So you're looking for the tip-off. Honestly, if you’re a Cleveland fan, you've probably been riding high after that gritty win on Friday. But if you’re asking what time is the cavaliers game for today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, there’s a bit of a twist you should know about before you start reaching for the remote.
The Cleveland Cavaliers actually just finished a back-to-back set against the Philadelphia 76ers. They played last night—Friday, January 16—and pulled off a wild 117-115 win thanks to a clutch Evan Mobley dunk in the closing seconds. Because they just wrapped up that two-game series in Philly, the Cavs do not have a game scheduled for today, Saturday, January 17.
Don't let the headlines confuse you. If you see a "Cavaliers" game listed for today at Noon ET on ESPN2, that’s actually the No. 16 Virginia Cavaliers (college hoops) taking on SMU. It's a common mix-up, but Donovan Mitchell and the pro squad are currently catching a flight or getting some treatment before their next big matchup.
When Do the Cavs Play Next?
Since there’s no pro game today, you’re probably wondering when you can actually see Mobley, Mitchell, and (hopefully soon) a healthy Darius Garland back on the court.
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Cleveland returns home to Rocket Arena for a massive Martin Luther King Jr. Day showdown. They’ll be facing the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday, January 19, 2026.
Here is the breakdown for that next game:
- Date: Monday, January 19
- Tip-off Time: 2:30 PM ET
- Location: Rocket Arena, Cleveland, OH
- TV Channel: NBC and Peacock (National Broadcast)
This is a marquee afternoon game. Since it's a holiday, the NBA traditionally puts some of its best matchups in these early slots. The Cavs vs. OKC game is being treated as a premier event, which is why it's moving from the usual regional sports network over to a major national broadcast on NBC.
Why the Schedule is Weird Right Now
The NBA schedule-makers have been leaning heavily into these "series" style games recently. Cleveland just spent the better part of a week in Philadelphia. They blew the Sixers out on Wednesday (133-107) and then barely escaped with a win last night.
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Jaylon Tyson has been the absolute story lately. With Garland sidelined by that annoying big toe soreness, Tyson stepped up and dropped a career-high 39 points last night. It's the kind of performance that makes you realize just how deep this roster actually is.
If you were planning on watching a game today, you've basically got a "rest day" as a fan. But Monday is going to be intense. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder are no joke, and a 2:30 PM start means you might need to "work from home" or set a very specific calendar reminder.
How to Watch the Upcoming Cavaliers Games
Since the team is shifting between local and national TV, keeping track of the channel is half the battle. For the OKC game on Monday, you won't find it on FanDuel Sports Network Ohio. You'll need a digital antenna for NBC or a Peacock subscription.
For the rest of the week, here’s how the schedule looks:
- Wednesday, Jan 21: At Charlotte Hornets (7:00 PM ET) – FanDuel Sports Network Ohio.
- Friday, Jan 23: Vs. Sacramento Kings (7:30 PM ET) – FanDuel Sports Network Ohio.
- Saturday, Jan 24: At Orlando Magic (4:00 PM ET) – FanDuel Sports Network Ohio.
Basically, the team goes from a rare Monday afternoon game straight into a three-games-in-four-nights stretch. It’s a brutal part of the January grind.
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A Quick Check on the Injury Report
Keep an eye on the news tomorrow. Darius Garland (toe) and Sam Merrill (hand) both missed the last game. While the Cavs won without them, they'll need that shooting against OKC. Usually, the official injury report drops about 24 hours before tip-off, so we should know Garland's status by Sunday afternoon.
If you’re looking for a way to stay busy today since there’s no game, you could always watch the Virginia Cavaliers game at noon just to get your basketball fix. Just don’t expect to see any "Spida" Mitchell highlights in that one.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Set your DVR or Calendar: Mark Monday, Jan 19 at 2:30 PM ET for the Cavs vs. Thunder on NBC.
- Check the Standings: Cleveland is currently 25-19. A win against OKC would be a huge statement for their playoff seeding in the Eastern Conference.
- Verify your Peacock Login: Since the Monday game is an NBC/Peacock exclusive, make sure your subscription is active if you don't have a traditional cable setup.