Honestly, the January grind in the NBA is usually where things get a little weird. We’re past the Christmas Day hype, but the All-Star break still feels like it’s a lifetime away. But if you’re looking at who play nba tonight, Wednesday, January 14, 2026, is actually a sneaky-good slate. We’ve got seven games on the board, and while some look like total blowouts on paper, there are a few heavy-hitters that could fundamentally shift the standings in both conferences.
It's a big night for the "Intuit Dome" crowd in Inglewood and a massive test for the Sixers in Philly.
The Prime Time Matchups: Who Play NBA Tonight?
The headliner for most fans tonight is going to be the clash in Dallas. The Denver Nuggets (26-13) are heading into the American Airlines Center to take on the Dallas Mavericks (15-25). Now, don't let that Dallas record fool you. They’ve been playing much better lately since Cooper Flagg started really finding his rhythm. The Nuggets, led by Nikola Jokic—who is basically a human triple-double at this point—are currently sitting third in the West and looking to close the gap on the Spurs and Thunder. This game tips off at 8:30 PM CST.
Then you have the Eastern Conference battle between the Cleveland Cavaliers (22-19) and the Philadelphia 76ers (22-16). This one is huge. Both teams are hovering right in that 5-to-7 seed range. Philly is finally getting Joel Embiid and Paul George back on the floor together consistently, which is a scary sight for the rest of the East. Cleveland, meanwhile, is trying to snap a bit of a cold streak. They’re at the Xfinity Mobile Arena at 6:00 PM CST.
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Full Wednesday Night Schedule
- Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Philadelphia 76ers | 6:00 PM CST | Xfinity Mobile Arena
- Toronto Raptors vs. Indiana Pacers | 6:00 PM CST | Gainbridge Fieldhouse
- Brooklyn Nets vs. New Orleans Pelicans | 7:00 PM CST | Smoothie King Center
- Utah Jazz vs. Chicago Bulls | 7:00 PM CST | United Center
- Denver Nuggets vs. Dallas Mavericks | 8:30 PM CST | American Airlines Center
- New York Knicks vs. Sacramento Kings | 9:00 PM CST | Golden 1 Center
- Washington Wizards vs. LA Clippers | 9:30 PM CST | Intuit Dome
Injury Reports and Betting Angles
If you’re checking the lines for who play nba tonight, you’ve probably noticed the Clippers are massive favorites. They’re 11.5-point favorites over the Washington Wizards. The Wizards (10-28) have been struggling, and it doesn't help that they have a couple of key rotation players on the injury report.
Over in Indiana, the Pacers are in a rough spot. Tyrese Haliburton is still sidelined with that Achilles tear, and Obi Toppin is out with a foot fracture. It’s been a nightmare season for Indy fans, honestly. They’re currently sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with only 9 wins. On the flip side, the Toronto Raptors (24-17) are looking to take advantage of that weakened roster to solidify their 4th-seed standing.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on the "Over/Under" for the Clippers vs. Wizards game. It’s set at 223.5. Given how the Wizards' defense has looked lately (allowing 124 points per game on average), that "Over" is looking pretty tempting to a lot of people.
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Key Player Statuses to Watch
- Luka Doncic (Lakers/Trade Rumors context): While the Lakers aren't on tonight, the ripple effect of the Doncic/LeBron dynamic is felt every night games are played.
- Joel Embiid (Sixers): Listed as Probable. If he plays, Philly’s interior defense is a different animal.
- James Harden (Clippers): He’s the engine for LA right now, especially with the Wizards' perimeter defense being as porous as it is.
Why Tonight Matters for the Standings
We're at a weird point in the season. The Detroit Pistons are actually leading the Eastern Conference. Yeah, you read 그 right. Cade Cunningham has turned that franchise around. Tonight, the teams playing are mostly in that "middle class" of the NBA.
The New York Knicks (25-14) are at the Kings tonight. The Knicks are currently chasing Detroit for that top spot. Jalen Brunson has been playing like an MVP candidate, and after their NBA Cup win earlier this season, the momentum is real. If they can steal a win in Sacramento—where the Kings have struggled to stay above .250 this year—they’ll be breathing down the Pistons' necks.
The West is even more of a bloodbath. The Oklahoma City Thunder (33-7) are the clear "big dogs," but the Nuggets need a win tonight to stay within shouting distance. A loss to a sub-.500 Dallas team would be a major setback for Denver's hopes of securing a top-2 seed.
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How to Watch the Games
Most of tonight's action is on local regional networks like FDSSC and MNMT, but you can catch almost everything on NBA League Pass if you’re out of market. For the Clippers vs. Wizards game, it’s being streamed on Fubo as well.
If you're looking for the best pure basketball tonight, tune into Nuggets-Mavs. It’s a contrast in styles—Denver’s disciplined, Jokic-led offense versus the explosive, sometimes chaotic energy of Dallas. Plus, seeing how the Mavericks' young core handles a championship-caliber team is always a good litmus test.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're planning your night around the games, here is the best way to approach it:
- Check the Final Injury Report: The NBA releases official updates at 5:30 PM ET. Make sure Embiid is officially "Active" before you bank on a Sixers win.
- Monitor the Line Movement: If the Clippers' spread jumps to -13 or higher, the "Smart Money" might be backing off.
- Focus on the East Playoff Race: Pay close attention to the Cavs-Sixers result. Since they are separated by only a few games, the tiebreaker implications are huge even this early in the year.
- Set Your Fantasy Lineups Early: With the 6:00 PM CST starts, you don't have much time to swap out players from the Raptors or Pacers if a late scratch happens.
The "January Slump" is a myth if you know where to look. Tonight's games offer a perfect mix of star power and desperate teams fighting to stay in the play-in hunt.