Fri Dec 19 12:30:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a rewritten news article:

Summary:

ESPN will broadcast 14 hours of live NBA coverage on Christmas Day, December 25th, featuring five games, pre- and post-game studio shows, and radio coverage. The schedule includes key matchups like Cavaliers vs. Knicks (including a “Dunk the Halls” animated alt-cast), Spurs vs. Thunder, Mavericks vs. Warriors, Rockets vs. Lakers, and Timberwolves vs. Nuggets. Leading up to the games, ESPN will air an “NBA Today: Christmas Special” with exclusive features and storytelling. ESPN emphasizes the availability of all its content on the ESPN App, including live events, on-demand replays, personalized features, and bundling options with Disney+ and Hulu.

News Article:

ESPN Delivers 14 Hours of NBA Action This Christmas Day

BRISTOL, CT – Basketball fans, mark your calendars! ESPN is set to deliver a slam-dunk Christmas Day with 14 hours of non-stop NBA coverage on Thursday, December 25th. The network’s annual Christmas Day tradition, presented by State Farm, will feature a five-game slate broadcast across ABC, ESPN, and the ESPN App, offering fans a feast of hoops action.

The day tips off at noon ET with the Cleveland Cavaliers, led by Donovan Mitchell, visiting the New York Knicks and Jalen Brunson, fresh off their NBA Cup Championship win. Simultaneously, fans can tune into “Dunk the Halls,” an animated alternate broadcast of the same game recreated from Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park, available on ESPN2, ESPN App, Disney+, Disney Channel and Disney XD. The alt-cast will feature animated commentators Drew Carter and Monica McNutt, with Daisy Duck reporting from the sidelines.

The action continues at 2:30 p.m. ET as the San Antonio Spurs, featuring rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama, take on the defending NBA Champion Oklahoma City Thunder and MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. At 5 p.m. ET, the Dallas Mavericks and top draft pick Cooper Flagg face off against Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors.

Primetime brings a clash of titans at 8 p.m. ET when the Houston Rockets and Kevin Durant travel to face LeBron James, Luka Dončić, and the Los Angeles Lakers. The night concludes at 10:30 p.m. ET with the Minnesota Timberwolves, spearheaded by Anthony Edwards, battling the Denver Nuggets and Nikola Jokić.

Coverage begins early with “NBA Tip-Off” at 11 a.m. ET on ESPN, ESPN App, and Disney+, featuring Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O’Neal. “Inside the NBA” follows at 7:30 p.m. ET, also on ABC, ESPN, and the ESPN App. “Hoop Streams” will stream on ESPN’s YouTube and Facebook pages at 7:30 p.m. ET. ESPN Radio will also provide live coverage of the Cavaliers-Knicks and Spurs-Thunder games.

Leading up to Christmas Day, ESPN will air “NBA Today: Christmas Special” on Tuesday, December 24th, from 2-4 p.m. ET on ESPN and the ESPN App, offering exclusive features and behind-the-scenes storytelling.

ESPN is promoting its full suite of networks and services available directly to fans on the ESPN App, offering live events, on-demand replays, and personalized features. Bundling options with Disney+ and Hulu are also available.

Read More