The NBA has officially released its highly anticipated Martin Luther King Jr. Day schedule for the 2025-26 season, and the Boston Celtics will be one of the teams featured on the special day. The Celtics will be on the road as they face Eastern Conference rivals, the Detroit Pistons, on Monday, January 19, 2026. The showdown will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock.
The 2025-26 season MLK Day will feature three other games. The holiday slate begins with Milwaukee at Atlanta (1 p.m.), followed by Oklahoma City at Cleveland (2:30 p.m.), Dallas at New York (5 p.m.), before the encounter between the Celtics and the Pistons.
How have the Celtics performed in MLK Day games?
In 24 games played by the Celtics, Boston holds a 14-10 record. Among these wins are two of the most dominant games witnessed on the holiday. In 2020, the Celtics defeated the Lakers 139-107. Moreover, earlier in January this year, the Celtics routed the Warriors 125-85 in San Francisco. It was the worst home loss for Golden State in 40 years.
How have the Pistons performed in MLK Day games?
Since 1986, when the NBA started the tradition of specially arranging games on MLK Day, the Pistons have played 28 games. The Pistons hold an 11-17 record on MLK Day, making them one of the underperforming teams on this day in the league.
Last season, the Pistons were able to defeat the Houston Rockets 107-96, thanks to Cade Cunningham, who starred with 32 points, nine rebounds and seven assists and Jalen Duren, who contributed with a double-double performance, including 16 pts, 14 rebs, 4 stls and 2 blks.