Lakers 115, Warriors 113
Austin Reaves delivered a game-winning layup with one second remaining to seal a thrilling victory for the Los Angeles Lakers over the Golden State Warriors. Reaves recorded a triple-double with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, while LeBron James added 31 points and 10 assists to further cement his Christmas Day legacy.
The Lakers overcame the early loss of Anthony Davis, who exited in the first quarter with a twisted left ankle, and held off a late rally by Stephen Curry. The Warriors’ star scored 38 points, tying the NBA record for 3-pointers in a Christmas game with eight, including a stunning 31-footer that tied the game with 7.6 seconds left. The win marked the Lakers’ fourth in five games.
Timberwolves 105, Mavericks 99
Anthony Edwards scored 26 points as the Minnesota Timberwolves held off the Dallas Mavericks in a game overshadowed by Luka Dončić’s injury. Dončić left in the second quarter with a calf strain after scoring 14 points in 16 minutes.
Minnesota built a 28-point lead in the third quarter before Dallas launched a furious comeback led by Kyrie Irving, who scored 39 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter. However, Irving missed a crucial 3-pointer with under a minute remaining, and Edwards secured the win with a decisive basket.
76ers 118, Celtics 114
Tyrese Maxey’s 33-point, 12-assist performance powered the Philadelphia 76ers past the Boston Celtics. Joel Embiid contributed 27 points and nine rebounds, while Caleb Martin added 23 points, hitting 7 of 9 from beyond the arc.
The Celtics erased a 15-point deficit in the fourth quarter, trimming the lead to two with 4.9 seconds left. However, Embiid iced the game with two free throws. Boston’s Jayson Tatum tallied 32 points and 15 rebounds, while Jaylen Brown added 23 points. The loss marked the first time this season the Celtics have dropped consecutive games.
Knicks 117, Spurs 114
Mikal Bridges shone for the New York Knicks, scoring 15 of his season-high 41 points in the fourth quarter to outduel Victor Wembanyama and lift the Knicks to a comeback victory over the San Antonio Spurs.
In his Christmas Day debut, Wembanyama recorded a dominant 42 points, 18 rebounds, four assists, and four blocks, showcasing his immense potential. The Spurs pushed the Knicks in a fast-paced fourth quarter but fell short after Miles McBride’s tiebreaking 3-pointer with 2:43 remaining.
The Knicks extended their winning streak to a season-high five games, improving to 15-4 since mid-November. Jeremy Sochan chipped in 21 points and nine rebounds for the Spurs in the loss.
The NBA Christmas games provided unforgettable moments, from late-game heroics to record-setting performances, solidifying the day as a showcase for the league’s top talent.
