Celtics host the Knicks on opening week and the Heat on Christmas Day

Prime Video brings the defending champions to TD Garden on Oct. 23, and ABC/ESPN's Christmas slate includes Miami at 2:30 p.m. ET.

4 sources / Updated September 7, 2026

Prime Video opens Tip-Off week with the defending-champion Knicks at TD Garden on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026 (7 p.m. ET) — Boston's home opener after the Oct. 20 matinee in Detroit.
On Christmas Day (Friday, Dec. 25), ABC/ESPN's five-game slate includes Heat at Celtics at 2:30 p.m. ET. NBA PR listed the Christmas order as Spurs at Knicks (noon), Heat at Celtics (2:30), 76ers at Lakers (5), Thunder at Timberwolves (8), and Nuggets at Warriors (10:30).
NBA on ESPN: Christmas Day schedule
Those two dates give Garden crowds an early look at the new-look Celtics against the champs and a holiday rematch with Miami.
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NBA on ESPN: Christmas Day schedule
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