Honestly, Thursdays in January are usually that weird middle ground where you're just waiting for the NFL playoffs to kick back in. But today, January 15, 2026, is actually low-key stacked. Between the NBA stars trying to secure their All-Star votes and the massive drama happening over in Melbourne for the Australian Open, there is a lot to keep track of.
If you're asking what sports are on today, you’re probably looking for a mix of primetime hoops, ice-cold hockey, and maybe some college ball to fill the gaps. We’ve got a massive clash in San Antonio, a massive draw in Australia that basically decides the fate of Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz, and a heavy slate of NHL action.
Let's break down exactly what's worth your time and where the actual value is.
The NBA Tonight: Victor vs. The Bucks and Curry’s Milestone Hunt
The game everyone is talking about tonight is the Milwaukee Bucks visiting the San Antonio Spurs at the Frost Bank Center. It’s a 7:00 PM local tip (8:00 PM ET), and the storylines are kinda wild. Giannis Antetokounmpo has been dealing with some left ankle soreness—standard mid-season grind stuff—but he's listed as probable.
You’ve got the Bucks, who have been struggling under Doc Rivers lately, sitting at 17-23 and 11th in the East. They just got absolutely hammered by Minnesota, losing by 33. On the other side? Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs are actually good now. They’re 27-13, third in the West, and Wemby is looking like the defensive player of the year lock.
The other big one is the New York Knicks heading to the Chase Center to face Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors. Both teams are fighting for playoff positioning. The Knicks are currently second in the East, which feels surreal for their fans, while the Warriors are hovering around .500 in that brutal Western Conference pack.
Other NBA Matchups for Jan 15:
- Chicago Bulls at Utah Jazz: (9:00 PM ET)
- New Orleans Pelicans vs. Brooklyn Nets: (9:00 PM ET)
- Dallas Mavericks vs. Denver Nuggets: (10:30 PM ET) - Luka vs. Jokic is always a must-watch.
- Sacramento Kings at New York Knicks: (Wait, the Knicks are busy, this is a double-check on scheduling—actually, it's the Kings vs. Knicks in a late-night West Coast swing).
Australian Open 2026: The Draw is Finally Here
Even though the main matches don't start until Sunday, today is actually the most important day for tennis fans. The official draw ceremony for the 2026 Australian Open is happening right now in Melbourne.
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This is where the brackets are unveiled for the 128-player singles fields. We already know the seeds—Carlos Alcaraz is the No. 1 for the men and Aryna Sabalenka is the No. 1 for the women. But the real drama is where Novak Djokovic (No. 4 seed) and Jannik Sinner (No. 2) land. If Djokovic is on Alcaraz’s side of the bracket, we could see a semi-final that feels like a final.
Defending champ Madison Keys is back as the No. 9 seed, and the hype around Coco Gauff is reaching a fever pitch. If you're wondering what sports are on today that have long-term consequences, this is it. By the time you wake up tomorrow, we'll know the exact path for every major star.
NHL: A Massive Night on the Ice
If you like hockey, tonight is busy. We’re talking a heavy six-game slate with some genuine playoff implications.
The Vegas Golden Knights are hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs (9:30 PM ET). This is basically a battle of the heavyweights. You've got William Nylander leading the Leafs against a Vegas team that seems to always find a way to win at T-Mobile Arena.
The Edmonton Oilers are also in action, taking on the New York Islanders. Connor McDavid is, well, being McDavid, but the Islanders’ defense has been surprisingly stingy this month. It’s a classic high-octane offense vs. a "boring but effective" defensive system.
Key NHL Games:
- Minnesota Wild vs. Winnipeg Jets: (8:00 PM ET)
- Boston Bruins vs. Seattle Kraken: (8:00 PM ET)
- Utah Mammoth vs. Dallas Stars: (9:00 PM ET) - The Utah crowd has been electric lately.
- Chicago Blackhawks vs. Calgary Flames: (8:30 PM ET)
College Basketball’s Thursday Night Chaos
Don’t sleep on the NCAA schedule. Thursdays are often reserved for mid-major chaos and a few big Top 25 matchups.
Tonight, we have a massive women’s game: No. 4 Texas is heading to Columbia to play No. 2 South Carolina. This is probably the best game of the day regardless of the sport. South Carolina is a juggernaut at home, but Texas has the size to actually give them problems in the paint.
On the men's side, No. 9 Gonzaga is visiting Washington State. It’s a classic regional rivalry, and the Cougars always play the Zags tough in Pullman.
Actionable Insights for Today's Sports Slate
If you're trying to figure out how to navigate all this, here is a quick game plan for your Thursday night viewing:
- Watch the Bucks-Spurs game first: Even if you aren't a fan of either team, watching Wembanyama defend Giannis is a "future of the league" moment you don't want to miss.
- Track the AO Draw: Follow the Australian Open social feeds. The draw determines who has the "bracket of death." It’s basically the selection Sunday of tennis.
- Check the Betting Lines on the Oilers: The Islanders have been underdogs in four of their last five but have covered in all of them. Might be a sneaky value play there.
- Late Night Hoops: Set an alarm for the Mavericks-Nuggets game at 10:30 PM ET. Jokic and Luka together is the highest basketball IQ you'll see all week.
Make sure to check your local listings for regional blackouts, especially for the NHL games on TNT or ESPN+. Most of the NBA action tonight is split between league pass and local cable affiliates like FanDuel Sports Network. Grab some snacks, get the second screen ready for the tennis draw, and enjoy a surprisingly deep Thursday in sports.
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Check the live scores for the Spurs/Bucks game right now to see if Giannis actually suited up, as that line shifted late this afternoon. Stay on top of the Australian Open bracket reveal to see which sleepers got a lucky path to the second week. Keep an eye on the injury report for the Golden State game, as late scratches have been a theme this season. Look for the Washington State vs. Gonzaga result late tonight to see if the Zags can hold onto their top-10 ranking. Check the NHL standings after tonight’s games; the Western Conference wild card race is separated by only three points.