If you’re checking the schedule to see who plays in NBA today, you’re looking at a Tuesday slate that feels like a midpoint crossroads for the season. It’s January 13, 2026. The novelty of the new year has worn off. The All-Star break is close enough to see but far enough away that everyone’s legs are starting to feel like lead. Tonight features a seven-game lineup that ranges from a potential Finals preview in Milwaukee to a battle of the lottery-bound in New Orleans.
Honestly, the NBA in 2026 feels a little different than even a few years ago. We’ve seen some massive shifts in the power hierarchy. Detroit and Oklahoma City aren't just "up-and-coming" anymore; they're the ones everyone else is chasing.
The Prime Time Matchups for Tuesday
The night kicks off at 7:30 PM ET with the Phoenix Suns visiting the Miami Heat. This one is kind of a weird one because of the injury report. Norman Powell, who has been absolutely torching the league for Miami this year with nearly 24 points a night, is a game-time decision with back spasms. If he’s out, Erik Spoelstra is going to have to reach deep into that famous "Heat Culture" bench to slow down a Suns team that has won three straight.
The Heavyweights Out West
At 8:00 PM ET, we get the San Antonio Spurs taking on the Oklahoma City Thunder. If you want to see the future of the league, this is it. It’s Victor Wembanyama against Chet Holmgren and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. OKC is sitting at a ridiculous 33-7 right now. They look like a machine. But the Thunder are going to be without Isaiah Hartenstein tonight. That’s a massive hole in their frontcourt when you have to deal with Wemby.
Around that same time, the Minnesota Timberwolves are in Wisconsin to face the Milwaukee Bucks. This would usually be the game of the night, but it’s been hit hard by the injury bug. Anthony Edwards is out with a foot issue. On the other side, the Bucks have been struggling to stay above .500, and Giannis basically has to carry the entire city on his back most nights.
Full List of Who Plays in NBA Today
If you're just looking for the quick list of tip-off times and venues, here is the breakdown of the seven games on the docket:
- Phoenix Suns at Miami Heat: 7:30 PM ET at Kaseya Center.
- San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder: 8:00 PM ET at Paycom Center (National TV on NBC).
- Chicago Bulls at Houston Rockets: 8:00 PM ET at Toyota Center.
- Denver Nuggets at New Orleans Pelicans: 8:00 PM ET at Smoothie King Center.
- Minnesota Timberwolves at Milwaukee Bucks: 8:00 PM ET at Fiserv Forum.
- Atlanta Hawks at Los Angeles Lakers: 10:30 PM ET at Crypto.com Arena.
- Portland Trail Blazers at Golden State Warriors: 11:00 PM ET at Chase Center (National TV on NBC).
Injuries Are Deciding the Slate
You can’t talk about who plays in NBA today without talking about who isn't playing. It’s a bit of a hospital ward out there. The Denver vs. New Orleans game is the biggest victim. The Pelicans are basically a G-League team at this point—Jose Alvarado and Herb Jones are out, and Saddiq Bey is questionable.
Denver isn’t much better. Nikola Jokic is still sidelined with that knee bone bruise, and Jamal Murray is questionable with an ankle sprain. If you’re a fan of "pure" basketball, this might be a tough watch. But if you’re looking for weird stat lines from bench players you’ve never heard of, this is your Super Bowl.
Then you have the Lakers. They’re hosting the Hawks at 10:30 PM. Luka Doncic, who is now the face of the Lakers, is dealing with a groin/thigh issue but is expected to play. LeBron James is still there, too, defying physics at age 41. They’ve lost two in a row and desperately need to beat an Atlanta team that’s actually won three straight.
Why These Games Actually Matter
We are at that point in the season where the standings start to solidify. The Detroit Pistons holding the #1 seed in the East isn't a fluke anymore; they've played nearly 40 games. Meanwhile, in the West, the gap between the Thunder and everyone else is widening.
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- The Play-In Race: Teams like the Bulls and Hawks are fighting for that 9th or 10th spot. Every Tuesday night game against a conference rival feels like a double-loss if you drop it.
- The Wemby Factor: Every time the Spurs play, you watch to see if Victor does something that shouldn't be physically possible. Tonight against Chet is the ultimate litmus test for the "Unicorn" era.
- The Warriors' Last Stand: Portland and Golden State close out the night at 11:00 PM. The Warriors are barely hanging onto the 8th seed. With Steph Curry in the twilight of his career, these home games against young teams like the Blazers are "must-wins" in the truest sense.
What to Watch For Tonight
If you’re betting or just setting your fantasy lineup, pay attention to the Houston Rockets. They’re 12.5-point favorites against the Bulls tonight. Why? Because Chicago is missing both Josh Giddey and Coby White. Their backcourt is essentially empty. Houston’s defense, led by Amen Thompson, is probably going to feast.
Also, keep an eye on the Portland Trail Blazers. They’ve been one of the biggest surprises this year, hovering around .500. They’re missing Deni Avdija tonight, which sucks because he’s been playing at an All-Star level, but it’ll be interesting to see if Shaedon Sharpe can take over the scoring load against a vulnerable Warriors defense.
To make the most of tonight's action, check the final injury reports about 30 minutes before the 7:30 PM tip-offs. Rotation changes in Denver and New Orleans specifically will offer the best value for daily fantasy players given how many starters are sitting out. If you're watching nationally, the Spurs-Thunder game on NBC is the clear choice for high-level tactical basketball, even with Hartenstein sidelined.