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CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers take a crack at the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder on MLK Day today – Monday, Jan. 19 – at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. This matchup is available on multiple streaming services.
Today’s game will broadcast live on NBC with tipoff scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Eastern. Fans who have parted ways with their local cable provider – or those locked out with the Fubo dispute – can catch this game for free by utilizing a free trial from DIRECTV, which also offers $40 off your first month.
The most flexible option isSling TV, which now offers new users a Day Pass for $4.99, Weekend Pass for $9.99, Week Pass for $14.99, Monthly for $45.99 and Season Pass for $199.99 for five months and $45.99 per month thereafter.
This game will also broadcast live onPeacock, which is a streaming service that offers multiple sports coverage on select games and events, including the NBA, NFL, Big Ten football, Premier League soccer, PGA Tour, WWE and more. Catch all the action for $7.99 (Select), $10.99 (Premium) or $16.99 (Premium Plus) per month. This service also features movies and hit television shows, as well as current NBC programming.
The Cavs (24-19) have been flirting with .500 basketball, but have put together wins in three of their last five games, including two straight against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Though neither team is close to 100%, this matchup has been circled on the calendar since the schedule was revealed. The two teams finished last season with a head-to-head split while earning the best record in their respective conferences. It was the collision course that never happened.
Franchise centerpiece Donovan Mitchell is averaging 29.2 points, 5.7 assists and 4.8 rebounds while shooting 48.9% from the field.
Defending Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley is averaging 17.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.9 blocks while shooting 51.7% from the field.
After a dazzling team debut last season, DeAndre Hunter has been the subject of trade rumors for the out of flux Cavs. The struggling forward is averaging 14.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists while shooting 43.2% from the field.
Blossoming guard Jaylon Tyson is coming off a 39-point explosion against the 76ers. He is averaging 13.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists while shooting 52.4% from the field.
Center Jarrett Allen chips in 13.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 59.7% from the field, which is ninth in the NBA.
The Cavs have found a strength in generating possessions, averaging 92.1 field goal attempts per game, which is second in the NBA. They have hoisted a third-best 41.9 3-point attempts per contest.
Point guard Darius Garland is expected to miss at least a week with a Grade 1 right great toe sprain. The Cavs are 11-6 without Garland this season. Cleveland will also be without Sam Merrill who is dealing with a hand injury.
Watch Cavs vs. Thunder on DIRECTV for free
The Thunder (35-8) won 24 of their first 25 games and are pushing full steam ahead to the All-Star break despite a recent loss to the Miami Heat, which snapped a five-game winning streak.
Oklahoma City is anchored by their league-leading defensive rating of 105.4. The offense claims an absurd plus-14-point differential that also tops the Association. They are fifth in offensive rating with 120.3.
Defending NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging the second-most points in the NBA with 31.8, adding 6.2 assists, 4.4 rebounds and shooting 54.7% from the field, which is 14th in the league. He poured in 39 points in the loss to the Heat.
Center Chet Holmgren is averaging 17.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 2.0 blocks while shooting 57.3% from the field.
Guard Ajay Mitchell continue to make an impact. He is averaging 14.2 points, 3.6 assists and 3.5 rebounds while shooting 48.3% from the field.
Guard Aaron Wiggins has chipped in considerably, averaging 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists while shooting 45% from the field.
All-Star forward Jalen Williams is sidelined indefinitely with a right hamstring strain. The Thunder are 18-1 without him this season. Oklahoma City will also be without center Isaiah Hartenstein who is dealing with a calf injury.
Cavs vs. Thunder Injury Report
Cleveland Cavaliers: Darius Garland (right great toe sprain), Sam Merrill (right hand sprain), Max Strus (left foot surgery recovery), Chris Livingston (G-League two-way), Luke Travers (G-League two-way) are all out.
Dean Wade (left knee contusion) is probable.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Jalen Williams (right hamstring), Isaiah Hartenstein (right soleus strain), Thomas Sorber (right ACL surgical recovery), Nikola Topic (surgical recovery) are all out.
Brooks Barnhizer (G-League two-way) is doubtful.
What are the latest odds for Cavs vs. Thunder?
Spread: CLE: (-1.5), OKC: (+1.5)
Moneyline: CLE: (-164), OKC: (+198)
Point total: 229.5
Odds from DraftKings
How to Watch Cavs. vs Thunder
What: NBA basketball on MLK Day: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
When: Jan. 19, 2026
Time: 2:30 p.m. Eastern
Where: Rocket Arena | Cleveland, Ohio
Channel: NBC
Best Streaming Options:DIRECTV (free trial and $40 off first month),Sling TV (half off first month and daily, weekend, weekly, monthly and season pass) andPeacock