Professional basketball has long evoked the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Bill Russell stood with the civil rights leader during the March on Washington, while Oscar Robertson helped organize a memorial game for King’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference in the wake of his assassination.

The league continues its traditional MLK Day installment, which has now been around for almost four decades. Monday’s games run throughout the federal holiday, with two showcases on TNT and an NBA TV early tip in Charlotte. Here’s your guide to the holiday schedule.

You can stream the NBA on Fubo (try for free).

NBA MLK Day schedule

All times Eastern.

Minnesota Timberwolves at Memphis Grizzlies

The Boston-Golden State game may have more top-line star power, but those teams have looked varying shades of “off” since at least late December. They’re also two of the most common national TV choices. Minnesota at Memphis has discernibly better vibes. Memphis (27-15) is enjoying a stellar season and seldom gets primetime looks. Plus, these squads put a fun one together just last week in Minnesota and Anthony Edwards vs. Ja Morant is top-shelf stuff, two energetic young bellwethers with big hops and a flair for the dramatic.

It was only a few years ago when the Grizzlies and Timberwolves met for a memorable six-game playoff duel. Taylor Jenkins’ group erased three double-digit fourth-quarter deficits, with Morant and Desmond Bane gutting Minnesota’s Game 6 crowd to seal the series.

Memphis has the fastest offense in the sport, and is top-10 in both offensive and defensive ratings. The Grizzlies haul in rebounds, force takeaways and frequently rack up free throws. Morant has put up his lowest scoring figures since his sophomore season in 2020-21, but Jaren Jackson Jr. has upped both his efficiency and his usage rate. Memphis is a balanced team that fields a lot of pleasant surprises — second-round rookie Jaylen Wells averages more than 11 points a game, Santi Aldama has emerged as a sharpshooting, glass-crashing rotation player and Scotty Pippen Jr. is an energy-shifter. The injured Marcus Smart (finger) is the oldest player on this roster … at age 30.

The Timberwolves (22-20) are well off last season’s 56-win pace. But they’re near the top of the league in both 3-pointers made and allowed while also ranking high in scoring defense. Chris Finch has these guys playing slow and avoiding fouls.

Edwards is putting up more than 30 points a game this month. His game-winner against Houston is sneakily one of the iciest shots of the year.

YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO pic.twitter.com/b8lvevOQe4

— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) December 28, 2024

Dallas Mavericks at Charlotte Hornets

Sometimes the frivolities justify a quick tune-in. Because it’s on NBA TV, we get the Hornets’ home broadcast of Eric Collins and Dell Curry. They are a consistently hilarious pairing. Collins pulls out a roaring yawp as carelessly as LaMelo Ball spams 3-pointers. Charlotte’s star should commit to the bit and throw it off the glass to himself at least once a game. Hugo the Hornet is always up in the polls. The honeycomb court and the tricolor purple-teal-gray scheme are smooth on the eyes. The Mavs have struggled with Luka Dončić on the shelf. This should be a nice get-right game for them.

Most win shares for both teams: Kemba Walker, Tyson Chandler, Jamal Mashburn, P.J. Washington

Detroit Pistons at Houston Rockets

Watch as Cade Cunningham definitively turns the corner (or, if you’re so inclined, swerve, bend the corner, whoa). He’s one of the NBA’s coolest developments right now — committing to steady improvement while weathering three years of unmitigated losing. The Pistons are finally watchable. They’ve already pulled respectable road wins over the Kings, Lakers, Pacers and Knicks (twice). And they’re tough on the boards, making for a cool matchup with the rock-fighting Rockets.

Houston has been top-five in defensive rating and total rebounding for most of this season. And like Cunningham, Jalen Green is leveling up in real-time, averaging 29.8 points per game in January. If nothing else, this is an honorary Thompson Bowl — Houston’s Amen is now regularly playing 35-to-40 minutes, while Detroit’s Ausar has been shifted to the starting lineup.

Most win shares for both teams: Otis Thorpe, Kenny Smith, Tracy McGrady, Stu Lantz

Atlanta Hawks at New York Knicks

No team has played more games on this holiday than the Knicks. New York will host an MLK Day game for the 36th consecutive year. It’s a good one, too. Trae Young has been the city’s villain-in-residence since the 2021 playoffs — and he’s really embracing the part this season. In November, he packed bags for visiting fans; in December, he pantomimed a dice roll at center court of Madison Square. Place your bets on whatever’s coming next.

The Knicks’ offense is a mood booster. Jalen Brunson is still going guts-out every night, while Josh Hart is playing far above his size and into hallowed company.

The Hawks try to play basketball at hyper-speed. Atlanta is 22-10 all-time on MLK Day. And few local broadcasts can match the Knicks’ presentation. If only all the fans in their market could actually watch these games.

Most win shares for both teams: Richie Guerin, Walt Bellamy, Doc Rivers, Dikembe Mutombo

Phoenix Suns at Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavs are looking like a potential 70-win team. They are eminently watchable and easy to root for, leading the league in offensive efficiency.

Devin Booker had a 48-point MLK Day game in 2022, tied for the fourth-highest mark in NBA history. Kevin Durant is still in his bag. The Suns are 6-2 in their last eight games.

Most win shares for both teams: Larry Nance, Shawn Marion, Kevin Johnson, Hot Rod Williams

Boston Celtics at Golden State Warriors

Golden State is historically good on MLK Day, with a league-best .700 winning percentage (21-9). It also holds the record for the most points scored on the holiday with 146. You may be wondering which iteration of the Stephen Curry Warriors pulled that off, but this actually went down well before the 3-point revolution or even the “We Believe” squad. Jan. 16, 1989 — seven Warriors scored in double figures, led by Chris Mullin’s 31 points in 40 minutes, and Golden State beat the Seattle SuperSonics by 29.

These Warriors need every win they can get right now. They’ve endured some wince-inducing losses of late, falling 3 points short of the lowly Raptors and getting blown out by the Jimmy Butler-less Heat.

Boston is a tough draw, of course, even with its recent bouts of inconsistency. The Celtics are still third in net rating and have the fewest turnovers per game. They rebound well, play fearlessly behind the arc and consistently win the foul differential.

Most win shares for both teams: Robert Parish, Jo Jo White, David Lee, Troy Murphy

Utah Jazz at New Orleans Pelicans

Head for the hills, it is officially King Cake Baby season. The Pelicans’ horrifying alternate mascot is here to commemorate Marti Gras through Feb. 25. These are the two worst teams in the West. Maybe there’s a hidden Zion Williamson gem somewhere in this mess.

Most win shares for both teams: Derrick Favors, Jeff Withey, Devin Brown, Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Chicago Bulls at LA Clippers

Things are unassumingly solid in Inglewood — the Clippers (24-17) have a better record than both of last season’s Western Conference finalists, they have a top-five defense and Kawhi Leonard is rounding back into form.

The Bulls are actually one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the league. Zach LaVine is having his most efficient season ever.

Most win shares for both teams: Elton Brand, Joakim Noah, Ron Harper, Bob Weiss

(Photo of Ja Morant: Alex Slitz / Getty Images)