You're looking for the Oklahoma City Thunder game tonight start time ESPN, but there’s a catch. If you refreshed your app today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, hoping to see Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren on the national stage, you might be scratching your head.
The Thunder actually played last night.
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In a high-stakes road game at the Kaseya Center, Oklahoma City fell to the Miami Heat 122–120. It was a heartbreaker. Shai was essentially untouchable, dropping 39 points and going a perfect 13-for-13 from the charity stripe. But a late offensive foul call on SGA and a massive discrepancy in offensive rebounds (Miami had 21 to OKC's 5) ended their five-game winning streak.
When Is the Next Thunder Game on ESPN?
Because the Thunder just wrapped up a physical battle in South Beach, they are off tonight.
The NBA schedule makers didn't give them a back-to-back this time. Instead, the team is traveling to Ohio. Their next appearance is a holiday matinee.
- Next Game: Monday, January 19, 2026 (MLK Day)
- Opponent: Cleveland Cavaliers
- Tip-off Time: 2:30 p.m. EST (1:30 p.m. CST)
- Location: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland
If you were specifically hunting for the thunder game tonight start time espn, it’s worth noting that tonight’s ESPN Sunday night slot is actually occupied by the NFL playoffs and other NBA regional matchups. The Thunder/Cavs game tomorrow is a massive cross-conference test between the West’s top-seeded Thunder (35-8) and a surging Cavs squad.
The Jalen Williams Injury Situation
The biggest story following the Heat game isn't just the loss; it's the health of Jalen "JDub" Williams.
He exited last night's game in the second quarter. Initially, fans feared a hamstring pull, but the team later clarified it as a thigh injury. His status for tomorrow's game in Cleveland is currently "wait and see." Honestly, with the way the Thunder are positioned in the standings, they might play it safe. Mark Daigneault isn't known for rushing guys back in January.
Why Tonight’s NBA Schedule is Sparse
Sundays in mid-January are always a bit weird because of the NFL Divisional Round. Tonight, ESPN and ABC are leaning heavily into football coverage, featuring the Texans-Patriots clash at 3:00 p.m. ET.
NBA fans do have some West Coast action later tonight, but the Thunder are resting.
If you absolutely need a basketball fix tonight, the Lakers are taking on the Raptors at 9:30 p.m. ET on local networks. But for the OKC faithful, tonight is for recovery and watching the film of that Miami rebounding disaster.
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How to Watch the Thunder Moving Forward
When the Thunder do return to national TV, the broadcast landscape has shifted slightly in 2026. While ESPN remains a primary partner, a lot of the mid-week "Rivals Week" action is moving toward streaming hybrids.
- Local Coverage: Bally Sports Oklahoma (or its 2026 successor) still handles the bulk of the 82-game slate.
- National Windows: Look for the January 21st matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks. That one is a "Rivals Week" highlight and will have much higher visibility.
- Radio: If you're driving through the 405, 98.1 FM The Sports Animal is still the gold standard for the call.
The Thunder are currently sitting at the top of the Western Conference for a reason. Their defense is holding opponents to just 43.2% shooting, which is staggering in the modern NBA. Even with the Miami loss, they remain the team to beat.
To stay prepared for the next tip-off, make sure your DVR is set for Monday's early afternoon start. The 2:30 p.m. EST window is easy to miss if you're used to the usual 7:00 or 8:00 p.m. starts.
Check the injury report about 90 minutes before the Cleveland game to see if JDub is active. If he’s out, expect more minutes for Ajay Mitchell, who has been surprisingly efficient lately, shooting over 48% from the field.