NBA Christmas Day Games 2025: The NBA’s most cherished tradition returns on Thursday, December 25, as the league unveils a loaded five-game Christmas Day slate packed with superstars, rivalries, and championship implications. Now in its 78th year, the NBA’s holiday showcase once again turns Christmas into a full-day celebration of basketball, with more than 13 hours of nonstop action airing nationally on ABC and ESPN.
From historic Madison Square Garden to primetime showdowns in Los Angeles and Denver, this year’s schedule features reigning champions, MVPs, rising stars, and several long-awaited Christmas Day debuts.
A Tradition Unlike Any Other
The NBA has played games on Christmas since 1947, and over the decades, December 25 has become one of the league’s biggest stages. It’s a day reserved for marquee matchups and defining moments—where legends are made and contenders are revealed.
That tradition continues in 2025, coming on the heels of the NBA Cup and at a point in the season when teams begin to show their true identities.
NBA Christmas Day Games: Schedule & Storylines (All Times ET)
Cleveland Cavaliers at New York Knicks – 12:00 PM
The holiday tips off at the self-proclaimed Mecca of Basketball, Madison Square Garden.
The Knicks, fresh off winning the 2025 NBA Emirates Cup, will make their NBA-record 58th Christmas Day appearance, while the Cavaliers return to the holiday stage for the first time since 2017. The spotlight will shine on Jalen Brunson vs. Donovan Mitchell, two of the NBA’s top 10 scorers this season, in what could be an early preview of an Eastern Conference playoff showdown.
San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder – 2:30 PM
One of the most anticipated games of the day features a rematch of the NBA Cup semifinals, where the Spurs shocked the league by snapping Oklahoma City’s 16-game winning streak.
Victor Wembanyama, who erupted for 42 points and 18 rebounds in his Christmas debut last year, faces reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who will finally make his long-awaited Christmas Day debut. The defending champion Thunder return to the holiday slate for the first time since 2018, looking for redemption on a national stage.
Dallas Mavericks at Golden State Warriors – 5:00 PM
The afternoon window brings a blend of youth, history, and emotion.
Rookie sensation Cooper Flagg will make his Christmas Day debut, becoming the youngest player to appear on the holiday since LeBron James in 2003. Across the court, Stephen Curry looks to recreate last year’s magic after tying a Christmas Day record with eight three-pointers and scoring 38 points.
Adding to the drama, Klay Thompson returns to Chase Center for his lone regular-season visit to face his former team, making this one of the most emotionally charged games of the day.
Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers – 8:00 PM
The primetime spotlight belongs to Los Angeles, where star power takes center stage.
The Lakers’ duo of LeBron James and Luka Dončić will face Kevin Durant and the Rockets in Houston’s first Christmas appearance since 2019. James continues to extend his Christmas Day legacy, making a record 20th appearance while already holding the all-time marks for points, games played, and wins on the holiday.
Dončić, meanwhile, has already etched his name into Christmas history, scoring 50 points in a 2023 Christmas game- one of only four players ever to reach that milestone.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Denver Nuggets – 10:30 PM
The nightcap features a historic first: the Timberwolves and Nuggets meeting on Christmas Day for the first time.
Reigning Finals MVP Nikola Jokić leads Denver against a Minnesota squad powered by Anthony Edwards, who impressed in his Christmas debut last year with a 26-point performance. It’s a Western Conference clash that could have major playoff implications later in the season.
Also Read:The Greatest NBA Defenders Who Changed The Game Forever
NBA Christmas Day Games 2025: Where to Watch
- TV: All five games will air on ABC and ESPN
- Streaming: Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, DirecTV Stream, Sling TV
- Special Broadcast:
The opening game features “Dunk the Halls,” an animated alternate broadcast available on ESPN2, ESPN+, and Disney+
- No local blackouts on Christmas Day
Why Christmas Day Games Still Matters
For NBA fans, Christmas Day is more than just tradition—it’s a measuring stick. With teams settled into rotations and stars fully ramped up, the holiday slate often reveals who is truly ready to contend.
In 2025, that couldn’t be more fitting. With MVPs, champions, and future superstars all sharing the stage, the NBA’s Christmas Day showcase once again promises unforgettable moments—and a reminder of why basketball on December 25 feels like a gift every year.
