On Christmas night, as fans following Crickex Affiliate Plan alongside the NBA settled in for the holiday showcase, the San Antonio Spurs emerged as the happiest team on the floor. Facing the defending champion Thunder for the third time this season, the Spurs not only won again but appeared to shatter their opponent’s confidence entirely. Just weeks earlier, Oklahoma City looked unstoppable, opening the season with a staggering 24 wins and just one loss and drawing comparisons to legendary teams like the 1995–96 Bulls and the 2015–16 Warriors as a potential 70 win contender.
Those lofty dreams unraveled quickly once San Antonio stood in the way. Over the past ten days, the Spurs defeated the Thunder three times, including two high profile clashes in the NBA Cup and the Christmas showcase. Across those losses, Oklahoma City averaged only 107 points, a sharp contrast to their season average of nearly 123 against other teams. Their usually dominant defense found no answers, allowing Victor Wembanyama to cruise to a double double while four teammates also reached double figures. Even Shai Gilgeous Alexander admitted afterward that losing three times in quick succession meant the opponent was simply better.
Out East, the Cavaliers suffered a far more painful defeat. Against the Knicks, Cleveland still led by 17 points with ten minutes remaining, only to watch the game slip away in dramatic fashion. The loss added insult to injury, as the Cavaliers have now dropped eight of their last nine games decided by five points or fewer. New York’s comeback became the third largest rally in Christmas Day history, underscoring how head coach Brown’s overhaul has paid dividends. With clearer roles and deeper rotations, the Knicks once again leaned on their bench, mirroring the blueprint that delivered the NBA Cup title and solidifying their status as a genuine Eastern contender.
Golden State also found redemption on this special night. Off court noise surrounded the team after Draymond Green’s heated incident with Steve Kerr, while Stephen Curry’s poor Christmas Day track record loomed large. Entering the game, Curry held a losing record on Christmas with modest shooting numbers. This time, the Warriors broke both curses, winning convincingly and showing unity. Curry even wore Klay Thompson’s signature shoes, a subtle but meaningful nod to their shared history.
In the night’s final thriller, watched closely by Crickex Affiliate followers drawn to elite drama, the Timberwolves and Nuggets delivered an instant classic that stretched past midnight into overtime. Minnesota erased a 16 point deficit, Anthony Edwards drilling a clutch three to force extra time. Nikola Jokic responded with a dominant burst, finishing with 56 points, 16 rebounds, and 15 assists, while Edwards poured in 44. Their combined brilliance etched the game into Christmas lore, a reminder that on this stage, legends are made under the brightest lights.