Checking the clock is basically a reflex for basketball fans around this time of year. You’re trying to figure out if you have enough time to grab takeout or if you need to be glued to the couch immediately. If you are asking what time is the nba game come on tonight, the answer actually depends on whether you caught the early morning London action or if you’re waiting for the primetime slate to tip off.
Today is Sunday, January 18, 2026, and the schedule is a bit of a whirlwind. We started the day with an international flair in the U.K., but the heart of the domestic schedule is still waiting for the sun to go down in the States.
The Full Lineup: What Time is the NBA Game Come on Tonight?
Most of the action kicks off during the standard evening window. If you missed the Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies playing at The O2 Arena in London at noon ET, don't sweat it. There is plenty of basketball left.
Evening Tip-Offs (All Times Eastern):
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- 7:00 PM: Brooklyn Nets at Chicago Bulls (United Center)
- 7:00 PM: New Orleans Pelicans at Houston Rockets (Toyota Center)
- 8:00 PM: Charlotte Hornets at Denver Nuggets (Ball Arena)
- 9:00 PM: Portland Trail Blazers at Sacramento Kings (Golden 1 Center)
- 9:30 PM: Toronto Raptors at Los Angeles Lakers (Crypto.com Arena)
Honestly, the Lakers-Raptors game is the one everyone is eyeing for the late-night slot. It's a 9:30 PM ET start, which means if you're on the East Coast, you're looking at a midnight finish. Typical Sunday night hoops drama.
Why the London Game Changed the Flow
The NBA London Game 2026 really threw a wrench into the usual "nothing happens until 6 PM" Sunday vibe. Having the Magic and Grizzlies play at 12:00 PM ET (which was 5:00 PM in London) gave fans a rare lunchtime treat. If you’re just waking up and seeing scores already posted for those teams, that is why.
Where to Watch the Games
Finding where these games are actually playing can be a headache with the current broadcast landscape. For tonight, a lot of the heavy lifting is being done by NBA League Pass and regional sports networks.
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For the Lakers game, if you're in the LA market, it’s Spectrum SportsNet. Toronto fans are looking at TSN. The Denver-Charlotte matchup is hitting Altitude and FanDuel Sports Network Southeast. If you aren't in those local markets, League Pass is basically your only lifeline tonight since there isn't a massive "Game of the Week" on ABC or TNT for this specific Sunday.
Betting Nuggets and Trends
If you’re looking at the 8:00 PM Nuggets game, keep an eye on Jamal Murray. He’s been on a tear lately, and Denver is sitting as a 2-point favorite at home against the Hornets. The over/under is hovering around 229.5, which feels high, but both teams have been scoring in bunches lately.
Over in LA, the Lakers are slim 1.5-point favorites against the Raptors. Luka Doncic—yeah, still weird seeing him in purple and gold for some—is averaging over 33 points a game. Toronto actually has a better record against the spread on the road than at home this season, so that 9:30 PM tip-off might be closer than people think.
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How to Stay Updated
The schedule can shift. Sometimes a bus is late, or a "load management" decision happens 20 minutes before the buzzer.
- Check the NBA App: It's the most reliable for real-time start times.
- Follow Beat Writers: If a star player is sitting out, Twitter (X) or Threads usually knows before the broadcast does.
- Sync Your Calendar: Most team sites offer a "Sync to Calendar" feature that adjusts for your local time zone automatically.
Actionable Next Steps for Tonight
To make sure you don't miss a single bucket, here is what you should do right now. First, confirm your local time zone against the Eastern Time listings provided above—if you're in PST, that Lakers game starts at 6:30 PM. Second, check your streaming credentials for League Pass or your regional carrier at least fifteen minutes before tip-off to avoid those annoying "password reset" delays during the first quarter. Finally, if you are planning to watch the Nuggets-Hornets game, monitor the injury report for any late-breaking news on Nikola Jokic’s availability, as his status often fluctuates late in the afternoon.