So you’re looking to find out which nba team is playing today. Honestly, Saturday in the NBA is usually a marathon, and today—January 17, 2026—is no different. We’ve got nine games on the schedule. It's that weird part of the season where the post-Christmas hype has died down but the All-Star break feels a decade away.
If you’re a Mavs fan, you’re looking at a 5:00 PM ET tip-off against Utah. It’s a bit of a "tank-off," as some fans on Reddit are calling it, but hey, a game is a game. The schedule is pretty spread out, starting in Dallas and ending late on the West Coast with LeBron and the Lakers taking on Portland.
Every Single NBA Team Playing Today
The league didn't hold back for this Saturday slate. Here is the rundown of who is hitting the hardwood:
- Utah Jazz at Dallas Mavericks (5:00 PM ET)
- Indiana Pacers at Detroit Pistons (7:30 PM ET)
- Phoenix Suns at New York Knicks (7:30 PM ET)
- Boston Celtics at Atlanta Hawks (7:30 PM ET)
- Oklahoma City Thunder at Miami Heat (8:00 PM ET)
- Minnesota Timberwolves at San Antonio Spurs (8:00 PM ET)
- Charlotte Hornets at Golden State Warriors (8:30 PM ET)
- Washington Wizards at Denver Nuggets (9:00 PM ET)
- Los Angeles Lakers at Portland Trail Blazers (10:00 PM ET)
Most of these are regular-season grinders. You've got the Pistons—who are actually leading the East right now with a 29-10 record—facing a struggling Pacers squad. Then you have the Thunder, sitting pretty at 35-7, visiting the Heat in what should be a physical matchup.
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The Big Matchup: Suns vs. Knicks at the Garden
If you only watch one game when deciding which nba team is playing today, make it the one at Madison Square Garden. The Phoenix Suns are in town to face the New York Knicks.
Both teams are hovering around the same win percentage, with the Knicks at 25-16 and the Suns at 24-17. It's a classic East vs. West showdown. However, the injury report for this one is a total mess. Jalen Brunson is questionable with a right ankle sprain. On the other side, Devin Booker is dealing with a left ankle sprain of his own.
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The Garden is always loud, but if the stars are sitting on the bench in hoodies, the vibe changes. Keep an eye on the late scratches. Sometimes these big "marquee" games turn into the "who has the better bench" games. Jordan Goodwin is expected to play for the Knicks, but he’ll be wearing a protective mask for a jaw issue. Tough guy.
Stars on the Shelf: Who’s Actually Healthy?
Injuries are the story of the day. Dallas is basically a hospital ward right now. They’re missing Kyrie Irving (knee) and Anthony Davis (finger). Even their prized rookie, Cooper Flagg, is listed as doubtful with an ankle problem.
In San Antonio, the Spurs are facing a Minnesota team that’s playing without Anthony Edwards. That’s a huge blow for the Wolves. But it gives us another chance to watch Victor Wembanyama operate against a Minnesota frontcourt that usually prides itself on defense.
The Jazz are also missing their big men. Lauri Markkanen is out with an illness and Walker Kessler has a shoulder issue. If you're looking for high-level, healthy basketball, maybe skip the Dallas-Utah game and tune into OKC vs. Miami. The Thunder are the best team in the league right now for a reason. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is playing at an MVP level, and they are remarkably healthy compared to the rest of the league.
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Why Today Matters for the Standings
We are officially in Week 13. The standings are starting to harden like concrete. In the Eastern Conference, the Detroit Pistons are surprisingly the team to beat. Nobody saw that coming two years ago. They host Indiana tonight, and a win keeps them firmly in that #1 spot.
The Western Conference is a bloodbath. OKC is running away with it, but the gap between the 2nd seed (Spurs) and the 7th seed (Suns) is only about four games. Every Saturday night win counts double when the tiebreakers start coming into play in April.
Actionable Steps for Today's Games
If you're planning to watch, here's how to handle the night:
- Check the 90-minute mark: NBA teams have to release their official active rosters 90 minutes before tip-off. If you're waiting on Brunson or Booker, that's your window.
- Toggle between OKC and NYK: These are the two best games of the night. If the Garden game is a blowout or the stars sit, the Thunder-Heat game will be a much better tactical watch.
- Watch the late-night Lakers: Even at 10:00 PM ET, the Lakers vs. Blazers game is worth a look just to see how LeBron is managing his minutes in the middle of January.
The league is in a weird spot with all these injuries, but that's just the reality of a long season. Grab some wings, settle in, and enjoy the slate.