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Christmas Day is one of the most important dates on the NBA calendar each season. This year, there's an awesome slate of five games featuring some of the league's biggest stars. Here's everything you need to know about when and where to watch NBA Christmas games on Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 02: Delon Wright #0 of the New York Knicks brings the ball up court around Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second quarter at Rocket Arena on April 02, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 02: Delon Wright #0 of the New York Knicks brings the ball up court around Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second quarter at Rocket Arena on April 02, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. Jason Miller/Getty Images
Cavaliers vs Knicks at Madison Square Garden is the tip-off game for the NBA Christmas showcase. The Eastern Conference matchup will see two of the best guards in the league, Donovan Mitchell and Jalen Brunson, go head-to-head. This might be a preview of the East Finals and could have big ramifications on playoff seeding.
The other Christmas Day NBA games are all over in the Western Conference, starting with the Spurs vs Thunder. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP, leads Oklahoma City against one of the most dominant forces in the league: San Antonio's 7'4" center Victor Wembanyama.
The afternoon game will be Mavericks vs Warriors, with Cooper Flagg set to play in his first NBA Christmas game against a trio of future Hall of Famers in Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green. No doubt, the rookie is hoping to prove himself in front of a national audience on the biggest night of the NBA regular season.
Rockets vs Lakers is a prime-time clash between star-studded rosters. The Lakers are built around a big three of Luka Dončić, Lebron James, and Austin Reaves. Meanwhile, the Rockets have one of the best and deepest rosters in the NBA, with names like Kevin Durant, Alperen Şengün, and Amen Thompson.
The fantastic slate of NBA games on Christmas concludes with a battle between two of the most dominant offensive players in the world: Nikola Jokić and Anthony Edwards. The Timberwolves vs Nuggets rivalry has produced a lot of memorable moments in the last few years, and it should be a great way to enjoy the last few hours of your holiday.
All five matchups on the NBA Christmas schedule will be broadcast on ESPN and ABC. You can watch the NBA Christmas games on ESPN Unlimited, Fubo, Sling TV, and more. Pricing and availability may vary by location.
How to Watch NBA Christmas Games on ESPN Unlimited
From Steph Curry to Victor Wembanyama, you'll be able to watch all the stars this Christmas on ESPN Unlimited. For $29.99/month ($299.99/year), ESPN Unlimited gives you 24/7 access to ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN on ABC, and ESPN Select. It's a must-have for many NBA fans.
The Disney Bundle combines the top-tier sports coverage of ESPN Unlimited with the endless entertainment of Disney+ and Hulu. Normally priced at $35.99/month, there's currently a promotion allowing you to grab this loaded bundle for $29.99/month for the first 12 months. That's the same price as ESPN Unlimited on its own!
How to Watch NBA Christmas Games on DIRECTV STREAM
DIRECTV STREAM is one of the top live TV providers for sports fans, and they'll be covering all five NBA Christmas games this year on ESPN and ABC. The Entertainment ($89.99/month, $49.99 for the first month), Choice ($94.99/month, $59.99 for the first month), Ultimate ($124.99/month, $84.99 for the first month), and Premier ($164.99/month, $124.99 for the first month) packages all offer ABC, ESPN, and access to ESPN Unlimited.
The MySports Genre Pack ($69.99/month, $59.99 for the first two months), provides a focused selection of 20+ sports channels as well as ESPN Unlimited. Local channel availability can vary depending on your location.
How to Watch NBA Christmas Games on Hulu + Live TV
Many basketball fans already have Hulu + Live TV, since it offers such excellent coverage of the league year-round. With over 95 channels (including ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC), Hulu is an easy way to watch all five NBA Christmas games this year. A subscription costs $89.99/month, but you can get your first three months for just $64.99/month.
How to Watch NBA Christmas Games on Fubo
With plans carrying ESPN and ABC, Fubo is another solid option for streaming NBA Christmas games 2025. Top packages include Fubo Pro ($84.99/month, $54.99 for the first month for 240+ channels), Fubo Elite with Sports Plus ($104.99/month, $74.99 for the first month).
If you only use live TV to watch sports, try Fubo Sports ($55.99/month, $45.99 for the first month), a skinny bundle with 20+ dedicated sports channels. All four of these plans give subscribers access to ESPN Unlimited at no extra cost. Plans, pricing, and channel availability may vary by location.
How to Watch NBA Christmas Games on Sling TV
Now, onto Sling TV. Sling Orange ($45.99/month) has ESPN, and Sling Blue ($50.99/month) carries local channels like ABC in most markets. You can also bundle both with Sling Orange & Blue for $65.99/month. You should be able to watch every 2025 NBA Christmas game with any of these plans.
You can also get short-term Sling Passes for the Sling Orange plan, which is one of the best options for special occasions on the sports calendar (like Christmas in the NBA, Thanksgiving in the NFL, or the final week of March Madness). Grab a Day Pass for $4.99, a Weekend Pass for $9.99, or a Week Pass for $14.99.
How to Watch NBA Christmas Games on DAZN
Depending on your location, fans outside of the U.S. may be able to watch some or all of the NBA Christmas games on DAZN. Select territories in Europe (Germany, for example) regularly broadcast NBA games throughout the season and often livestream NBA games on Christmas Day. Make sure you check what's available in your region before subscribing.
Pricing can vary by location, but DAZN plans typically start at $19.99/month with a 12-month commitment, $29.99/month for a cancel-anytime plan, or $224.99/year if you pay upfront.
How to Watch NBA Christmas Games from anywhere with a VPN
Another great way to watch NBA Christmas games from anywhere in the world this holiday season is with a VPN. ExpressVPN, Private Internet Access, or NordVPN let you mask your IP address and virtually change your location. This gives you more security when you're online, and it also lets you access U.S. servers and watch content through your usual providers.
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