The weekend immediately following Christmas is one of the most schedule-heavy periods of the NBA regular season. Teams are fully back in rhythm, rotations are stable, and fans are treated to wall-to-wall basketball across three straight days.

Below is a schedule-first, no-fluff guide to all NBA games taking place Friday through Sunday, December 26–28, 2025.

NBA Schedule This Weekend
NBA Schedule This Weekend

NBA Games on Friday, December 26, 2025

Friday features a full league slate, with games spread across Eastern, Central, and Western time zones. Most tip off between 7:00 PM and 10:30 PM Eastern Time.

Friday Matchups

  • Boston Celtics at Indiana Pacers

  • Charlotte Hornets at Orlando Magic

  • Miami Heat at Atlanta Hawks

  • Toronto Raptors at Washington Wizards

  • Utah Jazz at Detroit Pistons

  • Portland Trail Blazers at Los Angeles Clippers

  • New Orleans Pelicans at Phoenix Suns

  • Memphis Grizzlies at Milwaukee Bucks

Friday is ideal for fans who want multiple games running at the same time, especially during prime evening hours.

NBA Games on Saturday, December 27, 2025

Saturday continues with another high-volume schedule, typically considered one of the best nights of the week for neutral fans.

Games usually start in the early evening (around 7:00 PM ET) and extend late into the night for West Coast matchups.

Saturday Matchups

  • Atlanta Hawks at New York Knicks

  • Miami Heat at Indiana Pacers

  • Orlando Magic at Denver Nuggets

  • San Antonio Spurs at Utah Jazz

  • Houston Rockets at Cleveland Cavaliers

  • Chicago Bulls at Milwaukee Bucks

  • Sacramento Kings at Dallas Mavericks

  • Minnesota Timberwolves at Brooklyn Nets

Saturday’s slate often includes marquee matchups and is designed to capture prime-time audiences nationwide.

NBA Games on Sunday, December 28, 2025

Sunday typically brings a lighter but more spaced-out schedule, making it easier to watch full games from tip-off to final buzzer.

Tip-offs are usually spread between late afternoon and early evening.

Sunday Matchups

  • Los Angeles Lakers at Sacramento Kings

  • Los Angeles Clippers at Detroit Pistons

  • Toronto Raptors at Golden State Warriors

  • Washington Wizards at Memphis Grizzlies

Sunday games often serve as showcase matchups and are popular with fans who prefer a more relaxed viewing pace.

NBA Weekend Tip-Off Time Guide

To help readers plan accurately, here are common NBA tip-off windows converted from Eastern Time:

  • 7:00 PM ET → 6:00 PM CT | 5:00 PM MT | 4:00 PM PT

  • 10:00 PM ET → 9:00 PM CT | 8:00 PM MT | 7:00 PM PT

Exact tip-off times can vary slightly by arena and broadcast selection.

Why This Weekend’s Schedule Matters

Late December schedules help define early season trends:

  • Teams establish rhythm heading into the new year

  • Conference standings begin to separate

  • Back-to-back games test depth and rotations

For fans, this weekend offers one of the densest viewing windows of the NBA season without the distractions of holidays or major travel breaks.

FAQs

Are there NBA games on all three days this weekend?

Yes. Games are scheduled on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Which day has the most games?

Friday and Saturday feature the heaviest slates, while Sunday has fewer but more spaced-out matchups.

Do all games start at the same time?

No. Tip-off times vary by location and time zone, generally ranging from early evening to late night.

Is Sunday usually lighter than Friday and Saturday?

Yes. Sunday typically has fewer games and more focused viewing windows.

Final Takeaway

The NBA schedule for December 26–28, 2025 delivers exactly what fans expect after Christmas: three straight days of regular-season basketball, highlighted by matchups such as Celtics vs Pacers, Knicks vs Hawks, and Lakers vs Kings.

With games spread across every time zone and tip-off window, this weekend is ideal for both dedicated fans and casual viewers looking to catch the NBA in full swing.

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