Why are there no NBA games today? League encourages fans to vote on Election Day on Nov. 7, 2023

Gilbert McGregor

Why are there no NBA games today? League encourages fans to vote on Election Day on Nov. 7, 2023 image

Since the NBA season began on Tuesday, Oct. 24, the action has been nonstop. Two weeks in, the league will reach its first break in the action.

On Tuesday, Nov. 7, the schedule will be devoid of NBA games, as all 30 teams will be idle.

Why are there no NBA games today? The Sporting News explains the early-season pause in NBA action.

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Why are there no NBA games today?

There are no NBA games today in observance of Election Day in the United States.

Last season, the NBA used Election Day to promote nonpartisan civic engagement by encouraging fans to vote. In what has become a scheduling tradition, the NBA has again kept its schedule clear so that fans can shift their focus to civic duties.

The United States Election Day is one of a few days on the calendar on which no NBA games will be played, barring any changes caused by postponed games.

Election Day is the only Tuesday in the month of November that will not feature games from the NBA's In-Season Tournament (IST), which will resume on Friday, Nov. 10.

In addition to Election Day, the NBA's schedule is empty on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and the day of the NCAA Men's Basketball National Championship.

Lucky for NBA fans, 28 of the league's 30 teams will be back in action on Wednesday, Nov. 8.

Wednesday, Nov. 8 NBA schedule

After a day without action, there will be a slate of 14 NBA games on Wednesday, Nov. 8.

The Hawks and Magic are the only two teams that won't be in action on Nov. 8. They'll meet in Mexico City on Thursday, Nov. 9 at 9:30 p.m. ET on NBA TV.

Game Time (ET) TV channel
Wizards at Hornets 7 p.m.
Jazz at Pacers 7 p.m.
Celtics at 76ers 7 p.m.
Clippers at Nets 7:30 p.m
Spurs at Knicks 7:30 p.m. ESPN
Suns at Bulls 8 p.m.
Lakers at Rockets 8 p.m.
Heat at Grizzlies 8 p.m.
Pistons at Bucks 8 p.m.
Pelicans at Timberwolves 8 p.m.
Cavaliers at Thunder 8 p.m.
Raptors at Mavericks 8:30 p.m.
Warriors at Nuggets 10 p.m. ESPN
Trail Blazers at Kings 10 p.m.

Days with no NBA regular season games 2023-24

  • Nov. 7, 2023 — Election Day
  • Nov. 23, 2023 — Thanksgiving Day (U.S.)
  • Dec. 24, 2023 — Christmas Eve
  • Feb. 16-21, 2024 — NBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis
  • April 8, 2024 — Men's NCAA National Championship Game

Gilbert McGregor

Gilbert McGregor Photo

Gilbert McGregor first joined The Sporting News in 2018 as a content producer for Global editions of NBA.com. Before covering the game, McGregor played basketball collegiately at Wake Forest, graduating with a Communication degree in 2016. McGregor began covering the NBA during the 2017-18 season and has been on hand for a number of league events.