Christmas is a special holiday for many people. It’s a day of family, love, and tradition, marked by reunions, good food, and the simple comfort of gathering under one roof. But for basketball fans, especially those who just want to chill at home and have the television on, it also means an entire day of NBA basketball.
December 25 is not just another day in the NBA calendar. It has become one of the prime dates of the year, where the league features the marquee teams in star-studded and must-watch matchups.
NBA Christmas 2025
Just like any other year, the NBA Christmas 2025 lineup of games promises to be a showcase of the league’s brightest stars. Likewise, the day will also feature the staple franchises, like the New York Knicks, L.A. Lakers, and Golden State Warriors.
From the old heads, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry, to the current superstars, Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, to the next in line, Anthony Edwards, Victor Wembanyama, and Cooper Flagg, Christmas Day has once again become the perfect stage where the past, present, and future of the NBA all share the spotlight.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks
Time: 12:00 PM ET
Where to Watch: ESPN/ABC
The NBA Christmas festivities will tip off on the East coast with Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers visiting Madison Square Garden to take on Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks. The Cavaliers and the Knicks are the only two teams representing the East on Christmas.
This contest will be a rematch of their NBA Opening Week showdown on October 22 and could very well be a preview of this year’s Eastern Conference Finals. Cleveland and New York are projected to be the top two teams in the East, with Boston and Indiana both dealing Achilles injuries to their franchise stars.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Time: 2:30PM ET
Where to Watch: ESPN/ABC
After the Cavs and Knicks throw hands in the Christmas Day opener, it will be time for Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs to square off with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and the Oklahoma City Thunder at 2:30PM ET.
As the defending champions, the young Thunder are the current standard of excellence in the NBA. The OKC blueprint is exactly what Wembanyama and company are hoping to build in San Antonio. Facing the Thunder on a big stage should be a good test for the young and promising Spurs.
Golden State Warriors vs. Dallas Mavericks
Time: 5:00 PM ET
Where to Watch: ESPN/ABC
For the 5 PM time slot, Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors will pay a visit to Klay Thompson’s new home in Dallas to take on the Mavericks. Seeing Curry and Thompson in different jerseys will always be a weird sight to behold. Nonetheless, it’s still must-watch television to see the Splash Brothers go at each other on Christmas after years of terrorizing the league together in the Bay Area.
But the game is more than just Klay facing his old team. This will also mark the Christmas day debut of prized Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg. Moreover, there’s a lot of veteran star power on both sides of the fence, with Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green on the Warriors, and Anthony Davis for the Mavs. This will surely make for a competitive holiday affair between the two Western Conference title hopefuls.
Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Time: 8:00 PM ET
Where to Watch: ESPN/ABC
For the prime time game of NBA Christmas 2025, we will get a showdown between two of the game’s all-time greats, Kevin Durant and LeBron James, with the Houston Rockets traveling to Los Angeles to face the Lakers. It’s always special when we KD and LeBron face off, especially since we’re not going to get many more games between the two legends in the foreseeable future.
Nonetheless, this isn’t just about Durant vs. James. Luka Doncic looks more motivated than ever to prove his naysayers wrong and take the Lakers to the next level. Meanwhile, the Rockets added KD to a promising young core, featuring All-Star center Alperen Sengün and Amen Thompson, to vault Houston into title contention. This game should be a showcase of two of the top teams in the Western Conference.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets
Time: 10:30 PM ET
Where to Watch: ESPN/ABC
Last but not least, the NBA’s Christmas festivities will close with Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves against Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets. Minnesota and Denver faced each other in a seven-game war a couple of years ago, and it was the Timberwolves who unseated the then-defending champion Nuggets from their throne.
With Denver revamping this summer by re-acquiring Bruce Brown, who was a vital piece in their 2023 title, and adding Cam Johnson to their core, the Nuggets are poised to reclaim their spot as one of the top teams in the NBA. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves are coming off back-to-back Western Conference Finals appearances and will look to get over the hump. This should be another exciting showdown between two of the best in the West.