You’re staring at the wall, or maybe your phone, just trying to figure out if you have enough time to grab a burrito before tip-off. We’ve all been there. It’s Thursday, January 15, 2026, and the schedule is honestly a bit of a chaotic mess because the NBA decided to play a game in Germany this morning while the college ranks are flooded with about fifty different matchups.
If you're asking what time is the bball game tonight, the answer depends entirely on whether you’re looking for the pros or the campus stars.
Let's cut to the chase. The "early" game for the NBA actually already happened over in Berlin (the Magic took down the Grizzlies while most of us were still on our second cup of coffee). But for the prime-time slate back in the States, things start heating up at 7:00 PM ET.
The NBA Slate: Who is Playing and When?
The heavy hitters are out tonight. If you’re a Knicks fan or a Warriors devotee, you’ve got a long night ahead of you. Most of the East Coast games are tucked into that dinner-time window, while the West Coast is holding down the late-night fort.
Basically, here is how the pro schedule looks for this evening:
At 7:00 PM ET, the Phoenix Suns are taking on the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. If you're in Michigan, that's your early bird special.
Moving to 7:30 PM ET, we have a double header of sorts. The Boston Celtics are down in Florida facing the Miami Heat—always a grudge match—while Oklahoma City is visiting Houston. Both of these are tipping off at the exact same time, so keep that remote handy.
8:00 PM ET sees the Milwaukee Bucks visiting Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. Seeing Giannis go up against Wemby is pretty much the definition of a "don't blink" game.
At 8:30 PM ET, the Utah Jazz are in Dallas to face the Mavs.
Then we hit the late-night "Coast 2 Coast" vibes. At 10:00 PM ET, it’s the New York Knicks at the Golden State Warriors and the Atlanta Hawks at the Portland Trail Blazers.
Finally, for the true night owls, the Charlotte Hornets take on the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena at 10:30 PM ET.
College Hoops: The Local Favorites
Maybe you aren't looking for the NBA. Maybe you want that college atmosphere. Tonight is huge for women's college basketball especially, with some of the top-ranked teams in the country hitting the floor.
For the men’s side, the big one is Gonzaga at Washington State, which tips off late at 10:00 PM ET. That's a massive regional rivalry that usually gets pretty loud.
On the women’s side, the schedule is stacked:
- 6:00 PM ET: Louisville vs. Notre Dame (this is a massive Top 25 clash).
- 7:00 PM ET: Texas vs. South Carolina (Number 4 vs. Number 2—basically a Final Four preview).
- 8:00 PM ET: Virginia at Duke.
- 9:00 PM ET: Alabama at Auburn.
Why the Start Times Matter Tonight
Honestly, the TV broadcast rights are a bit weird tonight. Amazon Prime has a few of the NBA games, like the Knicks/Warriors and the OKC/Houston matchups. If you’re used to just flipping on cable, you might find yourself frantically searching for a login.
Also, keep in mind that "tip-off time" is a bit of a lie in basketball. If the schedule says 7:30, the ball probably won't actually hit the air until 7:40 after the national anthem and the starting lineups. If you're betting or just trying to time your pizza delivery, give yourself a 10-minute buffer.
Making Sure You Don't Miss Tip-Off
So, what time is the bball game tonight? If you want the "main event" feel, aim for 7:30 PM ET for the Celtics/Heat or 10:00 PM ET for Curry vs. the Knicks.
One thing people often get wrong is the time zone conversion. If you’re on the West Coast, that 7:00 PM Detroit game is actually a 4:00 PM start for you. Don't be the person who logs into the app only to see the "Final" score because you forgot you're three hours behind.
The best way to handle tonight is to pick your "anchor" game. For most, that’s going to be Milwaukee at San Antonio (8:00 PM ET) because the highlight potential is just too high with those two rosters.
Double-check your streaming apps now. Make sure your Prime Video or your local sports network login hasn't expired. There's nothing worse than the game starting and you're stuck looking at a "Forgot Password" screen while your group chat is already blowing up with highlights.
Get your setup ready, check the injury reports—especially with the Grizzlies and Magic dealing with some key absences today—and enjoy the games.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Sync your calendar: If you're watching the late Lakers or Warriors games, set an alarm for 9:50 PM ET so you don't fall asleep on the couch during the local news.
- Verify your platform: Check if your game is on Prime Video, League Pass, or a local affiliate like FanDuel Sports Network.
- Check the Spread: If you're following the odds, the Magic were projected as slight favorites earlier today, but line movement is common as we get closer to the 7:00 PM window.