The NBA landscape looks a lot different this year. If you've been trying to find TNT's "Inside the NBA" crew only to realize your remote isn't finding the channel, you're not alone. The 2025-2026 season officially ushered in the new media rights era. NBC is back. Amazon is in. TNT is out.
It’s Saturday, January 17, 2026, and the board is stacked.
Finding where to watch NBA games today is no longer just about memorizing a couple of cable numbers. It’s a hunt across apps, regional networks, and national broadcasts. Tonight’s slate features some heavy hitters—the Suns taking on the Knicks at the Garden and the Lakers heading up to Portland.
Buckle up. We're breaking down how to see every dunk and questionable whistle without losing your mind.
Tonight's National TV and Streaming Slate
Saturday nights are usually a split between big-market national showcases and the deep-cut regional battles. Since we're in the heart of January, the playoff race is actually starting to matter. Teams aren't just coasting anymore.
- Phoenix Suns at New York Knicks: This one is on NBA TV at 7:30 PM ET. It’s the classic "star power" matchup. Watching Kevin Durant try to out-hoop the Knicks’ depth in MSG is always worth the price of admission.
- Los Angeles Lakers at Portland Trail Blazers: This kicks off at 10:00 PM ET, also on NBA TV. It’s the late-night special for the West Coast fans or the East Coast insomniacs.
Wait, what about the other games?
Most of tonight’s action is tucked away on local Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) or NBA League Pass. If you're looking for the Mavericks hosting the Jazz at 5:00 PM ET, you’re looking at KJZZ or KFAA if you’re local. Otherwise, you’re hitting the app.
Where to Watch NBA Games Today: A Streamer's Survival Guide
Basically, the "Big Three" for national games this year are ESPN (via ESPN Unlimited), NBC (via Peacock), and Amazon Prime Video.
Since it's Saturday, the primary national broadcasts often lean toward ABC/ESPN or Amazon. For today, January 17, the heavy lifting for out-of-market fans is done by NBA TV and League Pass.
The Amazon Prime Video Factor
Amazon has become the new Thursday and Friday powerhouse, but they also snag select Saturday afternoon games. While they don't have a massive exclusive window tonight, having an active Prime sub is basically mandatory for any NBA fan in 2026.
Peacock and the NBC Return
Remember the iconic "Roundball Rock" theme? It’s back. NBC and Peacock handle the Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday night windows. You won't find a national NBC game tonight, but keep your Peacock login handy for tomorrow's Sunday showcase.
The ESPN Unlimited Switch
ESPN launched its direct-to-consumer service last summer. You don't need a cable login for it anymore. If a game is on ESPN or ABC, you can usually grab it right through the ESPN app. It’s roughly $30 a month, which feels steep until you realize it's cheaper than a bloated cable package.
Tracking the Regional Networks (RSNs)
This is where things get kinda messy. If you live in the same city as the team playing, you’re likely "blacked out" on League Pass. You have to watch through your local provider.
Most teams have moved to the FanDuel Sports Network (formerly Bally). For example, if you want to catch the Minnesota Timberwolves at San Antonio Spurs at 8:00 PM ET tonight, and you live in San Antonio, you’re looking for FanDuel Sports Network Southwest.
Here’s a quick reality check on the local scenes for tonight's games:
- Oklahoma City Thunder at Miami Heat (8:00 PM ET): Local fans in Miami need FanDuel Sports Network Sun.
- Charlotte Hornets at Golden State Warriors (8:30 PM ET): Warriors fans are tuning into NBC Sports Bay Area.
- Washington Wizards at Denver Nuggets (9:00 PM ET): Nuggets fans are still likely using Altitude, while Wizards fans have Monumental Sports Network.
Honestly, the easiest way to check your specific local blackout is to open the NBA app and let it geolocate you. It’ll tell you exactly which local channel has the rights.
The League Pass Loophole
If you don't live in the market of your favorite team, NBA League Pass is still the gold standard.
It starts at about $16.99 a month. You get every game that isn't being shown on national TV in your area. For a night like tonight, where only two games are on NBA TV, League Pass is essentially a 24/7 basketball buffet.
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You can watch the Celtics vs. Hawks or the Pacers vs. Pistons (both at 7:30 PM ET) with zero issues as long as you aren't in those cities.
Actionable Steps for Tonight
Don't wait until tip-off to realize your app needs an update or your subscription lapsed.
First, check the NBA TV schedule. If you have a live TV streamer like YouTube TV, Fubo, or DirecTV Stream, you likely already have access to the Suns/Knicks and Lakers/Blazers games.
Second, if you're a cord-cutter looking for the "rest" of the games, verify your League Pass status.
Third, if you're trying to watch your local team, download their specific RSN app. Many of them, like Gotham Sports (for Knicks/Nets) or BlazersVision, now offer standalone monthly subs so you don't need a full cable package.
Lastly, double-check the start times. Everything listed is typically in Eastern Time. If you're in Denver waiting for the Nuggets to start at 9:00, remember that's 7:00 local time.
The 2026 season is faster, the scoring is higher, and the streaming options are... well, they're everywhere. Pick your platform and get settled.