Finding out exactly on what channel is the Lakers game today has become a bit of a treasure hunt. Gone are the days when you just flipped to a single local station and called it a night. Now, we’re navigating a maze of regional sports networks, national broadcasts, and a bunch of different streaming apps that seem to change their names every other week.
If you are looking for tonight, Saturday, January 17, 2026, the Lakers are up in the Pacific Northwest taking on the Portland Trail Blazers. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM PT (10:00 PM ET).
Where to Catch the Action Tonight
For the local crowd in Southern California, Las Vegas, or Hawaii, your home base remains Spectrum SportsNet. If you’re outside that bubble, tonight's matchup is also being picked up by NBA TV for a national audience. This is one of those "dual-coverage" nights where both the local crew (shoutout to Bill Macdonald and Stu Lantz) and the national commentators will have the call.
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It’s a bit of a weird time for NBA fans right now. We are currently in the 2025-2026 season, which marks some massive shifts in how games are delivered to your living room. The old "TNT Tuesday" vibes are a memory, and new players like Amazon Prime Video and NBC have officially joined the rotation.
Local vs. National: The Great Blackout Struggle
Basically, if the game is on Spectrum SportsNet and you live in Los Angeles, that is usually your only option. Even if NBA TV is showing the game nationally, they often "black it out" in the local L.A. market to protect Spectrum's exclusive rights. It’s annoying. We all hate it. But that is the business of basketball in 2026.
Here is the quick breakdown for the Portland game:
- Local (SoCal/Vegas/Hawaii): Spectrum SportsNet
- National: NBA TV
- Portland Local: KUNP
- Radio: 710 ESPN LA (English) or Tu Liga 1330 (Spanish)
The 2026 Lakers TV Landscape Explained
Honestly, keeping up with the schedule this year requires a degree in media studies. Because the NBA’s new broadcast rights deal kicked in this season, you can't just rely on your old habits.
NBC and Peacock are now major players. They’ve taken over a lot of the high-profile slots. You'll find Lakers games popping up on NBC on Tuesday nights and some Sundays now that the NFL season is winding down. Amazon Prime Video has also carved out a huge chunk of the schedule, typically handling the Friday night "doubleheaders" and some Saturday afternoon games.
Streaming Options if You Ditched Cable
If you've cut the cord, you aren't totally out of luck, but you have to be strategic. Spectrum SportsNet+ is the standalone streaming service for local fans. It's not cheap, but if you live in the L.A. area and don't want a full cable package, it’s the only legal way to see every local broadcast.
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For those living outside of California, NBA League Pass is still the gold standard. However, there’s a catch this year: you can now subscribe to League Pass directly through Amazon Prime Video, which integrates the games right into your Prime dashboard. It's actually kind of convenient since it keeps everything in one app.
Upcoming Lakers Schedule and Channels
Don't just plan for tonight. The Lakers have a busy stretch coming up as they try to climb the Western Conference standings. After Portland, they head back home and then hit the road again.
- Sunday, Jan 18 vs. Toronto Raptors: This one is a 6:30 PM PT start. It's a local broadcast on Spectrum SportsNet.
- Tuesday, Jan 20 @ Denver Nuggets: Big matchup. You'll find this one on NBC and streaming on Peacock for the national audience, alongside the local Spectrum feed.
- Thursday, Jan 22 @ LA Clippers: The "Hallway Series" at the Intuit Dome. This is an Amazon Prime Video exclusive.
- Saturday, Jan 24 @ Dallas Mavericks: Catch this one on ABC at 5:30 PM PT.
A New Way to Watch: The Vision Pro Factor
If you’re a tech nerd with an Apple Vision Pro, there’s actually something pretty cool happening this season. Spectrum launched "Spectrum Front Row" earlier this month. It’s an immersive experience where you can watch the game as if you’re sitting courtside.
It’s currently limited to certain home games, but it’s a glimpse into where sports broadcasting is headed. For now, most of us will stick to our 65-inch OLEDs or, let's be real, watching the box score on our phones while pretending to pay attention to dinner.
How to Check the Channel Quickly
The easiest way to never miss a tip-off is to use the NBA App. If you favorite the Lakers, the app will display the exact channel—adjusted for your specific location—right at the top of the game preview.
You can also check the official Lakers website, but keep in mind they often list the local time. If you're a fan living in New York or Chicago, always add those three hours to the PT start time so you don't miss the first quarter.
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Actionable Next Steps
To make sure you're ready for the next tip-off, do these three things:
- Check your zip code: Go to the NBA League Pass website and enter your zip code to see if you are in the "Blackout Zone" for the Lakers. This tells you if you need Spectrum or if you can use League Pass.
- Sync your calendar: Download the official Lakers schedule to your phone’s calendar. Most versions will automatically update with the TV provider once it's confirmed.
- Download the "Big Three" apps: Ensure you have Peacock, Amazon Prime Video, and ESPN (or your cable provider's app) logged in and ready to go. There is nothing worse than missing the first five minutes of a game because you’re trying to remember a password.
Knowing on what channel is the lakers game used to be simple, but with a bit of prep, you can stay on top of the 2026 season without missing a single LeBron bucket or Anthony Davis block.