- This year will mark the 72nd edition of the NBA on Christmas Day. The NBA began playing games on Christmas Day in 1947 during the league’s second season.
2. The Los Angeles Lakers (23-22) have the most wins on Christmas Day.
3. Three 2019 NBA All-Stars are set to make their Christmas Day debuts this year: the Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokić, the Toronto Raptors’ Kyle Lowry and the Boston Celtics’ Kemba Walker.
4. The Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James will play his 14th game on Christmas Day, moving into sole possession of second place in NBA history. Kobe Bryant holds the record for Christmas Day appearances with 16. James ranks third on the career Christmas Day scoring list with 338 points, behind No. 1 Kobe Bryant (395) and No. 2 Oscar Robertson (377). James is second in assists with 87, behind Robertson (145).
5. Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady averaged 43.3 points in three Christmas Day games, the highest average for any player who has played two or more games on Dec. 25. McGrady scored at least 40 points in all three games.
6. Dwyane Wade is the all-time leader with 10 victories on Christmas Day, one more than LeBron James.
7. Six players have recorded a triple-double in a game on Christmas Day: Draymond Green (2017), Russell Westbrook (2013), LeBron James (2010), Billy Cunningham (1970), John Havlicek (1967) and Oscar Robertson (1960, 1961, 1963, 1967).
8. Ivica Zubac had one of the best games of his career on Christmas last season, when he finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds to help the Lakers defeat the Warriors. The Lakers traded the Croatian center to the Clippers a few weeks later. Zubac is now the Clippers’ starting center.
9. The Houston Rockets’ Eric Gordon celebrates his 31st birthday on Christmas Day and it won’t be the best of Holidays for the sharp-shooting backcourt killer. Gordon will miss the game against the lowly Golden State Warriors as he recovers from knee surgery.
10. New Orleans’ JJ Redick has appeared in nine Christmas games, tied for the third most among active players.The only active players with more appearances are LeBron James (13) and Udonis Haslem (nine).
