This year features another five games being played on Christmas Day, including several NBA title contenders, which basketball fans can watch nationally. The Cleveland Cavaliers (17-14) will take on the New York Knicks (20-9) at Madison Square Garden on Thursday at noon ET on ABC and ESPN and the ESPN app.

The San Antonio Spurs (21-7) travel to Paycom Center to face the Oklahoma City Thunder (26-3) in this Tuesday night NBA matchup.

The NBA’s strong viewership numbers in 2025-26 are continuing as the year comes to an end. More than 87 million people in the U.S. have watched NBA games this season across NBC/Peacock, ESPN, Amazon Prime Video and NBA TV, the most viewers in 15 years and up 89% vs. last year, the league announced Monday.

Ball Arena closes the night with a West measuring stick, as the Nuggets try to keep Minnesota from turning it into a defensive grind.

After a big loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, the Houston Rockets rebounded to end road trip with win over Lakers.

The Houston Rockets face the Los Angeles Lakers on Christmas Day at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, with tip-off set for 8 p.m. ET.

Charles Barkley is apparently surprised the NFL hasn't expanded to San Antonio. The former NBA great and all-time broadcasting legend has called out the NFL for horning in on Christmas, which previously was exclusively pro basketball territory.