When the crisp November air sets in, we all know that we are in for the Thanksgiving treat. Every house has its way of celebrating the off-day with their family. However, in an ideal American household, the tradition is almost always constant. From preparing the golden turkey roast to waiting for friends and relatives to join in for the feast and finally, hogging the meal with gratitude shared. Not to forget, your uncle tuning the TV to watch the football game amid overlapping chatters.But have you ever wondered why there wasnt any NBA on Thanksgiving Day? Has it been this way since the beginning?The answer is no, but it has become an untold rule in the NBA world. Over the last 14 years, the league hasnt scheduled a single game on Thanksgiving. The last time the league aired a game was in 2010 when TNT telecasted a double-header. In 2011, the season had a delayed start due to the lockout and there werent any games until the Christmas holidays. However, in the following years, the league stopped playing games on Turkey Day without issuing any official statement.ADVERTISEMENTArticle continues below this adUnlike NFL fans, who enjoyed a triple-header this season, the ball fans have to wait patiently until Black Friday to catch up on the NBA Cup action. Moreover, this season, the Thanksgiving off day may seem a little stand out compared to the previous for one reason. Cause this is the second no-game day in three weeks. On Nov. 5, the league observed an off-day, citing the election day. Before even the fans could get over that one slow evening, the league slapped them with another. Luckily, they had the Thanksgiving leftovers to beat their boredom.Above all, its the NBAs way to let the NFL shine on Thanksgiving day.When was the NBAs last Thanksgiving game played?As mentioned earlier, on 24 November 2010, the league had planned a doubleheader to offer their fans on Thanksgiving. It was played between the Sacramento Kings & LA Clippers and the Atlanta Hawks and Washington Wizards. Even though these games had stars like Blake Griffin, Gilbert Arenas, and John Wall, it wasnt arguably a holiday entertainer, as the teams involving LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, and several other superstars were left unbothered.
When the crisp November air sets in, we all know that we are in for the Thanksgiving treat. Every house has its way of celebrating the off-day with their family. However, in an ideal American household, the tradition is almost always constant. From preparing the golden turkey roast to waiting for friends and relatives to join in for the feast and finally, hogging the meal with gratitude shared. Not to forget, your uncle tuning the TV to watch the football game amid overlapping chatters.
But have you ever wondered why there wasnt any NBA on Thanksgiving Day? Has it been this way since the beginning?
The answer is no, but it has become an untold rule in the NBA world. Over the last 14 years, the league hasnt scheduled a single game on Thanksgiving. The last time the league aired a game was in 2010 when TNT telecasted a double-header. In 2011, the season had a delayed start due to the lockout and there werent any games until the Christmas holidays. However, in the following years, the league stopped playing games on Turkey Day without issuing any official statement.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Unlike NFL fans, who enjoyed a triple-header this season, the ball fans have to wait patiently until Black Friday to catch up on the NBA Cup action. Moreover, this season, the Thanksgiving off day may seem a little stand out compared to the previous for one reason. Cause this is the second no-game day in three weeks. On Nov. 5, the league observed an off-day, citing the election day. Before even the fans could get over that one slow evening, the league slapped them with another. Luckily, they had the Thanksgiving leftovers to beat their boredom.
Above all, its the NBAs way to let the NFL shine on Thanksgiving day.
As mentioned earlier, on 24 November 2010, the league had planned a doubleheader to offer their fans on Thanksgiving. It was played between the Sacramento Kings & LA Clippers and the Atlanta Hawks and Washington Wizards. Even though these games had stars like Blake Griffin, Gilbert Arenas, and John Wall, it wasnt arguably a holiday entertainer, as the teams involving LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, and several other superstars were left unbothered.