After being left off the Christmas day schedule last season, the New York Knicks will reportedly be back in 2016-17.
After a one-year absence, the New York Knicks are returning to action on Christmas Day. Before being left off the schedule in 2015-16, the Knicks were veterans of the holiday for six seasons in a row.
According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, the Knicks are unofficially scheduled for a Christmas Day game.
One early version of the NBA schedule, which is subject to change, had NYK playing on Christmas Day, per people who've seen the schedules.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) August 9, 2016
Per Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, the Knicks’ expected opponent is the division rival Boston Celtics.
Hearing the Celtics and Knicks will play on Christmas Day in New York.
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) August 10, 2016
The last time the Knicks played the Celtics on Christmas was the opening game of the locket-shortened 2011-12 season.
Carmelo Anthony scored 37 points in a 106-104 win, including the game winning free throws with 16 seconds remaining.
Of course both teams look completely different now. Anthony is the only remaining Knick, and Avery Bradley the only remaining Celtic, but the rivalry is still fierce.
The Knicks were just 1-3 vs the Celtics last season and with the addition of high profile free agent Al Horford they’ll be even better. If the Knicks want to win the division, they’ll have to go through Boston.
No one wanted to watch the Knicks after they went 17-65 in 2014-15, a franchise worst. Who can blame them?
With the additions made during the offseason, the team has become interesting again and apparently the league has taken notice.
