The NBA’s Christmas Showcase: Proving It Still Dominates Holiday Sports

The NBA has managed to hold its ground against the NFL this Christmas.

This NBA season has sparked discussions about its quality, with critiques emerging after the underwhelming NBA All-Star Game in 2024. Viewers often hear former players lamenting how the game has declined over the years. Meanwhile, fans express their frustrations over declining ratings, leading to a defensive stance from loyal supporters.

Common complaints include: excessive three-point shooting, frequent blowouts, star players resting or injured, and prolonged end-of-game scenarios. These issues were particularly pronounced on Christmas, a key day for the league with five nationally televised games, often serving as an unofficial season opener for casual fans. The NFL’s addition of two Christmas games only intensified the challenge, as football continues to dominate viewership.

However, as attention shifted to the state of professional basketball, the NBA delivered an impressive slate of games. In contrast, the NFL offered lackluster matchups that required subscriptions to watch. LeBron James encapsulated the spirit of the day after an exhilarating Los Angeles Lakers victory over the Golden State Warriors, asserting, “I love the NFL, but Christmas is still our day.”

The basketball action was captivating throughout the day. The NFL, in contrast, featured one unwatchable game (thanks to the Houston Texans) and another showcasing the dominant Kansas City Chiefs, a team often cited as an example of why the NBA lacks excitement. Here’s a hot take: both leagues offer entertainment, but the NBA used Christmas to showcase the thrilling potential of its games when players are engaged and games are accessible.

The Lakers-Warriors clash exceeded expectations, showcasing both teams in a playoff-like atmosphere, despite their current standings. LeBron James and Stephen Curry combined for 69 points, each delivering crucial shots in the final moments.

Austin Reaves emerged as the hero with a last-second driving layup past Andrew Wiggins, securing a thrilling win for the Lakers.

The Christmas schedule kicked off with the New York Knicks facing Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden. This was a pivotal game for Wembanyama, showcasing his skills in front of a national audience. The 7’5″ French prodigy delivered an extraordinary performance, scoring 42 points, grabbing 18 rebounds, and dishing out four assists, while hitting six three-pointers in 40 minutes of action.

If this was the casual fan’s introduction to the 20-year-old sensation, it couldn’t have gone better. The NBA envisions Wembanyama as a future face of the league after the retirements of LeBron James, Curry, and Durant, and his performance certainly supports that narrative.

Wembanyama’s stats don’t fully capture the spectacle of watching him play. He consistently performs jaw-dropping feats, hinting at his immense potential.

Despite Wembanyama’s impressive performance, the Knicks secured victory thanks to clutch shooting from Mikal Bridges and a pivotal offensive rebound from Josh Hart.

Isn’t the mid-range game supposed to be dead? Aren’t NBA players criticized for not playing hard? Both misconceptions were debunked during this game. Bridges exhibited exceptional mid-range shooting reminiscent of Kevin Durant, while Hart showcased determination and hustle.

The Knicks, currently 20-10, are filled with talent and poised for success under new coach Karl-Anthony Towns. If Wembanyama represents the league’s future, the Knicks may become its most crucial team as the Lakers and Warriors face challenges.

The remaining three games on the slate were equally thrilling. The Minnesota Timberwolves prevailed over the Dallas Mavericks, despite a notable comeback attempt led by Kyrie Irving. Irving’s offensive skills are remarkable, even in defeat.

The Celtics–76ers matchup was expected to be unexciting, but it turned out to be a compelling contest. Joel Embiid participated for just the ninth time this season, scoring 27 points in 31 minutes, while Tyrese Maxey added 33 points and 12 assists. Despite Boston’s impressive three-point shooting (20-of-49 for 40.8 percent), they still fell short.

The Suns concluded the day by defeating Nikola Jokic’s Nuggets, while Kevin Durant spent time tweeting about fan criticisms of the NBA.

The NBA’s challenges are real, with player health and game frequency contributing to perceptions of effort. While legends like Wilt Chamberlain managed to play every minute of every game, today’s players face a different reality with increased physical demands. The skill level and athleticism in the NBA have reached unprecedented heights, with coaching also evolving.

Despite some setbacks, including injuries to Anthony Davis and Luka Doncic, and Devin Booker sitting out, the overall basketball experience was exceptional, outshining the NFL, which was primarily marked by a halftime show from Beyoncé.

The NBA may have its issues, but when the games are engaging and players are invested, it can provide a premium product. For one day, the league showcased its potential, leaving viewers in agreement that the Christmas offerings were remarkable.

Can the NBA capitalize on this momentum? Time will tell. But for a league facing scrutiny, this Christmas slate was precisely what it needed.