One of the long-awaited days in the NBA has arrived. NBA Christmas Day, a true custom at Uncle Sam’s, promises to be busy again this year. As usual, the biggest stars will grace the NBA courts on this special day. From LeBron James to Kevin Durant, including Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokoúnmpo, a real dream evening awaits us Europeans until the end of the night. If these meetings are used to being scrutinized by the greatest number of people, many have distinguished themselves there. Here are some of the notable figures from this very special day.
LeBron James, Santa Claus himself
18. If he is not injured, LeBron James will play his 18th NBA Christmas Day tomorrow. The record holder in this area before him was the much missed Kobe Bryant, whom the King surpassed last year. We like to play the legendary Los Angeles franchise, one of the most famous of all, at Christmas. We like even more to play LeBron, the best scorer in history, who represents the NBA all by himself.
The Knicks, kings of December 25
If we really like playing the Lakers on the day of Jesus’ birth, we love doing it even more with the Knicks. Facing Milwaukee tomorrow, they will play their 55th NBA Christmas Day game. Far ahead of the Lakers or the Celtics, the two most successful NBA franchises. Let’s not forget what New York represents and its legendary Madison Square Garden, the Mecca of basketball. Which will, once again, be the scene of the opening of this magnificent sporting day.
Bernard King, still at the top of NBA Christmas Day
This is a record that will be very difficult to break. But with today’s NBA, we’re not safe from anything. In 1984, Knicks winger Bernard King made NBA Christmas Day a very special day for him too. By scoring 60 pawns against the New Jersey Nets, he established the new benchmark on December 25. Brand that has still not been beaten to this day.
Could it fall tomorrow? There are many who can get seriously close to it, and why not dream of surpassing it. Joël Embiid, more than 34 points on average this season, the Bucks duo Lillard-Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum or even Steph Curry, Nikola Jokic or Luka Doncic, all are capable, on a big day, of achieving a dream match.
Wilt Chamberlain untouchable, Harden for an exploit?
If the performance in terms of scoring will be very difficult but not impossible to surpass, that of the rebound record during an NBA Christmas Day seems untouchable. In 1991, the great Wilt, then a Warriors player, grabbed 36 rebounds against the Knicks. At present, getting close to 20 rebounds is already an achievement. So exceed 30..
In passing, however, it seems a little more achievable… although still complicated to match. There are two of them who hold this record, with 18 assists each. Guy Rodgers and Nate Archibald. Rodgers made them in 1966 with Chicago against New York. For Archibald, he made them in 1972 against Milwaukee. Looking at Monday’s program, one man appears to be the one who could come close: James Harden. The best passer of last season often flirts with 12-13 assists on average and on a big night and in altruistic mode, “the system” could bring down this mark.
Spoelstra and NBA Christmas Day, a true love story
But that she will be the first franchise to bring down Erik Spoelstra on Christmas Day? In eight appearances at NBA Christmas Day, the head coach of the Miami Heat has still not lost a single one! He has not participated since 2020 but he hopes to continue his series this year with the reception of the Sixers of MVP Joël Embiid, at the Kaseya Center in Miami. The opportunity for Jimmy Butler and his entire gang to show that the last two seasons, ended with a conference final and an NBA final, are not due to chance.
The complete NBA Christmas Day program:
18h: New York Knicks – Milwaukee Bucks
20h30: Denver Nuggets – Golden State Warriors
23h: Los Angeles Lakers – Boston Celtics
2h: Miami Heat – Philadelphie Sixers
4h30: Phoenix Suns – Dallas Mavericks
2023-12-24 17:09:41
#records #December
