You're sitting there, wings getting cold, staring at a blank TV screen because you thought tip-off was at 7:00 PM. Then you realize the game is actually in London. Or maybe it's a West Coast start and you’ve got two more hours of pre-game hype to endure. Honestly, trying to pin down when is next nba game can feel like a part-time job if you aren't checking the right time zones.
The 2025-26 season is currently in full swing, and today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, has been a absolute whirlwind of international travel and local rivalries. If you missed the early action, you missed a classic in the UK. The Memphis Grizzlies just took down the Orlando Magic at the O2 Arena in London. Ja Morant looked like his old self, dropping 24 points and 13 assists in his big return from a calf injury.
But don't worry. The night is far from over.
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Tonight's Remaining Schedule (January 18)
Right now, as we speak, the league is moving back to North American soil. If you're looking for the very next tip-off, you've still got high-stakes Western Conference action on the board.
- Portland Trail Blazers vs. Sacramento Kings: This one starts at 9:00 PM ET at the Golden 1 Center. Sacramento has been a fortress lately, and Portland is desperate to find some rhythm on this road trip.
- Toronto Raptors vs. Los Angeles Lakers: The nightcap. Tip-off is set for 9:30 PM ET at Crypto.com Arena.
The Lakers are interesting right now. They’re favorites in this one, but they are incredibly banged up. Word is Luka Doncic—yeah, he’s a Laker now in this 2026 timeline—is day-to-day with groin soreness. Austin Reaves is out. It’s basically the LeBron and AD show with a rotating cast of G-League call-ups. If you’re a Raptors fan, this is a massive "trap game" opportunity for Scottie Barnes and company to steal a win in Hollywood.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: The Monday Marathon
If you’re reading this late on Sunday night, you’re likely actually looking for the massive MLK Day slate tomorrow, Monday, January 19. This is one of the biggest days on the NBA calendar. The league does this thing where they start games at noon and don't stop until midnight. It’s glorious.
The early window is stacked.
The action starts at 1:00 PM ET with the Milwaukee Bucks visiting the Atlanta Hawks. It’s a bit of a weird one because both teams are hovering around .500 and struggling to stay relevant in a top-heavy Eastern Conference. Shortly after, at 2:30 PM ET, the Cleveland Cavaliers take on the Oklahoma City Thunder. Honestly, that’s probably the game of the day. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander against that Cleveland defense is pure "league pass" material.
MLK Day Schedule Highlights (January 19, 2026)
- Milwaukee Bucks @ Atlanta Hawks – 1:00 PM ET
- OKC Thunder @ Cleveland Cavaliers – 2:30 PM ET
- LA Clippers @ Washington Wizards – 3:00 PM ET
- Dallas Mavericks @ New York Knicks – 5:00 PM ET (Madison Square Garden is going to be electric for this one)
- Utah Jazz @ San Antonio Spurs – 5:00 PM ET
- Indiana Pacers @ Philadelphia 76ers – 7:00 PM ET
- Phoenix Suns @ Brooklyn Nets – 7:30 PM ET
- Boston Celtics @ Detroit Pistons – 8:00 PM ET
- Miami Heat @ Golden State Warriors – 10:00 PM ET
That 10:00 PM game is the perfect way to end the holiday. Steph Curry against Bam Adebayo? Sign me up.
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Why Finding the "Next Game" is Sorta Tricky
The NBA is obsessed with global expansion these days. We just saw the Berlin game on January 15 and the London game today. When teams travel overseas, the schedule for the rest of the league usually gets a bit wonky to accommodate the travel fatigue.
Plus, we’re approaching the trade deadline. The 2026 trade deadline is February 5th. Right now, front offices are making frantic phone calls. You might see a star player suddenly listed as "Out - Personal Reasons" or "DNP - Coach's Decision." Most of the time, that’s code for "we are about to trade this guy to Charlotte for three second-round picks."
Keep an eye on the Denver Nuggets. Nikola Jokic has been out since late December with a knee issue. They’ve been winning without him—Jamal Murray has been playing like an All-Star—but they aren't the same juggernaut. They played the Hornets today at 8:00 PM ET, and while they were heavy favorites, the lack of the big man makes every game a coin flip.
Where to Actually Watch These Games
Gone are the days when you just turned on TNT or ESPN and called it a day. In 2026, the rights are split between a million different apps.
For the Lakers/Raptors game tonight, you’re looking at SportsNet LA or TSN if you're in Canada. Nationally, a lot of these games are popping up on Amazon Prime Video and Peacock now. It’s annoying. You've basically got to have five subscriptions just to see a layup. If you have NBA League Pass, just remember the local blackout rules still apply, which remains the single most frustrating thing about being a basketball fan.
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Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you want to make sure you never miss a tip-off again, don't just Google it five minutes before. The data is often laggy.
- Sync your calendar: Go to the official NBA app and use the "Sync to Calendar" feature. It automatically adjusts for your local time zone. No more doing "East Coast math" in your head.
- Check the Injury Report: Hit up the "NBA Official" Twitter (or X) account or the league's transaction log about 90 minutes before a game. If the star player is sitting, the "next game" might not be worth your time anyway.
- Set Alerts for MLK Day: Since tomorrow’s games start so early (1:00 PM ET), set an alarm now. It’s easy to forget that basketball starts at lunch on Mondays.
The regular season ends on April 12, 2026. We are in the "dog days" of January where the real contenders start to separate themselves from the pretenders. Grab your remote, check your streaming logins, and settle in.