LA Lakers pip Golden State Warriors after another LeBron James v Stephen Curry classic

SAN FRANCISCO – LeBron James and Stephen Curry served up a Christmas Day feast as their rivalry delivered another classic, with the Los Angeles Lakers edging out the Golden State Warriors 115-113 on the road.

Curry made a stunning 31-foot three-pointer with 7.1 seconds left on the clock to tie the game, only for Austin Reaves to win it for the Lakers (17-13) with a driving lay-up with 1.1 seconds remaining.

The 36-year-old Curry and James, three years his senior, had traded three-pointers down the stretch as fans were treated to a ding-dong finale from the two future National Basketball Association (NBA) Hall of Famers.

James put up 31 points and 10 assists without the support of teammate Anthony Davis, who left the game in the first quarter after turning his ankle.

Game-winner Reaves enjoyed a triple-double with 26 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.

Curry’s 38 points included eight from 15 three-point shooting, while Andrew Wiggins tallied 21 points and 12 rebounds, but Golden State (15-14) fell to an 11th loss in 14 games.

“Today is the day of giving, and that’s what me and Steph continue to do and try to do for our fans, for our beautiful game,” said James.

“We don’t know how many times we’re going to be able to have this matchup. We try to give the game what it deserves, because it’s given us so much, we try to give it right back.”

James, into his 22nd season, was playing in a record 19th Christmas Day game.

Before the clash, Curry said he is appreciating his 16th campaign, knowing he is closing in on the end of his career.

“It’s OK to accept and acknowledge that the end is near,” he said, in an interview on NBA on ESPN’s account on X.

“It allows you to enjoy what’s happening right now. I think the more you talk about it and the more you acknowledge it, the more it levels up the sense of urgency in the moment, now.”

In other games, Mikal Bridges and the New York Knicks pipped Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs 117-114 in a thriller at Madison Square Garden.

French star Wembanyama put up 42 points with 18 rebounds and four blocks, but Bridges took the glory with a brilliant 15-point fourth-quarter display that left him with a season-high 41 points and the win.

The 20-year-old Wembanyama, who is 2.21m, shot 16 of 31 from the floor and made six of 16 from three-point range. While Bridges took the applause from the home crowd, he was quick to praise the Frenchman.

“From 40 feet out, from right under the rim, from 15 feet out, he’s just unbelievable, just to see what he’s doing, credit to him and how much work he has put in,” he said.

Bridges, who was traded from the Brooklyn Nets in July, shot 17 of 25 from the field and was six for nine on three-point attempts as his team improved to 20-10.

Defending champions the Boston Celtics (22-8) lost back-to-back games for the first time this season when they were upset at home by the Philadelphia 76ers 118-114.

Injury-prone Sixers star Joel Embiid hurt his ankle in a pre-game fall but was able to start and showed his importance with 27 points, nine rebounds and the game-clinching free throws to claim the win for Philadelphia (11-17).

Tyrese Maxey scored 33 points and made 12 assists, while Jayson Tatum top scored for the Celtics with 32 points and also grabbed 15 rebounds.

It was far from a Merry Christmas for the Dallas Mavericks, who lost their Slovenian star Luka Doncic to a calf injury in the second quarter of their 105-99 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Doncic, who had scored 14 points, limped out of the game and did not return. The Mavericks (19-11) did manage a brave comeback attempt without him, before falling short. Anthony Edwards put up 26 points for Minnesota (15-14). AFP