The Sacramento Kings are back at the Golden 1 Center tonight, and if you’re trying to figure out what time is the kings game, you aren't alone. Tip-off is set for 6:00 PM PT (9:00 PM ET) on Sunday, January 18, 2026.
Honestly, the energy in Sacramento has been a weird mix lately. The team is sitting at 12-30, which isn't exactly where fans hoped they'd be by mid-January. But here’s the thing: they’ve actually managed to pull off a four-game home winning streak. Tonight, they host the Portland Trail Blazers (21-22), a team that has already beaten them twice this season. It's a classic "trap game" for Portland and a massive opportunity for Sacramento to prove the home-court advantage is real.
Kickoff and Broadcast Details
You've got a few ways to catch this one. If you're local to Northern California, NBC Sports California is your go-to home for the broadcast. Portland fans will be watching on KUNP.
If you've cut the cord, streaming is pretty straightforward. Fubo usually carries the regional sports networks, provided you’re within the right zip code. For everyone else outside the local markets, NBA League Pass is the standard move.
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Radio listeners can tune in to Sactown Sports 1140 AM in Sacramento or Rip City Radio 620 AM if you're pulling for the Blazers.
The Matchup: Why This One Matters
Sacramento is a 2-point favorite heading into tonight. That might seem surprising given the records, but the Kings are playing their best basketball of the season right at home.
DeMar DeRozan has been the steady hand, averaging 19.1 points per game. Meanwhile, Russell Westbrook has been turning back the clock a bit. He just dropped a season-high six three-pointers in their recent win over Washington. When Russ is hitting from deep, the floor opens up in a way that makes this Kings offense actually look dangerous.
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Injury Report Check
- Keon Ellis: Questionable with a knee issue. He's a game-time decision.
- Keegan Murray: Out. He’s expected to be sidelined for at least another two weeks with that ankle injury.
- Domantas Sabonis: He’s back. He logged 21 minutes against the Wizards and looked solid, though they’re clearly easing him back into his usual workload.
Portland is dealing with their own headaches. Deni Avdija has been a monster for them, leading the team in both scoring (26.1 PPG) and assists (6.9 APG), but they have six players on the injury report. Shaedon Sharpe is the name to watch for the Blazers—he’s been averaging over 21 points recently and can jump out of the gym.
Game Day Logistics at Golden 1 Center
If you’re actually heading downtown, doors usually open 90 minutes before the what time is the kings game start.
Traffic around the DOCO area gets messy starting around 5:00 PM. If you haven't booked parking through the SacPark app yet, do it now. It’s significantly cheaper than trying to find a random lot three blocks away and realizing it’s $40 cash-only.
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Quick Stats to Know
Sacramento is being outscored by about 10 points per game on the season. That’s a tough pill to swallow. However, their rebounding has improved slightly with Sabonis back on the floor. Portland is the 30th ranked team in the league for turnovers, so if the Kings can stay aggressive on the perimeter, they might just run away with this one.
How to Prepare for Tonight
Check your local listings one last time because the NBA loves a random 15-minute delay for national TV intros, though since this is a local broadcast, they should stick close to the 6:00 PM start.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Verify your streaming login: If you use Fubo or League Pass, log in now to avoid that "forgot password" panic at 5:59 PM.
- Monitor the Keon Ellis status: Check the final active roster move about 30 minutes before tip-off on the official Kings Twitter (X) account.
- Plan your commute: If you are attending in person, aim to be in your seat by 5:45 PM to catch the player introductions; the atmosphere at Golden 1 has been surprisingly electric during this win streak.