Nuggets’ Christmas Day game is set up perfectly to be another NBA classic
By Tyler Key
Flashback to December 25th, 2022: The 20-11 Denver Nuggets were tied for the top seed in the Western Conference and were hosting the 4th-seeded 19-14 Phoenix Suns. Nuggets fans will remember this game for various reasons, aside from the fact it was on Christmas. The most famous moment was likely Aaron Gordon’s poster dunk in overtime that the NBA labeled as “The Play of NBA Christmas Day."
There were also so many other memorable moments, however. From any of the four Gordon alley-oops that he threw down to Jamal Murray’s game-tying dunk in regulation with 11 seconds left to Landry Shamet becoming prime Ray Allen for stretches of the game for the Suns after Devin Booker left the game due to injury, it was a truly legendary basketball fan experience.
Fast forward to present day and the Nuggets are now set to face off again with Phoenix on Christmas, this time in The Valley rather than the Mile High City. Between the superstar powers of Nikola Jokic, Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Jamal Murray there should be some incredible moments in a competitive match. Michael Porter Jr. and Bradley Beal could also pop off for huge scoring games depending on the game plans for each team. Perhaps Aaron Gordon will even have some deja vu and slam home a couple poster dunks as well.
In no specific order relative of start time, the full NBA Christmas Day slate will look as such:
- San Antonio Spurs at New York Knicks
- Minnesota Timberwolves at Dallas Mavericks
- Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics
- Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors
- Denver Nuggets at Phoenix Suns
Based on time zones of the home teams, there is a fair to good chance that the Nuggets will once again finish off the Christmas Day slate as the late game. The only other game that could perhaps slot in there would be the Lakers-Warriors matchup, however with LeBron James and Steph Curry both nearing the end of their careers, they are likely poised for a prime time slot. If that is the case, Nuggets and Suns fans will be in for a long, but entertaining, Christmas Day.