Justin Edmonds/Getty ; Ronald Martinez/Getty
Get ready for a basketball-packedChristmas Day!
On Dec. 25, fans will be treated to a full slate ofNBAaction, with five match-ups airing throughout the day — perfect for watching between opening presents and holiday meals.
The Christmas Day schedule tips off with theCleveland Cavaliersvs. theNew York Knicks. That game is followed by four more, ending with theMinnesota Timberwolvestaking on theDenver Nuggets.
This isn't the first holiday hoops marathon. In fact, the NBA has been playing games on Christmas nearly since its inception.
Here's everything to know about the 2025 NBA Christmas games, including how to watch the match-ups.
Which NBA teams are playing on Christmas?
Thearon W. Henderson/Getty ; Ethan Miller/Getty
Ten NBA teams will take the court on Christmas Day, delivering a full day of marquee match-ups.
The holiday slate opens with the Cleveland Cavaliers facing the New York Knicks. That game is the subject of the league's second annualDunk the Halls: In addition to a traditional broadcast, the match-up will also be recreated live in real-time animation, set against a festive version of Main Street, U.S.A., at Walt Disney World.Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy and Pluto will appear — plus, Stitch will make hisDunk the Hallsdebut this year.
That game will be followed by theSan Antonio Spurstaking on the league's reigning champs, a.k.a. theOklahoma City Thunder— a rematch after the two teams met earlier this month in theNBA Cupon Dec. 13.
The action continues as theDallas Maverickssquare off against theGolden State Warriors. Later in the evening, theHouston Rocketsface theLos Angeles Lakers, before the night wraps up with the Minnesota Timberwolves playing the Denver Nuggets, closing out a festive day of Christmas basketball.
What time are the NBA Christmas games?
Dylan Buell/Getty
The NBA's Christmas Day games air throughout the day, starting at noon ET and running late into the night.
The schedule tips off at 12 p.m. ET with the Cleveland Cavaliers facing the New York Knicks, followed by the San Antonio Spurs vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder at 2:30 p.m. ET. The late afternoon match-up features the Dallas Mavericks taking on the Golden State Warriors at 5 p.m. ET.
Prime time begins at 8 p.m. ET with the Houston Rockets vs. the Los Angeles Lakers, before the holiday slate closes out at 10:30 p.m. ET, when the Minnesota Timberwolves face the Denver Nuggets.
How can I watch the NBA Christmas games?
Justin Edmonds/Getty
ABC and ESPN will nationally televise all five NBA Christmas Day games, with every match-up also streaming live on the ESPN app.
Fans can also tune in forDunk the Halls, which is airing on ESPN2 and streaming on Disney+, Disney Channel, Disney XD and the ESPN App.
Who will be commentating on the NBA Christmas games?
David L. Nemec/NBAE via Getty
Viewers tuning in on Christmas Day can expect familiar voices across ESPN and ABC's NBA coverage.
For the traditional broadcasts, ESPN's top commentators will be in the mix throughout the five-game slate, including play-by-play announcer Ryan Ruocco, analyst Doris Burke and sideline reporter Jorge Sedano, who are slated to call the Cavaliers vs. Knicks match-up and are expected to rotate across the day.
Studio coverage will also be featured throughout the holiday schedule, withInside the NBAsegments led by hostErnie Johnsonalongside analystsCharles Barkley,Shaquille O'NealandKenny Smith.
Meanwhile, theDunk the Hallsalternate animated broadcast of the Cavaliers vs. Knicks game will feature its own commentary team, with Drew Carter handling play-by-play duties and Monica McNutt serving as analyst, adding a festive, family-friendly twist to the Christmas Day action.
What is the history of NBA Christmas games?
David Banks/Getty
NBA Christmas Day games date back nearly to the league's beginning. The National Basketball Association first played on Christmas Day in 1947, just one year after its inception. That day, six teams played, per theNBA: The Baltimore Bullets defeated the Chicago Stags 87-70, the New York Knicks beat the Providence Steamrollers 89-75 and the Washington Capitols steamrolled the St. Louis Bombers 73-56.
Those inaugural holiday match-ups helped establish Christmas Day as a special stage for the league, particularly in New York, where Knicks home games would become a near-annual tradition.
Since then, the NBA has played games on Christmas Day every year except 1998, when a league lockout canceled half of the 1998–99 season and wiped the holiday slate.
Read the original article onPeople
