NBA Christmas Day 2026
Five NBA games turn Christmas Day into an all-day basketball celebration.
The NBA’s annual Christmas slate takes place on Friday, December 25, 2026, with five games carried by ABC and ESPN. It opens with the San Antonio Spurs visiting the New York Knicks at noon Eastern Time, then continues through the afternoon and evening in several cities. The opener brings together the teams that played in the 2026 Finals. Because the event spans multiple games and venues, this listing marks the start of the slate; check the official schedule for each tip-off. In the holiday countdown, the league once again offers a special all-day programme.
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About the Event
The NBA’s annual Christmas slate takes place on Friday, December 25, 2026, with five games carried by ABC and ESPN. It opens with the San Antonio Spurs visiting the New York Knicks at noon Eastern Time, then continues through the afternoon and evening in several cities. The opener brings together the teams that played in the 2026 Finals. Because the event spans multiple games and venues, this listing marks the start of the slate; check the official schedule for each tip-off. In the holiday countdown, the league once again offers a special all-day programme.
Five matchups
The slate features Spurs–Knicks, Heat–Celtics, 76ers–Lakers, Thunder–Timberwolves and Nuggets–Warriors. Games run from midday into the night across five NBA markets.
A headline opener
Spurs–Knicks tips off at Madison Square Garden, bringing the 2026 Finals teams together again. The league’s holiday slate combines long-running rivalries with stars from different generations.
Broadcast
ABC and ESPN will carry all five games, with the opener at noon ET. This listing uses that first game as the start of the day; check the official schedule for each venue and local tip-off time.
When it starts
Highlights
December 25, 2026
Five games from noon through the evening