NBA Emphasizes MLK Day Amid NFL Christmas Clash

The NBA is stepping up its game on Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a stellar four-game lineup set to be broadcast and streamed nationwide. This move showcases the league’s commitment to honoring the holiday on January 19 next year.

Here’s a sneak peek at the MLK Day lineup:

– 1 p.m.: Bucks at Hawks (Peacock only)
– 2:30 p.m.: Thunder at Cavaliers (NBC, Peacock)
– 5 p.m.: Mavericks at Knicks (NBC, Peacock)
– 8 p.m.: Celtics at Pistons (NBC, Peacock)

But wait, there’s more! According to a league source, these four games won’t be the only ones scheduled for MLK Day. Last year, the NBA had a full slate of eight games, with just two airing on TNT Sports networks. Stay tuned for the full NBA schedule release coming on Thursday.

While the NBA’s Christmas plan typically includes a five-game national lineup on ESPN networks, MLK Day is shaping up to be a different ball game with a four-game schedule aimed at capturing the audience’s attention, minus any NFL competition.

In addition to the MLK Day excitement, NBC, the NBA’s new media partner under an 11-year, $77 billion deal, announced the launch of its very own Sunday Night Basketball on February 1. The coverage promises to mirror the network’s Sunday Night Football setup, with a one-hour studio program to boot.

Sunday Night Basketball will feature one or two games, and the networks also unveiled Peacock NBA Monday, which will exclusively stream up to three NBA games per night. The action kicks off on October 27, the first Monday of the season, with a doubleheader featuring the Cavaliers visiting the Pistons and the Timberwolves hosting the Nuggets.

The NBA is gearing up for an exciting season ahead, so mark your calendars and get ready for some epic basketball showdowns!