5 Best NBA Christmas games of all time

With Christmas just a day away, let’s take a look at the best NBA matches that gave fans more joy than unwrapping gifts. Upholding the tradition that was started in 1947, NBA continues to give the audience a thrilling day full of top-notch matches. In the first-ever Christmas Day game, the New York Knicks hosted the Providence Steamrollers at Madison Square Garden and handed the latter an 89-75 loss.

Christmas Day defines NBA’s festive history where the most bitter rivals meet, and every player that graces the hardwood plays with an extra chip on their shoulders, while everyone else is tucked in their pajamas while sipping hot chocolate. From a monstrous 60-point game to bitter ex-teammates settling scores on the rectangle, these games have become an inseparable part of this tradition tree. So, while the world is preparing for this season’s matchups, let’s look back at the iconic battles that truly defined holiday hoops.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden State Warriors (2016)

Fresh off winning the NBA championship against the Warriors, the Cavaliers hosted the runners-up at the Rocket Arena. With tension reaching the roof, this match was peak basketball. LeBron James came off the bench and dropped 31 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 assists while going 4-8 for threes and 12-22 from the field. Cavs overcame the 14-point fourth-quarter lead, with Kyrie Irving hitting an impossible fadeaway over Klay Thompson with seconds left on the game clock. The 109-108 clutch performance proved Cleveland was the real deal.

2. Miami Heat vs. Los Angeles Lakers (2004)

This was the ultimate showdown between Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal after the latter left the franchise due to their long-standing feud. This return to Staples Center was more dramatic than ever. With tension so thick that it could be cut with a knife, Heat remained dominant and secured a 104-102 win over the Lakers in OT despite Kobe dropping 42 points. It has officially cemented itself as one of the most famous feuds of the 2000s.

3. New York Knicks vs. New Jersey Nets (1984)

The Nets travelled all the way to MSG to face off against the Knicks. Both remained on equal footing through all three 3 quarters, but it was the 4th that sealed the fate for the Nets with a 120-114 win over the Knicks. Despite the loss, Bernard King gave the Knicks’ fans a lifetime gift when he went berserk and dropped 60 points, while shooting 19-of-30 from the field. King’s scoring ability has set itself as the gold standard for Christmas Day performances.

4. Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks (1994)

This was truly a nail-biter game. With 3.3 seconds left on the clock, the Bulls had the win in their hands, but a blunder from Steve Kerr sent the game into OT. Michael Jordan was off to play baseball, so Scottie Pippen had to carry the torch. He played all 53 minutes and came up with two massive blocks in the final seconds during OT to secure a 107-104 win over the Knicks.

5. New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia Warriors (1961)

Having Wilt Chamberlain on your team was basically a cheat code. The Big Dipper dropped 59 points while setting a Christmas Day record for rebounds with 26 in a double-overtime game. Even though the Philadelphia lost by one point close contest of 135-136, Wilt Chamberlain’s numbers remain an everlasting memory for every NBA fan.

These games made a mark because they transcend the box score. They represent moments when the league's narrative shifted and a regular-season game into a legacy-defining event. From Shaq and Kobe’s public beef or Kyrie’s cold-blooded shot-making, Christmas Day basketball matters because it’s where legends are made, rivalries are settled, and the history of the game is written in real-time, and sometimes in over-time (OT).

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