Antetokounmpo faces Celtics on Christmas Day as NBA reveals 2026-27 schedule

The NBA's Christmas Day schedule for the 2026-27 season promises a festive lineup of games, with a particularly intriguing matchup set to feature Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Miami Heat against the Boston Celtics in Boston.

This game carries extra significance as the Celtics had previously expressed a strong desire to acquire the Greek superstar before he was traded to Miami. The NBA released the schedule on August 11, 2026, via Shams Charania, highlighting the five games to be broadcast on ABC and ESPN.

Other key games include the San Antonio Spurs facing the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, a matchup that evokes memories of past NBA Finals. LeBron James will also make a notable return to Los Angeles as his Philadelphia 76ers take on the Lakers, marking his first game as an opponent against his former team.

The schedule also includes the Minnesota Timberwolves versus the Oklahoma City Thunder, and a clash between Stephen Curry's Golden State Warriors and Nikola Jokic's Denver Nuggets. The full list of Christmas Day games comprises Spurs @ Knicks, Heat @ Celtics, 76ers @ Lakers, Thunder @ Timberwolves, and Nuggets @ Warriors.