The National Basketball Association celebrated the life of legendary civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday with a full round of games.
The day set aside to appreciate the life and works of one of the most important figures in United States history is celebrated on every third Monday in January, and it has become one of the major holidays of the NBA season.
The teams chosen to play on MLK Day always pay homage to Dr. King with MLK-inspired warmup jerseys, emotional pregame speeches from the players and executives, and various tribute videos.
In the game between the Boston Celtics and the Charlotte Hornets, Celtics star Jason Tatum was pictured donning a pre-game polo inspired by MLK, while his teammate, Grant Williams, who is also the vice president of the players’ association, addressed the audience, speaking to them about the impact of Dr. King on the players.
“We’re fortunate and thankful to have someone as impactful as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” pic.twitter.com/rNprytvY3i
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) January 16, 2023
In Washington, the Wizards and the Golden State Warriors honoured the family of the activist before the game started.
The Warriors and Wizards took a moment to recognize the family of Martin Luther King Jr.#MLKDay pic.twitter.com/yP7Poh1qAc
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) January 16, 2023
In his place of birth, Atlanta, the Hawks had a choir do player introductions and forward John Collins delivered a pregame speech before squaring off with the Miami Heat.
.@jcollins20_ gave a special pregame message to the crowd to honor playing for Dr. King today ❤️ pic.twitter.com/VEBtsXRXZF
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) January 16, 2023
As a memorial to the location where he was assassinated in Memphis, the Grizzlies played at home while Jaren Jackson Jr. spoke to the crowd ahead of their game against the Phoenix Suns.
.@jarenjacksonjr addressing the crowd ahead of the MLK game pic.twitter.com/EBPwj30Luk
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) January 16, 2023
Before the New York Knicks loss to the Toronto Raptors, Jalen Brunson of the Knicks spoke on the importance of having certain conversations in other to grow and make positive changes.
In honor of #MLKDay, @nyknicks Jalen Brunson (@jalenbrunson1) discusses the need to have uncomfortable conversations to learn, grow, and make positive change.🙌
Learn more: https://t.co/V6w7JmZdsR pic.twitter.com/XXcxZwMRuB
— NBA Cares (@nbacares) January 15, 2023
