Right now, the sports calendar is basically hitting its peak winter rhythm. If you're looking for what sports are on now, you've landed in that sweet spot where the NFL playoffs are heating up, the NBA is in the thick of its mid-season grind, and international tennis is just waking up for the year. It's Tuesday, January 13, 2026, and honestly, there's enough live action today to keep any fan glued to their screen from noon until the West Coast games wrap up well past midnight.
The NFL Playoff Picture Is Set
We just came off a wild Wild Card weekend. Seriously, that Texans-Steelers game yesterday was a statement. Houston didn't just win; they dismantled Pittsburgh 30-6. If you're looking for live football today, the league is technically in a brief breather before the Divisional Round kicks off this coming Saturday.
The matchups are locked in. Next up, we’ve got the Buffalo Bills heading to Denver to take on the Broncos on January 17th. Later that night, the San Francisco 49ers travel to Seattle for a massive NFC West rivalry game with a trip to the Conference Finals on the line. It's kind of the perfect time to catch up on the injury reports and look at how the remaining eight teams are stacking up.
NBA Tuesday Night Slates
If you want something live tonight, the NBA is where it's at. There are seven games on the schedule for January 13th, and some of these matchups are actually pretty spicy for a Tuesday in January.
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- Phoenix Suns vs. Miami Heat: Tip-off at 7:30 PM ET. Watching the Suns' offensive depth against Miami’s "Heat Culture" defense is always a chess match.
- Denver Nuggets vs. New Orleans Pelicans: 8:00 PM ET. This is a big one for the Western Conference standings.
- Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Milwaukee Bucks: 8:00 PM ET. A potential cross-conference heavyweight battle.
- Atlanta Hawks vs. Los Angeles Lakers: 10:30 PM ET. The late-night crew gets to see if the Lakers can keep their momentum at Crypto.com Arena.
The Golden State Warriors are also hosting the Portland Trail Blazers late tonight. It’s a busy night for the Association, especially with teams starting to eye the All-Star break which is only about a month away now.
NHL and Ice Hockey Action
Hockey fans have a standout game today that's getting national coverage. The Dallas Stars are facing the Anaheim Ducks at 10:00 PM ET. You can catch this one on TNT. Dallas is currently sitting comfortably in second place in the Western Conference with 63 points, while Anaheim is fighting uphill at 11th.
Leo Carlsson has been a bright spot for the Ducks lately, putting up nearly a point per game, but the Stars are coming off a solid 3-1 win against the Kings. It's a classic battle of a contender trying to maintain pace versus a young team looking to play spoiler.
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International Events and Tennis
On the global stage, we are officially in the "Summer of Tennis" down under. The 2026 Australian Open is just days away from its main draw, but the qualifying rounds and warm-up tournaments are happening right now.
Over in Europe, the European Figure Skating Championships are starting today, January 13th. It’s the premiere event for the continent's best skaters to find their form before the world championships later this spring. If you're into niche winter sports, the Bandy World Championship is also currently underway.
Why the Mid-January Sports Lull is a Myth
A lot of people think January is just for football, but look at the variety. You have the Masters in snooker happening right now (running through the 18th), and the Asian Men's Handball Championship starts in just two days. We're even seeing the beginning of the road to the 2026 World Cup as regional futsal tournaments like the SAFF Championship get moving.
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Actionable Tips for Following Live Sports
If you're trying to keep track of everything today, here's how to actually manage the chaos:
- Check the Local Blackouts: For the NHL Stars vs. Ducks game, remember that HBO Max carries it, but regional restrictions still apply.
- Set Your DVR for Saturday: Don't let the NFL Divisional Round sneak up on you. The Bills-Broncos game on CBS is going to be the "water cooler" talk of the week.
- NBA League Pass Alert: With seven games tonight, if you're a fantasy basketball player, keep an eye on the Timberwolves-Bucks injury report; both teams have been dealing with minor nagging injuries to their stars this week.
- Tennis Times: If you're in the US, remember that Australian Open coverage usually starts late at night or very early in the morning due to the time difference.
The sports world is moving fast right now. Whether you're tracking the NFL playoff bracket or just looking for a good NBA game to have on in the background, today has plenty to offer. Check your local listings for specific regional starts, and enjoy the games.