Checking for the score in the basketball game tonight feels like a ritual. You want the numbers fast, but you also want the context. Is it a blowout? Is there a buzzer-beater brewing? Whether you’re tracking a heavy-hitting NBA showdown or a messy, high-stakes college rivalry, the scoreboard only tells half the story.
Wednesday, January 14, 2026, is shaping up to be a busy one across the hardwood. We’ve got seven NBA games on the slate and a massive schedule of NCAA action that could shake up the Top 25 rankings.
NBA scoreboard: Tonight's pro matchups
The league is in that mid-season grind where every win matters for playoff positioning. Tonight's schedule features a mix of cross-conference battles and divisional scraps.
Early evening tip-offs
The action starts in the Eastern Time zone. The Cleveland Cavaliers are in Philly to take on the Philadelphia 76ers at 7:00 PM ET. This is a battle of efficiency. Cleveland (22-18) has been top-ten in offensive rating lately, but the Sixers (21-15) play a physical brand of defense at the Xfinity Mobile Arena that frustrates even the smoothest ball-handlers.
At the same time, the Toronto Raptors visit the Indiana Pacers. Indiana’s pace is usually breakneck, so expect a high-scoring affair there.
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The mid-slate chaos
Around 8:00 PM ET, we get the Brooklyn Nets at the New Orleans Pelicans and the Utah Jazz against the Chicago Bulls. Honestly, the Jazz-Bulls game is a "contrast of styles" masterpiece. Chicago ranks near the top of the league in pace, while Utah's defense has been, well, let's call it a work in progress.
Prime time and late-night hoops
The heavy hitters come out late. The Denver Nuggets (25-13) travel to face the Dallas Mavericks (14-25) at 9:30 PM ET. On paper, Denver should cruise with their #1 ranked offensive rating, but Dallas always plays tough at home, even if their record doesn't show it.
Then we have:
- New York Knicks vs. Sacramento Kings (10:00 PM ET): The Knicks are riding high at 24-14, looking to bully a struggling Kings squad.
- Washington Wizards vs. L.A. Clippers (10:30 PM ET): The nightcap at the Intuit Dome. The Clippers’ defense is stingy, and Washington’s offense is... struggling.
College basketball: Rivalries and rankings
If you're asking about the score in the basketball game tonight for the college ranks, you've got a lot of ground to cover.
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The biggest game on the radar for many is Iowa vs. No. 5 Purdue at 6:30 PM ET. Mackey Arena is a nightmare for visiting teams. If Iowa wants to pull an upset, they have to survive the first ten minutes without letting the crowd get into it.
Out West, there’s a massive in-state showdown: Arizona State vs. No. 1 Arizona at 10:30 PM ET. These games are rarely pretty, but they are always intense. Arizona is looking to maintain their top spot, but the Sun Devils would love nothing more than to ruin that perfect narrative.
Other key NCAA games to watch:
- Kentucky at LSU (7:00 PM ET): A classic SEC brawl.
- No. 18 Baylor at Utah (9:00 PM ET): Baylor is trying to prove they belong in the elite tier of the Big 12.
- No. 14 UNC at Stanford (9:00 PM ET): A long road trip for the Tar Heels that could be a trap game.
What to look for beyond the numbers
The score is just the starting point. Tonight, keep an eye on the injury reports. We already know Anthony Davis had to exit a game earlier this week with a hand injury, and Luka Doncic has been playing through groin soreness. These little details are what turn a 10-point lead into a 2-point nail-biter in the fourth quarter.
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In the college game, watch the "quadrant" implications. For teams like Cincinnati (8-8) hosting Colorado (12-4), this isn't just a game—it's a resume builder for March. A win tonight for the Bearcats would be a massive Quadrant 1 victory that could change their entire season trajectory.
Staying updated in real-time
If you aren't sitting in front of a TV, the best way to track "what's the score in the basketball game tonight" is through a combination of live trackers and social feeds.
- Official Apps: The NBA App and ESPN provide the most reliable box scores.
- Live Stats: For college games, check the specific university athletic sites (like "Stat Broadcast") for more granular data than you'll find on a general news site.
- Social Media: If you see a name trending on X (formerly Twitter), someone just hit a massive shot.
For the most accurate, second-by-second updates, rely on the official league scoreboards. Betting apps are also surprisingly fast for score updates, even if you aren't placing a wager.
To get the most out of tonight's games, pick one "main" game to watch and use a second-screen app to track the others. Start with the Purdue vs. Iowa game for that high-energy college atmosphere, then transition into the Nuggets vs. Mavericks game for elite-level professional execution.
Check the local listings for Peacock if you're looking for the Colorado-Cincinnati matchup, and keep an eye on TNT or ESPN for the national NBA broadcasts.