With the NBA set to release its 2026-27 schedule sometime next week, the reigning champion New York Knicks are about to get their first real look at what the title-defense ride will look like.
That means the usual speculation is already kicking in. Opening night will grab attention, sure, but the spotlight game on the calendar is Christmas Day - and if the Knicks are on that slate, there’s one matchup that jumps off the page.
The Philadelphia 76ers.
These two have been built for that stage for years. They’re division rivals with plenty of history, from the Patrick Ewing-Charlie Barkley showdowns of the early ’90s to the more recent postseason battles, including meetings in two of the past three playoffs. When the Knicks and 76ers line up, it has a way of feeling bigger than a regular-season date.
And this one has an extra layer. Philadelphia was knocked out in four games by New York this past postseason, and then went about loading up the roster with stars like Jaylen Brown and, of course, LeBron James in an effort to chase down the Knicks.
That matters for the league’s Christmas showcase. James may also be heading into what could be his final season in the association, which would only increase the attention on every Philadelphia game. Put the biggest star since Michael Jordan on the biggest day of the year, against the biggest-market team, and the appeal is obvious.
There’s also the matter of tradition. Defending champions have hosted a Christmas Day game for 17 straight years, which would make a Knicks-76ers meeting at the World's Most Famous Arena fit the pattern cleanly.
Sure, there are other options out there. A Finals rematch with the Spurs.
A clash with the Thunder between recent champions. But if the NBA is looking for the clearest, loudest Christmas Day choice, Knicks-76ers is the easy call.
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Penguins Just Made The Islanders' Next Roster Decisions More Expensive
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For the Islanders, the timing is worth noting because Emil Heineman and Simon Holmstrom are both heading toward restricted free agency in the future. Their situations are not identical, and nothing is decided yet, but contracts like Koivunens can help set the market for players in that age and experience range. For New York, the bigger question is whether keeping those forwards in the fold gets a little pricier as the league keeps finding new ways to reward upside. [Read more 🡒]