The holiday season is all about gift-giving, and the NBA stars are set to do just that on December 25 by playing five consecutive top-flight games.
Ten teams face off against hardwood at Christmas with some intriguing matchups promised in the world’s top men’s competition Basketball contest.
The main event of the day will be the meeting at the top of the Eastern Conference table between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Boston Celtics.
If the prospect Giannis Antetokounmpo matching each other Jayson Tatum and Jaylen brown wasn’t enough, the small fact that this fixture will be a rematch of last year’s seven-match semi-final will surely make it the highlight of the holiday season.
A second post-season rematch will also be on the cards as the Golden State Warriors take on the hot Memphis Grizzlies. The Warriors will be hunting for victory to help their sick defensive campaign, but with steph Curry sidelined with a shoulder injury, the match is expected to be a tough battle for the reigning champions.
LeBron JamesThe Los Angeles Lakers will face off Luke Doncic Dallas Mavericks on the night an American basketball legend will go down in history. Two-time Olympic gold medalist James will become the player with the most Christmas games in league history when he takes the field. Had the Lakers won, the American would have become the all-time leader in Christmas wins.
Madison Square Garden and the Knicks will host the 76ers and future French basketball star Joel Embiid Fit and healthy for the game, the team from Philadelphia will certainly give the hosts a lot to think about.
The day’s conclusion will be the duel between the Phoneix Suns and the Denver Nuggets. The first meeting of the season between the two Western Conference giants promises to be a pit stop Devin Booker against the league’s current MVP Nikola Jokic.
NBA Christmas Day 2022: Jokic, Antetokounmpo and Doncic Lead Top International Players to Watch
Since the Chicago Stags played the Providence Steamrollers on Christmas Day 1947, it has hosted NBA games on December 25.
The 2022-23 campaign will celebrate the 75th anniversary of this tradition, with families from around the world gathering to celebrate the holiday, it’s the perfect time to shine a spotlight on the league and its best players.
With franchises competing, several high-profile international players will be among those taking center stage at Christmas this year, and as the 2023 FIBA ??World Cup approaches the horizon, many fans will be watching as they their best national players in the basketball league.
Here are the imports set to play:
Golden State soldiers
- Jonathan Kuminga (COG)
- Andrew Wiggins (CAN)
Grizzlies from Memphis
- Brandon CLARKE (CAN)
- Santi Aldama (ESP)
- Dillon Brooks (CAN)
- Steven Adams (Australia)
Los Angeles Lakers
- Dennis Schroder (Germany)
- Wenyen Gabriel (SSD)
Dallas Mavericks
- Luka Doncic (SLO)
- Dwight Powell (CAN) – depending on fitness
- Josh Green (Australia)
- Maxi Kleber (GER) – Out indefinitely
- Frank Ntilikina (BEL)
- Davis Bertans (LAT)
New York Knicks
- RJ Barrett (CAN)
- Evan Fournier (FRA)
- Svi Myhajluk (UKR)
Philadelphia 76ers
- Joel Embiid (CAM)
- Furkan Korkmaz (TUK) – depending on the condition
Milwaukee dollars
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (GRE)
- Thanasis Antetokounmpo (GRE)
- Serge Ibaka (ESP)
- Joe Ingles (AUS)
Boston Celtics
- Al Horford (DOM)
- Mfiondu Kabengele (CAN)
Phoenix Suns
- Josh Okogie (NGR) – condition dependent
- Deandre Ayton (BAH)
- Jock Landale (AUS) – depending on fitness
- Bismack Biyombo (COG)
- Duane Washington Jr. (GER)
- Dario Saric (Croatia)
Denver Nuggets
- Nikola Jokic (SER)
- Jamal Murray (CAN) – depending on fitness
- Vlatko Cancer (SLO)
- Jack White (Australia)
What time do NBA games start on Christmas Day?
The NBA schedule for December 25 will be as follows:
- Philadelphia 76ers – New York Knicks – 12pm ET – Madison Square Garden, New York
- Los Angeles Lakers – Dallas Mavericks – 2:30pm ET – American Airlines Center, Texas
- Milwaukee Bucks – Boston Celtics – 5pm ET – TD Garden, MA
- Memphis Grizzlies – Golden State Warriors – 8pm ET – Chase Centre, CA
- Phoenix Suns – Denver Nuggets – 10:30 PM ET – Ball Arena, Colorado
All times are in Eastern Time (UTC -5).
How to watch NBA games live on Christmas 2022
All five NBA games over Christmas will be televised by both ESPN and ABC in the United States, and can also be streamed live on the ESPN app.
For international viewers, the NBA is available to watch via regional broadcasters (geo restrictions may apply) or using NBA league card (subscription fee may apply).
