Honestly, trying to figure out where to watch hoops on a Sunday shouldn’t feel like a part-time job. With the new media rights deals in full swing for 2026, the old "just check TNT or ESPN" strategy is basically dead. If you're asking what channel is the game on tonight basketball fans are likely staring at a mix of local RSNs, major broadcast networks like NBC, and a handful of streaming apps that didn’t even carry games a few years ago.
Tonight, Sunday, January 18, is a perfect example of this fragmented mess. We've got a massive slate across the NBA and college ball, but you’ll need to bounce between Amazon Prime, Peacock, and your local cable affiliates to see it all.
The NBA Sunday Slate: Where to Find Your Team
The league has leaned heavily into "Sunday Night Basketball" on NBC this season, which is a bit of a throwback for those of us who grew up with the iconic John Tesh theme song. But before we get to the primetime stuff, there's a weird early-morning tip-off happening across the pond.
The London Game
If you're an early riser or just can't sleep, the Memphis Grizzlies vs. Orlando Magic is happening at The O2 Arena in London.
- Time: 12:00 PM ET
- Channel: Amazon Prime Video (Exclusively)
This is part of the NBA’s global push, and because it’s a Prime exclusive, don't bother looking for it on League Pass or cable. It's a straight-to-streaming affair.
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Evening Matchups and Local Coverage
The bulk of tonight’s games are regional. If you aren't in the home market, NBA League Pass is your best friend, but for local fans, here is the breakdown of the major matchups and their TV homes:
- Brooklyn Nets at Chicago Bulls: Tip-off is at 7:00 PM ET. This one is airing on YES Network for the New York crowd and CHSN (Chicago Sports Network) for the Windy City.
- Houston Rockets at New Orleans Pelicans: Also a 7:00 PM ET start. You’ll find this on SCHN or Gulf Coast Sports.
- Toronto Raptors at Los Angeles Lakers: This is a late one at 9:30 PM ET. It's on SportsNet LA and TSN for those up north. Interestingly, Luka Doncic is now leading the Lakers' charge this season, which still feels a bit surreal to type.
College Basketball: The Sunday Rundown
Sundays in January are usually dominated by the women’s game on major networks, and tonight is no different. The Big Ten and Big 12 are taking over the airwaves.
Top College Games to Watch
- Maryland at UCLA (Women’s): This is the marquee matchup of the day. It’s a top-tier battle airing at 4:00 PM ET on NBC.
- Oregon at Wisconsin (Women’s): Also at 4:00 PM ET, but you’ll need to flip over to the Big Ten Network (BTN) for this one.
- Arizona State at Houston (Men’s): A late afternoon Big 12 clash at 6:30 PM ET on ESPN.
There’s also a lot of "mid-major" action tucked away on ESPN+. For instance, the UCF vs. Colorado women's game is an ESPN+ exclusive at 2:00 PM ET. Basically, if the game isn't on a channel with three letters, it’s probably on an app with a plus sign.
How the 2026 Media Deals Changed Your Search
It’s important to understand why you’re constantly Googling the schedule. 2026 is the first year of the massive new NBA rights cycle. We now have three primary "homes" for national games:
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- Disney (ESPN/ABC): They still have the Finals and the bulk of Wednesday/Friday games.
- NBCUniversal (NBC/Peacock): They took the "Sunday Night Basketball" slot and a lot of Tuesday night regional doubleheaders.
- Amazon Prime Video: They are now a permanent fixture for Thursday nights and special events like the London game tonight.
If you’re a cord-cutter, the "best" way to catch everything is sort of a "pick your poison" situation. Fubo and YouTube TV are still the heavy hitters because they carry the local RSNs and the broadcast networks. If you go the Sling TV route, you’ll get ESPN but you might miss out on those NBC/Peacock exclusives unless you have an antenna or a separate Peacock sub.
Avoiding the "Blackout" Headache
The most annoying part of figuring out what channel is the game on tonight basketball is the dreaded blackout.
Let's say you have NBA League Pass. You see the Lakers game listed. You click it. "This content is not available in your area." Why? Because if a game is being shown on a local channel in your city (like SportsNet LA), League Pass blocks it out to protect the local broadcaster.
To bypass this, you either need the specific cable channel or a streaming service that includes that RSN. For the Bulls/Nets game tonight, if you live in Chicago, League Pass won't help you—you need CHSN.
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Actionable Tips for Tonight's Viewers
If you want to stop hunting for channels every night, here’s how to set up your "hoops HQ" for 2026:
- Download the NBA App: Even if you don’t pay for a subscription, the app’s "Watch" tab is surprisingly good at telling you exactly which network has the rights to your specific zip code.
- Check the "Peacock" Schedule: Since NBC is back in the NBA business, a lot of games are "simulcast" on Peacock. If you can't find a game on cable, check the Peacock app; it might be hidden there.
- Use an Over-the-Air Antenna: For games like Maryland vs. UCLA on NBC, a $20 antenna will get you the game in 4K-ish quality for free. It’s the oldest trick in the book, but it still works.
- Bookmark the "Sports Media Watch" TV Listings: This is the gold standard for sports fans. They update their tables daily with every single broadcast and streaming home for pro and college games.
Keep an eye on the clock; with the London game starting mid-day and the Lakers closing things out late, it’s a full 12-hour cycle of basketball today.
Check your local listings for any last-minute flex scheduling, as the NBA and networks sometimes swap games if a superstar like Luka or Scottie Barnes is ruled out late with an injury. Enjoy the games.
Next Steps for Your Viewing Setup:
Verify if your current streaming provider carries NBC and CHSN/YES to ensure you don't miss the 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM tips. If you're planning to watch the London game, make sure your Amazon Prime login is active before the 12:00 PM start time.