How the Hawks Can Earn Their Way Back to Christmas Day Basketball
There’s something special about NBA basketball on Christmas Day. The league has turned it into a marquee showcase - a holiday tradition where the biggest stars and fiercest rivalries take center stage. But while fans across the country unwrap gifts and tune in for high-stakes hoops, one team has been noticeably absent from the festivities: the Atlanta Hawks.
The Hawks haven’t played on Christmas since 2021, when they squared off against the Knicks in Madison Square Garden. That game followed their stunning playoff run earlier that year - a run that saw them knock off both the Knicks and the 76ers in back-to-back upsets, despite being the lower seed in each series. At the time, Atlanta looked like a franchise on the rise, with a young core ready to make noise in the East.
But since then, the Hawks have slipped into NBA purgatory. Not bad enough to rebuild, not good enough to contend.
Instead, they’ve found themselves stuck in the play-in tournament conversation, never quite breaking through to the upper tier of the conference. And when it comes to Christmas Day, the NBA tends to reward relevance - and rivalries.
Why the Hawks Have Been Left Off the Holiday Slate
Let’s be honest: Christmas Day games aren’t just about basketball. They’re about storylines, star power, and ratings.
The league wants matchups that will grab attention, ignite fanbases, and keep casual viewers from flipping over to holiday movies. That’s why we see teams like the Lakers, Celtics, Warriors, and Bucks in the Christmas rotation year after year.
They bring drama. They bring stakes.
The Hawks? Not so much - at least not lately.
Despite being in a sizable media market, Atlanta hasn’t given the league much reason to slot them into that coveted holiday window. Without a deep playoff run or a marquee rivalry to lean on, they’ve been easy to overlook. And that’s the challenge: if the Hawks want back in, they need to give the league - and fans - a reason to care.
The Path Back: Rekindle the Fire
The good news? The blueprint is already there. The 2021 Hawks showed us what it takes: a deep playoff run, a little underdog swagger, and a rivalry that gets people talking.
That year, Atlanta’s postseason run created tension and excitement. The back-and-forth with the Knicks was electric.
The upset over the 76ers was headline-grabbing. Trae Young embraced the villain role in opposing arenas, and suddenly, the Hawks were must-see TV.
That’s the formula. If Atlanta wants to return to Christmas Day action in 2026, they need to become a threat in the Eastern Conference again - not just a team that sneaks into the playoffs, but one that can push a top seed to seven games, or better yet, knock them off. And if that battle comes against a team with some history - say, a rematch with the Sixers or Knicks - even better.
The NBA loves a good narrative. Rivalries drive engagement.
They bring out emotion, not just from players, but from fans. If the Hawks can tap back into that energy, they’ll have a compelling case for a return to the holiday spotlight.
The Hawks’ Opportunity Starts Now
It’s not out of reach. The Eastern Conference is wide open in spots, and Atlanta has the talent to make a move.
But it starts with consistency - something that’s eluded them in recent years. If they can stay healthy, find their rhythm, and climb the standings, the league will take notice.
And if they can recreate some of that 2021 magic - the kind that turns playoff series into grudges and opponents into enemies - then don’t be surprised if the Hawks find themselves back in the Christmas Day rotation next year.
Because in the NBA, relevance is earned. And for Atlanta, the path back to December 25 starts with what they do between now and April.