Every league has holiday traditions, and one of the biggest in the NBA is the Knicks playing on Christmas. No other team in the Association has played or hosted more Christmas Day games, and this year will feature one of the best of them all when New York hosts the perennial powerhouse Cavaliers.
Cleveland dominated the majority of the 2024-25 NBA season, but injuries and the surging Pacers ran through the top seed like two freight trains. The No. 3 seed Knicks, meanwhile, went nuclear in the playoffs but ultimately lost to that same Indiana team in the conference title round.
This upcoming season, though, the East feels wide open for New York and Cleveland to go for it all. Both teams are well-equipped — the Cavs with Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, and the Knicks with Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns.
BUY NOW: Tickets to see Knicks vs. Cavaliers Christmas Day NBA game on StubHub
It’s easy to see why these squads have the two shortest odds to win the Finals out of the Eastern Conference. Mike Brown, who has won Coach of the Year for two different teams during his illustrious career, will look to help take New York over the hump. Kenny Atkinson, who won Coach of the Year after the Cavs went 64-18 last season, will be doing the same. This Christmas tilt could easily be a sneak preview of next June’s conference title round.
What’s better than New York City on Christmas? Attending Knicks vs. Cavaliers at the world-famous Madison Square Garden in New York City on Christmas. Here’s everything you need to know about this Yuletide showdown, including tipoff time and links to the best and most affordable tickets.
Knicks vs. Cavaliers tickets for NBA Christmas Day game 2025
Tickets for the Knicks-Cavaliers Christmas Day game are available now on StubHub, and it’s obviously listed as a “high-demand” event. Only two percent of tickets remained for the contest as of August 11.
At last glance, the cheapest tickets were selling for a little over $500 each. Seats right near the court run in the thousands, but some lower-bowl sections feature tickets for $880-$930 each.
Ticket prices will likely fluctuate as the holidays draw near, so be sure to click the link below for updated pricing and seat availability.
BUY NOW: Tickets for Knicks-Cavs Christmas game at Madison Square Garden
Knicks vs. Cavaliers start time for NBA Christmas Day game 2025
- Date: Thursday, Dec. 25
- Time: TBD
The Knicks and Cavs will clash in Manhattan on Christmas Day 2025, but it has yet to be announced what time the game will tip off. Given the quality of the game, it’s quite possible the showdown will take up a primetime slot.
Madison Square Garden seating map
Here’s the seating map for Knicks games at Madison Square Garden, commonly known as “the world’s most famous arena.”
(TIcketmaster)
New York Knicks 2025-26 schedule
A complete schedule of 2025-26 New York games has not yet been released. Click here for tickets to every matchup.
Cleveland Cavaliers 2025-26 schedule
A complete schedule of 2025-26 Cleveland games has not yet been released. Click here for tickets to every matchup.
