LeBron James Sends Message to NFL Following Lakers’ Christmas Day Thriller
The NBA has long been the marquee sport on Christmas Day, dominating the national spotlight with its holiday matchups. However, in recent years, the NFL has started to carve out its own presence on the holiday, sparking some friendly rivalry between fans of the two sports.
On Wednesday, the NBA delivered a classic, with the headlining matchup featuring two of the greatest players of all time, LeBron James and Stephen Curry.
In a prime-time showdown at 8 p.m. EST, the Los Angeles Lakers triumphed over the Golden State Warriors, 115-113, thanks to a clutch game-winning layup from Austin Reaves with just one second left on the clock.
After the victory, James couldn’t resist taking a playful jab at the NFL during his postgame interview, adding a bit of humor to what was already an unforgettable holiday game.
“I love the NFL, I love the NFL, but Christmas is our day.” James said before walking off.
“I love the NFL, but Christmas is our day.”
LeBron James after the Lakers’ win over the Warriors 🗣️🔥pic.twitter.com/N8MAYeoyms
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 26, 2024
The NFL hosted two games on Wednesday, both streamed live on Netflix, but neither matchup was particularly competitive. Both contests ended in double-digit defeats, leaving fans with little drama as the action unfolded.
LeBron James had an impressive performance, finishing with 31 points, 10 assists, and four rebounds while shooting 12-for-22 from the field.
Along with Austin Reaves, James carried much of the load for the Lakers after Anthony Davis was forced to leave the game just seven minutes in due to a rolled ankle. The Lakers’ medical staff opted to be cautious with Davis, who is expected to be day-to-day heading into their next matchup.
On the other side, Stephen Curry left everything on the floor. He finished with a staggering 38 points, six assists, and hit eight three-pointers, shooting 14-for-24 from the field.
Dec 25, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (right) handles the ball against Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) during the second quarter at Chase Center
© Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
His clutch game-tying three with six seconds remaining set the stage for Reaves to deliver the game-winner in what became an instant classic. The matchup between Curry and James showcased two of the greatest players in NBA history, with two of the league’s most storied franchises delivering a thrilling holiday showdown.
