Image Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

NBA Christmas Games 2025 – Full Schedule, Key Games, Tip-Off Times and Rivalries Defining the Holiday Season

Holiday basketball rivalries worth watching

Image Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

NBA’s Christmas Day games hold a rich legacy with historic rivalries, intense drama, and high-voltage basketball action. The NBA Christmas Games 2025 also packs a dosage of matches worthy for the peak holiday season.

The early tip off will begin with the New York Knicks hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden. The New York-based venue has been a consistent part of basketball’s long-standing tradition on Christmas Day. The Knicks also lead the league in total games played on the religious holiday.

The marquee matchup of the day involves two young teams – Oklahoma City Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs. The two teams don’t share a big rivalry with each other, but based on the current trajectory, OKC and Spurs could share one. Both sides are filled with young talents and title favorites.

LeBron James vs. Kevin Durant (2013)

James: 39 PTS, 12 REB, 7 AST
Durant: 40 PTS, 8 REB, 3 BLK pic.twitter.com/0CUdgfLbLD
— ThrowbackHoops (@ThrowbackHoops) August 1, 2025

Kevin Durant after signing with the Houston Rockets is set to begin a new chapter in his basketball career. His Rockets will be visiting the Los Angeles Lakers for a legend vs. Legend clash. LeBron James and Durant may face each other for what could be the final time in history.

Golden State Continues Christmas Day Tradition

The Golden State Warriors also have been a consistent show at the NBA’s Christmas Day fixtures. A game without Bay Area is no game for a special occasion. The proven, experienced Warriors will host the Dallas Mavericks.

The NBA Christmas Games 2025 will end with the Minnesota Timberwolves taking on the Denver Nuggets. Nikola Jokic vs. Anthony Edwards is also a matchup that is worthy of being at the center of the holiday season.

Surprisingly, the Boston Celtics will not feature on Christmas Day for the first time since 2015. This reflects their current rebuilding phase, effectively taking them out of the NBA championship debate. Other absences include, Phoenix Suns, Milwaukee Bucks, and Philadelphia 76ers.

Matchup	Time (ET)	Venue	Network
Cleveland Cavaliers at New York Knicks	TBD	Madison Square Garden — New York, NY	ABC / ESPN
San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder	TBD	Paycom Center — Oklahoma City, OK	ABC / ESPN
Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers	TBD	Crypto.com Arena — Los Angeles, CA	ABC / ESPN
Dallas Mavericks at Golden State Warriors	TBD	Chase Center — San Francisco, CA	ABC / ESPN
Minnesota Timberwolves at Denver Nuggets	TBD	Ball Arena — Denver, CO	ABC / ESPN