(Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
Much like it is for the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions to play one of their regular-season games on Thanksgiving Day in the NFL, the NBA has a tradition in which the Atlanta Hawks play on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Unfortunately for the Hawks, when the entire 2024-25 NBA schedule was revealed, it showed that the team is not playing a game on MLK Day, which surprised many, including star Trae Young.
Young took to X to express his disappointment that he won’t be playing on the national holiday, as it clearly means a lot to him and the city of Atlanta, as well as to Hawks fans.
However, there appears to be a good reason for the Hawks not playing their usual game on the holiday in State Farm Arena.
NBA insider John Hollinger of The Athletic points out that it is likely due to the NCAA football championship happening next door at Mercedes-Benz Stadium that day (Monday, Jan. 20).
no MLK game for Hawks is wild, but I believe this is because NCAA football championship is happening right next door that day. https://t.co/EoouEiogQd
— John Hollinger (@johnhollinger) August 16, 2024
Although it is a disappointment for Young and Hawks fans, there does seem to be a legitimate reason for it not happening in 2025, as it would likely be a logistical nightmare to have both games being played so close to each other on the same day, especially with all the attention the NCAA national championship football game will get.
As for the outlook for the Hawks during the 2024-25 campaign, it could be a difficult season for Young and company, with the team recently trading Dejounte Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans and not expected to make much noise in the Eastern Conference.
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