NBA MLK Day 2026: The NBA will once again remember and respect Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by holding special games on MLK Day. On Monday, January 19, 2026, the league will celebrate 40 years of NBA MLK Day games. This day will have nine games played from afternoon till late night. Big basketball stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Stephen Curry will be seen in action. But the day is not only about winning games. It is also about remembering Dr. King and what he stood for.
The first game of the day will start at 1 p.m. ET in Atlanta. Atlanta is very important because it is closely linked to Dr. King’s life. The Milwaukee Bucks will play against the Atlanta Hawks. Giannis Antetokounmpo will lead the Bucks in this opening game. This matchup has become a regular and meaningful part of MLK Day for the NBA.
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Other marquee matchups throughout the day include:
- Thunder at Cavaliers (2:30 p.m. ET) – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander vs. Donovan Mitchell
- Clippers at Wizards (3 p.m. ET) – James Harden headlines the afternoon window
- Mavericks at Knicks (5 p.m. ET) – A classic Madison Square Garden spotlight
- Jazz at Spurs (5 p.m. ET) – Featuring Victor Wembanyama
- Pacers at 76ers (7 p.m. ET)
- Suns at Nets (7:30 p.m. ET)
- Celtics at Pistons (8 p.m. ET) – Jaylen Brown vs. Cade Cunningham in a top Eastern clash
- Heat at Warriors (10 p.m. ET) – Stephen Curry and Golden State close the night
MLK Day
MLK Day in the NBA is about much more than sports. For many years, the league has used this day to talk about fairness, unity, helping others, and standing up for what is right. These were the main messages of Dr. King’s life.
Many famous NBA players from the past supported these values. Bill Russell, a basketball legend, was personally invited by Dr. King to attend the famous “I Have a Dream” speech. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is also known for speaking strongly about civil rights and justice.
Today’s players continue this message. Los Angeles Clippers star James Harden spoke about the meaning of the day. He said, “Dr. King is legendary. He paved the way and made it easier for us to live,” in a video shared by NBA.com. The NBA also shared its own message, saying, “It’s a day when the league amplifies voices, stories, and initiatives that reflect Dr. King’s call for justice and service.”
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Where can you Watch the Games?
The Bucks vs Hawks game at 1 p.m. ET will stream only on Peacock. NBC and Peacock will also show three more games later in the day.
