As an annual highlight in the NBA, the Christmas Day games feature either championship contenders or teams with high fan appeal, ensuring that participating teams receive significant exposure. Players strive to perform at their best in these globally televised events, as such opportunities are rare, with many never experiencing it throughout their careers.
Given the intense focus on both ends of the court during Christmas Day games, achieving impressive statistics becomes more challenging. Throughout history, only ten players have managed to record a triple-double in a single Christmas Day game, with six of them currently active in the league. Let's take a look at these six active players who have accomplished this feat.
-
Austin Reaves (2024)
In a game against the Warriors, Reaves scored 26 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and dished out 10 assists. Since being given a chance by the Lakers as an undrafted player, Reaves has consistently improved, exceeding expectations. In the 2023 playoffs, he averaged 16+4+4 and even 20+ in the Western Conference Finals, solidifying his trust within the team. Despite occasional fluctuations in form over the past two seasons, the Lakers have remained committed to his development, even considering him untouchable at times. This season, Reaves is averaging 17.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.1 steals, demonstrating his progress while handling a significant workload. In the Christmas Day game against the Warriors, he proved himself a clutch player by scoring 26 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and dishing out 10 assists, including a crucial layup to nearly seal the game, becoming the tenth player in history to achieve a triple-double on Christmas Day.
-
Nikola Jokic (2022)
Against the Suns, Jokic recorded 41 points, 15 rebounds, and 15 assists. Having won back-to-back MVPs in 2022, Jokic faced criticism due to the Nuggets' underwhelming playoff performances, largely attributed to injuries. However, in the 2022-2023 season, Jokic vindicated himself, leading the Nuggets to their first-ever championship title and earning the FMVP award without any doubt. Throughout the regular season, Jokic maintained an MVP-level performance, accumulating 29 triple-doubles, including a remarkable 41-point, 15-rebound, 15-assist display in the Christmas Day game against the Suns. Notably, he had previously achieved a 40+ triple-double against the Hornets, scoring 40 points, 27 rebounds, and 10 assists.
-
James Harden (2021)
In a game against the Lakers, Harden posted 36 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. After requesting a trade in 2020, Harden joined the Nets, but the anticipated championship run with Durant and Irving never materialized, and the team disbanded before completing two seasons. Despite this, Harden, then in the twilight of his prime, left several memorable moments with the Nets, particularly when Durant and Irving were absent. In the 2021 Christmas Day game against the Lakers, with neither Durant nor Irving playing, Harden delivered a stellar performance of 36 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and 3 blocks, helping the Nets secure an away victory. Interestingly, another James also scored 39 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists in that game but unfortunately lost.
-
Draymond Green (2017)
Against the Cavaliers, Green tallied 12 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists. As a key player in the Warriors' rise, Green was a versatile defender and attacker, even ranked among the top ten players in the league during the Warriors' record-breaking 73-win season. In the 2017-2018 season, Green continued to perform admirably, averaging 11 points, 7.6 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.3 blocks, especially maintaining his DPOY-level defensive play. In the Christmas Day game where the Warriors faced the Cavaliers for the third consecutive year, this time without Curry, the Warriors emerged victorious again. Green contributed 12 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block, effectively limiting James to just 7 out of 18 shots, successfully fulfilling his role.
-
Russell Westbrook (2013)
Against the Knicks, Westbrook amassed 14 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists. By the 2013-2014 season, Westbrook had established himself as an All-NBA caliber star, consistently propelling the Thunder to the top ranks in the West. However, injuries limited him to 46 games that year, averaging 21.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 6.9 assists, and 1.9 steals. The turning point in Westbrook's regular-season availability came during the Christmas Day game, after which he began a series of absences, returning almost two months later. In the Christmas Day game against the Knicks, Westbrook seemed affected by injuries, shooting only 5 out of 15. Nonetheless, his versatility allowed him to impact the game in other ways, finishing with a comprehensive stat line of 14 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists, along with 1 steal and 1 block on defense, contributing to the Thunder's 29-point victory over the Knicks.
-
LeBron James (2010)
Against the Lakers, James put up 27 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. In 2010, James made a decision that would alter the league landscape, bringing his talents to the Heat and forming a Big Three with Wade and Bosh, instantly transforming them into the "public enemy" of the league. Although the initial chemistry between the Big Three was not smooth, they still managed to put up impressive performances, with James continuing his MVP-level play in the Heat, averaging 26.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1.6 steals throughout the regular season. Naturally, teams with James are always part of the Christmas Day lineup. When the Heat visited the reigning champion Lakers, although James and Kobe did not directly face off, they were undoubtedly the main attractions on the court. James delivered a perfect performance, shooting 8 out of 14 and 5 out of 6 from three-point range to score 27 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, and 4 steals, leading the Heat to a 16-point victory over the Lakers. Notably, Kobe had an off night, shooting only 6 out of 16 for 17 points, 6 assists, and 4 turnovers.