Phil Jackson Slams NBA for Scheduling Games on Christian Holidays

Phil Jackson, one of the most decorated coaches in NBA history, took to social media on Easter Sunday to call out the league for scheduling games on major Christian holidays. The Hall of Famer, who racked up 11 NBA titles as a coach and two as a player, didn't mince words in his rare post, stating, "Again the NBA tests faith by playing multiple games on Christmas and Easter… sacred days."

Jackson's post landed as the NBA Playoffs rolled out four games on Easter, reigniting a debate over whether sports leagues should avoid religious holidays so fans and players alike can focus on more than just box scores and brackets.

This isn't the first time Jackson has aired his grievances with the NBA's direction. In 2023, he made headlines for distancing himself from the league after the COVID-19 pandemic, saying he lost interest when the NBA became, in his view, too political. He recalled the "bubble" season in Orlando, where players wore jerseys with social justice slogans—a move Jackson felt was aimed at a "certain audience" and ultimately turned off others. As he put it, "People want to see sports as non-political."

The NBA isn't the only league stirring the holiday pot. The NFL recently announced plans for three Christmas Day games after last year's TV ratings boom—because apparently, nothing says 'peace on earth' like a full slate of tackles and touchdowns under the tree.

Jackson's latest comments have reignited a conversation that sits at the intersection of faith, tradition, and big-league business. And while the NBA and NFL seem locked in a holiday showdown, fans are left to decide whether to tune in or tune out when the next sacred day rolls around.