New York, October 23, 2025
News Summary
The NBA has revealed its Christmas Day schedule featuring five high-profile games across ABC and ESPN. The matchups include marquee teams like the defending champions and notable individual performances. Highlights include the Cleveland Cavaliers facing the New York Knicks, and the newly retooled Houston Rockets going up against the Los Angeles Lakers. This year’s lineup shifts towards Western Conference teams, emphasizing current star power and regional interests on one of the league’s biggest stages.
New York
NBA Christmas Day schedule set with five high-profile games and national TV coverage
Five games will be played on Christmas Day 2025, starting at noon E.T. on ABC/ESPN networks. The slate opens at 12 p.m. E.T. and runs through late evening with exclusive national coverage on ABC and ESPN. The lineup pairs established franchises with teams carrying recent momentum, including a game featuring the defending champions and a marquee matchup that highlights two of the league’s most prominent scorers.
Key matchups and broadcast details
The Christmas Day games will feature: 1. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks at 12 p.m. 2. San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder at 2:30 p.m. 3. Dallas Mavericks vs. Golden State Warriors at 5 p.m. 4. Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets at 8 p.m. 5. Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets at 10:30 p.m.
The 2025-26 Christmas Day matchups include: Oklahoma City Thunder (defending champions) vs. San Antonio Spurs, and Houston Rockets (with newly-acquired All-Star Kevin Durant) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (featuring all-time points leader LeBron James). ESPN and ABC will present exclusive coverage of all five Christmas Day games.
Fans can purchase tickets to attend NBA games live on Christmas. The national television window gives viewers across the country a chance to watch every game, with sequential windows that highlight each matchup from midday into late night.
Why this lineup looks different
The matchup lineup leans towards Western Conference teams due to injuries sidelining key Eastern Conference players such as Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton. The Celtics and 76ers, regulars in the Christmas Day schedule, were omitted in 2025 due to roster changes and injuries. The Rockets, Thunder, and Cavaliers will make their Christmas Day debuts, with the Thunder returning after missing the holiday last year.
The result is a holiday schedule that emphasizes current depth in the West while offering a few national draws in the East. The presence of defending-champion Oklahoma City and a newly retooled Houston team featuring a star acquisition are focal points for television and ticket demand.
Historic context and past Christmas highlights
NBA games on Christmas Day have been a tradition since 1947, showcasing signature moments. The NBA on Christmas is one of the season’s biggest stages, and the holiday has produced several historic individual and team performances that remain part of league lore.
Historic standout performances on Christmas include: – Bernard King scoring a record 60 points in 1984. – Wilt Chamberlain scoring 59 points and collecting 36 rebounds in 1961.
Other memorable Christmas events include the first NBA Finals rematch on Christmas, which occurred in 1995 between the Orlando Magic and Houston Rockets; Penny Hardaway scored the game-winning shot in the 1995 rematch. A famous rivalry rematch occurred in 2008 when the Los Angeles Lakers broke the Boston Celtics’ 19-game win streak.
Exciting Finals rematches include: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden State Warriors in 2016, where the Cavs rallied to win off a Kyrie Irving jump shot, and Warriors avenged in 2017 with Klay Thompson scoring the game-winning three-pointer. In 2024, the Lakers defeated the Warriors 115-113 with Austin Reaves’ buzzer-beater despite Stephen Curry’s 38-point performance.
What to watch on Christmas Day
Key storylines for the 2025 slate include how the defending champions handle a midafternoon matchup, how the Rockets integrate a newly-acquired All-Star into a prime-time game against a franchise that centers on an all-time leading scorer, and how teams omitted from the schedule respond to roster changes. Ticket availability and television ratings will reflect both the star power on display and regional interest in specific matchups.
FAQ
How many games will be played on Christmas Day 2025?
Five games will be played on Christmas Day 2025, starting at noon E.T. on ABC/ESPN networks.
What are the Christmas Day matchups?
The Christmas Day games will feature: 1. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks at 12 p.m. 2. San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder at 2:30 p.m. 3. Dallas Mavericks vs. Golden State Warriors at 5 p.m. 4. Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets at 8 p.m. 5. Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets at 10:30 p.m.
Which notable team matchups were highlighted for 2025?
The 2025-26 Christmas Day matchups include: Oklahoma City Thunder (defending champions) vs. San Antonio Spurs, and Houston Rockets (with newly-acquired All-Star Kevin Durant) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (featuring all-time points leader LeBron James).
Which networks will broadcast the games?
ESPN and ABC will present exclusive coverage of all five Christmas Day games.
Can fans attend the games in person?
Fans can purchase tickets to attend NBA games live on Christmas.
Are there new teams making Christmas Day appearances?
The Rockets, Thunder, and Cavaliers will make their Christmas Day debuts, with the Thunder returning after missing the holiday last year.
Why does the lineup favor Western Conference teams?
The matchup lineup leans towards Western Conference teams due to injuries sidelining key Eastern Conference players such as Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton.
What are some historic Christmas Day performances to remember?
Historic standout performances on Christmas include: – Bernard King scoring a record 60 points in 1984. – Wilt Chamberlain scoring 59 points and collecting 36 rebounds in 1961.
Quick reference table
| Start Time (ET) | Matchup | Network | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12:00 p.m. | Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks | ABC/ESPN | The Rockets, Thunder, and Cavaliers will make their Christmas Day debuts |
| 2:30 p.m. | San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | ABC/ESPN | Oklahoma City Thunder (defending champions); Thunder returning after missing the holiday last year |
| 5:00 p.m. | Dallas Mavericks vs. Golden State Warriors | ABC/ESPN | Prime evening window matchup |
| 8:00 p.m. | Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets | ABC/ESPN | Houston Rockets (with newly-acquired All-Star Kevin Durant); Los Angeles Lakers (featuring all-time points leader LeBron James) |
| 10:30 p.m. | Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets | ABC/ESPN | Late window national telecast |
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Additional Resources
- Ticketmaster: NBA on Christmas Day
- NBA: How to Watch Games for the 2025-26 Season
- ABC News: NBA Christmas Day Coverage
- ESPN: NBA Full Schedule 2025-2026
- CBS Sports: 2025 NBA Christmas Day Schedule
- Wikipedia: NBA Christmas Day Games
- Google Search: NBA Christmas Day History
- Google Scholar: NBA Christmas Day Performances
- Encyclopedia Britannica: NBA
- Google News: NBA Christmas Day
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