The Brooklyn Nets won’t play on Christmas Day for the fourth consecutive season as the NBA looks for teams competing for a championship to present themselves to viewers. The last time Brooklyn played on Christmas Day, James Harden, Kevin Durant and Kevin Durant were all in town, but the league’s landscape has changed since then.
Christmas is one of the most popular days of the NBA season because it serves somewhat as a transition from the NFL season to the NBA season for the average sports consumer. Sure, the NFL regular season is nearly over before the playoffs begin, but Christmas gives NBA fans a chance to see NBA teams on a national stage.
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For example, teams like the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers typically play games on Christmas Day due to their popularity, but NBA fans can also see teams like the San Antonio Spurs and Victor Wembunyama on TV. With that said, here are the players with the five best Christmas Day performances in Nets history:
Kyrie Irving
December 25, 2020; Boston, MA, USA; Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving (11) scores a layup during the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
In a game against the Boston Celtics on December 25, 2020, Irving not only became the Nets’ highest scorer in the Christmas game with 37 points, but he also became part of the biggest Christmas win. Brooklyn defeated Boston 123-95. Irving also contributed 6 rebounds and 8 assists, shooting 61.9% from the field and 7 of 10 three-pointers.
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James Harden
December 25, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden (13) passes with Los Angeles Lakers guard Malik Monk (11) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Harden recorded a triple-double against the Los Angeles Lakers on Christmas Day, finishing with 36 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, while also adding three blocks. Brooklyn won the game 122-115 thanks to the performance of Harden and Patty Mills (discussed later in this article) in their most recent game on Christmas Day.
Patty Mills
December 25, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Patty Mills (8) moves the ball as forward Nick Claxton (33) defends Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (0) and forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
In the same game that his teammate James Harden posted a 36-point triple-double, Mills shouldered his fair share of the workload, finishing with 34 points and seven assists. After Irving and Durant missed this game, Mills shot 61.5% from the field and 61.5% from beyond the three-point line.
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Michael Ray Richardson
On December 25, 1984, Richardson scored 36 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals in the team’s 120-114 victory over the New York Knicks, and he also played every minute of the game. Richardson, who died earlier this year, was one of the best players in Nets history, and while he had a complicated career marred by drug issues, he had a stellar performance against the Knicks.
Buck Williams
Former NBA player Charles “Buck” Williams holds on to his New Jersey Nets jersey, which was retired at halftime of the Nets’ game against the New York Knicks. Williams has played for the Nets and Knicks as well as the Portland Trail Blazers during his career. AFP Photo/Matt Campbell (Photo by Matt Campbell/AFP) (Photo by Matt Campbell/AFP via Getty Images)
On December 25, 1982, Williams scored 30 points and 12 rebounds in 44 minutes in a 112-110 overtime victory over the New York Knicks. Although he had some help from Albert King and Darryl Dawkins, Williams stood out from his teammates with his performance on one of the most important days on the NBA calendar (even as far back as the 1980s).
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This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: The 5 best Nets performances on Christmas Day
