The most exciting slate of the NBA regular season is almost here. Christmas Day always brings a bevy of exciting matchups and this year will be no different. The problem is, COVID-19 figures to have an impact on multiple games.
With that in mind, the league intends to power through the virus and (hopefully) play the five-game slate as scheduled. While acknowledging that plenty could change between now and Saturday, let's take a look at the matchups, and who could thrive in each of them.
Atlanta Hawks at 
New York Knicks – Noon ET
Both of these teams have been relatively disappointing this season after successful 2020-21 campaigns. Coming off of a surprise run to the playoffs last season, the Knicks have followed it up with a 14-17 record that has them currently on the outside of the playoff hunt. The signing of Kemba Walker hasn't worked out, although he's finally playing again because of their outbreak of COVID-19.
The Hawks have been nearly as bad as the Knicks, sporting a 14-15 mark entering Wednesday's matchup against the Magic. Their defense has been a problem, leaving them with the sixth-worst defensive rating in the league. Still, Trae Young has been spectacular, averaging 27.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 9.3 assists per game. Unfortunately for the Hawks, he was placed in the health and safety protocols Sunday, leaving his status for this matchup in question.
Clint Capela and Danilo Gallinari entered the protocols Tuesday, as well. Bogdan Bogdanovic is set to return from his ankle injury in time for Christmas Day, so he should be in line for an expanded role, as should John Collins and, potentially, second-year big man Onyeka Okongwu. The same can be said for Cam Reddish, who is already averaging 11.1 points and 1.6 three-pointers over just 22 minutes per game.
Boston Celtics at 
Milwaukee Bucks – 2:30 PM ET
The Celtics aren't exactly lighting the world on fire, either, as they carry a 15-16 record into Wednesday night's game against the Cavs. Jaylen Brown has missed 14 games because of injuries, which is one of the main reasons for Boston's slow start. Like most teams, the Celtics are battling multiple virus-related absences, with Al Horford, Grant Williams, Josh Richardson and Jabari Parker all currently in the league's health and safety protocols. Robert Williams could be extremely busy against a Bucks team that is lacking size up front right now.
The reason for that is both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis are in protocols, while Brook Lopez is out indefinitely after undergoing back surgery earlier this month. Giannis entered the protocols on December 14, so there is a decent chance that he returns for this matchup. If he can't, expect another busy game for Jrue Holiday, who has averaged 28.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 9.0 assists and 2.0 steals over his last three games. Milwaukee should have Khris Middleton back at full speed after a hyperextended knee cost him the last three games. Middleton has been removed from the injury report ahead of Wednesday night's matchup against Houston.
Golden State Warriors at 
Phoenix Suns – 5:00 PM ET
Another team dealing with players in the protocols is the Warriors, who are currently without Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins. Despite this being a tough matchup against a Suns team that has the second-best defensive rating in the league, Stephen Curry could still have a big night on his shot attempt volume alone. With Poole and Wiggins out Monday, Curry jacked up 27 shots in a win over the Kings.
For now, the Suns are one of the healthiest teams in the league. They just got Devin Booker back from a hamstring injury that cost him seven games, and they've essentially avoided any virus-related issues. With the Warriors' lack of size up front, this could be an ideal matchup for Deandre Ayton. The first time he faced Golden State this season, he recorded 24 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks. The second time, he had 23 points, six rebounds and two blocks.
Both teams are active Thursday night – Golden State hosts Memphis; Phoenix hosts OKC – and both will be favored to win. But no matter what, this will be a matchup of the league's two best teams, who are currently a combined 50-11. Entering Wednesday, only two other teams (Utah and Brooklyn) have banked 20 wins thus far.
Brooklyn Nets at 
Los Angeles Lakers – 8:00 PM ET
The Nets have been decimated by COVID-19, with seven players currently in health and safety protocols. That list includes James Harden, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, who was attempting to make his return despite not being vaccinated. Since this game is in Los Angeles, Irving would be eligible to play if he clears protocols, but he still won't be able to play in any Nets home games until he gets vaccinated.
The Nets could get a few players back in time for this game, but it's far from a guarantee – and may not even be likely – that any of the Nets' Big Three are ultimately cleared. As such, this could be a great spot for Patty Mills to have a big scoring performance. Over the last four games, he's averaged 21.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 4.3 three-pointers.
Good news has actually come to the Lakers on the COVID-19 front with Dwight Howard and Talen Horton-Tucker clearing protocols prior to Tuesday's game against the Suns. They will still have to play without Anthony Davis, however, who will miss at least four weeks with a knee injury. Horton-Tucker could take on an expanded role in his absence, as could Carmelo Anthony.
This is the league's featured matchup of the day, so as long as LeBron James is healthy and active, Adam Silver can declare it a victory. While the Lakers continue to struggle, James has been on a rampage since returning from an abdominal injury, putting up 28.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.2 blocks and 2.7 threes over his last 12 games (38.6 MPG). During that span, the four-time MVP is shooting 52.3 percent from the floor and 77.6 percent at the free throw line.
Dallas Mavericks at 
Utah Jazz – 10:30 PM ET
Luka Doncic (ankle) has missed each of the Mavericks' last five games, and although the Mavericks were hopeful that he would make his return Thursday night against Milwaukee, he has since entered the league's health and safety protocols. Doncic's absence has led to an expanded role for Jalen Brunson, who has cashed in by averaging 20.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists during that five-game stretch. With Doncic, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Trey Burke in protocols, the Mavericks will need added scoring from Brunson and Kristaps Porzingis, who's nursing a toe injury.
Meanwhile, like the Suns, the Jazz are one of the few teams in the league that doesn't currently have anyone stuck in COVID protocols. Utah holds the second-best point differential in the league, so with Doncic out of this game for the Mavericks, things could get ugly in a hurry. Even with the blowout potential, this should be a good matchup for Rudy Gobert given the Mavericks' underwhelming options at center. Gobert is yet to face the Mavs this season, but across three regular season matchups last season, he averaged 20.0 points and 15.7 rebounds.
