With the NBA set to release its 2026-27 schedule next week, the New York Knicks are about to find out how their title defense will be framed from the jump. The opener will draw plenty of attention, but the league’s real spotlight game is Christmas Day - and for the reigning champions, the cleanest choice on the board is the Philadelphia 76ers.
This one almost picks itself. The Knicks and 76ers have been division rivals for years, and their meetings have long carried real weight on the league’s biggest stages. From the Patrick Ewing-Charls Barkley battles in the early ’90s to the fact that the two teams have met in two of the past three postseasons, this is the kind of matchup that already feels made for prime time.
The postseason context only makes it stronger. Philadelphia was eliminated in four games by New York this past playoffs, and then responded by loading up with stars like Jaylen Brown and, of course, LeBron James in an obvious push to take down the reigning champion Knicks.
That adds another layer to the Christmas Day conversation, especially with 2026-27 potentially being James’ final season in the association. If that’s the case, every Philadelphia game figures to be under a massive spotlight anyway. Put that together with the fact that James is the biggest star since Michael Jordan and the Knicks are the biggest-market team, and the league has a simple television decision in front of it.
There’s also the scheduling trend working in New York’s favor. Defending champions have hosted a Christmas Day game for 17 straight years, which makes Madison Square Garden a natural fit if the league wants to keep that streak going.
Sure, a Finals rematch with the Spurs or a meeting with the Thunder would have its appeal. But if the NBA wants the most obvious, most marketable, most buzzed-about Christmas Day game for the Knicks, it’s Knicks-76ers.
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Spencer Gill Faces One Big Test In Flyers Development Plan
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Now the next step is getting a longer, cleaner look at him. Gill is slated to move into the Lehigh Valley Phantoms mix, where Philadelphia will have a much better read on how his game translates against tougher competition and how well his body holds up under a heavier pro workload. For a prospect whose development has already been tested once, the coming season is about more than just points - it is about proving he can stay on the ice and keep building. [Read more 🡒]