NBA Games on TV Today: Your Complete Guide to the 2025 Christmas Basketball Marathon

While stockings by the fireplace and the scent of pine are quintessential Christmas, for millions of sports fans, the day is incomplete without the rhythmic bounce of a basketball and the swish of the net. One cherished Christmas tradition is settling down after opening gifts and having breakfast to watch a continuous NBA schedule. This year, the league delivers a spectacular holiday gift: a five-game, 13-hour marathon featuring the game’s brightest stars, fiercest rivalries, and most compelling storylines. From the hallowed floor of Madison Square Garden to a rookie sensation’s holiday debut, here is your definitive guide to every NBA game on TV today, including the full schedule, times, channels, and how to live stream all the 2025 Christmas Day action.

The 2025 NBA Christmas Day Schedule: Times, Channels, and Live Streams

Since 1947, the NBA has brought you Christmas Day basketball featuring some of the season’s most entertaining matchups. The nearly 80-year tradition continues in 2025 with a five-game slate designed to keep you glued to the screen from noon to nearly midnight. Below is the complete schedule for December 25, 2025. All times are Eastern Standard Time (EST).

• 12:00 PM EST: Cleveland Cavaliers at New York Knicks | ABC, ESPN+
• 2:30 PM EST: San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder | ABC, ESPN+
• 5:00 PM EST: Dallas Mavericks at Golden State Warriors | ABC, ESPN+
• 8:00 PM EST: Denver Nuggets at Boston Celtics | ABC, ESPN+
• 10:30 PM EST: Phoenix Suns at Los Angeles Lakers | ABC, ESPN+

Live Stream Options: Every game can be streamed live via ESPN+ and the ESPN app (with a valid cable subscription). Cord-cutters can access the games through live TV streaming services that carry ABC, such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV (in select markets), and FuboTV.

Game-by-Game Breakdown and Expert Analysis

This isn’t just any slate of games; it’s a narrative powerhouse. Let’s dive into the key matchups, storylines, and what makes each game a must-watch event.

The Garden Party: Knicks vs. Cavaliers
The NBA’s Christmas Day slate opens at Madison Square Garden, a perfect stage for the holiday. The New York Knicks, led by Jalen Brunson, host Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers in what promises to be an Eastern Conference playoff-intensity clash from the opening tip. The atmosphere will be electric, and this game often sets the tone for the entire day. Watch for the battle in the paint between the Knicks’ relentless offensive rebounding and Cavs’ Jarrett Allen.

The Skyscraper Showdown: Wembanyama vs. Holmgren II
Next, the basketball purist’s dream: Victor Wembanyama faces Chet Holmgren again as the Oklahoma City Thunder host the San Antonio Spurs. This individual matchup has quickly become one of the league’s most fascinating. Wemby’s otherworldly length and offensive arsenal versus Holmgren’s elite rim protection and floor-spacing for the Thunder is a chess match for the modern NBA. With rising superstars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and potentially a more developed Spurs core around them, this game is a glimpse into the league’s future.

The Rookie’s Christmas Debut: Flagg Meets the Dynasty
The afternoon brings perhaps the most anticipated storyline. Cooper Flagg and the Dallas Mavericks will go on to play against Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors. Flagg, the rookie phenom, sharing the Christmas stage with the legendary Curry is a passing-of-the-torch moment. How will Flagg handle the bright lights and the Warriors’ complex defense? Can Luka Dončić, in a marquee holiday return, out-duel Curry in a shootout? This game blends legacy, present-day stardom, and future promise perfectly.

The Finals Rematch?: Nuggets at Celtics
The primetime slot features a potential NBA Finals preview as the Denver Nuggets visit the Boston Celtics. Nikola Jokić versus Jayson Tatum and the Celtics’ formidable lineup is a heavyweight fight. The chess match between Jokić’s unparalleled playmaking and Boston’s switch-everything defense is a tactical masterpiece. The intensity and physicality here will feel like June, making it the day’s centerpiece contest.

The Hollywood Finale: Suns at Lakers
No Christmas is complete without a show in Los Angeles. The nightcap sees Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and the Phoenix Suns take on LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and the Lakers. Star power is the theme, with veteran future Hall-of-Famers battling for a crucial late-night win. The individual matchup of Durant and James, even in this later stage of their careers, remains an automatic must-see event.

Predictions and Key Players to Watch

Forecasting Christmas games is tricky—the holiday spirit and unique pressure create unexpected heroes. However, based on early-season trends and matchups, here’s what to expect.

• Knicks over Cavaliers: The Madison Square Garden magic on Christmas is real. New York’s home-court advantage and physical style will be the difference in a close, gritty game. Key Player: Jalen Brunson. His mid-range mastery in clutch moments will decide it.
• Thunder over Spurs: Oklahoma City’s depth and home crowd give them the edge in the Skyscraper Showdown. Holmgren’s ability to pull Wembanyama away from the rim could be the tactical key. Key Player: Chet Holmgren. His defensive impact and three-point shooting are the X-factors.
• Warriors over Mavericks: Golden State’s championship pedigree on a big stage is undeniable. Curry’s experience in these spotlight games will outshine the rookie jitters for Dallas. Key Player: Steph Curry. Expect a classic 30+ point performance from the Christmas Day legend.
• Celtics over Nuggets: Boston’s defensive versatility and home court in a raucous environment will be a massive challenge for Denver. The Celtics’ ability to throw multiple bodies at Jokić could tip the scales. Key Player: Jrue Holiday. His defense on Jamal Murray will be critical.
• Suns over Lakers: In a battle of superstars, Phoenix’s offensive firepower and slightly younger legs might prevail in a high-scoring affair. Key Player: Kevin Durant. His efficiency and scoring prowess in isolation will be too much for the Lakers’ wing defense.

Conclusion: A Day of Hoops History

The 2025 NBA Christmas Day schedule is a masterclass in scheduling, offering a little bit of everything: historic venues, generational talent clashes, a rookie’s grand introduction, and a potential championship preview. It’s a day where legends solidify their status and new stars announce their arrival. So, as you enjoy the holiday with family and friends, know that from noon until the final buzzer in Los Angeles, you have a front-row seat to the best basketball the planet has to offer. This is more than just games on TV today; it’s a nearly 80-year tradition celebrating the sport we love. Grab your remote, secure your streaming login, and prepare for a full day of unforgettable NBA Christmas action.

NBA games on TV today: Full schedule, times, channels, live streams to watch 2025 Christmas basketball games originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.