NBA Christmas schedule revealed: Here are the 5 games for the 2026 holiday slate

Time to start planning for the holiday season.

The 2026 NBA Christmas games were revealed on Tuesday as the league began to announce portions of its regular-season schedule.

After gathering around the tree to open presents in the morning, the NBA has packed the afternoon and evening hours with star-studded matchups and iconic rivalries.

Here's a look at the five games on the Christmas Day schedule this season:

San Antonio Spurs at New York Knicks

An NBA Finals rematch will kick off the holiday slate, and the defending champions will host.

Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs will look for revenge against Jalen Brunson and the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The last time these two teams faced off, it was the Knicks raising the Larry O'Brien Trophy in San Antonio. Stakes won't be as high this time, but a Christmas Day matchup is as important as it gets in the NBA regular season.

Watch info: 12 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN

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Miami Heat at Boston Celtics

One of the NBA's fiercest rivalries has an added twist this season, and we'll see it play out on Christmas.

Both the Heat and Celtics were bidding for Giannis Antetokounmpo in the blockbuster trade of the offseason. Miami ended up paying more for the two-time MVP, while Boston pivoted by trading Jaylen Brown and bolstering its depth. This matchup also fits the Christmas theme better than any of the others, with red and green being these team's primary colors.

Watch info: 2:30 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN

Philadelphia 76ers at Los Angeles Lakers

Welcome home (?), LeBron James.

The NBA's all-time leading scorer will make his return to Los Angeles on Christmas. After eight years with the Lakers, James signed with the Sixers this summer — joining Brown, Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid on a loaded roster. Los Angeles retooled by adding Walker Kessler and Quentin Grimes around Luka Doncic. James is the headliner here, though, as he'll play in his record 21st Christmas Day game.

Watch info: 5 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN

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Oklahoma City Thunder at Minnesota Timberwolves

Two Western Conference contenders will kick off the nightcap in Minneapolis.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Anthony Edwards are the main attractions for these teams, but both squads are deep. The Wolves added LaMelo Ball over the offseason, while the Thunder dealt away several role players to give more opportunities to their young talent. This game could surely be a preview of a future playoff series.

Watch info: 8 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN

Denver Nuggets at Golden State Warriors

To wrap things up, two of the league's biggest stars will face off.

Steph Curry and the Warriors will host Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets in the final game of the day. Both of these players and teams have been staples of your Christmas viewing for years. Curry will play in his 13th Christmas game, compared to Jokic's seventh. Last year on the holiday, the Joker dropped an absurd statline of 56 points, 16 rebounds and 15 assists in a Denver win.

Watch info: 10:30 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN

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