NBA Christmas Day Recap: Knicks Stun Cavaliers, Spurs Surge, and Rockets Dominate
Christmas day delivered a thrilling slate of NBA action, filled with dramatic comebacks, standout performances, and surprising results. Here’s a comprehensive look at all teh key takeaways from December 25th’s games.
Knicks Complete Epic Comeback Over Cavaliers
In a game for the ages, the New York Knicks overcame a daunting 17-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 106-105. Jalen Brunson was the catalyst, scoring 13 of his game-high 34 points in the final 7:15.
This marked the Knicks’ largest comeback win of the season, fueled by strong contributions from their bench. Jordan Clarkson added 25 points,while rookie Tyler Kolek impressed with 16 points and nine assists. Karl-Anthony Towns contributed a solid double-double of 11 points and 14 rebounds.
For Cleveland, Donovan Mitchell lead the way with 34 points, but the Cavaliers faltered down the stretch, suffering their first loss of the season when leading entering the fourth quarter. Darius Garland added a double-double of his own (20 points, 10 assists), and several bench players chipped in, but it wasn’t enough to hold off the surging Knicks.
Spurs continue Winning Streak,Down Thunder
The San Antonio Spurs continued their remarkable resurgence,handing the Oklahoma City Thunder their second consecutive loss with a 117-102 victory. De’Aaron Fox led the Spurs with 29 points, extending their winning streak to eight games – excluding their NBA Cup final loss to the Knicks.
This streak represents the Spurs’ longest since the 2018-19 season, and they’ve now defeated the Thunder three times this season. Victor Wembanyama, still working his way back from a calf injury, played nearly 26 minutes off the bench, contributing 19 points and 11 rebounds.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Oklahoma City with 22 points, but struggled from the field, shooting just 7-for-19.Isaiah Hartenstein added 13 points and 12 rebounds, but the Thunder couldn’t overcome the Spurs’ balanced attack.
Warriors Hold Off Mavericks in Curry-Flagg Duel
The Golden State Warriors secured a 126-116 victory over the Dallas Mavericks in a game that featured a compelling head-to-head between Stephen Curry and rookie sensation Cooper Flagg. While Flagg led all scorers with 27 points, Curry finished with 23 as the Warriors extended their Christmas Day appearance streak to 13 consecutive years.
A late rally by the Mavericks was quelled by a crucial dunk from Gary Payton II and a clutch three-pointer from Curry.Dallas suffered a meaningful blow with Anthony Davis exiting the game in the second quarter due to right groin spasms, finishing with just three points. Brandon Williams added 26 points for the Mavericks.
Rockets Dominate Lakers on the Road
The Houston Rockets delivered a dominant performance, defeating the Los Angeles lakers 119-96. amen Thompson led the Rockets with a game-high 26 points, while Kevin Durant added 25 as Houston controlled the game from start to finish.
Jabari Smith Jr. contributed 16 points, and Alperen Sengun posted a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds.The Rockets out rebounded the Lakers 48-25, showcasing their physicality and dominance in the paint.
luka Doncic paced the Lakers with 25 points and seven assists, and LeBron James added 18 points in his 19th Christmas Day game. However, the Lakers were hampered by Austin Reaves’ absence in the second half due to left calf soreness.
These games provided a memorable Christmas Day for NBA fans, showcasing the league’s exciting talent and competitive spirit. The Knicks’ comeback, the Spurs’ continued surge, and the Rockets’ dominant victory were just a few of the highlights from a day filled with basketball action.
