Hoops on a Sunday. It just feels right. But if you're looking for that familiar TNT logo tonight, January 18, 2026, you're going to be staring at a blank screen or a rerun of The Big Bang Theory. Honestly, the NBA landscape has shifted so much this season that even die-hard fans are getting a bit of whiplash. The old Turner deal is officially history, and the "new" era of NBC, Peacock, and Amazon has completely taken over your remote.
So, let's cut to the chase: what channel is the nba on tonight?
Tonight is all about a mix of regional powerhouses and a special international showcase. We’ve got a six-game slate, but the broadcast schedule is a bit of a jigsaw puzzle depending on where you live.
The Global Game: Magic vs. Grizzlies in London
The day actually starts way earlier than usual. If you're a morning person (or just a caffeine addict), you probably caught the Orlando Magic vs. Memphis Grizzlies game. This was the NBA London Game at The O2 Arena.
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Because of the time difference, this one tipped off at 12:00 PM ET. If you missed it live on Prime Video, you're probably looking for highlights by now. It’s wild to think that Amazon is now the exclusive home for these major international regular-season games, but that's 2026 for you.
Tonight’s Main Slate: Who Plays and Where to Watch
If you're settling in for the evening games, here is the breakdown of the matchups and the specific channels you'll need.
The 7:00 PM ET Window
- Brooklyn Nets at Chicago Bulls: You’ll find this on YES Network if you’re in New York, or Chicago Sports Network (CHSN) for the Windy City crowd. For everyone else? It’s an NBA League Pass night.
- New Orleans Pelicans at Houston Rockets: This is a battle of the Southwest. Local fans are tuning into Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network (GCSEN) or Space City Home Network (SCHN).
The Mid-Evening Matchups
- Charlotte Hornets at Denver Nuggets (8:00 PM ET): Watching Nikola Jokic work his magic usually requires Altitude if you're in Colorado, or FanDuel Sports Network Southeast for the Charlotte fans.
- Portland Trail Blazers at Sacramento Kings (9:00 PM ET): This is a classic West Coast late-night special. It’s strictly on regional networks like KATU/KUNP in Portland and NBC Sports California in Sacto.
The Late Night "Main Event"
- Toronto Raptors at Los Angeles Lakers (9:30 PM ET): This is the one most people are talking about tonight. Seeing Luka Doncic in a Lakers jersey still looks a little bit like a video game glitch, doesn't it?
- Channel: SportsNet LA and TSN (for the Canadian fans).
Wait, no national TV?
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That's the kicker about Sundays in January. Since the NFL playoffs are currently devouring the airwaves on NBC and ABC, the NBA's new massive Sunday night NBC "game of the week" doesn't actually kick in until the Super Bowl dust settles. Right now, your "National TV" fix is mostly happening on Prime Video on Thursdays and Peacock on Mondays.
Why You Can't Find the Game on TNT
It still feels weird. For over 40 years, TNT was the heartbeat of NBA broadcasting. But as of this 2025-26 season, the "Inside the NBA" crew has moved on, and the rights were split between Disney (ESPN/ABC), NBCUniversal, and Amazon.
If you are searching for what channel is the nba on tonight and expecting to see EJ, Kenny, Shaq, and Charles, you're a year too late. Instead, Sunday nights in 2026 are primarily about NBA League Pass or the local Regional Sports Networks (RSNs).
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How to Stream Tonight’s Games Without Cable
If you’ve finally cut the cord, you have more options than ever, but they're sort of scattered. It’s not just "log into one app and see everything" anymore.
- NBA League Pass (via Prime Video): This is basically the gold standard now. Amazon’s integration allows you to watch almost every out-of-market game directly inside the Prime app. If you’re a Lakers fan living in Florida, this is how you see the Raptors game tonight.
- Peacock: While they don't have a "national" game tonight, they are the home for tomorrow's Monday night doubleheader. If you're an NBA junkie, you basically have to have this subscription now.
- Fubo or DirecTV Stream: These are still the only real ways to get those pesky Regional Sports Networks (like SportsNet LA or YES) without a traditional cable box.
The Luka Factor in LA
Can we talk about the Lakers for a second? The stats are insane. Luka is averaging 33.6 points and nearly 9 assists a game. Watching him lead the Lakers against Scottie Barnes and a very disciplined Toronto Raptors squad is easily the best "league pass" watch of the night.
Toronto has been sneaky good this year, especially with Immanuel Quickley finding his rhythm. They're 25-18 for a reason. Don't be surprised if this game stays close until the final two minutes.
Your NBA Viewing Checklist for Tonight
To make sure you don't miss tip-off while scrolling through 400 channels, do this:
- Check your local RSN: If you live in a team's home market, the game is blacked out on League Pass. You must use your local provider (SCHN, SportsNet LA, etc.).
- Sync your League Pass to Amazon: If you bought League Pass through the NBA app, you can usually link it to Prime Video for a much smoother streaming experience.
- Watch the clock: Remember the Nuggets/Hornets game is a 6:00 PM local start in Denver, but that's 8:00 PM for the East Coast.
Actionable Next Steps
If you want to watch the Lakers vs. Raptors or any other matchup tonight, open your NBA app or Prime Video right now to check for local blackouts. If you find you're blacked out, you'll need to pivot to a service like Fubo or your local team's direct-to-consumer app (like Spectrum SportsNet+ for the Lakers) to catch the live action. Keep an eye on the injury report too—the Raptors have been managing Scottie Barnes' minutes lately, and any late scratch could change the betting lines significantly.