Getty
LeBron James appeared in his 20th Christmas game as the Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Houston Rockets 119-96. James finished the game with 18 points, five assists, and two rebounds.
He shot 1-for-3 from deep and his lone three-pointer, put him in first as the all-time leader of three-pointers made on Christmas with 32.
In his 23rd year, James continues to go out and prove why he’s one of the greatest to play this game. Kevin Durant enjoys each battle that he has with James on the court.
“I feel like the standard that LeBron has set for greatness and loving the game and enthusiasm for the game is something I’m trying to emulate as I get older,” Durant said in an article from the Houston Chronicle. “I’m just grateful for every matchup that we have.”
The NBA has seen James play for over two decades and there is so much he has accomplished throughout his career. His presence will be missed when he decides to walk away from the game for good.
A Christmas Tradition for LeBron James
Since 2007, James has spent part of his Christmas playing basketball. He is the active leader in games played on Christmas with 20.
The first NBA game on Christmas dates back to 1947, and since then there is no other player in NBA history who’s appeared in more games.
“It’s the game I love, it’s the game I watched when I was a kid on Christmas Day watching a lot of the greatest,” James told reporters. “It’s always been an honor to play it, obviously I’m going to be completely honest, I would like to be home on the couch with my family all throughout the day. But my number is called, our number is called so we have to go out and perform, and I look forward to that.”
James understands he has a job to do, and even though he would rather be with his family for Christmas, he knows he has to go out there and do all he can to put his team in a position to win. And for him, it just so happens that for the last 19 years, he’s played in a game on Christmas.
When you look at the stats for games on Christmas, James’ name is at the top of numerous lists. Other than being the active leader in games played and three-pointers made, he’s the all-time leader in field goals made with 187. He’s also fifth in rebounds with 145 and second in assists with 142.
Was this LeBron James’ Last Christmas Game?
James, who turns 41 on December 30th, has played in the NBA since he was 18. He is currently the oldest player in the league and while he has not mentioned when he is going to retire, that thought has a lot of people asking when the future Hall of Famer will hang the shoes up.
If James did decide to retire from the league after this season, he would have played in his last Christmas game against Houston. In his Christmas debut back in 2003, James dropped 34 points and had six assists as the Cleveland Cavaliers lost to the Orlando Magic.
Even in year 23, James continues to dominate and show why he’s one of the best in the league and he’s not letting his age slow him down one bit.