What’s On This Weekend in TV Sports (Dec. 25-Dec. 26)

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

NBA, NFL take center stage during Christmas weekend

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers is fouled by Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns as he spins in the second quarter during game six of the Western Conference first round series at Staples Center on June 3, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.
(Image credit: Harry How/Getty Images)

The Christmas weekend sports lineup starts on the basketball court as ABC and ESPN offer five National Basketball Association games on December 25.

ESPN will televise the Atlanta Hawks-New York Knicks game and the Dallas Mavericks-Utah Jazz games, while ABC airs the Boston Celtics-Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors-Phoenix and Brooklyn Nets-Los Angeles Lakers contests. 

The NFL will offer two games on Christmas Day, starting with the Cleveland Browns-Green Bay Packers game as well as the Indianapolis Colts-Arizona Cardinals matchup. On Sunday, NBC will air live The Washington Football Team-Dallas Cowboys Sunday Night Football game. 

On the college football bowl front, ESPN on Saturday will televise the Camellia Bowl between Georgia State and Ball State. 

In the ring, Fox will televise a primetime Christmas boxing match between welterweights Vito Mielnicki Jr. and Nicolas De Lomba. On the soccer field, NBCSN and USA Network will combine to televise four live Premier League games on Sunday. ■ 

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.