Updated Dec. 25, 2025, 7:43 p.m. ET
Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets will take on LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers on Christmas Day in a Western Conference showdown.
The Christmas matchup represents a milestone moment for the league. With both Durant and James expected to play, the game will feature the most combined career points between two players in a head-to-head matchup in NBA history.
Entering the game, James has scored 42,429 career points, the most in NBA history. Durant currently ranks eighth among all-time scorers with 31,201 points.
Durant will play in his 13th Christmas Day but his first as a member of the Houston Rockets, having joined the team during the offseason.
James is the career leader for several Christmas Day records, including points (507), games played (19) and victories (11). He is also tied with James Harden for the most three-pointers with 31.
The Lakers and New York Knicks enter Thursday tied for the most team wins on Christmas Day with 25 apiece.
Here’s how to watch the NBA’s Christmas Day game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets:
Lakers starting lineup
The Los Angeles Lakers will start LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves, Luka Doncic, and DeAndre Ayton. The Lakers have a 4-2 record this season with this starting lineup.
Rockets starting lineup
The Houston Rockets will start Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., and Alperen Sengun against the Lakers.
This is the first game of the season the Rockets will play with this starting lineup.
Lakers injury news
Both Jaxson Hayes and Gabe Vincent will be out for Thursday’s game against the Lakers. Luka Doncic and Rui Hachimura are both labeled as questionable for the showdown.
Doncic is dealing with a leg issue. He missed the Lakers’ last game against the Phoenix Suns. Hachimura, meanwhile, has a groin injury, and also missed the game against Phoenix due to the injury as well as the game prior on Dec. 20 against the Clippers.
Rockets injury news
The Rockets have two questionable players for tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers — center Alperen Sengun and forward Jae’Sean Tate.
Sengun is dealing with left calf tightness. He has not missed a game since Houston’s loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Dec. 6.
Tate, meanwhile, is struggling with a bruise on his left wrist. Tate participated in the Rockets’ most recent game, playing nearly 14 minutes in Houston’s loss to the Clippers. However, he has missed four of the Rockets’ last six games.
What time is Rockets vs. Lakers Christmas game today?
The Los Angeles Lakers will host the Houston Rockets in one of five NBA on Christmas games on Thursday, Dec. 25 at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT). The game will take place at Crypto.com in Los Angeles.
Watch NBA Christmas games with Fubo
How to watch Rockets vs. Lakers NBA Christmas game: TV, live streaming
The game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets will be broadcast nationally on ABC and ESPN and can be live streamed via Fubo.
- Date: Dec. 25, 2025
- Time: 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT)
- Location: Crypto.com (Los Angeles, California)
- TV: ABC, ESPN
- Streaming: ESPN Unlimited, Fubo
Rockets vs. Lakers odds
The Houston Rockets are favored to beat the Los Angeles Lakers, according to DraftKings odds as of Dec. 24.
- Line: Rockets -2.5
- Over/under: 230.5
Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. If you purchase through our links, the USA Today Network may earn a commission. Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.
Gambling involves risk. Please only gamble with funds that you can comfortably afford to lose. While we do our utmost to offer good advice and information we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of gambling. We do our best to make sure all the information that we provide on this site is correct. However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable. Please check any stats or information if you are unsure how accurate they are. No guarantees are made with regards to results or financial gain. All forms of betting carry financial risk and it is up to the individual to make bets with or without the assistance of information provided on this site and we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of following the betting tips provided on this site. Past performances do not guarantee success in the future and betting odds fluctuate from one minute to the next. The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. It is your sole responsibility to act in accordance with your local laws.