NBA Plans Nine Games for MLK Day 2026

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 19, 2026, the NBA will honor the civil rights leader's legacy with a full slate of nine games, featuring four nationally televised matchups that highlight themes of equality and community service. The schedule, marking the league's 40th annual observance since the holiday's federal recognition in 1986, runs from early afternoon into late night, providing basketball fans with continuous action across the country.

The day begins at 1 p.m. ET with the Milwaukee Bucks visiting the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, streaming live on Peacock and broadcast on NBC. This opener sets the tone for the quadrupleheader on NBC platforms. At 2:30 p.m. ET, the Oklahoma City Thunder, reigning NBA champions, face the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. The action shifts to Madison Square Garden in New York City at 5 p.m. ET, where the New York Knicks host the Dallas Mavericks. The evening concludes with a primetime clash at 8 p.m. ET, as the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons welcome the Boston Celtics to Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan.

Beyond the national broadcasts, five additional...