Why Does the NBA Not Have Any Games on Thanksgiving Day?
Follow Us
The NBA players often want a well-deserved break from their intense schedules of basketball. And Thanksgiving Day is one opportunity for them to take a break and spend time with the ones they are thankful for. It often makes you wonder why the NBA is not off on Christmas or New Year’s but is especially on Thanksgiving Day.
And there are several possible reasons this could be the case. But the most commonly acknowledged one is that basketball is just not the sport for this holiday. Rather, it is American Football, and hence NFL games are stacked up on this day. As opposed to no NBA games being played at all that day.
We used to about 15 years ago. 2 TNT games. There was never an evening NFL game.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) November 23, 2018
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The actual story of Thanksgiving Day off for the NBA
Now, Thanksgiving Day games in the NBA are held a day before the actual day of Thanksgiving. Whereas, they reserve some prime fixtures of NFL games for the day of Thanksgiving. This year they have saved the iconic Lions vs Bears fixture for thanksgiving day. A classic fixture that has been played 13 times before on Thanksgiving.
According to ESPN Insider Bobby Marks, until around 2005, the NBA held Thanksgiving games. Since there were no NFL games in the evening. However, with time, the American culture started associating football with this holiday. Families started making traditions around Thanksgiving Day football games and the big corporations noted that.
Trending
Shaq Warns Lakers Locker Room Of Jeanie Buss Game Plan If Darvin Ham & Co Fail Vs Nuggets
April 24, 2024 09:42 PM EDT
Heat Injury Report: Latest On Jimmy Butler, Terry Rozier, Duncan Robinson Ahead of Game 2 vs Celtics
April 24, 2024 02:46 PM EDT
Joel Embiid Banned By Empire State Building After Dangerous Incident On Court With Mitchell Robinson
April 26, 2024 02:59 AM EDT
“So Rigged”: All Hell Breaks Loose as Jamal Murray Forces LeBron James’ Lakers Into Bitter Embarrassment
April 23, 2024 06:21 AM EDT
“It’s Just Basketball”: LeBron James Rambles About Anxiety After Lakers Fall To Nuggets At Home
April 26, 2024 07:55 AM EDT
Get instantly notified of the hottest NBA stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.
Follow Us
Michael Jordan in 2005: “My Oldest Son Thinks He Should be The Next Michael Jordan Just By Birthright.”
Therefore, eventually, the NBA stopped reserving games for this holiday as they were not yielding good ratings on Thanksgiving Day.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
What does this mean for the league?
It’s possible that the NBA wishes to give their players a break, given that the NBA’s Christmas Day schedule is always quite full. After a month and a half of nonstop play, a day off is much appreciated by the league’s top teams.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Watch This Story: LeBron James vs Isaiah Stewart, Nikola Jokic vs Markieff Morris & Other Fights That Have Already Transpired in 2021–22 NBA Season