The NBA has become a modern Christmas tradition, with kids waking up to open presents and then settling in for 13 consecutive hours of basketball. This year, the NBA had to put together a particularly strong lineup as the NFL scheduled a Wednesday doubleheader on Christmas day. If players are healthy, the NBA Christmas schedule will be stocked full of Olympians, All-Stars, and some high-profile new coaching hires.
The NBA leans heavily on star power every Christmas, with teams like the Knicks, Celtics, Lakers, and Warriors being holiday mainstays. The 2024 NBA Christmas schedule features some exciting matchups that are sure to captivate fans.
The day kicks off with the New York Knicks hosting the San Antonio Spurs at noon on ESPN. This game will mark Victor Wembanyama’s Christmas debut as the Spurs travel to New York City to take on Jalen Brunson, the 36th captain in Knicks history.
Next up, the Minnesota Timberwolves face off against the Dallas Mavericks at 2:30 pm on ABC. This game is a rematch of the 2023 Western Conference Finals, with Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Rudy Gobert looking to get revenge on Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
The Philadelphia 76ers will take on the Boston Celtics at 5 pm on ABC. Paul George joins Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey as they travel to Boston to meet three of Embiid’s Olympic teammates, Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, and Jrue Holiday. Jaylen Brown, the NBA Finals MVP, will also be in attendance.
In the marquee matchup of the day, the Los Angeles Lakers will face the Golden State Warriors at 8 pm on ABC. LeBron James and Anthony Davis will take on Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, while former TNT announcer Steve Kerr and former ESPN podcaster JJ Redick will meet as coaches for the first time.
The day wraps up with the Denver Nuggets visiting the Phoenix Suns at 10:30 pm on ESPN. Nikola Jokic, who has won three of the last four MVP awards, will face off against Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, both of whom won gold in the Paris Olympics. Suns owner Mat Ishbia, who had an incident during the 2023 NBA Playoffs, will be watching closely.
Overall, the 2024 NBA Christmas schedule promises to be a day full of exciting basketball matchups featuring some of the league’s biggest stars. Fans can look forward to a day of intense competition and holiday cheer as they watch their favorite teams and players battle it out on the court.