The NBA schedule is officially here. After a wild offseason that saw some historic transactions, blockbuster trades, and shocking free agent signings, it was the most anticipated thing on the calendar for basketball fans.
After commissioner Adam Silver confirmed that the delay was only to allow LeBron James to make an official decision, it seemed inevitable that the official list would be released once he decided to join the Philadelphia 76ers. But the release of the new slate has drawn conflicting reactions from the NBA world at large.
NBA Christmas Day Slate Has Everyone’s Attention
Among the most anticipated days on the schedule is the Christmas Day slate. A whole day slate featuring some of the biggest stars in the sport, it tends to have some of the best basketball in the league to offer.
This year seems to be no different. After a ton of shuffling between stars, the official five-game slate, as confirmed by the senior NBA insider Shams Charania, features some electrifying storylines.
“NBA Christmas Day 2026 on ABC and ESPN: Spurs @ Knicks, Heat @ Celtics, 76ers @ Lakers, Thunder @ Timberwolves, Nuggets @ Warriors.” A rematch of the NBA Finals might be a chance at redemption for Victor Wembanyama, but the evening has something in store for everyone.
One of the most decorated rivalries of the century takes a new spin with Giannis Antetokounmpo joining the Miami Heat, as they take on the new-look Boston Celtics, who swapped Jaylen Brown with Paul George this summer.
Add in a rematch of the 2025 Western Conference Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the slate is appetizing for every generation of NBA fans.
Two of the best players in NBA history, Nikola Jokić and Stephen Curry, face off when the Denver Nuggets take on the Golden State Warriors. But perhaps the most anticipated matchup of the group might be the return of James to Los Angeles.
Fresh off his decision to join the 76ers, he will face the Lakers in what is likely to be an electric contest. But even with that slate, some sections of the fan base weren’t thrilled with the matchups.
As one fan complained, “Heat? Celtics? Warriors? Terrible Christmas Day slate,” content creator Six Rings of Steel had an issue with just one of the five matchups. “Elite schedule besides the last game, especially if Jimmy is still out…”
However, for most fans, the excitement was already palpable. Despite more than two months remaining between now and the start of the season, the anticipation for a new year was starting to build.
“Tatum, Cade, Bron, Brunson, SGA and Wemby on opening night. Wemby vs Bruson, Giannis vs Tatum, Bron vs Luka, SGA vs Antman, Jokic Vs Steph for Christmas. Start the season now.”
Tatum, Cade, Bron, Brunson, SGA and Wemby on opening night
Wemby vs Bruson
Giannis vs Tatum
Bron vs Luka
SGA vs Antman
Jokic Vs Stephfor Christmas
start the season now pic.twitter.com/UFXnWpn21m https://t.co/hSjuctcAI1
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) August 11, 2026
However, some still had complaints about specific matchups not getting a primetime showing. One fan complained, “Not having 76ers vs Celtics on either opening night or Christmas Day is a miss.”
Given the legendary rivalry between the two squads, intensified even more with the Brown trade, it could make for appointment viewing. But the NBA chose to go with other options, and one fan believed he knew the reason why.
As he joked, “76ers @ Lakers on Christmas is just LeBron’s annual reminder that the league still revolves around him. The rest of these games are the undercard.” It remains to be seen how the season actually plays out.
With player movement and potential new contenders on the table, the season is already widely anticipated. As details of the schedule become clearer, fans will be eagerly anticipating tip-off time.
