The NBA Christmas Day Schedule Is Here

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski just tweeted out the NBA's Christmas Day schedule. Christmas is the league's biggest ratings draw, and this year, they will give us some great games. The matchups are monstrous but clearly would've been much better had it not been for Klay Thompson's season-ending Achilles tear. Nonetheless, commissioner Adam Silver did a great job. Let's check it out:

Pelicans/Heat 12 ET

Starting off with the Miami Heat and Zion Williamson is smart. Last year's runner-up for ROY will draw a crowd, so it's best to get him on our Christmas schedule.

Warriors/Bucks 2:30 ET

Klay Thompson's injury really put a damper on Golden State's high hopes heading into 2021. This was supposed to be a great game, but even more importantly, the "Giannis to the Warriors" storyline was there. What better way to convince the Greek Freak to come to Silicon Valley than to put a tail-kicking under his Christmas tree?

Ok, now the big boys

Nets/Celtics 5 ET

The revamped Brooklyn Nets are going head-to-head with Kyrie's former squad. Kyrie skipped town out of Boston because he didn't like it--Boston didn't like him either. Opponents that don't like each other make for entertaining television, so this is a game to circle on Christmas Day.

Mavericks/Lakers 8:00 ET

LeBron James and the 2020 NBA champion Lakers square up with the future face of the NBA--Luka Doncic. It's pretty self explanatory why NBA fans will be on their couch for this one. Hopefully fans will be in the stands so the Lakers can finally get that Staples Center crowd on Christmas.

Clippers/Nuggets 10:30 ET

The stepbrothers of Los Angeles embarrassed themselves when they wet the bed in Orlando's playoff bubble. They folded like lawn chairs under pressure, and this will be their first opportunity to show out. Expect Kawhi, and yes, Paul George to come ready. The Clippers obviously should have been motivated last year, but maybe they needed a punch in the mouth?

Ratings overall will be down for obvious reasons, but the NBA needs Christmas. This will at least be a step in the right direction to heal some of the damage they've done.