The NBA is unwrapping a holiday treat with its annual Christmas Day slate, and this year’s quintuple-header looks like the most tantalizing package in years. Superstars collide from coast to coast in a festival of the league’s brightest lights, budding rivalries, and must-see showdowns.
Wemby Takes Manhattan
The day’s headline attraction pits rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The 7-foot-4 French prodigy, born just days after LeBron James made his Christmas debut in 2003, now takes his turn in the NBA’s grandest spotlight.
First of all, spending Christmas in New York, it’s going to be like the movies, I hope. Get a little snow.
– Victor Wembanyama
Wembanyama wished for a white Christmas at The Garden, and Mother Nature obliged with morning flurries in Manhattan. Now all eyes turn to the court, where the springy Spur aims to stuff the Knicks’ stockings with a breakout performance.
Mavs Host Wolves for West Finals Rematch
Luka Dončić and the Dallas Mavericks welcome the Minnesota Timberwolves for a reprise of their Western Conference finals clash from a season ago. The Mavs dispatched the Wolves in five games on their way to the 2024 title, but Minnesota arrives revamped and ravenous for revenge.
For Dončić, it’s a festive homecoming of sorts. The 1:30 p.m. tipoff means prime time viewing in his native Slovenia, where the pokelica will be popping as Europe tunes in to watch their favorite son take the floor.
It’s special. You have a lot of people from Europe want to watch the NBA. … It’s a big thing. It’s going to be a special game.
– Luka Dončić
Celtics, Sixers Renew Rivalry
It wouldn’t be Christmas without some Celtic green. The defending champs host the Philadelphia 76ers in a renewal of the league’s most enduring rivalry, one that Celtics guard Marcus Smart says “means more” with the stakes that come with playing on Dec. 25.
No teams have faced each other more times on Christmas than these Atlantic Division archenemies, with the Sixers holding a 34-30 edge over Boston across regular season and playoff meetings. The Celts will aim to stuff Philly’s stocking and stuff the stat sheet in their quest to keep pace with Wembanyama’s Spurs atop the standings.
LeBron, Steph Stage Holiday Hoops Reunion
Better get the eggnog ready because LeBron James and Stephen Curry are linking up for their fourth career Christmas tango. The Lakers host the Warriors in a biggie-sized Battle of California, one that renews their historic holiday rivalry. The marquee matchup marks a rekindling between the two icons who’ve defined a generation.
Any time you get an opportunity to be on the court and compete against one of the greatest to ever play this game, you don’t take it for granted. I don’t know how many more opportunities we’ll get to go against each other.
– LeBron James
King James, who turns 40 next week, goes for the all-time Christmas wins record. He’s currently tied with former teammate Dwyane Wade at 10 victories on the 25th. Meanwhile, Chef Curry cooks up his own holiday legacy while helping serve up a savory finals rematch from the 2023 title series.
Nugs, Suns Tangle in Desert Duel
The nightcap unwraps a shiny present from the league’s sack as the Denver Nuggets swing by Phoenix for a Suns showdown. It’s a rematch of a heated Monday nighter that saw the Suns get eclipsed in the Mile High City. Phoenix gets a shot to avenge that 27-point pasting on its home floor.
Looking forward to this next game. Hopefully we can go into their spot on Christmas and get another win. But I’m sure it’ll be a tougher game.
– Michael Porter Jr.
Wednesday’s wham-bam finale promises to bring glad tidings to hoops heads, who get to unwrap the full Christmas experience with these two squads. Kevin Durant and Devin Booker aim to light up the Valley with some shooting fireworks, while the Jokers look to make merry and stretch their Feliz Navidad winning streak to five.
So there you have it: a five-course feast of festive hoops to savor as you gather ’round the TV this Christmas. Legends collide, rivalries reignite and a star is born under basketball’s brightest lights.
Consider it the NBA’s gift to us. Merry Christmas to all, and to all some good ball.
