NBA Christmas Day 2024 Schedule Prediction

If we follow the same formula and use NBA champions and superstar/MVP talents to headline the 2024 Christmas Day games, a potential five-game schedule could look something like this:

Milwaukee Bucks vs. New York Knicks, 12:00 p.m. ET

Giannis and Dame will face the newly formed Nova Knicks. The storyline between Damian Lillard and Jalen Brunson would be entertaining. Is Brunson finally better than Lillard or did Dame need more time to get used to Milwaukee?

Golden State Warriors vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, 2:30 p.m. ET

This potential matchup would likely be one of the highest-scoring games of the day. Last season, both teams were in the top eight in scoring. The Thunder were third at 120.1 points per game, while the Warriors were eighth at 117.8. The game's changing pace would be perfect for showcasing superstars Stephen Curry and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics, 5:00 p.m. ET

A possible duel in the Eastern Conference finals? The Philadelphia 76ers have a good chance of being the second-best team in the East after signing Paul George. The Celtics are not the ideal opponent for any team, but they seem well prepared for the Sixers, as they have two superstars: Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who can slow down George, as well as a number of big players who can spread the field and get Embiid out of the box on defense.

Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 8 p.m. ET

Both the Suns and Lakers had disappointing seasons last year. Phoenix was swept in the first round by the Timberwolves and the Lakers missed the playoffs entirely. The fact that both teams are on a similar level would make for an exciting matchup.

It would be difficult to leave teams like the Timberwolves off the schedule, especially after they swept the Suns and have one of the league's most electrifying players in Anthony Edwards. But superstars like Curry, LeBron and Durant are getting older and have limited windows of opportunity – in this case, they need to be experienced. Edwards will have plenty of opportunities to showcase his talent on Christmas in the future.

Plus, we don't know how many more times we'll see two of the most remarkable wingers of our generation face off against each other. The Lakers and Suns may not be top-ten teams, but Durant versus LeBron is as good as it gets.

Dallas Mavericks vs. Denver Nuggets, 10:30 p.m. ET

If Durant and LeBron are the two best players of the last decade, then Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic have a good chance to be next, if they haven't already established themselves. This will give fans the Western Conference Finals that many have been wanting after the Nuggets lost to the Timberwolves in the Western Conference semifinals.