SAN FRANCISCO – After becoming the NBA’s all-time leader in Christmas Day wins – getting his 11th in his 19th appearance in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 115-113 win over the Golden State Warriors – LeBron became James asked what still makes him so league special in today’s sporting landscape.
“LeBron and Steph [Curry]James said with a smile.
Nearly a decade after the pair met for the first of four straight NBA Finals showdowns and less than a week before James’ 40th birthday, the duo looked as dominant as ever on Wednesday.
James led LA with 31 points on 12-for-22 shooting and notched 10 assists with just one turnover.
Curry scored 17 of his game-high 38 points in the fourth quarter, tying the game with a 30-foot 3-pointer with 7.6 seconds left after Golden State trailed by as many as 10 in the final frame .
James’ performance was needed for LA after Lakers big man Anthony Davis sprained his left ankle with 6:49 left in the first quarter when his sneaker caught on the court as LA was wrapping up a defensive possession, causing him to fall to the ground and wince in pain as he grabbed his left leg.
Davis left the game and did not return. After the game, Davis told ESPN, “I’ll be fine. I’ll play Sac on Saturday” when LA hosts the Sacramento Kings. Davis’ status is officially day-to-day; However, he was able to walk on the ankle without the aid of crutches or any additional support, sources told ESPN.
Despite Davis’ departure, Lakers-Warriors continued a strong run of Christmas games with 41 points from Mikal Bridges to lift the New York Knicks past the San Antonio Spurs, who had 42 points and 18 rebounds off the second-year phenom. Victor Wembanyama; a furious comeback by the Dallas Mavericks who fell short against 23-year-old superstar Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves; and an upset victory by the Philadelphia 76ers over the defending champion Boston Celtics thanks to 60 combined points from Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid.
And it prompted a parting shot from James as he wrapped up an on-court interview with ESPN’s Lisa Salters at the end of the Lakers-Warriors TV broadcast.
“I love the NFL,” James said. “But Christmas is our day.”
The NFL had two games on Christmas — the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 29-10 and the Baltimore Ravens beat the Houston Texans 31-2 — even though Wednesday games are rare in the league.
“That’s a good answer,” Curry said when informed of James’ statement. “Basketball, I’ve been watching it since I woke up this morning. All five games. I’m probably going to watch the second half of the Phoenix-Nuggets game and I know our game stood out so you feel privileged to be sure in those kinds of situations.”
And after playing a Fourth of Christmas Day game against 22-year veteran James, Curry – in his 16th season – sounded wistful.
“It’s always a party,” Curry says. “Like the competitive spirit, the history, its greatness. It allows me to appreciate everything we’ve been through, all the fighting back and forth and the fact that we’re still doing it in 2024. And somehow the games are quite electric and a must-see kind of TV situation. I love it… You don’t know how many chances you’ll get to do it on this kind of stage. So you enjoy it.
“That’s why it was so annoying to lose, just because these are the moments that matter a little more.”