sport news New York Knicks continue a Christmas tradition at MSG, LeBron James laces up: ... trends now
Christmas comes with traditions. Like the New York Knicks playing at Madison Square Garden. Or LeBron James lacing up his sneakers and going to work. And the defending NBA champions getting into the holiday game action.
All those things are happening this year. And this holiday features a new twist: Memphis, welcome to the Christmas stage.
The NBA's Christmas quintupleheader is Sunday, with the Grizzlies and Ja Morant set to play on December 25 for the first time in that franchise's history.
They get the distinction of going to Golden State and facing the reigning - albeit shorthanded and reeling of late - champions in a rematch from last season's Western Conference semifinals, won by the Warriors in six games.
It's the 15th consecutive year of five games being played on Christmas. Some things to know about the five matchups (all times Eastern):
The New York Knicks playing at Madison Square Garden on Christmas has become a tradition
The Knicks are extending their record for Christmas appearances, getting picked to play on the holiday for the 55th time. Of those, 47 have been at home.
It´s the 13th Knicks-76ers game on Christmas; no two teams have faced each other more on the holiday. And it features two of the NBA´s hottest teams right now - the Knicks are 8-2 in their last 10 games, and the 76ers are on a seven-game winning streak. Joel Embiid is leading the NBA in scoring at 33 points per game.
Fact: 76ers coach Doc Rivers played four times on Christmas, including once when he was with the Knicks, and all four of those games were on the road. Add in his coaching years, and this is the 17th time that Rivers has been part of a Christmas game - the 15th that will be a road game.
Today will see the 13th Knicks-76ers game on Christmas Day - the most of any two teams
LeBron James seemingly appears on Christmas as often as Santa Claus does. If James plays, it´ll be his 17th Christmas appearance, which will break a tie with Kobe Bryant for the most in NBA history. If he plays and the Lakers win, it´ll be James´ 11th time walking off as a Christmas winner - another record for NBA players.
And the Lakers are appearing on Christmas for the 24th consecutive year. They enter with an all-time Dec. 25 record of 24-24, the most wins on the holiday in NBA history, one ahead of the Knicks.
It´ll be Mavericks star Luka Doncic´s second Christmas game, after he and Dallas lost a road game to the Lakers in 2020. Mavs coach
