The Athletic NBA Daily – NBA Christmas Day Preview
Release Date: December 24, 2025
Hosts: Andrew Schlecht (guest host), Dave DuFour, and rotating co-hosts
Main Theme:
A lively and in-depth preview of the NBA’s highly anticipated 2025 Christmas Day slate, featuring analysis, predictions, and fun banter as the hosts use a mail-in box of NBA hats and ornaments to cue each matchup. The team reflects on compelling storylines for each game, key players to watch, and the potential playoff implications—blending basketball nerdery with holiday cheer.
1. Christmas Day Matchups Overview
[02:28–03:37]
The hosts set the festive tone, unboxing NBA-themed hats and ornaments sent by the league. Each ornament signals a different Christmas Day game, guiding their discussion through the stacked schedule.
“We are previewing the Christmas Day games here. And to help us… we got this red box… I don’t even quite know what’s in it. It’s gonna help us preview the slate of NBA games here.”
—Andrew Schlecht (03:00)
2. Thunder vs. Spurs – 2:30pm ET
Storyline:
Rematch of budding rivals with a focus on young stars Victor Wembanyama (“the little alien”) and OKC’s core. Heightened drama after their In-Season Tournament Cup clash.
- Key Discussion Points:
- How the “Wemby vs. Chet” showdown and SGA vs. Spurs’ guards defines new-era rivalries
- Is the Thunder’s playoff-level home atmosphere the difference?
- Uncertainty over Wembanyama’s status (questionable) and how it sways predictions
- Panel’s picks:
- Andrew: OKC (“I think they’re really going to lock in.” 08:08)
- Dave: Spurs (“We see a lot of growth game to game, and I think losing the NBA cup probably isn’t sitting well with them.” 08:27)
- Co-host: OKC for a “revenge match” (08:45)
“This is going to be the most playoff-feeling game of Christmas Day. Just because of the energy… They haven’t had a Christmas game since 2018… I think the Wemby/Chet dynamic, the SGA versus all of their guards dynamic—it's all there for this to be an incredible game.”
—Podcast Co-host 2 (07:25)
3. Mavericks vs. Warriors – 5:00pm ET
Storyline:
Intriguing collision between two teams with chemistry questions, rising stars (Cooper Flagg), and aging legends (Steph Curry). Warriors’ defensive identity and over-reliance on Curry, Mavs’ construction and emergence of Flagg, and a possible play-in preview.
- Key Discussion Points:
- Rookie Cooper Flagg’s rapid growth, offensive outbursts, and showing next to Anthony Davis (10:18)
- Will he break Wilt Chamberlain’s rookie Christmas Day record of 45 points? (11:06)
“Cooper Flag, 46 points. Christmas Day.”
—Dave DuFour (11:35) - Is the Warriors’ reliance on Draymond and Steph sustainable?
- Are these teams built for the playoffs or just fun regular-season watches?
- Mavs are “huge”—Warriors lack interior presence, questioned as “unserious contender” (14:03)
- Defensive mismatches: Can Mavs guard Steph/Curry contain the Mavs’ size?
- Both teams possibly destined for the play-in (15:13)
“This game of Draymond as your center is over. This is not the same league it was in 2017. 2018… The idea that they were ever a serious contender… was a little bit of far-fetched.”
—Dave DuFour (14:03)
“I’m not in on the Mavericks as like this threat to win a lot of basketball games, but I’m in on them as like a construction project. Very interesting to watch.”
—Dave DuFour (12:19)
4. Knicks vs. Cavaliers – 12:00pm ET
Storyline:
Holiday tradition at Madison Square Garden; Knicks as emerging East power, Cavs reeling with injuries and existential questions.
- Key Discussion Points:
- Knicks thriving post-In-Season Cup, “the best team in the Eastern Conference” (16:48, 18:22)
- Brunson’s scoring evolution, now considered “MVP caliber”:
“He’s one of the most elite 3-point shooters in the league. Just knocked down as a spot-up guy. We probably don’t talk about Brunson enough because he’s become so consistent.”
—Dave DuFour (19:28) - Cavaliers facing harsh scrutiny: most expensive team (“They need to get under the second apron… and that’s where if you’re above the second apron, you have to win the title. That’s it.” —Dave DuFour 18:17)
- Potential for embarrassing Cavs result; hot seat speculation (“Kenny Atkinson on the hot seat… Cavs are saying, no, but… they’re going to have to make changes regardless.” —Dave DuFour, 17:59)
- If Cavs don’t turn up, questions about trades or coaching loom.
5. Rockets vs. Lakers – 8:00pm ET
Storyline:
Lakers’ star power and health vs. the resurgent, defensively stout Rockets. Spotlight on rookie Reed Sheppard and the Rockets’ bruising size.
- Key Discussion Points:
- Will LeBron and Lakers field a healthy roster? That’s the x-factor.
- Rockets’ best rebounding team, physicality with Adams & Sengun
- Reed Sheppard—rookie PG who “is definitely a difference maker and an X-factor” (25:53)
- Rockets’ defense and depth vs. Lakers’ defensive woes
- Lakers needing better perimeter defense and rim protection (“They almost need an upgrade at two spots… I would argue Deandre Ayton is having a decent season, but it’s not good enough.” Dave DuFour 28:25)
- How will Houston approach LeBron/AD, and can Lakers keep up?
- Rockets as legit threat; Lakers described as a “one-sided basketball team”
“This is like a one-sided basketball team and the Rockets are much more than that. They know how to score. They obviously are very good defensively.”
—Podcast Co-host 2 (26:59)
6. Timberwolves vs. Nuggets – 10:30pm ET
Storyline:
Christmas nightcap—potential best game of the day—showcasing the ultra-defensive Wolves and the champion Nuggets, even with key absences.
- Key Discussion Points:
- Wolves as the "Nuggets killers"; built to disrupt Denver (22:08)
- Jokic vs. Gobert, Murray’s All-Star leap (23:03)
- Jamal Murray’s two-way improvement: “He’s actually improved and stepped up defensively in ways that I didn’t expect…” (23:15)
- Stylistic clash—top offense vs. elite defense
- Hoping for a “close matchup,” Ant Edwards’ closing ability
- If tight, can Ant go toe-to-toe with Jokic down the stretch?
“If it gets close… we know what Jokic is last five minutes of a game. But Anthony Edwards, we got to start talking about what he does in the game… he’s not scared of it.”
—Dave DuFour (24:12)
7. Notable Quotes and Fun Moments
- Ornament Guessing Game: Ornaments themed after "the little alien" (Wemby), "chef's hat" (Curry), Joker (Jokic), "The Slim Reaper" (KD), Brunson Burner, and more, used as visual aids for each game, enhancing listener engagement.
- Banter about NBA hats:
“Check it out… Oh, we got a thunder dad hat.”
—Andrew Schlecht (04:31)
“That feels like pandering.”
—Dave DuFour (04:33) - Discussion of league trends:
- Over-reliance on small-ball/aging cores
- The rise of rookie talent on big stages
- Shifting MVP and All-Star debates (“Shay, Jokica, and then I’d probably go Bronson… I think I go Brunson over Luca.” —Podcast Co-host 2 & Dave DuFour, 20:21)
- Predictions of huge scoring games:
“Cooper Flag, 46 points. Christmas Day.”
—Dave DuFour (11:35)
“Brunson could go 47 points and we just don’t bat an eye about it anymore.”
—Dave DuFour (19:22)
8. Christmas Classics – Photo Flashbacks
[35:57–43:41]
The hosts close with a playful photo segment recalling classic Christmas Day performances:
- LeBron’s 2003 rookie Christmas vs. T-Mac: 34 points (“Rookie Lebron…34 points, 6 assists in his Christmas debut…” – 37:13)
- Durant’s big night in 2010
- Kyrie’s game-winner over Klay in 2016 (“This is Kyrie Irving’s turnaround jumper over Klay Thompson with 3.4 seconds left that lifted the Cavs…” – 39:04)
- Jokic’s 41–15–15 triple-double vs. Suns (2022)
- Brunson’s 38 points for the Knicks in 2023
- Luca’s 50 points vs. the Suns in 2023
- Steph’s record-tying eight threes on Christmas (2024), with predictions he’ll break it this year
- Fun asides about Christmas jersey designs and the T-shirt jersey "era"
9. Closing Thought
A heartfelt send-off to listeners, with thanks for the support and encouragement to savor both basketball and family time over the holidays:
“It means the world to us that you guys tune in to us every single day… Take the time, watch basketball, but take time with your family and your friends to just enjoy this time of year.”
—Andrew Schlecht (44:42)
10. Quick Reference: Christmas Day Schedule
- Knicks vs. Cavaliers | 12:00pm ET
- Thunder vs. Spurs | 2:30pm ET
- Mavericks vs. Warriors | 5:00pm ET
- Rockets vs. Lakers | 8:00pm ET
- Timberwolves vs. Nuggets | 10:30pm ET
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 06:07 – Thunder vs. Spurs breakdown starts
- 09:39 – Mavericks vs. Warriors key matchup and Cooper Flagg talk
- 12:54 – Warriors’ vulnerabilities and Steph Curry discussion
- 16:19 – Knicks vs. Cavaliers preview
- 25:53 – Rockets vs. Lakers emerging storylines
- 22:08, 23:20 – Timberwolves vs. Nuggets, Jokic/Murray/Ant
- 35:57 – Classic Christmas Day performance flashbacks
Tone & Style:
Conversational, irreverent, packed with inside-jokes, frequent teasing (“That feels like pandering.” – 04:33), NBA references (“unserious contenders” – 14:03), and lots of holiday spirit.
For Listeners Who Missed the Episode:
This preview delivers everything—from in-depth analysis of each matchup and rising player narratives to the genuine excitement of Christmas Day basketball. The episode anticipates great individual performances, revels in the NBA’s evolving landscape, and encourages enjoying both the games and the season’s celebrations.