The NBA has announced its 2026-27 Christmas Day schedule, highlighted by a 2026 NBA Finals rematch between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The five-game holiday lineup tips off on December 25, featuring top champions, MVPs, and All-NBA selections across ABC and ESPN.
According to the NBA, the league’s schedule makers assembled a five-game holiday slate for the 2026-27 season featuring past and present champions, regular-season MVPs, Finals MVPs, All-Stars, and All-NBA selections. Returning to the December 25 stage are Philadelphia’s LeBron James, Golden State’s Steph Curry, Miami’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Denver’s Nikola Jokić, all recognized as NBA champions, MVPs, and Finals MVPs. New York’s Jalen Brunson and Philadelphia’s Jaylen Brown join them as champions and Finals MVPs, while Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid adds a 2022-23 regular-season MVP honor to the lineup.
Madison Square Garden Hosts Finals Rematch for Knicks and Spurs
The headline fixture on the Christmas Day schedule brings a rematch of the 2026 NBA Finals participants to Madison Square Garden, where the San Antonio Spurs visit the New York Knicks at 12 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN. The Knicks carry a rich holiday tradition into the matchup, marking their 59th Christmas game and 51st home appearance on December 25, a regular fixture that dates back to the league’s first Christmas games in 1947.
Last season at MSG, the Knicks defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 126-124 behind 34 points from Jalen Brunson—just about six months before Brunson earned Finals MVP honors. When these two teams met on Christmas in 2024, the Knicks secured a 117-114 victory in a contest where Victor Wembanyama recorded 42 points, 18 rebounds, four assists, and four blocks. The Spurs arrive following a 117-102 win over the Thunder on Christmas last season, led by 29 points from De’Aaron Fox and 19 points alongside 11 rebounds from Wembanyama.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Erik Spoelstra Lead Miami Heat to Boston
At 2:30 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN, the Miami Heat face the Boston Celtics in a matchup that brings Giannis Antetokounmpo back to the Christmas schedule for the first time since 2023. According to the NBA, this marks Antetokounmpo’s first December 25 appearance with the Heat. Across his six career Christmas games, Antetokounmpo has scored at least 30 points in three games and collected at least 12 rebounds in five.
Miami coach Erik Spoelstra holds a 9-0 record on Christmas, with victories spanning 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2020, and 2023. The Heat also maintain the league’s best Christmas winning percentage at .857 through a 12-2 record. Boston makes its 39th Christmas appearance—the third-most all-time—returning to the holiday slate for the first time since a 118-114 loss to Philadelphia in 2024.
LeBron James and Philadelphia Face the Los Angeles Lakers at 5 p.m. ET
Evoking memories of classic 1980s matchups between the Sixers and Lakers, the 5 p.m. ET game on ABC and ESPN pairs the Philadelphia 76ers against the Los Angeles Lakers. Instead of historic rivalries featuring Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, Julius Erving, Moses Malone, and Maurice Cheeks, the court features LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey, Luka Dončić, and Austin Reaves.
LeBron James extends his record as the leader in Christmas games played, moving from 20 appearances toward 21 while playing for L.A. against his former team. According to league records, James ranks No. 1 in Christmas points (525) and made field goals (187), is tied for first in steals (30), and sits second in assists (142), putting him within reach of Oscar Robertson’s 145 assists for the top spot. James is also second in 3-pointers made with 32, trailing Cleveland’s James Harden by three. He holds the record for most Christmas victories by any player with 11 and has played on December 25 for 19 consecutive seasons.
Luka Dončić joins the floor as the only current player to score at least 50 points in a Christmas game, having netted 50 for the Dallas Mavericks against the Phoenix Suns in 2023. Dončić shares that elite tier with only three other players in NBA history: Bernard King, who scored 60 in 1984; Wilt Chamberlain, with 59 in 1961; and Rick Barry, who scored 50 in 1966.
Oklahoma City Thunder Meet Minnesota Timberwolves in Western Conference Rematch
At 8 p.m. ET, the Oklahoma City Thunder play the Minnesota Timberwolves. Minnesota makes its third consecutive Christmas appearance and fifth in franchise history, following a 142-138 overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets last season where Anthony Edwards scored 44 points. New Timberwolves guard LaMelo Ball is scheduled to make his Christmas debut in this matchup.
The Thunder and Timberwolves meet after squaring off in the 2025 Western Conference Finals, which was won by Oklahoma City. During last season’s Christmas defeat to San Antonio, several Thunder players made their holiday debuts, including two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who contributed 22 points, six rebounds, and four assists.
Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors Close Out the Slate
The Christmas Day schedule concludes at 10:30 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN with the Denver Nuggets hosting the Golden State Warriors. The matchup features Denver star Nikola Jokić alongside Golden State’s Steph Curry, rounding out a five-game holiday broadcast that covers past and present league champions from noon through the late-night window.
