Since 1947, December 25th has grown into a marquee staple on the pro hoops schedule no matter what day of the week it falls on. The NBA owns Christmas Day similar to the way the NFL owns Thanksgiving, or the NCAA borrows the second half of March into April.
Most fans feel like the season starts on Christmas Day and it usually feels that way, especially in 2011 when the season literally started on Christmas Day. About a quarter of the games are done, we know what players and teams are real and the league schedules the biggest games of the year on Christmas. There have been legendary performances throughout the years like Wilt Chamberlain’s 36 rebound performance in 1961, Bernard King’s 60-point barrage in 1984 or Rick Barry dropping 50. Christmas Day has also been a day of renewed rivalries like the Celtics vs. the Lakers, the Knicks vs. the Bulls or even the first installment of Kobe vs Shaq. So to gear up for tomorrow’s full slate of games we present the top 10 Most Memorable NBA Christmas Day Moments.
10. Lakers snap Celtics 19 game winning streak
Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Lakers, 2008
In 2008, a classic NBA rivalry was renewed when the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics squared off in the NBA finals. The C’s had a revamped roster with Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen joining Rajon Rondo and Paul Pierce in ‘Beantown’ to challenge Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and the Los Angeles Lakers. For a stretch of three years, the Lakers and Celtics would battle in two NBA Finals, splitting wins but when the rivalry was fresh, there was a great matchup on Christmas Day in 2008 in Los Angeles.
The Celtics were on a fantastic 19-game winning streak and had a record of 27-2 when they walked into the Staples Center as the defending champs on Christmas Day in ’08. Kobe and Gasol, put an end to that win streak and reminded the basketball world that they also played in the 2008 Finals. Bryant dropped 27 points, grabbed nine rebounds, handed out five assists and added a steal on his night, while Pau helped out with 20 points and 3 blocks to beat Boston, 92-83. Boston was led by Kevin Garnett with 22 points with nine rebounds and Paul Pierce added 20 points.
9. MJ battles the Knicks Chicago Bulls vs New York Knicks, 1992
Chicago Bulls vs New York Knicks, 1992
The Chicago Bulls were right in the middle of the first three-peat and they hosted new Eastern Conference rivals in the Pat Riley led New York Knicks on Christmas day in 1992. Just a few months after a grueling seven game series in the 1992 playoffs, the spent the offseason Knicks adding some new firepower to try and challenge the Bulls but despite some new pieces, Chicago still had Michael Jordan. MJ won a gold medal in the 1992 olympics with Knicks star Patrick Ewing as his teammate but MJ showed no remorse on Christmas Day. Jordan led Chicago back from two 10-point deficits by scoring 42 points, grabbing eight boards, dishing out five assists and three steals in Chicago’s 89-77 win. Little did NBA fans know, MJ would retire at season’s end to pursue a baseball career which didn’t work out too well.
8. Death of the Lakers, Birth of the Heat
Miami Heat vs Los Angeles Lakers, 2010
King James’ inaugural visit to the Staples Center with his new Miami friends saw a small changing of the guard. The Lakers, fresh off an NBA championship victory just a few months again, welcomed the newly formed ‘Big 3’ in Miami. LeBron tallied his 31st career triple-double—which included a season-high 5 three pointers when he put up 27 points with 11 rebounds and 10 assists. Kobe and Pau Gasol couldn’t do much against Miami only scoring 17 points a piece. LeBron led the commanding team display as the ‘Heatles’ stomped the two-time defending champion Lakers, 96-80 on national television on the NBA’s most important regular season day. It seemingly marked the end of the Lakers dynasty and began one of the most interesting four-year trips in NBA history.
7. Rick Barry drops 50 on the Royals
Golden State Warriors vs Cincinnati Royals, 1966
Rick Barry, One of basketball’s most prolific scorers and leader of one of the most traveled NBA families, poured in a league leading and career high 35.6 points per game during his second pro season. On Christmas Day, during that same memorable season, Barry took it straight to Oscar Robertson and the Royals, finishing with 50 points on the night. But the most impressive part about his fantastic night was the fact that Barry played Grinch on this day and got the win and the high scoring total during an away game.
6. Tracy McGrady puts up 46 against the Pistons
Detroit Pistons vs Orlando Magic, 2002
Tracy McGrady was on the injury report leading up to the Orlando Magic contest against the Detroit Pistons, so it obviously came as a shock when he erupted for 46 points on 14 of 26 shots while also grabbing six rebounds and swiping three steals. This was also the second time Tracy’s teammate Grant Hill played his former team since signing with Orlando. Hill was hoping for a long, successful 2002-2003 campaign until his ankle once again betrayed him. Grant struggled from the field scoring 10 points on 3-17 shooting, but grabbed 15 boards in the game. The Magic beat the Pistons 104-99 and Hill only played four more games that season. Richard Hamilton led the Pistons with 22 points.
5. Scottie Pippen steals the show during Bulls, Knicks overtime thriller
New York Knicks vs Chicago Bulls, 1994
A few months after losing to the rough and tough Knicks in the ’94 Playoffs and with Michael Jordan in the beginning process of striking out in the MLB minor leagues, Scottie Pippen looked to exact his revenge when his Chicago Bulls tangled with Pat Riley’s New York Knicks on Christmas night. Hubert Davis’ miracle shot make may have forced an overtime, but it was all Scottie in the extra session. Pip not only scored all seven of Chicago’s OT points, but he also blocked consecutive three-point attempts to complete his revenge against the Knicks, 107-104.
Read more at https://www.slamonline.com/nba/the-10-best-christmas-day-nba-performances/#91axX3GaWGRzzulF.99
4. LeBron James returns to Miami
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Miami Heat, 2014
LeBron James has arguably been the most important player in the NBA over the last 10 years. ‘The King’ took his talents to South Beach in 2010 but in 2014, he elected to return home to Cleveland and the anticipation for his return to Miami escalated when the Christmas Day matchups were announced for the 2014 holiday season. LeBron’s return to Miami might not have been as emotional as his return back to Cleveland but it was still a great moment in Christmas Day history.
When all was said and done, the Heat came away with a 101-91 victory behind Dwyane Wade’s 31 points, five rebounds and five assists and LeBron dropped 30 with eight rebounds.
3. Wilt Chamberlain’s ridiculous 59 point, 36 rebound game
Philadelphia Warriors vs New York Knicks, 1961
The same season in which NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain averaged 50 points per game and 25.7 rebounds per game he also had a ridiculous Christmas Day game the might have been an even bigger accomplishment in what might have been one of the greatest single game performances ever. To this day, Wilt still holds the Christmas Day record for pulling down the most rebounds in a single Christmas Day contest with 36. Don’t expect that number to get beat anytime soon.
2. Kobe VS Shaq, Part 1.
Miami Heat vs Los Angeles Lakers, 2004
The Kobe Bryant vs Shaquille O’Neal rivalry was at its highest on Christmas Day in 2004 just a few months after the Lakers elected to have their franchise led by Kobe instead of Shaq. The first time the two stars matched up in 2004, the Lakers hosted the Heat who were led by Shaq and a young Dwyane Wade. The Big Aristotle and Kobe added to the drama early in the game by ignoring each other and Kobe even tried to throw one down on Shaq on the first Lakers possession of the game. The Heat won 104-102 in overtime with Shaq getting 24 points and 11 rebounds, Kobe dropped 42, but Flash stole their thunder with 29 points and 10 assists in the Heat win.
1. Bernard King Drops 60
New Jersey Nets vs New York Knicks, 1984
Bernard King set the standard for Christmas Day achievements when he valiantly tried to guide his New York Knickerbockers to a hollowed holiday victory. Despite dropping a complete hour worth of points, Buck Williams led the New Jersey Nets to a 120-114 victory. Despite a number of legendary players suiting up on Christmas Day over the years, King’s 60 remains the highest single-game Christmas Day scoring total.
Now it’s time for you to sit back, relax, enjoy the holidays and check out the full slate of NBA games on Christmas Day.
2015 NBA Christmas Day games
Pelicans at Heat, noon ET, ESPN
Bulls at Thunder, 2:30 p.m. ET, ABC
Cavaliers at Warriors, 5 p.m. ET, ABC
Spurs at Rockets, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
Clippers at Lakers, 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
