NBA Games on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
This Martin Luther King Jr. Day, basketball fans can look forward to an exciting lineup of NBA games broadcast on NBC and Peacock. Kicking off the day, the Milwaukee Bucks will face off against the Atlanta Hawks at 1 PM ET, an event that will only be available on Peacock. Following that matchup, viewers can tune in at 2:30 PM ET on NBC and Peacock to see the Oklahoma City Thunder take on the Cleveland Cavaliers. Later, at 5 PM ET, the Dallas Mavericks are set to visit Madison Square Garden to challenge the New York Knicks, and the day’s action will wrap up at 8 PM ET with the clash between the Boston Celtics and the Detroit Pistons.
Historical Context and Team Performance
It’s notable that the Bucks and Hawks are meeting for the first time this season, and this encounter marks their fifth meeting on MLK Day. Historically, the Hawks have enjoyed success on this holiday, winning three of their last four encounters against Milwaukee. Atlanta has hosted an MLK Day game since 1994 with few exceptions, and they hold the highest winning percentage of any NBA team on this significant date.
This year’s game comes at a time when the Bucks, led by two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo along with Kevin Porter Jr. and Ryan Rollins, are struggling to find their footing, having not achieved three straight wins thus far this season.
Player Highlights and Future Opportunities
Meanwhile, the Hawks will be looking to maintain their momentum, especially after trading their four-time All-Star Trae Young to the Washington Wizards earlier this month. Following that trade, Atlanta’s Jalen Johnson has emerged as a key player, currently leading the team’s scoring, rebounding, and assists.
Fans eager to watch the games can follow the scheduled matches on NBC and Peacock, with a unique opportunity for NBA enthusiasts as Peacock will stream 100 regular-season games throughout this season. Additionally, Peacock offers multiple viewing options for all NBA games and even has new features lined up for the future, including the launch of Sunday Night Basketball starting February 1, 2026.
