Predicting NBA's Christmas Day schedule for 2024

Predicting 2024 Christmas Day schedule

Going by the same formula of having NBA champions and superstar/MVP-level talent headline the Christmas Day games in 2024, a potential five-game slate could look something like this:

Milwaukee Bucks vs. New York Knicks, Noon ET

Giannis and Dame take on the new-look Nova Knicks. The Damian Lillard vs. Jalen Brunson storyline would be fun to follow. Is Brunson finally better than Lillard, or did Dame need more time to adjust to Milwaukee?

Golden State Warriors vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, 2:30 p.m. ET

This potential matchup would likely be one of the highest-scoring games of the day. Last season, both teams were in the top eight in scoring. The Thunder were third in points per game at 120.1, while the Warriors were eighth at 117.8. The up-and-down pace of the game would be perfect for showcasing superstars Stephen Curry and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics, 5 p.m. ET

A potential Eastern Conference Finals matchup? The Philadelphia 76ers have a solid case to make as the second-best team in the East after adding Paul George. The Celtics aren't an ideal matchup for any team, but they seem well equipped for the Sixers due to their two-way superstars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who can slow down George, as well as their plethora of big men who can space the floor and bring Embiid out of the paint defensively.

Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 8 p.m. ET

Both the Suns and Lakers had disappointing seasons last year, with Phoenix getting swept by the Timberwolves in the first round and the Lakers missing the playoffs entirely. The fact that both teams are on a similar tier would make for an exciting matchup.

It would be hard to leave teams like the Timberwolves off the schedule, especially since they swept the Suns and have Anthony Edwards, one of the most electrifying players in the league. But superstars like Curry, LeBron, and Durant are aging and have limited windows - they need to have seniority in this case. Edwards will have plenty of future opportunities to showcase his talent on Christmas.

Besides, we don't know how many more times we get to see two of the most remarkable wings of our generation matchup. The Lakers and Suns may not be top-ten teams, but Durant vs. LeBron is as good as it gets.

Dallas Mavericks vs. Denver Nuggets, 10:30 p.m. ET

If Durant and LeBron are the two best players of the past decade-plus, then Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic have a solid case for being up next if they haven't already cemented themselves. It gives fans the Western Conference Finals matchup many wanted after the Nuggets lost to the Timberwolves in the Western Conference Semifinals.