NBA: The Association Gets What They REALLY Want For Christmas

There is a song by Lil Jon that goes something like this:

“Having a party on Christmas Eve
And I got a whole lot of Christmas glee
Whole lotta gifts I’d like to receive
And you know all year I been planting them seeds (Oh, yeah)
Everybody in here VIP”

Shamea Morton hosts during an NBA game between the Chicago Bulls and the Atlanta Hawks on December 23, 2025 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo: Itoro N. Umontuen/BlackPressUSA)

While NBA fans won’t watch the games inside a nightclub’s VIP section, their five game schedule pairs well with egg nog, your red plastic cup, and your dinner plate! Even though the NFL has shoved their way onto the couch by hosting games on Christmas Day, this year, the NBA will have the upper hand as far as relevant games are concerned.

One word of caution for those watching the NBA for the first time on Christmas Day: this league can be very dramatic!

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks (12 p.m.)

The New York Knicks enter Christmas Day looking like legitimate title contenders, while the Cleveland Cavaliers are still searching for consistency. Despite boasting a massive $242.3 million payroll and operating deep into the second apron, Cleveland sits at an underwhelming 17–14.

Back-to-back wins over the Hornets and Pelicans offer a glimmer of hope, but questions remain about whether the Cavaliers can climb out of mediocrity and justify their championship expectations.

San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (2:30 p.m.)

From a pure basketball standpoint, this matchup may steal the show. It embodies everything fans love about Christmas Day hoops—rising rivalries, elite young talent, and an exciting pace.

Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama headline the action as two of the league’s most electrifying stars. The Spurs recently stunned the reigning champions with a 20-point victory, powered by strong performances from Stephon Castle, Keldon Johnson, and veteran Harrison Barnes. Expect fireworks.

Dallas Mavericks vs. Golden State Warriors (5 p.m.)

Dallas rookie Cooper Flagg is beginning to look comfortable at the NBA level, posting efficient shooting numbers and well-rounded production. Even without Kyrie Irving, who continues his recovery from a torn ACL, the Mavericks remain firmly in the Western Conference play-in conversation.

Golden State, meanwhile, leans heavily on Stephen Curry’s brilliance. While Curry remains must-watch television, the supporting cast has struggled. Despite ranking near the top in defensive efficiency, the Warriors are struggling with transition defense, second-chance opportunities, and points off turnovers—areas that continue to haunt them.

Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers (8 p.m.)

LeBron James greets 2 Chainz after an NBA game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, December 30, 2022 at State Farm Arena. (Photo Courtesy: Itoro N. Umontuen)

LeBron James may not love giving up Christmas Day with his family, but the NBA still centers its holiday spotlight around the 40-year-old icon—possibly in his final season.

James acknowledged the sacrifice, balancing tradition with personal preference, but remains committed to delivering on the league’s biggest stage.

“I’d much rather be at home with my family,” James said. “But I mean, it’s the game, it’s the game I love. It’s the game I watched when I was a kid on Christmas Day, watching a lot of the greatest play the game on Christmas. It’s always been an honor to play it. Obviously, I’m gonna be completely honest, I would like to be home on the couch with my family all throughout the day. But my number is called — our number is called, so we have to go out and perform and I look forward to it.”

Across from him stands Kevin Durant, another generational scorer who continues to etch his name into the history books. Recently surpassing Hakeem Olajuwon on the all-time field goals made list, Durant’s offensive brilliance remains undeniable.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets (10:30 p.m.)

The nightcap revisits one of last season’s most compelling playoff battles. Minnesota enters rolling, winning 10 of its last 12 games behind dominant efforts from Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle, and Rudy Gobert.

Denver, on the other hand, struggled defensively in its most recent outing, allowing Cooper Flagg to post a near triple-double for the Mavericks.

The other is an offensive tactician. To close out Christmas Day, they’ll meet, as Anthony Edwards’ Wolves visit Nikola Jokić’s Nuggets.

Edwards and Jokić offer contrasting yet highly effective styles. Minnesota currently has the the upper hand in this budding rivalry, winning the teams’ 2024 Western Conference semifinals matchup in seven games before sweeping last year’s regular-season series.

With both teams once again positioned near the top of the conference, this late-night clash could serve as a sneak preview of another postseason showdown.

Anthony Edwards greets his grandfather, Ben Edwards, before an NBA game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Atlanta Hawks on Monday, December 23, 2024 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo Courtesy: Itoro N. Umontuen)

Off the Court: The NBA’s Christmas Business Boom 📈

Beyond the hardwood, Christmas Day is a massive win for the league financially. According to Sports Business Journal, Disney Ad Sales completely sold out ad inventory for NBA games airing on ESPN and ABC.

Even with the NFL hosting games across Netflix and Prime Video, NBA advertiser revenue jumped 18% year-over-year. Nearly two-thirds of returning sponsors increased their spending, while 37 new brands joined the Christmas lineup for 2025.

In total, 84 brands across 40 categories are advertising throughout the day, and all commercial slots during “Inside the NBA” and “NBA Tip-Off” are also sold out.

Business, as they say, is booming.

The verdict

Remember when I said the NFL shoved their way onto the couch during Christmas? This Christmas, the Shield will receive their commurpens as the NBA will get first dibs once again! Don’t give into the urge to watch the mediocre Dallas Cowboys, Washington Commanders, and Minnesota Vikings! The Kansas City Chiefs have had two quarterbacks shred their ACLs in two weeks. They are out of the playoffs. Sure, the Detroit Lions are competitive and the Denver Broncos are playing outstanding football. But, you have better things to do with your time on this Christmas!