If you’re sitting there staring at a blank TV screen wondering when do the kings play again, you probably fall into one of two camps. You're either a die-hard Sacramento Kings fan waiting for the "Light the Beam" chant at the Golden 1 Center, or you’re a hockey head looking for the next Los Angeles Kings puck drop at Crypto.com Arena.
The good news? You don’t have to wait long.
Today is Sunday, January 18, 2026. If you’re a Sacramento fan, the answer to your question is literally "tonight." The NBA's version of the Kings is gearing up to host the Portland Trail Blazers in just a few hours. Meanwhile, the hockey side of the family is catching a quick breather before they hit the ice again on Tuesday.
Sports schedules are a grind. 82 games for basketball. 82 games for hockey. It’s a lot to track, especially with West Coast start times that sometimes feel like they’re testing your caffeine limits.
Sacramento Kings: Tonight’s Tip-off and the Week Ahead
The Sacramento Kings are back in action tonight, January 18, 2026, at 6:00 PM PT. They are staying home in Sacramento to face the Portland Trail Blazers. This is a big one. Even though the Kings have had a rough patch lately—sitting at 9-30 and dealing with some nasty injuries—playing at the Golden 1 Center usually brings out a different kind of energy.
Honestly, the injury report is the real story right now. You’ve probably heard that Domantas Sabonis is still out with that knee injury. It’s looking like he won’t be back until late January, which leaves a massive hole in the paint. Keegan Murray is also sidelined with an ankle sprain.
So, who is actually playing? De’Aaron Fox is carrying a massive load. DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine are the ones keeping the scoreboard moving. It's been a "next man up" kind of season, which is a nice way of saying it's been pretty stressful for the coaching staff.
Upcoming Sacramento Games
If you miss tonight’s game, here is what the rest of the month looks like:
- Tuesday, Jan 20: Miami Heat at Kings (7:00 PM PT)
- Wednesday, Jan 21: Toronto Raptors at Kings (7:00 PM PT)
- Friday, Jan 23: Kings at Cleveland Cavaliers (7:30 PM ET / 4:30 PM PT) — The road trip begins.
- Sunday, Jan 25: Kings at Detroit Pistons (3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT)
That back-to-back against Miami and Toronto at home is going to be a gauntlet. After that, they pack their bags for a long East Coast swing that includes stops in New York, Philly, and Boston. If you want to watch these, most are on NBC Sports California, but keep an eye on NBA League Pass if you’re out of the market.
Los Angeles Kings: Back on the Ice Tuesday
Maybe you aren't looking for hoops. If you’re asking when do the kings play again in the context of the NHL, you have to wait until Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
The LA Kings are hosting the New York Rangers at Crypto.com Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM PT (which some listings show as 9:00 PM CST). This is a heavyweight cross-conference matchup. The Rangers are always a problem, and the Kings have been hovering around the middle of the pack, trying to solidify their playoff positioning before the big February Olympic break.
The LA Kings Road Trip
After that Tuesday night home game, the LA Kings are hitting the road for a cold trek through the Eastern Conference.
- Saturday, Jan 24: LA Kings at St. Louis Blues (7:00 PM CST)
- Monday, Jan 26: LA Kings at Columbus Blue Jackets (6:00 PM CST)
- Tuesday, Jan 27: LA Kings at Detroit Red Wings (6:00 PM CST)
- Thursday, Jan 29: LA Kings at Buffalo Sabres (6:00 PM CST)
It’s a classic mid-winter road trip. They’ll be playing in some of the coldest cities in the league while trying to stack points. One thing to watch for is the "Freeway Faceoff" nostalgia. They just finished a back-to-back with the Ducks, so the intensity from those games usually carries over into the next few matchups.
Why the Schedule Matters Right Now
January is the "dog days" for both the NBA and the NHL. Players are tired. The All-Star breaks (and the Olympics for hockey) are visible on the horizon, but they aren't here yet.
For the Sacramento Kings, these home games are vital. You can't drop games to Portland and Toronto if you want any chance of a late-season surge once Sabonis and Murray return. The atmosphere at Golden 1 Center is still one of the best in the league, but even the loudest fans can't make the ball go in the hoop for the bench unit.
For the LA Kings, the focus is health. The NHL schedule is brutal, and they have some aging stars who need to manage their minutes. Watch for guys like Adrian Kempe to lead the charge during this upcoming road trip.
Where to Watch and How to Get Tickets
If you’re trying to catch the game in person, tickets for tonight’s Sacramento game are actually pretty reasonable, starting around $26 to $29 on sites like SeatGeek or Ticketmaster. For the LA Kings game on Tuesday, expect to pay a bit more since the Rangers are a big draw in Los Angeles.
On the TV side:
- Sacramento: Mostly NBC Sports California. Some big Tuesday games are on NBC or Peacock.
- Los Angeles: Bally Sports (or whatever the local affiliate is called this week) and occasionally national broadcasts on ESPN or TNT.
Actionable Steps for Fans
- Check the Injury Report: Always do this two hours before tip-off. In 2026, late scratches are more common than ever.
- Set Your DVR: If you’re on the East Coast, these 7:00 PM and 7:30 PM PT starts mean you won't be finishing until well after midnight.
- Sync Your Calendar: Both teams have downloadable schedules on their official apps that sync directly to your phone. It’s the easiest way to never ask "wait, is there a game today?" again.
Tonight is all about the beam. Tuesday is all about the ice. Whichever team you're rooting for, the schedule is packed for the next two weeks. Keep an eye on the standings, because January is where seasons are often made or broken.