On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the NBA once again steps into the national spotlight-not just with a full slate of games, but with a moment that blends basketball and legacy.
This year, the league is adding even more significance to the holiday, using the platform to unveil the 2026 NBA All-Star starters. The announcement is set for 2 p.m.
ET on NBC and Peacock, just ahead of the Oklahoma City Thunder taking on the Cleveland Cavaliers at 2:30 p.m. ET.
It’s part of a nine-game schedule that turns the day into more than just basketball-it becomes a celebration of progress, unity, and excellence.
What makes this year's All-Star reveal especially compelling is the intrigue already building around the fan voting. Luka Doncic, the Los Angeles Lakers’ dynamic guard, currently leads the Western Conference in fan votes, even as he navigates a groin injury.
On the Eastern side, it’s Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks setting the pace. The NBA confirmed these standings in the second round of voting returns, adding fuel to the anticipation for Monday’s reveal.
When the names are announced, we’ll get ten All-Star starters-five from each conference. The selection process blends fan engagement with player and media insight, giving a well-rounded view of who’s truly earned the spotlight. The reserves will come later, chosen by NBA head coaches, but Monday is all about the starters-the faces of the league, the ones who define the game at its highest level.
MLK Day has long been a fixture on the NBA calendar, and for good reason. It’s a day that honors the life and legacy of Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr., a man whose impact on American society was profound and enduring. Born on January 15, 1929, Dr.
King led the Montgomery bus boycott, championed nonviolent protest, and became a global symbol of peaceful resistance. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 and tragically assassinated in 1968.
The federal holiday in his name was established in 1986, and since then, the NBA has made it a tradition to play games on this day-now into its fourth decade.
But this year, there's more than just tradition at play. The NBA is also using MLK Day to preview a new All-Star Game format set to debut in 2026.
The revamped format introduces a three-team, round-robin tournament featuring two U.S.-based squads and one international team. Each matchup will be a 12-minute game, with teams carrying a minimum of eight players.
It’s a bold shift that reflects the league’s growing global footprint and its willingness to innovate on one of its marquee weekends.
By tying the All-Star reveal to MLK Day, the NBA isn’t just filling airtime-it’s making a statement. It’s about honoring a legacy of progress while showcasing the present and future of the game. It’s about using the platform of sports to bring people together, to reflect, and to celebrate excellence-on and off the court.