Basketball’s biggest regular-season showcase has its lineup. The NBA Christmas Day schedule for 2026 was revealed on Tuesday, and the league has loaded December 25 with five games stacked with stars, rivalries and storylines.
The slate airs across ABC and ESPN, running from late morning into the night. Here is the full NBA Christmas Day schedule, the marquee matchups, and the reasons each game matters.
The Full NBA Christmas Day Schedule
The league spread its holiday slate across the day, opening with a Finals rematch and closing with two of its biggest stars. All five games will be broadcast on ABC and ESPN.
All Five Games and Tip-Off Times
Here is the complete lineup, in order of tip-off (times Eastern):
- 11 a.m.: San Antonio Spurs at New York Knicks, a 2026 Finals rematch at Madison Square Garden.
- 1:30 p.m.: Miami Heat at Boston Celtics.
- 4 p.m.: Philadelphia 76ers at Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James facing his old team.
- 7 p.m.: Oklahoma City Thunder at Minnesota Timberwolves.
- 9:30 p.m.: Denver Nuggets at Golden State Warriors.
Every game carries a hook, but a couple of them dominate the conversation. The day is built around two matchups in particular.
The Headline Games on the NBA Christmas Day Schedule
The most anticipated game of the day is Philadelphia at Los Angeles. It marks LeBron James’s return to Los Angeles for the first time on Christmas since leaving the Lakers to join the 76ers, after eight seasons and a championship with the franchise.
The opener is nearly as loaded. Spurs at Knicks is a rematch of the 2026 NBA Finals, which the Knicks won in San Antonio, and New York gets to host Victor Wembanyama and company at the Garden.
Other Storylines to Watch
Beyond the two marquee games, the slate has plenty more:
- Minnesota hosts a Christmas game for the first time in franchise history, facing the Thunder.
- Anthony Edwards squares off with reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in a possible playoff preview.
- Stephen Curry and the Warriors host Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets to close the night.
Why Christmas Day Matters in the NBA
Christmas has become one of the biggest days on the basketball calendar, a national showcase the league uses to spotlight its marquee teams and stars. The games routinely draw some of the season’s largest audiences.
This year’s NBA Christmas Day schedule also sets up the wider season. The schedule release confirmed that the Knicks will raise their championship banner on opening night, hosting the 76ers in LeBron’s Philadelphia debut on October 20.
For fans, the holiday lineup is an early gift and a statement of intent. It signals which rivalries and stars the league expects to define the year ahead.
The buildup to the season is well underway across every sport. For more of our recent coverage, see our report on the NFL Hall of Fame Game that kicked off the football season.
From a Finals rematch at the Garden to LeBron’s homecoming in Los Angeles, the 2026 holiday slate is one of the most stacked in years. Come December 25, the presents will be the games themselves.
Circle December 25, because this year’s holiday lineup is a genuine showcase from the first tip to the last buzzer. For the full season schedule and more hoops coverage, stay with NEWSCOUR.
