The NBA could not live with their failures... so where did that bring them? Back to San Antonio. The Spurs are back on the menu for Christmas this year, and this time, it's against OKC, according to ESPN Senior Insider Shams Charania. The best part? If the order he posted the games will be the sequence they're played in, the Silver and Black will be in the premium 2:30 pm CT slot.
🚨🎄 NBA Christmas Day 2025 on ABC and ESPN, per sources:
- Cleveland Cavaliers at New York Knicks
- San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder
- Houston Rockets at LA Lakers
- Dallas Mavericks at Golden State Warriors
- Minnesota Timberwolves at Denver Nuggets
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 8, 2025
Last season, Wembanyama and company played one of the best Christmas Day games we've seen in years against the New York Knicks, but it was the first game of the day at 12:00 pm. That's a "test the water" slot. Families are still opening/playing with gifts or eating lunch at that time. The next game is where everyone is happy and full, sitting in front of their desired viewing device, ready for action.
The Spurs will be primetime players for years
The NBA knows where its bread is going to be buttered for the foreseeable future, and this is what putting a blossoming superstar front and center looks like. So far, the Alien has lived up to his hype on the court, but when you watch how he moves off the court, everything is so intentional, it feels like a foregone conclusion that he'll reach those heights. How can he not when that's all that matters to him?
The Spurs gave the Knicks a hell of a game last Christmas, but it didn't end merrily for the guys. They walked out of Madison Square Garden with a loss despite 42 points, 18 rebounds, four assists, one steal, and four blocks. The reason was that the largely inconsistent (at least last season) Mikal Bridges decided he'd have an out-of-body experience and drop 41 points.
San Antonio just couldn't overcome it. The Knicks were a great team last season, and that's why they made it to the Eastern Conference Finals. On top of Bridges' disgusting game, Jalen Brunson still added 20, and Karl-Anthony Towns added 21. It only led to a three-point victory (114-117) for the Big Apple representatives, but a win is a win.
On the other side, Jeremy Sochan was the only one who showed up in a big way offensively, going 8-10 for 20 points. The next highest point total was 13 from Chris Paul and 11 from Devin Vassell. Nobody else reached double-digits. But this time will be different.
Now, of course, the opponent will also be another story. The Spurs are taking a step up in competition since they'll be facing the defending champions. But they'll also have De'Aaron Fox instead of Chris Paul. Devin Vassell should be much better, considering he'll have his entire offseason to work on his game instead of rehabbing. The roster has been upgraded, and the young guys are grinding.
It will be a completely different team. There will be fireworks. Wembanyama always steps up to the challenge. There's no need to think he won't do it again. Now, he has a true running mate to help carry the load and elevate the team around them. The NBA made the right choice here, and fans everywhere will be the beneficiaries.