NBA Schedule Release: 4 Teams that were snubbed of a Christmas Day game

Cleveland Cavaliers

Even though the Cleveland Cavaliers ended last season with a sour taste in their mouth, after an underwhelming showing in the NBA Playoffs at the hands of the New York Knicks, this is a team that is still considered a possible dark horse threat to win the Eastern Conference this upcoming season. On top of their recent rise in the East standings, the Cavs are a team that also has the star power to warrant a Christmas Day presence.

Donovan Mitchell is one of the most dynamic offensive players in the league, Darius Garland is a rising offensive young star, and Evan Mobley could end up being the best big in the league in a few seasons. If the Cavs would’ve been scheduled on Christmas Day, I’m not sure there would’ve been any backlash or questions about it. And perhaps that’s the biggest whiff the NBA made here.

If the NBA was looking to feature one of its young, rising teams, the Cavs would’ve been one of the perfect teams to schedule on Christmas Day. I suppose it wasn’t time for the Cavs to get their moment. At least not in the eyes of the schedule makers.