Ranking the NBA’s Christmas Day games

Every year, the NBA’s Christmas Day games are the season’s highlight. Adam Silver and the league office do their best to pit rivals and contenders against each other as they look to entertain fans throughout the day. Some of the most talented players in the world will be suiting up on Monday as they look to showcase their skills. 

Nevertheless, not all games are created equal. Some matchups could fall flat or players could be out due to injury or rest protocols. Games could fail to pop the way we all hope. Of course, things could go the other way, and every matchup is a rampant success. Regardless of how things shake out, it’s possible to pinpoint which games should be the most worth watching. Here is our ranking of the league’s best Christmas Day games. 

All games are in Eastern time.

#1 Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers – 5 p.m.

Hottest player: LeBron James
The marquee matchup of Christmas Day. Two franchises that have done battle on countless occasions and boast the most championships in league history. There’s nothing more special than the Los Angeles Lakers taking on the Boston Celtics in a primetime slot on television. Both franchises are expected to make a deep push for the NBA Finals this season, with the Celtics being favorites to potentially win the Larry O’Brien trophy.

There’s also a subplot of D’Angelo Russell recently being dropped from the starting lineup and how the Lakers navigate dealing with the elite talent within Boston’s top-8 rotation. There’s a lot to look forward to when watching the two historical juggernauts face off at 5 p.m. Eastern on Monday. 

#2 Golden State Warriors vs. Denver Nuggets – 2:30 p.m.

Hottest player: Steph Curry 
A decade-long dynasty versus the current NBA Champions. The Golden State Warriors have been surging over the past week. Since losing Draymond Green to suspension, Steve Kerr’s team has kicked into life. However, the test of Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets will certainly show us how much the Warriors have improved. Given the talent level and recent success both of these franchises have enjoyed, we could potentially be witnessing a preview of the Western Conference Finals. 

Of course, the level of talent on offer is also a huge draw. Steph Curry and Jokic are two of the best players in the world and arguably in history. Klay Thompson is among the greatest scorers the league has ever seen. And then, we have the upcoming talent on Golden State’s roster and the high-level veterans residing within the Nuggets rotation. The only thing this matchup will be missing is a historic rivalry. 

#3 Dallas Mavericks vs. Phoenix Suns – 10:30 p.m.

Hottest player: Luka Doncic
Luka Doncic vs. Kevin Durant. Kyrie Irving vs. Devin Booker. Assuming both rosters have their two best players available, the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns will round out our top three Christmas Day games on Dec. 25. Both rosters are built around their star power. Both have some defensive deficiencies, which will ensure we witness a highly charged offensive game between some of the best scorers the league has ever seen.

The risk with this game is that both teams could be missing some of their best players. Doncic and Irving have both been out with injuries this past week, while Booker has been in and out of Phoenix’s rotation. Still, if both teams have their star talent available, we will be in for a fun and competitive game. 

#4 Philadelphia 76ers vs. Miami Heat – 8 p.m.

Hottest player: Joel Embiid
The Philadelphia 76ers have been a surprise package this season, courtesy of some breakout performances from Tyrese Maxey. Head coach Nick Nurse has implemented a free-flowing offensive system and has got the Sixers playing some stern defense. However, their status as potential contenders in the East will be tested when they face the Miami Heat, who were NBA Finalists just a few months ago. 

Against Miami, the Sixers will face a team that knows how to win. They vary their defensive approach and attack gaps as they open. However, with both teams being known to willingly grind out victories, this could be a game that has the potential to turn into a slugfest. Fans of Philadelphia and Miami will enjoy the contest, but it may be too slow for casual fans to sink their teeth into. 

#5 Milwaukee Bucks vs. New York Knicks – 12 p.m.

Hottest player: Giannis Antetokounmpo
These two teams face each other on Saturday, with the Milwaukee Bucks securing a 19-point win. Without Mitchell Robinson in the rotation, the New York Knicks will struggle to protect their rim against Giannis Antetokounmpo. Damian Lillard’s elite playmaking and scoring ability will also be a factor that New York’s defense will likely struggle with. 

As such, we could be in store for a one-sided affair, which, while enjoyable, ranks this game at the bottom of the day’s schedule. Yes, there will be star talent on offer. Yes, we will witness some quality moments of play. Yet, with an early start and one team being outmatched, this game will likely be background noise while everybody gets ready for their dinners or is playing with their latest toy, gadget, or gizmo.