The 2025 edition of NBA Christmas games has officially arrived, giving the sports world something to be excited about as the annual holiday tradition begins. The matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks is the first of five contests scheduled throughout the day.
Where can NBA fans tune in to watch this Christmas Day matchup? Here are the streaming and broadcast details.
How to Watch Cavaliers vs. Knicks
Date: Dec. 25, 2025
Time: 12 p.m. ET
Where: Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York
Streaming: ESPN
TV Channels: ESPN & ABC
Previewing Cavaliers vs. Knicks
Cleveland is coming off back-to-back victories over the Charlotte Hornets and the New Orleans Pelicans. The offense has been on fire, averaging 140 points in those two contests and presenting a challenge for opponents trying to slow them down.
New York, meanwhile, has won seven of its last 10 games and sits among the best teams in the Eastern Conference. However, the Knicks are coming off a road loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves and will look to return to the win column as their Christmas gift.
The Knicks lead the season series 1-0.
Cavaliers Notables
The Cavaliers have not showcased the elite form they displayed last season, when they earned 64 regular-season wins.
Cleveland enters with a 17-14 record as it moves through the second third of the 2025-26 schedule. The Cavaliers have gone 5-5 in their last 10 games and currently sit in the middle of the Eastern Conference standings.
The Cavaliers remain potent offensively, with Donovan Mitchell leading the way. Cleveland boasts one of the league’s top 10 offenses, and Mitchell anchors the unit by averaging 30.6 points and 5.4 assists per game on impressive shooting splits of 50% overall, including 38.8% from beyond the arc.
De’Andre Hunter and Jaylon Tyson are also players to watch, combining for 28.3 points per game. However, Cleveland will be without two-way star Evan Mobley, who remains sidelined with a calf strain injury he suffered in mid-December.
Defense continues to be a primary concern despite the wins Cleveland has collected this season. The Cavaliers rank 20th in scoring defense at 117.5 points allowed per game and 16th in defensive rating at 115.1, according to Basketball Reference. If New York consistently puts Cleveland in difficult positions, this Christmas afternoon may not be joyous for the visitors.
Knicks Notables
Among teams in the title-contender conversation, the Knicks stand out in the Eastern Conference.
New York has surged to a 20-9 start, holding the No. 2 seed in the conference standings. The Knicks have built on that momentum at home, where they are 14-2 at Madison Square Garden.
The Knicks own a top-five offense under head coach Mike Brown, who has made notable strides in his first season with the franchise. New York ranks fifth in points per game at 120.1 and owns the third-best offensive rating at 121.9, per Basketball Reference.
Jalen Brunson, who missed the Dec. 23 game against the Minnesota Timberwolves with an ankle injury, is expected to return for the Christmas matchup, per NBA insider Shams Charania. He leads the offense with averages of 29.1 points and 6.6 assists per game.
Karl-Anthony Towns will also play a key role against Cleveland’s frontcourt. Averaging 22.3 points and 11.7 rebounds per game, his ability to stretch the floor and pull Cleveland’s big men away from the paint will be crucial.
Josh Hart, Jordan Clarkson, and Tyler Kolek are also expected to play meaningful roles. Hart will need to stay active on both ends of the floor, while Clarkson and Kolek provide scoring and playmaking off the bench. Kolek made his first start against the Timberwolves, recording a 20-point, 12-rebound double-double while finishing two assists shy of a triple-double.
The Knicks enter as a solid favorite. If they can start fast and control the tempo, they could deliver a festive win for the Madison Square Garden crowd on Christmas Day.