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Knicks: Ranking 7 most entertaining potential Christmas Day opponents

By Michael Saenz

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 03: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks celebrates after hitting the game winning shot with 1.7 second left on the clock against the Miami Heat at Miami-Dade on March 03, 2023 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that,  by downloading and or using this photograph,  User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 03: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks celebrates after hitting the game winning shot with 1.7 second left on the clock against the Miami Heat at Miami-Dade on March 03, 2023 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that,  by downloading and or using this photograph,  User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /
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The official start of the 2023-24 NBA regular season is still roughly two and a half months away, but the schedule should be released in the next couple of weeks. That should add some much-needed intrigue as we enter the dog days of the NBA offseason.

One of the bigger talking points that stem from the schedule release is the NBA Christmas Day matchups. Nearly every team in the league wants to be featured on Christmas Day and it’s become one of the bigger national spotlights days for the regular season.

One team that has become someone of a staple on Christmas Day is the New York Knicks. Since the NBA started playing games on Christmas Day (1947), the Knicks have been featured 54 times. Considering the Knicks are on the rise after making a run to the Eastern Conference semifinals last season, it’s pretty much given they’ll be featured on Christmas Day once again this year.

In anticipation of that, we try to predict which opponent would offer the most excitement in a potential Christmas Day matchup against the Knicks.

Ranking potential NBA Christmas Day opponents for the Knicks

7. Philadelphia 76ers

As two of the better Eastern Conference teams, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Philadelphia 76ers emerged as a potential Christmas Day opponent for the New York Knicks. There are elements to why it would be intriguing too.

The Knicks are on the rise in the East and while the Sixers could take a step back with the (expected) loss of James Harden, they’re still going to play a factor in the conference as long as Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey can remain healthy.

That said, the Sixers and Knicks just played each other last year on Christmas and I can’t imagine the NBA would want to repeat one of the same matchups this season. It’s still a possibility but it may not provide the best theater should it come to fruition.

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