Checking for the game at the last second and realizing you have no idea where to find it is a rite of passage for NBA fans. Honestly, it's getting harder. If you are sitting there wondering what channel is Thunder on tonight, you’re likely staring at a confusing mess of streaming apps and regional sports networks that seem to change names every other year.
Here is the quick answer for today, Friday, January 16, 2026: The Oklahoma City Thunder do not play a game tonight.
I know, it’s a bummer. After a massive 111-91 blowout win against the Houston Rockets last night, Mark Daigneault’s squad is currently traveling. They’ve got a date with the Miami Heat tomorrow, Saturday, January 17, at the Kaseya Center. If you were looking to watch Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or Chet Holmgren tonight, you'll have to settle for highlights or scouting the rest of the Western Conference.
Why the Thunder Schedule is Tricky Right Now
Oklahoma City is currently in the middle of a heavy road stretch. They just wrapped up a dominant performance in Houston and are heading to Florida next. Since they played last night, tonight is a scheduled rest day.
When they do return to action tomorrow against Miami (tip-off is at 7:00 PM CT), the broadcast situation looks like this:
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- Regional Broadcast: FanDuel Sports Network Oklahoma (formerly Bally Sports).
- Local Simulcast: Keep an eye on KWTV-9 in OKC; they occasionally pick up Saturday games.
- Out-of-Market: NBA League Pass is your best friend if you aren’t living in the 405 or surrounding areas.
Basically, the "new" NBA TV landscape means you can't just rely on TNT or ESPN anymore. The Thunder are good—like, "first in the West" good—which means they are getting flexed into more national spots, but the bread and butter remains the regional networks.
Identifying What Channel is Thunder on Tonight (And Moving Forward)
Most people get frustrated because the "local" channel isn't always local. If you’re in Tulsa, you’re looking for FanDuel Sports Network Oklahoma on your cable provider or through the FDSN app. If you’ve cut the cord, your options are basically Fubo or DirecTV Stream.
YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV famously don't carry the regional FanDuel networks. It’s a huge pain.
Watching the Next Few Matchups
Since you missed them tonight, here is where the next few games are landing. It’s a weird mix of cable, streaming, and premium apps:
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- Saturday, Jan 17 @ Miami: FanDuel Sports Network OK.
- Monday, Jan 19 @ Cleveland: This is a big one. It’s an MLK Day matinee airing on NBC and Peacock. No regional stuff needed for this one.
- Wednesday, Jan 21 @ Milwaukee: Back to ESPN and FanDuel Sports Network.
The game against the Cavs on Monday is part of the NBA’s big return to network television. It's kinda cool to see the Thunder back on "Big NBC," reminding those of us old enough of the 90s era.
Streaming and Blackout Realities
If you are trying to use NBA League Pass while sitting in downtown Oklahoma City, you’re going to get a "blackout" message. It’s the most annoying thing in sports.
Blackouts exist to protect the local broadcasters. If you are within the Thunder’s "home territory," League Pass won't show the game live. You’d have to wait until the replay is available, usually three days later. For live action in-market, you must have a subscription that includes the FanDuel Sports Network.
Conversely, if you live in Seattle (ironic, I know) or New York, League Pass is perfect. You’ll get every game that isn't on TNT, ESPN, or ABC.
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Don't Forget the Radio
Sometimes the TV situation is just too much of a mess. If you're driving or just don't want to deal with a laggy stream, 98.1 FM The Sports Animal remains the gold standard. Paris Lawson and Matt Pinto do an incredible job describing the action, and honestly, sometimes it’s more intense than the TV broadcast.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Since there isn't a game to watch right this second, you can set yourself up so you aren't searching for the channel five minutes after tip-off tomorrow.
- Download the FanDuel Sports Network App: If you have a cable login, get this authenticated now. Don't wait until the game starts and you're stuck in "forgot password" hell.
- Sync your Calendar: Use the official Thunder app to sync the schedule to your phone. It usually includes the specific broadcast partner for each game.
- Check Peacock: If you want to see that Cleveland game on Monday, make sure your Peacock subscription is active, as it’s one of the few games this month that has a heavy streaming focus.
The Thunder are currently sitting at 35-7. They are legitimate championship contenders. Missing a game because of a confusing TV schedule is the last thing you want during a historic run like this. Keep your eyes on Saturday night for the bounce-back against the Heat.