You’re staring at the clock, wondering if you have time to grab a Leinie’s and settle in before tip-off. Honestly, keeping track of the NBA schedule in 2026 feels like a full-time job with all these streaming exclusives and holiday matinees. If you’re asking when is the next bucks game, the answer is right around the corner.
The Milwaukee Bucks are hitting the road for a massive holiday showdown. They’ll be facing the Atlanta Hawks on Monday, January 19, 2026.
This isn't just a random Monday night game. It’s a featured Martin Luther King Jr. Day matchup at State Farm Arena. Tip-off is set for 1:00 PM EST (12:00 PM local Milwaukee time). Since it's a holiday, the NBA is leaning heavily into the afternoon "matinee" vibe, so don't expect to wait until evening to see Giannis and the crew take the floor.
Watching the Bucks: Peacock and Local Options
If you’re planning to watch this one, you might need to double-check your logins. This specific game against the Hawks is a Peacock exclusive. You won't find it on your traditional cable channels or even the usual local sports network for this specific window.
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After that Atlanta trip, things return to a bit of "normalcy." The Bucks head back to the 414 for a serious home-stand at Fiserv Forum. Here is how the immediate schedule looks:
- Wednesday, January 21, 2026: vs. Oklahoma City Thunder at 8:30 PM EST.
- Friday, January 23, 2026: vs. Denver Nuggets at 8:30 PM EST.
- Sunday, January 25, 2026: vs. Dallas Mavericks at 6:00 PM EST.
Watching the Bucks in 2026 has become a bit of a scavenger hunt. Most games still land on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin (the artist formerly known as Bally Sports), but the national TV deal is spread out. You'll see them on NBC, Peacock, and even Amazon Prime Video throughout the rest of the season.
The Roster Situation: Who is Actually Playing?
You can't talk about the next game without talking about the injury report. It's been a weird year. Giannis Antetokounmpo has been dealing with a nagging left ankle sprain, though he’s been playing through it recently. He’s currently listed as probable, but as every Bucks fan knows, that can change during warmups.
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The bigger bummer is Taurean Prince. He’s been out since that neck surgery back in November, and the latest word from the training staff is that he won't be back until late February at the earliest.
There's some weirdly good news, though. Ryan Rollins has been absolutely lighting it up lately, averaging over 22 points in his last few starts. Pairing him with Kevin Porter Jr. has given the backcourt a spark that frankly, we didn't see coming at the start of the season.
Why the Next Few Games are Make-or-Break
The Bucks are sitting at a bit of a crossroads. As of mid-January, the record is 17-23. That’s not where anyone expected this team to be. There’s been a lot of talk about internal chemistry and whether the defensive rotations under the current scheme are actually working.
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The upcoming game against Atlanta is a huge opportunity because the Hawks have been inconsistent. But the real test follows immediately after. Facing the Thunder and the Nuggets back-to-back at home is basically a gauntlet. If the Bucks want to climb back into a solid playoff seed in the East, they have to defend Fiserv Forum.
What You Should Know Before Tip-off
- Tickets are still out there. For the home games starting Jan 21, you can find nosebleeds for about $25, but the Nuggets game on Friday is already trending way higher—expect to pay at least $45 just to get in the door.
- Radio is still king. If you’re stuck in traffic or working, 620 WTMJ is still the home for the Bucks Radio Network. It’s honestly sometimes better than the TV commentary.
- The "Wemby" Effect. The Bucks just came off a brutal loss to the Spurs where Victor Wembanyama looked like a literal alien. The team needs to shake that off before they land in Atlanta.
The 2025-26 season has been a rollercoaster. One night they look like championship contenders, and the next, they’re struggling to close out the fourth quarter. It’s frustrating, sure, but that’s Milwaukee basketball.
Moving Forward with the Bucks
If you're looking to catch the action, your immediate move is to make sure your Peacock subscription is active for Monday's holiday game. After that, keep an eye on the injury report specifically for Giannis' ankle—if he sits, the spread for the OKC and Denver games is going to shift significantly. You might also want to check your local listings for FanDuel Sports Network, as they'll pick back up with the OKC game on Wednesday.
Keep an eye on the standings, too. With the East being as tight as it is, a three-game win streak could jump the Bucks from "struggling" to "firmly in the mix" by the end of the month.
To stay ahead of the schedule, you can sync the official Bucks calendar to your phone via the NBA app. This is usually the fastest way to see time changes, as the league occasionally flexes games into different slots for national broadcasts. Check the Fiserv Forum website if you're planning on heading to the arena, as security protocols for the 2026 season have been slightly updated regarding bag sizes.