LeBron James sets NBA Christmas Day record in Los Angeles Lakers win

On By Littum

LeBron James claimed a history-making victory on Christmas Day as the Los Angeles Lakers cruised past the Golden State Warriors 115-113 in San Francisco.

The success, accomplished by Austin Reaves’ layup with one second remaining, moved the 39-year-old to become the NBA’s all-time leader in Dec. 25 wins with his 11th in 19 appearances.

The Lakers secured the victory despite losing big man Anthony Davis with a sprained left ankle eight minutes into the game

“It’s always tough to play without AD, so I guess our job is even bigger, we have to do a little bit more,” said James, who finished with 31 points.

“Everybody has to step in, especially on the defensive end because AD is our anchor. I thought the guys did a great job of just playing off each other, getting to where we wanted to get to offensively and also be able to buckle down and make timely stops against a really good offensive team.”

Despite the absence of Davis, the Lakers controlled most of the game but had a late scare.

Leading 109-100 with one minute and 30 seconds left, Stephen Curry scored eight points for the Warriors as they went on a 13-4 run, including two three-pointers with 12.2 and 7.6 seconds left to tie the game.

But Reaves drove to the basket for the game-winning score to finish with 26 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, while Curry had a game-high 38 points, including eight three-pointers, tying the NBA record for a Christmas game.

Elsewhere, Victor Wembanyama had 42 points, 18 rebounds, four assists and four blocks in his Christmas Day debut, but his efforts were in vain as the San Antonio Spurs lost 117-114 to the New York Knicks.

The Knicks were led by a season-high 41 points from Mikal Bridges – the second most by a Knicks player on Christmas Day behind Bernard King’s 60-point effort in 1984.

And Anthony Edwards scored 26 points as visiting Minnesota claimed a 105-99 victory over Dallas, which was without star Luka Doncic in the second half after suffering a calf strain late in the second quarter.