‘Scary and exciting’: NBL’s Christmas Day game breaks new ground for Australian sport

The NBL will enter uncharted territory for Australian sport by holding a game on Christmas Day for the first time ever.

Looking for something to do once you crash on the couch with a food coma on Christmas Day?

For the first time, you’ll be able to settle in and watch Australian sport on the 25th of December after the National Basketball League (NBL) took the leap and scheduled a game on the public holiday.

The Sydney Kings and Melbourne United will go head-to-head at 6.30pm (AEDT) at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday night, breaking new ground for Australian sport.

Watch the first ever NBL Christmas Night clash between Sydney Kings v Melbourne United 6:30PM AEDT on ESPN on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Playing professional sport on public holidays has long been a no-go zone for Australian codes.

After many years of debate, the AFL scheduled a game on Good Friday during Easter for the first time in 2016, while cricket’s Big Bash League has toyed with the idea of holding a game on Christmas Day after success with matches on Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve.

“It’s new territory. It’s never been done before and that’s equal parts scary and very exciting as well,” Sydney Kings chairman and co-owner Paul Smith told news.com.au.

Smith pointed out players have long had to train or travel on Christmas Day for games on Christmas Eve or Boxing Day, so the impact of a game on the 25th itself isn’t all that different.

The NBL is breaking new ground with a game on Christmas Day. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

“I think there is a genuine appetite for sport on Christmas Day,” Smith said.

“We talk about Christmas night. Christmas Day creates all sorts of connotations in folks’ minds.

“They react to it, ‘Well what are you doing that for?’ We’ve been very clear in saying it’s Christmas night. It’s all about Christmas night and I think that shifts the thinking in the narrative a little bit.

“People go, ‘OK all right. You can have your Christmas Day lunch and all that, and then you settle down and watch some sport in the evening. That’s how we’ve approached it.

“We’re equal parts nervous about it but we’re excited about it. We think the outcome’s going to be pretty special.”

The NBL is hoping sport-starved Aussies will flick on the TV and watch some basketball while nursing their Christmas food coma.

“It’s critical for us that this is a success as a TV event,” Smith said.

“That stretches across Channel 10 into Kayo on ESPN.

“The fact that there’s live content for sport in Australia, I think it’s great for those people that love their sport and they want to watch it on platforms like Foxtel and ESPN.”

The NBL is playing on Christmas Day. Photo: Getty Images.

Smith believes it will only a matter of time until other sports follow in the NBL’s footsteps schedule games on Christmas Day.

“Where others go others follow,” he added.

“So I wouldn’t be surprised if other sports drop into the schedule next year. I’d be surprised if they didn’t, in fact. If this is a success, I’m sure that’s likely to happen, be it cricket or soccer or something like that.”

Kings star Xavier Cooks, who is racing the clock to recover from an ankle injury, welcomed the chance to play on Christmas Day.

“To be part of history is always a really cool thing. I think it’s going to be a really cool step for the NBL to get to an even bigger audience,” Cooks told news.com.au.

“It’s cool to play on Christmas Day.

“I’ve got a little daughter so it’ll be a little bit difficult. We’ll still do the Christmas thing in the morning and then at night-time play the game. I think (coach) Chase (Buford) might make shootaround optional that day hopefully.”

The NBL is modelling the pioneering scheduling move off the NBA, which will hold five games on the 25th including a blockbuster match-up between eastern conference heavyweights Boston and Milwaukee. LeBron James’ LA Lakers will also play.

Xavier Cooks has been on fire for the Kings. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

“It worked out great in America,” Cooks said.

“Obviously we don’t have the complete sports fanatics like America has but we have a good audience and I think the NBL’s growing at a rapid rate, so it’s a perfect opportunity for us.”

The Kings are on the top of the ladder and favourites to win back-to-back NBL championships, but there’s a sense they haven’t hit top gear just yet.

“Solid. I would say solid,” Cooks said when asked to describe the Kings’ form.

“We’re off to a good start. But I think we’ve got a lot of room to grow still, a lot of things to clear up a little bit. We’re off to a good start. It’s always good to be top of the ladder and all, but we’ve got a long way to go to win a championship.

“It comes down to fourth quarters. We’re just not finishing the games very well. I think in the last six games, we haven’t shown anything special at all in the fourth quarter. I think just finishing games the right way and keeping our foot on the throttle.”

Watch the first ever NBL Christmas Night clash between Sydney Kings v Melbourne United 6:30PM AEDT on ESPN on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Originally published as ‘Scary and exciting’: NBL’s Christmas Day game breaks new ground for Australian sport