The OKC Thunder will host the Houston Rockets in one of the five featured games on Christmas Day.
Once more the OKC Thunder will be among the ten teams to lace up their sneakers on Christmas day. Although OKC have been among the few favored squads to draw the coveted Christmas Day game, it’s never a given. Certainly the addition of Paul George made their selection more likely.
But, just being a good squad or having stars on your team doesn’t guarantee anything. Just ask the Toronto Raptors. Last season the Raptors were the only 2016 Conference Finalist to miss the cut. This season the Raptors are missing in action again despite being the most consistent East squad behind the Cavaliers over the past few seasons. To wit, the top 4 teams to finish the season in the East were the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Toronto Raptors and Washington Wizards. Each of those squads (except the Raptors) will be among the 14 teams who’ll play during the NBA’s opening week as well as on Christmas Day. Likewise the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks will also play in those coveted games.
My point is, OKC Thunder fans should revel in their luck they are often a must have on these schedule tickets. In their first nine seasons as a franchise the OKC Thunder have played on Christmas Day seven of their nine seasons. The Charlotte Hornets and Memphis Grizzlies have never played on Christmas. Minnesota broke through last season and return again to the ticket this year. Conversely, regardless of whether they have strong teams of not the Knicks, Lakers, Celtics and 76ers are regularly in the mix. Their inclusion this year represents their 52nd, 43rd and 31st and 30th appearances respectively.
When Kevin Durant left last season many fans were hoping for an OKC vs Warriors matchup either to open the season or on Christmas Day. Yet, in recent years the NBA has tended to have the NBA Finalists meet to open the season or on Christmas Day. That trend is continued this year with the Warriors hosting the Cavaliers in the featured December 25 game.
Christmas Day Menu:
As for the full list of games here’s how they map out: (all times are Eastern Standard)
- New York Knicks host Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Gardens, noon on ESPN
- Golden State Warriors host Cleveland Cavaliers at Oracle Arena, 3 p.m. on ABC
- Boston Celtics host Washington Wizards at the Boston TD Garden, 5:30 p.m., ABC
- OKC Thunder host Houston Rockets at Chesapeake, 8 p.m., ABC
- Los Angeles Lakers host Minnesota Timberwolves at Staples, 10:30 p.m., TNT
Although many fans might have wished for OKC Thunder to host the Warriors, this matchup is definitely a great option. Until the full schedules are released it’s unknown if this will be the first meeting between the two squads. Regardless, for Thunder Nation this meeting will be highly anticipated as the Rockets added Chris Paul, PJ Tucker and may still add Carmelo Anthony. Wth the Warriors perched atop the West many analysts assume these two squads could well be the teams who offer the Wariors their greatest competition. So, how they fare versus each other will be key to how the season unfolds
NBA Opening Week:
More from Thunderous Intentions
- Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
- Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
- 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
- Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
- Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder
The other key dates released were the NBA’s opening slate of eight games. The OKC Thunder make the cut here too. OKC will play host to the Knicks featuring Kristaps Porzingis and perhaps Carmelo Anthony. Here’s the list of the eight games to launch the season:
October 17, Opening Night TNT Double Header:
To begin the season the Cleveland Cavaliers host the Boston Celtics at 8:00 p.m. on TNT
Closing the night, Golden State Warriors will receive their championship rings and then tip off against the Houston Rockets at 10:30 p.m. on TNT.
October 18, ESPN plays host to NBA Night 2 Double Header:
Washington Wizard host Philadelphia 76ers at 7:00 p.m.
San Antonio Spurs host Minnesota Timberwolves at 9:30 p.m.
.October 19, TNT plays host to NBA Night 3 Double Header:
OKC Thunder host New York Knicks at 8:00 p.m.
Los Angeles Clippers vs Las Angles Lakers at 10:30 pm
October 20, ESPN host NBA Night 4 Double Header:
Milwaukee Bucks host Cleveland Cavaliers at 7:00 p.m.
New Orleans Pelicans host Golden State Warriors at 9:30 p.m.
Full NBA schedules will likely be released over the weekend.