Honestly, the NBA's mid-January grind is usually where teams start to sleepwalk, but tonight is different. We have a massive seven-game slate for Tuesday, January 13, 2026, and the matchups are actually spicy. If you’re wondering what nba basketball games are on today, you’re looking at a night dominated by Western Conference power struggles and some serious injury-report drama that's going to shift the betting lines.
The headliner is undoubtedly the San Antonio Spurs heading into Oklahoma City. We’re watching the two most unique young forces in the league—Victor Wembanyama and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander—go head-to-head. But there's a catch. OKC is coming in as a heavy favorite at home, where they’ve been nearly invincible this season with a 19-2 record at the Paycom Center. Meanwhile, the Spurs are trying to prove they aren’t just a one-man show, even though Wembanyama is basically doing everything from rim protection to bringing the ball up the court.
The Full NBA Schedule for Tuesday, January 13, 2026
If you're planning your night around the couch, here is the roadmap. National TV is giving us a heavy dose of the Western Conference tonight, which makes sense given how tight the standings are.
- Phoenix Suns at Miami Heat: 7:30 PM ET (Kaseya Center). This is a classic "clash of styles" game. Miami's grit vs. Phoenix's pure firepower.
- San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder: 8:00 PM ET (Paycom Center). The game of the night. It’s on NBC/Peacock, so you don't even need League Pass for this one.
- Denver Nuggets at New Orleans Pelicans: 8:00 PM ET (Smoothie King Center). Denver is dealing with a mountain of injuries, including Nikola Jokic being ruled out with a knee bruise.
- Chicago Bulls at Houston Rockets: 8:00 PM ET (Toyota Center). Houston is a massive 12.5-point favorite here. Chicago's backcourt is decimated.
- Minnesota Timberwolves at Milwaukee Bucks: 8:00 PM ET (Fiserv Forum). No Anthony Edwards tonight (foot rehab), which sucks for the neutral fan but gives Giannis a much easier path.
- Atlanta Hawks at Los Angeles Lakers: 10:30 PM ET (Crypto.com Arena). The Lakers are actually home underdogs (+3.5) against a surging Hawks team.
- Portland Trail Blazers at Golden State Warriors: 11:00 PM ET (Chase Center). The nightcap. Portland is missing Deni Avdija, which takes a lot of the air out of their upset potential.
Why the Thunder-Spurs Game is the One to Watch
When you look at nba basketball games are on today, you have to prioritize the Spurs vs. Thunder. It’s not just about the win-loss column. It’s the individual battle. SGA is currently leading the MVP odds, averaging a casual 31.9 points. On the other side, Wemby is putting up 24.3 points and 3.1 blocks a night.
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The Spurs have actually had OKC's number lately, going 3-0 against them so far this year. That sounds crazy given the Thunder’s 33-7 record, but San Antonio’s length bothers them. However, the Spurs are missing Devin Vassell tonight. That means the offense is going to be "Wemby or bust." If the Thunder can swarm him and force the Spurs' role players to beat them, it could be a long night for San Antonio.
Also, keep an eye on the Thunder’s frontcourt. They’re missing Isaiah Hartenstein (calf injury). Without their primary bruiser, Wembanyama might have a field day in the paint if OKC doesn't double-team him the moment he touches the hardwood.
The Nuggets' Injury Crisis in New Orleans
If you were hoping to see a Jokic masterclass, I’ve got bad news. The Joker is OUT with a left knee bone bruise. Denver is basically a walking infirmary right now. Along with Jokic, they’re missing Christian Braun, Cameron Johnson, and Jonas Valanciunas.
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New Orleans isn't exactly healthy either—no Herb Jones or Jose Alvarado—but they have Zion Williamson. Zion vs. Aaron Gordon is going to be a physical car crash of a matchup. For New Orleans, this is a "must-win" to keep their slim play-in hopes alive, as they currently sit at a dismal 9-32.
Betting Trends and What the Sharps are Thinking
The Lakers are an interesting case tonight. They’re 23-14, which looks great on paper, but some analysts are calling them "frauds." Why? Because they actually have a negative net rating. They’ve been winning close games they probably should have lost.
Atlanta comes into Los Angeles on a three-game winning streak and they are actually the betting favorites (-3.5). Jalen Johnson has blossomed into a legitimate star for the Hawks, putting up 23.7 points and over 10 rebounds. If LeBron and AD can’t slow down the Hawks' transition game, the "Laker faithful" might be heading for the exits early.
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Impactful Injuries for January 13
- Anthony Edwards (MIN): Out. Huge blow for the Wolves. Expect Julius Randle to take about 30 shots tonight.
- Coby White (CHI): Out. The Bulls are already missing Josh Giddey, so their offense is likely going to look stagnant against a disciplined Rockets defense.
- Norman Powell (MIA): Questionable. He’s been Miami’s leading scorer this year at 23.8 PPG. If he’s out, the Heat might struggle to keep up with Kevin Durant and the Suns.
How to Watch the Action
If you want to catch these nba basketball games are on today, your best bet is a mix of national TV and streaming.
- National TV: Spurs at Thunder is the big one on NBC/Peacock at 8:00 PM ET.
- Regional Networks: Lakers fans can find their game on SportsNet LA, while the Hawks broadcast is on FDSSE.
- Streaming: NBA League Pass is the go-to for everything else. If you're in the New Orleans market, Pelicans+ is your only legal way to avoid the blackouts.
Actionable Strategy for Tonight
If you're looking to actually get something out of tonight's slate—whether it's for fantasy or just bragging rights—focus on the "usage monsters."
With Anthony Edwards out for Minnesota, Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo are going to see a massive uptick in shots. In the Bulls-Rockets game, look at Amen Thompson for Houston. He’s 6’7” and going up against a very small Chicago backcourt. He should be able to bully his way to the rim all night.
For the late game, don't be surprised if the Hawks cover the spread. The Lakers have been playing a lot of high-stress minutes lately, and Atlanta’s pace might just exhaust them. Keep an eye on the injury reports about 30 minutes before tip-off, especially for Norman Powell in Miami, as that will completely change the vibe of the Suns-Heat game.
Check your local listings for any last-minute time shifts, but generally, the 8:00 PM ET window is where the chaos is happening. Make sure your Peacock subscription is active if you want to see Wemby try to ruin the Thunder's perfect home record.