NBA Christmas Games: Preview, How to Watch, and More
The NBA continues its yuletide tradition with five games on Christmas Day. Here's our preview, how to watch, and more.
Maybe it’s the awesome commercials, the one-off shoe drops, or the plethora of legendary performances, but watching the NBA on Christmas Day is a holiday staple. No matter what the NFL does, hoops-watching and the 25th of December go together like cookies and Santa Claus. Here’s a preview and how to watch all the games with Sling.
How to Watch NBA Christmas Games with Sling
This year, all five Christmas Day games will air on both ABC and ESPN. That means you can catch all of the action with a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass subscription, or with a monthly subscription to Sling Orange. If you have a Sling Blue or Select subscription, you can also watch the games on ABC in designated markets. Use the link below to subscribe to a 1 Day Pass to watch NBA Christmas games on ESPN with Sling!
NBA Christmas Day Schedule and Preview
https://youtu.be/A-zapR3ygWU?si=LoXSgTuPxHpGLZyo
Cleveland Cavaliers at New York Knicks - 12:00pm ET
The Biggest Gift: Jalen Brunson’s Bag of Tricks
The New York Knicks have a special relationship with their fans, and few players have stolen their hearts like Jalen Brunson. In his fourth season with New York, Brunson is averaging a career-high 28.7 per game, while leading the Knicks to a 19-7 start. Brunson is also flashing closing-time prowess, as when he nailed a game-winning three in a comeback win over the Pacers in their first game since winning the 2025 NBA Cup. This Yule Tide season, the vibes are great in New York and with a visit from the injury-depleated Cleveland Cavaliers on tap for the holiday, expect a Holly Jolly Christmas in Madison Square Garden.
In addition to ESPN/ABC, there will be a “Dunk the Halls” alt-cast on ESPN2 and Disney Channel featuring an animated lineup of the players alongside appearances from your favorite Disney characters. Drew Carter and Monica McNutt will call the game, with Daisy Duck reporting from the sidelines. Both ESPN2 and Disney Channel are available with Sling Day Passes and Sling Orange.
Commentators for Cavaliers-Knicks: Ryan Ruocco, Doris Burke, and Jorge Sedano.
San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder - 2:30pm ET
The Biggest Gift: Best in the West Put to the Test
The second of the five games is a rematch of last week’s NBA Cup semifinal, which saw the Spurs making a late-game comeback against the Thunder. That was only the second loss of the season for the defending champs in Oklahoma City, putting them on pace for a 75-win season, which would be the best regular season record of all-time. Perhaps more impressively, the Thunder are winning their games by an average of 16.9 points per game, more than 7.5 points better than the next team, the Denver Nuggets. Despite this, the Spurs have to have a measure of confidence heading into their Christmas game; not only did they already beat the Thunder in a playoff-like atmosphere, but the full squad is finally healthy for the first time all season. Be sure to schedule your gift giving or Christmas meal at a different time; this is a game you won’t want to miss.
Commentators for Spurs-Thunder: Mark Jones, Jay Bilas, and Katie George.
Dallas Mavericks at Golden State Warriors - 5:00pm ET
The Biggest Gift: Super Cooper Flagg
https://youtu.be/cYnQJ1IAt0c?si=JC696roMJ5YK50ci
With both the Mavericks and Warriors currently under .500, it’s been a disappointing start to the season for both teams. In fact, Warriors fans are so distraught, one them recently aired his frustrations to team owner Joe Lacob…who actually took the time to respond. No matter how aggrieved Warriors supporters might feel during the holiday season, it’s nothing compared to the plight of Dallas Mavericks fans. Dallas’ stunning Luka Dončić trade will sting for years to come, and the recent dismissal of GM Nico Harrison only compounded their disillusionment. Still, the Mavericks got a very nice consolation prize in the form of No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg. After a slow start to the season, Flagg has started to look like a burgeoning superstar; his 42-point explosion against the Jazz made him the youngest player ever to score 40-plus (he turns 19 four days before this game).
Commentators for Mavericks-Warriors: Dave Pasch, PJ Carlesimo, and Malika Andrews.
Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers - 8:00pm ET
The Biggest Gift: Christmas LeBron
At this point, watching LeBron James play basketball on Christmas Day has become an indelible holiday tradition, the sports equivalent of singing Christmas carols or stuffing a turkey. This will be King James’ 19th appearance on Christmas, by far the most all-time (unsurprisingly, he’s also the Christmas day leader in points). What makes this year different is that we don’t know if he’ll be back for another. LeBron is playing in his 23rd NBA season, the most ever, and with his 41st birthday right around the corner, it’s hard to predict his future beyond this season. Despite his age, one thing is for sure: the 21x All-Star still has gas in the tank, and like Santa Claus, he knows how to deliver on Christmas.
Commentators for Rockets-Lakers: Mike Breen, Richard Jefferson, Tim Legler, and Lisa Salters
Minnesota Timberwolves at Denver Nuggets - 10:30pm ET
The Biggest Gift: A Rivalry Renewed
https://youtu.be/MsDMRlT44w4?si=cEg15Rw-iaQZltE8
Rivalries aren’t manufactured, they’re earned. That’s certainly the case for the bad blood between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves. Their 7-game series in the Western Conference semifinals two years ago was an all-time classic, and Minnesota rode that success to a season sweep of Denver last year. But like Denver’s remade roster – which has them off to the best start in franchise history – change is in the air this season, as Denver won their first two matchups, both on the road. Although Anthony Edwards has missed time recently with injury, he should bring his best game if healthy. And 3x MVP Nikola Jokić is always handing out gifts, Christmas or otherwise; last week, he surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most assists ever by a center.
Commentators for Timberwolves-Nuggets: Marc Kestecher, Stephanie White, and Alyssa Lang.