Oklahoma City Thunder will battle it out against Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Cup Final.
Karl-Anthony Towns returning to face his former team, the Minnesota Timberwolves. Towns is a battle to watch out for.
As the NBA season rolls on after the NBA Cup, the week of December 16-22 promises to deliver some thrilling matchups. Here’s a guide to the games you won’t want to miss, along with the TV coverage and reasons why each one is worth watching.
NBA Cup Championship: Bucks vs. Thunder
Time: Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET
TV: ABC
The NBA Cup Championship promises high intensity as the Oklahoma City Thunder, led by MVP contender Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, face off against the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks, riding a hot streak and led by former MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, will be looking to prove that their early season struggles were a fluke. This game could set the tone for the season ahead, especially with the stakes of a half-million-dollar prize for the winners.
Thunder at Magic
Time: Thursday, 7:00 pm ET
TV: TNT
After the NBA Cup Championship, the Thunder head to Orlando to take on the Magic. This will be a defensive showdown between two of the league's best defensive teams. However, the Magic will be without key players like Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, raising the question: Can Orlando’s remaining roster keep pace with the explosive Thunder?
Knicks at Timberwolves
Time: Thursday, 9:30 pm ET
TV: TNT
The matchup features Karl-Anthony Towns returning to face his former team, the Minnesota Timberwolves. Towns, who was a key figure in the Timberwolves' recent success, now leads the New York Knicks, who boast the third-best offense in the league. The Timberwolves, winners of 7 out of their last 8 games, will look to use their top-five defense to slow down the high-scoring Knicks.
Bucks at Cavaliers
Time: Friday, 7:30 pm ET
TV: NBA TV
The Cleveland Cavaliers, with the best record in the Eastern Conference at 22-4, will host the Milwaukee Bucks, who have recently found their rhythm after a slow start. The Cavaliers' high-powered offense, led by Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, faces a strong Bucks team looking to prove they belong among the East's elite. This game will be a great test for both teams.
Knicks at Pelicans
Time: Saturday, 8:00 pm ET
TV: NBA TV
The New York Knicks look to continue their strong play as they face the New Orleans Pelicans, who are struggling with just one win in their last 14 games. While the Pelicans are in a rough patch, the matchup will give fans a chance to see stars like Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns put on a show.
League Pass Games to Check Out
Miami Heat at Detroit Pistons
Time: Monday, 7:00 pm ET
Why Watch: The Heat have quietly been one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, having won 4 of their last 5 games. With Jimmy Butler leading the charge and Tyler Herro playing the best basketball of his career, Miami’s defense will be tested by a Pistons team led by rising star Cade Cunningham.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Brooklyn Nets
Time: Monday, 7:30 pm ET
The Cavaliers, sitting atop the East with a 22-4 record, will face the Brooklyn Nets, who have struggled in recent games, dropping four straight. However, in their last meeting, the Nets gave Cleveland a tough fight, nearly leading by 14 points in the third quarter. Can the Nets bounce back, or will the Cavaliers continue their dominant run?
Denver Nuggets at Sacramento Kings
Time: Monday, 10:00 pm ET
This game features two of the league's best passing big men in Nikola Jokic and Domantas Sabonis. With the Kings riding a strong stretch of 4 wins in 5 games, Sacramento’s explosive trio of Sabonis, De’Aaron Fox, and DeMar DeRozan will look to challenge the Nuggets' defense, led by MVP contender Jokic.
Golden State Warriors at Memphis Grizzlies
Time: Thursday, 8:00 pm ET
The Grizzlies, one of the top teams in the West at 18-9, will host the Golden State Warriors in what promises to be a thrilling matchup. The game features two of the NBA’s brightest stars, Stephen Curry and Ja Morant, with Curry leading the Warriors in a season full of ups and downs. This game will highlight two teams with championship aspirations.
Miami Heat at Orlando Magic
Time: Saturday, 7:00 pm ET
The Heat have quietly ranked in the top 10 for both offense and defense this season, and they’ll be tested by the Magic’s elite defense. This matchup also gives fans a chance to see Tyler Herro’s growth, along with Jimmy Butler's continued leadership, against a Magic team struggling with injuries.
Warriors at Timberwolves
Time: Saturday, 8:00 pm ET
After a slow start to the season, the Timberwolves have turned things around, winning 7 of their last 8 games. Led by a top-five defense, Minnesota will face off against the Golden State Warriors, who are always a dangerous team with Stephen Curry at the helm. This clash of styles—strong defense versus offensive firepower—will make for an exciting game.
