Follow us on Google Discover Stephen A. Smith believes there is only one NBA Christmas Day game fans should go out of their way to check out.
With the NBA season schedule coming out yesterday, fans got the opportunity to mark their calendars with the dates for the biggest games of the season.
But for NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith, fans should only prioritise one game on Christmas Day, with the other fixtures not jumping off the screen.
Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty ImagesStephen A. Smith believes New York Knicks vs. San Antonio Spurs is the only Christmas Day game that matters
Taking to X to react to the NBA’s Christmas Day slate of games, Stephen A. Smith declared the New York Knicks vs. San Antonio Spurs game at 12 PM EST as the only one worth watching.
He pointed out the reasons why the other games are not going to be exciting to watch, before questioning why the rematch of the NBA Finals isn’t airing in prime time.
“It’s the Spurs vs. Knicks. Easy answer to this. The Celtics don’t have Jaylen Brown anymore. The Lakers don’t have enough defensive bodies.
“The Timberwolves are good, except when they face the OKC Thunder. And Jimmy Butler won’t be back to help Stephen Curry vs. the Nuggets.
“It’s all about the Finals rematch at MSG. But it should be a Primetime Match. Hello! The New York Knicks are the CHAMPIONS!!!”
Of course, Smith is an ardent New York Knicks fan, so he will be vocal about any perceived slight towards the franchise, especially now that they are NBA champions.
MORE STEPHEN A. SMITH STORIES
However, he does make a valid point, as the Knicks and Spurs had some of the highest-watched NBA Finals games in recent history, which warrants a primetime 8 PM slot.
Which NBA Christmas Day matchup are you most excited for? 🎅
– Spurs @ Knicks
– Heat @ Celtics
– 76ers @ Lakers
– Thunder @ Timberwolves
– Nuggets @ Warriors
A LOADED CHRISTMAS DAY on ABC & ESPN! 🎄
🎁 Wemby, Spurs visit Brunson and the defending champion Knicks in a rematch of last season’s NBA Finals
🎁 Tatum, Celtics host Giannis and the Heat in Beantown
🎁 LeBron returns to LA to face Luka and the Lakers
🎁 Shai and Ant go… pic.twitter.com/njuWV146ym
— NBA (@NBA) August 11, 2026
View X
Therefore, placing them as the marquee matchup on Christmas Day makes complete sense, especially when considering that the other fixtures aren’t nearly as attractive.
Of course, the NBA has put a lot of effort into creating an exciting slate of games for fans on Christmas Day, one of the biggest days on the NBA calendar.
But if they don’t prioritise the correct games on the day, they could find themselves losing out on viewership in large numbers.
Of course, there is plenty of time left for the NBA and their broadcast partners to adjust their approach and reschedule the games for different and more appropriate times.
But it would be a shame to see one of the most anticipated games of the season to not get the spotlight it deserves.
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