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Ben McLemore #23 of the Memphis Grizzlies wears a Martin Luther King Jr inspired warm up shirt at Pepsi Center on January 12, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images
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The NBA celebrates MLK Day

A game-by-game look at how teams chose to honor the civil rights icon

Martenzie Johnson @10zJohnson
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NBA Martin Luther King Jr. MLK Day

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    6:37 PMTo celebrate the life and accomplishments of civil rights hero Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the NBA offered an 11-game slate for fans on MLK Day on Monday. Outside of the live action, the 22 teams in action chose to honor King in their own distinctive ways.

    The Undefeated will keep a running list of the teams’ various acts of appreciation, starting with the Charlotte Hornets vs. Detroit Pistons opening game all the way to the Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Clippers nightcap.

    Charlotte Hornets at Detroit Pistons

    Toronto Raptors at Philadelphia 76ers

    Milwaukee Bucks at Washington Wizards

    The Wizards held their annual “We are Dreamers” panel discussion, this year involving Washington, D.C.-area male leaders and 60 young men talking about the life and career aspirations of the young males and what it will take to achieve those goals. Before tipoff, Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. addressed the Capital One Arena crowd, celebrating King, who “preached positivity and love over hate.” That was followed by the singing of the national anthem by gospel singer Annisse Murillo. At halftime, the Washington Performing Arts Children of the Gospel Choir took the arena to church, singing “America the Beautiful.”

    After the game, Wizards All-Star guard John Wall spoke with reporters about playing on MLK Day: “I’m striving to be a better African-American athlete, and just as a person first of all. I think that’s the most important thing.”

    San Antonio Spurs at Atlanta Hawks

    New York Knicks at Brooklyn Nets

    Miami Heat at Chicago BullS

    Los Angeles Lakers at Memphis Grizzlies

    The Grizzlies debuted their “I Am A Man” city edition uniforms that The Undefeated’s Aaron Dodson exclusively reported on in December. The team also visited the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel on Sunday.

    Sacramento Kings at Oklahoma City Thunder

    Golden State Warriors at Cleveland Cavaliers

    Indiana Pacers at Utah Jazz

    Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Clippers

    Martenzie Johnson is a senior writer for Andscape. His favorite cinematic moment is when Django said, "Y'all want to see somethin?"