Christmas Day has long been one of the NBA’s biggest stages, and not every team performs the same when the spotlight is on. Below is a look at how each franchise has fared historically on December 25, along with some context around their holiday performances.
Miami Heat
- Win %: 85.7% (12-2)
- The Miami Heat have established themselves as the premier Christmas Day franchise by efficiency, boasting the highest winning percentage in NBA history on December 25. Much of this success has come in the modern era, particularly under Erik Spoelstra, where Miami consistently entered Christmas games as a disciplined, playoff-caliber team. Their holiday performances often reflect the franchise’s broader identity: preparation, defensive structure, and strong execution in nationally televised settings.
Portland Trail Blazers
- Win %: 77.8% (14-4)
- The Trail Blazers are one of the NBA’s most successful historical teams on Christmas Day, with the bulk of their success coming during their stronger competitive eras from the late 1970s through the 1990s. Portland frequently delivered wins when featured during that period, and while their Christmas appearances have become less frequent in recent decades, their legacy record remains among the league’s best.
Utah Jazz
- Win %: 75.0% (6-2)
- Despite relatively few appearances, the Utah Jazz have made the most of their opportunities on Christmas Day. Their strong winning percentage reflects a franchise that was often competitive and well-coached during the years they were selected for the holiday slate. Jazz Christmas games have tended to align with their peak eras, when they were a consistent playoff threat.
Washington Wizards
- Win %: 69.6% (16-7)
- The Wizards franchise, including its earlier iterations, has quietly compiled one of the stronger Christmas Day records in NBA history. Over a fairly large sample size, Washington has consistently exceeded expectations on the holiday, producing wins across multiple eras. While the team is not commonly associated with marquee Christmas games today, historically they have performed very well when given the stage.
Minnesota Timberwolves
- Win %: 66.7% (2-1)
- Minnesota has only appeared a handful of times on Christmas Day, but they have made the most of those opportunities. Their winning record reflects appearances tied to competitive periods for the franchise, giving them a quietly strong holiday résumé despite limited exposure.
Sacramento Kings
- Win %: 62.1% (18-11)
- The Kings own one of the stronger and more underrated Christmas Day records in the league. Much of this success came during earlier eras when Sacramento was a consistent and well-coached team, allowing them to build a solid winning percentage across a relatively large sample size.
Chicago Bulls
- Win %: 55.8% (13-8)
- The Bulls’ Christmas Day success is heavily tied to their prominence during the 1990s dynasty era, when they were a staple of the holiday schedule. Chicago frequently delivered victories during those championship years, helping establish a winning record that still stands today. Even beyond the Jordan era, the Bulls have generally been competitive when featured on Christmas.
Phoenix Suns
- Win %: 59.1% (13-9)
- Phoenix has historically performed well on Christmas Day, often appearing during stretches when the franchise was competitive or contending. Their record reflects a team that has generally risen to the occasion when featured on the holiday stage.
Philadelphia 76ers
- Win %: 57.1% (20-15)
- The 76ers have a long and productive Christmas Day history, winning more often than they lose across multiple eras. Philadelphia has frequently been selected for marquee holiday matchups, and their overall record reflects consistent competitiveness in those games.
Orlando Magic
- Win %: 55.6% (5-4)
- Orlando’s Christmas Day appearances are relatively limited, but the Magic have produced a winning record nonetheless. Most of their success aligns with periods when the franchise was built around strong defensive teams and playoff-level rosters.
Brooklyn Nets
- Win %: 54.5% (6-5)
- The Nets hold a slightly above-average Christmas Day record, reflecting mixed but respectable performances over time. While they have never been a dominant holiday team, Brooklyn has often been competitive in its Christmas appearances, particularly in more recent years when the franchise returned to national relevance.
Cleveland Cavaliers
- Win %: 50.0% (7-7)
- Cleveland’s Christmas Day history is perfectly balanced, mirroring the franchise’s broader swings between elite contention and rebuilding phases. Their holiday appearances have included high-profile games during the LeBron James eras as well as less successful outings, resulting in an even overall record.
Dallas Mavericks
- Win %: 50.0% (4-4)
- The Mavericks have appeared infrequently on Christmas Day compared to other franchises, but when they have, the results have been evenly split. Dallas’ holiday games are largely tied to periods when the team was competitive and led by star talent, producing a neutral but respectable Christmas résumé.
Houston Rockets
- Win %: 50.0% (6-6)
- The Rockets’ Christmas Day history reflects balance rather than dominance. Across multiple eras—from championship contenders to rebuilding teams—Houston has won and lost at equal rates on the holiday. Their appearances have often coincided with times when the franchise was nationally relevant.
Indiana Pacers
- Win %: 50.0% (2-2)
- With a very limited sample size, the Pacers have split their Christmas Day games evenly. Indiana has rarely been selected for Christmas matchups, but when they have been featured, results have been competitive and balanced.
Los Angeles Lakers
- Win %: 49.0% (25-26)
- The Lakers are synonymous with Christmas Day basketball, holding one of the highest numbers of appearances and total wins in league history. However, despite their star power and frequent hosting duties, their overall record sits just below .500. The sheer volume of games across vastly different eras has produced an uneven but iconic Christmas legacy.
Los Angeles Clippers
- Win %: 47.1% (8-9)
- The Clippers’ Christmas record reflects a franchise that historically struggled for consistency but has become more competitive in recent years. Earlier losses weigh down their overall percentage, though modern Clippers teams have helped narrow the gap toward .500.
Boston Celtics
- Win %: 44.7% (17-21)
- Despite being one of the league’s most storied franchises, the Celtics have experienced mixed success on Christmas Day. Their long history includes strong performances during championship eras and less successful stretches in rebuilding years, resulting in a below-average but well-documented holiday record.
Golden State Warriors
- Win %: 44.1% (15-19)
- Golden State’s Christmas history spans multiple identities—from early struggles to the modern dynasty years. While the Warriors have delivered memorable wins in the Stephen Curry era, earlier losses still weigh on their cumulative record, keeping them just under .500 overall.
New York Knicks
- Win %: 43.9% (25-32)
- The Knicks are synonymous with Christmas Day basketball at Madison Square Garden, owning one of the highest numbers of appearances in league history. While their overall record is below .500, the sheer volume of games across many eras explains the inconsistency more than any single trend.
Atlanta Hawks
- Win %: 42.9% (9-12)
- The Hawks have had limited success on Christmas Day, often appearing during transitional periods for the franchise. While they have secured some notable wins, Atlanta has generally struggled to maintain consistency in holiday matchups.
San Antonio Spurs
- Win %: 41.7% (5-7)
- Despite their reputation for excellence, the Spurs have posted a losing record on Christmas Day. Many of their appearances came against elite opponents, and while they have delivered some notable wins, the holiday has not been a consistent strength for the franchise.
Detroit Pistons
- Win %: 31.3% (10-22)
- The Pistons have historically found Christmas Day to be a challenging stage. While they have earned some holiday wins, particularly during stronger competitive eras, Detroit’s overall Christmas record ranks among the lower percentages in the league.
Denver Nuggets
- Win %: 30.0% (3-7)
- Denver owns one of the poorest Christmas Day records in NBA history. Many of their appearances came during periods when the franchise was not among the league’s elite, leading to frequent losses. Recent success has not yet translated into significant holiday improvement.
Oklahoma City Thunder
- Win %: 30.0% (6-14)
- Oklahoma City has struggled historically on Christmas Day, with losses outweighing wins by a significant margin. Even during strong competitive eras, the Thunder have found the holiday stage to be a difficult one.
New Orleans Pelicans
- Win %: 25.0% (1-3)
- The Pelicans have rarely been featured on Christmas Day, and their limited appearances have yielded minimal success. With such a small sample size, their Christmas record reflects opportunity more than established pattern.
Memphis Grizzlies
- Win %: 0% (0-1)
- The Grizzlies have rarely been featured on Christmas Day, and their lone appearance resulted in a loss. With such a small sample size, their Christmas identity remains largely undefined.
Toronto Raptors
- Win %: 0.0% (0-2)
- Toronto has appeared just twice on Christmas Day and has yet to record a win. The extremely small sample size makes it difficult to draw broader conclusions, but the Raptors remain one of the few teams without a Christmas victory.
Charlotte Hornets
- Win %: N/A (0 games)
- The Hornets are one of the few NBA franchises that have never played on Christmas Day. Historically, the team has not been positioned as a marquee holiday draw, resulting in no Christmas record to date.
Conclusion
Some teams have turned Christmas into a tradition of winning, while others have struggled or rarely appeared at all. Together, these records show how a single day on the calendar can reveal surprising patterns in NBA history.