.png)
11 months ago
50
NBA fans will be spending Christmas Day with some familiar voices during ESPN's quintoupleheader beginning at noon on the East coast, as the New York Post revealed Monday.
The action starts at Madison Square Garden at noon, where the Knicks will be hosting the Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard and the Milwaukee Bucks in what will be New York's 56th Christmas Day game. Fittingly, the team's 90-year-old former coach, Hubie Brown, will be on the call alongside play-play-play announcer Dave Pasch, according to the New York Post.
The defending-champion Denver Nuggets are hosting the Warriors in the 2:30pm EST game with Ryan Ruocco, JJ Redick and former Golden State forward Richard Jefferson on the call.
Similarly, former Celtics coach Doc Rivers will be calling Boston's 5pm EST game against LeBron James and the rival Lakers in Los Angeles. The 62-year-old color commentator will be joined by analyst Doris Burke and veteran play-by-play announcer Mike Breen as the two 17-time NBA champions do battle in LA.
The Miami Heat are hosting the Philadelphia 7ers in the 8pm EST game with Mark Jones and Monica McNutt on the mic, while Beth Mowins and Stephanie White will call the night cap when the Dallas Mavericks visit the Phoenix Suns.
LeBron James and Jayson Tatum will tangle on Christmas as Boston and LA renew their rivalry
Doc Rivers (left), Doris Burke (center) and Mike Breen (right) will be doing the LA-Boston game
(From left) Richard Jefferson, JJ Redick and Ryan Ruocco will be calling Nuggets-Warriors
Ex-Knicks coach Hubie Brown (left) will call New York coach Tom Thibodeau on Christmas
ESPN did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for confirmation.
Noticeably absent from the NBA's Christmas Day menu is Victor Wembanyama and the struggling San Antonio Spurs. Typically December 25 games are reserved for good teams with large followings, neither of which describe the Spurs over the last few seasons.
However, after drafting French sensation Victor Wembanyama with the first pick in June's NBA Draft, San Antonio is suddenly more appealing to NBA fans, who will get to see the Spurs play on national TV a total of 19 times this season.
Last year, the Spurs played only ESPN only once, while making three appearances on NBA TV.
The NBA began playing on Christmas Day in 1947, quickly making the holiday an annual league tradition.
Last season, James passed another Lakers legend, Kobe Bryant, by appearing in his NBA-record 17th Christmas Day game.
English (US)