NBA games today: Christmas Eve TV schedule, times, channels for every holiday game originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The NBA began playing basketball games on Christmas Day in 1947, ESPN reported. The league has played games every Christmas except during a lockout in 1998. The New York Knicks played the Providence Steamrollers in the inaugural game.

Starting with a noon tipoff and running until after midnight, there are five games on Christmas Day 2025 over more than 13 consecutive hours of coverage on ABC and ESPN. Four of the past six NBA champions will be in action: the Lakers (2020), Warriors (2022), Nuggets (2023) and Thunder (2025).

76ers, Knicks tip off the NBA preseason in Abu Dhabi today at 12 p.m. ET on NBA TV. Brian Martin, for NBA.com Tyrese Maxey and the 76ers tip off the 2025 NBA preseason against the Knicks for two nights in Abu Dhabi. For the fourth straight season, NBA ...

Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Happy Festivus! Happy holidays to all who celebrate! And if you don’t, we hope today and tomorrow are just good days for you. Today, we’re previewing the NBA’s annual high-profile Christmas Day slate. There won’t be a Bounce edition on Thursday, but we’ll be back Friday. Enjoy the hoops!

TEAMS WITH THREE GAMES: Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards

With NBA Christmas games on the horizon, stars and coaches share their stories and gripes about playing on the holiday.