Basketball fans are in for a treat as the San Antonio Spurs gear up to host the Cleveland Cavaliers in a highly anticipated cross-conference showdown at the Frost Bank Center on Monday, December 29, 2025. With tipoff scheduled for 7 p.m. local time (8 p.m. ET), this matchup not only kicks off a thrilling NBA on NBC Monday doubleheader but also promises to deliver plenty of drama, storylines, and on-court fireworks. The game will be broadcast live on NBC and streamed on Peacock, ensuring fans across the country won’t miss a minute of the action.
This will be the second meeting between the Spurs and Cavaliers this season, and there’s no shortage of intrigue heading into the matchup. When these two teams last faced off on December 5 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, the Cavaliers came out on top with a 130-117 victory. That game saw the Cavaliers mount a late surge to pull away from the Spurs, despite being without their starting point guard, Darius Garland. Donovan Mitchell shouldered the scoring load for Cleveland, dropping 28 points, while Jaylon Tyson chipped in with an impressive 24. Evan Mobley, still working his way back from a calf strain, added 17 points, and bench players Dean Wade and Craig Porter Jr. contributed 12 and 11 points respectively.
The Spurs, meanwhile, were hampered by injuries in that first contest. Star center Victor Wembanyama was sidelined with a leg injury, and shooting guard Stephon Castle was also unavailable. Even so, San Antonio kept things competitive thanks to standout performances from Devin Vassell, who tallied 28 points, and De’Aaron Fox, who poured in 25. The Spurs’ bench provided a spark as well, with Keldon Johnson and Jeremy Sochan combining for 24 points. Ultimately, though, Cleveland’s depth and late-game execution proved too much for the short-handed Spurs to overcome.
Fast forward to this week, and both teams are looking to make a statement as the calendar turns toward the new year. The Spurs will be eager to bounce back after a disappointing 127-114 loss to the Utah Jazz on Saturday, December 27, which snapped their impressive eight-game winning streak—their longest since 2019. That defeat also marked San Antonio’s first loss to a team with a sub-.500 record this season, ending a perfect 13-0 run against such opponents. Head coach Mitch Johnson and his squad will be determined to prove that setback was just a minor blip in an otherwise promising campaign.
San Antonio’s probable starting lineup features a blend of youth and experience: De’Aaron Fox at point guard, Stephon Castle at shooting guard, Devin Vassell at small forward, Harrison Barnes at power forward, and the towering Victor Wembanyama at center. Wembanyama, now in his third NBA season, has been a force on both ends of the floor, averaging 23.4 points, 11.8 rebounds, and a league-leading 3.0 blocks per game. Castle, the second-year guard, has emerged as the team’s primary playmaker, dishing out seven assists per contest while also contributing 1.3 steals per game alongside Fox.
The Spurs’ bench remains a vital part of their success. Keldon Johnson, who has scored all 413 of his points this season coming off the bench, is among only three NBA players to surpass the 400-point mark as a reserve. He’s joined by versatile contributors like Luke Kornet, Dylan Harper, Jeremy Sochan, Julian Champagnie, Carter Bryant, Bismack Biyombo, Lindy Waters III, Kelly Olynyk, and Jordan McLaughlin. Inactive players for Monday’s game include David Jones Garcia, Harrison Ingram, and Stanley Umude, all on two-way contracts.
On the Cavaliers’ side, head coach Kenny Atkinson will look to build on his team’s earlier victory over the Spurs. The probable starters for Cleveland are Darius Garland at point guard, Donovan Mitchell at shooting guard, Sam Merrill at power forward, Dean Wade at power forward, and Jarrett Allen at center. Donovan Mitchell has been the Cavaliers’ offensive engine, averaging a scorching 30.7 points per game, while Garland orchestrates the attack with 7.1 assists per contest. Evan Mobley, who has recently returned from a calf strain, has been coming off the bench, averaging nine points, 6.5 rebounds, and two blocks in limited minutes. When starting, Mobley’s numbers jump to 19.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks across 34.2 minutes per game.
The Cavaliers’ bench features the likes of Lonzo Ball, Thomas Bryant, De’Andre Hunter, Mobley, Craig Porter Jr., Tyrese Proctor, Nae’Qwan Tomlin, and Jason Tyson. Cleveland will be without Larry Nance Jr. (right calf strain), Max Strus (left foot fracture), Chris Livingston, and Luke Travers for this contest. The Cavaliers’ defense is anchored by Mobley and Allen, while Mitchell and Ball each average 1.4 steals per game.
With both teams at nearly full strength, fans can expect a much different dynamic than the injury-riddled affair earlier this month. The Spurs, now with Wembanyama and Castle back in the fold, are poised to challenge the Cavaliers’ formidable backcourt of Mitchell and Garland. Will San Antonio’s defensive prowess and balanced scoring be enough to slow down Cleveland’s high-octane offense? Or will the Cavaliers’ star power and depth once again tip the scales in their favor?
Adding to the spectacle, this game marks the opener of a nationally televised NBA on NBC Monday doubleheader, with the Dallas Mavericks taking on the Portland Trail Blazers in the nightcap. The league’s decision to feature the Cavs-Spurs matchup in prime time is a testament to the excitement and storylines surrounding both teams. For those unable to attend in person, the broadcast will be available on NBC and streaming on Peacock, with radio coverage in both English and Spanish for local fans.
As the holiday season winds down, there’s no better way for basketball enthusiasts to ring in the new year than by tuning into this marquee matchup. With Wembanyama and Mitchell set to square off, Garland and Castle orchestrating from the backcourt, and a supporting cast ready to make an impact, Monday night’s contest promises to be a memorable chapter in the NBA’s end-of-year showcase.
The action is set, the stars are healthy, and the stakes are high—basketball fans, get ready for a showdown that could set the tone for both squads as the second half of the NBA season approaches.
