LeBron James declares Christmas belongs to the NBA—and surprisingly, he’s right

Christmas is supposed to be the season of giving, but LeBron James wasn’t in a sharing mood on Wednesday night. After leading the Lakers to a nail-biting 115-113 win over the Golden State Warriors, LeBron ended his postgame interview with a mic-drop moment:

LeBron James: “I love the NFL. I love the NFL. But Christmas is our day.”

LeBron to the NFL: pic.twitter.com/6rvo5OncTt

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 26, 2024

Honestly, I agree with LeBron James. You can save your viewership numbers for somebody else. LeBron and the NBA are doing everything possible to stand up to the NFL machine by “Making Christmas Great Again” and that’s enough for me to get behind and I literally never agree with LeBron on anything.

‘Merry Christmas’ won the battle, the war is yet to be decided…

Let’s get one thing straight: the “Battle on Christmas” has already been won.

People in America are finally saying Merry Christmas again (thank you very much). But the real war isn’t cultural—it’s between the NBA and NFL, duking it out for holiday viewership supremacy.

While the NFL might dominate Mondays, Thursdays, Saturdays (Late Season/Playoff Scheduling) and Sundays, Christmas belongs to the NBA. LeBron James knows it, Steph Curry knows it, and judging by the buzz on social media after Wednesday’s thriller, fans know it too.

NBA’s Christmas Magic

The NBA has been showcasing its biggest stars on December 25 since 1947, and it’s become a holiday staple. This year was no different. LeBron James dropped 31 points and 10 assists while Curry answered with 38 points, including two ridiculous threes to tie the game late. But in the end, it was Austin Reaves who delivered the dagger with a game-winning layup.

STEPH CURRY IS NOT HUMAN 😱 pic.twitter.com/qgAiYH3qSe

— ESPN (@espn) December 26, 2024

STEPH CURRY MY GOODNESS

pic.twitter.com/3bczbFprni

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) December 26, 2024

AUSTIN REAVES WINS IT FOR THE LAKERS ON #NBAXmas! pic.twitter.com/7SFj98Lmuh

— NBA (@NBA) December 26, 2024

Meanwhile, the NFL served up… two blowouts while likely paying Beyoncé more money than the Kamala Harris’ campaign for halftime performance. Point being: The NFL put up a fight but let’s be real- the marketing budget didn’t compare to the product on the field.

Start the NBA Season on Christmas? I’m In.

To ensure victory, the NBA needs to take drastic measures just start its season on Christmas every year. Think about it. The spotlight’s already on the league, and fans are primed for marquee matchups like Sixers-Celtics and Lakers-Warriors.

Speaking of the Sixers, they absolutely dismantled the Boston Celtics earlier in the day. Maybe it’s the recency bias talking, but watching Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Caleb Martin torch Boston made me even more certain—Christmas is the NBA’s day.

Christmas W in Boston. 👏@cryptocom pic.twitter.com/yXQpbV9vME

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) December 26, 2024

Caleb Martin and Joel Embiid send a message: Everybody Hates Boston >>

Embiid and Maxey deliver in Boston, Sixers win 118-114 >>

I hate saying this, but LeBron James is RIGHT…

The NFL can try all it wants to encroach on the holiday, but basketball owns it.

LeBron said it best: “This is our day.”

So, let the NFL keep their stranglehold on 4-of-7 days of the week. On Christmas, we’re rolling with the NBA—and if they want to start the season here every year, count me in. Until then, we’ll just enjoy the annual reminder that hoops are the real holiday tradition.

Merry Christmas, everyone. And, as always, Boston still sucks.

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