Sure, you might have some shiny new gifts to unwrap come Christmas morning, but for NBA fans around the US, there’s an even better gift waiting on the TV sets: the league’s annual slate of NBA Christmas Day games!
There are no fewer than five NBA games airing on Christmas Day, and these are some seriously exciting matchups between some of the league’s top performing teams.
Here’s your guide to watching the NBA Christmas Day Games this year.
Don’t forget, you can catch every dribble, jump shot and slam dunk on DIRECTV.
How to Watch the 2024 NBA Christmas Games
The NBA’s annual Christmas Day games will be broadcast across ESPN (DIRECTV Channel 206) and ABC (Check local listings here).
2024 NBA Christmas Day Games Full Schedule
Don your favorite player’s jersey, refill your hot chocolate and get ready to hit the couch for a full day of basketball action.
The 2024-25 season NBA Christmas Day schedule runs from 12 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on December 25, 2024, featuring holiday games from Boston to San Francisco.
Here’s the full lineup:
San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks: 12 p.m. ET on ESPN
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Dallas Mavericks: 2:30 p.m. ET on ABC
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics: 5 p.m. ET on ABC
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors: 8 p.m. ET on ABC
Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns: 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
You read that lineup right: These games will feature some of the league’s biggest stars on the court, back-to-back-to-back, including Anthony Edwards, Jalen Brunson, Kyrie Irving, Steph Curry, Luka Dončić, Tyrese Maxey, Nikola Jokic, and Lebron James.
When did the NBA Christmas Day Games start?
The NBA has been holding games on Christmas Day for a very, very long time. It’s been an annual tradition since the league’s earliest days, way back in 1947.
Since the mid-90s, one of the games has always featured last year’s league champions. This year, that’s the Boston Celtics, who will play the Philadelphia 76ers at 5 p.m. ET.
Watch NBA basketball on DIRECTV
You can catch all of these exciting holiday games, and every matchup for the rest of the NBA regular season and beyond, on DIRECTV. Don’t have DIRECTV yet? Sign up today!
Frequently Asked Questions
What NBA teams are playing on Christmas day in 2023?
Teams playing on Christmas include Bucks vs. Knicks, Warriors vs. Nuggets, Celtics vs. Lakers, 76ers vs. Heat and Mavericks vs. Suns.
Where can I watch NBA games on Christmas day?
Fans can watch all the Christmas day NBA games on either ESPN (channel 206) or ABC (check local listings).
How many NBA games are being played on New Year's Eve 2023?
Six games will take place on New Years Eve ranging from 3 p.m. ET to 8 p.m. ET. The teams playing are Hawks vs. Wizards, Lakers vs. Pelicans, Nets vs. Thunder, Celtics vs. Spurs, Kings vs. Grizzlies and Magic vs. Suns.
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