Predicting who the Knicks will play on NBA Christmas Day 2024

One of the most beautiful days on the NBA calendar is Christmas Day. The holiday is full of exciting encounters and usually begins with a New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden.

New York has hosted the Christmas Games three years in a row, and everything points to a fourth year in the best arena in the world. The Knicks will be looking to win their second game in a row on December 25 for the first time since 2011.

Here's a look at New York's opponents in the last five holiday games:

– 2023: Milwaukee (won 129-122)

– 2022: Philadelphia (lost 119-112)

– 2021: Atlanta (won 101-87)

– 2018: Milwaukee (lost 109-95)

– 2017: Philadelphia (lost 105-98)

The NBA typically releases all 30 game schedules in mid-August, so Knicks fans will know in a few weeks which team will be at the Garden on December 25th.

In 1992, New York played Chicago on Christmas Day and again in 1994 after not playing in 1993. The last time the Knicks played the same team in consecutive years was 1981-1984, when they played the Nets. That said, New York probably won't host Milwaukee for the second year in a row.

The top three teams the Knicks could play are potentially the Celtics, Sixers and Pacers. They have played Philadelphia in recent seasons, so the Sixers could perhaps be eliminated, but there is more history there since New York eliminated them in the first round of the playoffs.

The Knicks haven't played the Pacers on the holiday since 1999, when Indiana won by 11 (101-90). With the Pacers eliminating the Knicks in the second round of the 2024 playoffs, the NBA could send Indiana to MSG. However, it seems more likely that the league will take a different route.

New York started the offseason with a bang by signing Mikal Bridges, followed by signing OG Anunoby to a five-year deal. The Knicks have the best defensive wing duo to compete with the Celtics' Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum duo. New York finished last season as the No. 2 seed in the East behind Boston.

It's a given that the reigning champions would play the Knicks in New York on Christmas Day, as both teams could finish in the top two of the conference for the second year in a row. The atmosphere at the Garden would resemble the playoffs. It would be electric and perhaps even a preview of the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals.

Come on, NBA. Do it!