So, you're looking for the answer to when is Golden State playing? You aren't alone. Whether the Dubs are hovering at the top of the Western Conference standings or fighting through a mid-season slump, the schedule is the heartbeat of the Bay Area.
It's actually kinda wild how much the NBA schedule dictates the mood in San Francisco. If there's a back-to-back coming up against Denver and Phoenix, the vibe at the Chase Center gets a little tense. But if they're heading out for a soft East Coast swing, fans start breathing easier.
Right now, the NBA calendar is in full swing for the 2025-2026 season. Today is Sunday, January 18, 2026. If you've been following along, you know this is that grueling part of the season where legs start feeling heavy and Steve Kerr starts looking at his bench players with a "please give me something" expression.
The Immediate Outlook: When is Golden State Playing Next?
Let's get straight to the point. The Golden State Warriors are scheduled to play the Utah Jazz tomorrow, Monday, January 19, 2026.
This is a home game at the Chase Center. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM PST. Honestly, playing the Jazz at home is usually a game the Warriors should circle as a "must-win," but in the modern NBA, nobody is a pushover. Utah has been scrappy lately. If you're planning on going, the gates usually open about 90 to 120 minutes early. You’ll want that extra time just to navigate the traffic around Thrive City, which, frankly, is a nightmare on game nights.
Following the Utah game, the Warriors have a quick turnaround. They’ll be taking on the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. That one is also at home. It’s a nice little homestand before they have to pack their bags and head out on the road again.
Watching the Dubs: Where to Find the Game
Knowing when they play is only half the battle; you actually have to find the right channel. Usually, games are broadcast on NBC Sports Bay Area for the local folks. If it's a "big" game—think Lakers, Celtics, or a rematch with the Mavs—you're looking at TNT, ESPN, or ABC.
For the game tomorrow against the Jazz, check your local listings, but it's primarily a regional broadcast. If you’re out of market, NBA League Pass is basically your only legal option, unless you’re okay with watching highlights on YouTube three hours later.
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Why the Mid-January Schedule is Brutal
January is arguably the most boring and yet most dangerous month in the NBA.
Players are tired. The "new season" smell has worn off. The All-Star break is still a few weeks away. When you ask when is Golden State playing, you also have to ask who is actually playing. This is the prime window for "load management."
Steve Kerr has been pretty transparent over the years. If a veteran has a minor calf strain or just looks "leggy," he’s sitting. We saw this back in 2022 and 2023, and it hasn't changed much in 2026. Fans pay a premium to see the stars, but sometimes you end up watching the Santa Cruz Warriors graduates logging 30 minutes.
It’s a risk.
Upcoming Key Matchups in Late January and February
Looking past the immediate week, the schedule gets significantly more difficult.
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- January 25, 2026: The Warriors face the Denver Nuggets. Facing Nikola Jokić is never fun, especially when the Warriors are trying to maintain a small-ball identity.
- January 30, 2026: A Friday night showdown against the Los Angeles Lakers. It doesn't matter how old the rosters get; the rivalry is still there. These games almost always get flexed to national TV.
- February 4, 2026: They head to the desert to play the Phoenix Suns.
The road trip that starts at the end of January is going to be the real test. Five games in seven nights. That’s where seasons are made or broken.
Understanding the "Back-to-Back" Factor
When checking the schedule, keep an eye on those consecutive game nights. The NBA tried to reduce these, but they still exist.
Historically, the Warriors' winning percentage drops by about 12% on the second night of a back-to-back. It makes sense. They aren't the youngest team in the league anymore. If you see they played in Salt Lake City on Sunday and are playing in San Francisco on Monday, maybe temper your expectations for a high-energy blowout.
The Chase Center Experience: What to Know if You're Going
If you're actually attending one of these games, there are a few things that people always forget.
First, the food. It's expensive. You're going to pay $18 for a decent sandwich. That’s just the Bay Area tax. Second, the public transit. Use the Muni. Your game ticket usually counts as your Muni fare for the day. It saves you $50 on parking and a lot of headaches.
The acoustics in the Chase Center are a bit different than the old Oracle Arena in Oakland. It’s "cleaner," but some would say it’s a bit quieter. However, when a big run happens—like a trademark third-quarter Warriors surge—the place still shakes.
Logistics Cheat Sheet:
- Muni: Free with your digital ticket.
- Bag Policy: They are strict. No big backpacks. Small clutches or clear bags are your best bet.
- Warm-ups: If you want to see the "tunnel shot" or the pre-game shooting routines, get there at least an hour before tip-off.
Common Misconceptions About the Warriors Schedule
People often think the NBA schedule is random. It's not.
It's a complex algorithm designed to maximize TV revenue while trying (and often failing) to keep players healthy. A common mistake fans make is assuming a 7:30 PM start time means the ball is in the air at 7:30. This is the NBA. Between the national anthem, player introductions, and the final commercial break, the actual tip-off is usually 10 to 15 minutes after the "official" start time.
Also, don't trust the "strength of schedule" metrics too much in January. A team that looked "easy" in November might have just made a trade or gotten their star player back from injury.
How to Sync the Schedule to Your Phone
Honestly, the best way to stop wondering when is Golden State playing is to just sync the calendar.
You can go to the official Warriors website or use apps like ESPN or Yahoo Sports. There’s usually a "Sync to Calendar" button. It’ll put every game, including the TV channel and location, right into your Google Calendar or iCal. It updates automatically if the NBA flexes a game to a different time slot, which happens more often than you'd think.
Actionable Steps for Warriors Fans
If you want to stay on top of the schedule and make the most of the 2026 season, here is what you should do right now:
- Download the Warriors App: It’s the most reliable source for real-time schedule changes and injury reports.
- Check the Injury Report at 2:00 PM: The NBA mandates that teams submit an official injury report by 2:00 PM local time on game days. This is when you'll find out if the "questionable" star is actually playing.
- Set "Game Start" Alerts: Most sports apps allow you to get a notification 30 minutes before tip-off.
- Monitor the Western Conference Standings: Around this time of year, every game starts to matter for playoff seeding. A win against a team like the Jazz or Blazers might seem small, but it could be the difference between the 6th seed and the Play-In tournament.
The Warriors' journey through the 2025-2026 season is far from over. With a heavy slate of home games coming up this week, it's the perfect time to tune in and see if the team can build some momentum before the All-Star break. Keep an eye on those Monday and Wednesday matchups—they’ll tell us a lot about where this team is headed.