Opening presents and spending time with loved ones have been part of many families’ traditions on Christmas Day for generations. The same goes for watching basketball.

As families around the world eagerly open presents, sounds and images emanate from televisions and fill living rooms. With this in mind, the NBA decided early on to schedule games on Christmas Day that would showcase the league’s top teams and best players to captivate television audiences.

Today, the NBA reaches viewers in more than 200 countries and territories on Christmas Day with broadcasts in more than 50 different languages.

Here are more facts about the NBA’s Christmas tradition:

What is the NBA’s schedule for Christmas Day 2024?

*All times Eastern

San Antonio Spurs at New York Knicks – Noon on ABC/ESPN/ESPN+

Minnesota Timberwolves at Dallas Mavericks – 2:30 p.m. on ABC/ESPN/ESPN+

Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics – 5 p.m. on ABC/ESPN/ESPN+

Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors – 8 p.m. on ABC/ESPN/ESPN+

Denver Nuggets at Phoenix Suns – 10:30 p.m. on ABC/ESPN/ESPN+

When did the NBA Christmas tradition begin?

The NBA began play on Christmas Day 1947, a year after the league was founded. The New York Knicks defeated the Providence Steamrollers 89-75 at Madison Square Garden in the league’s first Christmas game. Since then, the NBA has played games on Christmas Day every year except 1998, when a lockout canceled half of the 1998-99 season.

Which team played the most games on Christmas Day?

The Knicks have played the most games on Christmas Day with 56.

Which team has the most wins on Christmas Day?

The Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers have the most Christmas Day wins with 24 each.

Which team has the highest winning percentage on Christmas Day?

The Miami Heat have the highest winning percentage among active teams on Christmas Day at .857 (12-2 record), including their current nine-game winning streak. The Heat are undefeated on Christmas Day under current head coach Erik Spoelstra (9-0).

Which team has the longest winning streak on Christmas Day?

The Portland Trail Blazers won an NBA record 13 straight Christmas games from 1972 to 2007.

Which coach has the most wins on Christmas Day?

Phil Jackson and Jack Ramsay share the record for most wins as a head coach on Christmas Day with 11 wins each.

Which player has the most wins on Christmas Day?

LeBron James and Dwyane Wade have the most Christmas Day wins with 10 each.

Which player played the most Christmas games?

LeBron James is the career leader in Christmas games with 18.

Which player scored the most points on Christmas Day?

LeBron James is the career points leader on Christmas Day with 476 points.

Which player scored the most points in a single Christmas game?

Bernard King scored a Christmas record 60 points for the Knicks in a 120-114 loss to the New Jersey Nets at Madison Square Garden in 1984.

Only four players scored at least 50 points on Christmas Day:

1984: Bernard King, 60 vs. Nets

1961: Wilt Chamberlain, 59 at Knicks

2023: Luka Doncic, 50 at Suns

1966: Rick Barry, 50 with the Royals

Which player has the highest points average on Christmas Day?

Tracy McGrady has the highest scoring average of her career on Christmas Day with 43.3 points per game. McGrady scored at least 40 points in each of his three Christmas games.

Which player has the most rebounds on Christmas Day?

Bill Russell is the all-time leader in Christmas Day career rebounds with 176.

Which player has the most rebounds in a single Christmas game?

Wilt Chamberlain had a Christmas record 36 rebounds for the Philadelphia Warriors in a 136-135 double overtime loss to the Knicks at Madison Square Garden in 1961. The record for most rebounds in a regulation game on Christmas Day is shared by Chamberlain (1959) and Bill Russell (1965) with 34 each.

Which player has the most assists on Christmas Day?

Oscar Robertson is the all-time leader in Christmas Day assists with 145.

Which player has the most assists in a single Christmas game?

Guy Rodgers had a Christmas record 18 assists for the Chicago Bulls in a 133-132 loss to the Knicks at Madison Square Garden in 1966. Nate “Tiny” Archibald tied Rodgers’ record of 18 assists for the Kansas City-Omaha Kings a 104-99 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks in 1972.

Which player has the most blocks on Christmas Day?

Shaquille O’Neal is the best player on Christmas Day with 25 blocked shots.

Which player has the most blocks in a single Christmas game?

DeAndre Jordan had a Christmas record eight blocked shots for the Los Angeles Clippers in a 105-86 win at the Golden State Warriors in 2011.

Which player has the most steals on Christmas Day?

Russell Westbrook is the Christmas Day career steals leader at 29 years old.

Which player has the most steals in a single Christmas game?

Kyrie Irving had a Christmas-record seven steals for the Cleveland Cavaliers in a 109-108 win over the Golden State Warriors in 2016.

Which player made the most 3-pointers on Christmas Day?

James Harden is the Christmas Day career points leader with 31.

Which player made the most 3-pointers in a single Christmas game?

Grayson Allen (2023), Luka Doncic (2023) and Patty Mills (2021) each made a Christmas record eight 3-pointers in their respective holiday games. Allen and Doncic showed off their shooting prowess against each other. Doncic’s Dallas Mavericks defeated Allen and the Phoenix Suns 128-114.

Perfect from the foul line

Nikola Jokic finished the game with 26 points on 4-for-12 shooting, but made 18-18 free throws for the Denver Nuggets in a 120-114 win over the Warriors on Christmas Day in 2023. That’s the most free throws without a missed one Christmas Day game in NBA history.

Triple doubles on Christmas Day

Nine players recorded a triple-double on Christmas Day:

Nikola Jokic (2022)

Russell Westbrook (twice)

James Harden (2021)

Kemba Walker (2021)

Draymond Green (2017)

LeBron James (2010)

Billy Cunningham (1970)

John Havlicek (1967)

Oscar Robertson (four times)

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