NBA Rivals Week 2026: Schedule, Start Times, TV Channel, Live Stream, how to watch

NBA Rivals Week is an annual midseason event introduced by the NBA in 2022 (now in its fourth year in 2026) that dedicates a full week in January to highlighting the league's most storied, intense, and emerging rivalries between teams and players.The concept spotlights classic bad blood (e.g., Lakers-Nuggets, Knicks-76ers, Lakers-Clippers) alongside newer or regional clashes (e.g., Spurs-Rockets, Thompson brothers matchup), creating heightened drama, bragging rights, and playoff-like intensity during the regular season.

Games are selected for their historical significance, star power, geographic ties, or recent playoff implications, with all featured matchups nationally televised for maximum exposure.

It's designed to build excitement around the midpoint of the season, remind fans of the NBA's rich history, and give teams a chance to make statements ahead of the All-Star break and postseason push.

What is NBA Rivals Week?

The NBA announced a new twist to the regular season in 2022, dedicating a week in January to classic and budding rivalries between teams and players. The third annual NBA Rivals Week will feature 11 nationally televised games with bragging rights on the line.

When is NBA Rivals Week?

Rivalries will be the focus of 11 nationally televised games across On (ABC, ESPN, NBC, Peacock, and Prime) over 5 action-packed days. over five days from Tuesday, Jan. 20 to Saturday, Jan. 24.

2026 NBA Rivals Week matches today Schedule, Kick-off times, tv channels.

All times Eastern

Tuesday, January 20 (TNT / NBC/Peacock)

Jan. 20: San Antonio Spurs at Houston Rockets (8:00 p.m., NBC/Peacock)

Jan. 20: Los Angeles Lakers at Denver Nuggets (10:00 p.m., Peacock)

Wednesday, January 21 (ESPN)

Jan. 21: Cleveland Cavaliers at Charlotte Hornets (7:00 p.m., ESPN)

Jan. 21: Oklahoma City Thunder at Milwaukee Bucks (9:30 p.m., ESPN)

Thursday, January 22 (TNT / Prime Video in some regions)

Jan. 22: Golden State Warriors at Dallas Mavericks (7:30 p.m., Prime)

Jan. 22: Los Angeles Lakers at LA Clippers (10:00 p.m., Prime)

Friday, January 23 (ESPN)

Jan. 23: Houston Rockets at Detroit Pistons (7:00 p.m., Prime)

Jan. 23: Denver Nuggets at Milwaukee Bucks (9:30 p.m., Prime)

Saturday, January 24 (ABC)

Jan. 24: New York Knicks at Philadelphia 76ers (3:00 p.m., ABC)

Jan. 24: Golden State Warriors at Minnesota Timberwolves (5:30 p.m., ABC)

Jan. 24: Los Angeles Lakers at Dallas Mavericks (8:30 p.m., ABC)

What are the biggest storylines of NBA Rivals Week?

1- Texas I-10 Rivalry Reignited – Spurs at Rockets (Jan. 20)

Victor Wembanyama (24.8 PPG) and Stephon Castle lead a young, explosive San Antonio squad into Houston, where Kevin Durant (26.1 PPG) anchors a veteran Rockets core. The modern-era revival of this historic Texas feud sets the tone for the week with high-energy pace and rising contender stakes.

2 - Lakers-Nuggets Modern Classic Continues (Jan. 20)

Denver has owned the Lakers in recent playoff battles (8-1 since 2023), but Los Angeles remains dangerous with LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and now Luka Dončić’s star power. This Western Conference heavyweight clash always carries extra weight for seeding and legacy.

3 - Sibling Showdown: Thompson Brothers Face Off – Rockets at Pistons (Jan. 23)

Ausar Thompson (Detroit) vs. Amen Thompson (Houston) turns a rising-contender matchup into a family affair. Detroit leads the East with elite defense and consistency; Houston arrives as a deep-playoff threat. The brotherly battle adds emotional layers to an already intense game.

4 - Battle of L.A. Hallway Series Returns – Lakers at Clippers (Jan. 22)

Los Angeles supremacy is on the line as the Lakers have won 7 of the last 10 meetings since 2023. Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, and the Clippers’ home-court edge meet LeBron, AD, and Luka’s firepower in one of the league’s fiercest crosstown rivalries.

5 - Knicks-76ers Atlantic Division Blood Feud (Jan. 24)

New York’s dramatic 2024 first-round upset over Philadelphia—capped by Josh Hart’s Game 6 heroics—still stings. This Atlantic Division war remains one of the NBA’s purest hate-fests, with seeding and Eastern Conference bragging rights hanging in the balance.

6 - Golden State vs. Dallas: Curry vs. Dončić, Flagg vs. Experience (Jan. 22 & Jan. 24)

The Warriors-Mavericks rivalry (rooted in 2022 WCF) gets two installments. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson (facing his former team) clash with Luka Dončić (33.3 PPG since joining L.A.) and rookie sensation Cooper Flagg (18.8 PPG). Offensive fireworks and revenge fuel both games.

7 - Giannis vs. SGA: MVP-Level Power Shift (Jan. 21)

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Bucks, still searching for consistency, host Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s rising Thunder. This cross-conference showdown symbolizes the league’s generational transition and features two of the game’s most dominant forces.

8 - Nuggets-Timberwolves Rematch Intensity (Jan. 24)

A direct sequel to the 2024 Western Conference Semifinals. Minnesota’s size and physical defense challenge Nikola Jokić’s brilliance, while Jamal Murray and breakout Peyton Watson (22.3 PPG in January) keep Denver dangerous. Expect tight, playoff-like battles.

9 - Veterans Defying Father Time

Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and James Harden continue to perform at elite levels, anchoring multiple Rivals Week games. Their presence elevates every matchup and reminds fans why these rivalries endure.

10 - Rookie Spotlight: Cooper Flagg & the 2026 Draft Class

No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg (Dallas) faces off against established stars in multiple high-profile games, showcasing the loaded 2026 draft class. His immediate impact (18.8 PPG) adds fresh intrigue to legacy rivalries.

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