NBA Christmas Day 2022: Know tip-off times, live stream schedule, and the international stars to watch

Holiday season is about the gift of giving, and the NBA stars aim to do just that on 25 December with five-back-to-back top tier games.

Christmas day will see ten teams take to the hardwood with several intriguing match-ups promised in the world's top men's basketball competition.

Headlining the day will be an eastern conference top-of-the-table clash between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Boston Celtics.

If the prospect of Giannis Antetokounmpo matching up against Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown wasn’t enough then the small fact this meeting will be a rematch of last year’s seven-game semi-final is sure to make this the marquee game of the holiday.

A second postseason rematch will also be on the cards when the Golden State Warriors take on the red-hot Memphis Grizzlies. The Warriors will be hunting for a win to help their ailing defence campaign but with Steph Curry sidelined with a shoulder injury the game is expected to be an uphill battle for the reigning champs.

LeBron James’ Los Angeles Lakers will face Luka Doncic’s Dallas Mavericks on a night where the US basketball legend is expected to write history. Two-time Olympic gold medallist James will become the player with the most Christmas Day games in league history when he takes to the court. Should the Lakers win, then the American would become the leader in all-time Christmas Day wins.

Madison Square Garden and the Knicks will host the 76ers and with future French basketball star Joel Embiid fit and healthy for the game, the team from Philadelphia are sure to give the hosts a lot to chew on.

And, wrapping up the day's action, will be the Phoneix Suns versus the Denver Nuggets. The first meeting of the season between the two Western Conference giants promises to pit Devin Booker against reigning league MVP Nikola Jokic.

NBA Christmas Day 2022: Jokic, Antetokounmpo, and Doncic lead top international players to watch

Ever since the Chicago Stags played the Providence Steamrollers on Christmas Day in 1947, December 25 has hosted NBA games.

The 2022-23 campaign will mark the 75th year the tradition has taken place and with families around the world gathering to celebrate the holiday its the perfect time to shine a spotlight on the league and its top players.

Given the franchises competing, several big name international players will be among those taking centre stage on Christmas Day this year, and with the FIBA World Cup approaching the horizon in 2023, plenty of fans will watching to see how their top national players are getting on in basketball's top league.

Here are the imports set to play:

Golden State Warriors

• Jonathan Kuminga (COG)
• Andrew Wiggins (CAN)

Memphis Grizzlies

• Brandon CLARKE (CAN)
• Santi Aldama (ESP)
• Dillon Brooks (CAN)
• Steven Adams (AUS)

Los Angeles Lakers

• Dennis Schroder (GER)
• Wenyen Gabriel (SSD)

Dallas Mavericks

• Luka Doncic (SLO)
• Dwight Powell (CAN) - subject to fitness
• Josh Green (AUS)
• Maxi Kleber (GER) - out indefinitely
• Frank Ntilikina (BEL)
• Davis Bertans (LAT)

New York Knicks

• RJ Barrett (CAN)
• Evan Fournier (FRA)
• Svi Mykhailiuk (UKR)

Philadelphia 76ers

• Joel Embiid (CAM)
• Furkan Korkmaz (TUK) - subject to fitness

Milwaukee Bucks

• Giannis Antetokounmpo (GRE)
• Thanasis Antetokounmpo (GRE)
• Serge Ibaka (ESP)
• Joe Ingles (AUS)

Boston Celtics

• Al Horford (DOM)
• Mfiondu Kabengele (CAN)

Phoenix Suns

• Josh Okogie (NGR) - subject to fitness
• Deandre Ayton (BAH)
• Jock Landale (AUS) - subject to fitness
• Bismack Biyombo (COG)
• Duane Washington Jr (GER)
• Dario Saric (CRO)

Denver Nuggets

• Nikola Jokic (SER)
• Jamal Murray (CAN) - subject to fitness
• Vlatko Cancer (SLO)
• Jack White (AUS)

What time do the NBA Christmas Day games tip-off?

The NBA December 25 games schedule will be as follows:

• Philadelphia 76ers v New York Knicks - 12:00 ET - Madison Square Garden, NY
• Los Angeles Lakers v Dallas Mavericks - 14:30 ET - American Airlines Center, TX
• Milwaukee Bucks v Boston Celtics - 17:00 ET - TD Garden, MA
• Memphis Grizzlies v Golden State Warriors - 20:00 ET - Chase Centre, CA
• Phoenix Suns v Denver Nuggets - 22:30 ET - Ball Arena, CO

All times are in Eastern Time (UTC -5).

How to watch NBA Christmas Day 2022 games live

All five NBA Christmas Day games will be televised by both ESPN and ABC in the United States as well as being available to livestream on the ESPN App.

For international viewers the NBA is available to watch via regional broadcasters (geographical restrictions may apply) or using the NBA League Pass (subscription fee may apply).