The NBA’s leaked slate of Christmas Day games will feature several heavy hitters.
Sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link) that, as usual, five games will be broadcast, highlighted by a marquee matchup between two longtime Eastern Conference foes, the revamped Sixers and the Celtics. Boston, the reigning league champion, will host.
The schedule will be rounded out by several clashes between starry clubs, from veteran-laden squads to young up-and-comers. The Spurs will travel to Madison Square Garden to play the Knicks. A Western Conference Finals rematch is also on the docket, as the Mavericks will host the Timberwolves.
The newly Klay Thompson-less Warriors will host the Lakers, and the Nuggets will travel to Phoenix to face the retooled Suns.
Philadelphia almost completely overhauled its roster around incumbent All-Stars Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. The new additions are headlined by nine-time All-Star combo forward Paul George, who departed the Clippers to sign a four-year, maximum-salary deal with the Sixers. Philadelphia also signed seasoned free agents like forward Caleb Martin, center Andre Drummond, and shooting guard Eric Gordon while bringing back wing Kelly Oubre Jr.
The Celtics retained all of their own key players after going 64-18 in the regular season and 16-3 in the playoffs. A pair of new extensions for All-NBA forward Jayson Tatum and All-Defensive Team guard Derrick White highlighted the team’s transactions, though longer-term uncertainty looms as owner Wyc Grousbeck is looking to sell the franchise.
Led by Defensive Player of the Year and impending Olympic medalist Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs figure to improve on their paltry 21-61 record in 2023/24. The team signed 12-time All-Star point guard Chris Paul to a one-year deal this summer, and traded for veteran combo forward Harrison Barnes. San Antonio also used its No. 4 pick in the lottery on NCAA championship-winning UConn guard Stephon Castle, the 2023/24 Big East Freshman of the Year.
The Knicks, meanwhile traded for former All-Defensive small forward Mikal Bridges this summer to maximize their ability to switch on the wing. The team also re-signed free agent forward OG Anunoby to a long-term contract and free agent center/power forward Precious Achiuwa to a shorter-term deal, inked All-NBA point guard Jalen Brunson to a contract extension, and brought aboard veteran point guard Cameron Payne for extra depth.
Fresh off its first NBA Finals appearance with star guards Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, Dallas added future Hall of Famer Thompson away from the Warriors as part of a sign-and-trade, while also acquiring young guard Quentin Grimes from the Pistons. Dallas also signed free agent wing Naji Marshall to a three-year deal.
After winning their first (two) playoff series in 20 years this spring, the Timberwolves traded for the draft rights to No. 8 pick Rob Dillingham and retained several of their own free agents.
While Golden State did lose out on Thompson, the Warriors quickly pivoted on the perimeter, signing free agent guard De’Anthony Melton and signing-and-trading for free agent wings Kyle Anderson and Buddy Hield. The team is hoping to rebound from a finish as the West’s No. 10 seed and a quick play-in tournament exit.
Denver let free agent starting shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope walk in free agency and brought in reserve guard Russell Westbrook.
The Suns hired title-winning head coach Mike Budenholzer and signed Tyus Jones to a steal of a veteran’s minimum contract. Phoenix also brought back several of its own free agents, including wings Josh Okogie and Royce O’Neale and Damion Lee. The team also inked free agents Mason Plumlee and Monte Morris to minimum-salary contracts.
The most questionable omission from all this Christmas scheduling is clearly the Thunder, who claimed the West’s No. 1 overall seed last season and added ex-Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein via a lucrative three-year, $87MM deal. Oklahoma City also dealt guard Josh Giddey – who fell out of the starting lineup in the playoffs – to Chicago for All-Defensive wing Alex Caruso.
With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander having finished as the MVP runner-up last year and young pieces Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams set to develop, the Thunder look poised to contend for the West’s top seed once again.
Maybe Shai shouldn’t have lost before a medal round. If Canada medals all eyes on Shai. Otherwise — surprise, no lie, this Christmas okc gets passed by.
When exactly do you think the schedule is made? You think they are sitting around watching the Olympics and waiting to see who wins to make the schedule? OKC isn’t a national draw, that’s why they aren’t playing on Christmas.
Seeing the same teams play every year isn’t a draw either.
You’re literally making my point. “Not a national draw”. If you win the Olympics, you’re a “national” draw. They can make the schedule however they like.
OKC is a small media town is why they are not on the list. Its all about viewers. The teams that are playing all has stars people want to see. OKC next year if the win a championship but they are still not a team people would love to see play.
Uh, no. A player “winning” the Olympics doesn’t translate to NBA viewership, and certainly not nationwide. Maybe people in that city will be more likely to tune in, but it doesn’t matter to Americans when foreigners “win” an international contest. There is no data to support your claim.
And my point, is that the schedule making process is 100% detached from the Olympics. It is not a consideration. Just accept you don’t know what you’re talking about, everyone else has.
Getting washed by NFL on the day anyways.
IMO I think Knicks and Boston a better match up on Christmas. Let’s Go Knicks!!!! So ready for the season. One more player to sign Ryan A. to complete the Nova Infinity Stones.
I wished it was NY vs Boston…I hate when we play the Celtics on a holiday or if they schedule the Eagles vs cowboys…I can’t even enjoy the day then lol
NFL been real boring lately with that same teams and taylor Swift shots cheering on her BF.
I don’t like the Swift stuff but she is only at 1 game… I watch multiple NFL games so I just have KC on mute if they are the Fox or CBS game.
NFL playoffs have atleast 3-4 different playoff teams. Lions, Texans, Browns were all new last year.
What kills the NFL is the pregame shows do we need a hour plus of pregame saying the same thing over and over?? Unless you have a fantasy team for points most of it is boring.
NBA is the same. It’s impossible to determine the actual start time of games anymore, because the league and networks only advertise the start of the pregame show.
Oh no, not losing Klay “0-for-10” Thompson!!
This proves you’re not an actual warriors fan, just a 2k frontrunner.
It is one thing to want the team to be better, but glib remarks about a player that brought you championships is disrespectful and small. Shame on you.
And the player making $100m to ride the bench, which us fans paid for by the way, and then coming back and only caring about himself, and being a detriment to the team, is what? Acceptable? Klay Thompsons true colors were exposed, and he’s not the local hero he was made out to be. He’s a self absorbed narcissist. Good riddance.
Nothing will change the championships, the splash brothers, the strength in numbers, the 37points…
But only a complete fool refuses to smell the roses and live in the moment. This isn’t 12 years ago, Klay wore out his welcome, and that’s on him.
You paid Klay Thompson 100M lol you must be a yoga instructor to stretch that far
LeBron already put a sick day in and injury excuse already Waiting for this date
But the Lakers, regardless of how insignificant they are, get the spotlight. Thump City!
Christmas Day games are still a thing? Most of the best players won’t play anyway.
Curry plays every year, so the best player in the league will in fact be playing.
2018 called, they want their take back.
In all serious, Curry has never been regarded as the best player in the league. Second or third best? Sure. But he’s never been ahead of LeBron and once LeBron started fading around 2020, Curry was definitely usurped by Giannis and Jokic, take your pick.
Underwhelming Christmas Day slate of games this year…
Yeah, must be tough having to see all the best teams and best players…. Smh
Giannis seems impressed with the Christmas day schedule.
Bucks are a glaring omission. More star power than the Suns, more recent success too.