Always one of the most exciting and action-packed days on the NBA calendar, the slate of games on Martin Luther King Jr. Day rarely disappoints. For the 2019-20 season, the NBA is coming through again for their fans with three marquee matchups.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Warriors vs. Blazers, Lakers vs. Celtics and Rockets vs. Thunder are all set to be played on MLK Day next year, Jan. 20.
Sources: Marquee slate of NBA games on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 20, for the 2019-20 season schedule most notably include:
Golden State vs. Portland, Lakers vs. Boston, Houston vs. Oklahoma City.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 12, 2019
Not only are a few of these teams bonafide title contenders heading into next season, but there are some extremely intriguing storylines mixed in as well.
Of course, Russell Westbrook will be playing in front of a raucous Oklahoma City Thunder crowd at Chesapeake Energy Arena, a venue he called home for the first 11 years of his professional career. Westbrook was dealt to the Houston Rockets for Chris Paul and a couple of draft picks earlier in the offseason as they launched their rebuild.
Additionally, Lakers vs. Celtics is one of the premier rivalries in the history of the NBA and is a fitting way to celebrate MLK Day. This year, it’ll have even more added interest with a tandem of LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the Lakers and a revamped roster for the Celtics.
And it’s always must-see television when two of the league’s best point guards go at it and that’s exactly what the matchup between Golden State and Portland entails. While they are sort of being forgotten when discussing contenders in the West, both are still incredibly dangerous teams and should put on quite a show for MLK Day.
Stay tuned to Def Pen for more information on the rest of the NBA regular season schedule as it releases.
