The rolling 76ers (19-12) will seek their eighth consecutive victory on Christmas Day, visiting the New York Knicks (18-15) at Madison Square Garden, opening the NBA’s illustrious Christmas Day slate.
It’s an honor never lost on the players featured.
“Everybody watches on Christmas, so it does mean a lot,” Tobias Harris said following the Sixers’ 119-114 victory over the LA Clippers Friday night.
“For all of us, everybody dreams of playing in the NBA, so to be able to play on Christmas - two teams that are playing great basketball right now, it’s going to be a great game. We’re excited for the matchup.”
The Sixers visit New York City on the heels of a season-long seven-game homestand, and riding a subsequent season-high seven-game winning streak.
The Knicks, on the other hand, have dropped their last two - but had won their previous eight games in a row.
Julius Randle leads the Knicks in scoring and rebounding this season, averaging 22.7 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. RJ Barrett and Jalen Brunson each also average 20-plus points per game (20.4 and 20.1, subsequently), and New York newcomer Brunson leads the team in assists (6.4 apg) and steals (1.1).
The Knicks took their first meeting with the Sixers on Nov. 4, a narrow 106-104 victory in Philadelphia.
Brunson led the way for New York in that win, scoring 22 points and nine rebounds. Tyrese Maxey was the shorthanded Sixers’ (Joel Embiid and James Harden did not play) leading scorer, finishing with 31 points, three rebounds, and seven assists. Harris tallied 23 points, nine rebounds, and four assists.
The rematch between the teams, however, will look different - with both teams surging, and facing off under the brightest of lights.
“When we saw the schedule early on, to see that we have a Christmas game, that means a lot to our group,” Harris said.
Sunday’s matchup is a 12:00 p.m. ET tip.
Friday’s Key Performances
Joel Embiid
James Harden
Tobias Harris
De’Anthony Melton
Georges Niang
Shake Milton
76ers vs. LA Clippers: Dec. 23, 2022
1 / 7PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 23: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots over Ivica Zubac #40 of the LA Clippers during the fourth quarterat Wells Fargo Center on December 23, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
@Sixers Social:
Quote to Note:
Milton on what made Harden’s historic night possible:
“You know he's just a talented offensive player so you know he's either going to get a position to where he can score or he's gonna look for his teammates. You know if he's driving the slot, let's say, if you're in the corner there's a pretty good chance you could get the ball. It's just about spacing and really knowing basketball. [James Harden] is so unselfish and he does a good job of just orchestrating the offense that the ball is always flying around.”