LeBron James made his Christmas Day debut during his rookie season.
In the nearly two decades since then, he’s become synonymous with the NBA’s unofficial holiday.
When the Lakers and Nets meet on Dec. 25 of this season, it’ll mark the 16th time The King has played on Christmas Day including the 15th season in a row.
James has represented three different franchises on one of the NBA’s brightest stages, playing eight Christmas Day games as a Cavalier, four as a member of the Heat and three as a Laker.
Here is everything you need to know about LeBron James on Christmas.
NBA League Pass: Sign up to unlock live out-of-market games (7-day free trial)
LeBron James’ stats on Christmas Day
James has played 15 games on Christmas Day, posting averages of 25.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, 7.1 assists and 1.5 steals on 48.4 percent shooting from the field and 29.4 percent shooting from 3-point range. He’s recorded 10 wins and five losses.
James has 12 20-point games on Christmas Day, including four 30-point games. He’s had seven double-doubles and one triple-double.
LeBron James’ records on Christmas Day
Kobe Bryant is the NBA’s all-time leading scorer on Christmas Day with a total of 395 points. James is 13 points from passing Bryant in first place.
James is tied in first place with Dwyane Wade for most wins on Christmas Day (10). When he takes the floor against the Nets, James will tie Bryant for the most games played on Christmas Day (16).
James is one of six players to record a triple-double on Christmas Day, the others being Russell Westbrook, Draymond Green, Billy Cunningham, John Havlicek and Oscar Robertson.
According to Stathead, James ranks sixth all-time in rebounds (115), fourth in blocks (11), third in steals (23), second in assists (107) and is tied with Kevin Durant for first in 3-pointers made (25) on Christmas Day.
LeBron James’ best games on Christmas Day
In James’ first season in Miami, the Heat came up short against the Mavericks in the Finals.
Due to a lockout, the following season didn’t start until Christmas Day. The second matchup of the season? A rematch of the 2011 NBA Finals between the Heat and Mavericks in Dallas.
The Heat ran away with the win, defeating the Mavericks by a final score of 105-94 on a night in which the franchise raised its championship banner. James led the way with a game-high 37 points to go along with 10 rebounds and six assists. It’s the most points he’s ever scored on Christmas Day.
“We tried to play aggressive,” James said. “We’re a focused team. We had a great training camp. We came in with the same mindset we had at practice, use our speed and play with mental focus.”
James’ second-highest scoring game on Christmas Day came in his rookie season. In an overtime loss to the Magic, he finished with 34 points to Tracy McGrady’s 41-point, 11-assist double-double.
The one triple-double James has posted on Christmas Day came in 2010 when he finished with 27 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in a win over Bryant’s Lakers.
LeBron James’ career highs on Christmas Day
Points: 37 (at Mavericks, 2011)
Rebounds: 13 (vs. Warriors, 2016)
Assists: 12 (vs. Heat, 2007)
Steals: 4 (at Lakers, 2010)
Blocks: 2 (at Mavericks, 2011)
Field goals made: 13 (at Magic, 2003)
3-pointers made: 5 (at Lakers, 2010)
Free throws made: 15 (at Mavericks, 2011)
Turnovers: 8 (at Magic, 2003)
This news is republished from another source. You can check the original article here