The all-time NBA Christmas Day scorers: LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and more
HoopsHype staff | USA TODAY Sports
December 25, 2024
Playing on Christmas Day has been an NBA tradition as long as the league has been around, with the first Christmas Day game taking place in 1947 when the New York Knicks defeated Providence Steamrollers in Madison Square Garden.
Since then, the NBA has had games on Christmas in every single non-lockout year.
Naturally, the league has always tried to put their biggest brands and superstars on their Christmas Day slate of games, and as such, the scoring leaders for games that have taken place on the holiday is littered with some of the biggest names basketball has ever seen, led by LeBron James at No. 1.
Below, check out the highest Christmas Day scorers in NBA history, including Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O'Neal.
1. LeBron James
Dec 25, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) dribbles against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the first quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Points: 507 in 19 games (26.6 ppg on 49.3 FG%)
Highest-scoring game: 39 vs. Brooklyn Nets in 2021
2. Kobe Bryant
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 25: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles to the basket against Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami … Show more
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Points: 395 in 16 games (24.6 ppg on 40.8 FG%)
Highest-scoring game: 42 vs. Miami Heat in 2004
3. Oscar Robertson
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Points: 377 in 12 games (31.4 ppg on 47.0 FG%)
Highest scoring game: 40 vs. Los Angeles Lakers in 1961
4. Kevin Durant
Dec 25, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) shoots over Dallas Mavericks forward Derrick Jones Jr. (55) during the first half … Show more
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Points: 342 in 12 games (28.5 ppg on 49.3 FG%)
Highest-scoring game: 44 vs. Denver Nuggets in 2010
5. Dwyane Wade
MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 25: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat in action during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at American Airlines … Show more
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Points: 314 in 13 games (24.1 ppg on 45.7 FG%)
Highest-scoring game: 40 vs. Los Angeles Lakers in 2006
6. Russell Westbrook
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - DECEMBER 25: Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook #0 drives around Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio #9 during the second half … Show more
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Points: 288 in 13 games (22.1 ppg on 38.1 FG%)
Highest-scoring game: 34 vs. San Antonio Spurs in 2014
7. Shaquille O'Neal
LOS ANGELES - DECEMBER 25: Shaquille O'Neal #33 of the Cleveland Cavaliers is defended by Kobe Bryant #24 and Andrew Bynum #17 of the Los … Show more
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Points: 272 in 13 games (20.9 ppg on 53.3 FG%)
Highest-scoring game: 32 vs. San Antonio Spurs in 1999
8. James Harden
Dec 25, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden (13) shoots against Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard (39) during the first … Show more
Hoops Hype
Points: 244 in nine games (27.1 ppg on 45.2 FG%)
Highest scoring game: 41 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder in 2018
9. Dolph Schayes
SYRACUSE, NY - UNDATED: Dolph Schayes #4 of the Syracuse Nationals drives to the basket for a layup during an NBA game circa 1949-1962 in … Show more
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Points: 239 in 13 games (18.3 ppg on 48.0 FG%)
Highest-scoring game: 33 vs. New York Knicks in 1957
10. Walt Bellamy
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Points: 237 in nine games (26.3 ppg on 76.8 FG%)
Highest-scoring game: 40 vs. Buffalo Braves in 1971
11. Richie Guerin
A six-time NBA All-Star, Richie Guerin excelled for the New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks while averaging 17.3 ppg. Early on as a Hawk, Guerin … Show more
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Points: 232 in nine games (25.7 ppg on 53.6 FG%)
Highest-scoring game: 40 vs. Philadelphia Warriors in 1961
12. Dick Van Arsdale
Dick Van Arsdale #5 of the Phoenix Suns in action against the Washington Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1976 at the Capital Centre … Show more
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Points: 232 in 12 games (19.3 ppg on 50.4 FG%)
Highest-scoring game: 32 vs. Atlanta Hawks in 1970 and vs. Chicago Bulls in 1972
13. Bob Cousy
(Original Caption) Bob Cousy, cool as a cucumber, dribbles between players Ken Sears (12) and Richie Guerin (right) during an NBA game at Madison Square … Show more
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Points: 223 in 11 games (20.2 ppg on 35.8 FG%)
Highest-scoring game: 35 vs. Milwaukee Hawks in 1954
14. Walt Frazier
There are few players today who are equal in cool and style to Walt Frazier. His Salukis won the NIT in 1967 and the Knicks … Show more
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Points: 204 in 11 games (18.5 ppg on 53.4 FG%)
Highest-scoring game: 36 vs. Golden State Warriors in 1971
15. Earl Monroe
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Points: 204 in 13 games (15.6 ppg on 42.9 FG%)
Highest-scoring game: 29 vs. Philadelphia 76ers in 1974
16. Carmelo Anthony
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 25: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks looks to drive to the basket against Metta World Peace #15 … Show more
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Points: 203 in seven games (29.0 ppg on 49.2 FG%)
Highest-scoring game: 37 vs. Boston Celtics in 2011
17. Kyrie Irving
Dec 25, 2018; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving (11) drives to the basket past Philadelphia 76ers guard T.J. McConnell (12) during the … Show more
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Points: 199 in seven games (28.4 ppg on 48.1 FG%)
Highest-scoring game: 40 vs. Philadelphia 76ers in 2018
18. Jayson Tatum
Dec 25, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics small forward Jayson Tatum (0) dribbles the ball against Milwaukee Bucks power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during … Show more
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Points: 197 in eight games (24.6 ppg on 45.8 FG%)
Highest-scoring game: 41 vs. Milwaukee Bucks in 2022
19. Stephen Curry
Dec 25, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts after making a three point basket against the Los Angeles … Show more
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Points: 194 in 11 games (17.6 ppg on 35.1 FG%)
Highest-scoring game: 38 vs. Los Angeles Lakers in 2024
20. Jerry West
UNITED STATES - APRIL 15: Basketball: Los Angeles Lakers Jerry West (44) in action, taking shot vs St, Louis Hawks, Los Angeles, CA 4/15/1966 (Photo … Show more
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Points: 193 in six games (32.1 ppg on 54.3 FG%)
Highest-scoring game: 47 vs. New York Knicks in 1963
21. Hal Greer
NEW YORK, NY - CIRCA 1960's: Hal Greer #15 of the Philadelphia 76ers goes up to shoot over the New York Nick during an mid … Show more
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Points: 192 in nine games (21.3 ppg on 48.0 FG%)
Highest-scoring game: 34 vs. New York Knicks in 1968
22. Wilt Chamberlain
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Points: 190 in six games (31.6 ppg on 55.4 FG%)
Highest-scoring game: 59 vs. New York Knicks in 1961
23. Bill Sharman
BOSTON - 1960: Bill Sharman #21 of the Boston Celtics poses for a mock action portrait in 1960 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User … Show more
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Points: 190 in 10 games (19.0 ppg on 39.4 FG%)
Highest-scoring game: 25 vs. New York Knicks in 1952
24. Dick Barnett
Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images
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Points: 187 in 11 games (17.0 ppg on 47.5 FG%)
Highest-scoring game: 27 vs. Philadelphia Warriors in 1959
25. Chris Paul
Dec 25, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul (3) dribbles the ball against the Golden State Warriors during the first … Show more
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Points: 181 in 10 games (18.1 ppg on 46.1 FG%)
Highest-scoring game: 26 vs. Golden State Warriors in 2013
26. Willis Reed
NEW YORK - CIRCA 1970: Willis Reed #19 of the New York Knicks looks to shoot a free-throw during an NBA basketball game circa 1970 … Show more
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Points: 174 in eight games (21.7 ppg on 54.3 FG%)
Highest-scoring game: 33 vs. Detroit Pistons in 1969
27. Wayne Embry
BOSTON - 1968: Wayne Embry #28 of the Boston Celtics poses for a portrait in 1968 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO … Show more
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Points: 174 in 10 games (17.4 ppg on 51.5 FG%)
Highest-scoring game: 35 vs. Los Angeles Lakers in 1961
28. Jack Twyman
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Points: 171 in nine games (19.0 ppg on 49.2 FG%)
Highest-scoring game: 29 vs. St. Louis Hawks in 1958
29. Michael Jordan
CHICAGO, IL - 1997: Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls against Alonzo Mourning #33 of the Miami Heat on December 25,1997 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.
NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1997 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
Points: 170 in six games (28.3 ppg on 44.3 FG%)
Highest-scoring game: 42 vs. New York Knicks in 1992
30. Vern Mikkelsen
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Points: 169 in 10 games (16.9 ppg on 44.1 FG%)
Highest-scoring game: 27 vs. Philadelphia Warriors in 1954
Picture credit: Background by Roberto Nickson.
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