For the second time in three weeks, there will be a day devoid of NBA games.
After the NBA observed Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 5, with a league-wide off day, all 30 of the league’s teams will again be idle on Thursday, Nov. 28. One month into the season, each team will get a break in the action.
Why are there no NBA games today? The Jugo Mobile explains the second early-season pause in NBA action for 2024.
Why are there no NBA games today?
There are no NBA games today in honor of the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States.
The 2024-25 season marks the 14th consecutive year in which there are no NBA games on Thanksgiving Day. There has never been a formal statement on why no games are scheduled on the holiday, but it has become an annual occurrence — the league’s version of a holiday tradition.
Thanksgiving is one of four days during the season on which the NBA holds no games, in addition to Christmas Eve, Election Day and the day of the men’s basketball national title game. On Thanksgiving, the NBA gives the spotlight to the NFL, which has three games on the holiday, including a prime-time offering.
The NBA will resume with Emirates NBA Cup action on Friday, Nov. 29, otherwise known as Black Friday. As for holiday action, the league will focus on a five-game slate on Christmas Day.
NOH: JJ Redick has turned Anthony Davis into the MVP candidate we’ve been waiting for with Shaq-like stats
When did the NBA last have Thanksgiving games?
The NBA last held Thanksgiving games in 2010, with a TNT doubleheader airing on Thursday night.
Because of the 2011 NBA lockout, the 2011-12 NBA season did not begin until the Christmas holiday, meaning no games were held in November. From that point forward, no games have been played on Thanksgiving.
Black Friday NBA schedule
The NBA will make up for the lack of action on Thanksgiving with 10 games on Black Friday. Because it is a Friday in November, all 10 games on the schedule are a part of group play for the NBA Cup tournament.
| Game | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| Hornets vs. Knicks | 12 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Hawks vs. Cavs | 2:30 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Grizzlies vs. Pelicans | 5 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Nets vs. Magic | 7:30 p.m. | League Pass |
| Timberwolves vs. Clippers | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Pacers vs. Pistons | 8 p.m. | League Pass |
| Heat vs. Raptors | 8 p.m. | League Pass |
| Bulls vs. Celtics | 8 p.m. | League Pass |
| Lakers vs. Thunder | 10 p.m. | ESPN |
| Blazers vs. Kings | 10 p.m. | League Pass |
WATCH NBA IN-SEASON TOURNAMENT ACTION LIVE WITH SLING TV
Days with no NBA regular season games 2024-25
- Nov. 5, 2024 — Election Day (U.S.)
- Nov. 28, 2024 — Thanksgiving Day (U.S.)
- Dec. 24, 2023 — Christmas Eve
- Feb. 14-16, 2024 — NBA All-Star Weekend in San Francisco, California
- April 7, 2024 — NCAA men’s basketball national championship game
