The Memphis Grizzlies will be back playing on MLK Day during the 2026-27 season, the NBA announced on Aug. 12.
After a one-year hiatus, the Grizzlies will host the Houston Rockets on Jan. 18, 2027, at FedExForum. The matchup will be the fourth and final game of the day, tipping off at 6:30 p.m. CT on Peacock.
MLK Day is annually one of the Grizzlies’ biggest opportunities during the NBA season. Since relocating to Memphis from Vancouver in 2001, the franchise has been left off the league’s MLK Day schedule only twice. One of those exceptions came last season, whenthe Grizzlies played two regular-season games in Europe.
Memphis and Houston play in the Southwest Division, meaning they will meet four times during the regular season.
The Rockets are
expected to be a playoff contender in the Western Conference. They are led by Kevin Durant, Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun. Former Grizzlies center Steven Adams also is a member of the Rockets.
Grizzlies’ MLK Day history
The Grizzlies first played on MLK Day after moving to Memphis, traveling to Sacramento to face the Kings in 2002. Since 2003, every Grizzlies MLK Day game has been played at home.
Memphis is riding a five-game winning streak on MLK Day, having defeated the Phoenix Suns in 2021, Chicago Bulls in 2022, Suns in 2023, Golden State Warriors in 2024 and Minnesota Timberwolves in 2025.
With a revamped and youthful roster, the MLK Day experience will be new to many of the Grizzlies’ players. GG Jackson is the only current Grizzlies player who has played in multiple MLK Day games as a member of the team.
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Grizzlies hosting Kevin Durant, Rockets on MLK Day in 2027
