With NBA Christmas right around the corner, fans are anticipating a highly competitive slate of matchups. For his part, LeBron James is expected to make a big showing on Monday, when the Lakers face off against the Boston Celtics to continue an age-old rivalry. Speaking ahead of the game against OKC on Saturday, LeBron looked ahead to the holiday and explained that it’s always been a sense of pride for him to be tapped for the big day.
“Christmas Day games are always a sense of pride and it’s super fun. Obviously, you’re so used to it as a kid waking up and seeing the snow, and being able to wake up at 6-7:00 in the morning to open the presents and then seeing NBA games always just super cool and to be a part of my fair share of Christmas games is something I’ll never forget.”
"Start opening up presents and then seeing NBA games on was just super cool…"
LeBron James is honored to be a part of the #NBAXmas tradition 🎄🗣️
Celtics-Lakers | Christmas Day | 5pm/et on ABC/ESPN pic.twitter.com/AY4dZDobO7
— NBA (@NBA) December 23, 2023
Monday’s contest will mark the 18th year that LeBron suits up for Christmas Day, where he holds the all-time scoring record of 460 total points. LeBron is 10-7 in those games but he’ll have his hands full going for his 11th win over the 21-6 Celtics.
Who Will Win Christmas Day?
LeBron and the Lakers have a tendency to “turn it on” in the most important games. Similar to what happened during the in-season tournament in early December, the Lakers could lock in to play better than their 15-14 record would indicate. Even so, the Lakers have been sliding of late and the margin of error will be slim against the Boston Celtics. This season, the Cs have been, arguably, the best team in the league with Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, and Kristaps Porzingis forming the best four-man unit in basketball.
To pull out a win at home against this team, LeBron and Davis will have to be at the top of their game, and one of Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, and Cam Reddish will have to step up and hit big shots to win the game. For a Lakers team that has dropped four straight games, and is due to play Oklahoma City tonight, they desperately need this win and we can expect them to play with a major sense of desperation to turn their season around.
LeBron’s Final Christmas Game?
LeBron James teased retirement this summer and at 38 years old, that decision probably isn’t too far off at this point. If this is indeed his last season, then this upcoming game against the Celtics could be his final performance for the Christmas holiday. Fortunately, James is unlikely to end his career after this season.
Somehow, in year 21, LeBron is still one of the best players in the world and the Lakers are leaning on him every night to carry them to wins in the tough Western Conference. Through 26 games so far, James is averaging 25.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game on 54% shooting. Only time will tell how his play holds up for the rest of the season, but it won’t count for much if the Lakers are 9th in the standings. A win over the Celtics on Christmas is the perfect opportunity to get back on track and send a message that the Lakers are still a team to fear.
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