Where the Pacers rank among NBA teams who have played on Christmas the most times

It's been a while since the Pacers truly felt the Christmas spirit.

Dec 8, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle looks on during the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
Dec 8, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle looks on during the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images | Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

Wednesday is Christmas Day, which is a big moment for many. This especially includes NBA fans, who will be treated to their yearly five-game Christmas Day game marathon. Since 1947, the NBA has played every single year on Christmas Day. It is a tradition like no other that is unlikely to go away any time soon.

When choosing which teams will earn the honors of playing on Christmas Day, the NBA does not always just go with the best teams in the league. They will also factor in rivalry matchups, playoff rematches, and which teams have the brightest young stars.

Unfortunately for Pacers fans, it has been a long time since they earned a Christmas Day game, and they remain far from the teams who have played the most amount of games on the holiday.

Here are the teams around the league who have taken over Christmas the most.

NBA teams that have played on Christmas the most

Team

Christmas appearances*

Record

New York Knicks

56

24-32

Los Angeles Lakers

50

24-26

Boston Celtics

37

17-20

Philadelphia 76ers

34

19-15

Golden State Warriors

33

15-18

*This table does not include the 2025 NBA Christmas Day games.

Of the five teams who have appeared in the most Christmas Day games, there are no big surprised. These are five of the most storied and well-known franchises in the league.

In addition to all five of these teams appearing once again on Christmas Day this year, four of them will be going head-to-head. The Philadelphia 76ers will travel to Boston to take on the Celtics at 5 PM EST, and the Golden State Warriors will host the Los Angeles Lakers at 8 PM EST. As for the New York Knicks, they will host the San Antonio Spurs at 12 PM EST.

The Knicks and Lakers are the only teams in the NBA to have 50 or more appearances on Christmas Day. Boston is third with 37 games, but they will likely never jump either team in the list.

One interesting tidbit is that, of the five teams, the 76ers are the only team with a winning record on Christmas Day. This is something to monitor over the next few years.

Where the Pacers rank on the all-time Christmas Day games list

The Pacers last played a game on Christmas Day in an Eastern Conference Finals rematch against the Detroit Pistons in 2004. This game, which resulted in a 98-93 loss, was just the fourth Christmas Day game for the Pacers.

In addition to 2004, the Pacers played on Christmas Day in 1981 (a loss to the Washington Bullets), 1999, and 2000 (wins over the Knicks and Orlando Magic, respectively).

The Pacers are tied with the New Orleans Pelicans for the fifth-fewest Christmas Day games. They only rank above the Minnesota Timberwolves, Toronto Raptors (two games each), Memphis Grizzlies (one game), and Charlotte Hornets (zero games).

Schedule