The NBA's 2024 Christmas Day games delivered excitement and drama, showcasing some of the league's brightest stars across five thrilling matchups. From record-breaking individual performances to nail-biting finishes, the holiday served up plenty of entertainment for basketball fans.
The action kicked off at Madison Square Garden, where the New York Knicks faced the San Antonio Spurs. Victor Wembanyama, often dubbed 'Wemby', electrified the crowd, scoring 42 points — just shy of the record for most points scored by a rookie on Christmas, set by Wilt Chamberlain's 45 points back in 1959. Despite this staggering performance, it was Mikal Bridges who steered the Knicks to victory, scoring 41 on 17-of-25 shooting. The final score stood at 117-114 for New York, pushing them to a 20-10 record this season.
Next up, the Minnesota Timberwolves squared off against the Dallas Mavericks. This game took a turn when Luka Dončić strained his left calf during the second quarter and didn't return to the game. Despite holding onto their lead, the Timberwolves ended up facing increased pressure as the Mavericks charged back, outscoring them 31-15 in the fourth quarter. But it wasn’t enough; the Timberwolves claimed victory with a final score of 105-99, led by Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle’s combined 49 points.
One of the most anticipated matchups of the day featured the Philadelphia 76ers facing the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. The 76ers emerged victorious with a 118-114 win, marking their eighth win out of the last eleven games. Tyrese Maxey was incredible for Philadelphia, particularly shining during the final moments, finishing with 33 points and 12 assists. Joel Embiid also contributed significantly with 27 points and nine rebounds. The Celtics, now faltering with back-to-back losses, seemed out of sync, especially without Jrue Holiday, who was sidelined with a shoulder injury.
The holiday festivities didn’t stop there; as the evening approached, fans looked forward to the match-up between the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors. Superstar LeBron James not only made his 19th Christmas Day appearance but also made history as the player with the most points scored on Christmas at 476. With Anthony Davis ruled out due to an ankle injury sustained early on, LeBron rose to the occasion, leading the Lakers to build on their early momentum with impressive teamwork and shot-making.
Following closely behind him, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura both provided valuable contributions, especially with Hachimura’s precise shooting from beyond the arc. The Warriors struggled to generate consistent offense, which was evident as the Lakers took command.
The last match on Christmas Day featured the Denver Nuggets taking on the Phoenix Suns, where MVP frontrunner Nikola Jokić showcased his skills, though the outcome was still pending as this article was being drafted. The magnitude of these games demonstrates just how impactful Christmas Day basketball is, not only for the teams involved but also for the fans eagerly awaiting these thrilling displays.
The 2024 Christmas Day slate proved once again why it's one of the most celebrated traditions within the NBA, melding the spirit of the season with high-stakes basketball.
