Look, keeping up with the NBA schedule is basically a full-time job. Between the Global Games, the streaming rights shifting every other day, and the sheer number of games, it’s easy to miss a tip-off. If you’re asking about nba games tonight what time for Thursday, January 15, 2026, you’ve actually picked one of the weirdest, most packed days of the season.
We have a massive nine-game slate today. It starts way earlier than you’d expect because the league is currently doing its international showcase in Europe. If you're looking for the quick answer, the action starts at 2:00 PM ET and runs all the way until a 10:30 PM ET tip-off in Los Angeles.
The Global Game and Early Birds
The biggest thing to note about today's schedule is the Memphis Grizzlies vs. Orlando Magic matchup. This isn’t a standard afternoon game; it’s being played in Berlin. Because of the time difference, the tip-off is at 2:00 PM ET. Honestly, if you’re working a 9-to-5 on the East Coast, you might want to have a sneaky window open on your browser for this one.
Unfortunately, the star power is a bit dimmed for the Berlin crowd. Ja Morant is officially out with that nagging right calf contusion. It’s his sixth straight missed game. Jaren Jackson Jr. is going to have to do the heavy lifting against Paolo Banchero.
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The Prime Time Heavy Hitters
Once we get past the afternoon appetizer, things settle into a more traditional rhythm, but the matchups are surprisingly high-stakes for January.
- Phoenix Suns at Detroit Pistons (7:00 PM ET): This one is fascinating because Detroit is actually sitting at the top of the East right now with a 28-10 record. Who saw that coming? Kevin Durant and the Suns are trying to climb out of the middle of the pack in the West.
- Oklahoma City Thunder at Houston Rockets (7:30 PM ET): This is a Prime Video game. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has the Thunder looking like a juggernaut at 34-7.
- Boston Celtics at Miami Heat (7:30 PM ET): A classic rivalry, but the Celtics are still without Jayson Tatum. He’s been out all season rehabbing that Achilles surgery from the 2025 playoffs. Jaylen Brown has been playing out of his mind to keep them in third place.
- Milwaukee Bucks at San Antonio Spurs (8:00 PM ET): This is the game of the night. It’s Victor Wembanyama vs. Giannis Antetokounmpo. Wemby is averaging nearly 3 blocks a game, and watching him try to wall off Giannis in the paint is basically peak basketball.
Late Night West Coast Action
If you’re a night owl, the back half of the slate has some serious drama. The New York Knicks are visiting the Golden State Warriors at 10:00 PM ET. This is also on Prime Video. Steph Curry is fully healthy and unlisted on the injury report, which is always good news for the league.
There is also a 10:00 PM ET game between the Atlanta Hawks and Portland Trail Blazers, followed by the nightcap: Charlotte Hornets vs. Los Angeles Lakers at 10:30 PM ET. The Lakers are 24-14 and finally looking like they have some chemistry, while Charlotte is struggling near the bottom of the East.
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Where to Watch (The 2026 Streaming Reality)
The broadcast map is a bit of a mess these days. Since it's Thursday, Prime Video owns the national spotlight.
- Prime Video: Thunder vs. Rockets (7:30 PM) and Knicks vs. Warriors (10:00 PM).
- NBA League Pass: Most of the other games like Jazz vs. Mavs or Hawks vs. Blazers if you’re out-of-market.
- Local Networks: FanDuel Sports Network (formerly Bally) and NBC Sports RSNs are still handling the bulk of the regional broadcasts for teams like the Heat and Celtics.
What to Watch For Tonight
Beyond the nba games tonight what time question, keep an eye on the injury reports as we get closer to the 7:00 PM window. Dallas is currently dealing with a nightmare; Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, and Dereck Lively II are all listed as out for their game against Utah. If you were planning on betting the Mavs, you might want to rethink that or at least check the final active roster.
Also, the All-Star starters for the 2026 game in Inglewood are being revealed today on NBA Showtime. Expect plenty of debate around whether Wembanyama or Shai gets more votes.
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Final Rundown of Tip-Off Times (All ET)
- 2:00 PM: Memphis vs. Orlando (Berlin Game)
- 7:00 PM: Phoenix vs. Detroit
- 7:30 PM: Oklahoma City vs. Houston
- 7:30 PM: Boston vs. Miami
- 8:00 PM: Milwaukee vs. San Antonio
- 8:30 PM: Utah vs. Dallas
- 10:00 PM: New York vs. Golden State
- 10:00 PM: Atlanta vs. Portland
- 10:30 PM: Charlotte vs. LA Lakers
To get the most out of tonight, make sure your Prime Video app is updated and check the late-afternoon injury reports around 5:30 PM ET when the "questionable" tags usually turn into "active" or "out." If you're tracking the Memphis game, remember that because it’s in Germany, the post-game stats will be live while most Americans are still finishing lunch.
Plan your evening around the 8:00 PM Spurs game if you want to see the best individual matchup, but keep the Lakers game on the secondary screen to see if LeBron and AD (if he makes a surprise return) can hold off a desperate Hornets squad.