The actual basketball takes a backseat in the NBA on MLK Day as the league continues its ongoing tradition of celebrating the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
For the seventh straight season — and 24th time since the Grizzlies relocated ahead of the 2001-02 season — Memphis hosts an MLK Day game as the city stands as an unofficial backdrop for the league-wide holiday featuring wall-to-wall NBA action.
It was in Memphis that King delivered his "I've Been to the Mountaintop" address on April 3, 1968, the final speech he would deliver. King was assassinated the next day at Memphis' Lorraine Motel, which is now the site of the National Civil Rights Museum.
MORE: Why the Grizzlies and Hawks always host MLK Day games
As for the basketball, the Warriors-Grizzlies tilt features two teams trending in the wrong direction.
After navigating the first 25 games of the season awaiting Ja Morant's return from suspension, the Grizzlies welcomed their All-NBA guard back into the lineup and looked like a team back on the rise. At the time of his return, the Grizzlies were 6-19 — 13th in the Western Conference and 7.5 games outside of the play-in tournament.
Powered by Morant, the Grizzlies won six of 10 to begin the steep climb out of their hole until Morant suffered a season-ending shoulder injury during practice. That devastating news was then followed by injuries to both Marcus Smart (finger) and Desmond Bane (ankle) who are also now out for an extended period. Both will miss Monday's game against the Warriors.
Meanwhile, Golden State's playoff prospects worsen by the day.
The Warriors — enduring a turbulent season mired by Draymond Green's suspension, Andrew Wiggins's uninspiring play and a litany of injuries, most recently to Chris Paul — are just 3-7 over their last 10 games.
Green's timeline of trouble has been the biggest story of the Warriors' season. Green has not played since striking Jusuf Nurkic back on December 12. That incident occurred less than one month after Green served a five-game suspension for placing Rudy Gobert in a chokehold. Though he was reinstated on January 6 and has been practicing, the veteran forward has yet to make his return.
Here's everything we know about Green's status — and that of Stephen Curry who missed Golden State's last game.
Is Draymond Green playing today?
The Athletic's Shams Charania reported on Sunday that Green will return to the lineup on Monday.
Golden State went 8-8 in this most recent stretch without Green and for the season are 11-13 in games without Green. The 33-year-old forward is averaging 9.7 points, 5.8 assists and 5.5 rebounds in just 15 games so far this season. Without Green, the Warriors' defense has plummeted as Golden State ranks 29th in Defensive Rating in Green's absence, ahead of only the Pistons.
Not only is Green returning on Monday but the Warriors are also expected to have Stephen Curry back in the lineup. Curry sat out Golden State's last game on Saturday in Milwaukee, the second game of a back-to-back. This was Curry's first game missed this season due to rest and third missed game overall. The Warriors are 0-3 without Curry this season.
What channel is Warriors vs. Grizzlies on today?
- TV channel: TNT
- Live stream: Sling
Warriors vs. Grizzlies will air nationally on TNT.
The TNT crew of Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley will tee things up on a double-header holiday slate with the award-winning Inside the NBA. Warriors vs. Grizzlies follows Hawks vs. Spurs featuring rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama.
Viewers who wish to stream the game can also watch on Sling, the home for avid sports fans offering a range of sports channels so you can always cheer for your favorite teams with channels like ESPN, TBS, TNT, NFL Network, FS1 and more.
Warriors vs. Grizzlies start time
- Date: Monday, Jan. 15, 2024
- Time: 6:00 p.m. ET | 5:00 p.m. CT
Warriors vs. Grizzlies will tip shortly after 6:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. CT).
Golden State Warriors schedule 2023-24
Here are the Warriors' next five games of the 2023-24 regular season:
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 15 | at Grizzlies | 6 p.m. | TNT |
| Jan. 17 | at Jazz | 9 p.m. | |
| Jan. 19 | vs. Mavericks | 10 p.m. | ESPN |
| Jan. 24 | vs. Hawks | 10 p.m. | |
| Jan. 25 | vs. Kings | 10 p.m. | TNT |
Memphis Grizzlies schedule 2023-24
Here are the Grizzlies' next five games of the 2023-24 regular season:
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 15 | vs. Warriors | 6 p.m. | TNT |
| Jan. 18 | at Wolves | 10 p.m. | TNT |
| Jan. 20 | at Bulls | 8 p.m. | |
| Jan. 22 | at Raptors | 7:30 p.m. | |
| Jan 24 | at Heat | 7:30 p.m. |
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