It may be months from the regular season, but the NBA reminded fans it’s coming back: schedules for Opening Night and Christmas Day were leaked on Friday, and the holiday slate is loaded with star power. The league will once again stage five games on Dec. 25, with marquee names expected to appear — LeBron James, Nikola Jokić, Kevin Durant, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Dončić, Stephen Curry, Anthony Edwards, Jalen Brunson and Victor Wembanyama are all on the Christmas menu.
A lot can change between now and Dec. 25 — trades, injuries and chemistry shifts could reshape these matchups — but using current rosters, here’s a look at what makes each Christmas game compelling.
Anthony Edwards vs. Nikola Jokić (late window)
On paper this could be the day’s most entertaining game: Edwards’ explosive scoring and trash-talk energy against Jokić’s otherworldly playmaking. There’s added history — the Wolves stunned the Nuggets in a Game 7 on Denver’s floor a couple of postseasons ago — so the edge will be real. Denver’s offseason additions (Cameron Johnson, Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Jonas Valančiūnas) make this an intriguing early test in how the Nuggets’ new pieces fit together. The only downside is timing: this is the late game on Christmas, when many viewers will already be winding down.
Klay Thompson’s return to the Bay / Cooper Flagg & Anthony Davis pairing
Klay Thompson playing in the Bay is always notable, and if Stephen Curry is healthy he’ll be must-see TV as families finish their holiday feasts. This matchup also brings intrigue around Cooper Flagg — his first Christmas Day appearance — and how he might complement Anthony Davis. There’s some uncertainty about how competitive these teams will be over a full season, especially given aging rosters and limited offseason upgrades, but the individual storylines make this game attractive.
Jalen Brunson vs. Donovan Mitchell; Karl-Anthony Towns vs. Evan Mobley
A clash between two of the league’s top offenses from last season should promise fireworks. The individual matchups — Jalen Brunson against Donovan Mitchell and Karl-Anthony Towns against Evan Mobley — provide strong subplots. Cleveland swept New York in the regular season last year (4-0), adding a competitive edge and plenty of incentive for the Knicks. The early tip time (on the West Coast) may hurt viewership, but the basketball itself could be elite.
Victor Wembanyama vs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander / defending champions
Victor Wembanyama remains one of the biggest must-see players in the sport, and a Christmas meeting with the league’s top defense and reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander promises a classic size-versus-skill test at the rim. For the Spurs, this is more than a showcase: it’s an early barometer for how Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox and other young pieces will fare against elite competition and whether San Antonio can take a real step forward.
LeBron James vs. Kevin Durant (and Luka Dončić)
This is the kind of star-studded Christmas matchup the NBA leans on every holiday: LeBron and Kevin Durant sharing a marquee stage with Luka Dončić and other huge names. Both teams have questions to answer, but by Christmas they should be jockeying in the West’s top tier behind the Thunder. More than the standings, though, this is about savoring rare matchups — how many chances remain to see LeBron versus KD in the regular season? Holiday viewers will likely turn out for this one regardless.
What to watch and why it matters
– Health and roster moves: Trades and injuries can change the look of any of these games. Expect storylines about chemistry and early-season fit.
– Defensive matchups: The biggest tactics will be how teams game-plan for generational talents like Jokić, Wembanyama and Dončić.
– Young vs. veteran contrast: Several games pit emerging stars against established stars — a great measuring stick for the league’s next wave.
– Time zones and viewing: Some top games tip early or late, which may affect which ones feel like the “main event” to different audiences.
Summary
The NBA’s leaked Christmas Day schedule delivers a traditional dose of star power across five games, offering matchups that range from youth-versus-veteran showdowns to heavyweight defensive tests. While rosters could shift before Dec. 25, these pairings already read like a holiday showcase — and they give fans plenty to anticipate.
Hopeful spin
If everyone stays healthy, this slate could rekindle the kind of holiday NBA viewing that brings casual fans and die-hards together: bold young talents testing themselves against established superstars, veteran rivalries renewed, and several meaningful early-season barometers that hint at how the race for playoff positioning might unfold.