You’ve probably got the routine down by now. It’s Tuesday night, you flip to TNT, and you expect to see Ernie, Chuck, Kenny, and Shaq arguing about who has more rings or which big man is "barbecue chicken" in the post. But if you’re looking for tnt nba games tonight, you might notice things feel a little off compared to the old days.
The league’s broadcast landscape has shifted massively. While TNT has been the "Home of Tuesday Night Basketball" for what feels like forever, the 2025-2026 season brought a bunch of changes to how we actually watch these games. Honestly, it’s kinda confusing if you aren’t checking the schedule every single week.
Today, Tuesday, January 13, 2026, the NBA has a loaded slate, but the "TNT Tuesday" tradition is sharing the spotlight with a new era of streaming and regional rights.
The Matchups: Who is Playing?
There are seven games on the board for this Tuesday. It’s a classic mid-season grind night. Teams are starting to look at the standings and realize the All-Star break isn't that far off. If you're looking for the heavy hitters, they're mostly out West or playing in cross-conference battles that have some sneaky playoff implications.
Here is what the actual board looks like for January 13:
- Phoenix Suns at Miami Heat (7:30 PM ET) – This one is basically a clash of styles. You’ve got the Suns' firepower against the Heat’s "Culture" and grit.
- San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder (8:00 PM ET) – Victor Wembanyama vs. Chet Holmgren. Need I say more? This is the matchup everyone circles on their calendar now.
- Minnesota Timberwolves at Milwaukee Bucks (8:00 PM ET) – A heavyweight fight. Giannis vs. the twin towers of Minnesota. It’s a physical nightmare for the refs to call.
- Denver Nuggets at New Orleans Pelicans (8:00 PM ET) – Jokic doing Jokic things in the Big Easy.
- Chicago Bulls at Houston Rockets (8:00 PM ET) – Two teams fighting to stay in that Play-In conversation.
- Atlanta Hawks at Los Angeles Lakers (10:30 PM ET) – Trae Young under the bright lights of Crypto.com Arena.
- Portland Trail Blazers at Golden State Warriors (11:00 PM ET) – The late-night special for the West Coast fans.
Wait, Where are the TNT NBA Games Tonight?
Here is the kicker. For years, TNT owned Tuesday nights. But in 2026, the league's TV deals mean you'll see a lot of these games on NBC and Peacock or Prime Video instead of the traditional cable route.
For instance, the massive San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder game? That’s actually an NBC/Peacock game tonight. Same goes for the Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Milwaukee Bucks showdown.
TNT’s involvement in the NBA has transitioned. While "Inside the NBA" is still produced by the TNT crew (thank goodness, because sports television would be boring without them), the actual distribution often lands on ESPN/ABC or other platforms due to the latest licensing agreements. If you are specifically hunting for tnt nba games tonight, you have to be careful about the "Tuesday" branding.
Historically, TNT used Tuesdays for their "Players Only" broadcasts or their more experimental doubleheaders. Now, that window has been carved up. To see most of tonight's action, you're looking at NBA League Pass for the out-of-market games like Suns-Heat or Bulls-Rockets, while the national "big" games are leaning into the NBC revival.
Why the Wemby vs. Chet Game is the One to Watch
If you only have time for one game, it’s Spurs-Thunder. Period.
Most people get the rivalry wrong. They think it's just about two tall guys shooting threes. It’s not. It’s about the future of the league. OKC is a legitimate title contender right now, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but the gravity of the Wemby-Chet matchup is what draws the casual eyes.
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The Thunder are currently sitting near the top of the West (around 33-7), while the Spurs are still in that "learning how to win" phase. But every time these two teams meet, the intensity jumps. It feels like a playoff game in January.
The "Inside the NBA" Factor
We have to talk about the studio show. Even when the games aren't physically on the TNT channel, the DNA of that broadcast remains the gold standard.
There was a lot of drama over the last year regarding whether the crew would stay together. Luckily, the deal reached between Warner Bros. Discovery and the NBA ensured that Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O'Neal would keep doing their thing.
They might be appearing on a different "network" footprint via the ESPN partnership, but it’s still the TNT production team behind the scenes. So, if you're looking for that specific brand of comedy and analysis, you're still getting it, even if the logo in the corner of your screen looks a little different this season.
How to Stream the Action Tonight
Since the broadcast rights are a total jigsaw puzzle, here is the simplified way to find the tnt nba games tonight and their counterparts:
- Check the Local Listings First: If you live in Phoenix or Miami, you’re watching on your local regional sports network (like FanDuel Sports Network).
- Peacock/NBC: This is where the "big" national games for Tuesday nights have migrated. If you have a Peacock subscription, you're set for the Spurs/Thunder and Wolves/Bucks.
- NBA League Pass: If a game isn't on NBC or ESPN, and you don't live in that city, this is your only option. It's basically the "catch-all" for every other game on the schedule.
- Max (formerly HBO Max): For games that are officially under the TNT Sports banner, you can stream them live here with the B/R Sports Add-on.
What Most People Get Wrong About Tuesday Night NBA
The biggest misconception is that there is a "default" channel for the NBA. Gone are the days when you could just leave it on Channel 245 and see every important game.
The league has prioritized reach over consistency. They want games on streaming (Prime Video), they want them on broadcast TV (NBC), and they want them on cable (TNT/ESPN). It's great for the league's wallet, but it's a bit of a headache for the fan who just wants to sit down and watch some hoops at 8:00 PM.
Honestly, the best thing you can do is download the NBA app. It syncs with your location and tells you exactly which "button" to press to find the game.
Actionable Insights for Tonight’s Slate
If you’re planning your night around these games, keep these three things in mind:
- Monitor the Injury Report: The Bucks and Timberwolves are both coming off physical stretches. Check if Giannis or Ant-Man are resting before you place any bets or set your fantasy lineup.
- Late Night Value: The Blazers-Warriors game at 11:00 PM ET is often overlooked, but Steph Curry in the Chase Center is always worth the sleep deprivation.
- The Wemby Factor: Don't just watch the highlights. Watch how OKC defends Wembanyama. They usually throw multiple bodies at him, and it’s a masterclass in modern NBA defensive rotations.
The era of tnt nba games tonight being a simple, one-channel affair is over, but the quality of the basketball has never been higher. Grab your remote, keep the schedule handy, and enjoy the chaos of a Tuesday night in the association.
To stay ahead of the curve for the rest of the week, make sure your streaming apps are updated and your subscriptions are active—especially for the upcoming Thursday doubleheaders which still firmly belong to the TNT cable home.