{"id":423539,"date":"2026-01-19T16:17:19","date_gmt":"2026-01-19T16:17:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/423539\/"},"modified":"2026-01-19T16:17:19","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T16:17:19","slug":"starting-5-gearing-up-for-a-full-mlk-day-slate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/423539\/","title":{"rendered":"Starting 5: Gearing up for a full MLK Day slate"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

No. 7 is now No. 6 on the all-time scoring list.<\/p>\n

On Sunday, Kevin Durant passed Dirk Nowitzki on one of the game\u2019s most illustrious lists.<\/p>\n

Today, the NBA honors something bigger than basketball, celebrating the life and lasting impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.<\/p>\n

\"Kevin<\/p>\n

5 STORIES IN TODAY\u2019S EDITION \ud83c\udfc0<\/p>\n

NBA On MLK Day: 40 years of honoring Dr. King through reflection, service and hoops<\/p>\n

National Spotlight: Four games across NBC & Peacock open today\u2019s hoops marathon<\/p>\n

Sunday\u2019s Best: KD continues his climb, Ja\u2019s return ignites Grizz in NBA London Game<\/p>\n

Roundup: Ayton\u2019s perfect night, another Avdija clinic, Hornets slow Nuggets, Bulls roll<\/p>\n

AWS NBA Rivals Week: The fourth annual AWS NBA Rivals Week tips off Tuesday<\/p>\n

BUT FIRST \u2026 \u23f0<\/p>\n

\"Scores<\/p>\n

NBA on MLK Day delivers a nine-game slate<\/a>, including four matchups across NBC & Peacock, beginning with the Hawks hosting the Bucks at 1 ET (Peacock<\/a> | Tap to Watch<\/a>).<\/p>\n

The 2026 NBA All-Star Game starters<\/a> will be revealed at 2 ET ahead of the Thunder-Cavs game on NBC\/Peacock (Tap to Watch<\/a>).<\/p>\n

All-Star Friday Is Calling: Tickets for the 2026 Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game and Castrol Rising Stars are on sale now.<\/p>\n

The fan-favorite events tip off Friday, Feb. 13, at the Kia Forum and Intuit Dome in Inglewood, CA. Use promo code NEWS26 to grab your tickets now<\/a>.<\/p>\n

1. NBA ON MLK DAY: 40 YEARS OF REMEMBRANCE & IMPACT<\/p>\n

\"NBA<\/p>\n

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day<\/a>, the NBA uses the game as a platform for reflection, service and action, honoring the life, leadership and lasting impact of Dr. King \u2013 on and off the floor.<\/p>\n

Observed annually across the league, MLK Day remains one of the NBA\u2019s most meaningful regular-season showcases. The day extends beyond the final scores, amplifying voices, stories and initiatives that reflect Dr. King\u2019s call for equality, unity and justice.<\/p>\n

See how the NBA family is honoring Dr. King on the 40th edition of NBA on MLK Day<\/a>.<\/p>\n

MLK\u2019s Life & Legacy<\/a>: NBA players reflect on how to continue the movement for racial, social, and economic justice
\nService & Positive Impact<\/a>: Voices across the league emphasize the importance of helping to build a community shaped by love, compassion and kindness
\nNBA Pioneers<\/a>: Steph Curry and Earl Lloyd himself discuss how Lloyd dealt with racism upon joining the NBA and how others stepped to help
\nInside MLK Day<\/a>: Ernie Johnson guides us on a journey through three decades of MLK Day coverage on \u201cInside the NBA,\u201d where \u2018we\u2019ve never stopped learning\u2019
\nGet Involved<\/a>: NBA Cares is committed to helping achieve 100 million hours of service by 2029 in honor of MLK\u2019s 100th birthday<\/p>\n

\"NBA<\/p>\n

The NBA continues its tradition of celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with nine games today, including four across NBC & Peacock. The action tips off at 1 ET in Dr. King\u2019s hometown of Atlanta, where the Hawks host the Bucks.<\/p>\n

Bucks at Hawks (1 ET, Peacock)
\nThunder at Cavaliers (2:30 ET, NBC\/Peacock)
\nMavericks at Knicks (5 ET, NBC\/Peacock)
\nCeltics at Pistons (8 ET, NBC\/Peacock)<\/p>\n

Five more games get underway on League Pass, including Victor Wembanyama\u2019s Spurs taking on the Jazz, before Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler III and the Warriors host the Heat.<\/p>\n

Clippers at Wizards (3 ET)
\nJazz at Spurs (5 ET)
\nPacers at 76ers (7 ET)
\nSuns at Nets (7:30 ET)
\nHeat at Warriors (10 ET)<\/p>\n

2. NBA ON MLK DAY: NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT ON NBC & PEACOCK<\/p>\n

\"NBA<\/p>\n

The NBA on MLK Day action starts early and lasts late into the night with 11+ hours of hoops on deck, headlined by four marquee matchups across NBC & Peacock.<\/p>\n

Bucks at Hawks (1 ET, Peacock): The hometown of MLK plays host to the first game of the day as both Atlanta and Milwaukee look to snap respective three-game skids.<\/p>\n

Freak Force: Giannis Antetokounmpo has thrived offensively this month, racking up a 67.2% field-goal percentage and 28.4 ppg in seven games<\/p>\n

Thunder at Cavaliers (2:30 ET, NBC): These two entered last postseason as the No. 1 seeds in the West and East. Tonight, they meet for the first time in 2025-26.<\/p>\n

Throne Defenders: Oklahoma City boasts a 5.5-game lead for 1st in the West at 35-8, and behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander\u2019s 2nd-best 31.8 ppg, has won nine of its last 12
\nSpida\u2019s Climb: Cleveland, meanwhile, got 35 points from Donovan Mitchell on Wednesday amid his career-best year featuring 29.2 ppg, 48.9 FG% and 39.1 3P%<\/p>\n

\"Donovan<\/p>\n

Mavericks at Knicks (5 ET, NBC): Standing No. 1 on the Kia Rookie Ladder<\/a>, Cooper Flagg could be set for a rite of passage today: his Madison Square Garden debut.<\/p>\n

Flagg\u2019s Status: He is questionable with an ankle injury and posted 27 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals in his last full game on Jan. 12<\/p>\n

Celtics at Pistons (8 ET, NBC): MLK Day in the NBA concludes with a meeting of major proportions as the East\u2019s top two squads \u2013 separated by 4.5 games \u2013 go toe-to-toe.<\/p>\n

Sizzling Start: Detroit\u2019s 30-10 record represents its 2nd-best 40-game start in franchise history, trailing only the 2005-06 squad, which went to the East Finals
\nRiding High: Boston seeks a signature victory after a 26-point win vs. Atlanta in which Jaylen Brown (career-high 29.7 ppg) turned in 41 points<\/p>\n

3. SUNDAY\u2019S BEST: KD PASSES DIRK, JA FUELS GRIZZ IN LONDON GAME<\/p>\n

\"Kevin<\/p>\n

Kevin Durant keeps climbing.<\/p>\n

Nine days after passing Wilt Chamberlain for 7th on the all-time scoring list, Durant jumped Dirk Nowitzki for 6th<\/a> \u2013 the latest checkpoint in a career defined by relentless production and pure buckets.<\/p>\n

Rockets 119, Pelicans 110: Even on a cold-shooting night, KD made his presence felt, posting 18 points, 6 boards and 8 assists, capped by a pair of game-sealing free throws with 15 seconds left to beat the Pelicans and leapfrog Nowitzki (31,560) for 6th all-time. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Rocket Man: The win came two nights after Durant dropped 39 to beat the Wolves. In Year 19, he\u2019s leading Houston with 26.1 ppg on 51% shooting
\nEasy Money: Outside of 2019-20 (which he missed with an Achilles injury), Durant is on pace to average 25+ ppg on over 50% shooting for a 14th straight season \u2013 the longest such streak of all-time
\nTimeless Problem: In fact, Durant has averaged 20+ ppg every season since his freshman year at Texas. The key? Confidence<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Kevin<\/p>\n

What separates KD isn\u2019t just volume, but versatility.<\/p>\n

Few players in league history have piled up points this evenly across three levels \u2013 let alone sustained it for 19 seasons.<\/p>\n

He scores in the paint, eats in the mid-range, stretches defenses from deep and cashes in at the line, a near-perfectly balanced attack that\u2019s gone unsolved for nearly two decades.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the purest, smoothest scorers the game has ever seen,\u201d Nowitzki said in a congratulatory video to Durant<\/a>. \u201cIt\u2019s been incredible to watch his career.\u201d
\n\u201cTo be up there with Dirk, somebody I looked up to, idolized, competed against \u2026 to be up there with a legend like that, it\u2019s just insane,\u201d said Durant. \u201cAnd I\u2019m gonna continue to keep stacking. Keep climbing, and see where I finish.\u201d
\nSmith Shines: Jabari Smith went off for Houston (32 pts, 8 reb, 7 3s), while Alperen Sengun (21 pts, 8 reb) and Amen Thompson (20 pts, 8 reb, 6 ast) added 20 pieces, improving the Rockets to 25-15<\/p>\n

\"Ja<\/p>\n

Thursday\u2019s NBA Berlin Game 2026 delivered a thriller, with the Magic storming back from 20 down to beat the Grizzlies, punctuated by Anthony Black\u2019s dunk heard \u2018round the world<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In Sunday\u2019s NBA London Game 2026, Memphis found itself up 20 again on Orlando \u2013 but this time the Grizz slammed the door shut.<\/p>\n

Grizzlies 126, Magic 109: In his first game since Jan. 2, Ja Morant (24 pts, 13 ast) ignited a 72-point 1st-half for Memphis, which led by as many as 33 in the 2nd quarter and never looked back for a wire-to-wire win, splitting the Europe series with Orlando. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Welcome Back: Morant had 20 points and 10 dimes at the break, becoming the first player in Grizzlies history to post 20\/10 in any half in the play-by-play era
\nInternational Love: Ja was a fan favorite in London, soaking in the crowd\u2019s energy<\/a> all night
\n\u201cI needed it,\u201d said Morant on London\u2019s support. \u201cFans constantly calling my name, cheering when I was scoring, that\u2019s big-time.\u201d
\nGlobal Scenes: Isiah Thomas, Pau Gasol, Tony Parker and other NBA legends were honored<\/a> at the game, while more celebrities took in the action<\/a> courtside
\nGlobal Slam: Black\u2019s poster over four defenders in Berlin is the most-viewed highlight of the season<\/a> across NBA social platforms, racking up 85 million views and counting<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0ROUNDUP: AYTON & AVDIJA SHINE, HORNETS & BULLS ROLL<\/p>\n

\"Luka<\/p>\n

After five losses in six games, the Lakers entered Sunday searching for a much-needed win.<\/p>\n

They got one against a top-four team in the East.<\/p>\n

Lakers 110, Raptors 93: Deandre Ayton was perfect from the field (25 pts, 13 reb, 10-10 FG), while Luka Don\u010di\u0107\u00a0(25 pts, 7 ast) and LeBron James (24 pts, 7 ast, 2 blk) combined for 49 points and 14 dimes as the Lakers surged past Toronto. | Recap <\/a><\/p>\n

Big Company: Ayton is just the fourth Laker to notch 20+ points and 10+ rebounds on 100% shooting in a game, joining Shaquille O\u2019Neal (2003), Mitch Kupchak (1981) and Wilt Chamberlain (2x)
\nWhere They Stand: Los Angeles is 6th out West, one game back of 4th-place Minnesota, while Toronto is one game behind New York for 3rd in the East<\/p>\n

\"Deni<\/p>\n

Back from a one-week absence, Deni Avdija picked up right where he left off \u2013 and Portland picked up another dub.<\/p>\n

Blazers 117, Kings 110: Avdija racked up 30 points, 8 boards and 8 dimes, while Donovan Clingan dominated the glass (21 pts, 17 reb) and Shaedon Sharpe poured in 27, powering Portland past Sacramento, despite Russell Westbrook\u2019s busy night (23 pts, 7 ast, 3 stl). | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Blazing: It\u2019s the Blazers\u2019 third straight win and their eighth in 10 games, moving them to .500 (22-22)
\nAnother Level: Posting career highs across the board, Avdija (26.2 pts, 7.1 reb, 6.9 ast) has now notched 12 30-point games in 2025-26 \u2013 his most in a single season<\/p>\n

\"Brandon<\/p>\n

Hornets 110, Nuggets 87: Brandon Miller led the way offensively (23 pts), but it was Charlotte\u2019s defense that made the difference, holding Denver to 87 points \u2013 tied for its season-low \u2013 to snap the Nuggets\u2019 four-game win streak. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Record Rookie: In the win, Kon Knueppel (14 pts, 3 ast) became the fastest Hornet in franchise history to reach 800 career points, doing so in just 42 career games
\nStill Here: Despite the loss, Denver is 7-4 since Nikola Joki\u0107 went down with a knee injury on Dec. 29. It remains in 3rd-place out West, with a two-game lead over Minnesota<\/p>\n

Bulls 124, Nets 102: Coby White caught fire, going 7-of-11 from deep en route to a game-high 24 points. Six other Bulls joined him in double figures as Chicago raced past Brooklyn. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

\"NBA<\/p>\n

5. UP NEXT: AWS NBA RIVALS WEEK TIPS TUESDAY<\/p>\n

\"AWS<\/p>\n

After a packed NBA on MLK Day, AWS NBA Rivals Week<\/a> tips off Tuesday across the league.<\/p>\n

The Spurs host the Rockets tomorrow (8 ET, NBC) in their 221st regular-season meeting. San Antonio holds the all-time edge, 120-100, but Houston has had its number lately, winning eight of the last 11 matchups.<\/p>\n

In His Bag: Victor Wembanyama finished one point shy of tying his season-high with 39 against the Timberwolves on Saturday and was 12-for-23 from the field
\nSmooth Stride: In seven games played this month, the two-time blocks leader has put up 24.9 ppg, aided by a 42.1% mark from beyond the arc
\nEntering Stratosphere: The Rockets are in search of their third straight win, time and again guided by Kevin Durant (26.1 ppg), who could match up with Wemby<\/p>\n

\"Kevin<\/p>\n

Later on Tuesday, the Lakers and Nuggets go head-to-head (7 PT, NBC) as a pair of top-six squads in the West. It\u2019s the first time they\u2019ve met in 2025-26, having evenly split last season\u2019s four matchups.<\/p>\n

Leader Luka: There\u2019s been no scorer who can match Luka Don\u010di\u0107 this season. The five-time All-NBA selection leads the Lakers \u2013 and the league \u2013 with 33.3 ppg on a 46.4 FG%
\nThe King: LeBron James has buoyed Los Angeles\u2019 offense with 25.6 ppg of his own since his 41st birthday on Dec. 30
\nDown, Not Out: Jamal Murray has bumped up his scoring average from 25.9 this season to 28.8 in Denver\u2019s 11 games without Nikola Joki\u0107, leading Denver to four wins in its last five games<\/p>\n

Rivals Week rolls onward with plenty more big-time players in big-time matchups. It all ends with the first NBA Saturday Primetime of the season.<\/p>\n

Wednesday on ESPN: Cavaliers at Hornets (7 ET), Thunder at Bucks (9:30 ET)
\nThursday on Prime: Warriors at Mavericks (7:30 ET), Lakers at Clippers (10 ET)
\nFriday on Prime: Rockets at Pistons (7 ET), Nuggets at Bucks (9:30 ET)
\nSaturday on ABC: Knicks at 76ers (3 ET), Warriors at Timberwolves (5:30 ET), Lakers at Mavericks (8:30 ET)<\/p>\n

Want to share\u00a0Starting\u00a05\u00a0with a friend?\u00a0Send them this link<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Shape the Starting 5.\u00a0\u00a0Email us here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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