The NBA has locked in a high-stakes holiday matchup that basketball fans have been waiting nearly a decade to see again. The first regular-season rematch of the previous season’s NBA Finals will tip off on Christmas Day for the first time since 2017, according to a detailed breakdown shared by sports broadcasting account @TVSportsUpdates.
In the 2026-27 season, the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks will meet on December 25, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN. This marks a return to Christmas Day for the opening Finals rematch after several years of other prime-time showcase windows.
Why This Christmas Day Game Stands Out
Christmas Day has long been one of the NBA’s biggest stages, drawing massive national audiences with marquee matchups. Placing the first rematch of the prior NBA Finals on the holiday elevates the stakes and adds another major storyline to the league’s Christmas schedule.
The last time the first Finals rematch took place on Christmas was during the 2017-18 season, when the Cleveland Cavaliers faced the Golden State Warriors on December 25.
A historical look at recent first NBA Finals rematches shows how rare the Christmas Day placement has become:
- 2026-27: Spurs vs. Knicks — Christmas Day, 12:00 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN (December 25, 2026)
- 2025-26: Thunder vs. Pacers — Opening Thursday
- 2024-25: Celtics vs. Mavericks — NBA Saturday Primetime
- 2023-24: Heat vs. Nuggets — NBA Thursday
- 2022-23: Celtics vs. Warriors — NBA Saturday Primetime
Earlier seasons featured a mix of Christmas Day games, Thursday nights and other showcase windows, with Christmas appearances in years including 2017, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2011, 2008, 2005 and 2001.
The 2018-19 Warriors-Cavaliers rematch notably went without a national television slot, underscoring how the league and its broadcast partners prioritize certain high-profile matchups.
Knicks Keep Their Traditional Christmas Day Noon Slot
Another notable detail is that the New York Knicks retain the traditional noon ET Christmas Day window. New York has a long association with playing early on Christmas, giving East Coast fans an accessible start time while maintaining a familiar rhythm on one of the NBA’s biggest regular-season days.
What This Means for Fans and Viewership
Scheduling the Spurs vs. Knicks Finals rematch on Christmas Day combines championship pedigree with the NBA’s biggest regular-season holiday showcase. It gives the league a ready-made storyline involving revenge, continuity and star power on a day when both casual and die-hard basketball fans traditionally tune in.
National television coverage on ABC and ESPN will also give the matchup maximum exposure across the United States.
When Is Spurs vs. Knicks on Christmas Day 2026?
The San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks Christmas Day game is scheduled for Friday, December 25, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. ET. The game will be televised nationally on ABC and ESPN.
Game: San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks
Date: Friday, December 25, 2026
Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
TV: ABC, ESPN
Occasion: First regular-season rematch of the 2026 NBA Finals
NBA Christmas Day 2026 Schedule Takes Shape
The Spurs-Knicks matchup gives the 2026 NBA Christmas Day schedule an immediate centerpiece and brings back a scheduling tradition that has not been seen since 2017: putting the first rematch of the previous season’s NBA Finals on Christmas.
As the 2026-27 NBA season approaches, additional Christmas Day matchups and full schedule details are expected to be announced. For now, the Spurs vs. Knicks noon ET tip-off stands out as one of the biggest games on the upcoming NBA calendar.