Every year in the NBA the Christmas Day schedule serves as a showcase of some of the best or most intriguing matchups in the league.
Typically, we’ll see two teams that faced off in the playoffs from the previous season hit the court with one team seeking redemption while the other attempts to put the nail in the coffin. The Association will also put some the league’s most dynamic and exciting young superstars on display for the masses.
The 2022 NBA Christmas Day schedule was released on Sunday and the Atlanta Hawks were a notable omission from this year’s lineup, having been included in the games last season. Hawks superstar Trae Young let his opinion about the decision be known with a cryptic, six-emoji tweet sent out just after the games were announced.
Young then followed that up with a tweet about 10 minutes later that let you know that he wasn’t too worried about the situation and was going to direct his focus to more important matters.
After reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in 2020, the Hawks were granted a Christmas game in 2021 in a rematch of the playoff matchup with the New York Knicks. The game turned into a lackluster affair as several Hawks players, including Young, Onyeka Okungwu, and former Hawks Danilo Galinari and Kevin Huerter were out due to health and safety protocols. An undermanned Atlanta squad ended up losing 101-87 on the road in Madison Square Garden.
Prior to last season, the Hawks had not played on Christmas Day since 1989. After being knocked out of the playoffs with a 4-1 series defeat courtesy of the Miami Heat last season, it’s clear the Hawks will have to reestablish themselves as a force in the Eastern Conference this season in order to land a spot when Santa comes to town during the 2023-2024 campaign.
We’re sure the lack of a Christmas game this season shouldn’t curb the excitement for this upcoming season. The addition of Dejounte Murray is expected to give the team one of the best backcourts in the league, with a committed John Collins and the progression of Onyeka Okungwu likely to solidify the frontcourt and keep the Hawks in playoff contention.
The 2022-2023 NBA Christmas Day lineup:
Milwaukee Bucks at Boston Celtics
Philadelphia 76ers at New York Knicks
Phoenix Suns at Denver Nuggets
Los Angeles Lakers at Dallas Mavericks
Memphis Grizzlies at Golden State Warriors
