Christmas crackers filled with big time superstars

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Cleveland Cavaliers Australian rookie Tyrese Proctor was a DNP-coach's decision as the New York Knicks came back from their biggest deficit of the season as the first game of the Christmas Day (US) bonanza tipped off.

Proctor's Australian teammate Luke Travers wasn't on the Cleveland Cavaliers roster.

Today is part of the 73 hours of basketball from Christmas Eve on Wednesday, December 24 to Saturday, December 27, 2025 (AEDT).

NBA Box Score: Cleveland Cavaliers 124 New York Knicks 126

The Knicks edged the Cavaliers in a dramatic, tradition-heavy Christmas Day opener, sealing a 126–124 win after a wild, momentum-swinging contest that went down to the final possessions. For Australian fans, Boxing Day was without Cleveland's Sydney point guard Tyrese Proctor, who was a DNP-Coach's Decision.

New York trailed by as many as 15 but surged late behind Jalen Brunson, who delivered a Christmas Day statement with 34 points (6-of-12 from three) and eight free throws. Brunson is the son of former NBL player Rick Brunson.

Off the bench, Jordan Clarkson (25 points) and Guerschon Yabusele (16 points, 9 assists) flipped the game with pace, shooting, and playmaking as the Knicks exploded for 42 fourth-quarter points.

Cleveland looked poised to spoil the Garden party after dropping 38 points in both the first and third quarters, led by Donovan Mitchell’s 34 points, Darius Garland’s 20 points and 10 assists, and a strong interior night from Evan Mobley (14 points, 9 rebounds). But defensive breakdowns late and New York’s shot-making proved decisive.

• It was the first-ever Christmas Day meeting between the two franchises.
• Knicks extended their NBA-record 58th Christmas Day appearance.
• Cleveland played on Christmas for the first time since 2017.
• Bernard King’s 60-point game (1984) remains the Christmas Day scoring record for New York.
• Cavaliers are 6–0 at home, and now 1–9 on the road all-time on Christmas.

NBA Box Score: San Antonio Spurs 117 Oklahoma City Thunder 102

San Antonio stunned the Thunder with a wire-to-wire road win, setting the tone early behind a 41-point first quarter and never relinquishing control. The Spurs shot 54% from the field, won the glass 49–48, and punished OKC’s cold perimeter night (Thunder 25% from three).

De’Aaron Fox was the engine, pouring in 29 points on 12-of-19 shooting, while rookie Stephon Castle delivered a poised all-around line (19 points, 7 assists). Victor Wembanyama dominated the interior off the bench with 19 points and 11 rebounds in 26 minutes, anchoring San Antonio’s advantage at both ends. Harrison Barnes added 15, and the Spurs’ depth kept pressure on throughout.

Oklahoma City couldn’t find rhythm offensively. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led with 22 points, but needed 19 shots; Jalen Williams (12) and Chet Holmgren (10) were held in check as the Thunder finished at 39% overall and 68% at the line.

NBA Box Score: Dallas Mavericks 116 Golden State Warriors 126

Golden State protected home court with a composed wire-to-wire win, building a 40–28 first-quarter lead and answering every Dallas push across the middle quarters. The Warriors won despite cold shooting from deep (28% on 50 attempts), leaning instead on ball movement, rebounding, and free-throw efficiency (24-of-26, 92%).

Stephen Curry led the way with 23 points, knocking down 9-of-9 at the line, while Jimmy Butler III filled the box score (14 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists) to control tempo and decision-making. Golden State’s depth was decisive: De’Anthony Melton (16 points, +19), Al Horford (14 points on 4-of-6 from three), and Trayce Jackson-Davis (10 points, 5 rebounds) consistently won second units and extended the margin.

Dallas shot an efficient 55% from the field but couldn’t keep pace from outside (4-of-14 from three) or at the stripe (67% FT). Rookie Cooper Flagg was the standout, pouring in 27 points on 13-of-21 shooting, while Brandon Williams added 26 off the bench. The Mavericks’ offence stayed afloat, but defensive lapses and Golden State’s depth proved costly.

• Luka Dončić scored 50 points on Christmas in 2023.
• Stephen Curry tied the Christmas Day record with eight threes in 2024.
• Cooper Flagg becomes the youngest player to appear on Christmas Day since LeBron James (2003).
• Klay Thompson makes his only regular-season visit to San Francisco.

NBA Box Score: Houston Rockets 119 Los Angeles Lakers 96

Houston delivered a statement road win, overwhelming the Lakers from the opening tip and never looking back. The Rockets poured in 37 first-quarter points, built a double-digit cushion early, and stretched the margin to as many as 33 behind relentless pace, physicality, and two-way execution.

Amen Thompson led the charge with 26 points on 12-of-19 shooting, while Kevin Durant was ruthlessly efficient (25 points, 8 assists, +26). Alperen Şengün controlled the paint (14 points, 12 rebounds), and Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason combined for 29 points as Houston’s starters dominated across the board. The Rockets finished at 53% from the field, won the rebounding battle 48–25, and forced the Lakers into hurried possessions throughout.

For Los Angeles, Luka Dončić shouldered the load with 25 points and 7 assists, and LeBron James added 18, but support was limited. The Lakers were outmuscled on the glass, struggled to generate consistent offence beyond their stars, and never recovered from the opening surge.

• Luka Dončić plays his first Christmas game as a Laker.
• Rockets return to Christmas Day for the first time since 2019.

Why it matters: Christmas royalty meets a reshaped Lakers era.

NBA Box Score: Minnesota Timberwolves 138 Denver Nuggets 142

A heavyweight duel went to overtime in Denver, where the Nuggets outlasted the Timberwolves behind a historic performance from Nikola Jokic. Jokic was simply unstoppable, exploding for 56 points, 16 rebounds, and 15 assists on 15-of-21 shooting, sealing the win at the line as Denver closed overtime with poise.

Minnesota forced the extra period with a furious fourth-quarter rally, sparked by Anthony Edwards, who delivered a monster 44 points on 5-of-14 from three and repeatedly broke down Denver’s defence late. Julius Randle added 32 points and Jaden McDaniels was ultra-efficient (21 points on 9-of-12), while Rudy Gobert controlled the glass (12 rebounds, 6 blocks).

But Denver’s shot-making ultimately told. Jamal Murray poured in 35 points and 10 assists, knocking down 9-of-18 from deep, and the Nuggets finished at 44% from three and 91% at the free-throw line — margins that proved decisive in a game decided by execution under pressure.

• First-ever Christmas Day meeting between the franchises.
• Nikola Jokić recorded a 41-point, 15-rebound, 15-assist triple-double on Christmas in 2022.
• Nuggets play on Christmas for the sixth time in seven years.

Why it matters: Modern contenders close Christmas with MVP pedigree.

Records and Milestones

• Most Christmas Day Points (Career): LeBron James – 507
• Most Christmas Day Wins (Teams): Lakers & Knicks – 25
• Highest Winning % (Active Teams): Miami Heat – .857 (12–2)
• Longest Team Winning Streak: Portland – 13 straight (1972–2007)
• Most Points in a Game: Bernard King – 60 (1984)
• Triple-Doubles on Christmas Day: 14 total by 10 players
• Only Opposing Triple-Doubles Same Game: James Harden & Russell Westbrook (2021)

Aussies on Christmas Day Records

Patty Mills – Christmas Day Record Holder

• Patty Mills is tied for the most three-pointers made in a Christmas Day game (8).
• He shares the record with Luka Dončić, Grayson Allen and Stephen Curry.
• Mills’ record performance came in 2021, reinforcing his reputation as a big-moment shooter on the NBA’s biggest regular-season stage.

Fast Facts about Christmas Day NBA Games

• This year marks the 78th edition of the NBA on Christmas Day. The NBA began playing games on Christmas Day in 1947 in its second season.
• The NBA will have five games on Christmas Day for the 18th year in a row.
• The NBA on Christmas Day will reach fans in 215 countries and territories in more than 50 languages.
• ESPN will air all five Christmas Day games in the United States, spanning more than 13 consecutive hours of coverage.
• Three games are first-time matchups on Christmas Day: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks vs. Golden State Warriors, and Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets.
• The New York Knicks will extend their record for most games played on Christmas Day to 58. An original NBA franchise, New York played its first Christmas game in 1947.
• The Cleveland Cavaliers will play on Christmas Day for the first time since 2017, the Oklahoma City Thunder since 2018, and the Houston Rockets since 2019.
• Four 2025 NBA All-Stars are set to make their Christmas Day debuts: reigning Kia NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Darius Garland of the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Alperen Sengun of the Houston Rockets. (Cleveland’s Evan Mobley, a 2025 NBA All-Star, has also never played on Christmas Day; the Cavaliers announced on Dec. 13 that he is expected to miss approximately 2–4 weeks with a calf injury.)
• The Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James is the Christmas Day career leader in points (507), games played (19), field goals made (180), three-pointers made (tied with James Harden with 31), and victories (11). James ranks second with 137 assists (eight behind Oscar Robertson, with 145) and 28 steals (two behind Russell Westbrook, with 30).
• Other Christmas Day career leaders include Bill Russell for rebounds (176), Shaquille O’Neal for blocked shots (25), and Oscar Robertson for free throws made (125).
• Bernard King scored a Christmas Day-record 60 points for the New York Knicks against the New Jersey Nets in 1984.
• Other Christmas Day single-game leaders include Wilt Chamberlain for rebounds (36 in 1961); Guy Rodgers and Nate "Tiny" Archibald for assists (18 in 1966 and 1972, respectively); DeAndre Jordan for blocked shots (eight in 2011); Kyrie Irving for steals (seven in 2016); and Patty Mills, Luka Dončić, Grayson Allen, and Stephen Curry for three-pointers made (eight in 2021, 2023, 2023, and 2024, respectively).
• In 2023, Luka Dončić (50 points) became the fourth player to score 50 or more points in a Christmas Day game, joining Bernard King (60 in 1984), Wilt Chamberlain (59 in 1961), and Rick Barry (50 in 1966).
• Tracy McGrady has the highest career scoring average on Christmas Day at 43.3 points per game. He scored at least 40 points in each of his three games.
• Miami has the highest winning percentage among active teams on Christmas Day at .857 (12–2 record), which includes its current nine-game winning streak. The Heat is unbeaten on Christmas Day under current head coach Erik Spoelstra (9–0).
• Ten players have recorded a triple-double on Christmas Day: Oscar Robertson (four), John Havlicek, Billy Cunningham, LeBron James, Russell Westbrook (two), Draymond Green, Kemba Walker, James Harden, Nikola Jokić, and Austin Reaves.
• The Lakers and Knicks are tied for the most team victories on Christmas Day with 25.
• Phil Jackson and Jack Ramsay share the record for most head coaching victories on Christmas Day with 11 each.