NBA Christmas Day 2025: Cup Champions, Grudge Matches, and a Historic Holiday Slate
NBA Christmas Day 2025: Heavyweights, New Faces, and Rivalries Renewed
December 22, 2025
The presents are wrapped, the lights are up, and the NBA hierarchy is officially established. As we hit the holiday slate, the New York Knicks are still celebrating their NBA Cup championship, while the Oklahoma City Thunder remain the team to beat in the West.
Here is your "Must-Watch" guide for the 2025 NBA Christmas Day quintuple-header, updated with the latest records and storylines as of December 22nd.
Cleveland Cavaliers at New York Knicks
Date/Time: Thursday, Dec. 25 | 12:00 PM ET
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York
TV/Streaming: ABC / ESPN / MSG
Records: Knicks (19-8) | Cavaliers (15-14)
The Knicks return to the Garden as the Emirates NBA Cup champions after defeating San Antonio last week. The Cavaliers, currently hovering just above .500, are looking to play spoiler in the arena where the Knicks' 52-year trophy drought officially ended.
The Stat: Cup MVP. Jalen Brunson is averaging 28.4 PPG and was named the NBA Cup MVP for his clinical leadership in Las Vegas. He faces Donovan Mitchell, who is carrying Cleveland with 30.7 PPG.
Why Watch: The banner atmosphere. The Knicks are in elite form, and with OG Anunoby coming off a 28-point performance in the Cup Final, New York’s defense is a nightmare for Mitchell’s backcourt.
San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder
Date/Time: Thursday, Dec. 25 | 2:30 PM ET
Venue: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City
TV/Streaming: ABC / ESPN
Records: Thunder (25-3) | Spurs (21-7)
This is the grudge match of the year. The Spurs just handed the Thunder one of their only three losses in an 111-109 thriller during the NBA Cup Semifinals on December 13th. San Antonio enters Christmas on a 6-game winning streak.
The Rematch Factor: In the Cup Semifinal, Victor Wembanyama returned from a calf strain to play limited but dominant minutes, altering the game’s geometry and ending a 16-game OKC win streak.
Why Watch: SGA vs. The Alien. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (32.5 PPG) is the MVP favorite, but he struggled with Wemby’s rim protection in their last meeting. With Luguentz Dort and Alex Caruso expected to return to the lineup for OKC, this is the highest-level defensive matchup of the day.
Dallas Mavericks at Golden State Warriors
Date/Time: Thursday, Dec. 25 | 5:00 PM ET
Venue: Chase Center, San Francisco
TV/Streaming: ABC / ESPN
Records: Warriors (14-15) | Mavericks (11-18)
Both teams are fighting to climb back into the playoff picture. Dallas has struggled with chemistry and injuries, while the Warriors are searching for a signature win to move back above .500.
The Stat: Injury Crisis. Dallas will be without center Dereck Lively II (foot surgery) and Kyrie Irving (knee surgery), placing a massive load on the new core of Anthony Davis and rookie Cooper Flagg.
Why Watch: Steph vs. Flagg. Watching the greatest shooter of all time, Stephen Curry (27.9 PPG), test the defensive versatility of the 19-year-old sensation Cooper Flagg is the kind of generational theater Christmas was made for.
Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers
Date/Time: Thursday, Dec. 25 | 8:00 PM ET
Venue: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles
TV/Streaming: ABC / ESPN
Records: Lakers (19-8) | Rockets (17-8)
This is a battle for West supremacy. The Rockets have been the surprise of the season, currently sitting in the top 5 of the conference thanks to their mid-season acquisition of Kevin Durant.
The Star Power: Luka Dončić is currently the NBA’s leading scorer at 34.1 PPG. He will have to do it without Austin Reaves (calf strain), meaning we could see another 40-minute "LeBron and Luka" masterclass.
Why Watch: Durant vs. LeBron. Every matchup between these two icons is a gift. The Rockets' length and KD’s efficiency (25.4 PPG) against the Lakers' league-leading offense is a toss-up.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Denver Nuggets
Date/Time: Thursday, Dec. 25 | 10:30 PM ET
Venue: Ball Arena, Denver
TV/Streaming: ABC / ESPN
Records: Nuggets (20-7) | Timberwolves (18-10)
A classic Northwest Division rivalry closes the night. Denver has held steady at the top of the conference, while Minnesota is looking to prove they are still the team that eliminated the Nuggets in 2024.
The Stat: Historical Efficiency. Nikola Jokic is once again putting up video game numbers (28.4 PPG, 12.3 RPG, 10.9 APG). He is the anchor for a Nuggets team that is currently a 5.5-point favorite at home.
Why Watch: Anthony Edwards vs. The Altitude. "Ant" is averaging 28.5 PPG and lives for high-stakes games. If he and Julius Randle can out-rebound the Nuggets, Minnesota can end Denver's home dominance.
