The NBA’s Christmas Day schedule is turning into a full-on Kentucky showcase.
When the league unveiled its slate for December 25, the Big Blue Nation immediately had reason to pay attention. Fourteen former Kentucky basketball players are set to be in action, and nine of the 10 teams on the schedule will have at least one Wildcat on the roster.
The only team without one? The Golden State Warriors.
That means Christmas morning starts with a familiar face right away. At noon ET, Karl-Anthony Towns and the New York Knicks will open the day against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. It’s the first game on the board, and it sets the tone for a schedule packed with Kentucky ties.
The second game brings more blue-blood flavor. Bam Adebayo and the Miami Heat will face Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Boston Celtics at 2:30 PM. After that, the Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers meet at 5 PM in what could be the biggest name game of the day, especially with LeBron now teamed up with Tyrese Maxey in Philly and the Lakers shifting around Luka Doncic.
The night stretch keeps the Kentucky connection rolling. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder will take on the Minnesota Timberwolves at 8:30 PM EST, and Jamal Murray will close the holiday against Steph Curry and the Warriors at 10:30 PM.
Several other former Wildcats are part of the day’s action as well, including De’Aaron Fox and Keldon Johnson with the Spurs, Justin Edwards with the 76ers, Jarred Vanderbilt with the Lakers, and Trey Lyles with the Timberwolves.
For Kentucky fans, it adds up to a Christmas Day schedule that feels almost custom-made. From start to finish, the league’s holiday showcase is loaded with familiar names from Rupp Arena.
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