Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. It’s Christmas! Presents, carols, decorations, and, for some of us, Chinese food.
But, above all of those, SPORTS! There’s nothing better than spending time with family as you yell at your TV about something you have no control over.
Throughout history there have been some great Christmas Day games. But there have also been some duds.
One of the great Christmas Day games occurred Dec. 25, 2020, when the New Orleans Saints played the Minnesota Vikings. Alvin Kamara, filled with Christmas spirit, rushed for six touchdowns and 155 yards, becoming only the third-ever player to run for six TDs in a game. The Saints added 16 points to Kamara’s 36 to defeat the Vikings 52-33.
One of the worst Christmas games has to be the New Orleans Hornets vs. the Orlando Magic in 2008. The teams combined to score 156 points. This year, NBA teams average116 points — each. The leading scorer was Hedo Turkoglu, a small forward for the Magic who scored a whopping 20 points.
LeBron James has played in 18 games on Christmas Day — the most ever. His Christmas Day averages are 27 points, seven rebounds,and seven assists. In 2010, he was in the jolly spirit and racked up the third-ever Christmas Day triple double. He scored 27 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, tallied 10 assists and threw in four steals for good measure.
In these 18 Christmas games, James’ teams are 10-8 and have lost the last four out of five.
One of the most wild Christmas Day sporting events is the Christmas Truce, which took place in 1914 during World War I. On Christmas Day, on some parts of the western front, British and German troops met in the area between their respective trenches called no man’s land and played football (soccer). Meanwhile, other troops were burying their dead and repairing their trenches.
The longest ever NFL game happened on, you guessed it, Christmas Day. It was 82 minutes and 40 seconds long, ruining many Christmas dinners. The Miami Dolphins faced the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1971 AFC divisional round. The Dolphins won this marathon, 27-24 in overtime. At the end of regulation the score was 24-24. In the first overtime nobody scored, but then, in the second overtime, Dolphins kicker Garo Yepremian hit a 37-yarder to win the game.
Yepremian is best known for what NFL Films calls “Garo’s Gaffe,” one of the greatest plays ever to involve a kicker. Way back in January 1973, the Dolphins were playing the Washington Redskins for the NFL title and a perfect season in Super Bowl VII. Yepremian attempted a 42-yard field goal, which was blocked. And then, the fun began. Somehow, Yepremian caught the ball as it bounced after the block. He then tried to throw it down field, but the ball slipped out of his hand as he drew it back to pass. He bobbled it right into the hands of a Washington defender, who returned it for a TD.
Yepremian’s silly play didn’t matter in the end; the Dolphins won, 14-7. But Yepremian’s performance remains a fan favorite.
Just last year on Christmas Day, the New York Knicks were playing the San Antonio Spurs. In this game, Mikal Bridges and Victor Wembanyama each scored more than 40 points. In his NBA Christmas debut, Wemby scored 42 points and gathered 18 rebounds. Only two other players scored more points in their first Christmas Day games.
This Christmas, there are five NBA games.
- At noon, the Cleveland Cavaliers face the New York Knicks
- At 2:30 p.m., the San Antonio Spurs take on the Oklahoma City Thunder
- At 5 p.m., the Dallas Mavericks play the Golden State Warriors
- At 8 p.m., the Houston Rockets face the Los Angeles Lakers
- At 10:30 p.m., the Minnesota Timberwolves battle the Denver Nuggets
Why I would watch the Cavs vs. Knicks game
I am a Cavs and a Knicks fan, so I will be watching this game. Recently I have been watching the Knicks, and they are really entertaining. It’s not always the best basketball, but it is fun to watch because the Knicks just keep scoring. When Mitchell Robinson and OG Anunoby are off the floor, New York has no defense, and the game just becomes an offensive sprint. And I am all for it! The Cavs have not been playing great; they are 7th in the Eastern Conference. But, they are just one game back of fourth place. I hope this game is a Jalen Brunson vs. Donovan Mitchell shootout.
Why I will watch the Spurs vs. Thunder game
If Wembanyama is playing, I am watching the game. It is as simple as that. He is my favorite player to watch. Not my favorite player, just my favorite to watch. When I am watching him, all I can think is, “WOW! He is tall.” Even if you don’t like basketball, it is insane how tall Wemby is. The NBA has him listed at 7 feet 4 inches, but also have him listed at 235 pounds (If you’re metrically curious, that’s 107 kg). Now, 235 pounds might seem like a lot, but Hall of Fame NFL linebacker Ray Lewis is 15 inches shorter, at 6 feet 1 inch, and weighed 240 pounds when playing.
These are two of the best teams in the west when Wemby plays. If Wemby is out, there is no way I am watching this game because I don’t want to watch OKC steamroll another opponent. These teams are becoming rivals and the best teams in the Western Conference. In the semifinal of the Emirates NBA Cup, the Spurs beat OKC 111-109. It was just OKC’s second loss of the season. The Spurs just beat the Thunder 130-110 yesterday, so the rivalry is heating up. I am very excited for this game (if Wembanyama is playing).
Why I am not going to watch the Mavericks vs. Golden State game
Steph Curry and Cooper Flag. One legend going up against a player who may become a new legend. Also, if Anthony Davis plays, watching him block shot after shot is pretty entertaining. But the Warriors are old. Curry is 37, Jimmy Butler is 36 and Draymond Green is 35. This isn’t the team that went 73-9 in the 2015-2016 season.
Why I would watch the Rockets vs. the Lakers
Watching a future playoff series is always fun. Kevin Durant is still good. And Luka Doncic is an MVP candidate who is averaging almost 35 points per game. The Lakers have all offense, almost no defense, and they also have LeBron. I haven’t watched many games involving either of these teams, but I am excited to watch this game.
Overall, I will watch the Cavs vs. the Knicks because they are two of my favorite teams. I will watch the Spurs vs. Thunder if Wemby is playing. Oh, my, he is tall. Only watch the Mavericks vs. Golden State if all of Golden State’s players become 20 years old before the game by some Christmas miracle. And I am excited to see two playoff teams face off in the Rockets vs. Lakers game.
This Christmas, there are three NFL games.
- At 1 p.m., the Dallas Cowboys tackle the Washington Commanders
- At 4:30p.m., the Detroit Lions take on the Minnesota Vikings
- At 8:15p.m., the Denver Broncos battle the Kansas City Chiefs
Why I won’t watch two of the three games
These games have no meaning. The Cowboys will probably win, but both teams are eliminated from the playoffs, so there’s no reason to watch. The Lions’ Jahmyr Gibbs might score three touchdowns, but he also might rush for 40 yards. There is no way to know which one is going to happen. The Lions need to win to make the playoffs, and then they need some more help to get in. But it doesn’t even matter because J.J. McCarthy is the Vikings QB. But to make matters worse, McCarthy has a hairline fracture in his hand and won’t be playing. Max Brosmer will be the Vikings QB. Yep, Max Brosmer. In Brosmer’s first career start, he threw for 126 yards and four interceptions, and the Vikings did not score a single point.
Broncos vs. Chiefs
THE CHIEFS ARE OUT OF THE PLAYOFFS!!! That’s the reason to watch this game. This will actually be one of their last games of the season. OMG, THEY’RE OUT OF THE PLAYOFFS!!! It feels so weird to say. No more magical, last-second touchdowns. No more interesting calls by the refs. No more crazy Patrick Mahomes plays with time running out. I do feel bad that Mahomes tore his ACL.
But, more importantly, the Chiefs are out of the playoffs!
Craig | Jan 2, 2026 at 1:16 pm
great stuff, shakerite! But who was the defender who returned Garo’s gaffe for a TD? And could you please clarify – are the Chiefs out of the playoffs???