Like unwrapping presents under the tree, for basketball fans NBA Christmas Day has become an unmissable ritual. In 2025, the league once again keeps the tradition alive, offering a marathon of five games spread over more than 13 consecutive hours of live action. So here’s a brief guide to NBA Christmas Day 2025: the scheduled…
Like unwrapping presents under the tree, for basketball fans NBA Christmas Day has become an unmissable ritual. In 2025, the league once again keeps the tradition alive, offering a marathon of five games spread over more than 13 consecutive hours of live action.
So here’s a brief guide to NBA Christmas Day 2025: the scheduled games, the times, and where to watch them.
NBA Christmas Day 2025: Scheduled Games
An event that brings together present and past, established stars and historic franchises, with a far from trivial detail: four of the last six NBA champions will all be on the court on the same day.
As mentioned, some of the franchises that have defined the league’s recent history will take the floor: the Lakers (2020 champions), Warriors (2022), Nuggets (2023), and Thunder (2025).
Here are all five games with their respective times:
| Match | Times |
| Cleveland Cavliers Vs New York Knicks | 12 p.m |
| San Antonio Spurs Vs Oklahoma City Thunder | 2:30 p.m |
| Dallas Mavericks Vs Golden State Warriros | 5 p.m |
| Houston Rockets Vs Los Angeles Lakers | 8 p.m |
| Minnesota Timberwolves Vs Denver Nuggets | 10:30 pm |
Where to watch NBA Christmas Day 2025
The NBA’s annual Christmas Day games will be broadcast on NBA League Pass, ESPN, and ABC. Be sure to check your local listings for times and availability. These broadcasts will bring all the exciting Christmas Day action directly to your screen.
But if you’re wondering how to make sure you don’t miss any of these games, we’ve prepared an article to show you all the available alternatives… check it out!
Where to watch NBA 2025/26.
A tradition nearly 80 years in the making
The connection between the NBA and Christmas is not a modern invention. Christmas Day has been part of the schedule since the 1947 season, just the second in league history. Since then, December 25 has become a prime showcase for professional basketball, often reserved for the most iconic matchups.
As Adam Silver has often pointed out:
Playing on Christmas means being part of NBA history
Adam Silver
A sentence that perfectly captures the symbolic weight of the day.
Knicks and Lakers: the kings of Christmas
If there is one team that embodies Christmas Day, it is New York. The Knicks hold the all-time record for appearances, with 57 games played on Christmas.
When it comes to wins, the top spot is shared: the Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers are tied with 25 victories each on December 25.
It comes as no surprise, then, that Madison Square Garden and Los Angeles have long been privileged stages on this day.
The most frequent stars on NBA Christmas Day
Only seven players in league history can boast at least 11 starts in Christmas Day games:
- LeBron James
- Kobe Bryant
- Shaquille O’Neal
- Dwyane Wade
- Russell Westbrook
- Kevin Durant
- Stephen Curry
A list that essentially overlaps with some of the most influential figures of the modern NBA era.
The Christmas Day scoring record: a legendary night
The record for most points scored in a single Christmas Day game still belongs to Bernard King, who poured in 60 points for the Knicks on December 25, 1984, despite a loss to the New Jersey Nets.
Behind him, only three other players have surpassed the 50-point mark:
- Wilt Chamberlain: 59 points in 1961
- Rick Barry: 50 points in 1966
- Luka Doncic: 50 points on Christmas Day 2023, leading Dallas to a win over Phoenix
A list spanning different eras, all telling the same story: NBA Christmas Day is often the stage for extraordinary performances.
LeBron James, the face of Christmas Day
When it comes to the NBA on Christmas, the name LeBron James is unavoidable. The Akron native holds the records for:
- total points scored on Christmas: 507
- games played: 19
In 2024, he also surpassed Dwyane Wade to become the player with the most Christmas Day wins: 11 victories against 8 losses.
Numbers that reinforce a now well-established narrative: for more than two decades, NBA Christmas Day has had the face of LeBron James.
Miami Heat, the Christmas Kings by Win Percentage
When it comes to Christmas Day performance in the NBA, one franchise stands out among those still active: the Miami Heat. With a record of 12 wins and 2 losses, Miami boasts the best Christmas Day winning percentage (.857) in recent NBA history.
This stat is made even more impressive by their current streak of nine consecutive wins on December 25. Under coach Erik Spoelstra, the Miami Heat have never lost a Christmas Day game: 9-0 with him on the bench. A performance that reflects team consistency, stability, and impeccable preparation for big NBA occasions.
The Most Successful NBA Coaches on Christmas Day
While Miami dominates in team efficiency, among NBA head coaches the record is shared by two NBA legends. Phil Jackson and Jack Ramsay hold the record for most wins as head coach on Christmas Day, with 11 victories each.
Christmas 2025: NBA Stars’ Debut on Christmas Day
Christmas Day 2025 will not only celebrate the past but also showcase the future. Four 2025 NBA All-Stars will play their first Christmas Day game:
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder)
- Jalen Williams (Oklahoma City Thunder)
- Darius Garland (Cleveland Cavaliers)
- Alperen Sengun (Houston Rockets)
Their presence confirms that December 25 NBA games are now reserved not only for historic NBA names but also for the rising stars reshaping the league’s hierarchy. For many of them, a Christmas Day debut is a symbolic milestone: their definitive entry into the NBA elite.
