Why aren’t there any NBA games today, November 8th, 2022?

The NBA had all 30 teams play on Monday night, and none will play on Tuesday. What gives?

Monday night was busy. 15 games — all 30 teams were in action — were on the NBA schedule, and they started in a staggered schedule. The NBA even made the games free to watch on the NBA App on Monday night.

So it’s a little surprising to see that there are no games on Tuesday whatsoever.

Turns out, there’s a very simple reason for this!

It has to do with the NBA’s commitment to supporting civic engagement, as November 8th is Election Day in the United States.

NBA isn’t holding games on November 8th as an observance of election day

When the schedule was initially released in August, here’s what the NBA’s Public Relations department said on the topic of no games on November 8th.

"“The scheduling decision came out of the NBA family’s focus on promoting nonpartisan civic engagement and encouraging fans to make a plan to vote during midterm elections.”"

While the election this year does not get quite the same attention as the Presidential Election year, which is in 2024, it’s still an important election for determining seats in the Senate and House of Representatives.

The NBA may take credit for the idea, but Chris Paul has been vocal about where the idea originated from: Players.

"“I’m going to be honest with you, it’s not the league’s decision,” Paul said after Saturday’s win against Portland. “It as a collective decision with the players. That’s something the players came up with years ago during the bubble and things like that.”"

Years ago, Paul got the entire OKC Thunder roster registered to vote:

Contrary to the NBA, the NHL is holding games tonight. It’s worth pointing out that 75% of the NBA is American, whereas in the NHL Americans only make up 28.4% of the rosters.

When are NBA games resuming?

The NBA will return on Wednesday, November 9th. Though there won’t be a full 15-slate game on Wednesday, 26 teams will play across 13 games.