Yeah baby, Austin powers Lakers to Xmas win

• No Australians played on Christmas Day
• New York Knicks 117 def. San Antonio Spurs 114
• Minnesota Timberwolves 105 def. Dallas Mavericks 99
• Philadelphia 76ers 118 def. Boston Celtics 114
• Los Angeles Lakers 115 def. Gold State Warriors 113
• Phoenix Suns 110 def. Denver Nuggets 100

Christmas Day in the NBA featured thrilling matchups and standout performances. The New York Knicks edged the Spurs 117-114, with Mikal Bridges scoring 41 points despite Victor Wembanyama’s 42-point effort. The Timberwolves defeated the Mavericks 105-99, led by Anthony Edwards’ 26 points, while Kyrie Irving’s 39-point heroics weren’t enough after Luka Doncic’s early exit.

The Suns beat the Nuggets 110-100, with Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal each scoring 27 points. Nikola Jokic’s 25-point, 15-rebound performance couldn’t stop Phoenix’s balanced attack. In Boston, Tyrese Maxey’s 33 points and Joel Embiid’s defensive dominance propelled the 76ers to a 118-114 upset over the Celtics, despite Jayson Tatum’s 32-point effort.

The Lakers edged the Warriors 115-113, with Austin Reaves’ game-winning layup completing his 26-point triple-double. LeBron James added 31 points, while Steph Curry’s 38-point explosion kept it close. The day’s games delivered drama and key results in the playoff race.

Denver Nuggets @ Phoenix Suns

In a clash of Western Conference heavyweights, the Phoenix Suns out-duelled the Denver Nuggets 110-100 (Game Centre) on Christmas Day at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

The dynamic duo of Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal led the charge for Phoenix, each pouring in 27 points to propel the Suns to their third straight victory and further solidify their playoff positioning. Devin Booker was out.

The contest began as a back-and-forth affair, with the Nuggets jumping out to an early lead behind the sublime play of Nikola Jokic. The reigning MVP showcased his full repertoire, scoring from all areas of the court and finding open teammates with pinpoint passes. However, the Suns weathered the storm and closed the first quarter strong, taking a 38-34 advantage into the second period.

The Suns' second unit, led by the energetic play of Josh Okogie and Monte Morris, provided a crucial spark off the bench. Okogie's hustle plays and Morris's steady hand running the offence helped Phoenix extend their lead to double digits midway through the third quarter.

Despite a valiant effort from Jokic, who finished with a game-high 25 points and 15 rebounds, the Nuggets simply couldn't match the Suns' scoring down the stretch. Phoenix's suffocating defence forced 16 Denver turnovers, converting those miscues into easy transition baskets and momentum-swinging plays.

Phoenix dished out 31 assists compared to Denver's 20. The Suns also held a significant advantage in the steals department, pilfering the ball 12 times to the Nuggets' three. These extra possessions proved crucial in a game where both teams shot nearly identical percentages from the field.

While Durant and Beal rightfully garnered most of the attention, it was the all-around brilliance of Tyus Jones that truly exemplified Phoenix's team-first approach. The backup point guard, thrust into a starting role due to injuries, delivered a near-flawless performance with 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting, including a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc. Jones also added four assists and just one turnover in 30 minutes of play.

The victory pushes the Suns to 15-14 on the season, keeping them firmly in the mix for a top-six seed in the competitive Western Conference. For Denver, the loss drops them to 16-12 and continues a concerning trend of struggles away from home, where they now sit at just 8-8.

Los Angeles Lakers @ Golden State Warriors

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves beat Andrew Wiggins off the dribble and finished with the left-leg, left-handed scoop to win the ball game for the visitors 115-113 Chase Center (Game Centre) at the Chase Center on Christmas Day.

Moments before Steph Curry hit a near 30-foot, wide open three to tie the game. Out a JJ Reddick timeout, the Warriors did a great job on denying Lebron James the ball but it came to Reaves who faked right and drove left to win the game.

Before that Curry hit a ridiculous corner three with James' hand right in his face to bring the game to within a point but clutch Reaves free throws made it a 3-point game, setting up the game's greatest ever shooter to knock down the tying long range bomb.

The contest was a back-and-forth affair, with neither team able to establish a commanding lead throughout the first three quarters. The Lakers held a slim 84-76 advantage heading into the final frame, but the Warriors, spurred on by their raucous home crowd, mounted a furious comeback. Curry, who finished with a game-high 38 points, caught fire in the fourth quarter, draining several long-range bombs to keep Golden State within striking distance.

Reaves finished with a 26-10-10 triple double on 8-from-20 from the field. The Lakers needed it after superstar Anthony Davis left the game after a little more than seven minutes with an ankle sprain.

Watch the last 2:53 minutes of this Christmas Day Cracker

Both teams shot efficiently from the field, with the Lakers connecting on 45.1% of their attempts compared to the Warriors' 46.1%. The difference came from beyond the arc, where Los Angeles outpaced Golden State, hitting 15 three-pointers to the Warriors' 18, despite taking three fewer attempts. The Lakers also showcased their prowess at the free-throw line, going a perfect 18-for-18, while the Warriors struggled, managing only 13-of-17 from the charity stripe.

LeBron James finished with 31 points, four rebounds, 10 assists and a monster block that had commentator Mike Breen repeating the famous "BLOCKED BY JAMES" from the NBA Finals. James' all-around brilliance was on full display, as he consistently made the right plays in crucial moments.

For the Warriors, Curry's 38-point explosion wasn't enough to secure the win, but it further cemented his status as one of the game's most electrifying performers. Andrew Wiggins contributed a solid 21 points and 12 rebounds, while Draymond Green, despite scoring only three points, made his presence felt with 10 rebounds, six assists, and four blocks.

The victory improves the Lakers' record to 17-13, providing a much-needed boost as they continue to navigate a competitive Western Conference. For the Warriors, now 15-14, the loss is a setback in their quest to climb the standings and secure a playoff berth.

The Lakers will return home to face the Sacramento Kings on December 29, 2024, while the Warriors go on the road to face arch rival Los Angeles Clippers on December 28, 2024.

Philadelphia 76ers @ Boston Celtics

In a stunning upset at TD Garden, the Philadelphia 76ers overcame the Boston Celtics with a thrilling 118-114 victory (Game Centre) on Christmas Day.

It is the first time the Celtics have lost back-to-back games this season after Tyrese Maxey took over in the fourth quarter with both Joel Embiid and Paul George riding the pine.

NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins declared before tip-off it was Tyrese's team only for Stephen A. Smith to scoff. But it's hard to argue with Maxey dominating the NBA champions down the stretch.

Philadelphia has won four out of its past five but entered the game as significant underdogs.

Maxey set the tone early, carving up Boston's vaunted defence with his lightning-quick drives and pinpoint passing. Philadelphia built a 66-58 halftime lead behind Maxey's 18 first-half points and Embiid's dominant presence in the paint.

However, the Celtics roared back in the third quarter, outscoring the 76ers 24-16 to knot the game at 82 heading into the final frame. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown took turns attacking the rim, while Al Horford provided a spark with his outside shooting.

The Boston faithful sensed another comeback victory in the making.

But Embiid had other plans. The reigning MVP asserted his will in the fourth quarter leading the the 76ers' defence, which had struggled in recent weeks, came up with crucial stops down the stretch to preserve the victory.

The stat sheet tells the tale of Philadelphia's upset win. The 76ers shot a good but not great 42.5% from three-point range, including a scorching 7-from-9 performance from Caleb Martin. They also dominated the turnover battle, forcing 13 Boston miscues while committing only 6 of their own. Perhaps most impressively, Philadelphia went a perfect 19-of-19 from the free-throw line, with Embiid and Maxey combining to go 13-for-13.

Tyrese Maxey was the engine that drove Philadelphia's offence all night. The dynamic guard finished with a game-high 33 points and 12 assists, repeatedly breaking down Boston's perimeter defence and creating opportunities for his teammates.

For the Celtics, this loss serves as a wake-up call after their stretch of dominance. Tatum (32 points, 15 rebounds) and Brown (23 points) put up solid numbers, but Boston's supporting cast struggled to make an impact. The team's 13 turnovers and uncharacteristically poor free-throw shooting (8-for-13) proved costly in such a tightly contested game.

Looking ahead, both teams face crucial stretches in their schedules. The 76ers will look to build on this signature win as they embark on a four-game homestand, starting with a matchup against the surging Indiana Pacers on Friday. For Boston, they'll aim to bounce back quickly with a nationally televised showdown against the Milwaukee Bucks on Christmas Day.

With this victory, Philadelphia improves to 12-17 and gains some much-needed momentum in their push for playoff positioning. The Celtics, meanwhile, fall to 22-8 but maintain their grip on the Eastern Conference's top seed.

Minnesota Timberwolves @ Dallas Mavericks

The Minnesota Timberwolves weathered a late rally from the Dallas Mavericks to secure a 105-99 victory on the road on Christmas Day.

Anthony Edwards led the charge with 26 points, including crucial buckets down the stretch, as the Wolves snapped a three-game losing streak and dealt a blow to Dallas' hopes of climbing in the Western Conference standings.

The Timberwolves dominated for much of the contest, building a lead as large as 20 points in the third quarter. Their suffocating defense and balanced attack kept the Mavericks at bay, with Rudy Gobert anchoring the paint and Mike Conley orchestrating the offence. However, the home side roared back in the fourth quarter, led by a heroic effort from Kyrie Irving, who poured in 39 points after Dallas superstar Luka Doncic left the game in the first half with a calf strain.

The Mavericks' comeback bid was fuelled by Irving's hot hand and timely three-pointers from Klay Thompson. But just when it seemed the momentum had shifted, Edwards stepped up with a clutch three-pointer and a tough finish at the rim in the final minutes to seal the win for Minnesota.

The statistics tell the tale of a game won in the trenches. Minnesota out-rebounded Dallas 46-42 and dominated points in the paint, 44-28. The Timberwolves' efficiency was evident in their 46.5% shooting from the field compared to the Mavericks' 41.9%. Perhaps most crucially, Minnesota's bench outscored Dallas' reserves 27-21, providing the depth that proved decisive in the end.

Anthony Edwards' performance was nothing short of spectacular. The young star not only led all Timberwolves scorers but also contributed across the board with eight rebounds, five assists, and two steals.

For the Mavericks, Kyrie Irving's 39-point outburst was a silver lining in defeat. Despite the loss, Irving's scoring prowess and ability to almost single-handedly bring Dallas back into the game highlighted his importance to the team's playoff aspirations. However, the Mavericks will need to address their defensive lapses and find more consistent scoring support for Irving and Luka Doncic.

Looking ahead, both teams face critical stretches in their schedules. The Timberwolves (15-14) stay on the road, heading to Houston to take on the Rockets on December 28, 2024. The Mavericks (19-11), meanwhile, embark on a tough three-game road trip starting with the Phoenix Suns on December 28, 2024, as they look to bounce back and solidify their position in the playoff race.

San Antonio Spurs @ New York Knicks

Mikal Bridges played Father Christmas for the New York Knicks faithful, delivering a season-high 41 points in a performance that left the sellout crowd in a festive mood.

New York Knicks held off a late surge from the San Antonio Spurs to secure a 117-114 victory (Game Centre) at Madison Square Garden in the first game on Christmas Day.

It was a tale of two halves, with the Spurs taking a 58-51 lead into the break behind Victor Wembanyama's dominant presence. However, the Knicks stormed back in the third quarter, outscoring San Antonio 37-25 to seize control. Bridges caught fire, pouring in 18 points in the period as New York's defence clamped down on the Spurs' young stars.

San Antonio refused to go quietly, with Wembanyama showcasing his generational talent down the stretch. The 7-foot-4 phenom finished with a monstrous stat line of 42 points, 18 rebounds, and four blocks, keeping the Spurs within striking distance until the final buzzer. But it was the Knicks' balanced attack and timely defensive stops that ultimately sealed the win.

While the Spurs shot a blistering 50.6% from the field, including 42.1% from beyond the arc, the Knicks countered with a significant advantage on the offensive glass. New York grabbed 17 offensive rebounds to San Antonio's eight, leading to crucial second-chance points. The Knicks also took better care of the ball, committing just 5 turnovers compared to the Spurs' 15.

Bridges' career night was the headline, but it was his efficiency that truly stood out. The 27-year-old wing connected on 17-from-25 shots, including 6-from-9 from three-point range. His ability to score from all three levels kept the Spurs' defence off-balance throughout the contest.

While Bridges stole the show, the Knicks received key contributions across the board. Jalen Brunson, who's father Rick played in the NBL, overcame a poor shooting night to finish with 20 points and nine assists, while Karl-Anthony Towns added 21 points and nine rebounds. Josh Hart's all-around effort of 12 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists epitomised New York's gritty approach.

For the Spurs, Wembanyama's brilliance was a silver lining in defeat. The rookie sensation showcased his unicorn-like skill set, hitting six three-pointers while also protecting the rim with authority. His 42-point outburst marked the highest-scoring game by a rookie on Christmas Day since 1963.

The victory improves the Knicks' record to 20-10, solidifying their position in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. They'll look to carry this momentum into a tough road trip, beginning with a visit to the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the Spurs fall to 15-15, but continue to show flashes of their exciting potential. They'll stay in New York to take on Ben Simmons' Brooklyn Nets on December 28, 2024, (Game Centre) while the Knicks go on the road to Orlando to face the Magic (Game Centre) on December 28, 2024.