NBA Daily Rewind

**Christmas Day NBA Showcase – December 25, 2025**
Yesterday’s NBA slate featured five marquee Christmas Day games, tipping off at noon ET and culminating late in the evening. Fans were treated to high drama, historic performances, and standout individual efforts across matchups on ABC and ESPN. The day’s schedule included:
– Cleveland Cavaliers at New York Knicks (noon ET)
– San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder (2:30 p.m. ET)
– Dallas Mavericks at Golden State Warriors (5 p.m. ET)
– Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers (8 p.m. ET)
– Minnesota Timberwolves at Denver Nuggets (10:30 p.m. ET) ([nba.com](https://www.nba.com/christmas/schedule?utm_source=openai))

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**San Antonio Spurs 117, Oklahoma City Thunder 102**
The Spurs continued their surge with a convincing 117-102 victory over the Thunder in Oklahoma City. San Antonio improved to 23-7, marking their first Christmas Day win since 2016 and extending their winning streak to eight games overall. De’Aaron Fox was electric, pouring in a game-high 29 points on 11-of-19 shooting, while Stephon Castle chipped in 19 points and seven assists. Rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama, returning in his sixth game from injury, added a poised 19 points and 11 rebounds off the bench, and Harrison Barnes contributed 15 points and six boards. San Antonio shot 53.6% from the field and held OKC to just 38.9% shooting overall, including 25% from three-point range. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/spurs-assert-themselves-take-down-thunder-again-christmas-spotlight--flm-2025-12-25/?utm_source=openai))

Oklahoma City’s leading scorer, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, finished with 22 points but struggled to find rhythm, and Chet Holmgren tallied a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds. The Thunder (26-5) fell victim to timely Spurs runs, including a 17-4 outburst late in the first quarter that staked San Antonio to a lead they never relinquished. ([poundingtherock.com](https://www.poundingtherock.com/game-recaps/91901/san-antonio-vs-oklahoma-city-final-score-spurs-take-back-end-of-home-and-home-series-in-christmas-day-victory-117-102?utm_source=openai))

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**New York Knicks 126, Cleveland Cavaliers 124**
In the day’s early thriller at Madison Square Garden, the Knicks stormed back from a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit to stun the Cavaliers 126-124, securing New York’s third straight Christmas Day victory. Jalen Brunson led the rally with 34 points—13 of which came in the final 7:15—and knocked down the decisive go-ahead three-pointer with 1:05 remaining. Jordan Clarkson added 25 points and veteran big man Karl-Anthony Towns chipped in 11 points and 14 rebounds, while reserve Tyler Kolek was instrumental with 16 points, nine assists, and a crucial block on Donovan Mitchell late in the game. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/jalen-brunson-knicks-explode-rally-past-cavaliers--flm-2025-12-25/?utm_source=openai))

For the Cavs, Donovan Mitchell exploded for 34 points, and Darius Garland posted a 20-point, 10-assist double-double, but they became the first team this season to lose after leading post-three quarters. A frantic finish saw Mitchell’s 77-foot heave fall just short at the buzzer, cementing a memorable comeback for New York. ([nbcsports.com](https://www.nbcsports.com/nba/news/brunson-and-the-reserves-lead-christmas-comeback-as-knicks-beat-cavaliers-126-124?utm_source=openai))

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**Golden State Warriors 126, Dallas Mavericks 116**
Stephen Curry scored 23 points, including a pivotal late three-pointer, as the Warriors defeated the Mavericks 126-116 at Chase Center. Golden State improved to 16-15, notching their first three-game winning streak since mid-November. Curry also sank all nine of his free throws and surpassed 26,000 career points, becoming the 22nd player in league history to reach the milestone. Jimmy Butler narrowly missed a triple-double, finishing with 14 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists, and Al Horford returned from a seven-game absence to pour in 14 points on 4-of-6 three-point shooting. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/timely-stephen-curry-scoring-helps-warriors-defeat-mavericks--flm-2025-12-26/?utm_source=openai))

Dallas was paced by rookie Cooper Flagg, who led all scorers with 27 points, and Brandon Williams, who added 26 off the bench. The Mavs lost Anthony Davis early with right groin spasms and never recovered despite shooting 50% from the floor; they fell to 12-20. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/mavericks-f-anthony-davis-groin-wont-return-vs-warriors--flm-2025-12-26/?utm_source=openai))

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**Houston Rockets 119, Los Angeles Lakers 96**
In Los Angeles, the Rockets dominated the Lakers 119-96, concluding a six-game road trip on a high note. Amen Thompson spearheaded the effort with 26 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, while Kevin Durant tallied 25 points and eight assists. Alperen Şengün posted a double-double (14 points, 12 rebounds), and Tari Eason and Reed Sheppard each added 13 points. Houston shot 62.5% in the first quarter and held a 27-rebound edge, translating to 24 second-chance points. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/rockets-wrap-up-trip-with-dominant-christmas-win-over-lakers--flm-2025-12-26/?utm_source=openai))

Luka Dončić led the Lakers with 25 points, LeBron James contributed 18, and Austin Reaves exited at halftime with left calf soreness. The loss marked Los Angeles’s third straight defeat for the first time this season. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/rockets-wrap-up-trip-with-dominant-christmas-win-over-lakers--flm-2025-12-26/?utm_source=openai))

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**Denver Nuggets 142, Minnesota Timberwolves 138 (OT)**
Nikola Jokic delivered a transcendent performance, posting a historic 56-point, 16-rebound, and 15-assist triple-double to propel the Nuggets to a 142-138 overtime victory against the Timberwolves. Jokic became the first player ever to tally at least 55 points, 15 rebounds, and 15 assists in a single game, and his 56 points rank as the third-highest scoring total on Christmas Day. Three-time MVP Jokic added 18 points in the extra period—an NBA overtime record—and finished an astounding 22-of-23 from the free-throw line. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/nikola-jokics-56-point-triple-double-lifts-nuggets-past-wolves-ot--flm-2025-12-26/?utm_source=openai))

Jamal Murray chipped in 35 points and 10 assists, while Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 44 points and knocked down the game-tying three that forced overtime before fouling out with two technicals. Despite 38 points from Rudy Gobert (14 rebounds) and a 32-point effort from Julius Randle, the Timberwolves fell to 20-11. Denver, playing without starters Cameron Johnson (knee) and others, showcased resilience and depth in the thrilling comeback win. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/nikola-jokics-56-point-triple-double-lifts-nuggets-past-wolves-ot--flm-2025-12-26/?utm_source=openai))

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**Top Christmas Day Performers & Takeaways**
– Nikola Jokic (Nuggets): 56 PTS, 16 REB, 15 AST; first 55/15/15 game in NBA history ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/nikola-jokics-56-point-triple-double-lifts-nuggets-past-wolves-ot--flm-2025-12-26/?utm_source=openai))
– De’Aaron Fox (Spurs): 29 PTS, key catalyst in 117-102 win ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/spurs-assert-themselves-take-down-thunder-again-christmas-spotlight--flm-2025-12-25/?utm_source=openai))
– Amen Thompson (Rockets): 26 PTS, 7 REB, 5 AST; powered Houston’s 119-96 rout ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/rockets-wrap-up-trip-with-dominant-christmas-win-over-lakers--flm-2025-12-26/?utm_source=openai))
– Jalen Brunson (Knicks): 34 PTS; led remarkable 17-point comeback ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/jalen-brunson-knicks-explode-rally-past-cavaliers--flm-2025-12-25/?utm_source=openai))
– Stephen Curry (Warriors): 23 PTS, vintage late-game shot, surpassed 26,000 career PTS ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/timely-stephen-curry-scoring-helps-warriors-defeat-mavericks--flm-2025-12-26/?utm_source=openai))

Christmas Day once again delivered high-stakes excitement, individual heroics, and record-breaking feats. From Jokic’s historic triple-double in Denver to Fox and Brunson’s clutch performances, the NBA’s holiday showcase lived up to its storied tradition. Teams now shift focus to the post-Christmas schedule, carrying momentum earned in yesterday’s standout contests.