NBA games today: Who plays on Wednesday, Dec. 31? New Year’s Eve teams, times and matchups

For most of us, New Year’s Eve means getting together with friends and family and bringing in the next calendar year with copious amounts of food and drink, perhaps even of the alcoholic kind. For the stars of the NBA, there is a good chance they will have to go to work. A minor downside to the millions upon millions of dollars they earn each season, mere mortals might argue.

This year, New Year’s Eve falls on a busy NBA slate, with fans treated to wall-to-wall basketball as 2025 comes to a close.

A busy New Year’s Eve slate

Eighteen of the league’s 30 teams are in action on New Year’s Eve, with nine games tipping off across the day for the final time in 2025.

• Golden State Warriors @ Charlotte Hornets, 1 p.m. ET, watch on NBA TV
• Minnesota Timberwolves @ Atlanta Hawks, 3 p.m. ET, watch on NBA League Pass
• Indiana Pacers @ Orlando Magic, 3 p.m. ET, watch on NBA League Pass
• Cleveland Cavaliers @ Phoenix Suns, 3:30 p.m. ET, watch on NBA TV
• New Orleans Pelicans @ Chicago Bulls, 7 p.m. ET, watch on NBA League Pass
• New York Knicks @ San Antonio Spurs, 7 p.m. ET, watch on NBA TV
• Denver Nuggets @ Toronto Raptors, 7:30 p.m. ET, watch on NBA League Pass
• Washington Wizards @ Milwaukee Bucks, 8 p.m. ET, watch on NBA League Pass
• Portland Trail Blazers @ Oklahoma City Thunder, 8 p.m. ET, watch on NBA League Pass

Start New Year’s Eve with Curry

Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors kick off the early slate as they look to close the gap on the top seven in the Western Conference by defeating the Charlotte Hornets.

The Indiana Pacers will be desperate to avoid a 10th straight loss in their road game against the Orlando Magic, while the Phoenix Suns, riding a four-game winning streak, will hope to continue their fine form against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Knicks vs Spurs headline the night

New York Knicks at San Antonio Spurs is arguably the pick of the later games, with both teams sitting at 23-9 and riding high in second place in their respective conferences.

The Denver Nuggets will face the Toronto Raptors in their first game without three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, who is sidelined with an injury. NBA champions and Western Conference leaders Oklahoma City Thunder then close out the day by hosting the Portland Trail Blazers.

How to watch the NBA on New Year’s Eve

Three games, Warriors @ Hornets, Cavaliers @ Suns and Knicks @ Spurs, will be shown on NBA TV, with the remaining matchups available to stream on NBA League Pass.

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