So, it is Friday, January 16, 2026, and if you’re sitting in Atlanta wondering what to flip on the tube, you’ve actually got a decent little slate ahead of you. Friday nights in the A usually mean one of two things: you're fighting traffic on the Connector or you're hunkered down with some Wings 101 watching whatever game is on.
Honestly, the schedule today is a bit of a mixed bag. The Falcons are done for the season—yeah, that 8-9 finish hurts a bit more when you realize they closed on a four-game win streak just to miss out on tiebreakers—and the Hawks don't play until tomorrow. But don't worry. Between the college hoops scene and some heavy-hitting national broadcasts, there's enough to keep your remote busy.
The Big Ticket: National TV and NBA Action
Since the Hawks are off tonight (they host Boston tomorrow at State Farm Arena, by the way), the NBA spotlight shifts to the national stage. If you've got ESPN, you’re looking at a doubleheader that starts in the East and ends way out West.
First up at 7:10 p.m., it’s Cleveland vs. Philadelphia. This is one of those games where if the Sixers' stars are actually healthy and playing, it's high-level basketball. If not? Well, at least the Cavs play a fun brand of ball. After that, stay tuned for Minnesota and Houston at 9:35 p.m. The Rockets have been a sneaky tough out lately, and watching Minnesota’s size deal with Houston’s speed is actually a pretty cool contrast.
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If you’re into the newer leagues, Unrivaled Basketball is holding down the fort on TNT and truTV. They’ve got a doubleheader starting at 7:30 p.m. with the Laces taking on the Phantom, followed by Rose vs. Hive at 8:45 p.m. It’s fast-paced, high-scoring, and honestly, a nice change of pace if you’re burnt out on the standard NBA grind.
College Hoops and Local Ties
While Georgia Tech doesn't suit up today (they just played Clemson earlier this week), the college basketball schedule is absolutely loaded. For the local fans, the Georgia Bulldogs women's gymnastics team is actually the big draw tonight. They’re taking on LSU at 7:00 p.m. on the SEC Network. If you’ve never watched SEC gymnastics, the atmosphere is intense, and the broadcast quality is top-tier.
On the men's side of the hardwood, you've got a lot of options across the cable dial:
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- Baylor at Kansas (8:00 p.m., FOX): This is the game of the night. Phog Allen Fieldhouse is a cathedral of the sport, and Baylor always brings the heat.
- Creighton at Providence (6:30 p.m., FS1): Big East basketball is basically a legal fistfight. It's great.
- Toledo at Kent State (6:30 p.m., CBSSN): Don't sleep on the MAC. These games are usually decided in the final thirty seconds.
- Marquette at DePaul (8:30 p.m., FS1): Another Big East clash for the night owls.
Something a Little Different
If you aren't feeling the roundball, there’s some hockey and even some international flair on the schedule. NHLN is carrying San Jose at Detroit at 7:00 p.m. It’s a classic Original Six venue even if the Sharks are in a bit of a "rebuilding" phase (to put it politely).
Over on GOLF Channel, you can catch the second round of the PGA Sony Open starting at 7:00 p.m. It’s always nice to see the green grass of Hawaii when it’s a bit chilly here in Georgia. Also, for the tennis fans, the finals for the ATP/WTA events in Auckland and Adelaide start rolling around 8:00 p.m. on the Tennis Channel. It's basically a preview for the Australian Open, so if you want to see who’s actually in form, this is where you look.
Making the Most of Sports on TV Today in Atlanta
Look, being a sports fan in Atlanta during the mid-January lull is kinda tough. The Braves are still a couple of months away, and the Falcons are already in "who are we hiring as coach?" mode. But tonight is a solid bridge to a big sports weekend.
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If you're planning your viewing, basically focus on that 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. window. That's when everything kicks off. If you’ve got a multi-screen setup, put the Kansas game on the big screen and keep the gymnastics or the NBA on the iPad.
Your Action Plan for Tonight:
- Check the local listings for any last-minute blackout changes, though since the Hawks are away/off, you should be clear on the national feeds.
- Sync your DVR for that Baylor/Kansas game at 8:00 p.m.; you’ll want to skip the commercials on that one.
- Download the FanDuel Sports Network app if you haven't already. Even though there's no Hawks game today, it's where you'll need to be tomorrow when they host the Celtics at 4:30 p.m.
- Set an alert for the SEC Network at 7:00 p.m. if you want to support the GymDogs.
Grab your remote, find a comfortable spot, and enjoy the games. It might be a quiet Friday for the local pro teams, but there is more than enough high-stakes action to keep the evening interesting.