NBA On Christmas: How to Watch Every Basketball Game Online for Free

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. For Sports fans, Christmas has become a wonderful time of the year. Not only do we get NFL games now on the holiday, but we also get the most exicting basketball games of the 2025-26 NBA season . Every year, Dec. 25 has become a tentpole mid-season event for the league turning the merry holiday into a playoff-like atmosphere. This Christmas, the game lineup is stacked with marquee matchups with the league’s best superstars playing against divisional rivals and top-seed playoff contenders. From Klay Thompson heading back to the Bay to face Steph Curry and his old Golden State Warriors team, to LeBron James going head-to-head with Kevin Durant, to the New York Knicks going to battle with the Cleveland Cavaliers to see who are the top dogs of the Eastern Conference, there’s so many great storylines you don’t want to miss out on. Whether you’re home, visiting family or making snow angels outside, we’ve compiled every way you can tune into the 2025 NBA Christmas Day games online and for free. Game 1: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks (12 p.m.) The Christmas Day lineup starts off with a bang featuring one of the most anticipated matchups between the recently NBA Cup-winning New York Knicks and their biggest Eastern Conference threat, the Cleveland Cavaliers. With a surging Knicks squad playing host to a young and hungry Cavs team trying to live up to expectations, this game is a must-see after opening Christmas gifts. The Knicks vs. Cavs game kicks off at 12 p.m. ET on ESPN/ABC. Watch for free with DirecTV and FuboTV . Game 2: San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (2:30 p.m.) Another exciting, marquee matchup takes place at 2:30 p.m ET between western conference heavyweights, the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder. After ending OKC’s dominating win streak and heading to the NBA Cup Finals, the Spurs have the momentum heading into Christmas. However, the defending NBA Champs, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, have proven to be the top dogs of the league this year. Whoever wins will set the tempo going into the second half of the season. The Knicks vs. Cavs game kicks off at 2:30 p.m. ET on ESPN/ABC. Watch for free with DirecTV and FuboTV . Game 3: Dallas Mavericks vs. Golden State Warriors (5 p.m.) Klay Thompson is heading home to take on Steph Curry and his former Warriors squad for the third game of the day. Joining Kay is rookie Cooper Flag and Anthony Davis, but taking down Golden State with Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler is no easy task. The Mavs vs. Warriors game takes place at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN/ABC. Watch for free with DirecTV and FuboTV . Game 4: Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers (8 p.m.) LeBron and...

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