NBA legend Phil Jackson has emerged from his usual quiet to deliver a pointed critique of the league he once ruled. In a rare social media post on Easter Sunday, the 13-time NBA champion publicly criticized the NBA for scheduling games on sacred religious holidays.
“Again the NBA tests faith by playing multiple games on Christmas and Easter… sacred days,”
— Phil Jackson (@PhilJackson11), April 20, 2025
This was Jackson’s first post on X (formerly Twitter) in over a year—and only his third in the past seven years—making the message all the more impactful.
A History of Speaking Out
Jackson, known as the “Zen Master” for his spiritual and philosophical approach to basketball, has never been shy about voicing his beliefs. In 2023, he made waves by declaring he had stopped watching the NBA due to what he saw as excessive political messaging during the 2020 bubble season.
“They had things on their backs like ‘Justice,’” Jackson told Rick Rubin on the Tetragrammaton podcast. “People want to see sports as non-political.”
His latest comments appear to follow that same line of thought: basketball, in his view, should be a spiritual break—not something that overshadows sacred moments.
A League Tradition Under Fire
The NBA has hosted games on Christmas Day since 1947, with Easter Sunday often falling during the first round of the playoffs. For many fans, it’s tradition. But for Jackson, that tradition clashes with something deeper.
While fans tuned in to watch first-round playoff action this Easter—four games in total—Jackson saw something else: a sacred day being sacrificed for ratings.
A Broader Trend in Sports
The NBA isn’t the only league doubling down on holiday games. The NFL, riding a wave of viewership success, recently announced a Christmas Day tripleheader for 2025. But with this growing emphasis on holiday matchups, Jackson’s criticism raises an important question:
Are sports becoming too much a part of our holidays—and not enough of an escape from them?
Faith, Basketball, and Balance
At 78, Phil Jackson remains a complex figure: part coach, part philosopher, part spiritual seeker. His message may not resonate with everyone, but it reminds us of a deeper tension between modern entertainment and personal values.
Whether or not the NBA will take note is unclear. But one thing is certain: when Phil Jackson speaks, the basketball world listens.
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