What channel is Cavs vs. Thunder on today? Time, TV schedule, live stream to watch MLK Day NBA game
The NBA’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day showcase is one of the most prestigious dates on the league calendar, blending high-stakes basketball with a celebration of civil rights history. This year’s slate features a marquee inter-conference showdown as the Oklahoma City Thunder visit the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. With both franchises boasting superstar backcourt talent, this afternoon clash serves as a potential measuring stick for two teams with deep playoff aspirations.
For fans looking to tune in, the game will be broadcast nationally on NBC and available for live streaming on Peacock. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET. This matchup is part of a significant media milestone, marking the NBA’s return to NBC for a quadruple-header event, bringing a nostalgic big-game feel to the holiday schedule.
The contest highlights a duel between two of the league’s most electric guards: Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell. The Thunder enter the game as the class of the Western Conference, sitting atop the standings with an impressive 35-8 record. Gilgeous-Alexander continues to play at an MVP level, leading a young, disciplined squad that has looked nearly unstoppable for the first half of the season.
On the other side, the Cavaliers (24-19) are looking to secure a signature win on their home floor. Cleveland has faced adversity recently, including the absence of key playmaker Darius Garland, who remains sidelined with a toe injury. Despite a somewhat uneven start to the 2025-26 campaign, the Cavs remain a dangerous threat in the East, relying on Mitchell’s scoring prowess and their defensive interior to compete with elite opponents.
Viewers can expect a tactical battle, as Oklahoma City’s high-octane offense tests Cleveland’s defensive resilience. Beyond the on-court action, the broadcast will feature tributes honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., continuing the league’s decades-long tradition of using basketball as a platform for unity and remembrance.
For fans looking to tune in, the game will be broadcast nationally on NBC and available for live streaming on Peacock. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET. This matchup is part of a significant media milestone, marking the NBA’s return to NBC for a quadruple-header event, bringing a nostalgic big-game feel to the holiday schedule.
The contest highlights a duel between two of the league’s most electric guards: Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell. The Thunder enter the game as the class of the Western Conference, sitting atop the standings with an impressive 35-8 record. Gilgeous-Alexander continues to play at an MVP level, leading a young, disciplined squad that has looked nearly unstoppable for the first half of the season.
On the other side, the Cavaliers (24-19) are looking to secure a signature win on their home floor. Cleveland has faced adversity recently, including the absence of key playmaker Darius Garland, who remains sidelined with a toe injury. Despite a somewhat uneven start to the 2025-26 campaign, the Cavs remain a dangerous threat in the East, relying on Mitchell’s scoring prowess and their defensive interior to compete with elite opponents.
Viewers can expect a tactical battle, as Oklahoma City’s high-octane offense tests Cleveland’s defensive resilience. Beyond the on-court action, the broadcast will feature tributes honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., continuing the league’s decades-long tradition of using basketball as a platform for unity and remembrance.
