In many leagues, Christmas Day is the biggest day of the year. For some it’s a chance to put up a big show while others are scrambling for any way to stay in touch with their fans. With just two days until Christmas Day matchups start, here’s where every team stands ahead of those games:
The “christmas day nba schedule 2021” is a blog post by ESPN that provides an overview of the upcoming Christmas Day matchups.
To begin the week, Stephen Curry grabbed center stage as he resumed his chase of Ray Allen’s 3-point record. Curry blasted six three-pointers against the Indiana Pacers on Monday night to get to within two shots of the league lead, then nailed two more in the first quarter of Tuesday’s triumph against the New York Knicks, sending the Madison Square Garden audience to its feet.
The spotlight has immediately switched to the current coronavirus epidemic, which forced the league to postpone three games on Sunday alone owing to a high number of players accessing the league’s health and safety measures. In the aftermath of a team outbreak, the Brooklyn Nets announced on Friday that Kyrie Irving, who has not played this season owing to New York’s vaccine regulations, would be activated for road games. Irving, on the other hand, underwent procedures the following day and is one of ten players on the squad who have been ruled out due to health and safety concerns.
After a week of coronavirus-related postponements, our experts break down where each team stands.
Note: Throughout the regular season, our panel (Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Nick Friedell, Andrew Lopez, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin, and Ohm Youngmisuk) will rank all 30 teams from top to bottom, determining which teams are currently playing the best basketball and which teams are most likely to win the championship.
Phoenix Suns 2021-22 season record: 24-5 Previous ranking: 1
Devin Booker, the Suns’ best scorer, returned to the floor on Sunday night after missing seven games due to a hamstring injury. Phoenix put up a balanced effort without Booker, but reserve forward Cameron Johnson stood out as a standout performer. Johnson scored 14.6 points per game in 30.3 minutes each night during the seven games, and was Phoenix’s second-leading scorer during that span. Lopez’s words
2. Golden State Warriors: 24-6 in 2021-22. Previous position: 2
Early in the week, Stephen Curry smashed Ray Allen’s all-time 3-point record at Madison Square Garden, and the Warriors went on to finish 3-2 on their five-game East Coast tour. Klay Thompson is expected to return in a few weeks, while Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins have also undergone health and safety processes as the week draws to a close ahead of the Suns’ Christmas Day battle. Friedell’s words
3. The Brooklyn Nets have a 21-9 record in 2021-22. Previous position: 4
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The Nets have also been swamped with the sudden increase of COVID-19 cases in New York. During the week, a total of ten players were subjected to the league’s health and safety regulations, including superstars Kevin Durant and James Harden, as well as the recently reinstated Kyrie Irving. When all three players return from their time away from the club, they will have the opportunity to play together for the first time since Harden’s hamstring injury in Game 1 of last season’s Eastern Conference playoffs against the Bucks. — Best wishes
4. Utah Jazz: 20-9 in 2021-22. 3rd place before.
Utah was the hottest team in the NBA until losing back-to-back games at home to the Spurs and Wizards, ending an eight-game winning run. The Jazz boast the greatest net rating in the NBA (plus-10.5 points per 100 possessions), but they have struggled in key circumstances (6-8 in games within five points in the final five minutes). MacMahon (MacMahon)
Milwaukee Bucks have a 19-13 record in 2021-22. Previous position: 5
In recent games, Milwaukee has been missing Giannis Antetokounmpo (health and safety) and Khris Middleton (knee), but Jrue Holiday has ramped up his performance. In three games last week, Holiday averaged 28.7 points, nine assists, three rebounds, and two steals as the Bucks tried to stay afloat — again — with a depleted squad. Collier’s
6. Chicago Bulls: 18-10 in 2021-22. Previous position: 7
The Bulls won their first game back after being shut down for a week due to a COVID-19 epidemic that afflicted the whole club. DeMar DeRozan, the NBA’s top scorer in the fourth quarter, continued his strong play in his first game back from health and safety procedures, scoring 19 of his 38 points in the last frame to seal the victory. DeMar DeRozan, Coby White, and Javonte Green have all passed the league’s standards, and the Bulls might get additional help by the end of the week. Collier’s
The Cleveland Cavaliers had a 19-12 record in 2021-22, which is a step up from their previous position of 10.
On Sunday, the Cavs had a streak of health and safety setbacks, with five players — Jarrett Allen, Lamar Stevens, Dylan Windler, Denzel Valentine, and RJ Nembhard Jr. — all testing positive, forcing the game against the Hawks to be postponed. That’s about the only thing stopping Cleveland from moving up to third place in the East after a six-game winning run. McMenamin, McMenamin, McMenamin, Mc
8. Miami Heat: 18-13 in 2021-22. Previous position: 6
The injured Heat finished the week with a 2-2 record, including a dismal defeat to the Pistons in which they shot only 37.8% from the field. With Bam Adebayo (thumb surgery) and Jimmy Butler (tailbone) still sidelined, the Heat have relied on backup Max Strus, who has scored 56 points and collected 11 rebounds in Miami’s last two games. Friedell’s words
The Memphis Grizzlies had a 19-12 record in 2021-22. Previous position: 9
Since star point guard Ja Morant went down with a sprained left knee on Nov. 26, the Grizzlies have won 10 of their last 12 games. During this run, five Memphis regulars have scored in double digits, topped by Dillon Brooks’ 20.5 points per game. Tyus Jones, the Grizzlies’ second-best plus-minus player, had 73 assists and just 13 turnovers in a dozen games as a fill-in starting point guard (plus-119). MacMahon (MacMahon)
The Los Angeles Clippers had a 16-14 record in 2021-22. Previous position: 12
The Clippers began the week with their fourth consecutive win and a rout of the Suns sans Paul George, but it concluded with former Clippers player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stunnng them in Oklahoma City with a buzzer-beating 3 to send them their second straight defeat. The Clippers must regain their health. George has been out for the last five games due to an elbow injury, but he might be close to returning. Marcus Morris Sr., who had recently returned from a knee injury and was warming up for the Clippers, was forced to leave due to health and safety concerns. Reggie Jackson has been playing a lot of minutes and is also injured. Youngmisuk’s remark
The Denver Nuggets had a 15-14 record in 2021-22. Previous position: 16
| Holidays | Saturday, December 25: Hawks against. Knicks at Noon; Celtics vs. Bucks at 2:30 p.m. 5 p.m.: Warriors against. Suns 8 p.m., Nets vs. Lakers Jazz at Mavericks, 10:30 p.m.
All timings are in Eastern Standard Time.
The Nuggets had won three of their last four games, and they were set to play a depleted Nets team on Sunday before the game was canceled due to the Nets’ COVID-19 outbreak. This month, Nikola Jokic, the reigning league MVP, has averaged 26.4 points, 13.1 rebounds, 9.2 assists, and 58.3 percent shooting. With 24 points in a victory against Atlanta, rookie Bones Hyland had his greatest game of his career, providing the Nuggets some firepower off the bench. Youngmisuk’s remark
12. Philadelphia 76ers: 15-15 in 2021-22. Previous position: 8
The 76ers had a tough week, losing three games to Memphis, Miami, and Brooklyn, and having Sunday’s game postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak. Yes, the 76ers are without Ben Simmons and are dealing with injuries, but things in Philadelphia seem to be significantly different today than they did when they were leading the Eastern Conference after ten games. — Best wishes
The Los Angeles Lakers had a 16-15 record in the 2021-22 season. Previous position: 13
“It’s spreading around the league,” Carmelo Anthony stated flatly after Los Angeles’ loss to Chicago on Sunday, despite the fact that six players were in health and safety procedures. “It’s circulating in other leagues. This is the truth. This is the way things are. This is something we have to deal with as humans and as a culture, not simply as basketball players. These are the issues we’re currently working with.” Not to add, the Lakers are dealing with Anthony Davis’ damaged MCL in his left knee, which will keep him out for at least a month. McMenamin, McMenamin, McMenamin, Mc
The Washington Wizards had a 16-15 record in 2021-22. Previous position: 11
Washington’s 10-3 start has come to an end. The Wizards had lost seven of their previous eight games before winning one of their biggest games of the season against Utah. Bradley Beal, on the other hand, seems to be on the rise. In his last three games, he’s averaging 31 points, including a season-high 37 in the victory against the Jazz. Kyle Kuzma was released from health and safety procedures this week, but Spencer Dinwiddie has struggled this month, averaging only 6.8 points on 26.8% shooting and 14.8 percent 3-point shooting. Youngmisuk’s remark
Boston Celtics had a 15-15 record in 2021-22. Previous position: 17
Boston has weathered its difficult December schedule so far, going 4-5 through the first nine games of the month, ahead of crucial games against the 76ers and Cavaliers this week, as well as a Christmas Day battle with the Bucks in Milwaukee. While numerous Celtics players are sidelined due to COVID-19, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are finally well and back on the floor together. Boston has outscored its opponents by six points per 100 possessions in the 379 minutes they’ve shared the floor this season. — Best wishes
The Charlotte Hornets had a 16-16 record in 2021-22. 14th place before.
Charlotte has lost three of its last four games and still has two more difficult games to play before wrapping off a six-city West Coast tour. The Hornets’ lone bright light came on Wednesday night, when Gordon Hayward scored 41 points in a victory against the Spurs. The Hornets got some good news on Friday when LaMelo Ball returned to the lineup after being out for little over two weeks due to health and safety concerns. Friedell’s words
The Dallas Mavericks had a 14-15 record in 2021-22. Previous position: 18
The Mavericks have split their last four games while Luka Doncic recovers from an injured left ankle and improves his fitness. Dallas will need Doncic to put up a far stronger defensive effort when he returns than he has this season. With Doncic on the court, the Mavs have been a bottom-five defensive (112.2 points per 100 possessions) and a top-five defense without him (101.8). MacMahon (MacMahon)
The Atlanta Hawks had a 14-15 record in 2021-22. 15th place before.
Against the Nuggets on Friday, Trae Young recorded his league-leading sixth 30-point, 10-assist game. With three such games this season, LeBron James is in second place. In the month of December alone, Young has three. For him, those averages have recently gotten closer to the norm. Young has averaged 30.8 points and 9.9 assists in eight games this month, but he won’t be able to improve on those figures this week after testing positive for COVID-19, according to sources. Lopez’s words
The Minnesota Timberwolves had a 15-15 record in the 2021-22 season. Previous position: 20
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Despite losing guard Anthony Edwards to health and safety regulations, the Timberwolves have risen back to.500 with four consecutive wins. Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns is leading the charge as the club continues to cement its place in the Western Conference playoff picture. During the month of December, Towns has averaged 27.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. Collier’s
20. Toronto Raptors 14-15 record in 2021-22 Previous ranking: 19
OG Anunoby returned to the lineup Saturday night after missing a month with a hip injury, but Pascal Siakam will be out for the next few days after undergoing the NBA’s health and safety regulations. Despite numerous roster changes, Toronto has managed to remain in the postseason race thanks to promising youngster Scottie Barnes. — Best wishes
The Trail Blazers are ranked 21st in the NBA with a 13-18 record in 2021-22. 22nd in the previous ranking
This week, the Blazers may have gotten their two greatest victories of the season. They are unquestionably the two most significant wins, given Portland’s downward slide. Damian Lillard’s 43 points and eight assists were crucial in the Blazers’ victory against the Hornets on Friday, as they snapped a seven-game losing run. Following that, the Blazers defeated the Grizzlies in Memphis on Sunday. It was the Blazers’ third victory since November 24, when they went on a 10-game losing streak. CJ McCollum missed his eighth consecutive game on Sunday due to a lung issue, and he is still out. Youngmisuk’s remark
The New York Knicks had a 13-17 record in 2021-22. Previous position: 21
After being taken out of the rotation for nine games, Kemba Walker was eventually reintroduced to the lineup on Saturday night — in Boston, no less. Every other point guard on the roster was either in health and safety precautions or injured, so coach Tom Thibodeau had no option but to play him. Walker scored 29 points and stated he “wants to play” when asked whether he wanted to remain in New York afterward. Eight of the Knicks’ last ten games have been losses. — Best wishes
The Indiana Pacers had a 13-18 record in 2021-22. Previous position: 24
After missing the team’s previous four games due to NBA health and safety standards, Indiana coach Rick Carlisle returned to practice on Sunday. During his absence, the Pacers went 2-2, but Carlisle should be back on the bench for Tuesday’s game against the Heat. Collier’s
The Sacramento Kings had a 13-18 record in 2021-22. Previous position: 25
The Kings had a 2-2 week, losing to the Raptors and Grizzlies while winning against the Wizards and Spurs. Tyrese Haliburton stepped up with a season-high 27 points on 12-for-19 shooting, 11 assists, and two steals in place of De’Aaron Fox, who was in health and safety procedures for the game against San Antonio. McMenamin, McMenamin, McMenamin, Mc
The 25th-placed San Antonio Spurs had an 11-17 record in 2021-22. Previous position: 23
On Sunday night, Dejounte Murray led the Spurs in scoring. After Derrick White, Lonnie Walker, Jakob Poeltl, Bryn Forbes, and Keldon Johnson, he was the sixth different player to lead the club in points in the last six games. It was also the sixth game in a row that San Antonio had a different top rebounder: Tre Jones, Poeltl, White, Murray, and then Johnson on Sunday. Lopez’s words
The Houston Rockets had a 10-20 record in 2021-22. Previous position: 26
The Rockets rewarded Garrison Mathews with a four-year, $8.2 million deal this week after converting his two-way contract to a conventional contract. For the Rockets, Mathews has started the last 12 games. During that time, Houston has gone 8-4, with Mathews averaging 14.6 points and 3.9 rebounds while shooting 63.8 percent true. MacMahon (MacMahon)
The New Orleans Pelicans had a 10-21 record in 2021-22. Previous position: 27
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The Pelicans have won seven of their last 12 games after a 3-16 start and have showed gradual progress. The Pelicans are in the bottom five in both offensive and defensive rating this season. However, they have an offensive rating of 111.3 and a defensive rating of 111.2 since Nov. 24, which ranks them 14th and 15th in the league during that time period, respectively. Lopez’s words
The Oklahoma City Thunder had a 9-19 record in 2021-22. Previous position: 28
The Clippers’ buzzer-beater by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander overshadowed youngster Josh Giddey’s near-triple-double. Giddey came up two points short of a double-double, but he did have 18 rebounds and 10 assists in the win. Giddey became the only youngster in NBA history to grab at least 15 rebounds and give out at least 10 assists in a game, according to ESPN Stats & Information. MacMahon (MacMahon)
The Orlando Magic had a 6-25 record in 2021-22. Previous position: 29
Orlando has been decimated by health and safety procedures as well as injuries, yet it was able to stop a seven-game losing streak against an equally undermanned Brooklyn team on Saturday night. After not playing much this season, veteran big man Robin Lopez poured in 20 points and 10 rebounds in the victory against the Nets. Friedell’s words
The Detroit Pistons had a 5-24 record in 2021-22. 30th in the previous ranking
With a win against the Heat on Sunday, the Pistons avoided establishing a team record by snapping a 14-game losing run. Detroit hadn’t won since Nov. 17, tying the 1979-80 and 1983-94 teams for the longest losing run in franchise history. Collier’s
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The “Christmas Day games nba” is a list of the teams that will be playing on Christmas Day. The list includes every team in the NBA, as well as the time and location of their game. Reference: christmas day games nba.
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