Christmas Day has become one of the NBA’s signature traditions, and the 2026 slate arrives with two of the most anticipated storylines of the entire season.
## The Headline Matchup
Defending champion New York hosts San Antonio in a rematch of last season’s Finals, giving Jalen Brunson and Victor Wembanyama a nationally televised early measuring-stick game just months after their five-game series.
## LeBron’s Emotional Return
For the first time in his career, LeBron James returns to Los Angeles as a visiting player, now representing Philadelphia after leaving the Lakers this summer. Paired with Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, James’s first Christmas Day appearance for the Sixers is expected to be one of the most-watched regular-season games in recent memory.
## Why Five Games This Year
The NBA’s Christmas Day slate has grown into a full five-game event, spanning the day and giving fans coast-to-coast coverage of the league’s biggest names. Our full NBA schedule guide breaks down exactly how these marquee dates fit into the broader calendar.
## A Tradition Rooted in History
Christmas Day games have been part of the NBA calendar since 1947, and the tradition of scheduling the league’s most compelling storylines on this date continues with this year’s selections. Both the James-to-Philadelphia and Antetokounmpo-to-Miami storylines make this year’s slate feel especially significant.
## What to Watch For
– Whether Philadelphia’s new-look roster has found its rhythm by late December
– How San Antonio responds to an early rematch with the champions
– Individual scoring and efficiency numbers from the league’s biggest stars on the sport’s biggest showcase day
## The Bigger Picture
For how Christmas Day fits into the wider MVP and championship conversations, our MVP race tracker and championship favorites breakdown both connect directly to the storylines playing out on this year’s slate.
Few days on the NBA calendar carry this much built-in drama before a single shot is even taken.