The NBA’s Christmas Day slate will feature five games – 76ers-Knicks, Lakers-Mavericks, Bucks-Celtics, Grizzlies-Warriors and Suns-Nuggets – and many of the league’s biggest stars.
In fact, seven of the 10 players who have racked up the most views across the NBA’s social-media platforms are expected to play on Christmas:
- Stephen Curry (485 million)**
- Ja Morant (351 million)*
- LeBron James (268 million)*
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (215 million)*
- Luka Doncic (210 million)*
- Jayson Tatum (153 million)*
- Jordan Poole (148.7 million)*
- Kevin Durant (140.5 million)
- Zion Williamson (118.4 million)
- Klay Thompson (112.7 million)*
*Expected to play on Christmas
**Injured
Curry led all players in video views across the NBA’s socials last season as well. Morant led all players in video views during the 2022 NBA Playoffs, so it’s no surprise to see him at No. 2 on this list.
Morant is responsible for the two most-viewed plays of the season across the NBA’s socials. His chase-down block against the Rockets generated more than 35 million views (the most of any highlight this season). Also, his inbounds steal and transition basket against the Pelicans generated more than 25 million views (the second-most of any clip this season).
The replay angle of Ja's block... INCREDIBLE #KiaTipOff22 https://t.co/SCAl9MGvZC pic.twitter.com/u7RQ038jZh
— NBA (@NBA) October 22, 2022
Since the start of the 2022-23 NBA season, the Grizzlies lead all team accounts on Instagram in follower growth percentage at +6.16%. The Mavericks rank second (+4.36%), the Magic rank third (+3.9%), the Cavaliers rank fourth (+3.73%) and the Sixers round out the top-five (+3.62%).
The NBA has generated nearly 6 billion views across its social-media channels, up 49% versus last year. And the NBA is now one of the top-10 most-followed brands on Instagram and among the top-15 most-followed brands on TikTok.