2025 NBA on Christmas Day

By Kevin McCaskill Jr.

12/26/25*5:00 PM

(WMass) - Yesterday, the NBA had their usual 5 game schedule. Only two of the five games was close for most of the game: Cavaliers @ Knicks and Timberwolves @ Nuggets. Notwithstanding the other three comfortable victories, yesterday’s slate of games was enjoyable and very informative on how the rest of the season could play out.

CLE 124 NY 126

Jalen Brunson and Donovan Mitchell tied for a game-high 34 points.

The Cavaliers got out to a 20-5 lead in the 1st quarter. The Knicks clawed their way back into the game. The two biggest catalysts were Jordan Clarkson and Tyler Kolek off the bench. They both hit timely shots all game that helped NY; they scored 25 and 16, respectively.

The Cavaliers got a good performances from Darius Garland (20), Jaylon Tyson (16), Evan Mobley (14) and De’Andre Hunter (13).

The Cavs lost because Donovan Mitchell didn’t do enough. Also, Cavs HC Kenny Atkinson left him on the bench for way too long after they had completely lost the lead.

One or two more baskets; one or two more assists. Not being “Mic’d Up” and focusing on the game. Mitchell is more than capable of leading this team, even if players are out or miss FTs.

Mitchell has to do more in order for the Cavs to succeed this season.

SA 117 OKC 102

OKC has a 0.00001% chance to repeat as NBA Champions if Jalen Williams or Chet Holmgren don’t step-up and become the consistent second scorer for the Thunder. SGA won’t score 30+ every game.

Yesterday, Williams & Holmgren combined for 22 points [SGA’s total by himself], shooting 10/22 from the field, 1/4 from 3.

In the post-game press conference, Williams gave a flippant answer inferring they only lose to the Spurs because of Victor Wembanyama.

Currently, the Spurs are better than the Thunder, mainly because or De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Wembanyama.

Speaking of Wembanyama, he is a very confident young man from Europe. I hope he can play 27+ minutes in the near future.

DAL 116 GS 126

The game was competitive in the 1st quarter but after that, the Warriors controlled the game.

The Warriors have a lot of drama surrounding their team but they still have won 3 consecutive games.

Steph Curry doesn’t look right. I think he came back too early from the quad injury, which the Warriors reported was a quad contusion and a quad strain. He isn’t running smoothly as he normally does. He also looked fatigued.

Anthony Davis got injured, again.

The Dallas Mavericks are Cooper Flagg’s team. Once it clicks for him mentally, that as a rookie and teenager, he is the best player and leader on the team, things should improve for Dallas.

HOU 119 LAL 96

To me, this was the marquee matchup of the day.

The Rockets got embarrassed by the Clippers two days prior; the agent for the 2nd best player on the Lakers said they aren’t a good team.

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It turns out, the agent was right. The Lakers got embarrassed @ home on Christmas. The looked slow and less strong @ every position.

Luka Doncic continues to incessantly complain to refs. It’s hard to watch him play sometimes. I know he is great but he cries to refs from the 1st to the 4th quarter. He also didn’t have a good game, by “superstar standards”.

There was a Lakers player who was -33 on the court last night. The Lakers needed a way better performance out of that player.

Amen Thompson scored a game-high 26 points for the Rockets. Kevin Durant had an efficient 25, 8/14, 4/6 3FG.

MIN 138 DEN 142

This was the most competitive game on the court.

You can tell the national sports media doesn’t watch the NBA regularly. Every show so far has led with Jokic triple-double, which is fine. One of their reasons as to why its such a great performance is because “3 starters” are out, like they all were just playing the game before. Cam Johnson

was the only starter that played recently and was out. Aaron Gordon hasn’t played since 11/21 and Christian Braun hasn’t played since 11/12.

If the Nuggets have Jokic and Murray, they always have a good chance to win.

Anthony Edwards had a good performance but got ejected in the final seconds of OT. He got a few delay of game warnings/technicals and ended up getting ejected. The Nuggets would have probably won but Edwards obviously should keep his composure to give his team a shot.

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The NFL played three games that should have been only on NFL+.

Yesterday, NBA > NFL

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