Basketball fans are looking at a pretty wild Wednesday night. If you’re trying to figure out who is playing in the nba today, we’ve got seven games on the slate for January 14, 2026. Honestly, it’s one of those nights where the league feels split right down the middle between heavyweight title fights and teams just trying to survive the winter grind.
We’ve got the Denver Nuggets—even without Nikola Jokic, who is still sidelined with that nasty knee hyperextension—heading into Dallas to face a Mavericks team that has been, frankly, struggling to find its rhythm this season. Then you’ve got the Philadelphia 76ers hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers in a battle for Eastern Conference positioning. It’s a lot to keep track of, especially with the injury report looking like a CVS receipt lately.
Tonight’s Full NBA Schedule: Times and Where to Watch
Basically, the action kicks off early on the East Coast and doesn't let up until the late-night West Coast tip-offs. Here is the breakdown of the games happening tonight.
- Cleveland Cavaliers at Philadelphia 76ers: 7:00 PM ET. This one is on ESPN. It’s arguably the "game of the night" material. Philadelphia has Joel Embiid and Paul George both listed as probable despite their ongoing "injury management" cycles, which we all know is just the new normal for the Sixers.
- Toronto Raptors at Indiana Pacers: 7:00 PM ET. Indiana is still feeling the sting of losing Tyrese Haliburton to that Achilles tear. It’s been a rough ride for them, sitting at the bottom of the Central Division.
- Utah Jazz at Chicago Bulls: 8:00 PM ET. Keep an eye on the United Center. The Bulls are slight favorites here (-2.5), and they might finally have Coby White back in the rotation after his calf issue.
- Brooklyn Nets at New Orleans Pelicans: 8:00 PM ET. The Pels are at home, but they’re still missing Jose Alvarado.
- Denver Nuggets at Dallas Mavericks: 9:30 PM ET. This is the big national TV game on ESPN. Even without the Joker, Denver has been surprisingly tough on the road. Jamal Murray has been carrying a massive scoring load lately, averaging over 25 points a night.
- New York Knicks at Sacramento Kings: 10:00 PM ET. The Knicks are currently chasing Detroit for the top spot in the East. They play a physical style that should be a fun contrast to Sacramento’s pace.
- Washington Wizards at LA Clippers: 10:30 PM ET. The night ends at the Intuit Dome. James Harden and Kawhi Leonard are both expected to play, which usually spells trouble for a Wizards team that has only won 10 games all year.
The Nuggets vs. Mavericks Drama
You can't talk about who is playing in the nba today without focusing on that Denver-Dallas matchup. It’s weird seeing the Nuggets without Jokic, isn't it? He’s been out since late December, and while the "Nuggets are just a one-man team" narrative is a bit of an exaggeration, his absence is felt on every single possession.
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However, Jamal Murray has stepped up in a way that reminds people of his "Bubble Murray" days. He’s the engine now. On the other side, the Mavericks are having a bit of an identity crisis. Luka Dončić is putting up MVP-caliber numbers—leading the league with over 33 points per game—but the wins aren't following. They are 15-25. That’s not where anyone expected them to be at the halfway point of the 2025-26 season.
Why Cleveland vs. Philly Matters for the Standings
Over in the East, the Detroit Pistons are surprisingly holding the number one seed (yes, you read that right), which makes the race between New York, Boston, and Philadelphia extremely tight. Cleveland is sitting right there in the mix, too.
The Sixers have been cautious. Embiid and George are playing, but they’re clearly being preserved for a deep April run. If the Cavs can steal one in Philly tonight, it shakes up the middle of the Eastern playoff bracket significantly. Cleveland's Max Strus is still out after foot surgery, but their core of Mitchell and Garland is healthy and dangerous.
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Key Injuries to Watch Before Tip-Off
Injuries are the worst part of the game, but you have to track them if you’re betting or just trying to see if your favorite star is actually suited up.
- Tyrese Haliburton (Pacers): Still out. This is the big one. His Achilles injury from the Finals last year has completely changed the trajectory of Indiana's season.
- Nikola Jokic (Nuggets): Out until at least February with a hyperextended knee.
- Coby White (Bulls): He’s a game-time decision. If he plays, the Bulls' offense becomes 10 times more dynamic.
- Kawhi Leonard (Clippers): Listed as "probable" with ankle soreness. With Kawhi, you never really know until he’s out there for the jump ball.
- Joel Embiid (76ers): Probable. Expect him to play about 30-32 minutes as they continue to manage his workload.
Actionable Insights for Tonight’s Slate
If you’re watching the games or looking at the lines, here’s the reality of how these teams are trending. The Denver Nuggets are actually a great road team against the spread this year, covering about 60% of the time when they travel. Even without Jokic, their role players like Peyton Watson have really found their footing.
The Utah Jazz and Chicago Bulls matchup is expected to be a high-scoring affair. The over/under is set at a whopping 246.5. If you like fast-paced basketball with very little defense, that’s the game to put on your second screen.
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For those tracking the Eastern Conference race, the Knicks-Kings game is a stealthy candidate for "most entertaining." Both teams play with a lot of "pop," and the Golden 1 Center crowd in Sacramento is always loud for these late-night tips.
To stay updated on late-breaking lineup changes, check the official NBA injury report two hours before the 7:00 PM ET tip-offs, as that's when most "questionable" tags get converted to "active" or "out." Focus on the Denver-Dallas game for the highest level of star power, but keep an eye on Philly if you want to see how the East is shaping up for the postseason.