Star-Studded NBA Christmas Matchups Highlight Schedule
The NBA has announced an action-packed lineup for its 2025 Christmas Day schedule, featuring five thrilling games between some of the league's top teams. Here's a rundown of the upcoming slate:
- Cleveland Cavaliers at New York Knicks (12:00 p.m. ET)
The day kicks off at Madison Square Garden with an intriguing Eastern Conference matchup. Donovan Mitchell, originally from New York State, leads the Cavaliers against the Knicks, who have built an elite foundation headlined by Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.
- San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder (2:30 p.m. ET)
This game showcases two rising teams with young stars like Victor Wembanyama and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Wembanyama is being considered as the potential successor to Gilgeous-Alexander in Oklahoma City.
- Dallas Mavericks at Golden State Warriors (5:00 p.m. ET)
The Mavericks' new addition, Cooper Flagg, the recently-minted top NBA draft pick, will make his Christmas Day debut in this game. He'll face off against Stephen Curry, who will participate in his 12th Christmas Day game, and Draymond Green, who will play in his 11th.
- Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers (8:00 p.m. ET)
This game features a star-studded lineup, including LeBron James, who is set to participate in his 20th Christmas Day game, making him the first player to do so. Kevin Durant, who has recently joined the Rockets, will also be in action.
- Minnesota Timberwolves at Denver Nuggets (time not precisely specified but part of Christmas Day slate)
This game is a rematch of the previous Western Conference Finals. Anthony Edwards and Nikola Jokic, MVP contenders, will face each other in this highly anticipated matchup.
All games of the 2025 NBA Christmas Day schedule will be broadcast on ESPN and ABC, with exclusive coverage of all five games presented by State Farm. The Houston Rockets' participation in the schedule marks their first not to feature LeBron James in any way, shape, or form since 1990 (excluding a 2014 game as an opponent when he was with Miami). Similarly, the Oklahoma City Thunder's participation in the 2025 Christmas game is their first since 2018, the second-longest Christmas drought ended on this year's reported slate. Last year's Christmas slate was decided by a combined 15 points, with the closest game being the Lakers' 115-113 victory over the Warriors.
Fans eagerly anticipated the NBA Christmas Day games in 2025, especially the Cavaliers versus Knicks matchup featuring Donovan Mitchell and Jalen Brunson. The games also highlighted up-and-coming stars like Victor Wembanyama and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the San Antonio Spurs versus Oklahoma City Thunder contest. For basketball enthusiasts, the Dallas Mavericks versus Golden State Warriors game offered a chance to see Cooper Flagg, the top NBA draft pick, make his debut against Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. The Houston Rockets versus Los Angeles Lakers game marked LeBron James' 20th Christmas Day game, making him the first player to achieve this feat. Lastly, the Minnesota Timberwolves versus Denver Nuggets game was a rematch of the Western Conference Finals, with Anthony Edwards and Nikola Jokic facing off as MVP contenders. This epic lineup of games was broadcast on ESPN and ABC, providing exciting sports moments throughout the day.
