Merry Christmas from the Hoops Rumors staff!
As usual, the NBA has an impressive slate of five games on tap for Christmas Day, with many of the league’s top teams and biggest stars in action on December 25. Here’s today’s schedule:
- 11:00 am CT: Milwaukee Bucks (22-7) at New York Knicks (16-12)
- 1:30 pm CT: Golden State Warriors (15-14) at Denver Nuggets (21-10)
- 4:00 pm CT: Boston Celtics (22-6) at Los Angeles Lakers (16-14)
- 7:00 pm CT: Philadelphia 76ers (20-8) at Miami Heat (17-12)
- 9:30 pm CT: Dallas Mavericks (17-12) at Phoenix Suns (14-14)
Some of these teams have underachieved to some extent so far – the Warriors, Lakers, and Suns, in particular, aren’t where they want to be in the standings – and reigning MVP Joel Embiid won’t be available for the Sixers. But each matchup still has something going for it.
We’ve got Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard visiting Madison Square Garden; former MVPs Stephen Curry and Nikola Jokic starring in a showdown between the two most recent NBA champions; Jayson Tatum and the Celtics facing LeBron James and the Lakers in a battle between the league’s two most storied franchises; Jimmy Butler and the defending Eastern Conference champions hosting Butler’s former team; and perennial MVP candidates Luka Doncic and Kevin Durant squaring off in Phoenix.
The NBA’s schedule makers did especially well on the Eastern Conference side of things — the East’s top three teams, and five of its top six squads, are all in action today, with the fourth-seeded Magic representing the only exception.
Over in the West, things are a little more hit and miss, given that the Lakers, Warriors, and Suns currently rank ninth, 10th, and 11th in the conference. The No. 2 Nuggets and the No. 6 Mavericks are the only two Western Conference teams in action today that currently hold a playoff spot.
While the NBA couldn’t have realistically expected that either team would be quite this good this season, it’s too bad the 22-6 Timberwolves, who are in a tie for the league’s best record, and the exciting young Thunder (18-9) aren’t part of today’s schedule.
We want to know what you think. Are there any teams you wish were (or weren’t) involved in today’s games? Which of these five contests are you most looking forward to? Which five teams are you picking to win this year’s Christmas Day matchups?
Head to the comment section below to weigh in, and feel free to use it as an open thread to discuss today’s games.
Im not sure but it’s look like a predictable and boring games with the same teams always, warriors, lakers knicks doesn’t care the records big markets teams like always.
I totally agree. I’m not watching any of these games.
You’re not? Lol ok. Next year they can have Wizards & Hornets duke it out for the Eastern Sea-bored title and maybe you’ll be happy…
Seriously what game would they rather watch? 2 losing teams in a small market? Only big market getting no love is Chicago and even their fans don’t want to watch Bulls get blown out on Christmas.
Exactly. All of the participating teams sport a winning record except Phoenix, who have been decimated by injuries.
Not to mention, I wouldn’t exactly describe Denver, Milwaukee, and Phoenix as “big markets.”
Can’t believe the Hornets aren’t featured on today’s slate!
All good matchups and I could see all of them going either way. Knicks have maybe the toughest game but they could still pull it out.
Merry Christmas if you celebrate. And if you don’t enjoy watching basketball all day or at least enjoy complaining about it on the internet all day.
Haha bro is triggered. I’m glad my comment upset you. Go watch your little basketball games boy.
Why are you here ????
No boys here ……
Krause is angry his Pistons are not on TV today.
Wow you really took me down a peg. How dare I enjoy watching basketball games lmao
I forgot about NBA games, NFL has really just taken over Christmas. They only started doing the games since 2020.