On January 3rd, 2025, NBA fans can look forward to an exciting night of basketball, featuring three thrilling matchups, highlighted by the Atlanta Hawks visiting the Los Angeles Lakers, the Denver Nuggets squaring off against the San Antonio Spurs, and the Boston Celtics taking on the Houston Rockets.
The first game of the night will see the Houston Rockets face off against the Boston Celtics at the Toyota Center. Both teams are aiming to extend winning streaks; the Rockets are coming off victories, which puts them on the hunt for continued success. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET, with local fans able to watch the action live on Space City Home Network and tune in for radio coverage via KBME 790, KTRH 740 AM, or TUDN 93.3 FM for Spanish broadcast.
Following this matchup, the Atlanta Hawks will take on the LeBron James-led Los Angeles Lakers at the Crypto.com Arena at 7:30 PM ET. The Hawks, coming off a tough loss against the Denver Nuggets, are experiencing hurdles due to injuries to star players Trae Young and Jalen Johnson. Young is questionable due to a right hand contusion, and his potential absence poses significant concerns for Atlanta’s offensive capabilities. Johnson has also been struggling with right shoulder soreness, making his status uncertain for the game against L.A.
The Lakers, on the other hand, are fresh off impressive performances, having recently defeated the Portland Trail Blazers with stellar contributions from Max Christie and LeBron James. With Anthony Davis sidelined due to injury, the Lakers will heavily rely on James, who scored 38 points against Portland, along with new signings Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton, who will be thrust back to key roles. The matchup is particularly intriguing as both teams will strive to strengthen their playoff standings.
The final game of the night pits the Denver Nuggets against the San Antonio Spurs, as the Nuggets return to Ball Arena after winning three consecutive games. Currently, the Nuggets sit at fourth place in the Western Conference with a 19-13 record, showcasing their capabilities as contenders this season. Meanwhile, the Spurs are seeking consistency, holding a 17-16 record but coming off of confidence-boosting wins. This matchup is particularly exciting due to the showdown between superstar centers Nikola Jokic and the rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama.
With the Nuggets missing key players Aaron Gordon, Vlatko Cancar, and DaRon Holmes II due to various injuries, the matchup becomes more challenging. Head coach Michael Malone expressed concerns about their defensive performance, which has ranked low during the last stretch of games, leaving the team vulnerable against teams with high-powered offenses like the Spurs. Expect Jokic, averaging over 30 points per game, to lead the charge offensively for Denver, complemented by Jamal Murray’s contributions.
The Hawks vs. Lakers game tallies up to be particularly captivating due to its historical significance; the last matchup between these two teams ended with the Hawks victorious after an overtime thriller. The Hawks have gained momentum from strong performances throughout the season, showing promise to recover from their recent setbacks. If Young plays, he will be instrumental for Atlanta, already showcasing his scoring prowess by averaging significant points recently.
For fans eager to catch these games, the Hawks vs. Lakers will be broadcast across NBA TV, SportsNet LA, and FDSSE, with the Spurs vs. Nuggets airing at 9:00 PM ET on FanDuel Sports Network Southwest. Live streams of these games can also be accessed on FuboTV, providing viewers with flexibility to watch.
Overall, January 3rd promises to be exciting for NBA fans, with high stake matchups and pivotal moments likely to capture audiences across the nation. From star players vying for recognition to teams locked in battle for playoff positioning, the drama of the NBA will play out loudly on this night, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.