You’re sitting there, scrolling through your sportsbook or checking your fantasy app, and you realize something feels weird. Empty. The schedule for NBA basketball Christmas Eve is a total ghost town. No late-night West Coast tips. No League Pass alerts. Just… nothing.
It’s one of those odd quirks of the sports calendar. We get wall-to-wall hoops on Christmas Day—it’s basically the league’s Super Bowl—but the night before? Total silence.
Honestly, it’s one of the few times the NBA actually hits the brakes. If you're looking for a game on December 24, you're out of luck. But why does a league that loves revenue so much decide to leave money on the table every single year? It’s not just a random coincidence; it’s a mix of tradition, player sanity, and some cold, hard logic about TV ratings.
Why NBA basketball Christmas Eve is a Ghost Town
Basically, the NBA has carved out four specific days during the season where they just don't play. It’s a very short list: Thanksgiving, Election Day, the night of the NCAA Men’s Championship game, and Christmas Eve.
While the league has never issued a formal "Decree of the 24th," it’s common knowledge among insiders and players that this is a family-first window. Think about the logistics. For the NBA to have a five-game slate on Christmas Day—which they always do—those teams have to travel. If you’re the Cleveland Cavaliers and you have to play the Knicks at Madison Square Garden at noon on the 25th, you’re already in a Manhattan hotel by the 24th.
By keeping the 24th clear of games, the league gives players a tiny bit of breathing room. They can have a quiet dinner or at least not have to worry about a 7:30 p.m. tip-off before catching a flight.
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The History You Probably Didn't Know
Believe it or not, the NBA hasn't always skipped Christmas Eve. But it’s been a long, long time.
In the entire history of the league, only two games have ever been played on December 24.
- 1960: The Detroit Pistons took on the Boston Celtics. It wasn't even close. Bill Russell and the Celtics absolutely demolished Detroit 150-106.
- 1967: The San Francisco Warriors played the Seattle SuperSonics. Nate Thurmond went off for 18 points and 29 rebounds.
And that’s it. Since 1967, the league has essentially retired the date. They realized early on that Christmas Eve is for church, family dinners, and last-minute gift wrapping. People aren't tuning in.
The Logistics of the "Day Off"
Even though there are no games, don't think the players are just sitting at home eating cookies. Most of the guys playing the next day are in "business mode."
Draymond Green has been pretty vocal about this on his podcast, mentioning how much it actually "sucks" to play on the 25th because it looms over your family time on the 24th. You’re checking into a hotel or going through a walkthrough while everyone else is opening "Christmas Eve pajamas."
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The NBA prioritizes the 25th because it’s a "destination viewing" day. It’s the day the casual fan finally starts paying attention to the standings. Putting games on the 24th would just cannibalize the hype for the big marathon the next morning.
What the 2025-26 Schedule Taught Us
Looking at the most recent 2025-26 season, the "no-game" rule held firm. We saw a massive slate on December 23, with teams like the Houston Rockets and LA Clippers finishing up their pre-holiday shifts. Then, the league went dark for 24 hours.
When the lights came back on for Christmas Day, we had:
- Cavs vs. Knicks (The traditional Garden opener)
- Spurs vs. Thunder (Wemby vs. Chet)
- Mavs vs. Warriors (Cooper Flagg's big Christmas debut)
- Rockets vs. Lakers (LeBron and Luka vs. KD)
- Timberwolves vs. Nuggets (A rematch of that brutal Western Conference rivalry)
That 13-hour gauntlet on the 25th is only possible because the league resets on the 24th.
What to Do When There’s No Hoops
If you're a die-hard fan, the lack of NBA basketball Christmas Eve action can feel like a withdrawal. You’ve got options, though.
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- Catch up on the NBA Cup: By late December, the in-season tournament (NBA Cup) is over, but the fallout is usually still fresh. It’s a good time to watch the mini-documentaries or highlights from the Vegas finals.
- Scout the Rookies: Since the college game is also usually quiet, this is the best window to go down a YouTube rabbit hole of the top draft prospects. This year, everyone was obsessed with Cooper Flagg's high school and Duke highlights before he took the floor on Christmas Day.
- Classic Games: NBA TV almost always runs marathons of "Christmas Past." Watching 1980s Bernard King drop 60 on the Jersey Nets is a vibe.
Actionable Insights for Fans
The "No Game" rule is likely here to stay. The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) doesn't explicitly ban Christmas Eve games, but the "informal" agreement between the NBPA and the league is rock solid.
For the Bettors: Keep an eye on the December 23rd games. Often, teams playing on the 23rd that also have to play on the 25th are looking to get in and out quickly. Travel fatigue is real. If a team has a late road game on the 23rd and then a noon tip on the 25th, that "off day" on the 24th is mostly spent on a plane or in a cold tub.
For the Fantasy Managers: This is your chance to breathe. Use the 24th to check the injury reports for the Christmas Day stars. Usually, the "Probable" tags for guys like LeBron or Embiid get updated late on Christmas Eve once they've finished their team walkthroughs.
The league might be quiet, but the preparation for the biggest day in basketball is happening behind the scenes. Enjoy the break while you can, because once that noon tip hits at MSG, it’s non-stop until June.
Next Steps for You: Check the official NBA injury report on the afternoon of the 24th. This is when teams are required to disclose the status of players for the Christmas Day marathon. Also, if you’re planning to watch the "Dunk the Halls" animated broadcast, make sure your Disney+ or ESPN+ login is active before the morning rush.