One of the best traditions on Christmas Day is sitting down after presents and breakfast to watch a nonstop NBA slate.
Since 1947, the NBA has brought you Christmas Day basketball with some of the most entertaining matchups of the season. The almost 80-year tradition continues in 2025 with a five-game slate that provides nearly 13 hours of NBA hoops.
Here is everything you need to know to watch all of the NBA action on Christmas, including a complete schedule with TV and streaming information for every game.
What NBA games are on Christmas in 2025?
| Game | Time (ET) | TV channel |
|---|---|---|
| Knicks vs. Cavs | Noon | ABC, ESPN |
| Thunder vs. Spurs | 2:30 p.m. | ABC, ESPN |
| Warriors vs. Mavs | 5 p.m. | ABC, ESPN |
| Lakers vs. Rockets | 8 p.m. | ABC, ESPN |
| Nuggets vs. Timberwolves | 10:30 p.m. | ABC, ESPN |
The NBA's Christmas Day slate begins at Madison Square Garden, with the New York Knicks hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers. Then, it's another installment of Victor Wembanyama vs. Chet Holmgren as the Oklahoma City Thunder welcome the San Antonio Spurs.
Following that rivalry, Cooper Flagg and the Dallas Mavericks will travel to face Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors.
In the nightcap, the Houston Rockets will travel to California to take on the Los Angeles Lakers. To end the day, Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets will collide with Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
NBA games on Christmas: TV channels, live streams
Each of the five NBA games on Christmas will be simulcast on ABC and ESPN. Fans can also stream all of the games on the ESPN app.
Knicks vs. Cavs
- TV channel: ABC | ESPN
- Live stream: ESPN app
Ryan Ruocco (play-by-play), Doris Burke (analyst), and Jorge Sedano (reporter) will call the Knicks vs. Cavs game on ABC and ESPN.
Thunder vs. Spurs
- TV channel: ABC | ESPN
- Live stream: ESPN app
Mark Jones (play-by-play), Jay Bilas (analyst), and Alyssa Long (reporter) will call Thunder vs. Spurs.
Warriors vs. Mavs
- TV channel: ABC | ESPN
- Live stream: ESPN app
Dave Pasch (play-by-play), P.J. Carlesimo (analyst), and Malika Andrews (reporter) are on the call for Warriors vs. Mavs.
Lakers vs. Rockets
- TV channel: ABC | ESPN
- Live stream: ESPN app
The network's main crew will call Lakers vs. Rockets: Mike Breen (play-by-play), Tim Legler (analyst), Richard Jefferson (analyst), and Lisa Salters (reporter).
Nuggets vs. Timberwolves
- TV channel: ABC | ESPN
- Live stream: ESPN app
Marc Kestecher (play-by-play), Stephanie White (analyst), and Katie George (reporter) will have the call for Nuggets vs. Timberwolves.
NBA games on Christmas: Radio stations
- Radio channel: SiriusXM channels 82 (away broadcast), 86 (home broadcast)
You can listen to the NBA's Christmas Day slate live with SiriusXM.
Get SiriusXM for free for your first month. Listen to live NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL games, plus NASCAR, college sports and more. Stay updated with all the news and get all the analysis on multiple sport-specific channels.
| Game | Time (ET) | SiriusXM channel |
|---|---|---|
| Knicks vs. Cavs | Noon | 82 (away), 86 (home) |
| Thunder vs. Spurs | 2:30 p.m. | 82 (away), 86 (home) |
| Warriors vs. Mavs | 5 p.m. | 82 (away), 86 (home) |
| Lakers vs. Rockets | 8 p.m. | 82 (away), 86 (home) |
| Nuggets vs. Timberwolves | 10:30 p.m. | 82 (away), 86 (home) |
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