Ranking the NBA’s 2025 Christmas Day Matchups: From Star Power to Statement Games
Christmas Day and the NBA go hand in hand. It’s a tradition built on marquee matchups, superstar showdowns, and moments that stick with fans long after the holiday lights come down.
This year, the league is once again rolling out five high-profile games, giving us a full day of hoops featuring some of the biggest names in the sport. Sure, not every matchup is a Finals preview, and a few teams have hit some bumps along the way, but that’s part of the NBA’s charm-chaos, surprises, and breakout performances when you least expect them.
Let’s break down all five games on the Christmas Day slate, from the least compelling to the most must-watch, based on current form, star power, and what’s at stake.
5. Warriors vs. Mavericks
On paper, this one should’ve been a heavyweight clash. Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler on one side, Anthony Davis and Cooper Flagg on the other. But as we hit Christmas, neither the Warriors nor the Mavericks are above .500, and both are still trying to find their rhythm in a brutal Western Conference.
That said, there’s still plenty of intrigue here. For Dallas, the story is all about Cooper Flagg.
The No. 1 overall pick has been nothing short of electric in December, averaging 24.1 points per game and nearly posting a triple-double against the Nuggets earlier this week with 33 points, nine boards, and nine assists. He’s already delivering on the hype and then some.
Golden State, meanwhile, is navigating the twilight years of its championship core. Curry is still doing Curry things at 37, but consistency has been elusive.
Draymond Green had a heated exchange with Steve Kerr on the bench earlier this week and walked off to the locker room-just the latest chapter in what’s been a turbulent season. The Warriors are trying to squeeze one more run out of this group, but the clock is ticking.
This game may not have the stakes we expected back in the summer, but with stars on both sides and Flagg’s emergence, it’s still worth your time.
4. Cavaliers vs. Knicks
This is the lone Eastern Conference matchup of the day, and it has a little bit of everything: a historic venue, a team trying to rediscover its identity, and another riding high off a recent trophy lift.
Let’s start with Cleveland. The Cavs were the East’s top seed last season with 64 wins, but they’ve stumbled out of the gate this year.
Sitting at 17-14 and seventh in the conference, they’ve been inconsistent-dropping two to the Bulls and an overtime heartbreaker to the Hornets before bouncing back with wins over Charlotte and New Orleans. Evan Mobley is out with a calf strain, but Donovan Mitchell continues to carry the load.
He’s currently fourth in the league in scoring at 30.6 points per game and remains one of the most explosive guards in the NBA.
The Knicks, meanwhile, are on a heater. Fresh off their NBA Cup title, they’ve won 13 of their last 15 and are sitting near the top of the East, trailing only the 24-6 Pistons. Madison Square Garden will be buzzing, and this game gives New York a chance to keep their momentum rolling while Cleveland looks to prove their early-season struggles are behind them.
3. Lakers vs. Rockets
This one hinges on one big question: Will Luka Dončić play?
The Lakers’ superstar guard missed Tuesday’s game against the Suns with a left leg contusion, but all signs point to him suiting up on Christmas. He’s set to go through a workout on Christmas Eve, and if all goes well, he’ll be back in the lineup.
That’s huge-not just for the Lakers, but for the entire viewing experience. Dončić leads the league in scoring at 34.1 points per game in his first full season in purple and gold, and Christmas without him would feel like a gift missing from under the tree.
Even beyond Dončić, this game has plenty of storylines. It’s the first head-to-head between Kevin Durant and Dončić since KD landed in Houston.
The Rockets’ young core, led by Alperen Şengün and Amen Thompson, has been one of the league’s most exciting developments this season. Şengün’s footwork and vision make him a nightly triple-double threat, while Thompson’s athleticism jumps off the screen.
If Dončić is healthy, this game could be a shootout between some of the best offensive talent in the league. A packed Crypto.com Arena, stars on both sides, and two teams with something to prove? Sign us up.
2. Thunder vs. Spurs
Get ready for what might be the NBA’s next great rivalry.
The Spurs have had the Thunder’s number lately, and that’s not something many teams can say. Oklahoma City came into their NBA Cup semifinal matchup against San Antonio with a 24-1 record-then the Spurs knocked them off. They did it again just this week, handing the defending champs a 130-110 loss.
Victor Wembanyama has been a problem for OKC, and while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has still gotten his numbers (he was the leading scorer in both losses), the Spurs have found a way to win. Now they’ll try to beat the Thunder for the third time this month, this time on the road.
It’s hard to beat a team twice, let alone three times, especially when that team is the reigning champion. But the Spurs seem to have cracked the code, and that makes this matchup fascinating.
Wemby vs. SGA is already must-see TV, and if this is a preview of future playoff battles, we’re all in.
1. Timberwolves vs. Nuggets
The nightcap is the best game of the day, no question.
Denver and Minnesota are separated by just 1.5 games in the Western Conference standings, and both teams look like legitimate threats to come out of the West. The Nuggets have already taken the first two games of the season series, both in Minnesota, and now they’ll try to complete the sweep at home on Christmas.
This is a rematch of last season’s Western Conference semifinals, where the Timberwolves stunned the defending champs in seven games. Since then, Minnesota has made back-to-back trips to the conference finals, while Denver is still searching for a return to that stage after winning it all in 2023.
Nikola Jokić is still doing MVP-caliber things, and the Nuggets have retooled around him with a roster that looks deeper and more balanced. Anthony Edwards, meanwhile, continues his ascent into superstardom. His fearlessness, shot-making, and defensive intensity have made him one of the league’s most dynamic two-way players.
This game isn’t just about bragging rights. It could have serious implications for playoff seeding down the line-and possibly a mental edge if these two meet again in May.
Final Thoughts
Even with a few teams underperforming, the NBA’s Christmas Day slate is packed with storylines, stars, and potential fireworks. From Flagg’s rise in Dallas to Wemby’s dominance in San Antonio, and the heavyweight battle in Denver, there’s something for every kind of basketball fan.
So grab some leftovers, settle in, and enjoy a full day of hoops. Because when the NBA takes center stage on Christmas, it rarely disappoints.