A matchup between Victor Wembanyama’s San Antonio Spurs and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Oklahoma City Thunder is expected to be one of the main highlights of the NBA’s packed Christmas Day schedule.
Christmas games receive extensive coverage and attention across the basketball world. In an effort to capitalize on that interest, the NBA has announced a five-game slate that will serve as the centerpiece of its Christmas showcase. Here are the streaming details and viewing options for this matchup between two young teams.
How To Watch the NBA Christmas Game Between the Spurs and Thunder
Several local and national television networks will broadcast the Spurs vs. Thunder matchup.
ABC, ESPN, and the ESPN app will all carry traditional telecasts of this year’s NBA Christmas games. In addition, alternative presentations will air on ESPN2, Disney+, Disney Channel, and Disney XD.
Fans looking to watch the highly anticipated rematch between the Spurs and Thunder should note that tipoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET on Christmas Day.
Those without access to local or national broadcasts can turn to streaming services such as Hulu + Live TV, DIRECTV STREAM, Sling TV, or similar platforms to avoid missing the Christmas Day action.
With Wembanyama and the Spurs among the few teams to defeat the defending NBA champions this season, the upcoming clash is expected to draw a notable increase in viewership. San Antonio ended Oklahoma City’s 16‑game win streak in the Emirates NBA Cup semifinals.
While Wembanyama and his teammates have already made a statement by beating the Thunder in the NBA Cup, they now face the challenge of meeting the expectations they have set. Meanwhile, Oklahoma City will be eager to prove that the result of their meeting in Las Vegas was an anomaly.
Wembanyama posted 42 points and 18 rebounds in his Christmas debut last season, a 117‑114 defeat to the New York Knicks. Meanwhile, Thunder’s star trio — Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren — will appear in their first Christmas Day game.
Given Wembanyama’s rapid growth and development, some around the NBA already believe the Spurs should be considered legitimate title contenders this season. Their Christmas Day showdown against the defending champions should provide further clarity on where San Antonio stands in the Western Conference.
The Spurs–Thunder matchup is the second game on the NBA’s Christmas Day slate. The schedule also features the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Knicks, the Dallas Mavericks against the Golden State Warriors, the Houston Rockets against the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Minnesota Timberwolves against the Denver Nuggets. Each contest carries its own rivalries and storylines as the league seeks to capitalize on the holiday viewership boost.
