If you're frantically checking your phone to figure out what time do the cavaliers play, you're definitely not alone. It's Friday, January 16, 2026, and the Cleveland Cavaliers are smack in the middle of a gritty East Coast road trip. Honestly, keeping track of NBA start times feels like a full-time job lately, especially with the league flexing games into national TV slots at the last second.
The Cavs are in Philadelphia tonight. They're taking on the 76ers for the second time in just three nights.
The short answer: Tonight's game tips off at 7:00 PM ET.
But there is a lot more to it than just the clock. This isn't just another January game; it’s a national broadcast on ESPN, which means that 7:00 PM start time might actually look more like 7:12 PM once the anthems and intros wrap up.
Where to Watch and What to Expect Tonight
If you aren't sitting courtside at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philly, you've got a few ways to catch the action. Since this is an ESPN game, it’s basically everywhere. You can stream it on the ESPN app, watch it on Fubo, or catch it through Prime Video if you’ve got the right add-ons. For the locals back in Northeast Ohio, FanDuel Sports Network Ohio is still your home base.
Donovan Mitchell has been playing like a man possessed. He’s currently fourth in the NBA in scoring, putting up nearly 30 a night. With Darius Garland sidelined with a foot injury, Mitchell is carrying a massive load.
It’s kinda wild how much this team has changed. A couple of years ago, we were just hoping for a play-in spot. Now, the Cavs (23-19) are legitimately fighting for a top seed, even if they've been a bit of a nightmare for people betting against the spread.
The Upcoming January Schedule
You probably want to plan out the rest of your week so you don't miss the next tip-off. The schedule is pretty packed.
- Monday, Jan 19 (MLK Day): The Cavs return home to Rocket Arena. They play the Oklahoma City Thunder at 2:30 PM ET. This is a rare afternoon game for the holiday, broadcast on NBC and Peacock.
- Wednesday, Jan 21: Back on the road to face the Charlotte Hornets. Tip-off is at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN.
- Friday, Jan 23: They host the Sacramento Kings at 7:30 PM ET.
- Saturday, Jan 24: A quick flight to Orlando to play the Magic at 7:00 PM ET.
That MLK Day game against OKC is going to be massive. The Thunder are young and fast, and that afternoon atmosphere in Cleveland is always special.
Injuries are Piling Up
We have to talk about the injury report because it’s getting a little crowded in the training room. Darius Garland is officially out for tonight with that toe/foot issue. That’s a huge blow to the backcourt. Sam Merrill (hand sprain) and Max Strus (foot) are also out.
On the other side, the Sixers are managing Joel Embiid’s knee very carefully. He’s listed as probable, but with Philly, you never really know until he’s out there for warmups. Paul George is in a similar boat.
"When we played them on Wednesday, we caught them off guard," one local analyst noted after Cleveland’s 133-107 blowout. "But doing that twice in three days in their building? That’s a different beast."
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Why the 7:00 PM Start Time Matters
Early starts on the East Coast are great for fans who have to work the next morning, but they can be tough on the players' rhythm. The Cavs stayed in Philly after the last game, so at least they didn't have to deal with travel fatigue.
Honestly, the biggest factor tonight is going to be the "Big Three" for Philly—Embiid, Maxey, and George—all potentially being on the floor at once. Cleveland’s interior defense with Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen has to be perfect.
If you are looking for actionable ways to stay updated, the best move is to download the Cavs' official app or sync their schedule to your Google Calendar. NBA schedules change. A game that starts at 7:00 PM tonight might be moved to 8:00 PM next month if TNT decides they want a piece of the action.
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Actionable Insights for Tonight:
- Check the Lineup: Follow the "Cavs Notes" Twitter account about 30 minutes before tip-off (6:30 PM ET) to see if there are any late scratches.
- Radio Option: If you're stuck in traffic, tune into WTAM 1100 AM or 100.7 WMMS. Tim Alcorn and Jim Chones are still the best in the business.
- National vs. Local: If you prefer the local Cleveland broadcast, make sure you're on FanDuel Sports Network Ohio instead of ESPN, though tonight's national crew usually does a decent job.
The Eastern Conference is a total bloodbath this year. Every win counts, especially against teams like Philadelphia that are hovering right next to Cleveland in the standings. Make sure your snacks are ready by 6:50 PM.