Deck the halls with boughs of animosity.
For only the third time in history, basketball’s most storied rivalry will clash on the NBA’s marquee day.
The Celtics will travel to Los Angeles to take on LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers as part of five NBA games on Christmas Day, per NBA insider Shams Charania.
NBA’s Christmas Day games for the 2023-24 season, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium:
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 11, 2023
🎄Bucks @ Knicks
🎄76ers @ Heat
🎄Celtics @ Lakers
🎄Mavericks @ Suns
🎄Warriors @ Nuggets
The first time the Celtics and Lakers had a yuletide clash, Jerry West, Happy Hairston and Wilt Chamberlain poured in a combined 85 points in the Purple and Gold’s 123-113 win. Los Angeles also came out on top, 92-83, in 2008 behind 47 combined points from Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol.
Lakers vs Celtics - Christmas Day 2008
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) August 11, 2023
Instant Classic ❄️ pic.twitter.com/lLlxCDjPLh
As is tradition, the New York Knicks will open the Christmas slate with a 12 p.m. matchup with Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Milwaukee Bucks. After that, reigning MVP Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers will travel to take on the reigning Eastern Conference Champion Miami Heat.
The holiday hoops will continue on the other side of Celtics-Lakers with Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks battling the new three-headed monster in Phoenix before Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors travel to Denver to try and take down Nikola Jokic and the defending champions.
Boston has a 3-3 record on Christmas since drafting Jayson Tatum in 2017.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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