No NFL Games and the Aussie Open Is Done, but There’s Still a Big Sports Event Tonight
With the NFL taking the weekend off to gear up for Super Bowl LX on February 8 between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots, and the 2026 Australian Open crowning Grand Slam champions Elena Rybakina and Carlos Alcaraz earlier today, it may seem as if there aren’t many major sporting events to watch for the rest of February 1. Well, fear not. If you didn’t have plans to tune into the 2026 Grammy Awards and have the desire to watch some stiff athletic competition, the NBA has a highly anticipated matchup between LeBron James’ Los Angeles Lakers and Jalen Brunson’s New York Knicks.
Now Sunday’s Lakers game obviously isn’t a playoff matchup or a part of February’s Annual NBA All-Star Weekend. However, after the Lakers’ big loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday, January 28, James fans are all wondering if the 41-year-old’s retirement is closer than they thought. When speaking with the press post-game, James shared:
"I’m just trying to take everything in, not take the moments for granted. Because it could be (my last season). I obviously haven't made a decision on the future, but it very well could be."
This brief statement has sent avid NBA watchers and analysts into a frenzy, thinking the next few months in 2026 may be the superstar’s last in the league. So moving forward, every game James plays in becomes a must-watch event unless he makes it clear he has at least one more season in him. Case in point, the February 1 matchup between the Lakers and the Knicks.
Lakers vs Knicks Tickets Are Expensive
The mystery surrounding King James’ retirement plan has created lots of demand, driving the price of the Lakers/Knicks game at Madison Square Garden on February 1 through the roof. Allegedly, tickets are so high, according to NBC Sports, that they’ve now become “the most expensive NBA regular-season game ticket since Kobe Bryant's final game in Los Angeles, according to both Gametime and TickPick.”
As of publication, nosebleed seats on Seat Geek are at the very least going for $471, while some of the best seats left are going anywhere between $2,000 and $4,700. So it’s definitely going to cost if you want to see James live in MSG tonight.
How to Watch the Lakers vs Knicks Game on February 1
For those ready to tune in and watch James and his Lakers go up against Brunson, James’ former coach (Mike Brown), and the rest of the Blue and Orange squad, the game airs on NBC and streams on Peacock at 7 pm ET/4 pm PT. You’ll either need access to the NBC network TV channel or a subscription to Peacock to watch. With both teams having almost identical records (the Lakers are 29-18 and the Knicks are 30-18) and their starting lineups likely intact, tonight’s competition should be a good one.
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