Tonight’s NBA Starting Lineups: Full Roster Reveals, Injury Updates & Fantasy Impact

The NBA’s annual Christmas Day showcase tips off today, December 25 2025, and search interest in “NBA starting lineups” is spiking as fans lock in daily-fantasy rosters and last-minute wagers. Below is a game-by-game primer on every confirmed or projected starting five, key injury notes, and matchup angles that could decide the holiday slate. Cavaliers vs. Knicks | 12:00 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN Confirmed Cleveland starters: Darius Garland (PG), Donovan Mitchell (SG), Jaylon Tyson (SF), Evan Mobley (PF), Jarrett Allen (C). Confirmed New York starters: Jalen Brunson (PG), Josh Hart (SG), Mikal Bridges (SF), OG Anunoby (PF), Karl-Anthony Towns (C). Garland’s return from a two-week ankle sprain restores Cleveland’s back-court firepower, but the spotlight is on Towns, who faces his former Timberwolves teammate Mobley in the paint. Spurs vs. Thunder | 2:30 p.m. ET, ABC Projected San Antonio starters: Tre Jones, Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan, Victor Wembanyama. Confirmed Oklahoma City starters: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Lu Dort, Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein. Rookie phenom Wembanyama meets Holmgren in a must-watch duel of 7-foot unicorns, while SGA continues his MVP campaign. Mavericks vs. Warriors | 5:00 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN Dallas is expected to roll out Luka Doncic, Dyson Daniels, Grant Williams, P.J. Washington, and Dereck Lively II. Golden State counters with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green, and Jonathan Kuminga. With Draymond just off suspension, matchup minutes against Doncic’s pick-and-roll wizardry will be critical. Rockets vs. Lakers | 8:00 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN Houston likely starts Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Jabari Smith Jr., and Alperen Şengün. Los Angeles lists D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, and Anthony Davis as probable. Davis (hip) is cleared to play; his rim protection versus Şengün’s post craft headlines the interior battle. Timberwolves vs. Nuggets | 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN Minnesota plans to deploy Mike Conley, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Karl-Anthony Towns (shifted to PF), and Rudy Gobert. Denver remains steady with Jamal Murray, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, and Nikola Jokić. Expect Edwards to shadow Porter on the perimeter, while Gobert tries—again—to solve Jokić’s high-post playmaking. Why today’s starting lineups matter 1. DFS & betting edges: Late injury news (e.g., Davis, Garland) can shift usage rates and prop markets within minutes. 2. Rotation clarity: Christmas games often act as unofficial mid-season checkpoints; coaches tighten benches, revealing who trusts which lineups down the stretch. 3. Trade-deadline signals: Fringe starters showcased today (Jaylon Tyson, Dyson Daniels) could elevate their value ahead of February’s trade window. Quick fantasy tips • Target pace: Spurs-Thunder projects as the fastest matchup, boosting fantasy ceilings for Wembanyama and SGA. • Exploit mismatches: Doncic draws Curry-Thompson coverage; expect high assist totals. • Leverage late swap: Rockets-Lakers and Wolves-Nuggets close the slate—keep an extra forward spot flexible to react to any last-minute scratches. Stay tuned for in-game updates on each NBA starting lineup as coaches finalize rotations throughout the day. Search interest is surging, so bookmark this page for the latest Christmas Day lineup changes and injury alerts.