You just want to watch the game. It should be easy, right? But between the new 2025-26 media rights deals and the explosion of streaming-exclusive windows, finding nba today what channel feels more like solving a logic puzzle than relaxing on a Sunday.
Honestly, the "traditional" way of watching basketball is basically dead. We’re in the first year of a massive shift where TNT is out, NBC is back (with that iconic John Tesh theme music, thank goodness), and Amazon Prime Video is now a major player. If you're looking for the schedule for Sunday, January 18, 2026, you’ve got games happening everywhere from London to Los Angeles.
The Big Matchups for Sunday, January 18
Today is actually a fascinating slate because of the "NBA London Game." If you’re a fan of the Orlando Magic or the Memphis Grizzlies, you had to be awake early. That one tipped off at 12:00 PM ET from The O2 Arena. It didn't air on cable. It was strictly an Amazon Prime Video exclusive.
🔗 Read more: New York Yankees News Rumors: Why Cashman is Playing a Dangerous Game This Winter
If you missed the London morning tip, the rest of the day is scattered across regional networks and League Pass.
Sunday Evening Schedule and Channels
- Brooklyn Nets vs. Chicago Bulls (7:00 PM ET): This one is on YES Network for the Brooklyn crowd and CHSN for folks in Chicago.
- Houston Rockets vs. New Orleans Pelicans (7:00 PM ET): Catch this on SCHN or Gulf Coast Sports.
- Charlotte Hornets vs. Denver Nuggets (8:00 PM ET): Tune into ALT or FDSSE.
- Sacramento Kings vs. Portland Trail Blazers (9:00 PM ET): Airing on NBCS-CA and KUNP.
- Toronto Raptors vs. Los Angeles Lakers (9:30 PM ET): A late-night staple on SportsNet LA and TSN.
NBA Today What Channel: The New National TV Reality
The biggest confusion for most fans this season is the disappearance of TNT. For decades, Tuesday and Thursday nights belonged to Ernie, Shaq, Kenny, and Chuck. Now? It’s a whole different ballgame.
The league signed an 11-year deal that redistributed everything. If you're searching for nba today what channel on a Sunday, you’re usually looking at a mix of ABC, ESPN, and NBC/Peacock. Because the NFL regular season is wrapping up, NBC has started leaning harder into their "Sunday Night Basketball" window.
Where to Find Your Team
- The Prime Video Factor: Amazon isn't just a "sometimes" broadcaster anymore. They have 66 regular-season games this year. If it’s a Thursday or Friday night, there is a very high chance the game you want is only on Prime.
- The Peacock Exclusives: NBC Universal didn't just buy the rights for the "Big NBC" channel. They are stashing roughly 50 games behind the Peacock paywall. You won't find these on your local cable box.
- ESPN Unlimited: ESPN launched its direct-to-consumer service recently. While you can still watch on the main ESPN cable channel, "ESPN Unlimited" is where they’ve consolidated the streaming experience for those who cut the cord.
Why Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) Are Still a Mess
Even if you know nba today what channel for national games, your local team might still be stuck in a "blackout" zone. This is the part everyone hates. If you live in Los Angeles and try to watch the Lakers vs. Raptors game on NBA League Pass, you’ll get a black screen. Why? Because SportsNet LA owns those local rights.
The "Bally Sports" era has mostly transitioned into FanDuel Sports Network. If your team—like the Hawks, Heat, or Mavs—used to be on Bally, you’re now looking for the FanDuel Sports app. It’s a bit of a rebrand, but the "in-market" rules haven't changed much. You still have to pay for the specific local provider to see your home team's 82-game grind.
How to Actually Watch Without a Headache
If you're tired of Googling nba today what channel every single night, the most comprehensive setup is basically a three-pronged attack. You need a live TV streamer (like YouTube TV or Fubo) for the ABC/NBC/ESPN games. You need Amazon Prime for the Thursday/Friday exclusive windows. And finally, you need NBA League Pass if you live outside your favorite team's city.
🔗 Read more: Who Won the NFL Games Last Night: Seattle and Denver Secure Chaotic Wins
It’s expensive. No one is arguing otherwise. But it’s the only way to ensure you don’t miss a Victor Wembanyama highlight or a LeBron James milestone because you didn't have the right app downloaded.
Pro-Tip for Sunday Viewing
Check the "NBA App" or the official website about 30 minutes before tip-off. They’ve actually gotten much better at listing the specific "Watch" options based on your current GPS location. It saves you from that annoying moment where you settle into the couch only to find out the game is on a channel you don't own.
Actionable Steps for NBA Fans
- Download the NBA App: Even if you don't buy League Pass, the "Schedule" tab automatically updates with the correct TV listings for your specific zip code.
- Sync Your Prime and League Pass: If you have Amazon Prime, you can now add League Pass as a "Channel." This lets you watch out-of-market games without leaving the Prime Video app.
- Check for NBC Simulcasts: Now that it’s January, NBC is ramping up its coverage. If a game is on "Big NBC," it is almost always simulcast on Peacock.
- Verify Your RSN: If your team changed from Bally to FanDuel Sports Network, make sure your login credentials still work before the game starts.
The 2026 season is a weird transition year. We’re all still getting used to "The Roundball Rock" playing on NBC again, and we’re all still figuring out which night belongs to which streaming service. Just remember that for the big Sunday slates, if it's not on ABC or NBC, it's likely a regional broadcast or an Amazon exclusive like the London game earlier today. Keep your apps updated and your subscriptions sorted, or you'll be stuck watching box scores instead of the actual highlights.