Written by: Quincy Bentley | Sports Editor
The NBA’s 2024 Christmas Day slate delivered a series of thrilling matchups, showcasing seasoned veterans and rising stars. Here’s a detailed look at the standout performances from each game that made this holiday lineup memorable.
New York Knicks vs. San Antonio Spurs
The NBA’s festivities began with the San Antonio Spurs visiting the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks protected their home court, securing a close victory with a final score of 117-114. Mikal Bridges’ season high of 41 points led the Knicks to the win, along with Karl Anthony Towns’ 21 points. Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs’ franchise player, gave a stellar performance, scoring 42 points and racking up 18 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to stop New York.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Dallas Mavericks
In a rematch of the Western Conference Finals, the Minnesota Timberwolves faced the Dallas Mavericks. The Timberwolves emerged victorious with a 105-99 win. Anthony Edwards was the standout performer, finishing with 26 points for Minnesota. The Mavericks, playing without their star Luka Dončić due to a mid-game injury, relied heavily on Kyrie Irving. Irving put up 39 points that almost led the Mavericks to a 28-point comeback, but his efforts weren’t able to shut down the Timberwolves’ attack.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics
The rivalry between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics added another chapter as the 76ers secured a 118-114 victory. Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid led Philadelphia with dominant performances, as Maxey scored 33 points and 12 assists, while Embiid scored 28 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Boston’s Jayson Tatum countered Philadelphia with a strong showing, adding 32 points and 15 rebounds of his own, but the Celtics couldn’t overcome the 76ers’ late-game execution.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors
One of the most anticipated games of the day featured the Los Angeles Lakers against the Golden State Warriors. The Lakers clinched a 115-113 win in a game that lived up to the hype. Lakers guard Austin Reaves stole the show, scoring a game-winning layup while also putting up a 26-10-10 triple-double. LeBron James also put up impressive stats, with 31 points and 10 assists. For the Warriors, Stephen Curry was exceptional, scoring 38 points and hitting multiple clutch three-pointers to keep Golden State in the game. However, the Lakers’ resilience proved decisive.
Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns
The final game of the day saw the Phoenix Suns defeat the Denver Nuggets 110-100. Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal led the Suns with 27 points each, making up for the lack of their star player Devin Booker, who was out with a groin injury. The Nuggets were led by Nikola Jokić, who put up 25 points and 25 rebounds. Though they put up a valiant effort, the Nuggets struggled to contain the Suns’ dynamic offense, and despite Jokić’s all-around contributions, Denver couldn’t mount a comeback.
Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu
