Look, being a Miami Heat fan in 2026 isn't just about watching a game; it's a lifestyle that requires a literal master’s degree in time zone management. If you are sitting there wondering what time do the Heat play, you probably already know that the schedule this week is a total mess of late-night West Coast tip-offs.
I’ve been tracking this team since the early D-Wade days, and honestly, the 2025-26 season has been one of the most unpredictable stretches I can remember. Between the trade rumors involving Ja Morant—which the front office keeps downplaying—and the shift to the FanDuel Sports Network, just finding the right channel is a workout.
What Time Do the Heat Play This Week?
If you are looking for a game tonight, Sunday, January 18, 2026, you can actually take a breather. The Heat are currently in the air or settling into their hotel rooms in San Francisco. They just finished a home stand at the Kaseya Center with a massive Saturday night clash against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Basically, the team is off tonight. They are starting a grueling five-game road trip through the Western Conference. If you were planning on ordering wings tonight, save that for tomorrow.
Monday, January 19, 2026: Heat at Golden State Warriors
- Time: 10:00 PM EST / 7:00 PM PST
- Where: Chase Center, San Francisco
- Broadcast: FanDuel Sports Network Sun (Local), NBC Sports Bay Area (Away)
This is a big one. It's the "Butler Bowl," sort of. Even though Jimmy is in a Warriors jersey now, the narrative still hits hard. The last time these two met on November 20, Miami actually took them down 110-96. Norman Powell had 25 points in that one, and honestly, we’re going to need that same energy because Steph Curry is still averaging nearly 28 a night even in 2026.
Upcoming Road Trip Schedule
The rest of the week is going to be a struggle for anyone with a 9-to-5 job on the East Coast.
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- Tuesday, Jan 20: At Sacramento Kings. Tip-off is at 10:00 PM EST.
- Thursday, Jan 22: At Portland Trail Blazers. Another 10:00 PM EST start.
- Saturday, Jan 24: At Utah Jazz. They moved this one up slightly to 9:30 PM EST.
- Sunday, Jan 25: At Phoenix Suns. Finally, a decent time for us in Florida—8:00 PM EST.
Why the Schedule is So Weird Right Now
NBA scheduling in 2026 has become increasingly focused on these "cluster road trips" to reduce travel mileage. It’s great for the players' knees, I guess, but it's brutal for fans in Miami-Dade who have to stay up until 1:00 AM on a school night just to see if Bam Adebayo hits a double-double.
The Heat are currently sitting 8th in the Eastern Conference with a 22-20 record. Every single one of these West Coast games matters because the standings are so tight. We're currently ahead of teams like the Magic, but only by a hair.
How to Actually Watch the Games Without Going Crazy
If you’re local, you’re looking for FanDuel Sports Network Sun. Yes, the name changed from Bally, but the crew is mostly the same. Eric Reid and John Crotty are still the voices of the team, and thank God for that because listening to anyone else just feels wrong.
For the cord-cutters out there:
- FuboTV remains the most reliable way to get the local RSN if you don't have traditional cable.
- NBA League Pass is only an option if you live outside of the South Florida market. If you try to use it in Miami, you'll just get that annoying blackout screen.
- Amazon Prime Video has been picking up more games lately, including that December 9th game against Orlando, but for this specific road trip, you’re mostly stuck with the RSN or NBA TV for the Utah game.
What Most People Get Wrong About Tip-Off Times
One thing that drives me nuts is the "National TV Delay." If you see a game listed on ESPN or TNT—though the Heat only have eight national games this year—that 7:30 PM start time is a lie. It’s always 7:42 or 7:45.
However, for these local FanDuel Sports Network broadcasts, they are much tighter. If the schedule says 10:00 PM, they are usually jumping center by 10:10. Don't be late.
Key Matchups to Watch on This Trip
Watching the Heat play in 2026 requires paying attention to the young core. While Bam is the anchor, Kel'el Ware has been a revelation. Watching him match up against Wembanyama or Chet Holmgren is basically the only reason I'm okay with these late nights.
On this specific trip, the Sacramento game on Tuesday is the trap game. The Kings are underperforming at 10-30, and Miami has a bad habit of playing down to their competition after a big win or a high-profile game like the Warriors matchup.
Actionable Steps for Heat Fans
To stay on top of the schedule and make sure you never miss a tip-off, do these three things right now:
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- Sync your Google Calendar: Go to the official Heat website and use their "Sync Schedule" tool. It automatically adjusts for your local time zone so you don't have to do the "10 PM Eastern is what time in Denver?" math in your head.
- Set a "Start of 4th Quarter" Alert: If you can't stay up for the whole game, set an alert on the NBA app for the start of the 4th quarter. Most Heat games this year are decided in the final five minutes anyway.
- Check the Injury Report at 5:00 PM: In 2026, "load management" is still a thing. Don't buy expensive tickets or plan your night until the 5:00 PM ET injury report drops, especially on the second night of a back-to-back like the Sacramento game.
The Heat don't return to the Kaseya Center until January 28th against the Magic. Until then, brew some extra coffee and get ready for a lot of late nights.