The Memphis Grizzlies were announced to be a part of the NBA Global games a couple of weeks ago, to mixed emotions from the fanbase. While the opportunity to play in the global limelight feels like a chance they can't pass up, it came with a cost that meant more to the city of Memphis.
Due to the scheduling of the NBA Global games, the Grizzlies wouldn't be able to host their annual Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Day game in January. Next year's games will take place on Monday, January 19th, the day after the Grizzlies' last scheduled global game against the Orlando Magic in London.
While this reality was already known, the NBA made it official after announcing its MLK Day schedule with this season's games playing on NBC and Peacock. Not having a guaranteed holiday game for only the second time since the franchise moved to Memphis stings, but they can take solace in the fact that it appears to be only a one-time deal.
The Grizzlies will return to play on MLK Day in 2027
When the Grizzlies Public Relations team made the announcement about their global games, they made sure to include language about losing the MLK Day game. The Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, TN, is located only a few blocks away from their home arena, the FedExForum, and is the place where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated (formerly the Lorraine Motel).
The tradition of the team and opposing teams visiting the exhibit will be missed next season, along with the Earl Lloyd Sports Legacy Symposium that the team hosts before the game to honor Dr. King's legacy. The Grizzlies' PR team kept this in mind and ensured that the organization remains committed to supporting the city of Memphis and the community during the holiday while the team is out of the country.
The language to end the statement given by Grizzlies President Jason Wexler read as "we look forward to the Grizzlies once again anchoring the NBA's MLK Day schedule in 2027." That statement all but guaranteed that this is a temporary loss for the city, and the plan for the Grizzlies to headline MLK Day remains in the cards for future seasons.
The NBA will announce its full schedule later this week, but the sting of the initial drops is still too fresh for the Grizzlies' fanbase to process. However, all hope isn't lost as the team will have a major opportunity in front of a global audience with two games out of the country, and another 40 home games for the fans to cheer on their favorite team.