LEBRON JAMES is the hardest working sportsman on Christmas with a busy schedule only Santa could match.
The 38-year-old basketball icon is regularly delivering buckets and entertainment on the holiday while others tear into gifts.
3LeBron James will play his 18th game on Christmas DayCredit: Getty
3Stephen Curry has also become a Christmas Day regular in the NBACredit: EPA
3With five games in a row, Christmas is one of the busiest days in the NBA’s season.Credit: Getty Outside of the United States, the idea of live events on Christmas Day is almost unimaginable.
But it’s one of the most important events in NBA history, and for James, it’s just another day at work.
The NBA usually shows five games across the country on national TV over the course of the day and night of the holiday.
Up until not long ago, it was the first time during the season that games were shown on free-to-air TV.Even so, James, Stephen Curry, and other big names in basketball make it one of the biggest days of the year.
This year, James will play in his 18th Christmas Day game, which is already the most in NBA history.
On the big day, he made 460 points and gave fans some great games.
This year, the big game on NBA Christmas Day will be between his Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics.The battle between the Lakers and the Celtics is one of the most famous in US sports. Both teams have won 17 NBA titles.
The Golden State Warriors are in third place with seven wins, while the Chicago Bulls are at the top with six.
There have been 12 NBA Finals between the Lakers and the Celtics. Boston has won eight of those games.
The Christmas Day games will start at Madison Square Garden in New York City, where the New York Knicks will play the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Denver Nuggets, who won the NBA title last year, will then play Curry and the Golden State Warriors.
The third game is between Boston and Los Angeles. There are then two games at night to end the holiday schedule.
Before the Dallas Mavericks play the Phoenix Suns, the Philadelphia 76ers go to Miami to play the Heat.
It’s almost the end of the year for James, and 2024 will be a big year for his reputation.
He wants his fifth NBA title, which would leave him just one behind Michael Jordan for the all-time record as the best basketball player of all time.
The fact that the Lakers just won the NBA’s first-ever in-season event shows that they have the team to fight for the title.
James also wants to play in the Olympics in Paris next summer. He wants to get a third gold medal to add to the two he won in Beijing and London.
There will also be a lot of talk about his future since his deal with the Lakers is about to end.
His son Bronny is about to join the NBA, and LeBron has said for a long time that he wants to play professional basketball with his son.Or, he could quit, since he will be 39 before the New Year and has played in the league for 20 years.
But without LeBron, Christmas would not be the same.
Golden State Warriors are third on seven titles with Chicago Bulls having six titles.
The Lakers and Celtics have played 12 times in the NBA Finals alone with Boston winning eight of them.
Christmas Day action will begin at Madison Square Garden in New York City when the New York Knicks face the Milwaukee Bucks.
Last season’s NBA champion Denver Nuggets will then host Curry and the Golden State Warriors.
Boston vs LA is the third game on the schedule before two night clashes to round off the festive programme.
Philadelphia 76ers visit Miami Heat before Dallas Mavericks take on Phoenix Suns.
James is approaching the end of the year and about to head into a pivotal 2024 for his legacy.
He is chasing a fifth NBA title which would put him just one behind Michael Jordan, the man he is chasing for the title of basketball’s greatest of all time.
The Lakers just won the NBA’s first ever in-season tournament which proves they have the squad capable of mounting a championship challenge.
James also wants to play at the Olympics in Paris next summer, and chase a third gold medal to go with Beijing 2008 and London 2012.
There will also be plenty of speculation around his future with his Lakers contract due to expire.
His son Bronny is set to enter the league, and LeBron has long stated his desire to play pro with his son.Or, given he turns 39 before the New Year and played 20 seasons in the league, retirement is an option.
But Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without LeBron.