Christmas Day Brings NBA Thrills and NFL Competition
Christmas has always held a special place in the heart of basketball fans, with the tradition of NBA games on December 25 stretching back to 1947. This year, the Los Angeles Lakers provided a memorable finish with Austin Reaves nailing a last-second game-winner against the Golden State Warriors, lifting the spirits of a delighted home crowd.
A Festive Tradition Since 1947
Christmas Day basketball is as iconic as it gets, having started back in the late '40s. On that inaugural day in 1947, fans witnessed the Baltimore Bullets triumph over the Chicago Stags, the New York Knicks best the Providence Steamrollers, and the Washington Capitols prevail against the St. Louis Bombers. This enduring tradition saw only one interruption in 1998 due to a lockout, which delayed the season's opening until February 1999.
Since 2008, fans have enjoyed a packed schedule of five NBA games each December 25. The matchups are carefully chosen, targeting success, intrigue, and the potential for enticing television ratings.
NBA Stars Shine Bright
This year's Christmas Day lineup did not disappoint, with four of the five games being decided by a razor-thin margin of six points or fewer. The only outlier ended with a 10-point difference. Fans witnessed electric performances from stars like Victor Wembanyama, Tyrese Maxey, Jayson Tatum, Kyrie Irving, and Steph Curry, each scoring over 30 points in their respective games. Not to mention LeBron James, who added his name to that notable list.
LeBron, reflecting on the holiday showdown, said, "I love the NFL, I love the NFL, but Christmas is our day," highlighting the prestige of playing basketball on this special date.
Basketball vs. Football on Christmas
Interestingly, since 2020, the NFL has started scheduling its own Christmas games, partly nudging into what many consider basketball's traditional day. This year saw a couple of exciting NFL matchups: the Kansas City Chiefs clashing with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Houston Texans battling the Baltimore Ravens. The latter game featured a captivating halftime show by Beyoncé, adding a splash of musical magic to the football festivities.
For basketball star Kevin Durant, there’s something uniquely special about hooping on Christmas. Reflecting on the day’s action, he shared, "It was an amazing day for basketball. I'm grateful I was able to play on this great day and entertain the fans and get a win at home. I'm grateful.”
While the NFL looks to share the holiday spotlight, it’s evident that NBA games are deeply ingrained in Christmas culture. As basketball fans across the globe cozy up each year to unwrap the thrills that only a day like this can present, the NBA continues to deliver exciting sports entertainment, cherished by many in the festive season.