NBA Christmas Day Schedule Grades: The Best and Worst Matchups of 2025

Nick Pedone|published: Mon 11th August, 20:45 2025

Apr 2, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) dunks during the second half against the New York Knicks at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

The NBA on Christmas Day schedule is here, and it’s fabulous.

One of the most-watched days in basketball is always of utmost importance to Adam Silver and the NBA — and this year’s slate was met with approval from hoops fans everywhere.

While we wait for the full NBA schedule to formally drop later this week, let’s hand out some grades for Christmas Day’s slate of games.

Cleveland Cavaliers at New York Knicks: A

This should be the Eastern Conference finals. If it’s not, something went terribly wrong.

The East is wide open, with Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton’s Achilles injuries seriously hampering the ceilings of the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers. This sets up a collision course for the Cavs and Knicks.

The Knicks were the darlings of last offseason when they traded for Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges, but they were unable to get through Indiana again.

The Cavaliers have one of the best young cores in the NBA, but it’s time for that group to hit its stride. It’s Year 4 of Donovan Mitchell in Cleveland, and even though he signed an extension, there’s no guarantee the core pairing of Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen will be the long-term future if they can’t get to the conference finals.

Mitchell and Jalen Brunson at Madison Square Garden should provide fireworks.

San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder: B+

Feb 28, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dribbles against the Atlanta Hawks in the first quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Another banger.

This could have been Kevin Durant against his former team, but this will work just as well.

Victor Wembanyama showed the entire world just how great he was during San Antonio’s Christmas Day game in 2024. If he continues to take leaps, he’ll become a Christmas Day mainstay.

What a marquee matchup for the young man against the defending champs.

Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers: B+

Apr 27, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts to a replay that confirms he fouled Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) in the fourth quarter during game four of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

Here’s why you didn’t get Durant against his former team: Durant vs. LeBron James. Just as good.

What keeps this game from being the best on the slate is the fact the Lakers don’t feel like they have title aspirations this year after the LeBron James rumors this summer.

Maybe they’ll overachieve, but this seems like a game where the road team will be favored as long as everybody is healthy. LeBron on Christmas will always play, no matter how old he is.

Dallas Mavericks at Golden State Warriors: B-

Nov 27, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) walks back up the court during the first quarter against the New York Knicks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

An incredibly early Christmas Day game for No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg, but that’s likely because he has Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis on his roster.

That trio will be fun to watch this season. But the Warriors? Eh.

We know what this team looks like with Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green at the helm. Curry on Christmas is usually appointment viewing, but this is probably the game that will be on in the background because your uncle drank too many beers and is talking too loudly for anybody to hear it.

Minnesota Timberwolves at Denver Nuggets: A-

Jun 28, 2022; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly answers questions at a press conference to introduce the 2022 draft picks at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

Anthony Edwards vs. Nikola Jokic is prime-time television, even on this slate of stellar basketball.

It feels like some of the hype surrounding Edwards has died down a tad, which means he’s in for a stellar season. Perhaps the same could be said for Jokic, who won an MVP the last time his streak had been broken up.