Bernard King, a legend of the New York Knicks, gave the best Christmas Day performance ever. Against the local New Jersey Nets, he was a walking bucket, registering 60 points, seven rebounds, and four assists in the game’s conclusion. Yet, the Knicks fell short, 120–114. The record for most points scored in a game on Christmas Day belongs to King.

During their time together with the Lakers, Shaq and Kobe established one of the greatest tandems in NBA history, winning three straight titles. Shaq was traded to the Miami Heat after their rivalry reached a boiling point. It was their first time playing against one another. Shaq scored 24 points and pulled down 11 rebounds in a game that was anticipated for obvious reasons. With 42 points, 6 assists, and 3 rebounds, Kobe had an incredible game. In overtime, Shaq and the Heat prevailed, 104-102.

The guy who popularized the underhanded free-throw shot is Rick Barry. Barry, in just his second season, led the way with 50 points in a decisive 124–112 victory against the Oscar Robertson–led Cincinnati Royals. After the Golden State Warriors and Barry won the 1975 NBA Finals, Barry was named Finals MVP later in his career.

Wilt Chamberlain, the only NBA player to score 100 points in a single game, requires no introduction. His Christmas Day stat lines were still insane. With 36 rebounds and 59 points, Chamberlain was dominant. Regretfully, Chamberlain is this list’s rare loser. In double overtime, Chamberlain’s Warriors were defeated by the Knicks by a single point.

Oscar Robertson, the star point guard for the Cincinnati Royals, put on a scorching performance against the Lakers despite the cold. He finished with 40 points, 17 assists, and 12 rebounds. Even with Robertson’s incredible effort, the Lakers prevailed in the match. Back then, Robertson was a walking triple-double. The only players in NBA history to average a triple-double in a season are him and Russell Westbrook.

Michael Jordan is listed on what NBA list? The New York Knicks were defeated by the GOAT with 42 points. The Bulls led by Jordan defeated the Knicks as usual. That year, the Bulls completed the first three-peat by defeating Charles Barkley and the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals.

This game for Christmas Day quickly became a classic. In their inaugural season together, the Miami Heat Big Three took on the reigning champion Los Angeles Lakers. LeBron James played carelessly and finished with 27 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists for a triple-double. The Miami Heat defeated the Lakers, led by Kobe Bryant, 96–80. We were unfortunate not to witness Kobe and LeBron in the championship game. Watching them compete one-on-one on TV was always a must.

The Boston Celtics defeated the Baltimore Bullets 113-99 behind 16 points and 34 rebounds from Celtics legend Bill Russell. With Russell as their star player, the Celtics were in the midst of their dynasty that would win 11 titles in the 1950s and 1960s. The greatest NBA winner in history is Russell.

Had Tracy McGrady been able to maintain his health. He engaged in a thrilling, close-quarters hardwood duel with a rookie named LeBron James. Against a young Cleveland Cavaliers team, McGrady scored 41 points, dished out 11 assists, and pulled down eight rebounds in a 113-101 overtime victory. McGrady was one of the most effective scorers in the game during the 2000s.

Kevin Durant was a star player for the Oklahoma City Thunder before he moved to Golden State and won back-to-back titles. Durant, one of the all-time great scorers, scorched the Denver Nuggets with 44 points, playing perfectly on-brand. The Thunder prevailed 114-106 to claim the victory.

He truly is The Human Highlight Film, after all. As usual, Wilkins led the Atlanta Hawks to a 106-100 victory over the 76ers, contributing 45 points, nine rebounds, and three assists. One of the best dunkers of all time, Wilkins is a criminally underappreciated player from the 1980s.

In this exciting game on Christmas Day, the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers rekindled their rivalry. With a clutch play, Kyrie Irving scored 40 points and pulled down 10 rebounds. The 76ers were defeated by the Celtics 121-114 in overtime. During his brief time with the Celtics, this was one of his best games.

Jerry West, the face of the logo, was unafraid of the limelight. In a 134-126 shootout loss to the New York Knicks, he scored 47 points. When the Lakers won the championship in 1972, West received his ring.

After Michael Jordan stopped playing baseball and retired, Scottie Pippen assumed leadership of the Chicago Bulls. Against the New York Knicks, he recorded 36 points, 16 rebounds, five steals, three assists, and two blocks in an excellent all-around performance. The Bulls defeated the Knicks 107-104 in overtime to give the people of Chicago a Christmas present.

Throughout his career, Nate “Tiny” Archibald of the Kansas City Kings was a formidable offensive player. With 34 points and 11.4 assists per game, he was the last player to lead the NBA in scoring and assists for a season in 1973. That year on Christmas Day, Archibald devastated the Milwaukee Bucks with 20 points and 18 assists in a loss. In any case, neither Kareem Abdul-Jabbar nor Oscar Robertson had any responses for the point deity. Near the end of his career, in 1981, Archibald won a championship with the Boston Celtics after playing for the Kansas City Kings for the majority of his career.

In a thrilling comeback win that required double overtime, rookie Patrick Ewing lifted the city of New York and defeated the Boston Celtics, who would go on to win the championship. For 32 points and 11 rebounds, Ewing went off. This game made Ewing famous.

Kawhi Leonard, having just won his first championship with the Toronto Raptors, packed his bags to play for the Clippers in the bright lights of Los Angeles. The two-way threat faced off against LeBron James and the Lakers in The Battle for LA in his first Christmas game as a Clipper. With 33 points, Leonard lived up to the hype and helped the Clippers win 116-107.

Whatever you want to call him—Steph Curry, Chef Curry, the Baby-faced Assassin—he was unstoppable against the Phoenix Suns, recording 33 points, six assists, and four rebounds in the game. Steph Curry and Chris Paul, two of the greatest point guards of all time, squared off in another primetime matchup. It has been entertaining to watch them protect one another over the years.

In this Christmas matchup, Dwayne Wade—the greatest player in Heat history—showed up and recorded 23 points, seven assists, and six rebounds. Wade’s clutch playmaking helped the Heat defeat Kobe Bryant and the Lakers.

At this time, the NBA’s star player was none other than NBA legend Julius Erving. The 76ers defeated the New York Knicks 109-94 thanks in large part to the 22 points, six assists, and six rebounds that Dr. J contributed. In the 1970s and 1980s, the darting dunker led a number of outstanding Philadelphia basketball teams. In the 1983 NBA Finals, he and Moses Malone combined to thrash the Lakers, earning him his championship ring.