Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball: NBA Christmas Day Features Several Blue Devils

A handful of former Duke basketball players in the league should receive minutes for Christmas.

Matt Giles

Photo credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
In this story:

Of the 10 teams with games on this year's NBA Christmas Day slate, six include at least one Duke basketball product on their roster.

One of those six, the Dallas Mavericks (17-12), boast three Blue Devils: Dereck Lively II, Seth Curry, and Kyrie Irving. However, Irving remains out of action while rehabbing a heel injury.

Dallas plays on the road against the Phoenix Suns (14-14) and their 2015 Duke national champion, Grayson Allen, in the Christmas Day finale at 10:30 p.m. ET.

As for the day's first matchup, the New York Knicks (16-12) and their Duke one-and-done, starting guard RJ Barrett, host the Milwaukee Bucks (22-7) at noon. The Bucks' roster includes Barrett's college teammate, three-year Blue Devil big man Marques Bolden, but he's on a two-way contract and has played only two games this year.

Then, the outing between the Golden State Warriors (15-14) and defending champion Denver Nuggets (21-10) at 2:30 p.m. is without Blue Devil faces. The same goes for the fourth game of the day between the Philadelphia 76ers (20-8) and Miami Heat (17-12) at 8 p.m.

But the day's third bout is a feature presentation from a Blue Devil perspective. After all, 2016-17 one-and-done forward Jayson Tatum is the reigning Eastern Conference Player of the Month for the league-leading Boston Celtics (22-6) as they gear up to play at the Los Angeles Lakers (16-14), including Duke pro Cam Reddish, at 5 p.m. 

There are currently 24 Duke basketball alums on an active contract this season.

List of Every Blue Devil Currently in the NBA

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI.com for more Duke basketball news.

Published
Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

Home/NBA Blue Devils