On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the NBA honors Dr. King’s enduring legacy through community-focused initiatives and thought-provoking reflections. The day is both a celebration of his vision and a call to action, reminding all of the work still needed to achieve equality and justice.

For the 38th time in NBA history, the league will host various matchups on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day this season, which lands on Jan. 20, 2025. A total of seven matchups will be broadcast throughout the day on the Monday holiday, which honors the late Civil Rights leader.

The NBA world will celebrate a civil rights icon on Monday. The league has 11 games scheduled for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, beginning with early afternoon contests and featuring several games on national TV. Here’s a look back at the NBA’s history with MLK Day and the schedule for 2024.

Games held by the National Basketball Association (NBA) on Martin Luther King Jr. Day have been an annual tradition since 1986 when it was first observed as a federal holiday (with the exception of 1999 during the 1998–99 NBA lockout). [1]

The NBA began its annual celebration of the life and legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. this week culminating with 11 NBA games on MLK Day on Jan. 15. Leading up to MLK Day, teams have worn custom shooting shirts that say, “Honor King” on the front and “The Time Is Right.