- NBA games get underway at 12 p.m. ET on Christmas Day.
- The Lakers, Celtics, Knicks, and Warriors are among the teams in action.
- The Knicks have played the most Christmas Day games in NBA history.
The NBA attracts some of its biggest regular-season audiences on Christmas Day. Viewing figures took a hit in 2023 with the NFL expanding its festive schedule, but millions will be tuning into a packed NBA schedule this Christmas.
Who Plays on NBA Christmas Day 2024?
Ten NBA teams are playing on Christmas Day in 2024, including the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, and Boston Celtics.
The day’s action begins at 12 p.m. ET with the New York Knicks welcoming Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs to Madison Square Garden.
Two of the league’s young superstars go head-to-head at 2:30 p.m. ET as Luka Dončić’s Dallas Mavericks take on Anthony Edwards’ Minnesota Timberwolves.
The defending champion Boston Celtics host the Philadelphia 76ers at 5:00 p.m. ET before Steph Curry and LeBron James face off for yet another Christmas Day game in San Francisco. The Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns wrap the day’s action up.
NBA odds for Christmas games will be available at the BetMGM online sportsbook. With many of the league’s best players taking the hardwood, there are bound to be plenty of player props included in basketball parlays.
Here is the full NBA Christmas Day schedule:
| Start Time | Home Team | Away Team | Venue |
| 12:00 p.m. ET | New York Knicks | San Antonio Spurs | Madison Square Garden |
| 2:30 p.m. ET | Dallas Mavericks | Minnesota Timberwolves | American Airlines Center |
| 5:00 p.m. ET | Boston Celtics | Philadelphia 76ers | TD Garden |
| 8:00 p.m. ET | Golden State Warriors | Los Angeles Lakers | Chase Center |
| 10:30 p.m. ET | Phoenix Suns | Denver Nuggets | Footprint Center |
When Did the NBA Start Playing on Christmas?
The NBA first played games on Christmas in 1947.
Games have been played on Dec. 25 every year since, apart from 1998, when a lockout caused half of the season to be cancelled.
Why Are There NBA Games on Christmas?
The NBA is in the middle of its season at Christmas. NBA games have been played on Christmas Day every year since 1947 (1998 is the lone exception due to the lockout).
Traditionally, the NFL has only scheduled games on Christmas Day when it falls on a weekend. The NHL’s collective bargaining agreement doesn’t allow games to be played on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or Boxing Day. MLB and MLS are in offseasons.
Christmas has been the NBA’s opportunity to take centre stage in front of a national audience. With the increased accessibility granted by nationwide television broadcasts, the NBA has used Christmas Day to showcase its best teams and players.
What Team Has Played the Most on Christmas Day?
The Knicks have played the most games on Christmas Day with 56. The Lakers are second on 50, just ahead of the Celtics on 37, the Sixers on 34, and the Warriors on 33.
With 13 total matchups, the Knicks and Sixers is the most common Christmas Day matchup. The Celtics and Knicks (eight) is the only matchup to have happened more than six times.
Which NBA Player Has the Most Christmas Day Games Played?
LeBron James has played the most Christmas Day games with 18. Kobe Bryant (16) is the only other player in NBA history to have played more than 13 games on Christmas Day.
James overtook Bryant as the leading scorer on Christmas Day in 2021. He is second all time on Christmas Day for assists and steals.
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