You’re sitting there, wings getting cold, and you realize you aren't actually sure if the game starts at 6:00 or 7:00. It’s a classic move. We’ve all been there. If you’re trying to figure out when does the Oklahoma Thunder play, the answer changes faster than a Shai Gilgeous-Alexander crossover.
The 2025-2026 season has been an absolute whirlwind for OKC. Coming off that massive 2025 championship run—yeah, the one where they took down the Pacers in seven games—the target on their back is huge.
The Immediate Slate: Where and When
Right now, the Thunder are deep in the grind of a road-heavy January. If you’re looking for the next few tip-offs, you need to sync your watch to a few different time zones. They are currently zig-zagging across the Eastern and Central time zones.
On Thursday, January 15, 2026, the Thunder are down in Houston taking on the Rockets at the Toyota Center. That one tips off at 6:30 PM. It’s a massive game because the Rockets have been chirping ever since the Thunder got their rings earlier this season.
After that, they head to South Beach. Saturday, January 17, they face the Miami Heat at 8:00 PM.
Then comes the MLK Day celebration. On Monday, January 19, it’s a weirdly early start. They play the Cleveland Cavaliers at 2:30 PM. Don't be the person who tries to tune in at night and realizes the game ended five hours ago.
When Does the Oklahoma Thunder Play at Home?
Road trips are fine for the die-hards, but nothing beats the atmosphere at the Paycom Center. The "Loud City" energy is real, especially with the team sitting at a ridiculous 34-7 record right now.
You’ll have to wait until late January to catch them back in OKC. Their next big home stand kicks off on Friday, January 23, against the Indiana Pacers. That’s a 7:00 PM (or 8:30 PM depending on the national broadcast window) tip-off that everyone in Oklahoma has circled. It’s a rematch of the Finals, and the Pacers are looking for blood.
Following that, they host the Toronto Raptors on Sunday, January 25, at 6:00 PM.
Then they wrap up the month at home against the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday, January 27, at 7:00 PM.
The Rivalries You Actually Care About
Let’s be honest: not every game is created equal. You want to know when the heavy hitters are coming to town. The Chet Holmgren versus Victor Wembanyama saga is basically the only thing NBA Twitter talks about these days.
The Spurs have actually had the Thunder’s number lately, which is wild considering OKC’s record. They just beat the Spurs on January 13 to snap a three-game losing streak against them.
If you missed that one, you’ll have to wait until February 4 to see them go at it again in San Antonio.
Mark these "Big Ticket" games on your calendar:
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- February 9: At the Los Angeles Lakers. Shai vs. LeBron is always theater.
- February 12: Home against the Milwaukee Bucks. Seeing Giannis try to navigate the Thunder’s "small-ball" defense is fascinating.
- February 27: Home against the Denver Nuggets. Nikola Jokic is the ultimate test for Chet’s frame.
- March 12: Home against the Boston Celtics. This could easily be a 2026 Finals preview.
Why the Times Keep Shifting
You’ve probably noticed that one game is at 6:30 and the next is at 8:30. It’s annoying. Basically, the NBA's new TV deals with NBC, Peacock, and Amazon Prime Video have made the schedule a bit of a jigsaw puzzle.
When the Thunder are on NBC’s "Coast-2-Coast" Tuesday, they usually slide into that 8:00 PM ET slot. If they’re on a local broadcast, it’s almost always 7:00 PM local time.
And don't forget the Emirates NBA Cup. If they advance deep into the tournament brackets, those December games get flexed into national spots that can move the start time by an hour in either direction.
How to Actually Watch This Season
If you aren't at the Paycom Center, you’re probably streaming. The days of just turning on a cable box are kinda over.
- Local Fans: Most games are on the regional sports network (check your local listings for the rebranded Bally/Diamond sports situation).
- National Games: Keep an eye on Peacock and Amazon Prime. They’ve grabbed a huge chunk of the Thunder’s schedule this year.
- Out of Market: NBA League Pass is still the king, but the blackouts are still a massive headache. If you’re in OKC, League Pass won’t help you watch home games live.
What to Watch For Right Now
The Thunder are playing some of the most efficient basketball in franchise history. Shai is averaging over 31 points per game, and Jalen Williams has turned into a legitimate second option that most teams can’t guard.
The biggest thing to watch in the upcoming games is the center rotation. With Isaiah Hartenstein dealing with some injury bugs recently, Jaylin Williams and Kenrich Williams have had to play "big" against guys like Wembanyama and Brook Lopez. It’s not always pretty, but it works.
Honestly, the way Mark Daigneault rotates this roster is borderline genius. You never know who’s going to close the game. One night it’s Cason Wallace for his defense; the next, it’s Isaiah Joe because they need the floor spacing.
Practical Steps for Thunder Fans
Stop guessing. The best thing you can do is download the official NBA app and sync the Thunder schedule directly to your Google or Apple Calendar. It automatically adjusts for time zone changes when they travel, so you won’t be left wondering why the game hasn't started yet.
If you’re planning on going to a game, buy your tickets at least two weeks out. Ever since the championship, the secondary market prices for games against the Lakers, Warriors, or Celtics have skyrocketed. You can usually find "get-in" prices for around $30 for a Tuesday night game against a team like the Jazz, but for the big matchups, expect to pay triple that just for the upper bowl.
Check the injury reports about two hours before tip-off. In the modern NBA, "rest" and "load management" are just part of the game. You don't want to buy a ticket to see Shai only to find out he's sitting the second half of a back-to-back.