The Boston Celtics are down in Atlanta tonight, January 17, 2026, taking on the Hawks at State Farm Arena. If you've been trying to keep track of the TV schedule this season, you know it's a bit of a moving target. Between the new broadcast rights deals and the local regional shifts, finding the right dial (or app) can feel like a full-time job.
Tonight's game tips off at 7:30 p.m. ET.
If you're in the New England area, the game is airing on NBC Sports Boston. For the folks down in Georgia or the Southeast region, it's on FanDuel Sports Network Southeast (FDSSE). Honestly, the "what channel is Celtics game on tonight" question usually depends entirely on where your couch is located, but because this isn't a TNT or ESPN exclusive, the local networks are your primary path.
Where to Find the Celtics vs. Hawks Game Tonight
For most of the "Celtics Nation" living in Massachusetts, Maine, or Rhode Island, NBC Sports Boston remains the home base. They’ve got the usual crew for the pre-game show starting at 7:00 p.m., so you can catch the breakdown of how the team is handling the road trip.
If you are out-of-market—meaning you live anywhere that isn't New England or Atlanta's home territory—your go-to is NBA League Pass.
💡 You might also like: What Channel is Champions League on: Where to Watch Every Game in 2026
TV and Streaming Options for January 17
- Local (Boston): NBC Sports Boston
- Local (Atlanta): FanDuel Sports Network Southeast
- Streaming (In-Market): Peacock (with the NBC Sports Boston add-on) or the NBC Sports app.
- Streaming (Out-of-Market): NBA League Pass
- National TV: None (This is not a national exclusive tonight).
Basically, if you’re looking for the game on TNT or ESPN, you’re out of luck. Those networks aren't carrying this one. It's a "regional" night, which is actually great for local fans because you get the home-team commentary instead of the national broadcast vibe.
Dealing with the Blackout Blues
We’ve all been there. You pay for a big streaming service, you sit down with your wings, and you see that "This content is not available in your area" message. It’s the worst.
If you’re trying to figure out what channel is Celtics game on tonight while using a service like YouTube TV or Fubo, make sure you have your local channels enabled. NBC Sports Boston is carried by most major "cable replacement" streamers like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Fubo. However, if you're traveling, you might find yourself blacked out unless you’re using NBA League Pass.
Interestingly, 2026 has seen a huge push for Peacock as a primary destination for Celtics fans. You can now add NBC Sports Boston directly to a Peacock subscription. It’s about $15 a month on top of the base fee, but for cord-cutters who don't want a $80/month YouTube TV bill, it’s a lifesaver.
📖 Related: Eastern Conference Finals 2024: What Most People Get Wrong
The Matchup: Celtics at Hawks
The Celtics are coming into this one with a 25-15 record. They’ve been solid, though the absence of Jayson Tatum (who has been sidelined with that Achilles issue) has definitely shifted the burden onto Jaylen Brown. Brown has been absolutely on fire lately, averaging nearly 30 points a game.
Atlanta is hovering around .20-23. They’re a weird team this year. One night Trae Young looks like an MVP candidate, and the next, they can't seem to stop a high school team in transition. Jalen Johnson has really stepped up for them, though, emerging as a double-double machine.
Keep an eye on the injury report. Payton Pritchard is listed as doubtful with an ankle tweak, which means Derrick White is going to have to log heavy minutes at the point. White has been the unsung hero of this season, especially on the defensive end.
How to Watch Without Cable
If you ditched the cable box years ago, you have a few specific routes for tonight's game:
👉 See also: Texas vs Oklahoma Football Game: Why the Red River Rivalry is Getting Even Weirder
- Peacock: If you’re in New England, this is the cheapest "legal" way to get the local NBC Sports feed.
- YouTube TV / Hulu + Live TV: These carry NBC Sports Boston as part of their standard "Live TV" tiers.
- Fubo: Great for sports fans, and they currently have the rights to the FanDuel Sports networks if you happen to be a Celtics fan living in Atlanta.
- NBA League Pass: The "gold standard" for fans living outside of the local TV markets.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Schedule
People often assume that because the Celtics are a "big market" team, they’re always on national TV. That’s just not true. While they have about 29 national games this season, a huge chunk of the schedule still lives on regional sports networks.
If you search for the game on your guide and don't see it on the "big" channels, check the 600s or 700s (on traditional cable) or your local sports tab on streaming. Tonight is one of those nights where you need the local access.
Quick Stats for Tonight’s Game
- Point Spread: Celtics -3.5
- Over/Under: 229.5
- Celtics Record: 25-15 (1st in Atlantic)
- Hawks Record: 20-23 (3rd in Southeast)
The Celtics are moderate favorites despite being on the road. Without Tatum, the spread is tighter than it usually would be, but the "Derrick White and Jaylen Brown" combo has proven reliable enough to keep them winning.
Final Viewing Tips
Check your internet connection early. Nothing ruins a game like a 480p stream during a fourth-quarter comeback. If you're using the NBC Sports app, make sure you’ve re-authenticated with your provider login before tip-off.
If you're planning to watch at a sports bar, call ahead. Since the game is on a regional network (NBC Sports Boston), bars outside of New England might not have it unless they subscribe to the commercial version of NBA League Pass.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Verify your location: If you're in New England, tune to NBC Sports Boston.
- Check your subscription: Ensure your Peacock or YouTube TV account is active and has the local sports add-on if required.
- Monitor the Injury Report: Check social media 30 minutes before tip-off (7:00 p.m. ET) to see if Payton Pritchard or any other "Questionable" players are cleared to play.
- Sync your apps: If you're out-of-market, open NBA League Pass and ensure your "Home Team" or "Away Team" broadcast preference is set to the Celtics feed to hear the Boston announcers.