In recent years, MLK Day has become one of the NBA's main marquee slate of games.
The day itself is a celebration of the man who dreamed that one day all men and women would be viewed as equals. The NBA honors his life and legacy through league-wide efforts to bring people together and take action in our communities.
Martin Luther King’s birthday became a federal holiday in 1983. The NBA has since made it a tradition of playing games on the holiday, focusing specifically on the cities of Atlanta and Memphis, where King was born and killed. Through league activations and community engagement, the NBA continues to further King's fight for equality and justice.
This season, there will be a nine-game slate, with TNT and NBA TV showing two matchups each.
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Here’s a guide to the full slate of games on MLK Day 2023, which falls on Jan. 16.
NBA on MLK Day 2023: Complete schedule
The Celtics will face the Hornets in Charlotte to open the MLK Day slate.
The TNT doubleheader will see the Heat face the Hawks in Atlanta and the Suns take on the Grizzlies in Memphis.
| Time (ET) | Matchup | How to watch |
| 1:00 p.m. | Celtics at Hornets | NBA TV |
| 2:30 p.m. | Pacers at Bucks | League Pass |
| 3:00 p.m. | Pelicans at Cavaliers | League Pass |
| 3:00 p.m. | Raptors at Knicks | League Pass |
| 3:00 p.m. | Warriors at Wizards | League Pass |
| 3:30 p.m. | Heat at Hawks | TNT |
| 4:00 p.m. | Jazz at Timberwolves | League Pass |
| 6:00 p.m. | Suns at Grizzlies | TNT |
| 10:30 p.m. | Rockets at Lakers | NBA TV |
