’Twas a merry Christmas indeed, especially for basketball fans.
According to ESPN, viewership for NBA’s Christmas games this past weekend was up 5% year-over-year! The Celtics vs Bucks game was the most viewed game of the day, with over 6M viewers, up 16% year-over-year.
No surprise there as the Celtics won big on their home turf against their biggest competition in the East thus far this season. The Warriors and Grizzlies Christmas Day game wasn’t even close, generating 4.7M viewers. The Lakers and Mavericks game wasn’t too far behind with 4.3M viewers. Sixers and Knicks raked in 4.04M while Suns and Nuggets averaged 2.9M.
Despite facing the NFL’s Christmas tripleheader, the NBA reeled in millions of viewers for its 5-game lineup. I mean, who could turn down watching big names like Lebron James, Jayson Tatum, and Joel Embiid? The Grizzlies’ Ja Morant also played his first Christmas Day game while GSW’s Steph Curry sat out due to an injury.
Each of the five games had an exciting factor that retained its viewers for all four quarters. From new, young players looking to make their mark, to old foes avenging losses from the 2021-2022 season’s playoffs.
Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks
It was the battle of the beasts from the East, as MVP contenders Jayson Tatum and Giannis Antetokounmpo both showed us why they’re deserving of the title. For the Celtics, they needed Tatum to step up after losing some momentum on their road trip out West earlier this month. And boy, did he show up. Tatum finished with 41 points, including a 20-point third quarter! Jaylen Brown also contributed big numbers with 29 points, making a case for Tatum & Brown as the NBA’s best duo in recent years.
Giannis finished with 27 points along with Jrue Holiday’s 23 and Brooke Lopez’s 16. These three needed to do more, but the Celtics’ offense was just too much. Finishing the game at 139 points, the Celtics now have a new season high, and we’re sure they’re looking to top that before the season is over.
Philadelphia Sixers vs. New York Knicks
Despite how the season started out for these teams, the Knicks are now making a resurgence in the Eastern Conference standings, while the Sixers are also making a run of their own. In the last meeting these two had in November, the Knicks got the win as Embiid and Harden sat out.
This Christmas Day matchup was the first real matchup as Harden and Embiid suited up for the Sixers – who came into the game on a seven-game winning streak. What sealed the victory for the Sixers, while donning their “Brotherly Love” jerseys, was their offensive dominance in the fourth quarter.
Embiid led the way, beating out all scorers with 35 points, and notching eight rebounds while doing so. Harden added 29 points and 13 assists, while Georges Niang added some juice off the bench.
For the Knicks, the loss was their third straight, following an eight-game winning streak. Julius Randle proved to be the Knicks’ hottest hand, finishing the game with 35 points as well.
Golden State Warriors vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Coming into the 2022-23 season, the Grizzlies were proving themselves to be one of the NBA’s top franchises. But they got humbled this past Christmas Day.
Golden State Warriors have more losses than wins but had a home-court advantage – where they continue to be dominant – this time around. They also looked like the hungrier team after being out the Grizzlies, 123-109.
Despite Jordan Poole, who led scorers with 32 points, being ejected early in the fourth quarter, the Warriors pulled it together to get a much-needed tally in the win column.
Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns
It was a thriller in Denver, Colorado on Christmas Day.
The Phoenix Suns stepped into Ball Arena in Denver looking to get their 20th win this past Sunday. But the Denver Nuggets had other plans. Nikola Jokic was just too hot to handle, posting a triple-double of 41 points, 15 rebounds, and 15 assists! Leading the Nuggets straight through an overtime win.
Jokic needed to step up, with Devin Booker out after a first-quarter groin injury, and he did.
Landry Shamet also contributed big for the Suns 31 points and 6 assists off the bench but it wasn’t enough after the Nuggets got a stop on Shamet’s three-point attempt in the game’s final possession.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Dallas Mavericks
Lakers star, LeBron James, headed into the Christmas Day match-up against the Mavericks, setting a new record. This was his 17th Christmas Day game appearance! Unfortunately, this was the only highlight for LeBron as the Mavs took a 124-115 victory over LA.
The second half of the game was dominated by the Mavs with Luka Doncic closing out with 32 points. Christian Wood contributed 30 points while Tim Hardaway Jr notched 26. These three powered the offensive onslaught for Dallas, scoring 51 points in the third quarter!
James did what he could to carry his team who was short one man as Anthony Davis continues to shit out due to a foot injury. But his 38 points, six rebounds, and five assists weren’t enough, alone. The rest of the Lakers’ starting five combined for only 32 points!
