NBA Sends a Clear Message: 76ers Left Off Christmas Day Slate Amid Uncertainty
For the second year in a row, the Philadelphia 76ers will be watching the NBA’s Christmas Day showcase from the sidelines. And while that might sound like a welcome break for players looking to spend time with family, make no mistake - this absence says something about where the Sixers currently stand in the league’s broader narrative.
Last season, Philadelphia earned a coveted Christmas Day slot and made the most of it, knocking off the Boston Celtics on the road. But that win, while impressive, came during a season riddled with inconsistency.
This year, the NBA didn’t extend the same courtesy. The league made its Christmas schedule public long before the full regular season slate dropped, and the Sixers’ omission speaks volumes.
It’s a reflection of how much uncertainty currently surrounds the team - and how little confidence the league seems to have in their ability to deliver a marquee matchup.
From Center Stage to the Sidelines
The Sixers’ absence from the Christmas lineup isn’t just about wins and losses. It’s about narrative - and right now, Philly’s story is a tough one to sell.
Last year, the team generated buzz with the arrival of Paul George, joining forces with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey in what was supposed to be a new Big Three in the East. That kind of star power usually guarantees national exposure. But this season, the situation looks a lot murkier.
George suffered a knee injury during the offseason that required surgery, throwing his availability and impact into question before training camp even tipped off. Embiid’s status was shrouded in silence for much of the summer, and Maxey, who showed flashes of brilliance last season, struggled with injuries and inconsistency. That trio - which once looked like a potential powerhouse - has yet to give the league a reason to believe they’ll be healthy, cohesive, and competitive when it matters most.
The League’s Message: Show Us Something
It’s not that the NBA isn’t leaning on big names this Christmas. The Lakers and Warriors are still on the schedule, and both teams have plenty of uncertainty of their own.
But what sets them apart is predictability - not necessarily in performance, but in star power. LeBron James and Stephen Curry are still two of the league’s most bankable draws, and their teams, for better or worse, tend to show up on the big stage.
The Sixers, meanwhile, have become a question mark. And the league isn’t in the business of gambling on “maybes” when it comes to one of its most-watched days of the year.
A Break - But Also a Wake-Up Call
Sure, there’s a silver lining. For players, skipping the Christmas grind means a rare chance to spend the holiday at home, away from the cameras and the chaos. And for a team still trying to find its footing, a little extra rest isn’t the worst thing in the world.
But let’s be real - this isn’t just a scheduling quirk. This is the NBA telling the Sixers: We’re not sure who you are right now. Until Philadelphia can prove it’s more than just a team with big names and bigger question marks, the league is going to look elsewhere when it comes to spotlight games.
The ball’s in the Sixers’ court now. If they want to be part of the league’s marquee moments, they’ll need to give the NBA - and the fans - a reason to believe again.