Martin Luther King, Jr., day is always a big showcase for the NBA, and Monday’s is a even more interesting for Milwaukee Bucks fans.
The Bucks play the new-look Brooklyn Nets with James Harden, alongside Kevin Durant but whether Kyrie Irving plays still is — like a lot of things with Irving — unknown.
The 28-year-old Irving could return from a six-game absence after completing a mandatory five-day quarantine. But he’s also out for unspecified personal reasons.
In Harden’s debut with Brooklyn, the 31-year-old nearly had a dirty quadruple double with 32 points, 14 assists, 12 rebounds and nine turnovers.
Regardless of whether Irving plays or not, this game will have little bearing on how these teams match up in the playoffs. The Nets will need plenty of time to hash things out with their high-usage superstars, and both teams could still make some roster moves for a deep playoff run.
Regardless, it will be fun to see Harden against Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Harden is, of course, not Antetokounmpo’s favorite player. The Greek Freak made a crack about how he wants someone that will pass when picking his all-star team last year.
And, of course, there’s this play.
Games begin at 11 a.m. The Minnesota Timberwolves have a fun game, as well, playing the Atlanta Hawks at 1:30 p.m.
Things end with Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors at LeBron James and the LA Lakers at 9 p.m.
TOP PHOTO: FILE – Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo is fouled by Houston Rockets’ James Harden during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 7, 2018, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)