The Suns are playing the Knicks in New York to start the 77th NBA Christmas Day. Superstars like LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant will compete in five contests on Wednesday night. Let’s review the top five NBA Christmas Day games in history before the 2024 holiday.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Miami Heat, 2004
Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, who became rivals after playing together in the 2004 NBA Finals, will be remembered for their incredible matchup. Shaq added a double-double with 24 points and 11 rebounds, while Kobe led the Lakers with 42 points.
Eddie Jones contributed 18 points, while Dwayne Wade led the Heat with 29. O’Neal defeated his old team 104-102, giving him the final laugh.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Chicago Bulls, 2011
Thanks to an exciting finish to the game, a low-scoring matchup between the Bulls and Lakers is undoubtedly an NBA classic. Derrick Rose, a candidate for MVP, led the Bulls with 22 points on 9 of 13 shooting. Luol Deng scored 21 points and Carlos Boozer added 15.
The Lakers were led by Kobe Bryant with 28 points, followed by Pau Gasol with 14. Steve Blake scored 12 points off the bench, but the Lakers lost 88-87 without scoring a single point. In the closing seconds, Rose scored the winning goal after Deng stopped Bryant’s buzzer-beater.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics, 2021
One of the greatest Christmas Day games in recent memory was played between the Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks. With six minutes left in the game, the Celtics had a 13-point advantage, but the defending champions mounted a rally, which culminated in a crucial three-pointer from Wesley Matthews. The 2021 NBA Champions prevailed 117-113 by maintaining composure.
On his comeback, Giannis Antetekounmpo, the reigning NBA Finals MVP, scored 36 points. Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton each contributed 17 points. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown each scored 25 points for the Celtics. Off the bench, Payton Pritchard scored 16 points.
Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, 2016
After playing each other in the 2016 NBA Finals, Caves and the Warriors reconnected on Christmas Day. After a strong comeback, the Caves, who were leading the Eastern Conference, won 109-108. Kyrie Irving led the Caves’ fourth-quarter rally with a game-winning shot with four seconds remaining, scoring 25 points.
Kevin Love contributed 20 points, and Lebron James scored a team-high 31 points. Kevin Durant, who finished with 36 points, and Klay Thompson, who scored 24 points, led the Warriors. Steph Curry only scored fifteen points.
New York Knicks vs. New Jersey Nets – 1984
One of the season’s most iconic matchups pitted the New Jersey Nets against the New York Knicks on Christmas Day. Bernard King’s one-man performance against the Nets will make this game unforgettable. King broke the previous record for most points scored on Christmas Day with 60 points and 7 rebounds.
The Knicks had 13 points apiece from Rory Sparrow and Pat Cummings. With 36 points, Michael Ray Richardson led the Nets. Even though the New York Knicks lost 120-114, this game will go down in NBA Christmas Day history as a memorable one.
Special Mention:
- Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics – 2008
- Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers – 2016
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