LeBron James takes centre stage on Christmas Day again in NBA’s annual festive feast
LEBRON JAMES is the hardest working sportsman on Christmas with a busy schedule only Santa could match.
The 38-year-old basketball icon is regularly delivering buckets and entertainment on the holiday while others tear into gifts.
Live sports on Christmas Day is an almost unthinkable concept outside of the United States.
But it’s one of the biggest occasions in the NBA calendar and just another day at work for James.
The NBA regularly schedules five games on national television through the day and night on the holiday.
Until recently, it used to mark the first time in the season that games were shown on free-to-air television.
And it’s still one of the biggest days on the basketball calender with James, Stephen Curry and other stars taking centre stage.
James will play in his 18th Christmas Day game this year – already the most in NBA history.
He has scored 460 points on the marquee day and gifted fans some memorable performances.
This year his Los Angeles Lakers will face the Boston Celtics in the main attraction of the NBA Christmas Day schedule.
The Lakers-Celtics rivalry is one of the most iconic in all of US sports with 17 NBA titles apiece.
Golden State Warriors are third on seven titles with Chicago Bulls having six titles.
The Lakers and Celtics have played 12 times in the NBA Finals alone with Boston winning eight of them.
Christmas Day action will begin at Madison Square Garden in New York City when the New York Knicks face the Milwaukee Bucks.
Last season’s NBA champion Denver Nuggets will then host Curry and the Golden State Warriors.
Boston vs LA is the third game on the schedule before two night clashes to round off the festive programme.
Philadelphia 76ers visit Miami Heat before Dallas Mavericks take on Phoenix Suns.
James is approaching the end of the year and about to head into a pivotal 2024 for his legacy.
He is chasing a fifth NBA title which would put him just one behind Michael Jordan, the man he is chasing for the title of basketball’s greatest of all time.
The Lakers just won the NBA’s first ever in-season tournament which proves they have the squad capable of mounting a championship challenge.
James also wants to play at the Olympics in Paris next summer, and chase a third gold medal to go with Beijing 2008 and London 2012.
There will also be plenty of speculation around his future with his Lakers contract due to expire.
His son Bronny is set to enter the league, and LeBron has long stated his desire to play pro with his son.
Or, given he turns 39 before the New Year and played 20 seasons in the league, retirement is an option.
But Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without LeBron.
NBA Christmas Day schedule
Times GMT
5pm – Milwaukee Bucks at New York Knicks
7.30pm – Golden State Warriors at Denver Nuggets
10pm – Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers
1am – Philadelphia 76ers at Miami Heat
3.30am – Dallas Mavericks at Phoenix Suns
(TV: TNT Sports, Streaming: Discovery Plus, NBA League Pass)