NBA Christmas Day takeaways: LeBron James breaks Kobe’s record; Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo dominate

It won’t have been the way in which that the NBA and its followers envisioned the Christmas Day schedule enjoying out however, regardless of the noticeable absences, there was loads of thrilling basketball performed on Saturday all through the league’s five-game slate. Ultimately, it was the New York Knicks, Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets and Utah Jazz that got here away with Christmas Day victories however there have been loads of spectacular particular person performances as effectively.

LeBron James turned the league’s all-time main scorer on Christmas Day passing Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant for the highest spot on that individual listing. Kemba Walker and James Harden each recorded triple-doubles for his or her respective groups in wins for New York and Brooklyn. Giannis Antetokounmpo introduced his return to the Bucks in a giant means after clearing the league’s well being and security protocols. Lastly, Donovan Mitchell helped Utah overcome an early deficit to take down the shorthanded Dallas Mavericks.

Listed below are 5 key takeaways from the Christmas Day slate.

1. LeBron passes Kobe on Christmas Day scoring listing

Los Angeles Lakers ahead LeBron James made some vacation historical past on Saturday. Along with his level manufacturing towards the Brooklyn Nets, James handed Kobe Bryant to turn out to be the NBA‘s all-time main scorer on Christmas.

Bryant scored 395 complete factors in 16 profession Christmas video games. Coming into Saturday’s contest, James wanted simply 13 factors to cross the Lakers legend, and he formally eclipsed Bryant with a pair of free throws late within the second quarter.

Saturday’s matchup marked the sixteenth time that James has performed on Christmas Day, which ties him with Bryant for essentially the most all-time. Throughout these video games, the star ahead has put collectively averages of 25.5 factors, 7.6 rebounds, and seven.1 assists whereas capturing 29.4 p.c from past the arc.

2. Kemba continues to shine shiny for Knicks

Kemba Walker recorded the seventh Christmas triple-double in NBA historical past and first for a Knick. (This was New York’s 54th Christmas recreation, a league-high.) He did not shoot significantly effectively (3 for 12 total, 2 for 9 from deep) however, outdoors of Randle, did the lion’s share of the playmaking, with Derrick Rose recovering from ankle surgical procedure, Immanuel Quickley reconditioning after a stint within the well being and security protocols and Miles McBride nonetheless in protocols. When Walker checked out after enjoying 40 minutes, the Madison Sq. Backyard crowd stood up and chanted his identify.

This follows Walker’s 44-point efficiency towards the Washington Wizards on Thursday. Walker didn’t play a single minute in between Nov. 26 and Dec. 18.

3. Giannis dominates in return

The Bucks have been with out their main man for the previous 5 video games as a result of being within the league’s COVID-19 protocols, however after being cleared on Christmas Eve, Giannis made a splash in his return to the lineup. Not solely did he lead all scorers with 36 factors, however he completely dominated the second half and helped lead the Bucks to a comeback win over the Celtics. It wasn’t straightforward, particularly as Boston’s protection tried to do all the pieces in its energy to try to comprise Antetokounmpo. It labored within the first half, because the Greek Freak had simply seven factors by two quarters whereas going simply 3 of 8 from the sphere.

The Celtics did an incredible job of sending two defenders at him as he got here downhill towards the basket, and making it troublesome for him to get pictures up as they tried to swat the ball from his arms earlier than he had sufficient time to enter a euro step. However then the second half occurred, and Antetokounmpo settled into the sport and commenced to take over. 

4. Curry, Porter come up clutch for Warriors in win over Suns

It speaks to Curry’s impression that he can shoot that poorly and nonetheless find yourself a plus-24 for the sport. His 33 factors have been his career-high on Christmas.

I like that he offset his capturing struggles by attacking off the dribble. He has struggled to complete within the paint this 12 months; he was higher on Saturday, and he bought himself to the free-throw line 9 instances, hitting eight. Curry is taking extra 3-pointers than he has at any level in his profession, however it behooves him to not neglect concerning the different two ranges of scoring, if for rhythm functions solely.

Because the Suns employed the acquainted defensive technique of promoting out to comprise Curry, Otto Porter, who’s trying like one of many league’s higher low-level offseason pickups (he is on a minimal contract), put the ending touches on this win for the Warriors, scoring 13 of his 19 factors within the fourth quarter, together with 10 within the remaining 5 minutes and the sport’s remaining seven factors.  

5. Tough evening for Russ

One star that did not fairly stay as much as his billing was Russell Westbrook. The field rating will inform you he had a triple-double (13 factors, 12 rebounds, 11 assists), which can appear to be an excellent recreation till you understand he was 4-for-20 from the sphere and completed as a team-worst minus-23. He additionally failed to complete a number of possibilities across the rim, together with a devastating missed dunk that may have introduced the Lakers inside a degree with 26 seconds remaining.

With LeBron dominant and Carmelo Anthony stuffing the stat sheet (17 factors, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, three blocks, two steals), the Lakers principally wanted a median recreation from Westbrook on the offensive finish, they usually simply did not get it. Credit score to Westbrook for not letting his poor capturing evening impression his effort — he led the group with 5 offensive rebounds that created a number of the Lakers’ 20 second-chance factors, however he is simply going to must carry out higher with Davis out of the lineup if the Lakers are going to place some wins collectively.