The NBA’s holiday tradition is back in full swing for Christmas Day 2025, and thanks to ESPN’s Shams Charania, we know precisely which five games will be stealing the spotlight. This year’s slate blends heavyweight clashes with rising-star showdowns, stretching from coast to coast.

The action tips off in New York, where the Cleveland Cavaliers visit the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. An East vs. East battle on basketball’s most famous stage is always special, but with both teams shaping up as serious contenders, this one could feel like an early taste of the playoffs. The Garden crowd on Christmas? That’s pure basketball magic.

Next, the spotlight shifts west to Oklahoma City, where the reigning champion Thunder welcome Victor Wembanyama and No. 2 overall pick Dylan Harper’s San Antonio Spurs to Paycom Center. Two of the NBA’s most exciting young cores meet under the bright lights, with OKC defending their crown. That’s can’t-miss TV.

Then comes a blockbuster in L.A.: Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets, making their first Christmas appearance since 2019, going head-to-head with LeBron James, Luka Dončić, and the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena. That’s three all-time greats, plenty of history, and a Western Conference that’s tighter than ever.

The holiday afternoon brings a generational matchup to Chase Center, with rookie sensation Cooper Flagg and the Dallas Mavericks facing Steph Curry’s Golden State Warriors. For Flagg, it’s a proving ground; for Curry, it’s another chance to show he’s still the show.

Finally, the nightcap serves up a rematch fans have been waiting for: Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves against Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets in Ball Arena. Edwards’ explosive game versus Jokić’s championship craft? A perfect way to wrap up the day.

What These Matchups Mean for the League

Christmas Day isn’t just another date on the NBA calendar; it’s the league’s biggest regular-season stage, drawing millions of viewers and setting the tone for storylines heading into the new year. The Knicks lead all teams with 58 appearances, followed by the Lakers (52), Celtics (38), Sixers (35), and Warriors (35). And yes, the Hornets remain the only franchise yet to play on Christmas.

This year’s matchups are loaded with meaning. Knicks-Cavs could be an early Eastern Conference Finals preview, while Spurs-Thunder pairs the champs with the most-hyped prospect since LeBron.

Rockets-Lakers is pure star power, but it is also a measuring stick for two teams eyeing deep playoff runs in a West where even small slips can derail a season. Mavericks-Warriors puts the league’s brightest new face against one of its most enduring icons; a meeting of eras that might mark the start of a new rivalry.

And Timberwolves-Nuggets continues a clash that feels personal now, with playoff history adding fuel to the fire and both teams knowing the smallest edge could decide their season’s fate.

It’s a mix of legacy battles, next-gen showcases, and games that could shape the season’s biggest conversations: exactly what Christmas basketball is all about.