Which NBA games will be held on Christmas Day 2025: schedule, how to watch, preview, notification times
In what has become as familiar a Christmas tradition as unwrapping presents from under the tree, the NBA will deliver its annual gift Thursday: a full slate of Christmas Day games for the 78th edition.
Starting at noon tip-off and running until after midnight, there will be five games on Christmas Day 2025 for more than 13 consecutive hours of coverage on ABC and ESPN.
Announcement
Four of the last six NBA champions will be in action: Lakers (2020), Warriors (2022), Nuggets (2023) and Thunder (2025).
Here’s your recap of the NBA on Christmas Day, past and present (and a look ahead to the future on NBC and Peacock):
Full NBA Christmas Day 2025 schedule and how to watch
*All times listed are ET
Cleveland Cavaliers at New York Knicks
Time: midday. TV: ABC, ESPNSan Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder
Time: 2.30pm TV: ABC, ESPNDallas Mavericks at Golden State Warriors
Time: 5pm TV: ABC, ESPNHouston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Time: 8pm TV: ABC, ESPNMinnesota Timberwolves at Denver Nuggets
Time: 10.30pm TV: ABC, ESPN
How long has the NBA played on Christmas Day?
The tradition dates back to the league’s second season in 1947.
Which NBA team played the most times on Christmas Day?
THE New York Knicks they played a record 57 games on Christmas Day. The Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers they are tied for most Christmas Day wins with 25 apiece.
Announcement
There are seven players in NBA history with at least 11 starts on Christmas Day: LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Dwyane Wade, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant AND Steph Curry.
Who holds the record for most points scored on Christmas Day?
Bernardo Re scored 60 points for the New York Knicks in a 120-114 loss to the New Jersey Nets on December 25, 1984.
Three other players have scored more than 50: Wilt Chamberlain (59 for the Philadelphia Warriors in a 136-135 double overtime loss to the New York Knicks on December 25, 1961), Luca Doncic (50 for the Dallas Mavericks in a 128-114 win over the Phoenix Suns on December 25, 2023) and Rick Barry (50 points for the San Francisco Warriors in a 124-112 win over the Cincinnati Royals on December 25, 1966).
Announcement
LeBron James on the history of Christmas Day:
LeBron James holds multiple NBA records for points (507) and games played (19) on Christmas Day. James overtook his former teammate Dwyane Wade with his record 11th win on Christmas Day last year (his teams were 11-8 on Dec. 25).
NBA on NBC 2025-26 schedule
Click Here to see the complete list of NBA games that will air on NBC and Peacock this season.
How to watch NBA on NBC and Peacock
NBA Peacock Monday will stream up to three Monday night games each week during the regular season. Coast 2 Coast Tuesday features doubleheaders on Tuesday nights during the regular season on NBC and Peacock. On most Tuesdays, an 8pm ET game will be on NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones and an 8pm PT game on NBC stations in the Pacific and often Mountain time zones.
Announcement
Check local listings every week. Both games will do that stream live nationwide on Peacock. NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball on NBC and Peacock on February 1, 2026. For the complete NBA schedule on NBC and Peacock, Click here.
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What devices does Peacock support?
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