Monday marks the 36th anniversary of the NBA’s tradition of holding games on MLK Day, a federal holiday that honors the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The league has been celebrating MLK Day with a slate of basketball games since 1986, and this year will be no different. The NBA has 12 games scheduled to be played Monday, beginning with a matchup between the Pelicans and Celtics at 12:30 pm ET.
While many NBA teams will speak on MLK Day, the holiday has special meaning for the Grizzlies and Hawks.
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Why do the Grizzlies and Hawks always play NBA games on MLK Day?
The Atlanta Hawks connection to MLK
King was born in Atlanta on January 15, 1929. He grew up in the city and attended Booker T. Washington High School and Morehouse College. Given that connection, MLK Day is of tremendous importance to Atlanta and the Hawks franchise.
Since 1994, the team has typically hosted games on MLK Day with only a few exceptions. This year, the Hawks will face the Bucks in a rematch of the 2023 Eastern Conference finals.
The Memphis Grizzlies connection to MLK
On April 4, 1968, King, who was in Memphis to support a sanitation workers’ strike, was assassinated while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel. That site is now home to the National Civil Rights Museum, which is not far from the FedEx Forum, the Grizzlies’ home stadium.
Every year since 2003, the Grizzlies have played a game on MLK Day. Before their matchup with the Bulls, the Grizzlies and the National Civil Rights Museum hosted “The Intersection of Race and Sports,” a virtual discussion focused on issues affecting black athletes.
“True democracy is only healthy when everyone participates.”
to see how @Ajawilson22, @Caduggy Y @MarcJSpears discuss the Intersection of Race & Sports.@NCRMuseum | 📺: https://t.co/oSlIQePVpC pic.twitter.com/2jeMbfluVj
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) January 17, 2023
The NBA’s New “Imagine” MLK Ad
NBA schedule on MLK Day 2023
| Play | Time (ET) | national television |
| Pelicans vs. Celtics | 12:30 pm | — |
| Hornets vs. Knicks | 13:00 | NBA television |
| 76ers vs wizards | 14:00 | — |
| Nets vs. Cavaliers | 15:00 | — |
| Bulls vs. Grizzlies | 3:30 pm | TNT |
| Pacers vs. Clippers | 3:30 pm | — |
| dollars against hawks | 18:00 | TNT |
| Trail Blazers vs. Magic | 19:00 | — |
| raptors against heat | 7:30 pm | — |
| Thunder vs. Mavericks | 8:30 pm | — |
| Suns vs. Spurs | 8:30 pm | — |
| Jazz vs. Lakers | 10:30 pm | NBA television |
