The NBA family will tip off leaguewide efforts to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The league, teams, coaches and current and former players will engage in the national dialogue on race and equality on our platforms and encourage collective action in our communities nationwide. On Monday, Jan. 18, the NBA will celebrate with three games live on Sky Sports tipping off at 10pm (full schedule below.)
New “We Must Learn” MLK Spot
The NBA unveiled “We Must Learn,” a new spot that encourages all to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life by continuing his legacy. Featuring soundbites from Dr. King’s speech “We Must Learn to Live Together” and the instrumental of Public Enemy’s “Harder Than You Think,” the spot depicts still images and video from peaceful protests throughout the Civil Rights Movement infused with footage of NBA players, coaches and leaders demonstrating in their communities in the wake of social injustice over the past year. The words of Dr. King’s speech are exemplified through the imagery of people of all backgrounds coming together on the basketball court:
More than anything else, we’ve got to learn to love
Because we are all tied together
We must act now
We are in America and we got to learn how to live together
We ain’t going nowhere
We need to learn how to love
The spot features members of the NBA family including Boston Celtics’ Jaylen Brown, Dallas Mavericks’ Mark Cuban and Luka Dončić, Denver Nuggets’ Jamal Murray, Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James, Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo, New Orleans Pelicans’ Lonzo Ball and Zion Williamson, Sacramento Kings’Vivek Ranadivé, San Antonio Spurs’ Gregg Popovich, and Washington Wizards’ Bradley Beal.
Custom Nike Warm-Ups
NBA teams playing Jan. 14–18 will wear custom Nike MLK Day warm-up t-shirts designed in collaboration with the NBPA, MLK Foundation and Martin Luther King III. The front of the t-shirt features words from MLK’s timeless “I Have a Dream” speech at the March on Washington on Aug. 28, 1963, “NOW IS THE TIME TO MAKE JUSTICE A REALITY FOR ALL,” while the back reads “HONOR KING” with the lettering adorned with Dr. King Jr.’s signature. Both messages are printed in a font derived from the carrying signs used in Dr. King Jr.’s memorial march on April 8, 1968.
NBA on MLK Day National TV Schedule:
- Phoenix Suns @ Memphis Grizzlies – 10:00 p.m. on Sky Sports Arena and Sky Sports Main Event
- Milwaukee Bucks @ Brooklyn Nets – 12:30 a.m. on Sky Sports Arena and Sky Sports Main Event
- Golden State Warriors @ LA Lakers – 3:00 a.m. on Sky Sports Arena and Sky Sports Main Event
All 30 NBA teams will honor Dr. King’s fight for justice and examine the history and impact of inequality in America. Please visit NBA.com/MLK for additional information on team and league celebrations, action, service and conversations. #NBAonMLK #MLKDay
Sky Sports to Broadcast Three Games in Primetime on Jan. 18 including Milwaukee Bucks vs. Brooklyn Nets
