As the air gets colder and the lights get brighter, it can only mean one thing, that the holiday season is near. With stockings being hung, fireplaces being lit and hot cocoa being sipped, the only gift sports fans want under their tree this year is some great NBA action on Christmas day! With 5 All-Star studded games lighting up the day, here is all the information you need to know about each one before showtime arrives.
The first game of the day is between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks at 12:00 PM on ESPN. Under Greg Popovich, the Spurs have bolstered their offence with the addition of Chris Paul, who has given this young core the veteran leadership they have lacked over the years. On that note, Victor Wembanyama has been one of the fastest growing stars in the NBA following his rookie season. So far, he has been a monster on both the offensive and defensive sides of the court, making him one of the best two-way players in the league. The Knicks have also made huge changes in the offseason, adding stars Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns to their lineup. While they have lost key players over the past year, this team looks better than ever, especially with their key role players and leadership under Jalen Brunson.
The second game is a rematch of the Western Conference Championship between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Dallas Mavericks at 2:30 PM on ESPN. Over the course of last year, Anthony Edwards has made the leap to superstardom in the league, becoming the life and soul of this Wolves team, especially after the tough departure of long time player Karl-Anthony Towns. In return, they gained Julius Randle in an attempt to fix their front court with Rudy Gobert. After a hard loss in the finals, the Mavs added Klay Thompson in search of a third option on offense. While he has shown flashes, he hasn’t quite broken out of the shell of his former self, as he is still trying his rhythm. And what else can we say about Luka Dončic and Kyrie Irving, the best backcourt in today’s NBA. Together, they are offensive weapons with their elite playmaking and scoring skills.
The third game is between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics at 5:00 PM on ESPN. After a rough injury plagued start to the season, the Sixers are in a win now mode as they are trying to reopen their championship window. Building around Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, they added All-Star Paul George to their lineup during the offseason in hopes that he is the missing piece to their offense. When healthy, this team can be a real threat for their opponents. But winning in the East is a tough task, especially against the defending champs of the NBA. Coming off their 18th championship, the Celtics have been the best all around team in the league. Behind the dynamic duo of Jalen Brown and Jayson Tatum, this team looks borderline unstoppable when they get it going on either side of the court.
The fourth game is between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors at 8:00 PM on ESPN. LeBron vs Curry, a classic rivalry we have seen time and time again. With a new coaching staff, the Lakers look to squeeze what’s left of LeBron James’ legacy as he enters his 22nd NBA season. With his partner in crime Anthony Davis, he looks to make one more iconic Christmas day performance, perhaps for the last time. For the Golden State, they look to light up the court without Klay Thompson, who has been an integral piece for so many years on this team. While they are missing the starpower they used to have, the Warriors still have Stephen Curry on their side, the greatest shooter the league has ever seen. Backed by Draymond Green, the Warriors are still capable of doing major damage.
The fifth and last game is between the Denver Nuggets and the Phoenix Suns at 10:30 PM on ESPN. For the past few years, Nikola Jokić has been regarded as the best player in the league, and this year is no exception. He has single handedly carried the team on his back in another MVP worthy season, which could be his 4th one in 5 years. With his teammates Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon, the Nuggets look to get back on track after a tough few games. The Suns and their star studded lineup also look to do the same. Their core of Bradley Beal, Devin Booker and Kevin Durant have been excellent alongside each other on the court, creating defensive nightmares for all of their opponents.
Hopefully all of these games can bring out the holiday cheer and excitement that surrounds this time of year once again. If you want more information about any of these games, you can check the NBA website. Christmas is where the stars shine the brightest, so let the games begin, and have a happy holiday season!