You’ve probably been there. You sit down, grab a drink, flip to ESPN, and... it’s a rerun of a cornhole tournament from three years ago. It's frustrating. Honestly, figuring out who plays today on tv feels like a full-time job sometimes because the streaming rights are a mess and the schedules shift like sand.
Today is Wednesday, January 14, 2026. If you're looking for the big games, you’ve actually got a pretty massive slate across the NBA, NHL, and a heavy dose of college hoops.
But don't just check the main networks. Most of the action is hiding on regional networks or streaming apps you probably forgot you subscribed to. Let's break down exactly what’s hitting your screen tonight so you don't miss the tip-off.
The NBA Slate: Heavy Hitters and Rivalries
The NBA is in the thick of the mid-season grind right now. Tonight's marquee matchup is definitely the Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Philadelphia 76ers. This one is a national broadcast on ESPN at 7:00 PM ET. Watching Joel Embiid deal with the Cavs' twin towers is always a chess match.
If you’re on the West Coast or just a night owl, the second half of the ESPN doubleheader is the Denver Nuggets vs. Dallas Mavericks at 9:30 PM ET. Jokic versus Luka. It's basically a league-pass fever dream but on national television.
Beyond the national games, we've got some regional gems:
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- Brooklyn Nets at New Orleans Pelicans: This one starts at 7:00 PM CT. If you’re in the New Orleans area, you’re looking for the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network. For the Brooklyn crowd, it’s on YES on Gotham.
- Utah Jazz at Chicago Bulls: A classic cross-conference battle. You'll find this on local sports networks or NBA League Pass if you're out of market.
NHL Wednesday: TNT Doubleheader
Hockey fans get the "Wednesday Night Hockey" treatment on TNT.
The early window features the Philadelphia Flyers at Buffalo Sabres at 7:30 PM ET. Both teams are fighting for playoff positioning, and the Sabres' young core is finally starting to look like the real deal.
Once that wraps up, stay tuned for Vegas Golden Knights vs. Los Angeles Kings at 10:00 PM ET. This is a massive Pacific Division rivalry. These teams genuinely don't like each other, which usually makes for the best mid-week TV.
If you aren't near a TNT broadcast, the Ottawa Senators are taking on the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. That’s a 7:30 PM puck drop, mostly on local MSG networks.
College Basketball: The Real Chaos
This is where things get truly "kinda" crazy. Wednesday nights in January are basically "Big Ten and Big 12 Night."
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The biggest game on the board is Illinois at Northwestern at 7:30 PM ET on Big Ten Network (BTN). Northwestern’s gym is always a nightmare for ranked teams. Later on, Michigan travels to Washington for a 9:30 PM ET tip, also on BTN.
Over on Peacock, you’ve got two exclusive games that won’t be on traditional cable:
- UCF at Kansas State (8:00 PM ET)
- Utah at Texas Tech (8:00 PM ET)
The Big 12 is a gauntlet this year. If you don't have the Peacock app fired up, you're missing half the story. Meanwhile, Duke is out west playing California at 10:00 PM ET on ACC Network. It’s a weird time for the Blue Devils to be playing, but that’s the new reality of conference realignment.
What Most People Get Wrong About Today's TV
Most fans assume that if a game is "big," it will be on a channel they already have. That's just not true anymore.
Take the Australian Open, for instance. The main tournament doesn't start until Saturday, January 17th, but the official draw is happening tonight (technically early Thursday morning in Melbourne). If you're a die-hard tennis fan looking for who plays today on tv, you won't find live matches yet, but you can stream the draw on the AO YouTube channel or their website starting at 10:30 PM ET.
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Also, soccer fans. There isn't a massive Premier League slate today, but the EFL Cup has some legs. You might see some questionable "Live Stream" links for Arsenal vs. Chelsea, but be careful—that match is actually slated for tomorrow, January 15th. Don't fall for the "live now" scams on social media today.
Practical Steps for Your Viewership Tonight
If you want to actually see these games without the "searching for signal" headache, do this:
- Sync your apps: If you're watching the NBA, make sure your ESPN app is logged in with your provider before 7:00 PM.
- Check Peacock: Since they have two exclusive Big 12 games tonight, check if your internet provider gives you a free sub. Many still do.
- Regional Blackouts: If you are trying to watch the Pelicans or Nets and you live in those cities, League Pass will black you out. You must use the local RSN (YES or GCSEN).
Knowing who plays today on tv is about more than just a list of names; it's about knowing which subscription actually owns the rights. Tonight is a heavy "app night" with BTN, Peacock, and TNT taking the lion's share of the good stuff.
Pick your games early. Set the recording for the West Coast matchups. The NBA doubleheader on ESPN is the safest bet for a high-quality broadcast without the hassle of extra logins.