# Best NBA games on Friday, December 18, 2026

Friday, December 18, 2026 · 12 games · times ET

The best NBA game on Friday, December 18 is the LA Clippers at Miami Heat, 7:00 PM ET. Next best: Warriors at Raptors (7:30 PM ET) and Cavaliers at Pistons (7:30 PM ET).

Every game is scored 0–100 for how worth watching it is: stakes, star matchups, form, rest and travel. How we score: https://hoopsmenu.com/how-we-score

## 1. LA Clippers at Miami Heat — score 74

7:00 PM ET · Prime Video · Worth a Look (Good background) · [details](https://hoopsmenu.com/games/0022600385)

- Giannis Antetokounmpo headlines this one

## 2. Golden State Warriors at Toronto Raptors — score 73

7:30 PM ET · Local TV · League Pass · Worth a Look (Good background) · [details](https://hoopsmenu.com/games/0022600390)

- Star duel: Kawhi Leonard vs Stephen Curry
- GSW have won 8 of their last 10
- GSW could be without Jimmy Butler III

## 3. Cleveland Cavaliers at Detroit Pistons — score 72

7:30 PM ET · Local TV · League Pass · Worth a Look (Good background) · [details](https://hoopsmenu.com/games/0022600389)

- Star duel: Cade Cunningham vs Donovan Mitchell
- DET have won 7 of their last 10
- These two met in last season's playoffs

## 4. Los Angeles Lakers at Minnesota Timberwolves — score 69

8:00 PM ET · Local TV · League Pass · Late Menu (For fans) · [details](https://hoopsmenu.com/games/0022600393)

- Luka Dončić headlines this one
- Both sides come in hot
- MIN could be without Anthony Edwards

## 5. Houston Rockets at Memphis Grizzlies — score 66

8:00 PM ET · Local TV · League Pass · Late Menu (For fans) · [details](https://hoopsmenu.com/games/0022600391)

- Alperen Sengun headlines this one
- Both sides come in hot
- Records are close enough for a live one

## 6. Utah Jazz at Boston Celtics — score 65

7:30 PM ET · Local TV · League Pass · Late Menu (For fans) · [details](https://hoopsmenu.com/games/0022600387)

- Star duel: Jayson Tatum vs Keyonte George
- BOS have won 8 of their last 10

## 7. Chicago Bulls at San Antonio Spurs — score 63

8:00 PM ET · Local TV · League Pass · Late Menu (For fans) · [details](https://hoopsmenu.com/games/0022600395)

- Victor Wembanyama headlines this one
- SAS have won 9 of their last 10

## 8. Sacramento Kings at New Orleans Pelicans — score 62

8:00 PM ET · Local TV · League Pass · Late Menu (For fans) · [details](https://hoopsmenu.com/games/0022600394)

- Darius Acuff Jr. headlines this one

## 9. New York Knicks at Washington Wizards — score 59

7:00 PM ET · Local TV · League Pass · Late Menu (For fans) · [details](https://hoopsmenu.com/games/0022600386)

- Star duel: Anthony Davis vs Karl-Anthony Towns

## 10. Oklahoma City Thunder at Charlotte Hornets — score 58

7:00 PM ET · Local TV · League Pass · Late Menu (For fans) · [details](https://hoopsmenu.com/games/0022600384)

- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander headlines this one
- OKC have won 8 of their last 10
- OKC could be without Chet Holmgren

## 11. Orlando Magic at Brooklyn Nets — score 57

7:30 PM ET · Local TV · League Pass · Late Menu (For fans) · [details](https://hoopsmenu.com/games/0022600388)

- Paolo Banchero headlines this one
- Records are close enough for a live one

## 12. Phoenix Suns at Milwaukee Bucks — score 55

8:00 PM ET · Local TV · League Pass · Late Menu (For fans) · [details](https://hoopsmenu.com/games/0022600392)

- Devin Booker headlines this one

Previous night: [Thu, Dec 17](https://hoopsmenu.com/nba/tonight/2026-12-17) · Next night: [Sat, Dec 19](https://hoopsmenu.com/nba/tonight/2026-12-19)

This week's top games: https://hoopsmenu.com/nba/top-games · Tonight: https://hoopsmenu.com/nba/tonight

_Updated Tue, Nov 10, 2:52 PM EST._

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Source: https://hoopsmenu.com/nba/tonight/2026-12-18 · Hoops Menu (https://hoopsmenu.com)