The NBA’s Christmas Day slate has become a treasured tradition, pitting the league’s marquee stars and rivalries against each other on the most joyous of holidays. While the festive showdowns come with great anticipation, some matchups rise to the occasion and etch their place in the annals of yuletide basketball lore. Join us as we unwrap the NBA Christmas Day games since 2000 that not only met the immense hype but delivered heart-pounding action and drama.
The Shaq vs. Kobe Spectacle (2004)
In 2004, all eyes were fixed on the Staples Center as Shaquille O’Neal made his highly anticipated return to Los Angeles to face former teammate Kobe Bryant and the Lakers on Christmas Day. The drama-filled buildup certainly did not disappoint, as the Heat and Lakers engaged in an overtime thriller that featured 12 ties and 12 lead changes.
Bryant exploded for 42 points and dished out 6 assists, while O’Neal powered his way to 24 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks. The Heat rallied in overtime, despite a pair of missed opportunities from Dwyane Wade at the end of regulation, securing a 104-102 victory and their 11th straight win.
Rekindling the Celtics-Lakers Rivalry (2008)
Christmas Day 2008 marked the renewal of the storied Celtics-Lakers rivalry, as the two foes met for the first time since Boston ousted Los Angeles in the previous season’s NBA Finals. Adding to the intrigue, the Celtics carried a 19-game winning streak into the hyped holiday encounter.
The battle lived up to its billing, with neither team able to pull away until the final period. Kobe Bryant lifted the Lakers with 27 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Pau Gasol contributed 20 points, including 9 in the fourth quarter. The 92-83 Lakers win also marked a milestone, as Phil Jackson became the sixth coach at the time to reach 1,000 victories.
We get up for big games. We can have those statement games based on how we play defense and how we match their physicality.
– Phil Jackson following the 2008 Christmas Day win over the Celtics
LeBron’s South Beach Christmas Debut (2010)
Fresh off his polarizing decision to take his talents to South Beach, LeBron James made his Heat debut against the defending champion Lakers on Christmas Day 2010. While the final score didn’t reflect the game’s hype, James’ performance certainly did.
The then-two-time MVP stuffed the stat sheet, recording a triple-double with 27 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, becoming only the fourth player at the time to achieve the feat on Christmas. James’ stellar outing propelled the Heat to a comfortable 96-80 win.
Cavaliers-Warriors II: Revenge of the 3-1 (2016)
The 2016 NBA Finals saw the Cavaliers complete a historic comeback from a 3-1 deficit to dethrone the record-setting 73-win Warriors. That offseason, Golden State added Kevin Durant, setting the stage for a Christmas Day rematch drenched in revenge and star power.
The Warriors surged to a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter, but the Cavaliers mounted a furious rally. Kyrie Irving’s turnaround jumper over Klay Thompson with 13 seconds left put Cleveland ahead for good, as Durant missed a potential game-winner on the ensuing possession, sealing a 109-108 Cavaliers victory in an all-time classic.
Battle for Los Angeles Supremacy (2019)
The city of Los Angeles underwent a seismic shift in the summer of 2019, as the Lakers acquired Anthony Davis to pair with LeBron James, while the Clippers landed Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. The recharged intracity rivalry took center stage on Christmas, marking the first meeting with both teams at full strength.
Despite the Lakers building a 15-point advantage, the Clippers clawed back behind Leonard’s 35 points and 12 rebounds. The back-and-forth affair, featuring 16 lead changes and 11 ties, came down to the wire. The Lakers had a chance to force overtime, but Patrick Beverley memorably blocked James’ potential game-tying three, securing a 111-106 Clippers win.
These incredible Christmas Day clashes serve as a reminder of the magic that happens when the NBA’s brightest stars align under the glistening tinsel and mistletoe. With each passing year, fans eagerly await the holiday revelry, knowing full well that the games have the potential to deliver unforgettable moments and performances that will be etched in the basketball zeitgeist for generations to come.
- Shaq vs. Kobe: The messy breakup leads to Christmas overtime drama
- Celtics-Lakers reignite their historic rivalry on the holiday stage
- LeBron James notches a rare Christmas triple-double in Heat debut
- Cavaliers get revenge on Warriors in 2016 Finals rematch for the ages
- Battle of LA lives up to the hype in down-to-the-wire thriller
