Finding out what channel is OKC Thunder playing on used to be simple back in the day. You’d just flip to the local sports station and there they were. But honestly, with the 2025-26 season in full swing and the league moving toward new streaming deals, it’s become a bit of a maze. If you’re staring at your remote right now wondering why the game isn't where it was last week, you're definitely not alone.
Today is Sunday, January 18, 2026. The Thunder actually just wrapped up a tough battle against the Miami Heat yesterday, January 17. If you missed that one, it was a nail-biter on FanDuel Sports Network Oklahoma. But the real big one is coming up tomorrow for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
The Next Big Game: Where to Watch
The Thunder are heading into a massive matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday, January 19, 2026. This is a marquee game, so you won't just find it in the usual local spots.
- Date: Monday, January 19, 2026
- Time: 2:30 PM ET / 1:30 PM CT
- National Channel: NBC and Peacock
- Local Channel: FanDuel Sports Network Oklahoma (FDSOK)
Since the NBA returned to NBC this season, these afternoon slots have become a staple. If you have a digital antenna or basic cable, you can likely catch it on your local NBC affiliate. If you’ve cut the cord entirely, Peacock is your best friend for this specific game.
Dealing with the "FanDuel Sports Network" Name Change
You probably remember Bally Sports. Well, that’s gone. It basically rebranded to FanDuel Sports Network (FDSN) right before the season started. If you live in Oklahoma, Kansas, or parts of Arkansas, most of the regular-season games—about 67 of them—live here.
I’ve talked to a lot of fans who get frustrated because their specific cable provider dropped the channel. Right now, if you want the local broadcast with Chris Fisher and Michael Cage, you usually need DIRECTV, Cox Communications, or Fubo.
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What Channel is OKC Thunder Playing On for National Games?
This year is different. Because the Thunder are legitimate title contenders—literally defending a championship if you look at the 2025 run—they are all over national TV. We’re talking 34 games across the big networks.
ABC and ESPN still handle a big chunk of the Wednesday and Friday night doubleheaders. For example, the Thunder play the Milwaukee Bucks this coming Wednesday, January 21, at 9:30 PM ET on ESPN.
Then there’s Amazon Prime Video. They picked up a bunch of Thursday night games and the knockout rounds of the NBA Cup. If the schedule says "Prime Video," don't bother looking for a channel number; you’ve got to open the app on your smart TV.
Out-of-Market Fans and League Pass
If you aren't living in the 405 or 918 area codes, things are actually sort of easier. NBA League Pass is the way to go, but there's a catch. Blackouts are still very much a thing. If the game is on NBC, ABC, or ESPN, League Pass won't show it live. You'll have to switch to the national broadcast.
I’ve found that the best "hack" for people who want everything in one place is subscribing to the FanDuel Sports Network add-on through Amazon Prime. It keeps your billing in one spot and the stream quality is usually a bit more stable than the standalone FDSN app, which can be glitchy during high-traffic games.
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Upcoming January 2026 Schedule
Trying to keep track of the rotation? Here is a quick look at the next few games and where they are landing:
Monday, Jan 19 @ Cleveland Cavaliers
Time: 2:30 PM ET
Watch on: NBC, Peacock, FDSOK
Wednesday, Jan 21 @ Milwaukee Bucks
Time: 9:30 PM ET
Watch on: ESPN, FDSOK
Friday, Jan 23 vs. Indiana Pacers
Time: 8:00 PM ET
Watch on: FDSOK, Amazon Prime Video
Sunday, Jan 25 vs. Toronto Raptors
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Watch on: FDSOK, NBA League Pass
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Simple Ways to Stream Without Cable
If you're done with traditional cable companies, you've got three main choices to ensure you never have to ask "what channel is OKC Thunder playing on" again.
- Fubo: This is one of the few "Live TV" streamers that actually carries FanDuel Sports Network Oklahoma. It’s pricey, but it has ESPN, ABC, and NBC too.
- FanDuel Sports Network Plus: You can buy the local games directly for about $19.99 a month. This is great if you only care about the Thunder and don't need 200 other channels.
- YouTube TV: You get the national games (ESPN, ABC, NBC), but you won't get the local FDSOK games. You’d have to pair this with the standalone FanDuel app.
Honestly, the most reliable way to stay updated is to download the Oklahoma City Thunder mobile app. They usually update the "How to Watch" section about two hours before tip-off, and it’s always accurate regarding local blackouts.
If you are planning to watch the MLK Day game against the Cavs tomorrow, make sure your Peacock login is working today. National holiday games on NBC tend to have high viewership, and you don't want to be resetting your password while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is already dropping 10 points in the first quarter.
Check your local listings for NBC or log into Peacock by 1:30 PM CT tomorrow to catch the start of the broadcast.