Everyone knows that the NBA will showcase five games on Christmas Day in 2025.
But do they know that each of those games will feature at least one player facing his former team?
Here’s everything to know about the players who will be reunited with their former teams, but this time, as opponents.
Cleveland Cavaliers in New York
After around five years of playing for the Utah Jazz, Jordan Clarkson joined the New York Knicks and gets to host the Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden. The Cavs, like the Jazz, are also his former team. Clarkson won’t be alone in hosting the Cavs, though, since current head coach Mike Brown used to coach Cleveland.
Jordan Clarkson off bench as Knicks beat Raptors 116-94:
13 points
5-13 FG
2 assists
1 block pic.twitter.com/zEuDs3ZfLc— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) December 1, 2025
San Antonio Spurs in Oklahoma
Even if it was only for 10 games, Bismack Biyombo can still carry the title of “former Thunder player” for the rest of his life. However, since he was only playing around seven minutes per game during his stint, expect no one to remember that he was even there two seasons ago.
Dallas Mavericks in San Francisco
This could be the biggest reunion on Christmas Day. We are talking about Klay Thompson, who will return to the Bay Area when his Dallas Mavericks team pays a visit. For Thompson, 11 seasons’ worth of memories will come rushing back to him. We can’t say the same for D’Angelo Russell, who only played half a season for the Golden State Warriors.
Jason Kidd says Klay Thompson energy and intensity tonight kept the Mavericks in the game. pic.twitter.com/UygZiDCeTP
— Abby Jones (@_abigaiiiil) November 23, 2025
Houston Rockets in Los Angeles
Houston’s coach, Ime Udoka, once played for the Los Angeles Lakers more than 20 years ago. Since that was a long time ago, let’s focus instead on Dorian Finney-Smith, who was a Laker just last season. Finney-Smith was a fan favorite who provided excellent defense and hit timely three-pointers.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Denver
It was probably tough for Bones Hyland a few years ago. He was a Denver Nugget but got traded away right before Denver won the NBA Finals. He missed out on getting a ring by four months. Now, he is a Timberwolf who gets to go back to Denver for Christmas.
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