What is AWS NBA Rivals Week?
The NBA introduced a new twist to the regular season in 2022 by dedicating a week in January to classic and emerging rivalries between teams and players. In 2026, the league will celebrate the fifth annual AWS NBA Rivals Week, delivering 9 nationally televised games packed with marquee matchups, heightened intensity and bragging rights on the line, spotlighting some of the NBA’s most compelling rivalries.
When is 2026 AWS NBA Rivals Week?
AWS NBA Rivals Week will take place from Tuesday, Jan. 20 through Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. Rivalries will be highlighted across 9 nationally televised games airing on ABC, ESPN, NBC, Peacock, and Prime over 5 action-packed days.
What are the 2026 AWS NBA Rivals Week matchups?
All times Eastern Standard Time
Jan. 20: San Antonio Spurs at Houston Rockets (8:00 p.m., NBC/Peacock)
Jan. 20: Los Angeles Lakers at Denver Nuggets (10:00 p.m., Peacock)
Jan. 21: Cleveland Cavaliers at Charlotte Hornets (7:00 p.m., ESPN)
Jan. 21: Oklahoma City Thunder at Milwaukee Bucks (9:30 p.m., ESPN)
Jan. 22: Golden State Warriors at Dallas Mavericks (7:30 p.m., Prime)
Jan. 22: Los Angeles Lakers at LA Clippers (10:00 p.m., Prime)
Jan. 23: Houston Rockets at Detroit Pistons (7:00 p.m., Prime)
Jan. 23: Denver Nuggets at Milwaukee Bucks (9:30 p.m., Prime)
Jan. 24: New York Knicks at Philadelphia 76ers (3:00 p.m., ABC)
Jan. 24: Golden State Warriors at Minnesota Timberwolves (5:30 p.m., ABC)
Jan. 24: Los Angeles Lakers at Dallas Mavericks (8:30 p.m., ABC)
What are the biggest storylines of the 2026 AWS NBA Rivals Week?
Jan. 20: San Antonio Spurs at Houston Rockets:
Cross-town rivals the Spurs and Rockets have a storied history. The rivalry has reignited in the modern era, with Kevin Durant leading Houston at 26.1 points per game and a young Spurs squad built around Victor Wembanyama, who leads San Antonio with 24 points per game. Last season’s Kia Rookie of the Year, Stephon Castle, anchors the Spurs’ playmaking as the team’s top assist leader.
Jan. 20: Los Angeles Lakers at Denver Nuggets:
The Lakers and Nuggets have developed into a modern NBA rivalry dating back to the 2020 playoffs, when Los Angeles eliminated Denver on its way to a championship. Since 2023, however, the balance of power has shifted, with Denver controlling the matchup by going 8–1 in the playoffs and 5–1 in the regular season. Each game now carries extra stakes for seeding and playoff positioning.
Jan. 21: Cleveland Cavaliers at Charlotte Hornets:
A classic Eastern Conference matchup, Cavaliers–Hornets games showcase emerging guard talent and a growing mini-rivalry. The action centers on Cleveland’s backcourt of Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell against a Charlotte team led by LaMelo Ball, built on pace, ball movement, and perimeter scoring, that leads to fast, competitive, high-scoring action.
Jan. 21: Oklahoma City Thunder at Milwaukee Bucks:
As Oklahoma City has emerged as a rising contender behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, matchups with Giannis Antetokounmpo now reflect the league’s shifting balance of power. While SGA leads a young, ascending Thunder team, Giannis continues to carry a Bucks roster searching for consistency, giving their meetings added historical and competitive weight.
Jan. 22: Golden State Warriors at Dallas Mavericks:
Another high-stakes clash between the Warriors and Mavericks helped ignite a rivalry, stemming from their 2022 Western Conference Finals matchup, when Golden State defeated Dallas 4-1. Now, rookie Cooper Flagg leads the Mavs against the Warriors, who continue to be powered by Stephen Curry, the NBA’s all-time leader for 3-pointers made. Klay Thompson also gets another shot to go against his former squad.
Jan. 22: Los Angeles Lakers at LA Clippers
The Lakers and Clippers clash in Los Angeles once again, reigniting the “Battle of L.A.” The Lakers have maintained control of the series, winning 7 of the last 10 matchups since 2023.
Jan. 23: Houston Rockets at Detroit Pistons:
Detroit enters the matchup as the conference’s top team, setting the standard with its consistency and defensive intensity, while Houston arrives as a rising contender widely expected to make a deep playoff run. Adding extra intrigue, brothers Ausar and Amen Thompson will face off, turning the contest into a sibling showdown on the NBA stage.
Jan. 24: New York Knicks at Philadelphia 76ers:
The Knicks head to Philadelphia for another chapter in a heated rivalry, meeting again after their dramatic 2024 first-round series. New York’s series win, capped by Josh Hart’s Game 6 heroics, still echoes, while the 76ers look to reclaim their edge in a matchup that has defined the Eastern Conference for decades.
Jan. 24: Golden State Warriors at Minnesota Timberwolves:
The rivalry took a noticeable step forward during the 2024–25 season, with each matchup carrying playoff-like intensity. Tight margins, physical half-court possessions, and drawn-out fourth-quarter battles came to define the series. With seeding implications at stake and contrasting styles, Golden State’s experience and shooting against Minnesota’s size, defense, and physicality, each meeting felt less like a regular-season game and more like a preview of a potential playoff collision.
Jan. 24: Los Angeles Lakers at Dallas Mavericks:
AWS Rivals Week wraps up with one of the league’s most storied matchups: the Dallas Mavericks vs. the Los Angeles Lakers. Since being traded to the Lakers, Luka Dončić has been dominant, averaging 33.4 points per game this season, while rookie Cooper Flagg has made an immediate impact, contributing 19.1 points per contest. The clash of star power and rising talent keeps this rivalry as intense as ever.
