The Christmas became the most important date of the Regular Phase. The NBA was responsible for fueling a date of little activity worldwide, scheduling several of the most important games of the course with the most glamorous franchises of the moment, sparking the most attractive rivalries and the main stars as protagonists.
Marked in red on the calendar, December 25th is a special day when legends strive to make their mark on history.
With a spectacular new dish in 2023, which will include in the five games of a Knicks-Bucks, Nuggets-Warriors, Lakers-Celtics, Heat-76ers and Suns-Mavs.
Bill Russell
He Leading Christmas rebounder with 176 rebounds13 ahead of Wes Unseld and well behind the best among active players, LeBron James (115).
Christmas record: 6-2
Average: 15.8 points, 22.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists.
the best performance: 32 points and 33 rebounds in the Boston Celtics’ win over the New York Knicks (1958).
Wilt Chamberlain
One of the greatest basketball engines of the early days of the league took a furious step with Christmas, where he records the third best scoring average in history (considering at least two games played), and the best of all when it comes to rebounds, including the single-game record (36 vs. the Knicks in double overtime in 1961). Except, The 59 points in the same game was an all-time high until 1984, when it was bankrupted by Bernard King (60).
Christmas record: 5-1
Average: 31.7 points, 25.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists.
the best performance: 59 points and 36 rebounds in the Philadelphia Warriors’ loss to the New York Knicks (1961).
Oscar Robertson
It is him all-time assist leader with 145, with a clear advantage over LeBron James, his pursuer with 107 (and playing three fewer games). Except, He is the third scorer with 377 points. and one of six players to complete a triple-double on December 25, but was the only one to do so on more than one occasion (four total).
Christmas record: 8-4
Average: 31.4 points, 13.1 assists and 8.6 rebounds
the best performance: 40 points, 17 assists and 12 rebounds in the Cincinnati Royals’ loss to the Los Angeles Lakers (1961).
Larry Bird
Larry Legend is one of 13 players to complete a 20+20 in Christmas history.
Christmas record: 1-2
Average: 19.7 points, 12.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists.
the best performance: 28 points, 20 rebounds and 8 assists in Boston’s win vs. New York Knicks (1980).
Magic Johnson
Christmas record: 1-1
Average : 18.0 points, 9.0 assists and 5.0 rebounds.
the best performance: 18 points, 10 assists and 5 rebounds in the Lakers’ loss vs. Utah Jazz (1988).
Michael Jordan
Her Majesty has almost perfect balance in her Christmas looks. The only drop came in his debut in 1986, when he scored 30 points, but a Patrick Ewing buzzer beater gave the Knicks an 86-85 victory. He would have revenge against those from the Big Apple in 1992, when he achieved the maximum of the day (42 points).
Christmas record: 5-1
Average: 28.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.8 steals.
the best performance: 42 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three steals in Chicago Bulls win vs. New York Knicks (1992).
Shaquille O’Neal
Shaq spent several Christmas days in action, and He became the player with the most blocks in history, with 25. He is tied for third in games played (13), third in rebounds (155) and sixth in scoring (272).
Christmas record: 6-7
Average: 20.9 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.9 blocks.
the best performance: 32 points, 11 rebounds, five blocks and two assists in the LA Lakers’ win vs. San Antonio Spurs (1999).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrV3EooixRs
Tracy McGrady
T-Mac is perhaps a little below the rest of the names in terms of his NBA legacy, but his Christmas record was huge: three games, all over 40 points and the mark of having the best scoring average in history (at least two games)..
Christmas record: 2-1
Average: 43.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.0 blocks.
the best performance: 41 points, 11 assists, eight rebounds and three steals in the Orlando Magic’s win vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (2003).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDnJDePq4-U
Kobe Bryant
He is the leader in games played on Christmas Day with 16 and holds the record for most points with 395 points. He also has the third most assists with 85. A true individual Holiday legend, although his Lakers did not have the best results: just six wins.
Christmas record: 6-10
Average: 24.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.1 steals.
the best performance: 38 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds and 2 steals in the Lakers’ win vs. Phoenix Suns (2007).
The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the NBA or its organizations.
