Simmons & Embiid can ruin Christmas

Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid have played just 86 combined games, but the Knicks have seen enough of the young 76ers duo to know Monday’s matchup won’t be easy.

On Christmas Day, the Knicks host Philadelphia at the Garden, with tip-off set for noon.

Signs may point to this being a joyous holiday for the home crowd. The Knicks are an impressive 15-5 at home and 22-9 against Philadelphia since the 2009-10 season.

They are catching the Sixers, losers of five straight, at the right time as well.

Only one potential problem. Well, two actually.

Simmons and Embiid — two of the young centerpieces of Philadelphia’s “Process” — have proven extremely difficult to stop.

Simmons, a 6-foot-10 point guard averaging 17.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 7.7 assists, will face the Knicks for the first time after missing the entire 2015-16 season with a broken foot.

In the one clash Embiid has had against the Knicks, the big man notched 21 points and 14 rebounds in just 27 minutes, helping his 76ers prevail 98-97 Jan. 11.

Embiid has been battling a back issue and is listed as questionable for Monday.

If he does take the floor, Enes Kanter will likely be tasked with guarding him — a challenge the Knicks center has never faced.

“He’s obviously one of the best big men in the league,” Kanter said. “I respect the guy a lot because I don’t really see anybody hurt for three or four years and coming back and playing at the level he’s playing at right now.”

Rookie Frank Ntilikina is looking forward to playing on Christmas.

“I’m very excited just playing in the NBA, but of course playing this Christmas game,” he said. “Back in France, I was watching all the Christmas games all these years. So now, being a part of it, and being able to play in it, it means a lot to me.”