Checking a schedule shouldn't be a chore. But if you’ve tried to figure out when do the sixers play lately, you know the struggle. Between the "injury management" late scratches and the weird 3:00 PM tip-offs on Saturdays, being a Sixers fan in 2026 is basically a part-time job.
Honestly, it's a lot. You’ve got Joel Embiid’s knee management to track, Tyrese Maxey’s explosive 40-point heaters, and a roster that feels like it’s constantly shuffling. We are currently sitting in the thick of the January grind, and the Eastern Conference standings are tighter than a drum.
The Immediate Schedule: January 2026
If you’re looking to catch a game this week, you’re in luck. The team is currently in the middle of a massive home stand at the newly renamed Xfinity Mobile Arena (yeah, we're still getting used to that name too).
Here is the breakdown of the upcoming slate. No fluff, just the times you need to set your alerts for.
- Friday, January 16: vs. Cleveland Cavaliers. This is the second half of a mini-series against Cleveland. Tip-off is at 7:00 PM EST. If you missed the game on the 14th, this is your chance to see how Nick Nurse adjusts.
- Monday, January 19: vs. Indiana Pacers. A classic 7:00 PM EST start. These Pacers games are always track meets, so expect a high score.
- Tuesday, January 20: vs. Phoenix Suns. Back-to-back nights are rough. This one starts at 7:00 PM EST. Keep a very close eye on the injury report for this one—Embiid rarely plays both halves of a back-to-back these days.
- Thursday, January 22: vs. Houston Rockets. Another 7:00 PM EST home game.
- Saturday, January 24: vs. New York Knicks. Alert: 3:00 PM EST start. Don’t be the person showing up at 7:00 PM for a game that ended four hours ago. Knicks fans usually travel well to Philly, so the atmosphere will be intense.
When Do the Sixers Play the Big Names?
Looking past this week, there are a few "circle the calendar" dates that every fan is talking about. The schedule-makers didn't do the Sixers many favors in February, especially with that West Coast road trip looming.
The Rivalry Games
The matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday, January 27 at 8:00 PM EST is going to be massive for playoff seeding. Right now, Philly is hovering around the 5th seed in the East, and Giannis is always a problem.
Then you have the Boston Celtics on March 1. It’s an away game at TD Garden, starting at 6:00 PM EST. We owe them for some of those early-season heartbreakers.
The Rookie Showdowns
One of the most exciting things about the 2025-26 season has been the emergence of VJ Edgecombe. He’s been a revelation next to Maxey. If you want to see the future of the league, mark March 3 against the San Antonio Spurs. Why? Because Victor Wembanyama is coming to town. It’s a battle of the giants and the young guards.
Where to Watch and How to Get In
If you aren't heading down to South Philly, you’re probably stuck with the broadcast shuffle. Most local games are still on NBC Sports Philadelphia. However, the NBA loves the Maxey-Embiid-George trio, so national TV slots on ESPN and TNT are frequent.
✨ Don't miss: University Kentucky Basketball Schedule: What Most People Get Wrong
For example, the January 14th game was a national ESPN broadcast. Usually, if it’s a big-time opponent like the Knicks or the Suns, check the national listings first.
Getting Tickets
Tickets are surprisingly accessible right now, unless it's a "premium" opponent.
- Budget Seats: You can often find "nosebleeds" for the Pacers or Rockets games starting around $17 to $25 on secondary markets like SeatGeek or Ticketmaster.
- The Knicks Tax: If you want to see the Knicks on January 24th, be prepared to pay. Tickets for that one are currently starting at well over $120.
What the Experts are Watching
According to reports from The Times of India and local Philly beats, the coaching staff is leaning heavily into "reconditioning" for Paul George and Joel Embiid. This means the question of when do the sixers play is often followed by "who is actually playing?"
Tyrese Maxey is currently averaging over 30 points per game. He is the engine. When Embiid sits, the offense transforms into a high-speed Maxey-led fast break. When Embiid plays (he's currently listed as probable for the mid-January stretch), the game slows down into a half-court chess match.
Honestly, the best way to track this is to check the official injury report exactly 90 minutes before tip-off. That’s when the "questionable" tags usually turn into "active" or "out."
👉 See also: Sunderland AFC vs Coventry City: Why This Game Always Feels Like War
Your Game Day Checklist
To make sure you don't miss a beat, follow these specific steps before the next tip-off:
- Check the Tip-Off Time: Triple-check the Saturday and Sunday games. The NBA loves those afternoon starts for European audiences (like the 3:00 PM Knicks game).
- Monitor the "Probable" List: Look for updates on VJ Edgecombe and Joel Embiid. If both are in, the Sixers are a completely different beast defensively.
- Sync Your Calendar: If you use Google Calendar or Apple Calendar, you can actually subscribe to the Sixers' official schedule so it updates automatically when times change.
- Watch the Standings: Since we are in January, every win against a team like Cleveland or New York counts double toward avoiding the Play-In tournament.
The Sixers are currently 22-16. With a solid home stand here in late January, they could easily jump into the top three of the East. Stay tuned, keep your jersey ready, and maybe keep some aspirin nearby—it’s Philadelphia basketball, after all.