If you’ve been flipping through your cable guide or scrolling through your sports apps trying to figure out what nba games are on abc today, I’ve got some news that might be a little annoying. Honestly, it’s basically the same story every year around mid-January, but people still get caught off guard by the scheduling quirks.
Here is the short version: There are absolutely zero NBA games on ABC today, Thursday, January 15, 2026.
I know, it feels like we should be in the thick of the national TV schedule by now. We are technically in "Rivals Week" territory soon, and the Christmas Day tripleheaders feel like they were just yesterday. But ABC operates on a very specific rhythm when it comes to the NBA. They don't just dump games on the air every night of the week like ESPN or TNT does. Instead, they save their "A-list" energy for very specific windows that haven't quite kicked into high gear yet for the 2026 season.
Why There’s Nothing on ABC Right Now
It’s all about the "Saturday Primetime" and "Sunday Showcase" windows. If you look at the official 2025-26 broadcast schedule, ABC really only sticks its neck out for the big holiday events—like that five-game marathon we saw back on Christmas—and then they go into a sort of hibernation for most of January.
They are waiting for the NFL playoffs to clear out.
ABC and its sister network, ESPN, are currently deep in the weeds with football coverage. Because of that, the NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC series doesn't actually premiere until Saturday, January 24, 2026. That’s the big day everyone is circling. On that Saturday, we’re getting a tripleheader that starts with Jalen Brunson and the Knicks taking on Joel Embiid’s 76ers at 3:00 PM ET. Later that night, the Lakers head to Dallas to face Luka Doncic and Cooper Flagg.
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Basically, until we hit that January 24th start date, your Thursday nights are going to be a "No ABC Zone" for hoops.
What You Can Actually Watch Tonight
Just because ABC is dark doesn't mean the league is taking the night off. Far from it. Today, January 15, is actually a pretty wild day for the NBA because of the international schedule.
The Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic played earlier today in Berlin, Germany. That was an 11:00 AM PT / 2:00 PM ET tip-off at the Uber Arena. If you missed it live, you'll probably see the highlights all over social media because the atmosphere in Berlin for these global games is usually electric.
Here is what the rest of the Thursday night slate looks like across other networks:
- Phoenix Suns at Detroit Pistons: 7:00 PM ET (League Pass / Local)
- Oklahoma City Thunder at Houston Rockets: 7:30 PM ET (Amazon Prime Video)
- Boston Celtics at Miami Heat: 7:30 PM ET (NBA TV / Local)
- Milwaukee Bucks at San Antonio Spurs: 8:00 PM ET (League Pass / Local)
- Utah Jazz at Dallas Mavericks: 8:30 PM ET (Local / League Pass)
- New York Knicks at Golden State Warriors: 10:00 PM ET (Amazon Prime Video)
- Charlotte Hornets at Los Angeles Lakers: 10:30 PM ET (League Pass / Local)
The big takeaway here is that Amazon Prime Video has kind of stepped into that "national" role for tonight. If you were looking for a high-production broadcast, the Knicks vs. Warriors game at 10:00 PM ET is your best bet. Watching Steph Curry and Jalen Brunson trade buckets is never a bad way to spend a Thursday night, even if it's not on "Big ABC."
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The Logic Behind the ABC Schedule
You might be wondering why a massive network like ABC leaves money on the table by not airing games today. It’s actually pretty logical when you look at the TV ratings data.
ABC focuses on "Event" television. They want the casual fan who doesn't watch a Tuesday night game between the Hornets and Wizards. By branding their games as "Saturday Primetime" or "Sunday Showcase," they create a sense of exclusivity. They also wait for the "Inside the NBA" crew—Ernie, Chuck, Kenny, and Shaq—to be available for their special ABC appearances, which also starts on that January 24th window.
Expert Tip: If you're a cord-cutter, remember that while you can usually get ABC with a cheap over-the-air antenna, you'll need a subscription to Prime Video or NBA League Pass to catch the bulk of the action on Thursdays in 2026.
Looking Ahead to the Next ABC Broadcast
Since you're searching for what nba games are on abc today, you’re clearly looking for that high-definition, over-the-air experience. You’ve only got a little over a week to wait.
The "Saturday Primetime" debut on January 24 is a massive event for the league. They’re calling it "Rivals Week," and the schedule is stacked:
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- 3:00 PM ET: New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers
- 5:30 PM ET: Golden State Warriors vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
- 8:30 PM ET: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks
That Lakers-Mavs game is going to be the one everyone talks about. Seeing LeBron James go up against the rookie phenom Cooper Flagg on a national ABC broadcast is exactly what the league's marketing department dreams about.
If you want to stay updated on the schedule, the best thing you can do right now is sync your calendar with the official NBA app or check the "TV Insider" listings every Monday. The league sometimes flexes games out of these spots if a superstar gets injured, though they try to avoid doing that for ABC games because the promotional lead time is so long.
For now, grab your remote and head over to Amazon Prime or fire up League Pass. ABC will be back in the NBA business before you know it.
To prepare for the upcoming national broadcasts, you should check your local listings for the ABC affiliate in your area to ensure your antenna signal is strong before the January 24th tripleheader. You can also download the ESPN app and log in with your provider credentials, as most ABC games are simulcast there for mobile viewing.