The NBA has witnessed multiple rivalries over the years. Generally, the league sets these ideal matchups on Christmas Day, a treat for the fans to enjoy on an auspicious day. The Christmas Day Games are some of the most anticipated matchups of the season. We get to see some of the league’s best players battle against each other. For NBA fans, this is one of the best ways to end the year.
This year, there are a couple of incredible lined up for fans to witness. We have champions of the last two seasons, the Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors taking on each other. Fans get to see the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics re-ignite an age-old rivalry. The Miami Heat will be taking in the Philadelphia 76ers, two teams that have been fighting to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals. And finally, Devin Booker facing Luka Doncic in a potentially heated clash between the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks.
🏀 #NBAExtra
🎄 Le programme du NBA Christmas Day sur beIN SPORTS ! pic.twitter.com/HPAmT53rIv— NBAextra (@NBAextra) December 22, 2023
As exciting as these matchups sound to fans who have been following the league for the last couple of years, only true fans know when the best Christmas Day Games took place. Without further ado, let’s take a look at three of the best Christmas Day Games.
Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks 1986 (Michael Jordan vs. Patrick Ewing)
Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls were the greatest teams ever to have been assembled. For over a decade, they dominated the floor with MJ taking the lead. During the 90s, Jordan helped the Bulls win six NBA titles and won himself five League MVPs. Jordan was undoubtedly the best player in the league at the time, but one newcomer posed a serious challenge. Patrick Ewing was selected by the New York Knicks a year after MJ was drafted.
Ewing was an incredible player and became one of Jordan’s biggest rivals. MJ did not have a great season that year and his Christmas Day appearance wasn’t any better. With this Bulls vs. Knicks game being MJ’s first Christmas Day appearance, Ewing stole the show and snagged a victory for his team instead. He finished with a masterful 28 points and 17 rebounds double-double. It is safe to say Ewing stole MJ’s thunder that night thus leading to an incredible rivalry.
Miami Heat vs. Los Angeles Lakers 2004 (Shaquille O’Neal’s return to LA)
Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant former the best NBA duo ever. During their time together on the Los Angeles Lakers roster, it was all moving upward for both individuals. Shaq won three titles playing alongside Bryant. He also won an All-Game MVP Award, a League MVP Award, a scoring title, and 3x Finals MVP Awards. But for some reason, Shaq and Kobe never got along as much.
Shaq was shipped to the Miami Heat, leaving Kobe to anchor the Lakers by himself. The 2004-05 season’s Christmas Day Games witnessed the return of Shaq in LA. Bryant scored 42 points but failed to land a game-winner. O’Neal and his partner Dwyane Wade recorded triple-doubles to lead the Heat to a victory during overtime.
Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers 2016 (First meeting since the 2016 NBA Finals)
The Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers rivalry was nothing short of legendary. LeBron James scored his best numbers as a leader with Kyrie Irving sprouting into a weapon on the court. The Warriors had an incredible 73-9 record during the 2015-16 season before the Cavaliers upset the defending champions in a 1-3 deficit comeback. James was boasting his third title and a long-awaited NBA Finals victory for the Cavaliers then.
However, both teams ended up meeting during the Christmas Day Games of the 2016-17 season. Kevin Durant was new to the Warriors and was led by Stephen Curry. Both teams were at each other’s neck before Irving pulled off an incredible fadeaway two-pointer for the lead. The Warriors fell to the Cavaliers.