NBA fans were feeling holly and jolly on Christmas Day because they were treated to the gifts of great basketball.
As usual, there were multiple games on the holiday and, as usual, they were all terrific.
However, there were a few major storylines and surprises that were noteworthy.
Christmas Day NBA games are always important because they force the biggest teams to go head-to-head and they also come at a pivotal time in the season when all NBA teams should be finding their footing and performing at the best of their abilities.
What impressed – and surprised – fans and analysts this Christmas Day?
3. The Suns Lose At Home
Before Christmas, the Phoenix Suns had an impressive 18-game home winning streak.
That all came to a crashing end thanks to Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors.
The Warriors ended up victorious with a 116-107 victory.
Most people expected the Suns to win because they almost never lose at home and rarely make missteps.
Additionally, the Warriors were short-staffed, with several players in COVID protocols and others injured.
Still, the Warriors outplayed their rivals and set the season record to 2-1 for them.
The Warriors came out of the gate with a bang, with an energetic first quarter that featured 10 assists, five steals, and 61.9 percent shooting from the field.
The Warriors set the tone in the first minute when they quickly put up six points in just 60 seconds.
Starting things off from distance 🎯#DraymondGreen || #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/im2OFmPcEV
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) December 25, 2021
The Suns should have known right away they were in for a rough time.
2. The Lakers Lose…Again
This was LeBron James‘ 16th Christmas Day game…and surely one of his most disappointing ones.
The Los Angeles Lakers lost – again – in a 122-115 defeat to the depleted Brooklyn Nets.
Most expected LA to pull this one out, mostly because the Nets are missing many stars because of COVID protocols, including Kevin Durant.
But that didn’t stop the Nets from putting LA away in their newly-christened Crypto.com Arena.
Was there any good news for Lakers fans in this loss?
Yes, firstly James made history as he passed Kobe Bryant and became the league’s all-time leading scorer on Christmas Day.
As well, the Lakers showed they had some fight in them as they fought back from a 23-point deficit and dominated in the fourth quarter.
Sadly, it just wasn’t enough and the Lakers claimed their fifth loss in a row.
This was a painful, surprising loss for LA and suggests that the team’s rough patch may continue for some time.
1. Bucks Rally For A Big Win
For a while, it looked like the reigning-champion Milwaukee Bucks were going to be taken down by the Boston Celtics.
But, surprisingly, they rallied hard and pulled out an impressive 117-113 win on their home court.
For most of the game, the Celtics were leading the way but the Bucks got it together in the second half of the game and came from behind to pull the win out.
They were down 19 points but ended up claiming the lead with just 30 seconds to go.
Giannis STUFFS it to end the 3Q 🧦
17 in the quarter for Giannis…4-point game entering the 4th on ABC. #NBAXmas pic.twitter.com/X503Buz0hk
— NBA (@NBA) December 25, 2021
It was a team effort, with some impressive plays from everyone including a rockstar performance from MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, as well as Wesley Matthews, and Khris Middleton.
Most Bucks fans had accepted a loss for most of the game but then their team gave them a pleasant Christmas Day surprise and proved they are still in contention for the best team in the East.
NEXT: Is Russell Westbrook A Problem For The Lakers?
