The NBA features several exciting matchups on Friday night, December 5, 2025, including the Dallas Mavericks facing the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Phoenix Suns taking on the Houston Rockets, and the New York Knicks hosting the Utah Jazz.

In the first game, the Mavericks will visit the Paycom Center to challenge the Thunder at 9:30 PM ET. Oklahoma City enters the game with an impressive record of 21-1, leading the Western Conference. The Thunder have demonstrated strong performance on both offense and defense, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at the helm. Their offense is scoring significantly above the league average, while their defense has effectively limited opponents' shooting and created turnovers.

The Mavericks, however, are dealing with injuries to key players, including Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II. This situation has pushed younger players like rookie Cooper Flagg and guard Ryan Nembhard into more prominent roles. Despite these challenges, the Mavericks are on a winning streak and will need to maintain focus and discipline to compete against the Thunder's playoff-caliber talent.

Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns (13-9) will visit the Houston Rockets (14-5) at 8:00 PM ET. The Suns are adapting under new coach Jordan Ott, who aims to establish a stronger defensive identity. This season, the Suns rank eighth in points allowed and twelfth in defensive rating, a significant improvement from last year. However, they will be without Devin Booker, who is sidelined with a groin strain.

The Rockets have emerged as one of the league's top teams, combining an efficient offense with a solid defense. They rank fourth in points per game, despite playing at the second-slowest pace in the league. Houston recently secured a convincing 121-95 victory over the Sacramento Kings, showcasing their ability to dominate in crucial moments.

In the final matchup, the New York Knicks (14-7) will host the Utah Jazz (8-13) at Madison Square Garden at 7:30 PM ET. The Knicks have been strong at home, boasting an 11-1 record this season. They are coming off a 119-104 win against the Charlotte Hornets, led by Karl-Anthony Towns, who scored 35 points and grabbed 18 rebounds.

The Jazz are looking to build on their recent success after winning consecutive games for the first time this season. They achieved a 123-110 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, with Lauri Markkanen scoring 30 points and Keyonte George contributing 29 points and 10 assists. Both teams will be missing key players due to injuries, with the Knicks without OG Anunoby and Landry Shamet, while the Jazz will be without Jusuf Nurkić.

Fans can catch all the action through various streaming services, including Prime Video and Fubo, which offer free trials for new users. Regional restrictions may apply for live streaming options.

These matchups promise to deliver thrilling basketball action, showcasing some of the league's top talent and competitive spirit.