ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania revealed the schedule for the NBA’s Christmas Day games in the 2025-26 season, highlighting marquee matchups that always draw significant attention from basketball fans. Among the featured games, the Dallas Mavericks will line up on the road against the Golden State Warriors, continuing their streak of Christmas Day appearances for the sixth consecutive year. The lineup also includes the Cleveland Cavaliers versus New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs against Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets taking on the Los Angeles Lakers, and Minnesota Timberwolves facing Denver Nuggets.

Key Storylines to Watch in the Mavericks-Warriors Clash

The Klay Thompson Christmas Day matchup stands out with several compelling narrative threads. Thompson, returning to Golden State’s home turf, is a key figure to monitor. In four contests against his former team last season, Thompson averaged 19.8 points per game and hit 21 three-pointers — almost double his tally against any other franchise. This game also pits him against his former Splash Brother Stephen Curry, along with Draymond Green, creating a reunion charged with competitive tension.

Earlier in the season, Dallas secured a 111-107 victory over the Warriors shortly before the All-Star break, a game notable for featuring Kyrie Irving. However, Irving’s participation in the Christmas Day game remains doubtful as he recovers from ACL surgery. This adds uncertainty to the Mavericks’ offensive options.

Another highlight will be the spotlight on Cooper Flagg, the new first overall pick, experiencing his first Christmas Day game. With the Warriors anticipated to be a strong team, and the Mavericks likely focusing on Klay Thompson, much of the attention will also fall on Flagg’s rookie season progress during this high-profile matchup.

Mavericks’ Christmas Day History and Team Developments

The Mavericks hold a balanced 4-4 record in Christmas Day contests historically. Their last outing on this stage resulted in a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, which marked the final game for Luka Doncic before his calf injury and subsequent trade a month later. Dallas also bolstered their roster this offseason by signing D’Angelo Russell, who has previous experience with the Warriors during the 2019-20 season, adding veteran depth to the team.

Other Potential Holiday Matchups That Could Have Created Buzz

Some fans anticipated a Christmas Day game featuring Luka Doncic and the Mavericks, but the NBA has scheduled the Lakers versus the Warriors for the season opener instead. Therefore, the first meeting between the restructured Dallas team and its former star might not occur until the NBA Cup competition begins.

An additional intriguing possibility was a Christmas Day clash between the Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs, with top draft pick Victor Wembanyama, and the Mavericks, with Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper, their own two top selections, are expected to cultivate a fierce rivalry over the coming decade. Such a matchup would have generated significant excitement given the young talent and competitive history involved.

Anticipation Surrounding the 2025 Christmas Day Games and Their Impact

The 2025 Christmas Day schedule promises to deliver high-stakes basketball moments, with the Mavericks-Warriors game positioned as a centerpiece of the holiday slate. The combination of Klay Thompson’s return to the Bay Area, Dwight Green and Stephen Curry’s presence, and the spotlight on rookie Cooper Flagg ensures an intense, multifaceted competition. For Dallas, the absence of Kyrie Irving adds complexity, making the contributions of other players even more critical.

These matchups are significant not only for their entertainment value but also for shaping narrative arcs throughout the season. Fans will closely follow how roster changes and developing rivalries influence team trajectories as the league heads deeper into the 2025-26 season.