If you woke up today, January 15, 2026, and tried to find the NBA games today what channel guide on your old cable box, you probably felt a little lost. Remember the TNT Thursday nights we all grew up with? Ernie, Shaq, Kenny, and Chuck? Yeah, those are gone. Well, the guys are still around—thanks to a weird licensing deal where Inside the NBA now airs on ESPN—but the actual games have shifted under our feet.
The league basically blew up the map this season. We are officially in the first year of the massive 11-year media rights deal, and if you don't have a login for half a dozen different apps, you're going to see a lot of "Game Not Available" screens. Honestly, it's a bit of a mess for the casual fan, but if you know where to look, today actually has some of the best matchups of the month.
The Big National Games Today: Who is Playing and Where?
Today is Thursday. In the "old world," that meant TNT. In 2026? Thursday night belongs to Amazon Prime Video. Ever since the NFL's Thursday Night Football wrapped up its regular season, Amazon has pivoted its massive production machine over to the hardwood. Tonight, we’ve got a massive Western Conference showdown that’s basically a requirement for anyone following the standings.
- The Headliner: Utah Jazz at Dallas Mavericks
- Time: 8:30 PM ET / 5:30 PM PT
- Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video
This is the big one. You've got the Mavericks, who are trying to cement their spot at the top of the West, taking on a Jazz team that’s been surprisingly scrappy this year. If you’re a Mavs fan living in Dallas, you might also find this on KFAA or WFAA, but for everyone else in the country, you need that Prime subscription.
Wait, there's more. Earlier in the day, we actually had a global showcase. The Memphis Grizzlies took on the Orlando Magic in the NBA Berlin Game. Because of the time difference, that aired at 2:00 PM ET, also on Prime Video. If you missed it live, you can catch the full replay on the app right now.
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What Happened to TNT and Where is Everyone Else?
It’s still weird to say, but TNT is out of the live game business for now. The NBA’s new "Big Three" are Disney (ESPN/ABC), NBCUniversal (NBC/Peacock), and Amazon.
Because it's a Thursday, ESPN isn't the primary home today—they usually take Wednesdays and Fridays. However, there is a random outlier today. The Cleveland Cavaliers at Philadelphia 76ers is being carried by ESPN and ESPN Unlimited at 7:00 PM ET. This isn't their "normal" night, but the league shifted some schedules to ensure this East powerhouse battle got national eyes.
A Quick Cheat Sheet for the Rest of the Week
If you're trying to plan your life around the NBA games today what channel question, here is the general rhythm of the 2026 season:
- Mondays: Peacock (Exclusive)
- Tuesdays: NBC and Peacock (The new "Doubleheader" night)
- Wednesdays: ESPN
- Thursdays: Prime Video
- Fridays: Prime Video and ESPN
- Saturdays: ABC and Prime Video
- Sundays: NBC/Peacock and ABC
The Local Blackout Nightmare: FanDuel Sports Network and Beyond
Now, if you aren't looking for the big national TV games, things get even stickier. Most games tonight are "local" broadcasts. If you want to watch the Phoenix Suns vs. Detroit Pistons (7:00 PM ET), you aren't finding that on a national channel.
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For the Suns fans, it’s on KTVK or KPHE. For Detroit fans, it’s on FanDuel Sports Network Detroit (the network formerly known as Bally Sports).
Basically, if the game isn't on Prime or ESPN tonight, you have two choices:
- NBA League Pass: This is the Holy Grail, but only if you live outside your team's home market. If you live in Miami and want to watch the Celtics at Heat (7:30 PM ET), League Pass will black you out.
- Regional Sports Networks (RSNs): You’ll need a subscription to whatever RSN owns your local team. Most of these, like FanDuel Sports Network, now offer a direct-to-consumer app so you don't need a $100 cable bill just to watch 82 games.
How to Actually Watch Today Without Losing Your Mind
If you’re sitting on your couch right now wondering how to get these games on your screen, here is the move.
First, check Prime Video. Since it's Thursday, that's where the "Game of the Night" lives. If you have an Amazon account, you're halfway there. Second, if you’re looking for that Philly/Cleveland game, you need the ESPN app or a cable login that includes ESPN.
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For the die-hards who want to see the Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Houston Rockets (7:30 PM ET) or the late-night Charlotte Hornets at Los Angeles Lakers (10:30 PM ET), you’re looking at NBA League Pass.
One cool thing about 2026? Amazon is now the primary distributor for League Pass. You can actually subscribe to League Pass inside the Prime Video app. It keeps everything in one place so you aren't constantly switching inputs or closing apps while your wings get cold.
Actionable Steps for NBA Fans
- Check your zip code: Before buying League Pass, go to the NBA's blackout identifier. Don't waste $17 a month if you're just going to get blocked from your home team.
- Consolidate your apps: If you have Prime, add the League Pass "Channel" to your account. It makes the user interface much faster.
- Watch the "Inside the NBA" crew on ESPN: Even though the games are on different channels, the legendary studio crew still does the big pre-game and post-game shows on ESPN/ABC.
- Set up "Peacock" for the weekend: Since NBC has Sunday Night Basketball now (starting right after the NFL season ends), make sure your Peacock login is active for the upcoming weekend games.
The 2025-26 season has changed the way we consume sports. It's no longer about just "turning on the TV." It's about managing a digital portfolio of subscriptions. Is it annoying? Kinda. But the broadcast quality on Prime and the 4K streams on Peacock are honestly a massive step up from what we had five years ago. Grab your remote, update your apps, and enjoy the games.