The Dallas Mavericks will clash with the New York Knicks as part of the four-game slate released by the NBA to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The game is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock.
Three other games are scheduled for the same day. Two of those games will take place before this Knicks-Mavericks matchup: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Atlanta Hawks (1 p.m. ET) and Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (2:30 p.m. ET). Meanwhile, the final game of the slate will take place on 8 pm ET, pitting the Boston Celtics against the Detroit Pistons.
How have the Mavericks performed in the MLK Day game?
So far, the Mavericks have played 19 MLK Day games, holding a record of 9 wins and 10 losses.
In 2024, the fans witnessed a thrilling encounter between the Mavericks and the New Orleans Pelicans. Kyrie Irving shone through in the 125-120 win for the Mavericks as he finished the game with 42 points. He was rivaled by Pelicans' Tim Hardaway Jr., who dropped 41 points. Thus, this marked the first time in NBA history that two players scored 40+ points on MLK Day.
Meanwhile, last season, Dallas suffered a 110-105 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on MLK Day. Irving once again led the charge with 33 points, but the Mavs struggled down the stretch to emerge on the wrong side of the result.
How have the Knicks performed in the MLK Day game?
Except for the lockout-shortened 1999 season, the Knicks have played every season on MLK Day since 1986, with 38 games tying them most in NBA history. They boast an MLK Day record of 24 wins and 15 losses, giving them the most total wins on the holiday in league history.
One of their most noteworthy MLK Day game came in 1994 when Patrick Ewing become the first Knick to reach 15,000 career points. He put up 34 points and 11 rebounds in the win over the Timberwolves.
Meanwhile, as far as last season is concerned, Jalen Brunson’s 34 points helped the Knicks defeat the Hawks 119-110.