The evolution of the Christmas Day sports calendar in the U.S. has provided fans with a respite, offering a break from family gatherings or simply some entertainment while they sip on eggnog.
This year's major events include five NBA games and three NFL games, with games spanning more than 12 hours.
Here's a look at the premier matchups — as well as a few you can probably skip — while preparing to navigate the holiday.
Los Angeles Lakers forward Lebron James (23) reacts after making a dunk during the first half of an NBA Cup basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs on Dec. 10 in Los Angeles.
Clear the schedule
Spurs at Thunder, 12:30 p.m., ESPN/ABC: Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs are one of the league's up-and-coming teams, making the NBA Cup final before losing to the Knicks last week. The Thunder won a championship last season and have the league's best record this year at 25-3. Adding a little spice: The Spurs knocked the Thunder out of the NBA Cup in the semifinals earlier this month.
Rockets at Lakers, 6 p.m., ESPN/ABC: Savor this one, because it's hard to believe we'll have many more opportunities to watch Kevin Durant vs. LeBron James, particularly on Christmas Day. The 37-year-old Durant keeps pouring in buckets for the Rockets while the 40-year-old James is still playing at a high level in his 23rd NBA season.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards celebrates his three-point basket against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Dec. 19 in Minneapolis.
One eye on presents, the other on the game
Timberwolves at Nuggets, 8:30 p.m., ESPN/ABC: Nothing wrong with this game between two of the better teams in the NBA's Western Conference. Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic is turning in another ridiculous season, averaging a triple-double for the Nuggets. They'll face the Timberwolves, who have the high-flying and always entertaining Anthony Edwards.
Lions at Vikings, 2:30 p.m., Netflix: This is the best game of a disappointing NFL slate, featuring a Lions team that must win if they want to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. The division rival Vikings have had a frustrating season, but would love to play spoiler and have won their past three games.
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff calls a play during the first half against the Loss Angeles Rams on Dec. 14 in Inglewood, Calif.
Cavaliers at Knicks, 10 a.m., ESPN/ABC: The Knicks just won the NBA Cup and could have their best team in years thanks to the core of Jalen Brunson, Karl Anthony-Towns and Mikal Bridges. They'll face a Cavaliers team that's faded back to .500 this season after leading the Eastern Conference with 64 wins last year.
Broncos at Chiefs, 6:15 p.m., Prime Video: Well, this one looked enticing a few months ago, but the fact that Kansas City is eliminated from the playoff race and lost its top two quarterbacks to knee injuries has put a damper on the mood. On the positive side, the Broncos have been one of the best teams in the NFL and are trying to stay ahead of the Los Angeles Chargers and win the AFC West.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Dec. 14 in Arlington, Texas.
Maybe time for a nap?
Mavericks at Warriors, 3 p.m., ESPN/ABC: Many Mavericks fans got an early Christmas present when general manager Nico Harrison — architect of the infamous Luka Doncic trade — was fired earlier this season. The problem is Dallas is still not playing well, though rookie Cooper Flagg's improvement is an encouraging sign. Warriors veteran star Stephen Curry is capable of big nights like his 48-point performance against the Blazers earlier this month, but Golden State's glory days feel like they're coming to a close.
Cowboys at Commanders, 11 a.m., Netflix: There will be plenty of eyeballs on this game just because it's the Cowboys and the Commanders, but there's not much here in terms of stakes. Both teams have been eliminated from the playoff race, and Washington's starting QB Jayden Daniels is out for the season after aggravating an elbow injury in Week 14.
Photos show a world aglow with holiday lights
FILE - The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree stands illuminated after the 93rd annual tree lighting ceremony in New York, Dec. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, File)
FILE - Herbum, a grass tuft with stems that stretch skyward, is on display as part of the Chicago Botanic Garden's Lightscape holiday event in Glencoe, Ill., Nov. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley, File)
FILE - Lego portraits of both President George Washington and President Donald Trump decorate the Green Room as part of the White Christmas theme "Home is Where the Heart Is," during a press preview in Washington, Dec. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)
FILE - People listen to a concert amid a rainfall during a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Syntagma Square, in Athens, Greece, Nov. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris, File)
FILE - Holiday lights adorn a roadway at the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort on light-up night in Farmington, Pa., Nov. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
FILE - People gather for a concert during a tree lighting event at Skanderbeg Square in Tirana, Albania, Dec. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Hameraldi Agolli, File)
FILE - People walk along Kabatas ferry terminal decorated with lights for the holidays, in Istanbul, Turkey, Dec. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, File)
FILE - In a timed exposure, vehicles pass a pair of cowboys boots standing 40 feet tall and 30 feet long, decorated with lights for the holidays, in San Antonio, Tex., Dec. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
FILE - People walk across a bridge decorated with strands of holiday lights at a Christmas fair in Bucharest, Romania, Dec. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru, File)
FILE - A performer attends a light show at Ala-Too Square decorated for the New Year and Christmas festivities in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Dec. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Vladimir Voronin, File)
FILE - A woman poses for a selfie inside a giant Christmas ornament illuminated with holiday lights in Dakar, Senegal, Dec. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu, File)
FILE - A boy runs toward a model train illuminated with holiday lights in St. Petersburg, Russia, Dec. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky, File)
FILE - Media art illuminates the facade of Gwanghwamun, the main gate of the 14th-century Gyeongbok Palace, during Seoul Winter Festa in Seoul, South Korea, Dec. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon, File)
FILE - A menorah is lit to celebrate Hanukkah in Trafalgar Square, London, Dec. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File)
FILE - A person walks past a display of holiday lights on a building at a park in Lenexa, Kan., Dec. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
FILE - People watch a multimedia light show cast on the facade of the General Staff Building, as part of the Country of Light festival at Palace Square in St. Petersburg, Russia, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky, File)
FILE - Gabriel Taylor, center, sprays other children with bubbles at Sundance Square after a Christmas tree lighting ceremony, in Fort Worth, Texas, Dec. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)
FILE - Holiday lights are reflected in a rain-soaked plaza in Makati, Philippines, Dec. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila, File)
FILE - In this timed exposure a man is silhouetted against holiday lights as he walks by in Lenexa, Kan., Dec. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
FILE - The Eiffel Tower is framed by Christmas tree decorations that adorn the Les Galeries Lafayette department store rooftop in Paris, Dec. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard, File)
FILE - Lights illuminate the Christmas market at the Gendarmenmarkt square in Berlin, Germany, Nov. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, File)
FILE - A home is decked out in holiday lights and Christmas decorations in Strongsville, Ohio, Dec. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)
FILE - People visit the holiday lights display at the Cheekwood Estate and Gardens in Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)
FILE - A man playfully tosses a child in the air as visitors walk through the Winter Cathedral light display at the Chicago Botanic Garden's Lightscape holiday event in Glencoe, Ill., Nov. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley, File)
FILE - Visitors look at the installations on display along the Christmas light trail at Kew Gardens in London, Nov. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File)
FILE - An illuminated giant frame is set up at the Christmas market for visitors to make souvenir photos of themselves, in Frankfurt, Germany, Nov. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Probst, File)
FILE - A child rides on a merry-go-round at a Christmas fair in Bucharest, Romania, Dec. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru, File)
