The NBA will soon be releasing its Christmas Day slate, followed by the complete schedule. Last season, it was just the Minnesota Timberwolves' third Christmas Day game. However, after another Western Conference finals run and having one of the league's premier stars in Anthony Edwards, the Wolves are primed for another Christmas Day game.
Many are expecting the Wolves to face off against either the Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, or New York Knicks. All of which would be great matchups. Nevertheless, the San Antino Spurs might actually be the Wolves' most likely and intriguing matchup. Let's dive into why a Wolves-Spurs Christmas Day showdown makes a ton of sense.
Other matchups make more sense for the Thunder, Nuggets, and Knicks
Yes, a rematch of the conference finals or a matchup with the Wolves' rival, the Nuggets, would be amazing. Likewise, for a game against the Knicks, after the Karl-Anthony Towns-Julius Randle trade. This matchup would likely kick off the festivities.
However, given the conference imbalance if the Wolves and Knicks play each other, that could lead to there being nine West teams and just one East team on Christmas Day. Instead, expect the NBA to have the Knicks face off against an Eastern Conference team, so more than one East team is represented. The Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks, and Detroit Pistons are all logical candidates.
As for the Thunder and Nuggets, I envision them playing against each other. A Western Conference finals rematch or another chapter in the Wolves-Nuggets rivalry would be highly entertaining. Nevertheless, it's hard to beat the last two MVPs squaring off against each other. After the Nuggets upgraded their roster, many view Denver as the second-best team in the West behind OKC. This would create the perfect Christmas Day showdown.
A Wolves-Spurs Christmas Day matchup would be perfect
Victor Wembanyama will certainly command a Christmas Day game, and the Wolves are a perfect matchup for the Spurs. The Nuggets and Thunder would also be ideal matchups for the Spurs; however, as outlined, those teams could play each other. The Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, and Golden State Warriors are four other Western Conference teams that will likely play on Christmas.
However, a Lakers-Mavericks matchup after the Luka Dončić trade is something the NBA is unlikely to overlook. Similarly, for a rematch of a first-round series that went seven games, with Kevin Durant now facing his former team.
While a Wolves-Spurs matchup might not be at the forefront of everyone's mind, it would undoubtedly be a thrilling matchup. Edwards and Wembanyama are two of the league's best young stars, creating an exciting dynamic. Edwards' elite athleticism against Wembanyama's freakish skill set would be a matchup everyone would love.
The Wolves are an elite team, but there's a better chance for Wemby and the Spurs to be competitive against them, rather than the Thunder, Nuggets, or Rockets. Having five close games should be a priority for the NBA on Christmas Day, and a Wolves-Spurs matchup is likely to deliver the desired theatrics.
For basketball enthusiasts, watching how the Wolves' elite frontcourt would contain Wemby while seeing how the Spurs' improved backcourt would fare against a somewhat weak Wolves' backcourt would be exciting. Rudy Gobert facing off against his fellow Frenchmen who finished second behind him in 2023-24 DPOY voting is another fun subplot. Ultimately, from all angles, a Wolves-Spurs matchup would be an incredible Christmas Day game.