The NBA closes out 2025 in spectacular fashion with a nine-game marathon on New Year's Eve, providing basketball fans with hours of action before the calendar flips to 2026. From early afternoon matchups to primetime showdowns, today's schedule offers something for every fan.
Warriors Visit Hornets in Carolina Homecoming
The day kicks off at 1:00 PM ET when the Golden State Warriors visit the Charlotte Hornets. This game carries special significance as Stephen Curry returns to his Carolina roots, playing in the state where he grew up and learned to love basketball.
Curry and his brother Seth, both NBA roster mates for the first time this season with Golden State, return to where they previously teamed up at Charlotte Christian High School. Both brothers then played college basketball in North Carolina—Steph at Davidson and Seth at Duke—making this homecoming particularly meaningful.
Their father Dell Curry will be on the mic calling the game for the Hornets broadcast, adding another family dimension to the afternoon. Curry reflected in 2019 that Charlotte means everything to him, saying "This is where I learned how to play the game."
Golden State enters at 17-16, struggling to find consistency this season. Head coach Steve Kerr has acknowledged the dynasty era may be winding down, but with Curry still performing at an elite level, the Warriors remain dangerous. Curry leads the league in threes per game at 4.8 while ranking top-10 in scoring at 28.8 points per game—the fourth-highest scoring season of his career.
Charlotte sits at 11-21, having struggled once again to mount any playoff challenge. However, catching the inconsistent Warriors could provide the perfect opportunity for an upset to close out their 2025.
Timberwolves Face Slumping Hawks
At 3:00 PM ET, Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves head to Atlanta to face a Hawks team suffering through a seven-game losing streak. The timing couldn't be better for Minnesota, who enters 21-12 overall and 9-6 on the road.
Atlanta's struggles have been compounded by injuries to key players. Trae Young, Jalen Johnson, and Kristaps Porzingis are all missing from the lineup, making this matchup even more challenging for the Hawks. At 15-19 overall and just 5-11 at home, Atlanta faces a massive test in the final game of 2025.
The Timberwolves look to build momentum heading into the new year, while the Hawks desperately need to snap their losing streak and find some positive energy before 2026 begins.
Pacers Seek to End Nine-Game Skid
The Indiana Pacers enter their 3:00 PM ET home game against the Orlando Magic riding a brutal nine-game losing streak. At 6-27, the 2025 NBA Finalists have endured a nightmare season marked by the absence of their star, Tyrese Haliburton.
Without Haliburton's creativity and playmaking, the Pacers have been completely lost. They're 4-16 against Eastern Conference teams and are being outscored by 9.3 points per game. Orlando comes in at 18-15, with Paolo Banchero leading a Magic team looking to close out the year strong.
Indiana's collapse represents one of the season's most disappointing storylines. After reaching the NBA Finals last year, expectations were high. Instead, they've been one of the league's worst teams, desperately needing Haliburton's return to salvage their season.
Suns Aim for Fifth Straight Win
At 3:30 PM ET on NBA TV, the Phoenix Suns visit the Cleveland Cavaliers seeking their fifth consecutive victory and third straight road win. Phoenix enters 19-13 behind Devin Booker's excellent play, looking to carry momentum into 2026.
Cleveland stands at 18-16 after a recent rough patch. The Cavaliers need to find their form as they prepare for the second half of the season. This matchup on NBA TV gives both teams national exposure to showcase their talents before the new year arrives.
Emirates NBA Cup Rematch: Knicks vs Spurs
The prime-time showdown at 7:00 PM ET on NBA TV features a rematch of the Emirates NBA Cup final when the New York Knicks face the San Antonio Spurs. Just weeks after the Knicks topped the Spurs in Las Vegas, the teams meet again in what has quickly become a compelling rivalry.
Since that loss, San Antonio has responded with vengeance, winning five straight games and looking like the best team in the Western Conference. At 23-9, the Spurs have the sixth-best defense in the league at 112.3 defensive rating. Victor Wembanyama has been spectacular, asserting himself as one of the game's premier talents.
New York also sits at 23-9 with the league's third-best offense at 121.4 offensive rating. The Knicks have won three straight and feature Jalen Brunson on an absolute tear. Both teams are 8-2 in their last ten games, making this rematch must-see television.
The budding Spurs-Knicks rivalry represents two young, hungry teams with championship aspirations. Both organizations have built impressive rosters combining veteran leadership with exciting young talent, setting the stage for potential playoff battles in the years ahead.
Nuggets Begin Life Without Jokić
The Denver Nuggets face the Toronto Raptors at 7:30 PM ET without three-time MVP Nikola Jokić, who will miss at least one month with a hyperextended left knee. The injury represents a significant blow to Denver's championship hopes, as last season they went just 4-8 without Jokić.
Toronto enters 20-14 and riding a two-game winning streak, making this a dangerous spot for a depleted Nuggets team. How Denver navigates this stretch without their superstar could define their season. At 22-10, they've built enough cushion to weather the storm, but losing Jokić for an extended period tests their depth and resilience.
Bucks Desperate for Momentum
The Milwaukee Bucks host the Washington Wizards at 8:00 PM ET with Giannis Antetokounmpo on a rallying cry to improve their disappointing season. At 14-19, the Bucks have fallen far short of expectations despite Giannis playing at an MVP level.
Washington sits at 7-24 as one of the league's worst teams, presenting Milwaukee with a prime opportunity to build confidence heading into 2026. The Bucks need every win they can get as they fight to climb back into playoff position in the competitive Eastern Conference.
Pelicans Host Bulls
At 8:00 PM ET, the New Orleans Pelicans take on the Chicago Bulls in a matchup of teams trying to solidify their playoff positioning. Both franchises have dealt with inconsistency this season but possess enough talent to make noise in the postseason if they can find their rhythm.
Thunder Close Perfect Calendar Year
The night's final game at 8:00 PM ET features the Portland Trail Blazers visiting the Oklahoma City Thunder. No team has enjoyed a better 2025 than the defending champion Thunder, who enter with the NBA's best record at 28-5.
Oklahoma City seeks its 86th win of the calendar year, including playoffs. This would rank as the fourth-most wins in any NBA year, trailing only the 1996 Bulls (89), 2015 Warriors (88), 2021 Suns (88), and 2016 Warriors (87). The Thunder have been absolutely dominant, establishing themselves as championship favorites.
However, Portland represents a potential trap game. The Trail Blazers are 14-19 but have found rhythm recently, riding a two-game winning streak. More importantly, Portland is one of just three teams to beat Oklahoma City this season, having the blueprint for how to compete with the NBA's juggernaut.
Jalen Williams acknowledged the challenge of managing expectations: "There are expectations. Now we're the [top] seed. How do we manage that with everybody in the room being 19 or 20 years old?" The Thunder's youth and inexperience with sustained success could make them vulnerable in exactly these types of games.
Looking Back at 2025
As the NBA closes out 2025, the Thunder's dominance stands as the year's defining storyline. Their unprecedented 85-win campaign (including playoffs heading into tonight) ranks among the greatest calendar years in NBA history. The combination of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's MVP-caliber play, Wembanyama rival Chet Holmgren's emergence, and outstanding depth has created a juggernaut that opponents struggle to match.
Other 2025 highlights include the Spurs' rapid development around Wembanyama, who has evolved into a legitimate superstar. The NBA Cup's success in its second year has provided meaningful mid-season competition. Individual performances from players like Curry, Giannis, and emerging young stars have delivered memorable moments throughout the year.
Week 11 Significance
With nine games today and six more on New Year's Day, Week 11 represents a pivotal point in the NBA season. Teams sit at the approximate midpoint of the schedule, making these games crucial for playoff positioning and momentum heading into the season's second half.
The compressed schedule over the holiday period tests depth and endurance while providing fans with maximum basketball entertainment. For teams fighting for playoff spots, every game matters. For contenders like the Thunder and Spurs, maintaining their excellence requires focus and execution even during the festive period.
All-Star Voting Opens
Adding another layer to today's action, fans can now vote for 2026 NBA All-Star Game starters through January 14 using their NBA ID. Several players in tonight's games are making strong cases for All-Star selection, with performances over this holiday stretch potentially swaying voters.
Veteran Coaching Milestones
Among the many storylines tonight, veteran coaches Doc Rivers and Rick Carlisle are reaching impressive milestones. Rivers has moved into sixth place on the all-time coaching wins list, while Carlisle nears his 1,000th career victory. Both coaches have demonstrated remarkable longevity and success across multiple decades and franchises.
The Final Day of 2025
As basketball fans settle in for nine straight games of NBA action, they witness the league at its best—competitive basketball across all matchups, compelling storylines at every level, and the perfect entertainment to transition from 2025 to 2026.
From family homecomings in Charlotte to championship rematches in San Antonio to the Thunder's quest for historic perfection in Oklahoma City, New Year's Eve delivers basketball drama across the entire spectrum. Whether watching all day or dipping in for specific matchups, fans can celebrate the end of 2025 with the sport we love at its absolute finest.
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