Oklahoma City stands atop the Western Conference, bolstered by the exceptional performance of MVP contender Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Meanwhile, Milwaukee boasts the league’s top scorer, Giannis Antetokounmpo. Both teams reached the NBA Cup final, showcasing their prowess.
However, it comes as a surprise that neither will compete on Christmas Day this year. This has stirred disappointment among fans and players alike. Each summer, the NBA faces the challenge of selecting just ten teams to play on this festive day, a coveted opportunity that brings significant exposure and honor.
Notably, the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers usually secure a spot, thanks to their commanding presence in major media markets. Teams that have recently contended for a championship, such as Boston and Dallas, often receive invitations as well. The remaining slots are filled based on a mix of star power, potential ratings, and intriguing storylines, with hopes for a showcase of top-tier talent.
This year’s lineup features notable matchups, including Victor Wembanyama’s debut with San Antonio against New York. Minnesota faces Dallas in a rematch of their Western Conference finals, while Boston goes up against Philadelphia in a classic rivalry. The Lakers will challenge Golden State in a showdown between superstars LeBron James and Stephen Curry, and the night concludes with Denver facing Phoenix. Each game selected seems to resonate, making it puzzling that the Thunder and Bucks were overlooked.
Bucks guard Khris Middleton expressed his discontent, stating, “I believe we should’ve had a Christmas Day game, but the NBA felt differently. That’s their perspective. I’ve shared my thoughts, yet sometimes it works out and other times it doesn’t.” This sentiment reflects the bewilderment surrounding Oklahoma City’s absence, particularly given their status as last season’s top seed in the West.
This marks the 17th consecutive year where the NBA has showcased five games on Christmas Day. Historically, around 75% of the time, the conference’s No. 1 seeds from the previous playoff season have made the cut for Christmas matchups. Moreover, the last eleven No. 1 seeds from the Western playoffs found themselves playing on December 25. However, that streak ends with the Thunder.
Gilgeous-Alexander shared his disappointment, indicating, “I would love to play on Christmas Day. I believe we’re deserving of the opportunity. The league makes their choices, and while I can’t argue with that, it’s up to us to demonstrate why we belong in that game.”
There have been explanations for previous No. 1 seeds missing out on Christmas games. For instance, the Cavaliers, who led the Eastern Conference in 2010, lost star player LeBron James to Miami, making them less appealing for national audiences. Similarly, the Pacers were the top seed in 2014 but struggled when star player Paul George suffered a serious injury. In 2018, the Raptors, despite being the East’s No. 1, did not make the cut, as their games drew less viewership in the U.S. due to being based in Canada.
None of these circumstances apply to the Thunder. While Oklahoma City is a smaller market, trailing only Memphis and New Orleans among NBA cities, it’s clear that fans seeking competitive basketball on Christmas would have eagerly tuned in.
“This is how the league operates,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault noted. “Our players would have loved to compete on Christmas, considering it’s a key day in the NBA calendar. However, we have no control over that. What we can influence is our performance throughout the season and making the most of the schedule placed before us.”
Overall, the NBA’s decision leaves many scratching their heads, as it highlights the difficulty of balancing market size with on-court success when it comes to such marquee matchups.
