Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks face Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder in the nightcap of our ESPN doubleheader as AWS Rivals Week 2026 continues.
What we know ahead of Wednesday’s games:
- AWS Rivals Week 2026 continues tonight with an ESPN doubleheader. We’ve got Cavaliers-Hornets (7 ET) and Thunder-Bucks (9:30 ET), boasting battles between the Ball brothers and SGA and Giannis.
- Kon Knueppel, who will feature in the first of our national television contests, stands at the top of the latest Kia Rookie Ladder.
- Jaylen Brown is probable. Zion Williamson is questionable. Jalen Williams, Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein are out.
JANUARY 21, 2026 // 7:20 ET
Allen to the rafters
Starting off Cavs-Hornets with a bang. The Cavaliers have opened the game on a 19-4 run, including this alley-oop to Jarrett Allen.
Surge up for the swat.
Ascend up for the alley-oop.
Jarrett Allen with a splendid sequence as we are underway in Charlotte! pic.twitter.com/kB6iwVnkBR
— NBA (@NBA) January 22, 2026
JANUARY 21, 2026 // 6:00 ET
The Celtics and Pacers, fresh off a thriller, continue a budding rivalry
On Jan. 12, the Pacers defeated the Celtics 98-96 on a floater from Pascal Siakam, adding a new layer to an often-spirited struggle between Eastern Conference foes.
Since the beginning of the 2023-24 season, the Celtics and Pacers have split their last 10 contests, with each team winning five games.
That doesn’t include the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals, which the Celtics won in four close games, including Jaylen Brown’s dramatic game-tying 3-pointer to take Game 1 to overtime.
These teams have been going back-and-forth for years, based on similar principles of open, flowing offense, strong rim protection and talented isolation scorers.
Pascal Siakam and Brown win one-on-one matchups with skilled midrange games and strength; Andrew Nembhard and Derrick White are two of the best two-way guards in the league; Jay Huff and Neemias Queta provide stalwart rim protection on small contracts.
Both team boast benches full of two-way prospects, allowing them to fire 3-pointers while maintaining defensive structure.
Tune in to see the next chapter between two of the historic powers in the East at 7:30 ET tonight on League Pass, as well as the the NBA Strategy Stream.
The Pacers head to Boston to take on the Celtics in tonight’s NBA Strategy Stream powered by AWS!
Join @NateDuncanNBA and @DannyLeroux as they go beyond the box score to break down the schemes, metrics, and moves that change the game at 7:30pm/et on the NBA App.
➡️… pic.twitter.com/NJGFGW81iW
— NBA (@NBA) January 21, 2026
JANUARY 21, 2026 // 5:30 ET
Welcome to an eight-game night in the NBA!
LaMelo Ball’s Hornets host Lonzo Ball’s Cavaliers to continue AWS Rivals Week 2026 at 7 ET on ESPN.
AWS Rivals Week 2026 continues tonight with an ESPN doubleheader featuring a battle between LaMelo and Lonzo Ball, as the Hornets host the Cavaliers (7 ET) and a showdown between two of the game’s great international superstars as Shai Gilgeous Alexander’s Thunder take on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Bucks (9:30 ET).
Here’s tonight’s complete schedule:
