Jaylen Williams nostalgically prepares for the Christmas game against the Spurs

Doc Jalen Williams and the Oklahoma City Thunder get ready for their Christmas showdown against All-Star Victor Wembanyama and San Antonio Spurs, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander welcomes a new NBA rivalry. After a heartbreaking 111-109 loss to the Spurs in the NBA Cup semifinals, Williams talked about the importance of playing the Thunder on Christmas Day for the first time since 2018.

For Williams, who is in his fourth season with the Thunder, it will be the first time he ever played on Christmas Day, he said, per Thunder Wire’s Clemente Almanza.

“As a basketball player, I feel like, actually, if you’re a sports fan, you grow up watching sports on Christmas. So to be able to be a part of that is really cool,” Williams said. “What time are we playing, 1:30? Yeah, we’re like a cool game. 1:30, like, the presents are already open. Everybody’s watching the games now. So, I’m really looking forward to it. My family is going to be here. So it’s a really cool moment for me.

“I have a lot of memories of different rivals playing on Christmas Day and trying to rush and open presents to watch the game. It’s a very cool moment. We don’t take it for granted, and the first one in a long time — it’s going to be great.”

Mark Daigneault on OKC playing on Christmas Day: “It’s a big day in the NBA. Guys are excited to play that slate of games. . . . It’s an elevated circumstance because of the attention to the game and the buzz around it.” pic.twitter.com/GkdznV4dg2

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) December 21, 2025

The Thunder and Spurs will have a setup for their Christmas showdown on Tuesday.

Mark Dayno’s ‘excited’ take on the Thunder’s Christmas game

In his seventh season as the Thunder’s head coach Marc Daigneault is looking forward to Christmas. Like Thunder All Star Jalen Williams, it will be the first time he has practiced on the same day as the NBA slates games, showcasing the league’s elite teams.

Daigneault talked about the importance Thunder hosting Spurs on Christmas Day.

“It’s a big day for the NBA, and the guys are excited to play that slate of games,” Daigneault said. “It’s one of 82, at the end of the day, but it’s a sublime circumstance because of the attention on the game and the buzz around it. Those are good experiences for any team, certainly for us, because that’s the kind of noise you have to break through in the playoffs, if you’re lucky enough to get there.

“That’s what we’ve learned over the last few years as we’ve gotten there. So the more you can condition yourself to be in those circumstances, the better you’ll be able to handle them,” Daigneault concluded.

Mark Daigneault on OKC playing on Christmas Day: “It’s a big day in the NBA. Guys are excited to play that slate of games. . . . It’s an elevated circumstance because of the attention to the game and the buzz around it.” pic.twitter.com/GkdznV4dg2

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) December 21, 2025

The Thunder will host the Grizzlies before traveling to face the Spurs on Tuesday.