The Los Angeles Lakers are back at Crypto.com Arena tonight, January 15, 2026, taking on the Charlotte Hornets. If you’ve been following this season, you know the Lakers are sitting on a decent 24-14 record, looking to keep their footing in a brutal Western Conference. Meanwhile, Charlotte is struggling at 14-26, but they’ve got young talent that can get hot if you ignore them.
You’re probably just here to figure out which remote to grab.
Honestly, the TV landscape for the NBA changed a ton this year with the new broadcast deals kicking in. If you're looking for where to watch Lakers game tonight, it's not on TNT anymore—that era is over. Tonight’s game is a local broadcast heavy-hitter.
The Best Ways to Watch the Lakers vs. Hornets Tonight
The game tips off at 7:30 PM PT (10:30 PM ET). Since it’s a home game at Crypto.com Arena, the primary local television home is Spectrum SportsNet. If you live in the Southern California, Hawaii, or Southern Nevada markets, this is your go-to.
For the folks in the Charlotte market, the game is airing on FanDuel Sports Network Southeast (FDSSE).
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What if you don't have cable? It’s 2026, so you have options, but they're specific.
- Spectrum SportsNet+: This is the direct-to-consumer app for local fans. It’s about $20 a month. You can stream it on your phone, Roku, or Apple TV as long as you’re in the Lakers' home territory.
- NBA League Pass: If you are outside of the Los Angeles and Charlotte markets, this is your best bet. However, if you live in LA, the game will be blacked out on League Pass.
- Fubo: They carry Spectrum SportsNet in the local LA market, making it one of the few "cable-replacement" services that actually gets you the game.
- DIRECTV STREAM: Like Fubo, they usually carry the regional sports networks (RSNs) necessary to watch local Lakers broadcasts.
Why This Matchup Actually Matters
On paper, the Lakers should steamroll a 14-win Hornets team. But the Lakers are dealing with some nagging health issues. Austin Reaves is officially out tonight with that calf strain, and Adou Thiero is sidelined with a knee injury.
Jaxson Hayes is a game-time decision.
This puts a massive load on Luka Dončić, who has been playing like an MVP candidate since joining the Lakers. He’s averaging 33.4 points per game. That’s absurd. Watching him navigate the Hornets' defense is basically worth the price of admission (or the app subscription) alone.
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Charlotte isn't totally toothless, though. Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges can both fill it up. If the Lakers' perimeter defense—which has been middle-of-the-pack this year—sleeps on Kon Knueppel, this could be closer than the five-point spread suggests.
Streaming Secrets and 2026 Blackouts
The biggest headache for fans is usually the blackout rule. Basically, if a game is being shown on a local channel in your city, the national streaming apps (like League Pass) won't let you watch it live.
You’ve probably been there. You pay for the app, sit down with your snacks, and get a "This content is not available in your area" message.
To avoid that tonight:
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- Check if you’re "In-Market." If you are in LA, use Spectrum SportsNet+ or a cable login.
- If you’re "Out-of-Market," use NBA League Pass.
- Avoid the "national" search. This game isn't on NBC or Prime Video tonight, so those apps won't help you with the live feed.
The Starting Lineup Shift
With Reaves out, expect to see more of Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia. LaRavia has been a defensive spark plug lately, leading the team in steals at 1.3 per game. He’s going to be tasked with chasing Charlotte's shooters around screens all night.
The Lakers' size advantage with Deandre Ayton (8.8 rebounds per game) should be the deciding factor. Charlotte struggles on the glass, ranking near the bottom of the league in defensive rebounding percentage. If Ayton and LeBron can control the boards, the Lakers will get plenty of second-chance points.
Actionable Steps for Tonight’s Game
- Confirm your location: If you're in LA, open the Spectrum SportsNet app by 7:15 PM to catch the pre-game show.
- Check the injury report one last time: Follow beat writers on social media about 30 minutes before tip-off to see if Jaxson Hayes is cleared to play.
- Sync your audio: If you're tired of the TV announcers, you can usually find the local radio broadcast on the 710 ESPN app for that classic Lakers feel.
Get your setup ready now so you aren't scrolling through menus while Luka is hitting step-back threes in the first quarter.