One of Karl-Anthony Towns’ fondest childhood memories of Christmas was watching the NBA.

He sat on the couch with his father, Karl Towns Sr., watching games and imagining one day playing in those showcases on national television.

Wednesday won’t be the first time he’s laced up his sneakers on December 25th. But it will be unique.

“It’s my first home,” the Knicks center said before the meeting with the Spurs at the Garden. “I never managed that. So it will be fun to be able to do it in front of the family.

“It’s crazy for me growing up in this area and watching the Knicks always play on Christmas Day and (Carmelo Anthony) go crazy on Christmas Day. And now to be able to have my name in the history of Knicks players playing on Christmas is a great honor for me.”

There will also be a big challenge: Spurs prodigy Victor Wembanyama.

Wembanyama, France’s No. 1 pick in 2023, has led the Spurs to a 15-14 start in his second season.

The 7-foot-3 dynamo, last season’s NBA Rookie of the Year, was dynamic, averaging 24.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, 4.0 blocks and 3.9 assists.

He also shoots 35.6 percent from distance.

There’s hardly anything he can’t do at the age of 20.

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“Special talent. Fellow No. 1 picks alumni here,” said Towns, the top pick in the 2015 draft. “I’m excited to see how his career develops and what he can accomplish.”

Josh Hart joked that the Knicks would prepare for Wembanyama by putting Towns in the paint and giving him a mop to block shots.

In his last four games, Wembanyama averaged an absurd 7.2 blocks.

Last March, Wembanyama led the Spurs to an overtime victory over the Knicks by scoring 40 points, adding 20 rebounds and adding seven assists.

“He is a great player. He does things offensively and defensively that no one should be doing at 7-3,” Hart said. “He is the future of the league but we will give him his flowers after the game, not before the game. We have to make sure we slow down Spurs and not just Wembanyam.”

Playing on Christmas was a Knicks tradition, even in bad times.

It started in 1947.

There was an eight-year gap from 2001 to 2009, but the Knicks have only missed three Christmas Day games since then. Last year they defeated the Bucks with a 38-point masterpiece from Jalen Brunson.

Bernard King still holds the record for most points on Christmas Day with 60 against the Nets in 1984.

Eleven years ago, Anthony lit up the Garden with 37 points – 17 in the fourth quarter – in a win over the rival Celtics. Due to the NBA lockout, this was the first day of the season.

“I usually watch,” OG Anunoby said. “It’ll be fun to play in one.”

Some players view working on the holidays as a chore.

Towns sees it differently.

He sounded positively excited about the opportunity.

“I like playing basketball. It’s a great Christmas present for me,” Towns said. “I can go out there, lace up my shoes and play. So I’m excited.”