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NBA Christmas Games: History, traditions and schedule

Opening presents while spending time with loved ones has been part of many families' traditions on Christmas Day for generations. So has watching basketball.

While families around the world eagerly unwrap gifts, sounds and images emanate from televisions and fill living rooms. Knowing this, the NBA strategically decided early on to schedule games on Christmas Day that showcase the league's top teams and best players in an effort to captivate television audiences.

Today, the NBA on Christmas Day reaches spectators in more than 200 countries and territories with broadcasts in more than 50 different languages.

Here are more facts about the NBA's Christmas Day tradition:

What is the NBA's 2024 Christmas Day schedule?