You’ve got the jersey ready, the snacks are probably already in the pantry, and now you’re just trying to figure out exactly when to park yourself on the couch. Determining what time is the thunder game tomorrow can be surprisingly annoying when you’re dealing with different time zones and national versus local broadcasts.
If you’re looking at tomorrow, Friday, January 16, 2026, there is actually a bit of a trick to the schedule.
Technically, the Oklahoma City Thunder do not play a game on Friday. They are coming off a heavy-hitting matchup against the Houston Rockets on Thursday night.
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Most fans asking about "tomorrow" are usually looking for the next tip-off in the sequence or catching the tail end of a late-night broadcast. If you are reading this late on Thursday, you might be looking for the Saturday night clash. The Thunder will be heading to South Beach to take on the Miami Heat on Saturday, January 17, 2026. That game is scheduled for an 8:00 PM ET tip-off (which is 7:00 PM back home in OKC).
What Time Is The Thunder Game Tomorrow and Where to Watch
Since the NBA schedule is a grind, the "tomorrow" often blends into the next big event. Because Friday is a travel day for the squad, the next time you can see Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren in action is that Saturday game in Miami.
Broadcast Details for the Next Game
If you aren't making the trip to the Kaseya Center, you have a few ways to catch the action.
- Local TV: FanDuel Sports Network Oklahoma (formerly Bally Sports).
- National Stream: For those outside the local market, NBA League Pass is the go-to.
- Radio: You can always find the play-by-play on the Thunder Radio Network, led by WWLS 98.1 FM (The Sports Animal).
Honestly, the Saturday night game is going to be a massive test. Miami is notorious for their "Heat Culture" defense, and seeing how Mark Daigneault adjusts his rotations after the Houston game will be fascinating.
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Why the Thunder Schedule Is So Packed This Week
The NBA doesn't give this young roster much room to breathe. They’ve been on a tear, but the road trip they are currently on is grueling. After Houston and Miami, they have to fly up to Cleveland for a Monday afternoon game.
Yeah, you read that right. Monday is an afternoon tip-off (2:30 PM ET) because of the holiday.
If you're wondering why the schedule feels so lopsided, it's basically the "Eastern Swing." The league tries to group these away games geographically to save on fuel and player fatigue, even if it means fans have to keep a close eye on their calendars.
Key Players to Watch in the Upcoming Matchups
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is obviously the head of the snake. He’s been averaging MVP-caliber numbers, and his ability to get to the rim is basically unmatched in the league right now.
But keep an eye on Jalen Williams (J-Dub). His versatility is what makes the Thunder so hard to guard. One night he's a secondary playmaker, the next he's locking down the opponent's best wing.
The Chet Factor
Chet Holmgren’s rim protection will be vital against Miami. Bam Adebayo is a physical force, and Chet's ability to contest without fouling is something the Thunder lean on heavily. If he gets into early foul trouble, things get dicey for the OKC frontcourt.
Actionable Next Steps for Thunder Fans
To make sure you don't miss a single bucket, here is what you should do right now:
- Sync Your Calendar: Go to the official Thunder website and download the "Sync to Calendar" feature. This automatically adjusts the tip-off times to your local time zone so you aren't doing math at 6:00 PM.
- Check Injury Reports: Keep an eye on the official NBA Injury Report, which is usually updated a few hours before tip-off. With the way the Thunder play, rest days for minor "soreness" can pop up unexpectedly during road trips.
- Set Your DVR: If you’re stuck at work for that Monday afternoon game against the Cavs, set the recording now. Afternoon games are notorious for being missed by the "after-work" crowd.
- Verify Your Streaming Login: If you use Fubo or Amazon Prime Video for certain regional broadcasts, log in now to make sure your subscription hasn't lapsed. There's nothing worse than missing the first quarter because of a password reset.
The Thunder are sitting near the top of the Western Conference for a reason. This stretch of games in mid-January is where the real contenders separate themselves from the pretenders.