The best NBA Christmas games have become one of the league’s most beloved traditions, acting as a showcase of superstars, rivalries, and unforgettable drama that fans anticipate each year.
Christmas Day in the NBA isn’t just another date—it’s an anticipated event, with matchups on December 25 adding yet another chapter to the league’s storied lore.
We have come up with a list of the top 10 Christmas NBA games through the years that defined seasons.
Overall, these games make December 25 one of the biggest dates on the NBA’s calendar.
Best NBA Christmas Games captures the essence of historic matchups, memorable moments, and the most-watched matches
Our best NBA Christmas Games list is based on many factors that would make for memorable moments.
Each listed game has key ingredients of Christmas Day NBA classics.
These games carry historical significance: marquee matchups, MVP showdowns, debuts, or reunions.
Part of the top Christmas NBA Games should provide competitive drama and clutch moments for fans to remember for a long time.
Christmas Day NBA Games are entertainment, and fans won’t watch in droves if not for the superstar performances they came in for.
Such performance should impact season narratives, adding fuel to rivalries or sparking mid-season turning points, making these games more meaningful.
Ultimately, these top NBA Games on Christmas should not lack in entertainment and watchability factors.
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Let’s rank the best Christmas NBA games.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers vs Golden State Warriors (2016): Irving leads Cavs in 109-108 win
The Cleveland Cavaliers were coming off their historic first NBA title by beating the Golden State Warriors the year before this one.
Kyrie Irving repeated his 2016 title heroics from Game 7 of those finals by scoring 14 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter.
This included the game-winner with 3.4 seconds left, giving Cleveland fans a fitting Christmas gift.
Golden State lost despite this being the first Christmas Day game with the Dubs for Kevin Durant, who had 36 points, 15 rebounds, and three assists.
This was also the second of three Cavs vs. Warriors Christmas Day games since 2015, averaging 11.17 million viewers on ABC.
2. Miami Heat vs Los Angeles Lakers (2004) Shaq edges Kobe in 104-102 OT victory
The Kobe vs. Shaq reunion proved to be a memorable narrative on Christmas Day 2004.
O’Neal, who was traded by the Lakers to Miami after eight seasons and three titles, had 24 rebounds and 11 rebounds against his former team.
“The Diesel” got lots of help from Dwyane Wade, who collected 29 points and 10 assists.
However, despite O’Neal and Wade’s efforts, the Heat narrowly defeated the Lakers, led by Kobe Bryant, who scored a game-high 42 points.
They were glued to their seats as they opened their Christmas gifts, and ABC reported that 13.18 million viewers watched the game.
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3. Miami Heat vs Los Angeles Lakers (2010) ‘Big Three’ topples Kobe with 96-80 win
Miami unveiled its “Big 3” of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh against Kobe six years after the Shaq vs Kobe matchup.
James had a special first Christmas Day game with the Heat, scoring 27 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Thus, he became the first player in 40 years at the time to post a triple-double on Christmas Day.
The league and the fans hoped this would be the matchup for the NBA finals that year, but it didn’t happen.
Some 13.14 million fans tuned in on ABC to witness Miami’s “Big Three” take on Kobe, an event never seen again in June.
4. New York Knicks vs Chicago Bulls (1992): MJ torches Knicks, MSG for 42 points
Michael Jordan produced one of his best NBA Christmas games in his career right at Madison Square Garden (MSG).
His 42 points, eight rebounds, and five assists led the Bulls to an 89-77 victory to spoil a festive home game by the Knicks.
This match came after the Knicks routed the Bulls by 37 points a month before.
13.-6 million viewers, NBC rematch of the 1992 Eastern Conference semifinals, 7 games in what was Jordan’s worst loss at the time.
Fans lit up the MSG rafters, with some 13.06 million viewers glued to their homes to watch another Jordan masterclass.
NBA Christmas Day Games schedule (December 25, 2025)
| Home team | Road Team | Time | Broadcaster |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | New York Knicks | Noon ET (Eastern Time) | ABC/ESPN |
| San Antonio Spurs | Oklahoma City Thunder | 2:30 ET | ABC/ESPN |
| Dallas Mavericks | Golden State Warriors | 5:00 ET | ABC/ESPN |
| Houston Rockets | Los Angeles Lakers | 8:00 ET | ABC/ESPN |
| Houston Rockets | Minnesota Timberwolves | 10:30 ET | ABC/ESPN |
5. Boston Celtics vs Chicago Bulls (1991) Jordan topples Bird in rare holiday matchup
A Michael Jordan vs Larry Bird matchup will always sparkle in the limelight, even though both are on opposite sides of their careers.
Jordan, coming off his first NBA title in 1991, scored only 14 points, but Scottie Pippen had 27 to lift the Bulls to a 121-99 victory.
The match, aside from its holiday flavour, had a feel of the passing of the torch, as Bird is nearing the end of his career.
“Larry Legend” had only eight points and eight rebounds, but seeing him against Jordan on Christmas Day remains a treat for fans.
This is based on the 14.33 million viewers ABC reported after the match, proving the fans can’t let go of a Jordan vs. Bird matchup.
6. Miami Heat vs Chicago Bulls (1997): Bulls out on top in MJ’s last Christmas Day game
This game was special because it was Jordan’s final Christmas Day game.
MJ’s numbers – 24 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists – were close to a triple-double as the Bulls pulled off the 90-80 victory.
This was also a rematch of the teams’ 1997 Eastern Conference finals matchup, adding some plot narratives for fans.
Toni Kukoc stepped up in the absence of Scottie Pippen with 19 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.
Ultimately, some 10.58 million viewers saw the match, according to NBC.
7. Dallas Mavericks vs Phoenix Suns (2023): ‘Luka Magic’ sparks Mavs to 128-114 win
A Luka Christmas Day showdown between Luka Doncic and Kevin Durant promised excitement for basketball fans.
However, “Luka Magic” took all the spotlight in the aftermath of the Mavs 128-114 victory.
Doncic exploded with 50 points, 15 assists, and six rebounds to spark Dallas throughout.
Durant was not so bad with 16 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, but the Suns still fell short.
In the end, Doncic had a lot of tricks to mesmerise fans at the Valley of the Desert.
8. Orlando Magic vs Chicago Bulls (1993): Pippen carries Jordan-less Bulls, still lures the fans
This was one of the holiday matches, and the Bulls were still the centre of attention despite Michael Jordan’s absence.
Scottie Pippen had 28 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, enough to carry the Bulls to a close 95-93 Christmas Day win.
The faThe Bulls managed to pull off a win without Jordan, defeating a strong Orlando team featuring Shaquille O’Neal and Penny Hardaway.
This game aired immediately after a National Football League game between the Oilers and the 49ers.
Football fans stuck around to catch the Bulls vs Magic match, luring 15.35 million viewers, according to NBC.
9. San Antonio Spurs vs New York Knicks (2024): Wemby drops 42 on X’mas Day game debut at MSG
Victor Wembanyama delivered one of the best NBA Christmas games for a youngster in his debut.
The 7-foot-5 French phenom scored 42 points, 18 rebounds, and four assists in 40 minutes in what would be the first of his many Christmas Day games,
San Antonio didn’t get the result it wanted, falling to the Knicks, 117-114, but the future shone the brightest.
That match averaged 4.91 million viewers, making it the most-watched Christmas Day game opener in 13 years and up 98% from the previous year.
It helped average 5.25 million viewers per game in the US across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, Disney+ and ESPN+ for all five Christmas Day games that year, according to Nielsen Fast Nationals.
10. Milwaukee Bucks vs Boston Celtics (2021): Giannis brings holiday cheers to Bucks’ home crowd
Giannis Antetokounmpo made sure the Fiserve Forum home crowd came out satisfied on Christmas Day.
Antetokounmpo had 36 points and 12 rebounds to lead Milwaukee to the 117-113 win.
The Bucks overcame a 13-point deficit with six minutes left to secure the victory, making Giannis’s performance even more special.
The Celtics lost despite getting 25 points each from their two superstars, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Indeed, Antetokounmpo and the Bucks simply refused to lose on Christmas Day in front of their home fans.
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