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How to Watch the 2021 NBA Christmas Day Games Live Online Without Cable

Jeff Kotuby
Jeff Kotuby is a contributing writer to The Streamable who specializes in sports, music, and all things Japanese media. He cut the cord in 2017 and has spent the last six years of his career writing for technology, entertainment, and healthcare websites. He's a lifelong Philadelphia Eagles and Anaheim Ducks fan, but also enjoys watching animated shows from the '90s.
Read full bio ›
Jeff Kotuby

As much of a Christmas tradition as cookies for Santa and movie marathons are NBA games on Christmas Day. This year, we’ll have 5 games between 10 of the NBA’s top teams, including both teams that played in the NBA Finals last season, the champions, the Milwaukee Bucks, and the runner-ups, the Phoenix Suns. ABC and ESPN will have the full slate of games this year — here’s when and where to watch each one:

How to Watch the 2021 NBA Christmas Day Games Without Cable

Full Slate of 2021 NBA Christmas Games

  • Atlanta Hawks at New York Knicks, 12:00 p.m. ET on ESPN
  • Boston Celtics at Milwaukee Bucks, 2:30 p.m. ET on ABC
  • Golden State Warriors at Phoenix Suns, 5:00 p.m. ET on ABC
  • Brooklyn Nets at Los Angeles Lakers, 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN
  • Dallas Mavericks at Utah Jazz, 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN

About 2021 NBA Christmas Day Games

Despite being a time of merriment and joy, the first game on our Christmas Day schedule is anything but merry and bright. The Hawks and Knicks played a hotly-contested five-game series during last season’s playoffs, which resulted in Hawks G Trae Young becoming public enemy #1 in New York City. There will certainly be no love lost on Saturday, especially when Young touches the ball in front of a raucous Madison Square Garden crowd.

The second game features the champs taking on a depleted Celtics team. However, the Celtics may have just gotten a shot of pure adrenaline in the form of NBA vet Joe Johnson, who joined the team on a 10-day deal. Can “Iso Joe” help the Cs beat the Bucks? Or will the Celtics fear the Deer?

The middle game is a rematch of the top two teams in the Western Conference — last year’s conference champs the Suns and longtime NBA dominators the Golden State Warriors. Warriors G Steph Curry is playing at an all-world level and will be the man to watch on the visiting side. Suns G Devin Booker is the top dog for the home squad. Saturday’s rubber match serves as the last time the teams will play this season — at least in the regular season. Can the Dubs take an important road game? Or will the Suns defend home court?

Lakers/Nets might be the match of the night, as so many of the league’s best players over the last decade will be part of both sides. Between Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony, Anthony Davis, James Harden, Kyrie Irving, Blake Griffin, and a myriad of other All-Stars who populate both rosters, we could be in for a real treat.

The nightcap sees the Dallas Mavericks and Utah Jazz square off. While not exactly the sexiest matchup on paper, these two teams will no doubt provide the cherry on top of the sundae that is NBA basketball on Christmas Day.

How to Stream the 2021 NBA Christmas Games for Free on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, iOS, and Android

There are six major streaming providers that offer Live TV Streaming. Five of these providers allow you to watch the 2021 NBA Christmas Games live using iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, Chromecast, and Web. They are DIRECTV STREAM, Hulu Live TV, Fubo, YouTube TV, and Sling TV.

DTV STREAMFuboHuluPhiloSling TVYouTube
Free TrialFree TrialGet a Free TrialFree TrialGet $10 OffSign Up
$79.99$91.99$76.99$25$40$40$72.99
ABC✓✓✓--✓✓
ESPN✓✓✓-✓-✓

All Live TV Streaming Services

DIRECTV STREAM

Price: $79.99
Includes: ABC and ESPN + 30 Top Cable Channels

Hulu Live TV

Price: $76.99
Includes: ABC and ESPN + 32 Top Cable Channels

Fubo

Price: $91.99
Includes: ABC and ESPN + 24 Top Cable Channels

YouTube TV

Price: $72.99
Includes: ABC and ESPN + 31 Top Cable Channels

Sling TV

Price: $40
Includes: ESPN + 16 Top Cable Channels

Vince Carter previews the NBA Christmas Day slate | First Take

Jeff Kotuby
Jeff Kotuby is a contributing writer to The Streamable who specializes in sports, music, and all things Japanese media. He cut the cord in 2017 and has spent the last six years of his career writing for technology, entertainment, and healthcare websites. He's a lifelong Philadelphia Eagles and Anaheim Ducks fan, but also enjoys watching animated shows from the '90s.
Read full bio ›
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DIRECTV STREAM Cash Back

Let us know your e-mail address to send your $50 Amazon Gift Card when you sign up for DIRECTV STREAM.

You will receive it ~2 weeks after you complete your first month of service.

Offer Terms

  • Only valid for new DIRECTV STREAM subscribers.
  • Only valid once per household.
  • You must pay and maintain service for at least one month to be eligible.
  • Purchase must be completed on the DIRECTV STREAM website.
  • You’ll receive gift card 4-6 weeks after purchase (~2 weeks after your first month).
  • Cannot be combined with any other promotion and won’t be eligible if you try to use a coupon code or cash back from another site.

Sling TV Cash Back

Let us know your e-mail address to send your $25 Uber Eats Gift Card when you sign up for Sling TV.

You will receive it ~2 weeks after you complete your first month of service.

Offer Terms

  • Only valid for new Sling TV subscribers to Sling Orange, Blue, or Sling Orange + Blue.
  • Only valid once per household.
  • You must pay and maintain service for at least one month to be eligible.
  • You must click from The Streamable and complete your purchase on the Sling TV website.
  • You’ll receive gift card 4-6 weeks after purchase (~2 weeks after your first month).
  • Cannot be combined with any other promotion and won’t be eligible if you try to use a coupon code or cash back from another site.

Hulu Live TV Cash Back

Let us know your e-mail address to send your $35 Amazon Gift Card when you sign up for Hulu Live TV.

You will receive it ~2 weeks after you complete your first month of service.

Offer Terms

  • Only valid for new Hulu Live TV subscribers.
  • Only valid once per household.
  • You must pay and maintain service for at least one month to be eligible.
  • You must click from The Streamable and complete your purchase on the Hulu Live TV website.
  • You’ll receive gift card 4-6 weeks after purchase (~2 weeks after your first month).
  • Cannot be combined with any other promotion and won’t be eligible if you try to use a coupon code or cash back from another site.