NBA Christmas Day 2019: How has LeBron James performed on Christmas Day?

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LeBron James on Christmas Day

When the Los Angeles Lakers host the Los Angeles Clippers, it will mark the 14th game and 13th consecutive that LeBron James will play on Christmas Day. 

He has a 9-4 record is his previous 13 Christmas Day games, tied second for the most wins all-time with Udonis Haslem (9-1) and Dick Van Arsdale (9-3). 

In his previous 13 games on Christmas, he averages 26.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 1.5 steals. Among active players, he ranks at the top of the charts for all major stats - points (1st - 338), rebounds (2nd - 99), assists (1st - 87), steals (2nd - 20), and blocks (tied 5th - 10).

Memorable games

2003: Duel with Tracy McGrady as a rookie

James joined a list of Hall of Fame players like Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson and Patrick Ewing to make their Christmas Day debuts as a rookie. Although his Cleveland Cavaliers lost 101-113 to the Orlando Magic, he did provide plenty of entertainment in his duel with Tracy McGrady. 

While James finished with 34 points (13-28 FG's), McGrady went off for 41 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds in the overtime victory.

2010: Triple-double at Staples Center vs. the Los Angeles Lakers

At the time, LeBron James was only the fourth player in NBA history to record a triple-double on Christmas.

He finished with 27 points (8-14 FG's), 11 rebounds, and 10 assists as the newly-formed superteam of James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh came into Staples Center and handed the two-time defending champions - the Los Angeles Lakers - a 96-80 defeat. 

2012: Duel vs. KD

This was a rematch of the 2012 NBA Finals and it didn't disappoint. 

Kevin Durant came to Miami and dropped an efficient game-high 33 (11-21 FG's) but James recorded a near triple-double with 29 points (12-20 FG's), 9 assists, and 8 rebounds in 42 minutes to ensure the Heat won this close encounter 103-97.

2014: Return to Miami

After four very successful years with the Miami Heat, James returned home in the offseason of 2014 to sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The first of his four games against the Heat in the 2014-15 season came on Christmas Day.

Despite 30 points (9-16 FG's) and eight assists from James, the Heat spoiled his return to the AmericanAirlines Arena with a 101-91 win behind a great performance by Dwyane Wade - 31 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.

2016: Duel vs. KD 

Six years after James formed his super team in Miami, Kevin Durant joined a team, in the offseason of 2016, that had won 73 games in the previous season. And now he was travelling with his Warriors superteam to Cleveland to take on the defending champions - the Cavaliers.

Although the game was settled with Kyrie Irving's game-winner, James and Durant were the top contributors for each team. Once again, Durant dropped a game-high 36 points to go along with 15 rebounds and three assists while James finished with 31 points (12-22 FG's), 12 rebounds, four assists and two steals in the 109-108 win.

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