Games held by the National Basketball Association (NBA) on Martin Luther King Jr. Day have been an annual tradition since the 1986.[1] Unlike the more select number of Christmas Day games, more teams participate for that day.[2] Very often a rematch of a playoff series in the previous season's NBA playoffs is showcased on MLK Day. To honor the occasion, the league generally schedules the Atlanta Hawks to host games near annually due to Atlanta being Martin Luther King Jr.'s hometown. The Memphis Grizzlies have also been hosting games annually since they relocated from Vancouver. Memphis was where King was assassinated in 1968.[1][3] Although not a league tradition, the New York Knicks also have played on the holiday every single year since it was passed into law (most commonly as the home team).
Game results
MLK Day standings
| Team | Games played | First game | Last game | Wins | Losses | Win % | Previous team names |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Hawks | 31 | 1986 (Won 101–93 vs. Milwaukee) | 2023 (Won 121–113 vs. Miami) | 21 | 10 | .677 | |
| Boston Celtics | 25 | 1987 (Lost 111–109 at New York) | 2023 (Won 130–118 at Charlotte) | 14 | 10 | .583 | |
| Brooklyn Nets | 25 | 1987 (Lost 126–115 vs. L.A. Lakers) | 2022 (Lost 114–107 at Cleveland) | 12 | 13 | .480 | New Jersey Nets (1977–2012) |
| Charlotte Hornets | 24 | 1989 (Lost 127–122 at Philadelphia) | 2023 (Lost 130-118 vs Boston) | 10 | 14 | .417 | Charlotte Hornets (original) (1988–2002) Charlotte Bobcats (2004–2014) |
| Chicago Bulls | 29 | 1986 (Lost 133–118 vs. L.A. Lakers) | 2022 (Lost 119–106 at Memphis) | 14 | 15 | .483 | |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 19 | 1987 (Lost 127–103 vs. Houston) | 2023 (Won 113-103 vs New Orleans) | 8 | 11 | .421 | |
| Dallas Mavericks | 19 | 1988 (Won 99–87 at L. A. Clippers) | 2022 (Won 104-102 vs Oklahoma City) | 9 | 10 | .474 | |
| Denver Nuggets | 17 | 1987 (Won 118–116 vs. Portland) | 2020 (Won 107–100 at Minnesota) | 10 | 7 | .588 | |
| Detroit Pistons | 28 | 1986 (Lost 105–99 at Indiana) | 2021 (Lost 113–107 at Miami) | 11 | 17 | .393 | |
| Golden State Warriors | 29 | 1988 (Lost 121–101 at Boston) | 2023 (Won 127-118 at Washington) | 20 | 9 | .690 | |
| Houston Rockets | 29 | 1987 (Won 127–103 at Cleveland) | 2023 (Lost 140-132 at Los Angeles) | 12 | 17 | .414 | |
| Indiana Pacers | 25 | 1986 (Won 105–99 vs. Detroit) | 2023 (Lost 132-119 at Milwaukee) | 11 | 14 | .440 | |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 26 | 2021 (Lost 113–106 at San Antonio) | 2022 (Won 139–133 vs. Indiana) | 12 | 14 | .462 | |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 32 | 1987 (Lost 113–106 at San Antonio) | 2023 (Won 140-132 vs Houston) | 19 | 13 | .594 | |
| Memphis Grizzlies | 22 | 1997 (Lost 112–96 at Seattle) | 2023 (Won 136-106 vs Phoenix) | 7 | 15 | .318 | Vancouver Grizzlies (1995–2001) |
| Miami Heat | 16 | 1990 (Lost 111–105 at Washington) | 2023 (Lost 121-113 at Atlanta) | 7 | 9 | .438 | |
| Milwaukee Bucks | 23 | 1986 (Lost 101–98 at Atlanta) | 2021 (Won 132-119 vs Indiana) | 10 | 13 | .435 | |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 25 | 1991 (Lost 115–110 at Denver) | 2023 (Lost 126-125 vs Utah) | 13 | 12 | .520 | |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 17 | 2003 (Won 114–102 at Phoenix) | 2023 (Lost 113-103 at Cleveland) | 10 | 7 | .588 | New Orleans Hornets (2002–2005, 2007–2013) New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets (2005–2007) |
| New York Knicks | 36 | 2021 (Lost 103–93 at Philadelphia) | 2023 (Lost 123-121 vs Toronto) | 23 | 13 | .639 | |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 22 | 1988 (Won 115–105 at Indiana) | 2022 (Lost 104–102 at Dallas) | 13 | 9 | .591 | Seattle SuperSonics (1967–2008) |
| Orlando Magic | 18 | 1991 (Lost 121–119 at Washington) | 2022 (Lost 98–88 vs. Portland) | 7 | 11 | .389 | |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 32 | 1986 (Lost 103–93 vs. New York) | 2022 (Lost 117-98 at Washington) | 14 | 18 | .438 | |
| Phoenix Suns | 20 | 1986 (Lost 108–93 at Portland) | 2023 (Lost 136-106 at Memphis) | 9 | 11 | .450 | |
| Portland Trail Blazers | 17 | 1986 (Won 108–93 vs. Phoenix) | 2022 (won 98–88 at Orlando) | 11 | 6 | .647 | |
| Sacramento Kings | 20 | 1989 (Lost 116–110 at Denver) | 2020 (Lost 118–113 at Miami) | 8 | 12 | .400 | |
| San Antonio Spurs | 21 | 1987 (Won 113–106 vs. L. A. Clippers) | 2022 (Lost 121–107 vs. Phoenix) | 11 | 10 | .524 | |
| Toronto Raptors | 18 | 1996 (Lost 85–75 at New Jersey) | 2023 (Won 123-121 at New York) | 7 | 11 | .389 | |
| Utah Jazz | 21 | 1993 (Lost 106–96 at Seattle) | 2023 (Won 126-125 at Minnesota) | 11 | 10 | .524 | |
| Washington Wizards | 31 | 1988 (Lost 117–103 at Chicago) | 2023 (Lost 127-118 vs Golden State) | 16 | 15 | .516 | Washington Bullets (1974–1997) |
References
- 1 2 NBA.con staff (January 17, 2022). "Viewer's Guide: NBA on MLK Day". Sporting News.
- ↑ McCauley, Jane (January 21, 2019). "NBA players, coaches appreciate chance to play on MLK Day". ABCNews.go.com. Associated Press. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
- ↑ Mantage, Yash (January 17, 2022). "NBA on MLK Day: Why do Atlanta and Memphis host games on the national holiday?". Sporting News.
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