NBA Scores 2018: Happy MLK Day and 16 other things from Monday in the NBA

Every year on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday, the NBA arranges a showcase of matinee games and marquee matchups to bring us all together. It’s an awesome thing and a great moment to share with our loved ones.

But what this day truly represents cannot be overlooked. Today is the celebration of King’s birthday 50 years after he was killed. He was a freedom fighter who stood up against racial inequality, poverty, hunger, and injustice across America — issues we still struggle with today.

It’s important we recognize that. People across the NBA did, including Spurs coach Gregg Popovich:

His persistence, as I look back, at unbelievably young age, when he started peaceful protests, it wasn’t just for the black population. He understood that racism was our national sin, and if we didn’t come together, it would bring everybody down — including white people. And that promise that he basically demanded everyone fulfill from way back when is what put us on the road to making American great.

LeBron James also reflected on MLK:

He had a vision and he took a bullet for all of us, literally. For us to stand here even though we’re trying to be divided right now by somebody, today is a great day for people to realize America was built and how we have to stand united.

Russell Westbrook helped spread King’s message:

Basketball is fun, but it’s great to see athletes and coaches put things into perspective. A little bit goes a long way in causing change, and we need plenty of it today.

Now let’s talk some hoops.

I present to you two pieces of evidence:

A)

B)

Yeah, you can read our roundup of the postgame altercation here.

Are we sure this dude isn’t a cyborg? You shouldn’t be able to make the plays he does at 33 years old. He’s out here pinning Stephen Curry’s floaters off the backboard:

HOW CAN HE STILL JUMP THAT HIGH? LOOK AT THAT.

Just totally unnecessary and disrespectful. The Cavs might have lost the game, but James won that play.

I can’t believe he did this:

He called it a “unicorn sighting.” LOL:

Look, before you say anything else, I know that’s the rim-grazing dunk package off NBA 2K. Curry ain’t gonna get up there in some crazy way — that’s not his game. I’m just impressed he even attempted this.

Let’s chill on this though, OK? Gotta keep those ankles fresh.

They gave him a great tribute:

We often talk about how the Clippers fell short in their run with Paul, but he accomplished a ton while he was there. He’s unquestionably one of the best Clippers of all time after his six-season stint there and was more than deserving of the tribute. Good on the Clippers for doing it.

Westbrook was on his way to the rim when he got hit in the eye. Instead of going to the line, he was called for a travel, and then he went off:

Westbrook wasn’t wrong about the call he should’ve gotten, but he also didn’t have to get in the referee’s face. Because he did, he got double technical fouls and was ejected.

First James, then Anthony Davis, then Kevin Durant, then Carmelo Anthony and now Westbrook. There’s something brewing here, and it’s not good for the game. Anthony commented on the no-call and was fed up after the game:

Hopefully cooler heads can prevail at some point this season. This tension makes the game less fun.

Cold showers are the worst! The Warriors had to take some after they beat the Cavaliers because, apparently, there’s no hot water in Quicken Loans Arena:

The Warriors are better than me. If the shower is cold, I’m just going to stink. Whoever is around me just has to deal with it. Sorry.

We just had to show y’all this block. It’s important:

That’s on Clint Capela, too! Get that weak sauce out of here, fam. Shoutout to Johnson — he’s still got it.

Hornets 118, Pistons 107 (At The Hive recap | Detroit Bad Boys recap)

76ers 117, Raptors 111 (Liberty Ballers recap | Raptors HQ recap)

Bucks 104, Wizards 95 (Brewhoop recap | Bullets Forever recap)

Hawks 102, Spurs 99 (Peachtree Hoops recap| Pounding the Rock recap)

Knicks 119, Nets 104 (Posting and Toasting recap | Nets Daily recap)

Bulls 119, Heat 111 (Blog a Bull recap | Hot Hot Hoops recap)

Grizzlies 123, Lakers 114 (Grizzly Bear Blues recap | Silver Screen and Roll recap)

Warriors 118, Cavaliers 108 (Golden State of Mind recap | Fear the Sword recap)

Thunder 95 , Kings 88 (WTLC recap | Sactown Royalty recap)

Pacers 109, Jazz 94 (Indy Cornrows recap | SLC Dunk recap)

Clippers 113, Rockets 102 (Dream Shake recap | Clips Nation recap)