# Best NBA games on Thursday, December 31, 2026

Thursday, December 31, 2026 · 9 games · times ET

The best NBA game on Thursday, December 31 is the Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves, 4:00 PM ET. Next best: Knicks at Suns (9:00 PM ET, NBA TV) and Spurs at Hornets (1:00 PM ET, NBA TV).

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. Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves — score 86

4:00 PM ET · Prime Video · House Special (Worth watching) · [details](https://hoopsmenu.com/games/0022600481)

- Nikola Jokić headlines this one
- MIN have won 7 of their last 10
- These two met in last season's playoffs

## 2. New York Knicks at Phoenix Suns — score 75

9:00 PM ET · NBA TV · Worth a Look (Good background) · [details](https://hoopsmenu.com/games/0022600485)

- Star duel: Devin Booker vs Karl-Anthony Towns

## 3. San Antonio Spurs at Charlotte Hornets — score 72

1:00 PM ET · NBA TV · Worth a Look (Good background) · [details](https://hoopsmenu.com/games/0022600477)

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

## 4. Brooklyn Nets at Sacramento Kings — score 69

6:00 PM ET · Local TV · League Pass · Late Menu (For fans) · [details](https://hoopsmenu.com/games/0022600482)

- Darius Acuff Jr. headlines this one
- Records are close enough for a live one

## 5. Miami Heat at Oklahoma City Thunder — score 65

8:00 PM ET · Local TV · League Pass · Late Menu (For fans) · [details](https://hoopsmenu.com/games/0022600484)

- Star duel: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander vs Giannis Antetokounmpo
- OKC have won 8 of their last 10
- OKC could be without Chet Holmgren

## 6. LA Clippers at Cleveland Cavaliers — score 64

3:00 PM ET · Local TV · League Pass · Late Menu (For fans) · [details](https://hoopsmenu.com/games/0022600479)

- James Harden faces the Clippers for the first time since the trade
- Donovan Mitchell headlines this one

## 7. Orlando Magic at Indiana Pacers — score 64

3:00 PM ET · Local TV · League Pass · Late Menu (For fans) · [details](https://hoopsmenu.com/games/0022600480)

- Star duel: Pascal Siakam vs Paolo Banchero
- Records are close enough for a live one

## 8. Los Angeles Lakers at New Orleans Pelicans — score 64

8:00 PM ET · Local TV · League Pass · Late Menu (For fans) · [details](https://hoopsmenu.com/games/0022600483)

- Luka Dončić headlines this one
- LAL have won 8 of their last 10

## 9. Milwaukee Bucks at Atlanta Hawks — score 57

3:00 PM ET · Local TV · League Pass · Late Menu (For fans) · [details](https://hoopsmenu.com/games/0022600478)

- Jalen Johnson headlines this one
- Caris LeVert's first game back in Atlanta since leaving in free agency

Previous night: [Wed, Dec 30](https://hoopsmenu.com/nba/tonight/2026-12-30) · Next night: [Fri, Jan 1](https://hoopsmenu.com/nba/tonight/2027-01-01)

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

_Updated Tue, Nov 10, 11:25 PM EST._

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Source: https://hoopsmenu.com/nba/tonight/2026-12-31 · Hoops Menu (https://hoopsmenu.com)