Jan. 18, 2026, 7:01 p.m. CT
As the reigning NBA champion, the Oklahoma City Thunder have been put under the national spotlight. They’re tied for the most national TV appearances in the 2025-26 regular season. It’s a luxury only granted to the big-market teams and title contenders.
Sitting atop the NBA standings, the Thunder have looked like the team to beat with a real chance to go back-to-back. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is also ahead of the rest of the field in the MVP conversation. He could add to his legendary career with another prestigious trophy.
All that said, it shouldn’t be a surprise to see the Thunder part of another holiday slate. They will travel to face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 19. Every year, the NBA pencils in a full-day extravaganza of games to celebrate the occasion.
Of course, MLK Day is a federal holiday that the United States acknowledges every third Monday in January. King Jr. was a spokesperson for nonviolent activism during the Civil Rights Movement. He protested racial discrimination at the federal and state levels.
Several Thunder players talked about what it means to them to play on MLK Day for the first time in their careers. Here’s what they had to say:
Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
“It’s everything. I run around and play basketball for a living. Guys of my color couldn’t do that back then and make this type of money. Obviously, we’ve come a long way from that. But it starts with him. One of the most important Black figures of all time because of that. He has a day to celebrate him for a reason. It’s all thanks to him.”
Jalen Williams
“I think the cool thing is just the diversity that’s in the room right now. Obviously, he had a big part to do with that. It’s everything. Sports, fashion, everything. No matter what room you’re at, there’s just so much more diversity. Teach people how to respect one another regardless of race. The list goes on and on. Just for us to be able to sit in this room and have these moments is really cool. Without having him to fight and push for those boundaries, along with all of the other social justice leaders, I don’t know if we’d be here today.”
Chet Holmgren
“Obviously, I wasn’t around at the time that he was fighting that fight. But I definitely think throughout my whole life, I’ve felt the positive effects of it. Since a very young age, I’ve played basketball. Everybody I’ve played with, whether organized or unorganized; at the park; AAU or whatever. We have very diverse teams with amazing people. Without a lot of the stuff he did, as well as others, everybody that pitched in deserves credit. I feel like a lot of those things wouldn’t be available to share together. A lot of my friends and people I work with and hold close are very diverse with different demographics. I’m just happy we’re all able to do our thing together. The world is not in a perfect place right now. Even back home, where I’m from, but we have to continue to fight to come together and do things together. Just to fight injustices.”