The Holiday tradition of NBA basketball on Christmas Day comes back for the 76th time, and for the 16th season in a row, a full five-game slate of Christmas Day games will keep the hoops action rolling from morning until night. For fans whose Christmas wish list contains watching NBA superstars, then this year’s lineup of matchups, will deliver that gift. Seven of the nine players who have received the title of Kia MVP over the past 15 seasons will be in action for the Christmas Day games: Lakers’ LeBron James (2009, ‘10’, ‘12’, ‘13) Suns’ Kevin Durant (‘14) Warriors’ Stephen Curry (‘15, ‘16) 76ers’ James Harden (‘18) and Joel Embiid (‘23) Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo (‘19, ‘20) Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic (‘21, ‘22) The defending Eastern Conference-champion Miami Heat head five other teams from their conference in the Christmas Day games, including the three teams they defeated to reach the NBA Finals: Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks, and Boston Celtics. The past four teams to win the NBA title – The Los Angeles Lakers (2020), Bucks (2021), Golden State Warriors (2022), and Denver Nuggets (2023) – play on Christmas, with the last two champions meeting in the nightcap. December 25: Bucks Vs. Knicks (Noon ET, ESPN) The Knicks will extend their record for Christmas Day appearances (56) and look to tie the record for most Christmas Day victories (24) when they host the Bucks, who swept them last season. Milwaukee has won six consecutive head-to-head meetings. A potential game in the 2023 Eastern Conference semifinals was disrupted after Milwaukee was upset by Miami in the first round. New York reached the East semi-finals after it defeated Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round behind the stellar play of Jalen Brunson. Decemeber 25: Warriors vs. Nuggets (2:30 ET, ABC & ESPN) Christmas night is topped off with a game between the past two NBA champions: the 2022 Warriors won the Nuggets in the opening round on their way to their fourth title of this dynasty, with two-time Kia MVP, Steph Curry adding his first Finals MVP to his resume. Last season, the Golden State were knocked out before a potential clash with Denver in the conference finals as the Nuggets reached the Finals and won their first NBA title in franchise history with another two-time Kia MVP earning his first Finals MVP in Jokic. December 25: Celtics VS Lakers (5 ET, ABC & ESPN) The most talked about rivarly in NBA history adds another chapter to its blossming history as James, Anthony Davis and the Lakers face Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and the Celtics. Both sides enter the season with their eyes set on being the first team to reach 18 NBA championships. Last season, both competitions between the Celtics and Lakers entered overtime, with Boston winning by four points each match. Overall, Boston leads the all-time regular season series 165-133 and 43-31 vs. the Lakers in the playoffs, too.  December 25: 76ers vs. Heat (8 ET, ESPN) This showdown will pit Embiid (the reigning Kia MVP and two-time scoring champ) against the defending Eastern Conference champion Heat, headed by former Sixers star Jimmy Butler. Miami won the 2022-23 season series, 2-1, with each team securing a 20-plus point blowou victory. Heat, howver, got win No.2 in the series off an incredible acrobatic reverse layup by Butler with 90 seconds to play. December 25: Mavericks VS Suns (10:30 ET, ESPN) The first time Durant and Kyrie met as opponents after their three-seasons as teammates delivered a classic overtime matchup between the Mavericks and Suns. In that match, four player scored 30 or higher (Durant had 37 and Devin Booker had 36 for Phoenix; Luka Doncic had 34 and Irving 30 for Dallas) in the Suns’ 130-126 win. That game left NBA fans clamoring for a playoff matchup that never materalized, but as a consolation, fans get a rematch for Christmas. Related NBA News: NBA releases ‘The Gift of Game’ in new Christmas Day campaign.

The NBA debuted its Christmas Day brand campaign: “The Gift of Game.’’ Celebrating the ageless tradition of basketball and capturing the magic of holiday hoops. “The Gift of Game’’ is now streaming across all @NBA platforms and on the NBA App. Read the full transcript below: ‘Twas the night before NBA on Christmas Day when all through the house, a family of fans would soon discover many players stirring and running about.  Because beneath the stockings hung by the chimney with care, a basketball game had begun, and St. Nick (in his Nike Kobe 6 Reverse Grinches) had indeed been there.  Our family was nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of 3-pointers danced in their heads,  When down the stairs arose such fanfare and clatter, they sprang from their beds to see what was the matter.   What to their wondering eyes should appear, but a miniature hoop and ten toys in NBA gear.    With a tomahawk dunk so spectacular and insane they knew in a moment it must be King James. Tatum hit a three with the flick of his wrist, and Jalen Brunson brought his gift with another assist. They whistled and shouted at Joel’s celebration and Giannis, Luka and Joker’s toy recreations  When the game had concluded they returned to their boxes out of sight,  Exclaiming Merry Christmas to all, and from Steph Curry “Night, night!” In extra vignettes, the family watches on gleefully as Curry challenges Jokic to a game of Ho-Ho-Horse, which The Joker takes a little too literally. Meanwhile, Luka and KD compare kicks, sizing up the Nike KD18 Ms. Wanda and the Jordan Brand Luka 2 ‘Field Trip,’ only to discover they have been outshined by grandpa, wearing the Nike Kobe 6 Protro, ‘Reverse Grinch,’ secured before its public release on December 15th.  Players in the cast of toys include NBA action figures of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jimmy Butler, Jalen Brunson, Steph Curry, Anthony Davis, Luka Dončić, Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid, LeBron James, Nikola Jokić and Jayson Tatum. The new Christmas Day campaign was co-produced with Translation, directed by Dave Scanlon with live-action and animation by Passion Pictures. The NBA will feature five matches on Christmas Day (Dec. 25), with all matchups shown on ABC/ESPN for the 16th straight year. The Bucks play the Knicks to tip off the 76th edition of NBA on Christmas Day (noon ET, ESPN). The next matchup features two of the most recent recipients of the Larry O’Brien Trophy as the 2022 champion Warriors visit the 2023 champion Nuggets (2:30 ET, ABC/ESPN). Then in primetime, longtime rivals Lakers & Celtics meet on Christmas Day for the first time in 15 years (5 ET, ABC/ESPN).  The Christmas Day schedule ends with the 76ers taking on the Heat in Miami (8 ET, ESPN) and caps off with the Mavericks playing the Suns in Phoenix (10:30 ET, ESPN). Related NBA Christmas Day News: NBA announces 5 Christmas Day games.

Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball was ruled out Sunday after he had a right ankle strain against the Orlando Magic. Ball had an akward fall in the second quater after attempting a layup against Orlando forward Paolo Banchero and had to be taken to the locker room. Charlotte later announced that Ball had strained his right ankle and would not be coming back. The ankle LaMelo Ball injured vs. Orlando is the same one he had surger on in March. Despite Ball’s absence, Magic lead by just 95-92 when Anthony went in for a 3-point play with 10:12 remaining. He stole a pass and sent it to Wagner for two free throws, then assisted Banchero’s 7-foot bank shot. Hornets did not get the lead under five and eventually lost, 130-117. Ball is having one of the best seasons of his career, averaging career highs in scoring (25.9 ppg) and assists (8.6), while shooting 44.2% from the field and 38.9% on 3s (also career bests). He has not played in a full season and was restricted to 36 games in 2022-23 because of ankle injuries. Related NBA News: Kevin Durant misses Suns’ game vs. Knicks due to sore right foot.

Kevin Durant missed his second game in a row because of a sore right foot, leaving him incapable of playing in his first Phoenix match in New York since he was traded last February from Brooklyn. Durant worked out on the court before the match to test his foot, but Suns later announced that he would be absent again. Phoenix won 116-113 despite Kevin’s absence as Devin Booker struck a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 1.7 seconds left (en route to a 28-point, 11-assist performance) to seal the victory. The injury stopped Durant from extending his winning streak that dates back to a decade and all the way back to his original NBA franchise. He has won the last matches that he’s played in against the Knicks, and did not lose them at all while he was with the Golden State Warriors and Brooklyn Nets. His last loss was April 7, 2013 with Oklahoma City Thunder. Kevin Durant was hoping to comeback after missing the Suns’ win at Memphis on Friday because of the foot injury. More from the NBA: LaMelo Ball suffers ankle strain, misses rest of Hornets vs. Magic game.