Why the Hawks and Grizzlies always host NBA games on Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, explained

In the United States, the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. are celebrated on Martin Luther King Day, which always falls on the third Monday in January. The holiday, which is a celebration of Dr. King’s Jan. 15 birthday, was first observed in 1986. While it would be another 14 years before the holiday was observed in all 50 states, the NBA began its holiday celebrations in 1986. MLK Day has been a feature day on the league’s calendar with marquee games and a focus on Dr. King’s message and service to the community. 38 years later, MLK Day is still a marquee date on the NBA calendar, with 11 games scheduled to take place on the…