Another Shai vs. Wenbanyama showdown and a classic LeBron vs. Durant: Today will be Christmas Day in the NBA

The NBA will celebrate its 78th “Christmas Day” this Thursday, with five games to be played on the day. More than 13 hours of uninterrupted broadcasts will feature a new matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs, as well as a simultaneous one-on-one between LeBron James and Kevin Durant.

NBA must play NFL on Christmas for second consecutive yearsticking with Thanksgiving until 2024 and changing up the classic American Basketball Day program with Washington Commanders vs. Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions.

The “Christmas Day” tradition began in 1947 In his second NBA season. Since then, the tradition has continued uninterrupted, growing to its current five games over 18 seasons.

Shai vs. Wenby

The highlight of the day will be the Thunder Spurs. (19:30 Japan time).

Oklahoma City has lost just four games this season.two of those games – the most painful one – against the Spurs. The first was in the NBA Cup semifinals in Las Vegas, and the second (last night) they won 130-110.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and friends make their debut on “Christmas Day” And they do it as locals at the Paycom Center, obligated to win if they don’t want the goodwill they started the course with to start being questioned.

The Thunder and Spurs are the two franchises that most commonly challenge strict financial rules That makes it difficult to form a dynasty in the NBA. Draft-based, they are destined to dominate the league in the coming years.

50 Christmases in the “Garden”

Before the game in Oklahoma City, New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers in Christmas season opener at Madison Square Garden (17:00 Japan time).

Knicks will play 50th Christmas game at The Gardenmaking it their 58th appearance on this momentous day, more than any other franchise in the league.

Knicks (20-9) arrive full of confidenceholding the recently won NBA Cup under his arm as he clinched his first title in 52 years. The Cavaliers (17-14) will play on Christmas Day for the first time since 2017.

LeBron vs. Kevin Durant

“I want to be at home with my family, but it’s a game and a sport that I love. This was a game I used to watch on Christmas Day as a kid, watching a lot of older players play on this day.. It was always an honor to compete. And obviously, to be completely honest, I’d rather be sitting on the couch with my family all day,” LeBron James said.

This will be James’ 20th Christmas game. 23rd NBA season.

Although he has not yet announced his future plans, this is likely to be his last season as a professional, and the NBA decided on this day to pair him with one of his great rivals, Kevin Durant.

The Lakers (19-9) and Houston Rockets (17-10) are scheduled to play at 1 a.m. Japan time. Friday in Los Angeles. The Lakers have doubts about Luka Doncic, who was injured last week.

Before the Lakers vs. Rockets game, 10 p.m. Japan time, Steph Curry’s Golden State Warriors (15-15) host Dallas Mavericks The award, presented by Cooper Flagg (12-19), marks the first “Christmas Day” for the Duke rookie.

Christmas Day ends with an authentic Western highlight. Denver Nuggets (21-8) – Minnesota Timberwolves (20-10) Starts Friday at 3:30 p.m. ET. Nikola Jokic and Anthony Edwards bring top honors to 13 hours of non-stop basketball broadcast in 215 countries and more than 50 languages.