SAN FRANCISCO — After turning into the NBA’s all-time chief in Christmas Day victories — incomes his eleventh in his nineteenth look within the Los Angeles Lakers‘ 115-113 win over the Golden State Warriors — LeBron James was requested what nonetheless makes the league particular in right now’s sports activities panorama.
“LeBron and Steph [Curry],” James mentioned with a smile.
Indeed, practically a decade after the pair met for the primary of 4 straight showdowns within the NBA Finals, and fewer than per week earlier than James’ fortieth birthday, the duo seemed as dominant as ever Wednesday.
James led L.A. with 31 factors on 12-for-22 capturing and tallied 10 assists with just one turnover.
Curry scored 17 of his game-high 38 factors within the fourth quarter, tying the rating with a 31-foot 3-pointer with 7.6 seconds left after Golden State had trailed by as many as 10 within the ultimate interval.
James’ efficiency was wanted for L.A. after Lakers massive man Anthony Davis sprained his left ankle with 6:49 left within the first quarter when his sneaker received caught on the court docket as L.A. was ending a defensive possession, inflicting him to fall to the ground and wince in ache as he grabbed his left leg.
Davis exited the sport and didn’t return. Afterward, Davis informed ESPN, “I’ll be OK. I’m enjoying in opposition to Sac on Saturday” when L.A. hosts the Sacramento Kings. Davis’ standing is formally day-to-day, however he was capable of stroll on the ankle with out the help of crutches or additional help, sources informed ESPN.
Despite Davis’ exit, Lakers-Warriors was a continuation of a robust slate of Christmas video games that includes 41 factors by Mikal Bridges to raise the New York Knicks previous the San Antonio Spurs, who had been paced by 42 factors and 18 rebounds from second-year phenom Victor Wembanyama; a livid comeback by the Dallas Mavericks that fell quick in opposition to 23-year-old famous person Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves; and an upset victory by the Philadelphia 76ers over the defending champion Boston Celtics due to 60 mixed factors from Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid.
And it fueled a parting shot from James when he completed an on-court interview with ESPN’s Lisa Salters on the finish of the Lakers-Warriors TV broadcast.
“I really like the NFL,” James mentioned. “But Christmas is our day.”
The NFL had two video games on Christmas — the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 29-10 and the Baltimore Ravens beat the Houston Texans 31-2 — although Wednesday video games are uncommon within the league.
“That’s reply,” Curry mentioned when knowledgeable about James’ declaration. “Basketball, I’ve been watching it since I awakened this morning. All 5 video games. I’m most likely going to look at the second half of the Phoenix-Nuggets sport and I do know our sport stood out so, you’re feeling privileged to be in these varieties of conditions, for certain.”
And after enjoying a fourth Christmas Day sport in opposition to the 22-year veteran James, Curry — in his sixteenth season — sounded wistful.
“It’s at all times a blast,” Curry mentioned. “Like, the aggressive spirit, the historical past, his greatness. It permits me to simply admire all that we have been via, all of the battles backwards and forwards and the truth that in 2024 we’re nonetheless doing it. And in some way the video games are fairly electrical and type of a must-see TV scenario. I like it. … You do not know what number of alternatives you will get to do it on one of these stage. So you type of relish in it.
“That’s why it sucked a lot to lose simply because these are type of these moments that matter a bit of bit extra.”
