LeBron James Critiques NFL's Christmas Schedule

LeBron James, following the Los Angeles Lakers' thrilling 115-113 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Christmas Day, sent a clear message to the NFL, asserting, "I love the NFL, but Christmas is our day." This year, the NFL, which has increasingly sought to establish a presence on Christmas since 2020, secured a deal with Netflix to exclusively broadcast its games through 2026, despite the NBA's long-standing tradition of Christmas matchups dating back to 1947. James, who had an impressive performance with 31 points and 10 assists, highlighted the NBA's dominance on the holiday, as the league hosted five games compared to the NFL's two, which were marred by blowouts. Warriors star Stephen Curry also shone with 38 points, but Austin Reaves clinched the game for the Lakers with a last-second layup, marking a notable Christmas performance. The NFL's attempts to penetrate the Christmas market may face challenges as fan sentiment on social media indicates a preference for the NBA's offerings this year. Overall, the showdown between James and Curry underscored the NBA’s continued prominence on Christmas Day, a day traditionally recognized for basketball festivities.