The NBA is set to shine a spotlight on its most intense team and player rivalries during the fourth annual NBA Rivals Week, scheduled for January 20-24, 2026.
Over five days, fans will be treated to a series of high-stakes matchups, featuring both long-standing rivalries and emerging storylines that have captured the league’s attention.
Rivalries will be the centerpiece of 11 nationally televised games, broadcast across multiple platforms, including NBC/Peacock, ESPN and ESPN App, Prime Video, and ABC.
The schedule includes doubleheaders on NBC/Peacock, ESPN/ESPN App, and Prime Video, along with a tripleheader on ABC, providing fans with nearly continuous coverage of marquee matchups.
The week kicks off on Tuesday, January 20, with a pair of games on NBC/Peacock. The San Antonio Spurs travel to face the Houston Rockets at 8:00 p.m. ET, followed by the Los Angeles Lakersvisiting the Denver Nuggets at 10:00 p.m. ET.
Both games highlight the competitive history and emerging dynamics between the respective teams.
Midweek and Prime Video showdowns
Wednesday, January 21, features games on ESPN and the ESPN App, starting with the Cleveland Cavaliers at Charlotte Hornets at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Later that evening, the Oklahoma City Thunder will take on the Milwaukee Bucks at 9:30 p.m. ET, promising a clash of contrasting playing styles and individual matchups.
Thursday, January 22, moves to Prime Video, where the Golden State Warriors face the Dallas Mavericks at 7:30 p.m. ET.
The evening concludes with a marquee Los Angeles rivalry as the Lakers meet the Clippers at 10:00 p.m. ET, a matchup that has consistently drawn attention for both its intensity on the court and its cultural significance in Los Angeles basketball.
Friday, January 23, continues the Prime Video coverage with two additional games. The Houston Rockets host the Detroit Pistons at 7:00 p.m. ET, followed by Indiana Pacers visiting Oklahoma City at 9:30 p.m. ET.
Both matchups present opportunities for younger teams to assert themselves while maintaining the competitive energy that Rivals Week is known for.
Saturday, January 24, concludes the week with a tripleheader on ABC and the ESPN App. The day opens with the New York Knicks hosting the Philadelphia 76ers at 3:00 p.m. ET, a classic rivalry that has delivered numerous memorable playoff moments.
Next, the Golden State Warriors take on the Minnesota Timberwolves at 5:30 p.m. ET, before the Lakers close the week against Dallas at 8:30 p.m. ET. This lineup ensures a thrilling conclusion to a week dedicated entirely to the league’s most compelling contests.
NBA Rivals Week has become an annual highlight, emphasizing the excitement and drama that rivalries bring to the sport.
By featuring a mix of veteran powerhouses and rising teams, the league ensures that every matchup offers meaningful stakes, whether for playoff positioning or individual player pride.
As the 2025-26 season unfolds, Rivals Week promises to deliver the intensity and storylines fans have come to expect, celebrating the league’s past while showcasing the stars of its future.
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