'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
NBA Christmas games are very exciting every single year. Every year, they bring some of the most amazing matchups in the league, and that will be the case in the 2022-23 season as well.
In less than three weeks, we will have a chance to watch several amazing NBA Christmas games, including a matchup between the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks.
This article will list the five best individual performances on Christmas Day in the history of the league. The list features some of the greatest basketball players of all time, including Michael Jordan and LeBron James.
NBA Christmas games and LeBron James' dominance
Thanks to his impressive longevity, LeBron James has been a part of many Christmas games in the past. However, his most amazing performance came against the Dallas Mavericks in 2011.
The small forward, who played for the Miami Heat back then, led his team to a huge victory over the Mavs.
In the end, LeBron James had 37 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, two steals, and two blocks. He was amazing on both ends of the floor and looked ready to win it all.
What makes this performance so amazing is that it came a few months after James collapsed against the Mavericks in the 2011 NBA Finals. Additionally, this was the season opener as the 2011-12 season was shortened due to a lockout.
Michael Jordan dominated New York Knicks
NBA Christmas games always bring out the best of the best, so it's not surprising that Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls were featured in many of them.
On Christmas Day in 1992, the Bulls hosted Patrick Ewing and the New York Knicks in Chicago. The two teams were evenly matched, but Jordan couldn't be stopped.
At the end of the game, the shooting guard had 42 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Jordan also blocked a shot in the game.
The Bulls and Knicks ended up playing against each other in the playoffs. Once again, the Bulls prevailed, but they needed seven games to beat their opponent. What's interesting is that Jordan had 42 points in Game 7 as well.
Scottie Pippen carries Chicago in overtime
Michael Jordan is not the only player who has performed well in NBA Christmas games for the Bulls. When the legendary guard retired for the first time, Scottie Pippen took over and dominated the league.
You may be interested in reading: Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and more: The best starting 5 in the history of the Chicago Bulls
Without Jordan, Pippen was one of the top MVP candidates and showed everything he was capable of.
Once again, the Bulls played against the Knicks, and once again, it was the Bulls who came out on top.
Pippen dropped 36 points and 16 rebounds in the game, along with three assists. He also showed that he was one of the best two-way players in the league by blocking two shots and getting five steals.
Jerry West dominates the Knicks
The New York Knicks participated in many NBA Christmas games, but they did not have much luck. In 1963, the Knicks played against the LA Lakers and were dominated by Jerry West.
The Logo dropped 47 points on 19-for-30 shooting against New York, leading his team to an eight-point victory.
Bernard King drops 60 points against New Jersey Nets
The New York Knicks had one of their best NBA Christmas games in 1984. They faced off against the New Jersey Nets, but despite scoring 114 points, they still lost.
You may be interested in reading: Top 5 NBA brother duos of all time who have played with or against each other
The bright side, however, was Bernard King. The forward scored 60 points on 19-for-30 shooting, which is still the Christmas Day scoring record. King also added seven rebounds and four assists to his stat line.
