The NBA might leave a little something extra under the tree for fans in Boston and New York this holiday season.
The Boston Celtics and New York Knicks will play on Christmas Day at Madison Square Garden, according to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor.
The NBA is expected to release its schedule for the 2016-17 regular season this week, at which point we’ll know the full slate of Christmas Day games, but a Celtics-Knicks showdown certainly makes sense given that both teams play in big markets and are coming off notable offseasons.
The Celtics signed free-agent big man Al Horford in addition to making a strong push for Kevin Durant before the former Oklahoma City Thunder star signed with the Golden State Warriors. They also drafted Jaylen Brown with the No. 3 pick in the NBA draft and still have assets to pull off another major move before the regular season begins if the opportunity presents itself.
The Knicks, meanwhile, traded for former NBA MVP Derrick Rose from the Chicago Bulls and signed Joakim Noah, Courtney Lee and Brandon Jennings in free agency. The foursome adds to an already interesting mix headlined by Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis.
The Celtics and Knicks could be joined in Christmas Day action by the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors, who are expected to square off in a rematch of the last two NBA Finals, according to reports.
Thumbnail photo via Adam Hunger/USA TODAY Sports Images
