Phil Jackson Rips NBA For Easter Scheduling, Says League Keeps ‘Testing Faith’

Hall of Fame coach Phil Jackson resurfaced on social media over the weekend — and he didn’t hold back.

In a rare post on X, Jackson criticized the NBA for once again scheduling games on sacred religious holidays, calling out the league for its full slate of playoff games on Easter Sunday.

“Again the NBA tests faith by playing multiple games on Christmas and Easter… sacred days,” Jackson posted.

That was his first tweet in over a year, and it immediately stirred up conversation — especially given Jackson’s history of criticizing the direction of the modern NBA.

Back in 2023, the 11-time champion coach made headlines when he told Rick Rubin on the Tetragrammaton podcast that he had largely stopped watching the league altogether, citing political messaging and social activism during the 2020 bubble as a turnoff.

“They had things on their backs like ‘Justice,’” Jackson said at the time. “I made a little funny thing like, ‘Justice just went to the basket and Equal Opportunity just knocked him down.’”

Jackson added that while his grandkids found it funny, he felt the NBA was alienating fans.

“They didn’t know it was turning other people off,” Jackson said. “People want to see sports as non-political.”

His Easter post continues that theme. Jackson, 78, has often spoken about spirituality and mindfulness throughout his coaching career, even being nicknamed the “Zen Master.” His frustration now seems aimed at the league’s growing willingness to encroach on religious observances in pursuit of ratings.

The NBA and NFL have both leaned into Christmas Day matchups in recent years, but Easter scheduling — particularly during the playoffs — is something Jackson clearly takes issue with.

Meanwhile, the NFL recently announced it will again play multiple games on Christmas Day in 2025, with a tripleheader planned after last season’s Netflix debut proved to be a massive ratings win.

As for Jackson, he’s once again made it clear: he believes sports should serve as an escape, not a replacement, for something greater.

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