2025 Christmas Day Schedule Revealed: Western Conference Heavy Slate of Games

Thunder is a San Francisco–based consulting and marketing technology company founded in 2007 that operates in two complementary domains: Salesforce consulting and marketing technology solutions. It helps organizations maximize their Salesforce investments while also providing advanced advertising solutions through its proprietary Experience Cloud platform[1][2][3][4]. In Salesforce consulting, Thunder specializes in implementation, business consulting, and human-centered change management to help companies adopt and fully leverage Salesforce’s suite of cloud products. The company is known for its deep expertise in building AI-powered contact centers using Salesforce and Amazon Connect, positioning itself as a boutique partner with unmatched experience in this niche[1][4]. Their mission is to help customers “love Salesforce, forever,” reflecting a commitment to long-term client success and technology adoption[1]. On the marketing technology side, Thunder’s Experience Cloud platform enables businesses to create, personalize, and monitor ads across multiple channels while maintaining consumer privacy and ensuring relevance and frequency. This platform supports people-based ad serving, helping brands optimize their advertising campaigns and better engage with consumers. The company secured a $6 million funding round to further develop and scale this platform[3]. Thunder’s key achievements include pioneering AI contact center solutions in partnership with Salesforce and Amazon Connect and successfully bridging the gap between marketing technology and CRM consulting. Its dual focus makes it unique in helping organizations integrate advertising technologies with customer relationship management systems. Currently, Thunder remains headquartered in San Francisco, with a relatively small but expert team dedicated to unlocking business value through intelligent frameworks and solutions. Their client base spans various industries, reflecting their versatile approach to digital transformation and customer experience enhancement[2][5]. Overall, Thunder stands out as a hybrid technology and consulting firm driving innovation in AI-powered customer service and marketing automation, making it a notable player in the intersection of business technology and digital marketing.

## Overview of Spurs Sports & Entertainment Spurs Sports & Entertainment (SS&E) is an American sports and entertainment organization headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, best known for owning and operating the five-time NBA champion San Antonio Spurs basketball team[1]. However, SS&E’s portfolio extends beyond basketball, encompassing the American Hockey League’s San Antonio Rampage, the NBA G League’s Austin Spurs, and the USL Championship’s San Antonio FC, as well as managing the Bexar County-owned AT&T Center, a major multi-purpose venue in San Antonio[1]. The organization employs approximately 500 people and reported a revenue of $3.9 billion, reflecting its significant economic footprint in the region[1]. ## History and Evolution The San Antonio Spurs franchise originated in 1967 as the Dallas Chaparrals in the American Basketball Association (ABA), before relocating to San Antonio in 1973[2][5]. After struggling initially, the team found its footing and became a founding member of the NBA following the ABA–NBA merger in 1976[2][3]. The Spurs are one of only four former ABA teams to remain intact in the NBA and the only one to win multiple NBA championships[3]. The franchise’s turnaround in the late 1970s was marked by strategic acquisitions, most notably “Iceman” George Gervin, which set the stage for future success[2]. ## Key Achievements The Spurs have established themselves as one of the most successful franchises in NBA history, with championships in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014[3]. They hold the record for the highest winning percentage among active NBA teams and achieved a remarkable 18 consecutive 50-win seasons from 1999–2000 to 2016–17[3]. The team’s sustained excellence is closely tied to the leadership of coach Gregg Popovich and the careers of Spurs

**Rocket Companies, Inc.** is a leading American fintech and homeownership services organization headquartered in Detroit, Michigan. Founded by Dan Gilbert, its flagship subsidiary, **Rocket Mortgage**, has positioned the company as one of the largest mortgage lenders in the United States. Established officially as Rocket Companies in 2020, the organization has rapidly expanded its footprint in the mortgage and real estate market using innovative digital platforms[1][2]. The company’s core mission centers on helping clients achieve homeownership and financial freedom by delivering fast, simple, and reliable digital solutions for complex financial transactions. Rocket Mortgage revolutionized the mortgage industry twice since its inception in 1985, pioneering digital mortgage lending that significantly streamlined the loan application and approval process[2]. This digital-first approach has enabled Rocket Mortgage to close over $1.8 trillion in home loans, demonstrating both scale and market leadership[4]. Rocket Companies operates through a portfolio of synergistic subsidiaries that cover various facets of the homeownership journey. These include **Redfin**, a technology-driven real estate brokerage known for its popular website and innovative services like on-demand home tours and reduced agent fees, and **Rocket Money** (formerly Truebill), a personal finance app designed to help users manage subscriptions, budgets, and savings efficiently[4]. Together, these businesses create an integrated platform from home search to closing and beyond, enhancing the customer experience and broadening market reach. The company went public in 2020 and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker RKT[1]. Rocket Companies employs nearly 600 people and emphasizes community involvement, donating millions of dollars and thousands of volunteer hours annually to local organizations in Detroit and beyond[2][3]. Notably, Rocket Companies is focused on expanding its market share in the fragmented mortgage industry, which is dominated by smaller players where the top five lenders hold less than 20% of the market. Its scalable digital platforms and strong client experience position it well for continued growth and innovation in fintech an

The Los Angeles Lakers are a prominent professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, and a member of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Founded in 1947 as the Minneapolis Lakers, the team relocated to Los Angeles in 1960 and has since become one of the most successful and recognizable franchises in sports history[1][3]. **History and Achievements:** The Lakers have a rich legacy, boasting 17 NBA championships, including a recent title in the 2019-2020 season with stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis[2][4]. They are known for their iconic "Showtime" era, led by Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the 1980s. The team has been home to numerous legendary players, including Kobe Bryant, contributing to their enduring popularity and competitive spirit[1][6]. **Current Status:** As of 2023, the Lakers are valued at approximately $6.4 billion, ranking them among the most valuable sports franchises globally[1]. Despite recent playoff disappointments, the team remains a significant force in the NBA, with LeBron James continuing to play a pivotal role[6]. The Lakers are committed to community engagement through initiatives like the Lakers Youth Foundation, supporting underprivileged youth in the Los Angeles area[1]. **Notable Aspects:** - **Valuation and Financial Success:** The Lakers' financial success is notable, with significant brand recognition and a massive following[6]. - **Philanthropy:** The team is involved in various community programs, focusing on youth development and support[1]. - **Cultural Impact:** Beyond basketball, the Lakers have a profound cultural influence, with their brand and legacy extending far beyond the sports world[6]. Overall, the Los Angeles Lakers are not only a sports powerhouse but also a cultural icon, blending success on the court with a strong commitment to community and philanthropy.

## Overview of the Organization 'Jazz' When searching for an organization called "Jazz" in the context of business and technology news, the most prominent and directly relevant result is the **IBM Rational Jazz platform**—an initiative by IBM designed to transform software delivery by fostering collaboration, transparency, and productivity[1]. Unlike traditional, siloed software tools, Jazz is an open platform that integrates various specialized tools, allowing teams to share data seamlessly and work together more effectively[1]. The platform is built on a familiar web architecture, enabling users to access a suite of integrated products without technical barriers, thus streamlining workflows and enhancing real-time project insight[1]. ## What Jazz Does IBM Rational Jazz is a **unified software delivery platform** that supports collaborative development, agile practices, and continuous improvement in software engineering[1]. It enables teams to automate processes, replace manual status reports with real-time metrics, and gain actionable insights into project risks and trends—all based on actual data rather than estimates[1]. By breaking down barriers between tools and disciplines, Jazz helps organizations respond more quickly to client demands and internal benchmarks, fostering a culture of agility and innovation[1]. ## History Jazz emerged as part of IBM’s broader effort to address the challenges of complex, multi-disciplinary software development in the mid-2000s. Recognizing the limitations of monolithic, closed systems, IBM developed Jazz as an open, extensible platform to support modern software delivery practices[1]. The platform was designed to be adopted incrementally, with professional services available to help organizations transition and continuously improve their development processes[1]. ## Key Achievements One notable achievement highlighted in IBM’s promotional material is a case where a mid-sized company completed a major software upgrade in less than six weeks using Jazz, winning a new client and setting new internal benchmarks for development speed and quality[1]. The platform’s ability to provide real-time collaboration and reporting has been instrumental in helping teams deliver greater value from thei

## Overview The Los Angeles Clippers are a prominent professional basketball team in the National Basketball Association (NBA), based in Los Angeles, California[1][2][4]. They compete in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference and have long been recognized as one of the NBA’s most resilient and evolving franchises[2][3]. While the Clippers share the Los Angeles market with the storied Lakers, they have carved out their own identity, especially in recent years, as a competitive and forward-thinking organization[3]. ## History and Evolution Founded in 1970 as the Buffalo Braves, the franchise relocated to San Diego in 1978 and became the San Diego Clippers, finally moving to Los Angeles in 1984[3][4]. For decades, the Clippers were overshadowed by the Lakers, both in terms of on-court success and local popularity. The team’s early years in Los Angeles were marked by struggles, but a turning point came in the mid-2010s with the arrival of stars like Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan, ushering in the “Lob City” era and consistent playoff appearances[3]. A significant off-court moment occurred in 2014 when then-owner Donald Sterling was banned from the NBA for life due to racist remarks, leading to the sale of the team to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer[3]. This ownership change marked a new chapter, with increased investment in both the team and its infrastructure. ## Key Achievements While the Clippers have yet to win an NBA championship, their recent history is marked by sustained competitiveness and organizational stability. The “Lob City” era brought national attention and multiple deep playoff runs. Under Ballmer’s ownership, the franchise has prioritized both on-court success and fan experience, exemplified by the construction of the state-of-the-art Intuit Dome in Inglewood, set to open for the 2024–25 season[4].

Trail Blazers is a historic, award-winning youth development organization focused on **outdoor experiential programs** that promote social-emotional learning, leadership, and inclusivity for children, primarily in New York and New Jersey. Founded in 1887 by John Ames Mitchell as the Life’s Fresh Air Fund, the organization initially provided underprivileged urban children with opportunities to experience the outdoors by sending them to country farms for fresh air and recreation. Over its more than 130-year history, Trail Blazers has evolved into a multifaceted nonprofit that serves thousands of youth annually, emphasizing **accessibility to outdoor experiences** and fostering connections among participants through collaborative activities[1]. The organization is anchored on the principles of building lifelong values, resilience, and community through nature-based engagement. Its roots trace back to efforts to combat urban inequality and offer children from disadvantaged backgrounds meaningful growth opportunities. Today, Trail Blazers operates out of the Mashipacong estate in New Jersey and continues to prioritize inclusion, equity, and racial justice in its programs and leadership. It disaggregates data by demographics to ensure equitable outcomes and actively cultivates diversity within its board and staff, reflecting a commitment to systemic change beyond programming[1][4]. In addition to its youth programs, Trail Blazers is supported by a dedicated board of directors and engages in continuous strategic planning and cultural development to ensure the organization stays relevant and impactful. The organization’s long-term goals focus on creating a culture where racial identity does not affect individuals’ experiences or success within the organization[4]. While not directly related to the nonprofit Trail Blazers, the name is also famously associated with the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers basketball franchise, known for its passionate fan base and historic achievements, including a 1977 NBA championship and prominent players like Bill Walton and Damian Lillard[2][3]. However, the youth development Trail Blazers is distinct in mission and scope, centered on transformative outdoor education and youth empowerment. Overall, Trail Blazers represents a **legacy of

The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado, competing in the NBA’s Western Conference. Founded in 1967 as the Denver Larks, the franchise quickly changed its name to the Denver Rockets before settling on the Nuggets in 1974 in anticipation of joining the NBA from the American Basketball Association (ABA)[1][3]. The Nuggets were one of the four ABA teams to join the NBA in the 1976 merger and have been a consistent playoff contender since. Historically, the Nuggets experienced strong runs in both the ABA and NBA. In the ABA, they made the 1976 Finals but lost to the New York Nets. After the merger, they achieved notable success in the late 1970s with stars like Dan Issel and David Thompson, reaching the Western Conference Finals in 1978[3]. The franchise's identity evolved visually with logos reflecting Colorado’s mining heritage and the Rocky Mountains, culminating in a modern logo introduced in 2018 featuring crossed pickaxes and a mountain peak[2]. A defining moment came in 2023 when the Nuggets, led by Nikola Jokić—a two-time MVP and five-time All-Star—and Jamal Murray, won their first NBA championship by defeating the Miami Heat. This victory made them the last former ABA team to reach and win the NBA Finals, marking a historic milestone for the franchise[1][2][3]. In the seasons following the championship, the Nuggets underwent significant organizational changes, including firing head coach Michael Malone and reshaping their roster to maximize Jokić’s impact. Key acquisitions like Cam Johnson, Bruce Brown, and Tim Hardaway Jr., alongside contract extensions for young talent such as Christian Braun, illustrate the team's strategic focus on sustained competitiveness[4]. As of the 2025-26 season, the Nuggets remain a strong team with Jokić leading in rebounds and assists, supported by a solid roster[5][6]. The Denver Nuggets stand out as