Why are there no NBA games on the schedule today?

NBA fans will notice something odd about today's slate of games: It's blank.

After having 15 games on tap Monday, the NBA is taking a league-wide break to encourage all Americans to vote in today's elections.

Only for special occasions during the season does the NBA purposely not have games scheduled. Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve are typically the only holiday-related days the league goes dark, but Election Day joined the mix in 2022 and continued last year. (There are also a few off days surrounding the annual All-Star Game.)

Teams and coaches have also joined the push to get people to the polls by recording public service announcements and wearing special pregame attire.

In addition, several NBA and WNBA teams – including the Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers, among others – allow their arenas and practice facilities to be used as polling places.

Contributing: Jeff Zillgitt

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.