What Time Are the NBA Christmas Games?
NBA Christmas Day GamesFriday, December 25, 2026
Next game
Spurs vs Knicks
Fri, Dec 2512:00PMET · 9:00 AM PTYour time: 12:00 PM ET
Starts inSpurs at Knicks
Then2:30 PM ET Heat vs Celtics | 5:00 PM ET 76ers vs Lakers | 8:00 PM ET Thunder vs Timberwolves | 10:30 PM ET Nuggets vs Warriors
Christmas Day has 5 NBA games on Friday, December 25, 2026. The first tips off at 12:00 PM ET (9:00 AM PT) and the last at 10:30 PM ET.
NBA Christmas Day Games Schedule
- FriDec 25Spurs vs Knicks12:00 PM (noon)ET · 9:00 AM PT
- FriDec 25
Heat vs Celtics2:30 PMET · 11:30 AM PT - FriDec 25
76ers vs Lakers5:00 PMET · 2:00 PM PT - FriDec 25
Thunder vs Timberwolves8:00 PMET · 5:00 PM PT - FriDec 25
Nuggets vs Warriors10:30 PMET · 7:30 PM PT
Matchups and tip-off times are from the NBA's official announcement. TV channels and live scores appear here automatically closer to the day.
Christmas Day Tip-off Times in Every Time Zone
| Location | Time | Day |
|---|---|---|
| Your time | ||
| Eastern (ET)New York, Atlanta, Miami | 12:00 PM (noon) | Fri, Dec 25 |
| TorontoToronto, Montreal | 12:00 PM (noon) | Fri, Dec 25 |
| Central (CT)Chicago, Dallas, Houston | 11:00 AM | Fri, Dec 25 |
| Mountain (MT)Denver, Salt Lake City | 10:00 AM | Fri, Dec 25 |
| ArizonaPhoenix (no daylight saving) | 10:00 AM | Fri, Dec 25 |
| Pacific (PT)Los Angeles, Seattle, Las Vegas | 9:00 AM | Fri, Dec 25 |
| AlaskaAnchorage | 8:00 AM | Fri, Dec 25 |
| HawaiiHonolulu | 7:00 AM | Fri, Dec 25 |
| Location | Time | Day |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico CityMexico City, Guadalajara | 11:00 AM | Fri, Dec 25 |
| UK and IrelandLondon, Dublin | 5:00 PM | Fri, Dec 25 |
| France and SpainParis, Madrid | 6:00 PM | Fri, Dec 25 |
| Serbia and GermanyBelgrade, Berlin, Rome | 6:00 PM | Fri, Dec 25 |
| GreeceAthens | 7:00 PM | Fri, Dec 25 |
| NigeriaLagos | 6:00 PM | Fri, Dec 25 |
| PhilippinesManila, Cebu | 1:00 AM | Sat, Dec 26+1 day |
| ChinaBeijing, Shanghai | 1:00 AM | Sat, Dec 26+1 day |
| JapanTokyo | 2:00 AM | Sat, Dec 26+1 day |
| Australia (Sydney)Sydney, Melbourne | 4:00 AM | Sat, Dec 26+1 day |
Christmas Day Key Dates
| Date | Friday, December 25, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Games | 5, back to back from noon to late night ET |
| First tip-off | 12:00 PM ET |
| Last tip-off | 10:30 PM ET |
About Christmas Day
The NBA plays five games on Christmas Day, starting at noon Eastern and running into the late evening, with each game following the last.
NBA Christmas Day Games FAQ
What time do the Christmas Day NBA games start?
The first game tips off at 12:00 PM ET (9:00 AM PT). The last starts at 10:30 PM ET.
How many NBA games are on Christmas Day?
There are 5 games: Spurs vs Knicks (12:00 PM ET); Heat vs Celtics (2:30 PM ET); 76ers vs Lakers (5:00 PM ET); Thunder vs Timberwolves (8:00 PM ET); Nuggets vs Warriors (10:30 PM ET).
Schedule data refreshed Nov 3, 11:36 AM ET by WTIT Time Desk. Times can change; the official league schedule always wins.