So, you’re looking for the Lakers game. I get it. Following this team in 2026 is a full-time job with the way the broadcast rights are split up now. If you're checking the TV guide for tonight, Friday, January 16, 2026, there is actually a bit of a catch you need to know about before you start flipping through Spectrum or ESPN.
The Lakers actually played last night.
They had a rough one at Crypto.com Arena against the Charlotte Hornets. If you missed it, LaMelo Ball basically went nuclear and dropped nine threes, leading Charlotte to a 135-117 win over the Lake Show. Luka Doncic did his thing with 39 points, but it wasn't enough to stop the bleeding in the second half. Since they just played a high-intensity game on Thursday night, the Lakers are off tonight.
No game tonight.
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When do the Lakers play next?
You won't have to wait long. The purple and gold are heading up north to Oregon for a matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers. That game is set for Saturday, January 17, 2026, at the Moda Center.
If you are trying to plan your Saturday night around it, tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM PT (10:00 PM ET).
What channel is the Lakers on for the next game?
When Saturday rolls around, you have two main ways to catch the action depending on where you live. This season has been a bit of a maze with the new Amazon Prime deals and the legacy Spectrum contracts, but for the Portland game, it’s pretty straightforward.
- Spectrum SportsNet: This is the home base for anyone living in the Los Angeles market. If you’re in Southern California, Southern Nevada, or Hawaii, this is where Bill Macdonald and Stu Lantz will be calling the game.
- NBA TV: This is a national broadcast. If you live outside the L.A. or Portland local markets, you can catch the game here. However, keep in mind that if you are local to Los Angeles, the NBA TV feed will likely be blacked out in favor of the Spectrum broadcast.
- Spectrum SportsNet+: This is the direct-to-consumer streaming app. If you’ve ditched cable but still live in the L.A. area, you’re probably paying that $20 a month for this.
Honestly, the blackout rules in 2026 are still as annoying as they were five years ago. If you're an out-of-market fan, NBA League Pass is your best friend, though you can now access it directly through Amazon Prime Video as an add-on, which makes the interface a lot less clunky.
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The 2026 Lakers broadcast landscape
Watching the Lakers this year requires a spreadsheet. Between the "Luka and LeBron" era hype and the new NBA media rights deal, they are on national TV constantly. We're talking 42 national games this season.
Basically, you’ve got games scattered across ESPN/ABC, NBC/Peacock, and Amazon Prime Video.
One of the coolest (and weirdest) things this season is the Apple Immersive partnership. Spectrum has been doing these "Front Row" broadcasts for the Apple Vision Pro. They didn't have one for the Hornets game, and they won't have it for Portland, but the next one on the schedule is February 5th against the 76ers. It's wild—it literally feels like you're sitting at the scorer's table, though wearing a headset for two and a half hours is a commitment.
Quick Lakers January Schedule & Channels
To save you the "what channel is the Lakers on tonight" search for the rest of the week, here is the immediate outlook:
- Saturday, Jan 17: @ Portland Trail Blazers | 7:00 PM PT | Spectrum SportsNet, NBA TV
- Sunday, Jan 18: vs. Toronto Raptors | 6:30 PM PT | Spectrum SportsNet
- Tuesday, Jan 20: @ Denver Nuggets | 7:00 PM PT | NBC, Peacock
Notice that Tuesday game? That’s one of the new NBC "Big Game" nights. You won't find that one on Spectrum or ESPN. You’ll need either local NBC or a Peacock subscription to see Luka face off against Jokic.
Common viewing mistakes to avoid
A lot of fans get tripped up by the Amazon Prime games. This year, Prime Video has exclusive rights to many Thursday and Friday night slots. Even though there's no Laker game tonight (Friday), if there were, it would likely be on Prime.
Also, don't ignore Peacock. NBC has been aggressive about moving high-profile Lakers games to their streaming service. If the game isn't on Spectrum and you don't see it on ESPN, check Peacock before you panic.
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Actionable Next Steps
Since there is no game tonight, use this time to get your tech ready for the weekend double-header.
Check your Spectrum SportsNet+ login if you’re a streamer; those apps love to log you out right at tip-off. If you’re outside California, verify that your NBA League Pass is linked to your Prime or YouTube TV account. If you’re planning to watch the Nuggets game on Tuesday, make sure your Peacock subscription is active, as that’s a "Peacock Exclusive" in several regions.
The Lakers are currently sitting at 24-15 after that loss to Charlotte. The Portland game on Saturday is a "must-win" to keep pace in a brutal Western Conference. Clear your schedule for 7:00 PM tomorrow.