Memorable NBA Christmas Day Games

The NBA boasts a rich history of thrilling Christmas Day games. In its inaugural 1949 season, seven games were played, featuring a bizarre comeback by the Waterloo Hawks. They overturned an 84-72 deficit with 58 seconds left, winning 97-93 in overtime. The 1979 matchup saw the Philadelphia 76ers defeat the Washington Bullets 95-92, marking a symbolic "changing of the guard." Five years later, Bernard King delivered a historic performance. He erupted for a staggering 60 points against the New Jersey Nets, setting a Christmas Day scoring record. Patrick Ewing shone brightly on Christmas Day, especially in 1985. As a rookie, he led the New York Knicks to an improbable double-overtime victory against the Boston Celtics, overcoming a 25-point deficit with 32 points and 11 rebounds. The following year, Ewing hit a buzzer-beater to secure an 86-85 win over the Chicago Bulls. In 1994, Scottie Pippen famously secured a Chicago Bulls overtime win against the New York Knicks with two game-saving blocks in the final seconds. A year later, Penny Hardaway delivered a dramatic moment. His game-winning driving jumper with 3.1 seconds left bounced multiple times before dropping, sealing a 92-90 victory for the Orlando Magic over the defending champion Houston Rockets. The highly anticipated first "Shaq vs. Kobe" showdown post-breakup occurred on Christmas Day 2004, with Shaquille O'Neal's Miami Heat edging out Kobe Bryant's Lakers in overtime. In 2011, the lockout-shortened season kicked off with MVP Derrick Rose leading the Chicago Bulls against Kobe and the Lakers. Rose hit a game-winning floater after Luol Deng's crucial interception, securing an 88-87 victory. The 2013 Christmas Day slate featured a fiery contest between the Golden State Warriors, led by Stephen Curry, and the "Lob City" Los Angeles Clippers with Chris Paul. This intense game included multiple technicals, scuffles, and ejections, even spilling into a post-game shoving match. The Warriors ultimately emerged victorious, winning 105-103 in a memorable clash. A colossal rematch unfolded in 2016 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors, fueled by their recent Finals battle and Kevin Durant's arrival. The highly anticipated game lived up to its billing, remaining tight throughout. Kyrie Irving sealed a dramatic 109-108 victory for the Cavs with a clutch basket in the final seconds. NBA ChristmasDayGames NBAHistory BernardKing PatrickEwing ScottiePippen PennyHardaway Shaq KobeBryant DerrickRose StephenCurry KyrieIrving Knicks Bulls Lakers Heat Warriors Cavs 76ers Celtics Clippers