Warriors-Nuggets on Christmas Day: 3 key storylines & expert picks
The Warriors and Nuggets are scheduled to compete in the NBA’s Christmas Day lineup (2:30 ET, ABC/ESPN).
The past two NBA champions clash on Christmas Day when the 2023 champion Nuggets host the 2022 champion Warriors (2:30 ET, ABC/ESPN).
3 key storylines
- Curry vs. Jokic: All five Christmas Day games feature at least one Kia NBA MVP. This is the only matchup with two facing each other as two-time winner Stephen Curry (2015, 2016) meets two-time winner Nikola Jokic (2021, 2022). Jokic, who posted a 41-point, 15-rebound, 15-assist triple-double for his first Christmas Day win last season, and the Nuggets will try to become the fourth straight defending champ to win on Christmas Day.
- Nuggets on a roll: Golden State defeated Denver 4-1 in the first round of the 2022 Playoffs, the first step toward winning their fourth title in eight years. Denver has not lost to Golden State since as the Nuggets bring a four-game win streak over the Warriors into this matchup.
- Drama in store? Three of the last four games played between the Nuggets and Warriors have been decided by five points or less, including their first meeting this season, a 108-105 Nuggets win in Denver on Nov. 8. The Nuggets are 11-2 at home this season (including a 3-1 mark in games decided by five points or less), while the Warriors are 6-8 on the road overall (2-5 in close games).
All-time Christmas Day records
The Warriors are 15-17 entering this year’s Christmas Day matchup. The Nuggets are 2-6.
Picks
- Nuggets – Steve Aschburner
- Nuggets – Brian Martin
- Nuggets – Shaun Powell
- Nuggets – John Schuhmann
- Nuggets – Michael C. Wright
Full 2023 NBA Christmas Day schedule
- Bucks vs. Knicks (Noon ET, ESPN)
- Warriors vs. Nuggets (2:30 ET, ABC/ESPN)
- Celtics vs. Lakers (5 ET, ABC/ESPN)
- 76ers vs. Heat (8 ET, ESPN)
- Mavericks vs. Suns (10:30 ET, ESPN)
