If you’re scrambling to figure out what channel are the rockets on tonight, you might be a little ahead of schedule. As of Saturday, January 17, 2026, the Houston Rockets actually have the night off. They just finished a grueling battle against the Minnesota Timberwolves last night at the Toyota Center—a game that saw some high-octane action but left fans looking toward the next matchup.
Basically, you won't find a live Rockets game on your TV guide this evening. But don't put the remote down just yet. Their next big game is right around the corner, and the broadcast landscape for NBA games in 2026 has become a bit of a maze. If you want to see the Rockets take on the New Orleans Pelicans tomorrow, Sunday, January 18, you'll need to know exactly where to tune in so you don't miss tip-off.
Watching the Rockets Tomorrow Night
The Rockets return to the floor Sunday to host the Pelicans. Since it isn't a national TV exclusive like a TNT or ABC game, the broadcast relies heavily on regional networks. For those living in the Houston area or the surrounding South Texas region, your primary destination is Space City Home Network (SCHN).
SCHN has become the go-to home for local fans. It’s the successor to the old AT&T SportsNet Southwest, and it carries the vast majority of regular-season games.
💡 You might also like: Juan Carlos Gabriel de Anda: Why the Controversial Sportscaster Still Matters
Broadcast Details for Sunday, Jan 18
- Opponent: New Orleans Pelicans
- Tip-off Time: 7:00 PM ET (6:00 PM local Houston time)
- Local TV: Space City Home Network (SCHN)
- Away Team TV: Gulf Coast Sports / Pelicans+
- Streaming: Fubo, DirecTV Stream, or NBA League Pass (for out-of-market fans)
Honestly, if you're a cord-cutter, things are a bit tricky. SCHN doesn't have its own standalone "plus" app that you can just subscribe to for ten bucks a month yet. You generally need a live TV bundle that carries the channel. Fubo and DirecTV Stream are currently the two most reliable ways to get SCHN without a traditional cable box.
What Channel Are the Rockets on Tonight for National Fans?
Even though the Rockets aren't playing tonight, the 2025-26 season has been a massive shift for NBA broadcasting. We’ve moved into a world where games are split between the "old guard" of ESPN and the "new era" of NBC and Amazon Prime Video.
This season, the Rockets are actually getting a lot of love from national broadcasters—31 games in total. That's a huge jump from a few years ago. If you’re checking back later in the week to see what channel are the rockets on tonight, here is the breakdown of the national rotation:
📖 Related: Ja Morant Height: Why the NBA Star Looks Bigger Than He Actually Is
- NBC and Peacock: They handle the "Sunday Night Basketball" and "Coast-to-Coast Tuesday" games. If the Rockets are playing on a Tuesday, check Peacock first.
- Amazon Prime Video: They’ve taken over the Thursday and Friday night slots.
- ESPN/ABC: Still the kings of the Wednesday night doubleheaders and big weekend afternoon games.
- NBA TV: Usually reserved for the smaller matchups or simulcasts of local broadcasts.
Managing the Blackout Blues
The biggest headache for any Rockets fan is the dreaded blackout. You pay for NBA League Pass thinking you’ll see every game, then boom—you’re blocked because you live in Houston.
If you are "in-market," League Pass will not show you the game live. It only lets you watch the replay a few hours after the final buzzer. To watch the Rockets live in Houston, you must have access to Space City Home Network.
If you're living in, say, Seattle or New York, you're in luck. League Pass will be your best friend, as the Pelicans game on Sunday won't be blacked out for you.
👉 See also: Hulk Hogan Lifting Andre the Giant: What Really Happened at WrestleMania III
The State of the Team in 2026
It’s worth the effort to find the channel because this 2025-26 Rockets squad is actually fun to watch. Ime Udoka has turned this group into a defensive powerhouse. We aren't just talking about "scrappy" play anymore; they are a legitimate threat in the Western Conference.
The addition of Kevin Durant earlier this season (in that blockbuster trade for Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks) has completely changed the gravity of the offense. Alperen Şengün is playing like an All-Star, and with KD on the wing, the spacing is finally there. However, it hasn't been all smooth sailing. The team is currently dealing with a massive blow after Fred VanVleet went down with a torn ACL. That's a lot of leadership to lose.
How to Prepare for the Next Tip-Off
Since there is no game tonight, use the time to make sure your setup is ready for Sunday's 7:00 PM ET start.
- Check your Fubo/DirecTV subscription: Ensure SCHN is in your local channel lineup.
- Update the NBA App: If you're using League Pass out-of-market, ensure you're logged in before the Sunday rush.
- Sync your calendar: The Rockets have a back-to-back coming up later this month, including a national spot on NBC/Peacock against the Spurs on Jan 20.
Watching the Rockets in 2026 requires a bit of a strategy, especially with the games split between SCHN, ESPN, and the new streaming partners. Just remember: if it’s a local night, head to Space City Home Network. If it’s a big national night, check the Prime Video or Peacock apps.
For the game on Sunday, January 18 against the Pelicans, set your DVR for Space City Home Network at 6:00 PM local time. You can also listen to the live radio broadcast on Sports Talk 790 AM if you're stuck in traffic.