The NBA celebrated its most-watched Christmas Day lineup in five years, drawing an average of 5.25 million viewers per game across Walt Disney platforms, including ABC, ESPN, and Disney+. This marks an 84% increase compared to last year’s audience, the league announced on Thursday.
Leading the pack was a marquee showdown between LeBron James and Stephen Curry, as the Los Angeles Lakers edged out the Golden State Warriors 115-113. The game averaged 7.76 million viewers, while the New York Knicks’ 117-114 win over the San Antonio Spurs became the most-watched Christmas Day opener in 13 years, drawing 4.91 million viewers.
The NBA has been a staple of holiday entertainment since 1947, but this year faced competition from the NFL’s debut on Netflix. The NFL’s two Christmas games drew global attention, with the Kansas City Chiefs facing the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first matchup, and Beyonce’s halftime performance during the Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans game dominating social media.
Despite the NFL’s flashy entrance, LeBron James remained unfazed. “I love the NFL,” James said in televised remarks after his record-setting 11th Christmas Day win. “But Christmas is our day.”
James led the Lakers with 31 points in his 19th Christmas appearance, helping cement the NBA’s traditional dominance on the holiday. Viewers from over 200 countries tuned into the festivities, showcasing the global appeal of basketball and its enduring place in holiday traditions.
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