The National Basketball Association's much-loved Christmas Day tradition returns this year with a slate of five compelling fixtures, offering a festive feast of high-stakes basketball for fans in the UK and worldwide.
Western Conference Dominates Holiday Schedule
This year's lineup is notable for its heavy tilt towards the Western Conference. Eight of the ten teams playing on 25 December hail from the West, marking the most one-sided conference representation seen on Christmas Day since the 1978 season. This creates a day packed with crucial intra-conference battles that could have significant playoff implications later in the year.
Key Matchups and Historic Appearances
The headline game pits the formidable Oklahoma City Thunder against the San Antonio Spurs. The Thunder boast the league's best record at 26-4 this season, yet they hold a curious and frustrating 0-2 record specifically against the Spurs, setting the stage for a gripping holiday rematch.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James is set to make history once again. He will be playing in his 20th Christmas Day game, further extending his own holiday records for total points, wins, and field goals made, a remarkable achievement for the veteran who has often expressed a preference for spending the day at home with his family.
The day will also feature several other notable player milestones. San Antonio's Victor Wembanyama will make his second Christmas appearance, while Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg is poised to become one of the youngest players ever to feature in the holiday showcase. Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant will also reach a unique milestone, suiting up for his fifth different franchise on Christmas Day.
Full Christmas Day Schedule and UK Viewing
Fans in the United Kingdom can catch all the action across various broadcast and streaming platforms. The full five-game schedule for 25 December 2025 is as follows (all times GMT):
- New York Knicks vs. Milwaukee Bucks - 5:00 PM
- Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks - 7:30 PM
- Golden State Warriors vs. Denver Nuggets - 10:00 PM
- Oklahoma City Thunder vs. San Antonio Spurs - 12:30 AM (26 Dec)
- Los Angeles Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns - 3:00 AM (26 Dec)
Viewers should check their local listings on sports networks like Sky Sports or via the NBA League Pass streaming service for precise channel information and live coverage.
