball channel tonight for the big national games. They’ve got a doubleheader that actually looks pretty decent on paper, provided the injury report doesn’t ruin everything before tip-off.
- Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Philadelphia 76ers (7:00 PM ET): This one is on ESPN. It’s also being simulcast on ESPN Deportes if you prefer the Spanish broadcast.
- Denver Nuggets vs. Dallas Mavericks (9:30 PM ET): This is the late-night anchor on ESPN.
You've gotta keep an eye on the rosters, though. Word is Nikola Jokic might be out with a knee issue, and Dallas is missing Anthony Davis (who’s a Maverick now, if you haven't been keeping up). Without the big names, these games can get a little "scrappy," which is code for "lots of bench players taking 20 shots."
What about NBA TV and League Pass?
If you aren't feeling the ESPN matchups, the nba basketball channel tonight for the rest of the league is basically a mix of NBA League Pass and local Regional Sports Networks (RSNs).
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There is one "bonus" national-ish game. The New York Knicks vs. Sacramento Kings game at 10:00 PM ET is being carried on NBA TV.
Now, here is where it gets annoying. If you live in New York or Sacramento, NBA TV will be blacked out for you. You'll have to find it on MSG or NBC Sports California. It’s the same old story: local rights always win. If you're out-of-market, NBA TV is your best friend.
Full Schedule for Wednesday, Jan 14
| Matchup | Time (ET) | Primary Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Raptors @ Pacers | 7:00 PM | NBA League Pass / FDSN Indiana |
| Cavaliers @ 76ers | 7:00 PM | ESPN |
| Nets @ Pelicans | 8:00 PM | NBA League Pass / YES Network |
| Jazz @ Bulls | 8:00 PM | NBA League Pass / Chicago Sports Network |
| Nuggets @ Mavericks | 9:30 PM | ESPN |
| Knicks @ Kings | 10:00 PM | NBA TV / MSG / NBCS California |
| Wizards @ Clippers | 10:30 PM | NBA League Pass / MNMT |
The Streaming Maze: Peacock and Prime
Wait, what happened to TNT?
The NBA's long-term relationship with TNT officially ended. It's weird, I know. No more Inside the NBA as we knew it. This year, NBC and Peacock have taken over a huge chunk of the schedule. However, their primary nights are Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays.
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Since it's Wednesday, you don't need to worry about Peacock or Amazon Prime Video for the live games tonight. Prime Video usually owns Thursday nights now (replacing the old TNT slot). If you're looking for the nba basketball channel tonight, stick to ESPN or your local FanDuel Sports Network (the artist formerly known as Bally Sports).
Dealing With Blackouts
Blackouts remain the absolute bane of an NBA fan's existence.
If you bought NBA League Pass thinking you'd see every game, you probably already realized that isn't true. If the game is on ESPN (like the Cavs-Sixers or Nuggets-Mavs tonight), it is blacked out on League Pass.
Basically, League Pass is for the "other" games. If you want to watch the Jazz vs. Bulls tonight and you live in Salt Lake or Chicago, you are out of luck on the app. You need the local cable feed or a specialized local streamer like the new Chicago Sports Network plus app.
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Why the channels keep changing
The league is chasing the money. They signed a massive $76 billion deal that spread the games across ESPN/ABC, NBC/Peacock, and Amazon.
It's great for the league's bank account, but it's a headache for us. You basically need a spreadsheet to keep track.
- Mondays: Peacock exclusives.
- Tuesdays: NBC / Peacock.
- Wednesdays: ESPN (Like tonight!).
- Thursdays/Fridays: Amazon Prime.
Actionable Steps for Tonight
Don't wait until tip-off to realize your login doesn't work.
- Check your local RSN: If you're a fan of a local team (like the Pacers or Pelicans playing tonight), check if your provider carries FanDuel Sports Network or the specific team's new app (like Pelicans+).
- Update the ESPN App: Since the main games are on ESPN, make sure your cable or YouTube TV credentials are authenticated in the app if you're watching on the go.
- Sync League Pass to Prime: If you have League Pass, did you know you can link it to your Amazon Prime account? It makes the interface way smoother than the clunky NBA app.
- Verify the Time Zone: These times are all Eastern. If you're in Dallas waiting for the 9:30 PM start, remember that's actually 8:30 PM your time. Don't miss the first quarter.
The landscape is messy, but the basketball is still elite. Whether you're watching the Cavs try to maintain their East dominance or seeing if the Nuggets can survive without the Joker, you've got plenty of options. Just make sure you're on the right nba basketball channel tonight before the ball goes up.
To get the most out of tonight's slate, verify your regional sports network's availability on your streaming service, as many providers like Hulu have dropped certain local channels in early 2026. If you're blacked out, your best bet is to use the specific team's standalone subscription service, such as MavsTV or Pelicans+, which allow local fans to bypass traditional cable requirements.