If you're sitting down on the couch tonight, January 13, 2026, and looking for your usual NBC Tuesday night comedies or dramas, you're going to notice something pretty different. Basically, the peacock is pivoting. Instead of the scripted lineup many expect, the network is leaning heavily into live sports tonight.
It's a big night for basketball fans. Honestly, the regular Tuesday night favorites like Night Court or The Irrational aren't on the docket because NBC is broadcasting a major Western Conference showdown.
The Primetime Lineup for Tonight
The centerpiece of the NBC schedule tonight is professional basketball. Here is how the evening breaks down for most viewers across the country:
- 8:00 PM ET – NBA Basketball: San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder
This is the main event. It is a massive Western Conference matchup featuring two of the league's most talked-about stars. You’ve got Victor Wembanyama for the Spurs going up against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the top-seeded Thunder. Since the game is live, it'll take up the entire primetime block from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM. - 11:00 PM ET – Local Programming
Your local news will air immediately following the conclusion of the game. Depending on if the game goes into overtime, this might slide a few minutes late. - 11:34 PM ET – The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Jimmy has a packed house tonight. The guest list is pretty stellar: Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are stopping by, likely to promote their latest collaboration. Grace Van Patten is also on the couch, and Madison Beer is the musical guest. - 12:37 AM ET (Wednesday) – Late Night with Seth Meyers
Seth is welcoming Kristen Wiig and Lee Byung-hun. Jay Jurden is the featured comedian.
Where are the regular shows?
You might be wondering what happened to the shows that usually occupy these slots. TV can be fickle.
If you were looking for Night Court, there's some news you might have missed. The revival series, which starred Melissa Rauch and John Larroquette, was actually cancelled back in May 2025 after its third season. While it isn't on the NBC schedule tonight, the entire three-season run is actually moving over to Netflix starting February 3, 2026. So, if you're feeling the itch for some courtroom comedy, you'll be able to binge it there in a few weeks.
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Similarly, The Irrational and Deal or No Deal Island are no longer part of the Tuesday rotation. The Irrational was cancelled after two seasons last year, and Deal or No Deal Island met the same fate in December 2025. NBC has been restructuring its weeknights to include more live events and "Big Event" sports, which is exactly why we're seeing the NBA in primetime tonight.
Looking ahead to the rest of the week
If you aren't a sports fan, don't worry. The scripted dramas return tomorrow.
Wednesday is still "One Chicago" night. That means you can catch Chicago Med at 8:00 PM, followed by Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. It’s one of the few blocks on television that has remained remarkably consistent over the years.
Thursday is also holding steady with the Law & Order franchise. Law & Order kicks off the night, followed by the 27th season of SVU. At 10:00 PM, the newer series The Hunting Party airs its second episode of the season, continuing the story of a team tracking down escaped serial killers.
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How to watch and stream
If you aren't near a traditional TV, you can still catch the NBC schedule tonight through a few different avenues:
- Peacock: Most live sporting events on NBC, including tonight's Spurs vs. Thunder game, are simulcast on Peacock.
- NBC App: You can stream live with a cable provider login.
- YouTube TV / Hulu + Live TV: These services carry your local NBC affiliate live.
Keep in mind that sports schedules can vary slightly by region. While the NBA game is the national broadcast, some local markets may have pre-emptions for local sports or news events. It's always a smart move to double-check your local listings if you live in a city with a major local team playing a conflicting game.
To get ready for tonight, make sure your Peacock app is updated or your DVR is set for Fallon if you can't stay up late for Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. If you're specifically waiting for the Chicago or Law & Order franchises, mark your calendar for tomorrow and Thursday nights at 8:00 PM.