The Ultimate Guide To The 2025 NBA Christmas Games: Schedule, Matchups, And Recent Holiday Thrillers

The National Basketball Association (NBA) Christmas Day schedule has become one of the most anticipated events on the global sports calendar, serving up a five-game marathon of elite basketball action every December 25th. As of December 15, 2025, the league is gearing up for another blockbuster slate that features the game's brightest stars, including reigning MVP candidates and historic playoff rivals, ensuring fans worldwide have a full day of must-watch television.

This annual tradition, which dates back to 1947, is more than just a series of games; it is a showcase for the league's top talent, a platform for debuting special edition jerseys and player-exclusive footwear, and a significant driver of viewership and revenue. The 2025 slate promises to be a spectacular continuation of this legacy, pitting new-era superstars against established champions in high-stakes, holiday-themed contests.

The Complete 2025 NBA Christmas Day Schedule: Superstar Showdowns

The 2025 NBA Christmas Day schedule is strategically designed to maximize viewership by featuring the most compelling storylines, biggest markets, and highest-profile players in the league. The full five-game slate, broadcast exclusively across ESPN and ABC, is a showcase of the NBA's current power structure, highlighting both established champions and rising contenders. Here is the confirmed schedule with the most anticipated matchups and their respective Eastern Time (ET) start times.

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• Game 1: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks

Time: 12:00 p.m. ET

The traditional Noon ET tip-off at the iconic Madison Square Garden (MSG) is a staple of the holiday schedule. This matchup reignites a burgeoning Eastern Conference rivalry, featuring two teams battling for supremacy in the Atlantic Division. The Knicks, a fixture on Christmas Day, aim to deliver a win for the passionate New York crowd.

• Game 2: San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

Time: 2:30 p.m. ET

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This game is a high-octane battle featuring two of the league's most exciting young talents. It pits the generational phenom Victor Wembanyama of the Spurs against the dynamic scoring machine Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) and the reigning champion Thunder. This matchup is a preview of the Western Conference's future dominance.

• Game 3: Dallas Mavericks vs. Golden State Warriors

Time: 5:00 p.m. ET

A classic rivalry is renewed as Luka Doncic and the Mavericks face Stephen Curry and the Warriors. This is a must-watch prime-time game that consistently delivers high scoring and dramatic finishes, often featuring two of the best point guards in NBA history competing head-to-head.

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• Game 4: Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Time: 8:00 p.m. ET

The late-night slot often features the Los Angeles Lakers, and this year, they take on the resurgent Houston Rockets. This contest promises a clash of generations, with LeBron James leading the Lakers against a hungry, young Rockets squad looking to make a statement on the biggest regular-season stage. The star power alone guarantees massive viewership for this contest.

• Game 5: Western Conference Contender Showdown

Time: 10:30 p.m. ET

The final game of the night often features a battle of Western Conference heavyweights, frequently including teams like the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, or Phoenix Suns. While the final matchup is always anticipated, the five-game marathon ensures wall-to-wall basketball action until late into the night.

The Lasting Legacy: History and Cultural Significance of the Holiday Games

The tradition of NBA games on Christmas Day holds a unique place in the league’s history, predating even the Super Bowl. The inaugural Christmas Day game was played in 1947, during the league's second season, with the New York Knicks defeating the Providence Steamrollers at Madison Square Garden.

The games serve as the NBA's biggest regular-season showcase, consistently drawing massive television audiences. The 2024 Christmas Day slate, for instance, averaged an impressive 5.25 million viewers per game in the United States, with the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors matchup being the most-watched NBA regular-season game of the year.

The Tradition of Special Edition Uniforms and Footwear

Beyond the rivalries, a key element of the holiday tradition is the special edition gear worn by the players. For years, the NBA has collaborated with apparel partners like Adidas and Nike to create unique, sometimes one-off, uniforms for the day.

These "Christmas Jerseys" have ranged from the simple, classic designs featuring a large "BIG" logo to the more recent "Earned" jerseys, which are awarded to teams based on their playoff performance in the previous season. Furthermore, Christmas Day is a major launch platform for player-exclusive (PE) sneakers, with stars like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant often debuting brightly colored or holiday-themed signature shoes, driving significant merchandise sales and buzz among sneaker enthusiasts.

A Look Back: The Most Thrilling 2024 Christmas Day Results

The 2024 Christmas Day games delivered a series of instant classics, setting a high bar for the upcoming 2025 slate. The storylines were centered on generational performances, clutch shots, and intense rivalry matchups that went down to the final possession. These recent results provide a crucial context for the rivalries and star power that will be on display again this year.

• New York Knicks 117, San Antonio Spurs 114

This early game was dominated by a historic performance from Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama, who dropped an incredible 42 points. Despite Wembanyama's heroic effort, the Knicks held on for a narrow victory, showcasing the importance of depth and veteran clutch play in a high-pressure environment.

• Minnesota Timberwolves 105, Dallas Mavericks 99

In a battle of Western Conference contenders, the Minnesota Timberwolves, led by Anthony Edwards, secured a tough road win against Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks. The game was a defensive slugfest, with the Timberwolves’ elite defense proving the difference in a low-scoring holiday affair.

• Los Angeles Lakers 115, Golden State Warriors 113

The marquee matchup of the day lived up to its billing, offering a classic showdown between the two titans of the last decade, LeBron James and Stephen Curry. The game was decided by a dramatic, late-game jumper from Lakers guard Austin Reaves, whose clutch shot secured the narrow 115-113 victory and provided one of the most memorable moments of the entire 2024 regular season.

The intensity of these games underscores the unique pressure and spotlight that comes with playing on Christmas Day. Every possession is magnified, and a clutch performance can instantly become an iconic moment in NBA lore, cementing the player's status as a holiday legend.

The Star Power: Players to Watch in the 2025 Matchups

The 2025 Christmas Day schedule is stacked with players who consistently deliver high-level, high-drama performances. The selection committee ensures that the league’s most marketable and talented athletes are featured, driving the massive television ratings presented by State Farm.

The focus will be heavily on the new guard of superstar talent. In the Spurs-Thunder game, the duel between Victor Wembanyama and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a must-see event, with both players possessing the ability to take over a game single-handedly. SGA’s efficiency and Wembanyama’s unprecedented defensive and offensive versatility will make this a modern classic.

Meanwhile, the Mavericks vs. Warriors game will highlight the generational playmaking and scoring of Luka Doncic, who has become one of the league's most consistent holiday performers. His ability to control the pace and deliver clutch shots rivals that of the game's elite. Finally, the veteran presence of LeBron James in the Lakers' contest ensures that the day will feature a link to the league's recent championship history, providing a compelling contrast to the younger stars.

The NBA's commitment to showcasing these rivalries and star players on Christmas Day reinforces its position as a global entertainment powerhouse. The 2025 slate is perfectly positioned to deliver the next set of unforgettable holiday moments.