SAN FRANCISCO – After becoming the NBA’s all-time leader in wins on Christmas Day – his 11th in his 19th appearance in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 115-113 victory over the Golden State Warriors – LeBron James was asked what still keeps him going makes Liga-Special in today’s sports landscape.

“LeBron and Steph (Curry),” James said with a smile.

In fact, the duo looked as dominant as ever on Wednesday, nearly a decade after the first of four consecutive showdowns in the NBA Finals and less than a week before James’ 40th birthday.

James led LA with 31 points on 12-for-22 shooting and had 10 assists with just one turnover.

Curry scored 17 of his game-high 38 points in the fourth quarter and evened the score with a 31-foot 3-pointer with 7.6 seconds left after Golden State trailed by as many as 10 points in the final period.

James’ performance was in demand for LA after Lakers big man Anthony Davis sprained his left ankle with 6:49 left in the first quarter when his sneaker got caught on the court as LA ended a defensive possession, which causing him to fall to the ground, wincing in pain as he grabbed his left leg.

Davis left the game and did not return. Afterwards, Davis told ESPN: “I’m fine. I’m playing Sac on Saturday” when LA hosts the Sacramento Kings. Davis’ status is officially normal, but he was able to walk without the aid of crutches or additional ankle support, sources told ESPN.

Despite Davis’ departure, the Lakers-Warriors continued a strong run of Christmas games in which Mikal Bridges scored 41 points and led the New York Knicks past the San Antonio Spurs, who emerged with 42 points and 18 rebounds from the second-year phenom Victor Wembanyama; a furious comeback by the Dallas Mavericks that fell short against 23-year-old superstar Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves; and a surprise win by the Philadelphia 76ers over the defending champion Boston Celtics thanks to 60 combined points from Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid.

And there was a send-off to James as he wrapped up an on-court interview with ESPN’s Lisa Salters at the end of the Lakers-Warriors telecast.

“I love the NFL,” James said. “But Christmas is our day.”

The NFL had two games on Christmas – the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 29-10 and the Baltimore Ravens beat the Houston Texans 31-2 – although Wednesday games are rare in the league.

“That’s a good answer,” Curry said when informed of James’ statement. “Basketball, I’ve been watching it since I woke up this morning. All five games. I’ll probably watch the second half of the Phoenix-Nuggets game and I know our play was so outstanding that you definitely feel privileged in those situations.”

And after Curry — in his 16th season — played a fourth Christmas game against the 22-year-old veteran James, he sounded wistful.

“It’s always a lot of fun,” Curry said. “For example, the competitive spirit, the history, its size. It just makes me appreciate everything we’ve been through, all the struggles back and forth and the fact that we’re still making it in 2024. And somehow the games are pretty electrifying and kind of a must-see TV situation…you don’t know how many opportunities you’re going to have on that kind of stage.

“That’s why it sucked to lose, just because these are those moments that are a little more important.”