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NBA MLK Day games: Full schedule featuring Grizzlies versus heated rival

By Mark Nilon

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 25: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies drives to the basket against Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors in the second quarter at Chase Center on January 25, 2023 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 25: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies drives to the basket against Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors in the second quarter at Chase Center on January 25, 2023 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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Thursday, August 17 the NBA officially released the regular season schedule for all 30 teams in the association. Coming with little to no surprise considering their status as a legitimate title hopeful, the Memphis Grizzlies are slated to take part in 19 nationally broadcast games.

Though the league missed out on setting up several potential can’t-miss showdowns involving Ja Morant and company during the Christmas Day arrangement, in a way they did partially make up for such a blunder by having them play on the always honorable Martin Luther King Jr. Day slate on January 15.

Throughout their 22 years in Memphis — the location of the National Civil Rights Museum, and the assassination of King back in 1968 — the Grizzlies have graced the hardwood on such a day 21 times.

2023-24 will mark 22, and they’ll find themselves squaring off against a recently heated rival in the Golden State Warriors.

Grizzlies continue a long-standing tradition on MLK Day

NBA MLK Day games: Full schedule

  • Rockets at Sixers (1 p.m. ET on NBA TV)
  • Pelicans at Mavericks (2:30 p.m. ET)
  • Magic at Knicks (3 p.m. ET)
  • Pistons at Wizards (3 p.m. ET)
  • Spurs at Hawks (3:30 p.m. ET on TNT)
  • Warriors at Grizzlies (6 p.m. ET on TNT)
  • Bulls at Cavaliers (7 p.m. ET)
  • Heat at Nets (7:30 p.m. ET)
  • Celtics at Raptors (7:30 p.m. ET)
  • Pacers at Jazz (9 p.m. ET)
  • Thunder at Lakers (10:30 p.m. ET on NBA TV)

The Grizzlies will close out TNT’s double-header affair in the 6 p.m. ET slot (5 p.m. CDT) against the dubs, a team who, just two seasons ago, bounced them in six games during the Western Conference Semifinals.

Since then, the two organizations have gone public about their desire and excitement to match up against one another, thus strengthening a rivalry that, for so long, proved to be rather one-sided in favor of the Dubs.

Grizzlies’ MLK Day record since moving to Memphis

Aside from their polarizing omission back in 2017, as noted the Grizzlies have been a regular participant on MLK Day since their move from Vancouver to Memphis following the 2000-2001 season.

Unfortunately, despite their deep ties to the date, the club has not proven to be all that triumphant during such contests, as they sport a record of just 8-14 throughout their time in Tennessee.

Having said that, recent history suggests Grind City could be on an upswing.

https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1615164944466706434?s=20

Over the last three seasons, the Grizzlies have won twice on MLK Day and, during their 2023 appearance, blew out the Phoenix Suns by a final score of 136-106 while Ja Morant paved the way with an electrifying 29-point, 7-assist performance while shooting 55.0 percent from the field and 62.5 percent from deep.

Now, in this scheduled matchup against the Warriors, Memphis hopes to extend their winning streak to three when it comes to their latest bouts on this always memorable day.

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