For players and coaches, the standard public statement is that a Christmas game is an honor, as it is not only a chance to play on national television, but also a reward for having a great team and great players. Lakers coach Phil Jackson, son of two Christian ministers and author of a book on spiritual growth related to basketball, said, "I don't think anybody should play on Christmas Day" and "it's like Christian holidays don’t mean...anything any more. [15] ESPN/ABC analyst Jeff Van Gundy talked about that day, saying, "It's a different opening day than has ever happened in the past and Christmas Day games have always been a big day for the NBA. In 1947, the Providence Steamrollers played in New York against the Knicks on WCBS channel 2 at 9 p.m. Eastern Time. Instead, NBA teams playing on that day wore either "City" or "Statement" alternate uniforms. The game resulted in a 127-101 Lakers victory, but it did come with a price for the Lakers, as James injured his groin, which forced him to miss significant time, which also resulted in the Lakers being eliminated from the playoff race a few months later. I enjoy it. I'd rather be playing on Christmas than sitting at home wishing I was playing on Christmas. Since 1999, each Christmas has featured games involving either the Celtics or the Lakers, with both teams playing on the holiday in 2002 and every year since 2008. Patrick Ewing helped the Knicks come back to beat the Boston Celtics after trailing by 25 points in 1985. He, like many players, said that he was fortunate to have played with his family in attendance. Kyrie Irving made the game-winning turnaround jump shot with 3.4 seconds left to spoil Kevin Durant’s 36-point effort for Golden State. It was the first time since their brawl that the two teams had faced each other. That was a perfect Christmas to me. "[16] Derrick Rose said, "I'm going to miss my family, and I hate being away from home. (Russell Westbrook added his name to the list in 2013 and Draymond Green did so in 2017). I can open my presents up at 7 o'clock at night instead of 7 o'clock in the morning. [3] The NBA usually tries to have the best players play against each other. NBA fans are in for a treat with a loaded five-game slate, but what's there to look forward to in each matchup? I like it. Stan Lomax and Bob Edge called that game. 3 Players who have scored 50 or more points in an NBA Christmas Day Game. The Lakers won that game 138-115. | Box score, 1984: King goes for 60 — In the greatest individual scoring performance in Christmas Day history, Hall of Fame forward Bernard King finished with 60 points in the Knicks’ 120-114 loss to the (then-)New Jersey Nets. The home team is 142–75 in Christmas games. In a unique situation in 2017, ABC aired an NBA tripleheader for the first time ever, which was headlined by a 2017 NBA Finals rematch between LeBron James and the Cavaliers and Steph Curry, Kevin Durant and the Warriors, which would be the prelude to the 2018 Finals rematch, which resulted in a Warriors sweep. On Christmas Day 1984, he did that better than anyone in NBA history. [3][11][12][13] Phil Jackson becoming the fastest coach to win 1,000 games (it happened on December 25, 2008). [26] Also families of players and coaches who participate in Christmas games, normally attend the games.[26]. [4][7] Kobe Bryant played 16 games on Christmas Day, the most of any player. The 2019-20 campaign will mark the 72nd edition of the NBA on Christmas Day. This was the first meeting between the two teams since the finals of the year before. [10] In the 1990s, NBC broadcast a doubleheader each year on Christmas Day (except in 1998, when there were no games played on Christmas Day due to the 1998–99 NBA lockout) and this has continued after ABC took over in 2002, except that in 2004 and 2006, ABC broadcast only one game. 1986: Ewing's buzzer-beater to beat Jordan. https://hoopshype.com/lists/kobe-bryant-nba-all-time-christmas-day-scorer Before the game between the Bulls and the Knicks in New York, Coach Mike D'Antoni said, "I can adjust a little bit. But that's all part of it. Because ESPN aired a football game on Christmas night, they only aired one game, which was at 12 ET. Penny Hardaway scored 22 points, including the game-winning shot with three seconds left, as the Orlando Magic defeated the defending-champion Houston Rockets 92-90. Knicks: Patrick … [31] The games averaged 6.2 million viewers,[31] with the Bulls–Lakers game drawing a 6.5 rating, the third-highest rated NBA regular season game on ABC, and the Celtics–Knicks game on TNT drawing a 4.0 rating, making it the most-watched Christmas game on cable. In one game (1984), hall-of-fame forward Bernard King scoring 60 points—the most ever scored by a player on Christmas Day,[1] With the advent of television and the excitement caused by these games, the NBA decided to scheduled games over the holiday that showcased the best teams and players.[3]. He dropped an astonishing 60 points on the visiting Nets, a … The NBA and Christmas Day games is a tradition that dates back nearly to the league’s inception in 1946-47. A history of NBA Christmas games (O&B Classic) Play Like Play Next Mark Played Original airdate: 12/22/14Since 1947, when the New York Knicks battled the Providence Steamrollers on Christmas Day, professional basketball played on Christmas Day became an annual tradition. As a result, the NBA gave TNT the first game of the Christmas slate with a contest between the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. [9] From 2008 to 2011, teams playing on Christmas Day wore a patch featuring the NBA logo inside a snowflake. [7] In 2012, Kobe Bryant became the all-time Christmas Day scorer with 383 points, surpassing Oscar Robertson who scored 377 points. What are the best NBA Christmas Day games this year? The NFL owns Thanksgiving and Christmas is the NBA’s day to shine. However, instead of employing either Marv Albert or Kevin Harlan and their roster of game analysts, Turner opted to use the Inside the NBA crew of Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny “The Jet” Smith and Charles Barkley for the game, with TNT’s #2 sideline reporter Kristen Ledlow working the sidelines and halftime. [2][10] Bernard King scored 60 points for the New York Knicks in 1984. And 51 years ago, the first televised Christmas game … For three years (2004–2006) ABC insisted on having a Christmas Day game between the Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Lakers so that Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal could play against each other. If you play on a pretty good team and if you have to play on Christmas, so be it. This marked the first time that all three networks that cover the NBA (ABC, ESPN, and TNT) produced games on Christmas Day. This marked the first time that an NBA Christmas game was simulcast on two networks. Though being at home is usually a bigger benefit on Christmas than in regular games, it … In college football, the only bowl game traditionally scheduled for Christmas has been the defunct Aloha Bowl (and for one year, its replacement, the Hawaii Bowl; that game itself moved its date specifically due to ESPN/ABC's acquisition of NBA telecasts, including Christmas Day games). In 2008, TNT broadcast on Christmas Day for the first time as Marv Albert, Mike Fratello and Craig Sager called the game between Washington and Cleveland in Cleveland and Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller and Cheryl Miller called the game between Dallas and Portland in Portland. LeBron gets the bag. The full slate of games is as follows: Celtics vs. Raptors (Noon ET, ESPN): A new-look Boston team led by four-time All-Star Kemba Walker visits Pascal Siakam and the defending champions in Toronto. *missed 2017 and 2019 Christmas Day games with injuries. The fact that they asked us to play on Christmas means we're one of the good teams, one of the featured teams. ABC would continue to televise Christmas Day games through 1972. Celtics Coach Doc Rivers said that like most of the players, he always watched Christmas Day games growing up. Between 2012 and 2016, the NBA and Adidas produced special uniforms for the Christmas games. On November 1, 1946, the first NBA (at the time called the BAA) basketball game took place in Toronto, Canada. The game was between The New York Knicks and the Toronto Huskies at Maple Leaf Gardens and drew in over 7000 spectators, most who knew very little about basketball; The Knicks won 68-66. The league began playing Christmas games in 1947, and will … It was Dallas’ first Christmas Day game since 2011, when they got their championship rings and raised their banner, which was supposed to happen in late October, but was pushed to Christmas Day due to the lockout in the offseason, in which the season was shortened to 66 games. The first Christmas Day game was played 71 years ago: an 89-75 victory for the New York Knicks over the Providence Steam Rollers. The Knicks finished the season 23-59 and the Celtics went 67-15 en route to winning the NBA championship. The 70th edition of the NBA on Christmas Day will tip off on Monday. ET, ESPN/ABC): The battle in L.A. begins in earnest as LeBron James and Anthony Davis take on Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in an ultimate clash of superstar duos. The league once again has an impressive quintupleheader of games for the … [17] Bulls Coach Tom Thibodeau said, "I think it's an honor and a privilege to be playing. To allow the NBA to provide local ticket options click here.. He also now ranks second on the career Christmas Da This white jersey, a Size 52+6 inches extra length, is registered into the NBA and MeiGray Game-Worn Jersey Authentication Program as number LALW04284. The rebounding total remains a Christmas Day record and the scoring total was a record for 23 years. [29] The game between the Heat and the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers drawing a 7.3 rating, making it the second-highest rated NBA regular season game on ABC, trailing only the game between the two teams on Christmas Day in 2004, which drew a 7.9 rating. ET, ABC): Antetokounmpo, the reigning Kia MVP, takes on a stacked starting lineup led by Joel Embiid in Philadelphia. [4], In the early 1980s, the New York Knicks put on a show three years in a row. King became the third player to score at least 50 points on Christmas, joining Wilt Chamberlain (59 points in 1961) and Rick Barry (50 points in 1966). [14], As a result of a lockout in 2011, Christmas Day was also the season opener. The league showcases the next generation of stars during the NBA Draft in late June. With five games set for Christmas this year, including a NBA Finals rematch in one, and the NBA’s all-time Christmas Day scorer playing his final December 25th game in another. Bucks vs. 76ers (2:30 p.m. During the game between the Heat and the Lakers in 2010, players on both teams wore holiday sneakers. 1. During the 1990s, every Christmas but one featured a game involving either the New York Knicks or the Chicago Bulls, with the two teams playing against each other twice (in the Bulls championship season of 1992–93 and in 1994). 1994: Chicago Bulls 107, New York Knicks 104 (OT) Lakers coach Phil Jackson notched his 1,000th win, the fastest to do so and the sixth coach at the time to reach that milestone. [19] During the 2000s, the NBA showcased the Shaq–Kobe feud. ABC's doubleheader averaged a 5.5 rating and ESPN's three telecasts averaged a 1.8 household coverage rating, the highest averages for either network when airing multiple NBA games on Christmas Day. But this is my job and it's an honor to be playing on Christmas. | Box score | Highlights, 2008: Celtics’ win streak snapped — In a rematch of the 2007 Finals, the Lakers snapped the defending-champion Celtics’ 19-game winning streak with a 92-83 victory. That scoring total is currently the most points ever scored by a rookie during a Christmas Day game according to Basketball Reference. "[3] He set the record for most coaching victories on Christmas Day with 11, an achievement that Phil Jackson later matched in 2008. The 2019-20 campaign will mark the 72nd edition of the NBA on Christmas Day. The first NBA game … Some players have participated on Christmas Day as both player and coach. I know it's tough on the away team, particularly the players who have kids. Below, you will find the top individual performances in NBA Christmas day games entering 2018: Most Points in an NBA Christmas Game -60 Bernard King , December 25, 1984 , Knicks vs Nets "[17], Doug White, an ESPN executive, said that Christmas is "Thanksgiving on the NBA side. [6][21], In recent years, players and coaches have complained about playing on Christmas Day, saying that takes time away from families. In contrast, Major League Baseball is in its off-season during Christmas, the National Football Leagueonly schedules Christmas games when Christmas falls on the weekend (and even then only sch… He then beat Michael Jordan and the Bulls on a last-second jumper in 1986. The first telecast of an NBA game on Christmas Day dates back to the league's early years. In fact, he played more often on Christmas than on any other date on the calendar, playing his first in 1996 and his last in 2015.[1][8]. TNT aired the 10:30 PM game, the network’s first Christmas Day game since 2014. Here are a few standout games: 1961: Chamberlain dominates in defeat — Wilt Chamberlain scored 59 points and grabbed 36 rebounds, but his Philadelphia Warriors lost to the New York Knicks 136-135 in double overtime. The ESPN/ABC simulcast returned in 2019, when the Lakers, led by James and newly acquired Anthony Davis, faced 2x Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, newly acquired Paul George, and the LA Clippers, in the Battle of LA, resulting in a 111-105 Clippers comeback victory, in what could’ve been a preview to that season’s Western Conference Finals, but the Clippers lost in the Conference Semifinals to the Denver Nuggets. [1] Currently, five games are played on Christmas. Their 22 wins are the second most by a team on Christmas Day, [4] while their 31 losses are the most. Each February, the NBA All-Star Weekend attracts fans with the dunk and three-point contests as well as a high-scoring All-Star game. ET, ESPN): Williamson makes his rookie Christmas Day debut against top-three Kia MVP finisher Nikola Jokic and the rising Nuggets. James played in his 15th Christmas Day game, second most in NBA history. Performing well in an … In his last Christmas Day appearance, a 127-101 loss to the Lakers, Curry scored 15 points on 5 … Games held by the NBA on Christmas Day have turned into a tradition for a lot of fans over the years. It's...one of those days that you wish you could wake up in the morning with the kids and open up presents. During the 2018–19 season, a few teams wore a fifth alternate known as "Earned" uniforms; these were given as a reward for making the 2018 NBA playoffs. We're playing basketball on Christmas. Due to the 2011 NBA lockout, the season opener took place on Christmas Day that year. We have the opportunity to do that, bringing our families down with us. LeBron James has been in the spotlight since his NBA debut, so it's no surprise … [16][17] They would have met a third time in 1998, if there had not been a lockout. NBA Schedule Information. [5] Their most recent Yuletide appearance came in 2018 when they were defeated by the Milwaukee Bucks, 109-95, at Madison Square Garden. Several fans, players, coaches, and members of the news media support the tradition of Christmas games. In 2018, the NBA aired the Los Angeles Lakers-Golden State Warriors matchup on ESPN and ABC. In a matchup featuring star centers, Orlando’s Shaquille O’Neal had 22 points, 18 rebounds and five assists and Houston’s Hakeem Olajuwon notched 30 points, 12 rebounds and six assists. The 2019-20 NBA Christmas Day schedule is now official. Jerry Gross and Jack Twyman called that broadcast for ABC. Rockets vs. Warriors (5 p.m. [1] Since then, the NBA has played games every year on Christmas Day except in 1998 (when a lockout canceled half the 1998–99 season). NBA Games Played on December 25, 2008 Dec 24, 2008 Dec 25, 2008 Dec 26, 2008 January February March April May June July August September October November December It would have been really fun to be a basketball fan on Christmas Day in 1971, when a record 10 games … "[24], During broadcasts of NBA games, commentators and the news media have agreed with White and said that the nature of the games played has made Christmas Day the best day of an NBA regular season. This season’s slate of Christmas games features the four most recent Kia Most Valuable Players (Giannis Antetokoumpo, James Harden, Russell Westbrook and Stephen Curry), three of the four conference finalists from 2019, and the No.1 pick of the 2019 Draft (Zion Williamson). "[31], Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal as opponents, National Basketball Association criticisms and controversies, National Basketball Association on television, "Knicks, Kobe and more part of Christmas Day lore", "Gasol sparks Lakers' late run to end Celtics' win streak", "Bulls rally to stun Lakers on Rose's winner", "LeBron has triple-double, Heat rout Lakers", "Christmas Day clashes bring back fond memories", "NBA game: Knicks at L.A. Lakers Recap: Kobe Bryant scores 34 as Lakers drop Knicks to win 5th straight", "Magic-Thunder, Clippers-Warriors set for Christmas", "Humbug: Magic's Van Gundy opposed to NBA on Christmas", "Christmas games can be tough on those involved", "Phil Jackson Complains That NBA Schedules Games on Christmas Day", "Five games deliver record ratings on Christmas Day", "Heat-Lakers draws best rating since 2004", "TV ratings rise for NBA's season openers on Christmas Day", NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=National_Basketball_Association_Christmas_games&oldid=1004464713, Pages using multiple image with auto scaled images, Articles to be expanded from December 2020, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, New Orleans Hornets (2002–2005, 2007–2013), This page was last edited on 2 February 2021, at 18:44. The NBA's Christmas games have garnered some of the highest ratings for any televised regular season NBA game. "[27] From the Heat, LeBron James said, "if you ask any player in the league, we'd rather be home with our families...It's not just a regular holiday. All of these uniforms feature a particular theme, such as monochromatic designs ('Big Color') and chrome-treated logos ('Big Logo'). Bryant, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom wore lime-green Nike sneakers[9] while James and Chris Bosh wore holiday-red shoes with green laces. Archibald’s performance was part of a season in which he became the first player in NBA history to lead the league in scoring and assists. Houston Rockets at Golden State Warriors, 5 p.m., ABC. "[16], In 2004, the NBA was criticized for scheduling a game between the Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers. Calling the game were Marv Albert (himself a former Knicks broadcaster) and Steve Kerr. [3] According to Dr. Jack Ramsay, who coached the Portland Trail Blazers from 1976–77 (their only championship season) to 1986, "Christmas meant being at home with the family and having a game we always won. LeBron James led the Cavaliers with 31 points and 13 rebounds. [28] Such a pairing was unintentional, as the regular season was scheduled before the brawl took place. The full 2019-20 NBA schedule will be revealed during The Jump on Monday (3 p.m. [31] The Associated Press said of the large audiences: "NBA fans seem more excited about basketball's return than bitter about the lockout based on television ratings for the league's delayed openers. "[20][21] In 2010, Carey added "Oh Santa!"[21]. Since 2009, Christmas Day broadcasts on ESPN/ABC have featured a music video with Mariah Carey singing "All I Want for Christmas Is You. They serve as a preview of a potential series in the playoffs, and perhaps, the finals. The first showdown featuring Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal as opponents occurred on Christmas, 2004. | Box score, 1995: A Finals rematch — For the first time in NBA history, the teams from the previous season’s Finals met on Christmas Day the next season. The first NBA game played on December 25 came in 1947, a year after the NBA's inception, when the New York Knicks beat the Providence Steamrollers at Madison Square Garden 89–75. The NBA Christmas Day contests have featured some of the most memorable games ever played. We couldn't help it. Scottie Pippen performed a last-second block in 1994. A six-pack of Christmas nuggets to know going into this year’s slate of showcase NBA games on the holiday: Boston at Toronto, Milwaukee at Philadelphia, Houston at … [26], In 2010, there were complaints from both sides before the game between the Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles. From the Chicago Stags and Providence Steamrollers in 1947 through the Warriors and Lakers in 2019, the NBA has seen magnificent performances highlight the Christmas slate. This will be a shocker for fans who haven’t … The league began playing Christmas games in 1947, and will feature five games on the holiday for the sixth straight year. This was because of the matchup featuring LeBron James against Steph Curry and Kevin Durant. [11], The NBA does not schedule games on Christmas Eve, December 24, to allow players and coaches who have to play on Christmas Day to be with their families. Since ABC took over the NBA, ESPN has also broadcast games on Christmas Day (except in 2006). Chris Schenkel did play-by-play for ABC during this period with the exception of 1970, when Keith Jackson had the honors. Also on that day, ABC broadcast the Dallas Mavericks' 2011 Championship banner ceremony during their pre-game show. ET … | Box score, 2004: Shaq vs. Kobe — O’Neal and Kobe Bryant met for the first time since Shaq’s trade to the Miami Heat the previous offseason. [3] In most cases, two of the teams that play during the holiday are the teams that reached the finals the previous season, and often a rematch of the NBA Finals is scheduled. Date: Dec. 25, 2001 Score: New York Knicks 102, Toronto Raptors 94 The Knicks hosted the Raptors at Madison Square Garden for one of only two Christmas Day games on the NBA calendar that season. NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLC’s Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network. James became the fourth player to register a triple-double on Christmas Day, joining Robertson, John Havlicek and Billy Cunningham. [15] Because of this, Albert, who was also working for CBS’s NFL coverage, was forced to miss his scheduled Week 16 game the day before. This marked the first time in NBA history that a pre-game championship banner ceremony has been aired on a terrestrial television network; either Turner Sports or a regional sports network aired the ceremonies in previous years. Scottie Pippen goes for 27 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in what was, at the time, the best combined record for a Christmas Day matchup in NBA history; the Bulls were 24-3 and the Pistons were 20-5. Phil Jackson, who also participated as a player and coach, has been a part of at least 20 holiday games,[6] coaching on Christmas every year from 1990, with the exception of 1995 and 2004, until his retirement at the end of the 2010–11 season. The first nationally televised Christmas Day NBA broadcast occurred in 1967, when ABC broadcast a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and San Diego Rockets from San Diego. Way-Too-Early NBA Christmas Day preview: What to watch for on the NBA's biggest holiday. | Box score | Highlights. "[17] Raymond Felton said, "you'd rather be with your family. Since then, the NBA has played games every year on Christmas Day except in 1998 (when a lockout canceled half the 1998–99 season). From 1975-1989 (with the exception of 1982), CBS broadcast a game on Christmas Day. The league we know today began in 1946 as the Basketball Association of America. Well, at least on Christmas Day games. 1984: Bernard King Scores 60 Points. Obviously, Christmas Day is a day when everybody is home, everybody is relaxing, and what better way to serve them than with as many games as we possibly can...We try to put on the best games possible that people have interest in. [9] From 2009 to 2011, the Knicks wore their third jersey, the green/orange alternate which they first used exclusively for St. Patrick's Day. The game between the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center marked the first time since the Lakers traded Shaquille O'Neal to the Heat that the two teams were facing each other and the first time that Shaq and Kobe Bryant would be facing each other as opponents. Doc Rivers played with the Knicks in 1992 and coached the Boston Celtics from 2008 to 2013. This is the Knicks’ 50th game on Christmas, the most of any team in the NBA. This unique situation combined with the unveiling of a championship banner for the Mavericks in a finals rematch, and then to see the Lakers and the debut of Mike Brown as head coach, those things are all going to be very compelling."[15]. "[10], Lamar Odom called it "a tremendous privilege to be able to entertain the world...playing on TV in those games. "[25] Jermaine O'Neal on the Celtics agreed, saying, "It's special because the whole world is watching. [3], Before the game between the Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic at Amway Arena in 2009, personnel on both sides referred to playing on Christmas as a reward. Games held by the National Basketball Association (NBA) on Christmas Day, December 25, have been an annual tradition since the league's second season in 1947. 76ers vs. Celtics. Heading into this year’s slate of contests, there have been 444 NBA rookies who have played on Christmas since 1963. "[24] Magic Center Dwight Howard said that he didn't "see a challenge. ", Others have managed to voice some discontent while still accepting the Christmas game tradition. | Box score | Highlights, 1985: Ewing, Knicks stun Celtics — Rookie Patrick Ewing (32 points, 11 rebounds) and the Knicks rallied from a 25-point deficit to stun the defending Eastern Conference champion Celtics 113-104 in double overtime. He won his 1,000th game on Christmas Day in 2008. [1], After a season's NBA Finals comes to an end, officials from both the NBA and the network that broadcast the NBA meet to plan the schedule of games for the holiday during the upcoming season. | Box score | Highlights, 2016: Cavaliers stage epic comeback — The first matchup between the defending-champion Cavaliers and the runner-up Warriors since their thrilling 2015 Finals featured even more drama. These games drew larger audiences than the games in 2010. Many teams and players that have played on this day have worn special uniforms and sneakers. Thus, the NBA is the only league to regularly schedule games on December 25. The Knicks failed to pick up the win, but King cemented himself in history with his efforts. In front of a Madison Square Garden crowd, King torched the … In 2015 and 2016, Stance provided Christmas-themed socks for the games. "[3] In 2010, Knicks Coach Mike D'Antoni said that players should be "very fortunate" to be playing on Christmas Day and that "it helps the league, and...it helps other people on Christmas or on the holidays. The Knicks entered the game on a four-game home losing streak while the Raptors were riding a three-game winning streak. The first NBA game played on December 25 came in 1947, a year after the NBA's inception, when the New York Knicks beat the Providence Steamrollers at Madison Square Garden 89–75. With five games set for Christmas this year, including a NBA Finals rematch in one, and the NBA’s all-time Christmas Day scorer playing his final December 25th game in another. Coincidentally, the Lakers received their rings the same week (December 22 against the Clippers on TNT), due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in the previous season being suspended, which pushed the playoffs from early April-mid June to mid-August to mid-October, which also forced the 2020-21 season to be pushed to late December. I think it's fun. After Nike became the uniform provider in 2017, no Christmas-themed uniforms were produced. They are 22–31 on the holiday. None of those rookies scored as many points as LeBron did in Orlando. Since 1947, the NBA has been playing Christmas Day games in … The Knicks have a checkered history on the 25th. [3] Teams would usually play their geographical rivals to cut down on holiday travel and to allow them to have more time with their families.