Each season, the NBA honors Martin Luther King Day on the third Monday of January with a lineup of games championing unity and equality.
This season’s MLK Day celebrations include seven matchups on January 20, 2025. You can watch them all across a combination of TNT, NBA TV, NBA League Pass, and your local team’s regional sports network (RSN).
Catch all the courtside excitement on this special day with our comprehensive viewing guide.
What channels have NBA games on MLK Day?
The 2025 NBA MLK Day games will air on TNT, NBA TV, and your local team’s RSN—if your local team plays on MLK Day. All out-of-market matchups that don’t air on TNT are available to watch live on NBA League Pass.
NBA on MLK Day TV schedule
The NBA has seven games lined up for MLK Day 2025. We compiled every matchup’s game times and channel listings in the table below. Games not airing on TNT are available on NBA League Pass for out-of-market viewers.
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Mavericks at Charlotte Hornets | Monday, Jan. 20 | Noon | KFAA, FanDuel Sports Network (FDSN) Southeast |
| Detroit Pistons at Houston Rockets | Monday, Jan. 20 | 2:00 p.m. | FDSN Detroit, Space City Home Network |
| Minnesota Timberwolves at Memphis Grizzlies | Monday, Jan. 20 | 2:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Atlanta Hawks at New York Knicks | Monday, Jan. 20 | 3:00 p.m. | FDSN Southeast, MSG |
| Phoenix Suns at Cleveland Cavaliers | Monday, Jan. 20 | 3:30 p.m. | Arizona's Family Sports, FDSN Ohio |
| Boston Celtics at Golden State Warriors | Monday, Jan. 20 | 5:00 p.m. | TNT |
| Utah Jazz at New Orleans Pelicans | Monday, Jan. 20 | 8:00 p.m. | KJZZ, Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network |
Data effective as of post date.
Best NBA on MLK Day TV plans
If you’re an avid NBA fan, you likely already have access to the channels airing NBA games on MLK Day. However, here’s a quick breakdown of the best TV providers based on coverage type.
- National games: YouTube TV ($82.99/mo.) offers TNT, NBA TV, and other national NBA channels like ABC and ESPN alongside its multi-view and unlimited DVR features.
- Local games: DIRECTV STREAM ($69.99–$149.99/mo.) has excellent RSN coverage in its CHOICE™ plan, but it’s a costly service for watching in-market NBA games.
- Out-of-market games: NBA League Pass is the league’s exclusive out-of-market package. Available as a TV add-on and standalone service, it’s the only way to watch games not airing on national and local channels.
Which providers show NBA games on MLK Day?
You can watch the NBA on MLK Day through most TV providers. Our table below highlights some of the most popular providers and whether they carry TNT and NBA TV.
| Provider | Type | Price | TNT | NBA TV | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | Cable | $61.00–$152.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
Read Cox review |
| DIRECTV | Satellite | $57.99–$142.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read DIRECTV review |
| DIRECTV STREAM | Streaming | $69.99–$149.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read DIRECTV STREAM review |
| DISH | Satellite | $97.99–$147.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read DISH review |
| Fubo | Streaming | $32.99–$89.99/mo. | — | ✔ |
View plans Read Fubo review |
| Hulu + Live TV | Streaming | $81.99–$95.99/mo. | ✔ | — |
View plans Read Hulu + Live TV review |
| Optimum | Cable | $35.00–$125.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Optimum review |
| Philo | Streaming | $28.00/mo. | — | — |
View plans Read Philo review |
| Sling TV | Streaming | $45.99–$60.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Sling TV review |
| Spectrum | Cable | $40.00–$105.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
Check Availability Read Spectrum review |
| Verizon Fios | Cable | $85.00–$129.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Verizon Fios review |
| Xfinity | Cable | $20.00–$80.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
Read Xfinity review |
| YouTube TV | Streaming | $82.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read YouTube TV review |
Data effective as of post date.
How to watch the NBA on MLK Day for free
Unfortunately, there’s no easy way to watch NBA games on MLK Day for free. Your best option is to sign up for a free live TV streaming trial. We prefer DIRECTV STREAM’s five-day free trial because its CHOICE™ plan and above include TNT, NBA TV, and your local RSN.
NBA on MLK Day FAQ
Does the NBA play on MLK Day?
Yes, the NBA plays on MLK Day every season. Since MLK Day became an officially observed holiday in 1986, the NBA has honored the occasion with marquee matchups. The only exception was in 1999, when the 1998–1999 NBA lockout delayed the season until February.
What is the meaning of MLK Day in the NBA?
Per the NBA, the purpose of playing games on MLK Day is to “honor Dr. King’s pursuit of racial, social, and economic justice.” It’s similar to how the MLB celebrates Jackie Robinson Day every April 15.
Do the Hawks always play on MLK Day?
No, the Atlanta Hawks haven’t played on every MLK Day. However, in recent years, the Hawks and Memphis Grizzlies regularly feature in the NBA’s MLK Day fixtures.
Why you should trust us
Our sports experts researched and tested the best ways to watch this NBA season’s MLK Day games. We examined which channels carry each matchup and selected our viewing recommendations based on coverage, pricing, and ease of use.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
