Victor Wembanyama, Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic and reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are all in action on Christmas Day, with SGA one of four 2025 NBA All-Stars — along with Thunder teammate Jalen Williams, the Cavaliers' Darius Garland and the Rockets' Alperen Sengun — playing the marquee occasion for the first time. Just be aware that the five-game slate tops 13 hours of coverage...
You can watch NBA Christmas Games 2025 live streams from anywhere with a VPN.
The 2025 NBA Christmas Games take place on Thursday, December 25. Full schedule below.
• U.S. — ESPN & ABC via Sling TV
• Watch anywhere — Try NordVPN 100% risk free
NBA on Christmas tips off with Cavaliers vs Knicks. Mike Brown's men are on a high after securing the NBA Cup — their first trophy since 1973 — and Jalen Brunson is an outside bet for the MVP award. Donovan Mitchell and Brunson are two of the NBA's top-10 scorers, though the Cavs' Evan Mobley looks set to miss out through injury.
Next up is the game of the day: Spurs vs Thunder. Reigning champions OKC are on track to break the regular-season wins record, but they were beaten by San Antonio earlier this month, with Wemby putting in an inspired display on his return from a lengthy layoff. The 7ft 4in center put up 42 points and 18 rebounds on his Christmas debut last year, setting the bar for SGA.
Mavericks vs Warriors sees Cooper Flagg take the limelight from Steph Curry, with Dallas' rookie set to become the youngest Christmas debutant since LeBron James in 2003. Flagg, who's just turned 19, scored 526 points in 29 games as an 18-year-old, a record only bettered by LeBron James (625 in 25) and Kobe Bryant (539 in 25).
James meets Kevin Durant for the first time since 2018 in the Rockets vs Lakers game, which also marks Sengun and Amen Thompson's Christmas debuts, and NBA top-scorer Doncic's first as a Laker, before Timberwolves vs Nuggets rounds out the action. As one of only 10 players to have recorded a triple-double on Christmas Day, and the NBA's leading man for both assists and rebounds, Jokic is almost as reliable as Santa.
Here's how to watch NBA Christmas Games 2025 from anywhere in the world, and potentially for free.
NBA Christmas Games schedule 2025
Thursday, December 25
12 p.m. — Cavaliers vs Knicks (ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, Disney Channel, Disney XD, ESPN Unlimited, Disney Plus)
2:30 p.m. — Spurs vs Thunder (ABC, ESPN, ESPN Unlimited)
5 p.m. — Mavericks vs Warriors (ABC, ESPN, ESPN Unlimited)
8 p.m. — Rockets vs Lakers (ABC, ESPN, ESPN Unlimited)
10:30 p.m. — Timberwolves vs Nuggets (ABC, ESPN, ESPN Unlimited)
(All times ET)
Watch NBA Christmas Games 2025 from anywhere
Away from home and blocked from watching the 2025 NBA Christmas Games?
You can still watch your usual basketball live streams thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network). The software makes your devices to appear to be back in your home country regardless of where in the world you are. Ideal for fans away on vacation or on business. Our favorite is NordVPN. It's the best on the market:
Using a VPN is incredibly simple.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you want to tune in via Sling, choose 'United States' from the list.
3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head to your platform of choice and watch the NBA Christmas Games live.
How to watch NBA Christmas Games 2025 live streams in the U.S.
In the U.S., all five of the NBA Christmas Games are being shown on ABC and ESPN.
A single subscription to Sling TV will get you comprehensive coverage.
The Sling Orange plan carries ESPN, ESPN2 and Disney Channel, and costs $5 per day, $10 for three days, $15/week, $46/month or $115/quarter.
The Sling Blue plan carries local network affiliates from ABC, FOX and NBC (availability varies by market), and costs $51/month.
Not at home right now? You can tap into your preferred coverage through NordVPN.
Click through for more options ▼
Sling is the most cost-efficient option, but it isn't the only cable TV alternative you can use to watch the NBA Christmas Games. There are several options to choose from.
All five games are also available to live stream on ESPN Unlimited, which costs $29.99/month or $299.99/year, but for a limited time you can bundle it with Disney Plus and Hulu for $29.99/month for 12 months, after which it'll cost $35.99/month.
Fubo, YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV will let you tune in too.
How to watch NBA Christmas Games 2025 live streams in Canada
In Canada, the Cavaliers vs Knicks and Spurs vs Thunder games are being shown on TSN+, which grants access to everything TSN has to offer for $8/month or $80/year.
The Mavericks vs Warriors, Rockets, vs Lakers and Timberwolves vs Nuggets games are available to watch on Sportsnet Plus, which starts at CA$29.99/month CA$249.99/year.
If you're outside Canada but have a subscription, you can watch NBA Christmas Games with the aid of a VPN, such as NordVPN.
How to watch NBA Christmas Games 2025 live streams in the U.K.
In the U.K., all five of the NBA Christmas Games are being shown on Sky Sports, across multiple channels.
Packages start from £22/month if you're an existing customer — or check out Sky TV deals and packages if you want to sign up. Alternatively, Now Sports offers Daily, Monthly and Annual passes. Prices start at £14.99 for 24-hour access.
Alternatively, comprehensive NBA coverage is available through NBA League Pass, which starts at £16.99/month or £114.99 for the season.
If you're a subscriber but you're not in the U.K. right now, try using NordVPN to watch the NBA Christmas Games as if you were back at home.
How to watch NBA Christmas Games 2025 live streams in Australia
In Australia, all five of the NBA Christmas Games are being shown on ESPN via Foxtel.
Don't have Foxtel and don't want to subscribe? The games are also shown on Kayo Sports, with its affordable, commitment-free plans starting from just AU$30/month, and hosting plenty of NFL, cricket, AFL, rugby, F1 and more.
Anybody who hasn't used the service before can choose between a 7-day FREE trial and 1 month for AU$1.
ESPN's NBA coverage is available to live stream via Disney Plus too. A subscription starts at AU$15.99/month or AU$159.99/year.
Alternatively, comprehensive NBA coverage is available through NBA League Pass, which starts at AU$24.99/month or AU$174.99 for the rest of the season.
Not in Australia right now? You can simply use a VPN like NordVPN to watch all the NBA Christmas action on your account as if you were back home.
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We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
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