Legendary former head coach Phil Jackson called out the NBA during Sunday’s playoff quadruple-header. 

Ex-NBA coach Phil Jackson says he stopped watching basketball when players wore slogans on jerseys during COVID-19 bubble - Yahoo Sports

The 2025 NBA Playoffs opened up Saturday with four games, followed by four more games this afternoon and evening.

Today is Easter Sunday, a major celebration in the Christian faith, but that has never stopped the NBA from playing games on the holiday, no matter when it falls on the calendar.

Jackson seems to disagree with that practice, and he voiced his complaints on X/Twitter a short time ago.

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

Jackson is certainly entitled to his opinion, but the truth is, the NBA doesn’t skip any important holidays. Yes, there are games played on Christmas and Easter, but also regular season games held during Jewish holidays and games throughout Ramadan, for example.

The league is not changing its schedule. If a player or coach chooses to sit out a game due to their faith, no matter what religion they follow, that is their choice and it should be supported.

However, you can forget about the NBA refraining from playing games on any religious holidays in the future.

Kobe Bryant and Phil Jackson on the Lakers.

SALT LAKE CITY – MAY 09: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers talks with Head Coach Phil Jackson against the Utah Jazz in Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs on May 9, 2008 at Energy Solutions Arena in Salt Lake City. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

As for the games so far on Easter, the Boston Celtics, the defending NBA champions, and the Oklahoma City Thunder, this year’s top regular season team, showed why they are the favorites in their respective conferences.

The Thunder came out and rolled the eighth-seeded Memphis Grizzlies from start to finish, completing a startling 131-80 beatdown after leading by as many as 56.

Well, now Phil Jackson has more work to do - Posting and Toasting

As for the Celtics, they actually trailed the Orlando Magic by one at halftime, but took control during a 30-18 third quarter and finished with a 103-86 win in Game 1 of their first round series.

The quartet of Easter games continues momentarily with the Miami Heat facing the Cleveland Cavaliers and finishes off later tonight with the Houston Rockets against the Golden State Warriors.