Cavaliers-Warriors, Rockets-Thunder highlight NBA Christmas Day games
Year after year, the NBA fills its Christmas Day stocking with all sorts of goodies for hoops fanatics the world over. And as the league announced on Thursday, this year will be no different.
The NBA also unveiled the national TV schedule for the first four days of the regular season, and just like Christmas Day, the slate of games doesn't disappoint.
While the season's entire schedule won't be released until next week, here’s a look at the lineups for Dec. 25 and opening week.
* All times Eastern
Philadelphia 76ers at New York Knicks, 12 p.m. on ESPN
The Knicks are a mess right now, what with Phil Jackson having been ousted and Carmelo Anthony’s future – much like Kyrie Irving’s – in limbo after he made it clear he’d rather be wearing Houston Rockets red. But with young stars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons finally healthy enough to be at their best, as well as the addition of veteran shooting guard J.J. Redick and No. 1 pick Markelle Fultz, Philly should be interesting all season long.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Golden State Warriors, 3 p.m. on ABC
One major qualifier here: Interest in this game is subject to change depending on Irving’s uncertain status. After asking for a trade last month, the Cavaliers point guard is still waiting to find out which jersey he’ll be wearing this season. Nonetheless, the LeBron James vs. Steph Curry, Kevin Durant et al component is more than enough to warrant watching on its own. These two teams have faced off in an unprecedented three consecutive Finals, and they’ll now see each other on Christmas Day for the third consecutive year.
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Washington Wizards at Boston Celtics, 5:30 p.m. on ABC
The Irving situation has opened a door of opportunity for all the other elite squads in the Eastern Conference, with teams like the Celtics and Wizards talented enough to take that next step. So beyond this being a rematch of the Eastern Conference semifinals matchup that Boston won in seven games, it’s another chance for these teams to assert themselves on that front. The Celtics improved significantly in the offseason by landing small forward Gordon Hayward in free agency, while the Wizards locked up their franchise centerpiece, point guard John Wall, on a deal that ensures he’ll be paid a combined $207.2 million from this season through the 2022-23 campaign.
Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder, 8 p.m. on ABC
The Warriors are still the clear favorite in the West, but no teams tried harder to cut that competitive gap than Houston and Oklahoma City. By the time this tipoff arrives, new Rockets point guard Chris Paul will likely have found his stride with James Harden & Co. while Thunder newcomer Paul George will be two months into his superstar pairing with Russell Westbrook.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Lakers, 10:30 p.m. on TNT
Even the worst of Lakers teams have proven to be a good draw when it comes to ratings, but the Timberwolves are the must-see TV here. After finishing 31-51 in Tom Thibodeau’s first season as coach and team president, Minnesota added three-time All-Star Jimmy Butler via trade with Chicago as well as veterans Jeff Teague, Jamal Crawford and Taj Gibson.
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Opening week schedule
Boston Celtics at Cleveland Cavaliers (Oct. 17, 8 p.m. on TNT) - The NBA season tips off with a rematch of the Eastern Conference finals, but now that Hayward's in town, point guard Isaiah Thomas won't be the only All-Star donning the Celtic green. But what about Irving? Will he still be in the wine and gold come opening night?
Houston Rockets at Golden State Warriors (Oct. 17, 10:30 p.m. on TNT) - On the night the Warriors accept their second set of championship rings in three years, Harden, Paul and the new-look Rockets will be eager to start the season off with a bang.
Philadelphia 76ers at Washington Wizards (Oct. 18, 7 p.m. on ESPN) - The debut of the new trio in Philadelphia — Fultz, Simmons and Embiid — will make for must-see TV, especially against this Wizards group led by one of the game's most electrifying players in Wall.
Minnesota Timberwolves at San Antonio Spurs (Oct. 18, 9:30 p.m. on ESPN) - The Timberwolves may have won the summer, but their first test won't be an easy one. Don't forget: San Antonio spoiled the Warriors' 2016-17 season opener with a 29-point beatdown.
New York Knicks at Oklahoma City Thunder (Oct. 19, 8 p.m. on TNT) - All eyes in Oklahoma City will be on the new dynamic duo of Westbrook and George. How will the two stars mesh in their first game together in the national spotlight?
Los Angeles Clippers at Los Angeles Lakers (Oct. 19, 10:30 p.m. on TNT) - This year's most talked-about rookie, Lonzo Ball, stole the show in Summer League. But this is where the biggest step in his basketball career truly begins.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Milwaukee Bucks (Oct. 20, 7 p.m. on ESPN) - The greatest basketball player on the planet in James vs. perhaps the most entertaining in Giannis Antetokounmpo? Sign us up.
Golden State Warriors at New Orleans Pelicans (Oct. 20, 9:30 p.m. on ESPN) - After 0-6 and 0-8 starts in the past two seasons, can the Pelicans — led by the trio of Jrue Holiday, Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins — steal one from the defending champs?
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