The NBA on Christmas is a tradition like no other in sports, as the entire day is filled with premier matchups between the league’s best teams.
How to Watch Christmas Day NBA Games
The NBA's five-game Christmas Day lineup kicks off at noon ET with the Cleveland Cavaliers at the New York Knicks, followed by the San Antonio Spurs at the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Dallas Mavericks at the Golden State Warriors, the Houston Rockets at the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Denver Nuggets.
This marathon of marquee matchups will air across ABC and ESPN, with coverage stretching over more than 13 hours and boasting commentary from top broadcast teams and studio shows. The day features many of the league's biggest names, from Jalen Brunson and Donovan Mitchell in the East to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Steph Curry, Luka Dončić, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Nikola Jokić, and Anthony Edwards in the West, ensuring nonstop superstar action from start to finish.
Beyond star wattage, each game carries its own narratives: Eastern contenders like the Knicks aim to build momentum against a fighting Cavaliers squad; the defending champion Thunder host Spurs in a rematch of a recent NBA Cup semifinal upset; the high-octane Mavericks take on a veteran Warriors team; Lakers-Rockets reignite a LeBron versus Durant chapter; and the nightcap pits Nuggets vs. Timberwolves in a clash of dynamic bigs and rising contenders. Whether it's establishing midseason pecking order, spotlighting generational talents, or delivering classic holiday drama, the Christmas slate once again cements its place as one of the NBA's most anticipated regular-season traditions
This is a great day of NBA basketball that you will not want to miss; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.
12:00 PM ET - Cavaliers at Knicks - ABC / ESPN
2:30 PM ET - Spurs at Thunder - ABC / ESPN
5:00 PM ET - Mavericks at Warriors - ABC / ESPN
8:00 PM ET - Rockets at Lakers - ABC / ESPN
10:30 PM ET - Timberwolves at Nuggets - ESPN
Live stream the NBA on Christmas with Fubo: Start your free trial now!
You can live stream NBA games all season long with Fubo, which offers a free trial. They carry all the channels you need, never to miss the action, including nationally broadcast channels like ESPN, ABC, and NBA TV, as well as local team coverage.
Regional restrictions may apply. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.
Newsweek