You're sitting on the couch, phone in hand, and the internal alarm goes off. It’s that familiar "Wait, is there a game tonight?" feeling. If you're a Lakers fan in January 2026, the answer is probably yes, but the timing is honestly a bit of a mess right now.
The NBA schedule makers really threw a curveball this month. Between the cross-country flights and the weirdly late tip-off times for East Coast viewers, keeping track of when are the lakers playing has become a part-time job.
Look, we’ve all been there—tuning in at 7:00 PM only to realize it’s a West Coast "late" game and the ball doesn't even go up for another three hours. Or worse, missing the first half because you thought they were in Denver when they were actually back at Crypto.com Arena.
The Immediate Schedule: Who’s Next on the Calendar?
Right now, the Lakers are in the middle of a heavy home-stand stretch that’s basically a test of endurance.
Tuesday, January 13, 2026: They’re hosting the Atlanta Hawks at Crypto.com Arena. This one tips off at 7:30 PM PT (10:30 PM ET). It’s a classic trap game. Atlanta’s been hovering around .500, but the Lakers are coming off a tough loss against Sacramento just yesterday. Yes, this is a back-to-back. Those legs are going to be heavy in the fourth quarter.
If you miss the Hawks game, don't sweat it too much because they aren't going anywhere yet.
Thursday, January 15, 2026: The Charlotte Hornets come to town. It’s "Dr. Jerry Buss Night," so expect some nostalgia and probably some cool retro gear. Tip-off is again at 7:30 PM PT. Honestly, Charlotte hasn't been great this year (14-26 record), so this is a "must-win" if the Lakers want to keep their fifth-place standing in the West.
The Upcoming Road Trip and Weekend Slates
After the Hornets game, the team finally packs their bags. Here is the breakdown of the next few days:
- Saturday, Jan 17: Away at the Portland Trail Blazers. This is a 7:00 PM PT start.
- Sunday, Jan 18: Back home! They fly straight back to LA to face the Toronto Raptors at 6:30 PM PT. This is another brutal back-to-back with travel.
- Tuesday, Jan 20: A massive showdown in Denver against the Nuggets. NBC is picking this one up for national TV at 8:00 PM local time (7:00 PM PT).
Why the Timing Always Feels Off
The biggest complaint I hear is about the "7:30 PM" start time. In reality, we all know the NBA. A 7:30 PM start means the player introductions start at 7:37, and the actual tip-off isn't until almost 7:45 PM.
If you are watching from the East Coast, you're looking at a game that finishes well after 1:00 AM. It’s rough.
But there’s a reason for it. The Lakers are the kings of late-night TV ratings. Networks like Spectrum SportsNet and TNT love that 10:30 PM ET slot because they own the "nightcap" audience.
Watching the Lakers Without Cable
If you're asking when are the lakers playing because you need to figure out which streaming app to open, here is the current 2026 reality:
- Spectrum SportsNet: Still the local home. If you're in SoCal, this is your primary spot.
- NBA League Pass: Great if you’re out of market, but if you’re in LA, you’ll be blacked out for live games.
- National Broadcasts: Keep an eye on NBC and Peacock. They’ve taken over a big chunk of the Sunday and Tuesday night slots this season. For example, that Denver game on the 20th? That’s an NBC special.
Looking Ahead to February 2026
The schedule gets even more legendary as we move toward the All-Star break.
Mark your calendars for Sunday, February 22. That is "Pat Riley Statue Day" at the arena. The Lakers play the Boston Celtics at 3:30 PM PT. It’s an afternoon game, which is rare, but it’s going to be an emotional circus with the statue unveiling.
Before that, they have a tough run against the 76ers (Feb 5) and the Warriors (Feb 7). The Warriors game is a Saturday night 5:30 PM PT start—perfect for a primetime dinner watch.
Common Schedule Misconceptions
One thing people often forget is the "NBA Cup" or "In-Season Tournament" impact. While the group stages happened earlier in the winter, the scheduling for the later months often shifts based on those results.
Also, pay attention to the venue names. In 2026, the Clippers have fully moved into the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. When the Lakers play "away" against the Clippers (like they do on January 22), they aren't playing at Crypto.com Arena anymore. They’re heading down the road to the new "Toilet Bowl" dome. Don't show up to the wrong arena.
👉 See also: NFL Week 10 Pick Em: What Most People Get Wrong
Actionable Steps for the True Fan
If you want to make sure you never miss a tip-off, stop relying on random Google searches every night.
First, sync your calendar. Most official team sites offer a ".ics" file you can add to Google Calendar or iCal. It updates automatically if a game time gets flexed for national TV.
Second, check the injury report exactly 90 minutes before the game. In 2026, the "load management" era hasn't exactly ended. Even if you know the game is at 7:30, you need to know if the stars are actually suited up. For tonight's game against Atlanta, keep an eye on the status of the "day-to-day" guys—it's the second half of a back-to-back, and that's usually when the surprises happen.
Lastly, if you're buying tickets, use a secondary market aggregator about two hours before tip-off. For mid-week games like the Hornets on Thursday, prices usually tank right as the office crowd realizes they’re too tired to go. You can often snag "Dr. Jerry Buss Night" seats for 30% off the face value if you're patient.