The NBA is set to captivate basketball fans once again with its traditional Christmas Day games on December 25, 2024, featuring five highly anticipated matchups. This annual event has become synonymous with the festive season, showcasing some of the league's biggest stars and historic rivalries. This year’s lineup includes the Los Angeles Lakers squaring off against the Golden State Warriors, and the Boston Celtics hosting the Philadelphia 76ers among others, promising excitement and competitive spirit.
The opening game will see Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs visit the New York Knicks at 11:00 AM ET. Fans will eagerly watch as the highly touted rookie gets his first taste of Christmas basketball. Wembanyama expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I am very excited, of course. First of all, spending Christmas in New York, it’s gonna be like in the movies, I hope. Let’s have some snow.”
Following this, the Timberwolves will travel to Dallas to face the Mavericks, adding another layer of intrigue with the teams’ previous playoff encounters. The highlight matchup of the day will be at 2:30 PM ET, where the Boston Celtics will confront the Philadelphia 76ers. The Celtics come with momentum and currently hold a record of 22-7, but they will face considerable challenges without their star forward Jayson Tatum, who is sidelined due to illness.
The absence of Tatum, the Celtics’ leading scorer with 28.8 points per game, raises stakes for Boston as they attempt to maintain their winning streak against Philadelphia. The 76ers, buoyed by the resurgence from Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid, are primed to capitalize on Tatum's absence. Maxey and Embiid have been instrumental for Philadelphia, helping the squad win seven of their last ten games. With the Celtics favored at -450, the game promises to be competitive.
The nightcap will feature the Los Angeles Lakers, led by LeBron James, against the Golden State Warriors and Stephen Curry, marking another highly awaited clash between two of the NBA's most storied franchises. James reflected on the occasion, saying, “Every time you have the opportunity to be on the floor competing against one of the greatest players of all time, you never take it for granted.” This matchup will take place at 5:00 PM ET, as both teams vie for playoff positioning.
The final game will see the Denver Nuggets face off against the Phoenix Suns at 8:00 PM ET. This showdown promises to be engaging, as both teams have shown flashes of brilliance throughout the season and will aim to end the evening on a high note.
For fans hoping to catch all the action, the games will be broadcast across various platforms including ABC, ESPN, and Disney+. Streaming services like FuboTV and NBA League Pass will also provide access, ensuring fans don’t miss out on the holiday festivities.
This Christmas Day, basketball fans are guaranteed thrilling matchups, intense rivalries, and memorable moments, making it the perfect way to spend the holiday.
