The NBA has a loaded slate prepared for Christmas Day. Here’s everything you need to know about how to watch and what to look for.
A little luster has come off the NBA Christmas Day schedule with both Anthony Davis and Steph Curry out with injury. But we still get a matchup between the two best teams in the East, two inner-circle contenders in the West and a slew of other heated rivalries to keep the intensity high.
Here’s what you need to know to get ready.
NBA Christmas Day schedule 2022
- New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers
- Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers
- Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks
- Golden State Warriors vs. Memphis Grizzlies
- Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns
New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers
- Tip-Off: 12:00 pm ET
- Stadium: Madison Square Garden
- TV Channel: ABC | ESPN
- Announcers: Ryan Ruocco, JJ Redick, Cassidy Hubbarth
- Live Stream: WatchESPN
As of this writing, the Knicks sit just behind the 76ers in the standings, a game back of the No. 5 seed in the East. Both teams have been playing better of late but the Knicks have been unbelievably hot, winning eight of their last 10 and outscoring opponents by an average of 11.4 points per 100 possessions over that stretch. Expect both teams to go after this one hard, looking for a signature win to keep up momentum as they push into the next part of the season.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers
- Tip-Off: 2:30 pm ET
- Stadium: American Airlines Arena
- TV Channel: ABC | ESPN
- Announcers: Dave Pasch, Hubie Brown, Monica McNutt
- Live Stream: WatchESPN
The Lakers had begun to turn things around but have lost two of three since Anthony Davis went out for “multiple week” with a foot injury, dropping the last two against the Suns and Kings by a combined 40 points. But LeBron James always gets up for Christmas Day matchups and a chance to face off with Luka Doncic should bring out his best. LeBron is 6-2 in his career against Luka, averaging 27.1 points, 9.0 rebounds and 8.6 assists. The Mavericks are 16-16 and battling to stay in the playoff picture in the loaded West.
Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks
- Tip-Off: 5:00 pm ET
- Stadium: TD Garden
- TV Channel: ABC | ESPN
- Announcers: Mark Jones, Doris Burke, Malika Andrews
- Live Stream: WatchESPN
The Bucks and Celtics have developed into a heated rivalry, with their seven-game battle in the Eastern Conference semifinals last season fanning the flames. As of this writing, the Bucks have a half-game edge over the Celtics at the top of the Eastern Conference and but this will be the first time they’ve played this season.
Golden State Warriors vs. Memphis Grizzlies
- Tip-Off: 8:00 pm ET
- Stadium: Chase Center
- TV Channel: ABC | ESPN
- Announcers: Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy, Lisa Salters
- Live Stream: WatchESPN
The Warriors and Grizzlies are budding rivalry and have plenty of heat leftover from their playoff series last season. However, this game took a hit with the news that Steph Curry would be out with a shoulder injury. The Warriors will put up a fight but this is an opportunity for the Grizzlies to rub some salt in their wounds and they won’t overlook the Warriors, even when they’re shorthanded.
Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns
- Tip-Off: 10:30 pm ET
- Stadium: Ball Center
- TV Channel: ABC | ESPN
- Announcers: Beth Mowins, Richard Jefferson, Jorge Sedano
- Live Stream: WatchESPN
This may turn out to be the best and most significant matchup of the day. As of this writing, the Denver Nuggets are No. 1 in the West. The Suns are sitting at No. 4, but are separated by just two in the loss column. The Western Conference has a slew of non-legacy contenders this year, including Denver, Phoenix, Memphis and New Orleans and this is a chance for both teams to make a statement as they look ahead to deep playoff runs.
What NBA teams have never played on Christmas Day?
With the Memphis Grizzlies making their Christmas Day debut this season, the Charlotte Hornets are the last active NBA franchise to have never played on Christmas.
Which NBA teams have played the most on Christmas Day?
New York Knicks: 54 total games (23-31 record)
Los Angeles Lakers: 48 total games (24-24 record)
Boston Celtics: 35 total games (15-20 record)
These three are some of the most well-known NBA franchises with the largest fanbases so it makes sense they would have been well-represented on Christmas Day. They are also three of the oldest franchises in the league which means they’ve had a lot more opportunities to make Christmas Day appearances.
When was the last time the Knicks played on Christmas?
2021-22: Defeated Atlanta Hawks, 101-87
The Knicks got revenge on the Hawks for a playoff elimination the season before, absolutely thumping their new rivals. Julius Randle led the way for the Knicks with 25 points but Kemba Walker put up 10 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds, securing just the seventh Christmas Day triple-double in league history.
When was the last time the 76ers played on Christmas?
2019-20: Defeated Milwaukee Bucks 121-109
The 76ers are back on the Christmas Day slate after a four-year hiatus. In their last appearance, they stifled the Bucks, holding Giannis Antetokounmpo to 8-of-27 from the field to secure the win. Joel Embiid led the way for the 76ers with 31 points and 11 rebounds.
When was the last time the Lakers played on Christmas?
2021-22: Lost to Brooklyn Nets, 122-115
The Lakers lost last year’s Christmas Day matchup with the Nets, getting torched by an unlikely hero. With both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving out of the lineup, Patty Mills went off for 34 points and 7 assists, hitting 8-of-13 from beyond the arc. For the Lakers, LeBron scored 39 but Russell Westbrook struggled mightily hitting just 4-of-20 from the field.
When was the last time the Mavericks played on Christmas?
2021-22: Lost to Utah Jazz, 120-116
The Mavericks were without Luka Doncic last Christmas and, despite matching 27-point efforts from Jalen Brunson and Kristaps Porzingis, couldn’t keep up with the Jazz. Bojan Bogdanovic, Mike Conley and Donovan Mitchell combined to score 80 points for the Jazz.
When was the last time the Bucks played on Christmas?
2021-22: Defeated Boston Celtics, 117-113
The Bucks eked out a win over the Celtics last Christmas thanks to a dominating effort from Giannis Antetokounmpo. He finished with 36 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 blocks, going 10-of-15 from the free-throw line.
When was the last time the Celtics played on Christmas?
2021-22: Lost to Milwaukee Bucks, 117-113
As mentioned above, the Celtics lost their last Christmas Day matchup. They struggled to handle Giannis and suffered through rough shooting nights from Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, who combined for 50 points but were 15-of-38 (39.4 percent) from the field and 6-of-17 (35.2 percent) from beyond the arc.
When was the last time the Grizzlies played on Christmas?
Never! They’ve never played a Christmas Day game before! Welcome to the big time, Memphis!
When was the last time the Warriors played on Christmas?
2021-22: Defeated Phoenix Suns, 116-107
The Warriors needed some serious help from their depth to steal a win from the Suns last Christmas. Steph Curry had a rough shooting night but Golden State got a combined 55 points from Otto Porter Jr., Jonathan Kuminga, Gary Payton II and Nemanja Bjelica.
When was the last time the Suns played on Christmas?
2021-22: Lost to Golden State Warriors, 116-107
As mentioned above, the Warriors role players helped beat the Suns last year. Devin Booker had a really tough game, hitting just 5-of-19 from the field, and the Suns were outscored by 13 points in the second half.
When was the last time the Nuggets played on Christmas?
2020-21: Lost to Los Angeles Clippers, 121-108
Nikola Jokic showed out in his last Christmas Day appearance, putting up 24 points, 10 assists and 9 rebounds, but poor 3-point shooting (11-of-36, 30.6 percent) doomed the Nuggets. Jokic has won two MVP awards since then and could be ready to really own the holiday.
What are the Knicks, 76ers, Mavs, Lakers, Bucks, Celtics, Nuggets, Suns, Warriors, all-time records on Christmas Day?
- Knicks: 23-31
- Lakers: 24-24
- 76ers: 18-11
- Celtics: 15-20
- Warriors: 14-17
- Suns: 12-7
- Bucks: 5-3
- Mavericks: 2-3
- Nuggets: 1-6
- Grizzlies: 0-0
Why do the Knicks and Lakers usually play on Christmas Day every year?
The Knicks and Lakers are marquee franchises in large markets and the NBA is often looking to highlight them in their biggest showcase of the year. Fans can complain all they want but as long as they’re even moderately competitive the Lakers and Knicks are probably going to be included, especially with a five-game slate that makes room for a full third of the NBA.
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