10. NBA Christmas day 2010
Miami Heat vs. Los Angeles Lakers 96-80
LeBron James – 27 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists
Despite the much-hyped Christmas Day-themed NIKE sneakers trying to steal the limelight, King James’ inaugural visit to the Staples Center with his new Miami friends in tow reminded fans everywhere that his all-court brilliance can be trouble free. Notching his 31st career triple-double which included a season high 5 threes. LeBron led the commanding team display as
The Heatles trounced the two-time defending champion Lakers, 96-80 on national television.
Miami Heat vs. Los Angeles Lakers 96-80
LeBron James – 27 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists
Despite the much-hyped Christmas Day-themed NIKE sneakers trying to steal the limelight, King James’ inaugural visit to the Staples Center with his new Miami friends in tow reminded fans everywhere that his all-court brilliance can be trouble free. Notching his 31st career triple-double which included a season high 5 threes. LeBron led the commanding team display as
The Heatles trounced the two-time defending champion Lakers, 96-80 on national television.
9. NBA Christmas day 1994
Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks 107-104
Scottie Pippen – 36 points, 16 rebounds, 5 steals
After losing to the bruising Knicks in the ’94 Playoffs, Pip extracted his revenge when his Bulls (remember: Michael was swinging and missing at pitches then) danced with Pat Riley’s men on Christmas night. Hubert Davis’ miracle make may have forced an extra session, but it was all Scottie from there as the Swiss-army knife not only scored all seven of Chicago’s OT points, but also blocked consecutive trey attempts at the death to complete his reprisal,
107-104.
Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks 107-104
Scottie Pippen – 36 points, 16 rebounds, 5 steals
After losing to the bruising Knicks in the ’94 Playoffs, Pip extracted his revenge when his Bulls (remember: Michael was swinging and missing at pitches then) danced with Pat Riley’s men on Christmas night. Hubert Davis’ miracle make may have forced an extra session, but it was all Scottie from there as the Swiss-army knife not only scored all seven of Chicago’s OT points, but also blocked consecutive trey attempts at the death to complete his reprisal,
107-104.
8. NBA Christmas Day 1987
Atlanta Hawks vs. Philadelphia 76ers, 106-100
Dominique Wilkins – 45 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists
In a December classic, ‘Nique showed Charles Barkley and Co. what happens when you try to cage a Bird of Prey. The 106-100 end score gave the Hawks an early-season W against one of their most formidable Eastern Conference foes. ‘Nique then carried his red-hot Christmas Day form into 1988, where he finished the season tallying a career-high 30.7 ppg.
Atlanta Hawks vs. Philadelphia 76ers, 106-100
Dominique Wilkins – 45 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists
In a December classic, ‘Nique showed Charles Barkley and Co. what happens when you try to cage a Bird of Prey. The 106-100 end score gave the Hawks an early-season W against one of their most formidable Eastern Conference foes. ‘Nique then carried his red-hot Christmas Day form into 1988, where he finished the season tallying a career-high 30.7 ppg.
7. NBA Christmas day 2006
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Miami Heat, 101-85
Dwyane Wade – 40 points, 11 assists, 4 steals, 4 blocks
Billed as a Mexican stand-off between the Next (Wade) and the Now (Kobe), only one player remembered to load their revolver. Thanks to his XL, Wade helped the Heat walk away with an emphatic 101-85 triumph.
Kobe Bryant, meanwhile, could only manage 16 points.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Miami Heat, 101-85
Dwyane Wade – 40 points, 11 assists, 4 steals, 4 blocks
Billed as a Mexican stand-off between the Next (Wade) and the Now (Kobe), only one player remembered to load their revolver. Thanks to his XL, Wade helped the Heat walk away with an emphatic 101-85 triumph.
Kobe Bryant, meanwhile, could only manage 16 points.
6. NBA Christmas day 2002
Detroit Pistons vs. Orlando Magic, 104-99
Tracy McGrady – 46 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals
What makes this outing so memorable is the fact that T-Mac wasn’t supposed to participate, and as late as Christmas Eve his availability remained uncertain. Instead of a quiet dinner with the family, McGrady showed us why he was the game’s most entertaining player as he produced 46 points using a variety of classic T-Mac shots.
During an era in which McGrady couldn’t be contained, the Magic only won 104-99 because their star was overcome with Christmas spirit.
Detroit Pistons vs. Orlando Magic, 104-99
Tracy McGrady – 46 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals
What makes this outing so memorable is the fact that T-Mac wasn’t supposed to participate, and as late as Christmas Eve his availability remained uncertain. Instead of a quiet dinner with the family, McGrady showed us why he was the game’s most entertaining player as he produced 46 points using a variety of classic T-Mac shots.
During an era in which McGrady couldn’t be contained, the Magic only won 104-99 because their star was overcome with Christmas spirit.
5. NBA Christmas day 1992
Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks, 89-77
Michael Jordan – 42 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals
No NBA list would be complete without an appearance from his Airness. Following his dual NBA titles and ’92 Olympic Gold, Jordan upped the ante and set about defending his crown, in style, for a second straight time. His 42 points against Patrick Ewing and the Knicks was capped off by a 89-77 Bulls victory
Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks, 89-77
Michael Jordan – 42 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals
No NBA list would be complete without an appearance from his Airness. Following his dual NBA titles and ’92 Olympic Gold, Jordan upped the ante and set about defending his crown, in style, for a second straight time. His 42 points against Patrick Ewing and the Knicks was capped off by a 89-77 Bulls victory
4.NBA Christmas 1966
San Francisco Warriors vs. Cincinnati Royals
Rick Barry – 50 points
One of basketball’s most prolific scorers, Rick Barry poured in a League leading (and career high) 35.6 ppg during his second pro season. On Christmas Day, during that same campaign, Barry took it straight to Oscar Robertson and the Royals, finishing with a half-a-dollar’s worth of points;
But what impresses us most about his stellar night was the fact it happened during an away game. In short, Barry wasn’t just an a-hole. He was also a Grinch.
San Francisco Warriors vs. Cincinnati Royals
Rick Barry – 50 points
One of basketball’s most prolific scorers, Rick Barry poured in a League leading (and career high) 35.6 ppg during his second pro season. On Christmas Day, during that same campaign, Barry took it straight to Oscar Robertson and the Royals, finishing with a half-a-dollar’s worth of points;
But what impresses us most about his stellar night was the fact it happened during an away game. In short, Barry wasn’t just an a-hole. He was also a Grinch.
3. NBA Christmas 1972
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Kansas City Kings
Nate Archibald – 18 assists
During the 1972-73 season, the man nicknamed Tiny became the first NBA player to lead the League in both scoring (34 ppg) and assist averages (11.4 apg).
More so, Archibald was clearly in a festive season mood when he gift-wrapped a heap of points to the tune of 18 dimes (a Christmas Day record that still stands) when his Kings locked horns with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the Bucks.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Kansas City Kings
Nate Archibald – 18 assists
During the 1972-73 season, the man nicknamed Tiny became the first NBA player to lead the League in both scoring (34 ppg) and assist averages (11.4 apg).
More so, Archibald was clearly in a festive season mood when he gift-wrapped a heap of points to the tune of 18 dimes (a Christmas Day record that still stands) when his Kings locked horns with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the Bucks.
2. NBA Christmas 1961
Philadelphia Warriors vs. New York Knicks
Wilt Chamberlain – 59 points, 36 rebounds
During a season in which Wilt averaged 50 ppg and 25.7 rpg—remember, those were his averages—his December 25 output doesn’t look all that spectacular (by comparison), but that shouldn’t detract from a distinction that would’ve otherwise been most’s greatest performance ever.
The upside of course is that Wilt still holds the Christmas Day record for pulling down the most rebounds in a single Dec. 25 contest with 36.
Philadelphia Warriors vs. New York Knicks
Wilt Chamberlain – 59 points, 36 rebounds
During a season in which Wilt averaged 50 ppg and 25.7 rpg—remember, those were his averages—his December 25 output doesn’t look all that spectacular (by comparison), but that shouldn’t detract from a distinction that would’ve otherwise been most’s greatest performance ever.
The upside of course is that Wilt still holds the Christmas Day record for pulling down the most rebounds in a single Dec. 25 contest with 36.
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