On Facebook
On Flipboard
NBA scheduling decision takes steam out of Christmas games
On Christmas, the NBA presents five showcase games. Unless they're repeats of games from two days earlier.
Would love to know who's idea it was to schedule Knicks-Bucks 2 days before Christmas and then showcase the same matchup on Christmas @NBA
— Raheem Palmer (@iamrahstradamus) December 23, 2023
Also, next year please put SGA on Christmas. Time to start building him up.
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the New York Knicks 130-11 in a Ssaturday afternoon game at Madison Square Garden. On Christmas Day, the slate of games begins with these exact same teams playing in the exact same place.
There's no issue with the NBA featuring the Bucks, a title contender featuring superstars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, or the Knicks, a wildly popular team that made the second round of last year's playoffs.
But why schedule a game for two days before if they're trying to make the Christmas game special? Essentially the NBA is kicking off one of its biggest days with a rerun.
It's one of a series of strange scheduling decisions this year. The NBA won't play any games on Christmas Eve, making the third Sunday in December they've gone without a single game. Two of those were for the in-season tournament, but it's a baffling decision.
The tournament was supposed to increase interest in the NBA. But after the final, any newfound basketball fans saw a day with no basketball at all. Not a great way to preserve the momentum of the tournament.
What's the reason? It could be fear of the NFL, which dominates ratings on Sundays. But the scheduling isn't doing them any favors.
It's hard to make viewers think a Christmas Day matchup is special when the league itself doesn't think so.
More must-reads:
- NFL won’t compete with NBA next Christmas, NFL suggests
- Giannis Antetokounmpo powers Bucks past Knicks
- The 'Season TD pass leaders by NFL team' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
Nugget Could Trade $22 Million Forward to Celtics for Anfernee Simons Amid Reported Interest
After being eliminated in the second round of the playoffs for the second consecutive season last year, the Denver Nuggets felt as though it was time to make some major changes to their roster around Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon this offseason. Denver began the summer by trading Michael Porter Jr. and a first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets for Cameron Johnson. They then signed Bruce Brown and Tim Hardway Jr. in free agency and acquired Jonas Valanciunas from the Sacramento Kings. By making these moves, the Nuggets were able to add a sharpshooting forward in Johnson to their starting lineup while Valanciunas, Hardaway Jr. and Brown will all be massive upgrades to their bench. Because of this, the Nuggets are expected to be a championship contender next season and many around the NBA believe that they are the biggest threat to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Nuggets showing interest in Anfernee Simons While that may be the case, the Nuggets could also look to make more moves before the start of next season and according to Hoops Wire’s Sam Amico, they have recently expressed interest in trading for Boston Celtics guard Anfernee Simons. Mock trade sends Simons to Nuggets In a potential trade for Simons, the Nuggets could send Gordon and Peyton Watson to Boston in exchange for Simons and draft capital. This trade would not be able to be made until after September 7 due to the Celtics acquiring Simons earlier this summer from the Portland Trail Blazers in the Jrue Holiday deal. If the Nuggets were open to making this trade, adding Simons to their backcourt alongside Murray would give them a lethal offensive duo. They could also elect to bring Simons off the bench as their sixth man which would give them another great scoring piece in their second unit. Of course, it would be a tough decision for Denver to trade Gordon and it is highly unlikely that they would do so anytime soon but for them to land Simons, they would have to move either Gordon, Murray or Johnson to match salaries. Because of this, it is highly unlikely that the Nuggets will trade for Simons this offseason and the Celtics have also shown little interest in moving on from him before he ever suits up for their franchise.
Zachary Yager, Veteran NASCAR Pit Crew Member, Dies Aged 35
Zachary Yager, who had served as an over-the-wall pit crew member in the NASCAR National Series ranks since the 2014 season, has died at the age of 35. TobyChristie.com had the initial report of Yager's death. Yager, a New York native, had pit crew stints with Richard Childress Racing, Team Penske, RFK Racing, and JTG Daugherty Racing (now known as HYAK Motorsports), where he won the 2023 Daytona 500, from 2014 to 2024. Ahead of the 2025 season, Yager moved to Elite Race Services, a Mooresville, NC-based company that specializes in assembling teams of pit crews for NASCAR National Series race teams. This season, Yager had been serving as the Jack Man for the No. 39 RSS Racing team in the NASCAR Xfinity Series as well as the No. 88 ThorSport Racing team in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The loss of Yager was absolutely unexpected for Elite Race Services, which is grieving the loss of one of its own, while issuing its deepest sympathy to Yager's family. “Obviously, nobody saw this coming and we’re in total disbelief,” Cory DeMarco, owner of Elite Race Services said in a statement given to TobyChristie.com. “All of the guys send our thoughts and prayers out to his dad and family, right now.” ThorSport Racing, likewise, expressed grief over the sudden and unexpected loss of Yager. “We are deeply saddened by the unexpected passing of our friend and teammate, Zachary Yager,” said ThorSport Racing in a statement. “He was an important part of our family, and our hearts are with his loved ones and community as we grieve this loss together.” While he was serving as a Jack Man this season, Yager was well-known as a well-rounded pit crew member, who could perform at nearly every position on an over-the-wall pit crew. Yager previously served as a Tire Carrier and Fueler in addition to the Jack Man role. No details surrounding Yager's death have been released, but the veteran pit crew member had been missing since Monday, August 18, according to various social media posts from members of Yager's family.
3 NFL final roster cuts Chargers should target after league's 53-man deadline
The Los Angeles Chargers won’t sit still after final roster cutdowns. Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers need help in some key areas, which means forming the “final” roster and then looking to the NFL’s trade block, waiver wire and pool of free agents. As NFL final cuts continue ahead of the 4 p.m. ET deadline, here’s a look at a few recently waived and/or cut players who should interest the Chargers. G Kenyon Green It's not often a former top-15 pick becomes available, yet here is Green, a first-rounder from 2022 just let go by the Philadelphia Eagles. While he’s had a tough go of it as a pro so far, the Chargers still look mighty thin on the interior of the offensive line behind Zion Johnson and Mekhi Becton, especially with Branson Taylor now needing to help at tackle. OT Demontrey Jacobs A former undrafted free agent in 2023, Jacobs is a former defensive lineman who has been a hot name on waiver wires because of his ability to play left tackle in a pinch. The Chargers lost Rashawn Slater for the season, which kicked Joe Alt to the left side and promoted Trey Pipkins. They’re now scratching and clawing to provide a capable swing backup tackle, so Jacobs could be worth a look. OT Carter Warren Yes, more offensive linemen, but the Chargers dug this hole for themselves well before the Slater injury. Warren was a fourth-rounder in 2023 and is still just 26 years old. He started five games as a rookie and appeared in six last season. He would provide quality tackle depth the Chargers could continue to develop.
How does Terry McLaurin's extension stack up to other star WRs?
Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin reportedly sought a deal similar to that of Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf. The team gave him what he wanted on Monday. Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the star WR's agents, Buddy Baker and Tony Bonagura, said he has agreed to a three-year extension worth up to $96M. Metcalf, 27, signed a five-year, $150M deal with the Steelers shortly after being traded from the Seattle Seahawks in March. (The deal contains an out after the 2026 season.) While Commanders fans are happy that McLaurin should now be ready for Week 1 against the New York Giants, the move could be considered a slight overpay. The former Ohio State Buckeyes star turns 30 on Sept. 15, an age when WRs typically decline. Other WRs who are approaching their 30s have signed for less this offseason. Denver Broncos WR Courtland Sutton, who turns 30 on Oct. 10, signed a four-year, $92M extension in July. McLaurin, however, has been more productive than Sutton and Metcalf throughout his career. Since the Commanders selected him with pick No. 76 in the 2019 NFL Draft, he has amassed 6,379 receiving yards. Metcalf had 6,324 receiving yards in his first six seasons with Seattle, while Sutton had 5,340 receiving yards in his first seven seasons with Denver. McLaurin has played with subpar quarterbacks for most of his career. After Washington added star QB Jayden Daniels in 2024, he produced even better numbers. In 17 games, he logged a career-high 13 touchdown catches, the second most in the league. "Obviously, me and Terry have a very good relationship," Daniels has said this offseason, via ESPN's John Keim. "Whenever the time comes and he's back out there on the field, I don't feel we'll miss a beat." The Commanders may have paid a little more than they wanted to, but the signing is still a solid move. McLaurin is of a similar caliber to his peers. He could also help Washington go on an even deeper playoff run after making the NFC Championship Game last season.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
