NBA Games on MLK Day 2026: Full Schedule, TV Channels, Storylines, and How to Watch

The NBA will play nine games on MLK day in 2026

Martin Luther King Jr. Day has become one of the NBA’s premier regular-season showcase dates—not just because it’s a national holiday, but because the league treats it as a blockbuster slate of marquee games meant to capture a wide U.S. audience. The 2025–26 season continues that tradition with four major matchups on Monday, January 19, 2026, broadcast across NBC and Peacock as part of the NBA’s expanded national coverage with its new broadcast partners.

Here’s your comprehensive guide to what’s happening on MLK Day, including game times, networks, key storylines, and how to watch every tip-off live.

Full MLK Day 2026 NBA Schedule (All Times ET)

For the first time in 26 years, the NBA is back on NBC, and the network is making a strong statement on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2026.

NBC and Peacock will carry a four-game national slate on Monday, January 19, running from early afternoon through primetime. The schedule is designed for all-day viewing, beginning at 1:00 p.m. ET and wrapping up with an 8:00 p.m. ET nightcap.

This marks one of the most aggressive MLK Day lineups the league has ever rolled out with a broadcast partner.

NBA MLK Day 2026 – NBC / Peacock National Schedule

NBA MLK Day 2026

A Star-Driven Showcase for NBC’s NBA Return

NBC’s MLK Day slate is built almost entirely around star power.

The day opens in Atlanta with Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks facing Trae Young and the Hawks. From there, the spotlight shifts to Cleveland, where Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder meet Donovan Mitchell and the Cavaliers in a matchup that could preview a deep playoff run.

Madison Square Garden hosts the late-afternoon showcase as the Knicks welcome the Mavericks, while the primetime finale in Detroit features Cade Cunningham leading the Pistons against Jaylen Brown and the Celtics.

For NBC, this quartet of games serves as a statement piece for its renewed NBA partnership: recognizable markets, recognizable faces, and clean, all-day programming.

And this is only part of the story.

NBA MLK Day 2026 – Non-National TV Schedule

In addition to the NBC/Peacock broadcasts, the NBA will stage five additional games on MLK Day. These matchups will air on local and regional sports networks, but they still bring significant intrigue.

NBA MLK Day 2026 – Non-National TV Schedule

How to Watch (TV + Streaming – US)

Here’s how fans across the United States can catch the entire MLK Day slate:

National TV

• NBC – broadcasts three of the four games live

• Peacock – exclusive stream for the 1 p.m. Bucks–Hawks game and streams all NBC games

Streaming options

• Peacock (most comprehensive live streaming option for the whole day)

• NBA League Pass – for out-of-market streaming if not nationally blacked out

• TV providers – NBC games may also be accessible through live-TV streaming services (YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo)

With the NBA’s broadcast return to NBC for the first time in decades—and Peacock carrying an extensive live slate—MLK Day 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most accessible and widely streamed regular-season days in years.

Key Storylines for the 2026 MLK Day Slate

1. National spotlight for stars and contenders

This MLK Day lineup features several title contenders and star players:

• The Milwaukee Bucks bring Giannis Antetokounmpo to Atlanta for an early marquee tip-off.

• The defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder face off against the Eastern Conference’s Cavaliers in a high-stakes contest that could echo potential playoff matchups later in the year.

• The Dallas Mavericks and New York Knicks square off in a battle of NBA pace vs. half-court efficiency.

• The Boston Celtics, perennial Eastern contenders, close out the day in Detroit.

2. First MLK Day quadrupleheader on NBC/Peacock

Thanks to NBC’s return as an NBA national broadcaster, MLK Day 2026 features a quadrupleheader format—an NBA first in recent memory. The league is maximizing exposure for some of its most compelling matchups.

3. Meaningful mid-season implications

January 19 lands right in the heart of the regular season, when teams are jockeying for playoff positioning. MLK Day games often serve as momentum builders leading into February and March. Teams that win here can create separation in crowded playoff races.

Matchup Rundowns (Quick Expectations)

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Atlanta Hawks (1:00 p.m.)

This season’s early afternoon game carries marquee value: Giannis and Milwaukee travel south to face an Hawks squad eager to assert itself at home. Expect a hard-fought contest with plenty of scoring and fan engagement.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (2:30 p.m.)

A heavyweight duel featuring two of the league’s most exciting rosters. OKC’s defensive pressure meets Cleveland’s balanced attack in what could be the most competitive game of the day.

Dallas Mavericks vs. New York Knicks (5:00 p.m.)

A Western speed offense vs. Eastern positional defense. Luka Dončić and the Mavs will test the Knicks’ grit in a matchup that could come down to end-game execution.

Boston Celtics vs. Detroit Pistons (8:00 p.m.)

The nightcap pairs a perennial contender with a rebuilding Detroit roster. Boston could use this matchup as a chance to sharpen rotation continuity and spread minutes before the All-Star break.

Final Tips for Fans

• Peacock is your best one-stop option this MLK Day—especially for the early Hawks vs. Bucks game not on traditional TV.

• Plan for almost continuous basketball from early afternoon into primetime.

• Take advantage of NBA League Pass or live-TV streaming bundles if you’re chasing every tip-off and want flexible viewing across devices.

Whether you’re watching for playoff implications, star performances, or simply enjoying holiday basketball with friends and family, MLK Day 2026 delivers a huge slate of games and entertainment value.