It is that mid-January stretch where the NBA season starts to get real gritty. The holiday hype has faded, the All-Star break is still a ways off, and teams are finally showing us who they actually are. Honestly, if you are looking for who play today in the nba, you've picked a fantastic Friday to tune in. We have a six-game slate for January 16, 2026, that features everything from Eastern Conference heavyweights to Western Conference playoff hopefuls trying to claw their way back to .500.
Forget the "load management" talk for a second. There are some massive storylines tonight, including a schedule change that moved a Donovan Mitchell vs. Tyrese Maxey showdown into the national spotlight on ESPN. Whether you are tracking your fantasy team or just need something to watch while you're unwinding, here is the lowdown on tonight's action.
The Big One: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Philadelphia 76ers
This is the game everyone is talking about, mostly because ESPN flexed it in to replace a Brooklyn/Chicago matchup. Smart move. You've got the Philadelphia 76ers (currently sitting at 27-14) hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Sixers are coming off a weird week where they split a back-to-back with Toronto. The good news for Philly fans? Joel Embiid and Paul George are both listed as probable despite the usual "injury management" tags that follow them around like shadows. Kelly Oubre Jr. is also good to go.
Cleveland, on the other hand, is a bit banged up. They’re missing Darius Garland (toe) and Max Strus (foot), but Donovan Mitchell is still Donovan Mitchell. He’s been carrying a heavy load lately, and seeing him go head-to-head with Tyrese Maxey is basically a guaranteed highlight reel.
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Game Details:
- Time: 7:00 PM ET
- Location: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia
- Watch: ESPN
Battle of the Borders: LA Clippers vs. Toronto Raptors
If you like defense and wings who can do everything, this is your game. The Clippers are currently 17-23, which sounds mediocre until you realize they’ve won four in a row. James Harden is playing some of his most efficient basketball in years, averaging over 25 points and 8 assists lately.
But Toronto is a tough place to play. The Raptors are 25-17 and under a lot of "win-now" pressure from their front office. Scottie Barnes is doing it all—literally. He’s averaging about 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists, while ranking in the top 10 in the league for blocks.
The Clippers have a laundry list of injuries, though. Bradley Beal is out for the season, and Bogdan Bogdanovic is sidelined with a hamstring issue. They’re going to need a vintage Kawhi Leonard performance to steal one in the North.
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Game Details:
- Time: 7:30 PM ET
- Location: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
- Watch: SportsNet / FDSSC
Other Notable Matchups Tonight
The NBA doesn't stop with the headliners. There are four other games tonight that offer plenty of intrigue if you're looking for specific player matchups or betting angles.
New Orleans Pelicans @ Indiana Pacers (7:00 PM ET)
The Pacers are in a bit of a crisis. Tyrese Haliburton is out, which basically means Indiana has to reinvent their entire offense on the fly. The Pelicans aren't much healthier—they're missing Dejounte Murray (Achilles) and Herb Jones. It’s gonna be a "next man up" kind of night in Indy.
Chicago Bulls @ Brooklyn Nets (7:30 PM ET)
Even though ESPN dropped this from their broadcast, it's a huge game for two teams hovering around the play-in tournament. The Bulls are slight underdogs on the road, but they’ve been better lately. Watch out for Michael Porter Jr. for the Nets; he’s been a flamethrower from deep this season, hitting over 40% of his threes.
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Minnesota Timberwolves @ Houston Rockets (9:30 PM ET)
The Rockets are -3.5 favorites at home, which tells you how much respect they’ve earned this year. Minnesota is always a threat with their size, but Houston’s young core has been incredibly resilient at the Toyota Center.
Washington Wizards @ Sacramento Kings (10:00 PM ET)
Sacramento is heavily favored here (-7.0). The Wizards have lost four straight and are struggling to find an identity. The Kings are leaning on the trio of DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and a rejuvenated Russell Westbrook coming off the bench.
Quick Reference: Who Play Today in the NBA?
- Cleveland Cavaliers at Philadelphia 76ers (7:00 PM ET)
- New Orleans Pelicans at Indiana Pacers (7:00 PM ET)
- Brooklyn Nets at Chicago Bulls (7:30 PM ET)
- LA Clippers at Toronto Raptors (7:30 PM ET)
- Minnesota Timberwolves at Houston Rockets (9:30 PM ET)
- Washington Wizards at Sacramento Kings (10:00 PM ET)
What to Watch for Tonight
When you're scanning the box scores or deciding which game to flip to, keep an eye on the injury reports. They change fast. For example, the Clippers’ Ivica Zubac is a game-time decision with an ankle issue. If he sits, the Raptors’ Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram are going to have a field day in the paint.
Also, look at the "flex" factor. The NBA moved the Philly/Cleveland game to ESPN for a reason. Usually, when the league makes that move, they have a good idea that the stars are actually going to play. Seeing Embiid vs. Mitchell on national TV is as good as regular-season basketball gets.
Actionable Tips for NBA Fans
If you're planning your night around these games, here’s how to get the most out of the slate:
- Check the "Probable" Tags: In the 2026 NBA, "Probable" almost always means they are playing, but "Questionable" is a 50/50 toss-up. Check the official NBA injury report at 5:30 PM ET for the final word.
- Watch the Clippers’ Win Streak: They’ve won four straight. If they beat a tough Toronto team on the road, it’s time to stop calling their season a disappointment and start looking at them as a dark horse in the West.
- Fantasy Basketball Alert: With Haliburton out for Indiana, look for T.J. McConnell or whoever is starting at point guard to see a massive spike in assists.
- Local vs. National: Remember that if you live in Philly or Cleveland, the ESPN game might be blacked out in favor of your local regional sports network (RSN). Have your login credentials ready just in case.
The 2025-26 season is reaching its midpoint, and tonight's games could have huge implications for tiebreakers down the road. Enjoy the hoops.