A user equipment (UE), or other network component can operate to generate listen-before-talk (LBT) operations in order to manage power consumption by configuring the discontinuous reception (DRX) in a dynamic manner. The UE can configure an extended active time for the DRX based on whether the LBT is successful and an acquisition channel indication from a base station, e.g., a next generation NodeB (gNB). The UE can operate aperiodic wakeup occasions with or independently of periodic DRX on-durations to better manage power while monitoring a channel for unlicensed carrier communications.