The Athletic Shams Charania is reporting that the NBA has decided on the Christmas Day games.
San Antonio Spurs at New York Knicks
Minnesota Timberwolves at Dallas Mavericks
Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics
Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors
Denver Nuggets at Phoenix Suns
Christmas Day has served as the unofficial start of the NBA season so the league has made sure it has match-ups that provide intrigue and storylines.
San Antonio Spurs at New York Knicks
The Spurs feature the next big thing, both literally and figuratively, so Victor Wembanyama on Christmas Day was a no-brainer. The Knicks was somewhat the darling of last season’s playoffs until injuries caught up to them in the Indiana Pacers series. Jalen Brunson and crew will welcome back Julius Randle. The Knicks is a legitimate Eastern Conference finals team.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks are looking to build upon their NBA Finals run including ending Minnesota’s playoff run. Dallas will have another season with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving leading the way. For the TWolves, Anthony Edwards is made for Christmas Day.
Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics
Boston will be strolling into Christmas Day with the rings. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will have a chip on their shoulders after the Olympic experience. Tatum’s limited playing time and Brown’s perceived snub (for the record I don’t think Brown was snubbed). For the Sixers, Daryl Morey has the team he has dreamed of. Philadelphia has two homegrown organization stars in Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid. Then Morey got the prized free agent when Paul George signed in the City of Brotherly Love.
Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors
Will this be our last Lebron-Steph Christmas Day matchup? Only time will tell. The Los Angeles Lakers are always a draw but who knows where Golden State will be after this season if they don’t find a way to surround Steph with more talent. Both of these teams are projected to be at the bottom of playoff seeding or in the play-in tournament.
Denver Nuggets at Phoenix Suns
If this is the last game of the day, it will be the perfect way to end Christmas. Both teams have something to prove for different reasons. The Nuggets have gone cheap and have let some key complimentary pieces walk. The Suns are steeped in the Second Apron after being one of the most disappointing teams last season. Nikola Jokic vs Kevin Durant. Sign me up!
