MIAMI — Erik Spoelstra has experienced the thrill of the NBA’s Christmas Day spotlight in various roles with the Miami Heat, from staff member to assistant coach to head coach, throughout his first two decades with the franchise. The Heat, however, have had a notable absence from the Yuletide games, having appeared only once in the eight seasons following that period.
Spoelstra has come to a realization: there’s something special about being part of the NBA’s Christmas lineup. After missing out since 2020, the Heat are set to host the Philadelphia 76ers on the upcoming holiday, marking their return to the festive day’s series of marquee matchups.
The day’s full lineup features a series of exciting contests: the Milwaukee Bucks visit the New York Knicks; the Golden State Warriors take on the reigning champion Denver Nuggets; the Boston Celtics face off against the Los Angeles Lakers, reigniting the league’s storied rivalry; and the Dallas Mavericks play the Phoenix Suns.
Spoelstra cherishes the Christmas Day game opportunity, acknowledging that not every team gets the chance. “There were several years in a row where we weren’t even in the conversation for a Christmas Day game. It makes you realize how much you’ve taken it for granted when you were part of it every year,” he reflected.
Golden State’s Christmas Day game has become a festive tradition, with the Warriors making their 13th appearance in 14 years. Stephen Curry, the Warriors’ star guard, looks forward to the electric atmosphere. “Marquee games on Christmas create a fantastic environment. We’ve been there before, so we know what to expect. Playing away from home is going to be a fun challenge,” Curry said.
The Christmas Day games are seen as a turning point in the NBA season, attracting more viewers as the football season winds down. The games are broadcast nationally across ABC or ESPN, drawing significant attention.
LeBron James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, has played in more Christmas Day games than any other player. However, his immediate focus is on family, particularly enjoying the moment when his 9-year-old daughter, Zhuri, unwraps her presents. “Right now, the only thing I care about on Monday is seeing my daughter open her gifts,” James shared following a Lakers’ victory over Oklahoma City.
The Heat are planning a low-key Christmas Eve practice and giving players most of Sunday and Christmas morning off. They will regroup Monday afternoon for the game, with Spoelstra ensuring everyone has time for festive celebrations. “Securing wins is important, but our priority is to capture the victory on the court,” Spoelstra emphasized.
The Lakers boast the most Christmas Day victories, while the Knicks hold the record for most appearances. Among teams still seeking their first Christmas win are Charlotte, Memphis, and Toronto.
As for individual achievements, James is on the cusp of claiming his 11th Christmas victory, potentially surpassing his former teammate Dwyane Wade. Spoelstra, with an undefeated record as head coach on Christmas Day, aims to join the ranks of coaches with nine wins on the holiday.
This year, nine of the ten teams selected played last Christmas, with Miami being the notable addition. The Lakers and Warriors continue their streaks of Christmas appearances, while teams like Boston, Milwaukee, and Dallas also return. New York, Phoenix, Denver, and Philadelphia round out the chosen teams.
Dallas’ Luka Doncic is approaching a career milestone, closing in on 10,000 points, which would tie him with Bob McAdoo for the sixth-fastest player to reach that mark in league history.
Kevin Durant of the Suns is also chasing history, aiming to become the fifth player to score 300 points on Christmas Day, joining an elite list that includes James, Bryant, Robertson, and Wade.
While some teams like Charlotte have yet to play on Christmas, others like Sacramento, Indiana, Detroit, Orlando, Chicago, and San Antonio have been waiting years for another opportunity.
Off the court, Warriors guard Klay Thompson has holiday plans for his beloved English bulldog Rocco, including a stocking filled with treats. As for his teammates, Thompson jests that the rookies should feel privileged simply by his presence.
As the NBA gears up for its Christmas Day celebrations, players, coaches, and fans alike prepare for a day filled with competition, camaraderie, and festive spirit.
Erik Spoelstra, the Miami Heat’s head coach, has been involved in 12 Christmas Day NBA games over his career with the team and recognizes the honor of playing on such a significant day. After a period of not playing on Christmas, the Heat are scheduled to play against the Philadelphia 76ers on Christmas Day as part of the NBA’s traditional lineup of five games. The other matchups include Milwaukee Bucks vs. New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors vs. Denver Nuggets, Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers, and Dallas Mavericks vs. Phoenix Suns.
Golden State Warriors have become a staple for Christmas Day games, and Stephen Curry looks forward to the marquee matchup. The Christmas Day games are seen as a point where NBA gains more national attention, with all games broadcasted on ABC or ESPN. LeBron James, who has played the most Christmas Day games in NBA history, prioritizes spending the morning with his family.
The Lakers hold the record for the most Christmas wins, while teams like Charlotte, Memphis, and Toronto have yet to secure a win on the holiday. LeBron James is aiming for his 11th Christmas win, which would be a record. Spoelstra aims for his ninth win as a head coach on Christmas Day.
The article also notes that most teams playing this Christmas were also on last year’s schedule, except for Miami, replacing Memphis. The Lakers and Warriors have long streaks of playing on Christmas, while other teams like Sacramento, Indiana, and Detroit have not played on the holiday for several years. The article concludes with a light-hearted mention of Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson’s holiday plans for his dog Rocco and a joke about not giving gifts to his rookie teammates.
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