NBA scores: Christmas results, season recap after loaded day

The 2025 NBA Christmas Day games featured several notable results. The New York Knicks staged a 17-point fourth-quarter comeback to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 126-124, led by Jalen Brunson's 34 points. The San Antonio Spurs beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 117-102, handing the reigning champions their third loss of the season and extending their own winning streak to eight games behind De'Aaron Fox's 29 points. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Dallas Mavericks 126-116 with a balanced bench effort, though Anthony Davis left with a groin injury. The Houston Rockets dominated the Los Angeles Lakers 119-96, with Kevin Durant outscoring LeBron James and Amen Thompson contributing 26 points.

The early part of the 2025-26 NBA season has set the stage for significant upcoming events, including the trade deadline, All-Star Game, and playoffs. The season's start has been eventful, with teams already positioning themselves for a deep 2026 draft class featuring prospects like Cameron Boozer, A.J. Dybantsa, and Darryn Peterson, which may encourage tanking. The Western Conference appears highly competitive as the Thunder pursue a repeat championship, while the Eastern Conference race is considered wide open.