NBA's Christmas Lineup Highlights Champion Teams, Emerging Talents
The NBA has officially announced the schedule for the highly-anticipated 2025 Christmas Day games, with five nationally televised contests set to captivate basketball fans across the United States.
A Star-Studded Lineup
The schedule features a blend of veterans, rising stars, and potential playoff previews, continuing ESPN and ABC’s tradition of broadcasting all five games nationally. This year's slate boasts a strong Western Conference presence but maintains one significant Eastern Conference game.
Eastern Conference Showdown
Kicking off the slate is a key Eastern Conference matchup at Madison Square Garden. The New York Knicks will host the Cleveland Cavaliers at noon ET. Both teams boast a mix of emerging stars and veterans, and this game could potentially preview the Eastern Conference Finals. Notably, LeBron James is expected to participate in his 20th Christmas Day game, making him the first player to do so, while the Cavaliers' participation in the 2025 Christmas Day game is their first since 2017.
Western Conference Rivals Square Off
The second game of the slate, scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET, pits the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder against the San Antonio Spurs. The Thunder, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and strengthened by Nikola Topic, are early favorites for another strong season. This game is regarded as the marquee Christmas matchup, with the Thunder hosting the Spurs, whose young star Victor Wembanyama is a bright prospect.
Star-Studded Western Conference Clashes
The third game, featuring an exact time yet to be specified, will see the Houston Rockets, with Kevin Durant, take on the Los Angeles Lakers. This West-heavy clash includes four teams that also play on opening night, underscoring the star power and strong interest in the games.
In another West Conference showdown, the Dallas Mavericks, led by top draft picks Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper, face Stephen Curry’s Golden State Warriors. This matchup follows last season’s Western Conference Finals rematch.
Western Conference Finals Rematch
The fifth and final game of the slate is a rematch of the 2024 Western Conference Finals, as the Minnesota Timberwolves take on the Denver Nuggets in a late-night showing. This game promises high-level competition, with Anthony Edwards and Nikola Jokic facing off in a matchup between MVP contenders.
ESPN's Shams Charania revealed this five-game schedule for the 2025 Christmas Day calendar. Last year's Christmas slate saw the first four games decided by a combined 15 points, setting the stage for another exciting day of basketball.
Stay tuned for more updates as the 2025-26 NBA season approaches!
The NBA's tradition of broadcasting all five Christmas Day games nationally continues with the 2025 schedule, featuring a mixture of veterans, rising stars, and potential playoff previews.
In the Eastern Conference, the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers will square off, marking LeBron James' 20th Christmas Day game and the Cavaliers' return to the festivities since 2017.
In the Western Conference, defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder will debate the San Antonio Spurs,while rising stars such as Kevin Durant, Cooper Flagg, and Dylan Harper face off in various games.
Notably, the 2025 schedule includes a rematch of the 2024 Western Conference Finals between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets.
This year's games promise to captivate sports fans across the United States, with another thrilling day of basketball on Christmas Day.
