NBA fans may want to clear their Christmas Day itinerary after seeing this season's slate.
The NBA revealed its schedule for the 2026-27 regular season on Tuesday. As usual, Dec. 25 marks one of the most highly anticipated days on the basketball calendar.
Five tantalizing matchups will take place on Christmas Day. An NBA Finals rematch between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs kicks off the action at noon ET.
After offseason rumors of him going to the Boston Celtics, Giannis Antetokounmpo will instead lead the Miami Heat into TD Garden to face Jayson Tatum and Co. Former Celtics star Jaylen Brown will play in the next game, which sees LeBron James return to Los Angeles when the Philadelphia 76ers face the Lakers.
The Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves will clash in a 2025 Western Conference Finals rematch before Nikola Jokic's Denver Nuggets end the holiday evening with a tilt against Stephen Curry's Golden State Warriors.
Fans react to NBA's Christmas schedule
© Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images.
NBA fans were excited to see the Christmas Day games under the tree on Tuesday. Some are counting down the days to Dec. 25
"This is the best Christmas slate I've ever seen," a fan wrote.
"Elite schedule besides the last game, especially if Jimmy (Butler) is still out," a fan said.
"Letting my family know all I want for my birthday this year is Knicks Christmas tickets," a fan declared.
"I’m shocked the NBA isn’t doing 76ers/Celtics on Christmas Day," a fan noted.
"Start the season now," a fan pleaded.
NBA Christmas preview
The NBA's Christmas Day menu arguably starts with the main course.
New York and San Antonio will commence the loaded schedule with their first meeting of the season following their Finals encounter. The Knicks won their first title since 1973 by defeating the Spurs in a five-game series, including a historic 29-point comeback in Game 4.
Antetokounmpo will look to establish the Heat as a premier Eastern Conference contender, so the Celtics could serve as a useful litmus test. Boston also must show it won't regret sending Brown to a rival after a disappointing first-round exit.
Despite Brown's presence, most of the conversation around the 76ers and Lakers will revolve around James facing his former team. It'll mark the icon's 21st Christmas appearance days before his 42nd birthday.
Oklahoma City will attempt to reclaim its throne after falling to San Antonio in a heavyweight Western Conference Finals series. Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves will make their third straight Christmas Day appearance after previously only being scheduled for two Christmas games.
Finally, the Warriors will play on Christmas for the 14th straight year. Stephen Curry will battle fellow MVP winner Nikola Jokic, who tallied 56 points, 16 rebounds, and 15 assists last Christmas.
