The Boston Celtics victorious against the Los Angeles Lakers

In a highly anticipated matchup on Christmas Day, the Boston Celtics emerged victorious over the Los Angeles Lakers with a final score of 126-115. Kristaps Porzingis led the Celtics with 28 points and 11 rebounds, while Jayson Tatum contributed 25 points. Despite a 40-point performance from the Lakers’ Anthony Davis, the Celtics maintained their lead. This game was part of the Christmas Day NBA lineup, which began with the New York Knicks defeating the Milwaukee Bucks 129-122 at Madison Square Garden.

In another game, the Denver Nuggets, the current NBA champions, beat the Golden State Warriors 120-114, leaving Warriors coach Steve Kerr frustrated with the officiating.

LeBron James of the Lakers, coming off a 40-point game against the Thunder, scored 16 points. Lakers coach Darvin Ham attributed the team’s slow start to holiday distractions and the early game time. The Celtics initially surged to a 12-0 lead and maintained control despite a comeback attempt by the Lakers.

During the game, LeBron James and Jaylen Brown of the Celtics collided, causing brief concern, but both returned to play, with Brown finishing with 19 points.

Tatum praised the Celtics’ resilience, especially after the Lakers briefly took the lead in the third quarter. The Celtics then regained control, ultimately securing the win and improving their league-leading record to 23-6.

In Denver, Jamal Murray scored 28 points and Nikola Jokic contributed 26 points, 14 rebounds, and eight assists, despite struggling with field shots but excelling in free throws. This helped the Nuggets extend their winning streak to five games. The Warriors, led by Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins, faced difficulties, with Curry only scoring 18 points. Kerr criticized the officiating, particularly in the second half, for an excessive number of free-throw calls.

In New York, the Knicks snapped their losing streak against the Bucks with a 129-122 victory, led by Jalen Brunson’s 38 points. The Knicks overcame the Bucks’ previous dominance, including a recent loss on Saturday. Julius Randle, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley also made significant contributions for the Knicks, while Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo each scored 32 points for Milwaukee.