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 18, 2027. You can watch them all across a combination of local and national networks, depending on the market.
Catch all the courtside excitement on this special day with our comprehensive viewing guide. Keep reading to find out what channels and services you’ll need to watch all the MLK Day action.
What channels have NBA games on MLK Day?
The 2027 NBA MLK Day games will air on NBC, Peacock Premium, NBC Sports Network (NBCSN), or your local team’s regional sports network — if your local team plays on MLK Day. All out-of-market matchups that don’t air on the networks I mentioned are available to watch live on NBA League Pass.
NBA on MLK Day TV schedule
The NBA has nine games lined up for MLK Day 2027. We compiled every matchup’s game times and channel listings in the table below. Games not airing on NBC, NBCSN, or Peacock Premium are available on NBA League Pass for out-of-market viewers.
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Pistons at Cleveland Cavaliers | Monday, Jan. 18 | 10:00 a.m. | NBC, Peacock Premium |
| Philadelphia 76ers at Atlanta Hawks | Monday, Jan. 18 | 12:30 p.m. | NBC, Peacock Premium |
| Boston Celtics at Washington Wizards | Monday, Jan. 18 | 1:00 p.m. |
BOS: NBC Sports Boston WASH: TBD |
| Minnesota Timberwolves at New York Knicks | Monday, Jan. 18 | 3:00 p.m. | NBC, Peacock Premium |
| Houston Rockets at Memphis Grizzlies | Monday, Jan. 18 | 5:30 p.m. | Peacock Premium, NBCSN |
| Oklahoma City Thunder at Dallas Mavericks | Monday, Jan. 18 | 6:00 p.m. |
OKC: KWTV-DT (CBS 9), KOTV-DT (CBS 6) DAL: TBD |
| Phoenix Suns at Los Angeles Clippers | Monday, Jan. 18 | 8:30 p.m. |
National: NBA TV PHX: 3TV/AZFS, LAC: TBD |
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 national NBA channels like ABC, NBC, and ESPN alongside its multi-view and unlimited DVR features. Importantly, it’s one of the few services that carries NBCSN. Also, Peacock Premium is an excellent option for this season’s MLK games.
- Local games: DIRECTV ($94.99–$174.99/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 | NBC | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | Cable | $20.00–$184.00/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for Cox Read Cox review |
| DIRECTV | Satellite/Streaming | $94.99–$174.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for DIRECTV Read DIRECTV review |
| DISH | Satellite | $94.99–$124.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for DISH Read DISH review |
| Fubo | Streaming | $19.99–$108.99/mo. | — |
View Plans for FuboTV Read Fubo review |
| Hulu + Live TV | Streaming | $88.99–$99.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for Hulu Read Hulu + Live TV review |
| Optimum | Cable | $15.00–$140.00/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for Optimum Read Optimum review |
| Philo | Streaming | $33.00/mo. | — |
View Plans for Philo Read Philo review |
| Sling TV | Streaming | $19.99–$60.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for Sling TV Read Sling TV review |
| Spectrum | Cable | $40.00–$145.00/mo. | ✔ |
Check Availability Read Spectrum review |
| Verizon Fios | Cable | $105.00–$149.00/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for Verizon Read Verizon Fios review |
| Xfinity | Cable | $65.00–$135.00/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for Xfinity Read Xfinity review |
| YouTube TV | Streaming | $82.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for YouTube TV Read YouTube TV review |
Data effective as of post date.
How to watch the NBA on MLK Day for free
With three games on NBC for this year’s MLK Day slate, you can catch those with a one-time purchase of an over-the-air (OTA) antenna. I suggest also signing up for a free live TV streaming trial. I prefer DIRECTV‘s five-day free trial because its CHOICE™ plan and above include 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.
Can I stream the NBA on MLK Day?
Yes. Four games on MLK Day will stream on Peacock Premium during the 2026-2027 season.
How many NBA games are on MLK Day?
In the 2026-2027 season, seven NBA games will air on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com Sports Editor, Taylor Kujawa, researched and tested the best ways to watch this NBA season’s MLK Day games. He 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.
