The Christmas Day matchup between the Lakers and the Warriors has concluded, revealing six undeniable truths. The Christmas Day games are always a highlight in the NBA calendar, with the league ensuring that teams with a history of rivalry and those boasting superstar players participate on this day. Despite the high expectations for the 2024 Christmas Day games, many teams failed to deliver the excitement expected of such matchups, much like the Nuggets, who seemed disinterested throughout the game. Their lackluster attitude, from Jokic to the entire team, was a significant letdown.
Some teams with excellent records were not selected to play on Christmas Day, which left them feeling extremely dissatisfied. Meanwhile, the Nuggets, despite being given the opportunity, showed little enthusiasm, wasting what could have been a sweet time spent with their families. This put Adam Silver in a difficult position, as it seemed the NBA's commercial strategy did not achieve the desired outcome.
However, compared to some teams' lack of enthusiasm, the Lakers vs. Warriors matchup remained the main event. LeBron James and Stephen Curry reunited for the first time in eight years on Christmas Day, with the longstanding rivalry between the two teams and the ongoing narrative surrounding James and Curry making this game a topic of discussion even before it began. The game itself was full of twists and turns.
The Lakers took the lead several times, but the Warriors managed to close the gap each time. In the final minute, the score was still close, with Curry's relentless three-point shots helping the Warriors tie the game at one point. However, when James was restricted in the closing moments, Austin Rivers stepped up to dominate the game, becoming the brightest star besides James and Curry. He successfully helped the Lakers secure the victory, becoming the true hero of the Christmas Day game.
With the Lakers' victory, here are six undeniable facts that emerged from the game:
-
James and Curry are still the leaders of their respective teams. At 39 and 36 years old respectively, they remain the focal points of the game. James played 36 minutes, scoring 31 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, and dishing out 10 assists, shooting 12 for 22 from the field, 2 for 4 from beyond the arc, and a perfect 5 for 5 from the free-throw line. His outstanding performance was crucial in securing the win for the Lakers.
-
The Warriors, aside from Curry, lack the support of other star players. In critical moments, the Warriors rely solely on Curry, with no one else able to step up. Previously, when Curry was restricted, there was Thompson to help carry the load. Now, it's just Kerr devising clever tactics for Curry and Green setting screens. This lack of variety and reliance on Curry is a significant flaw for the Warriors this season, making it challenging for them to be considered a championship-contending team.
-
Rivers has a promising future. When James was restricted, Rivers became the key player, showing great decisiveness in finishing the game with a layup. This is not the first time Rivers has sealed a game, and his growth alongside superstars is evident. He has become a talented player with potential, and there is hope that he will continue to develop into a new star for the Lakers after James retires.
-
The Lakers' overall strength clearly surpasses the Warriors'. Even without Davis, the Warriors were unable to overcome the Lakers' victory. Despite Curry's best performance of the new season, the Lakers still held onto their victory. This highlights the gap between the two teams, as even without a superstar, the Warriors couldn't win under Curry's leadership.
-
Both teams have fatal flaws. For the Warriors, the lack of support for Curry means they place all their hopes on him in critical moments, which is a daunting task for Curry and makes it difficult for him to consistently save the team. As for the Lakers, Davis' injury-prone nature persists, and their outside shooting remains inconsistent. James must rest more during every game, which is a challenging period for the Lakers. Additionally, their defense still has weaknesses, posing significant challenges and pressure when facing stronger opponents.
-
The Warriors will ultimately be trapped by their own actions. The game further confirmed the failure of their trade plans. From Hield, Li Kaili to Schroder, the Warriors have made numerous trades this season, but none have been successful. In the Christmas Day game, Anderson was benched (DNP), Hield shot 2 for 6, scoring only 5 points. Schroder, who started the game, shot 3 for 10 and 3 for 6 from three-point range, finishing with 11 points, 2 rebounds, and 5 assists. This was one of his better performances since joining the Warriors.
Schroder was once outstanding during his time with the Nets, but since joining the Warriors, he has clearly been uncomfortable and lost his former form. If Schroder can't find his shooting touch on offense, he will undoubtedly be the team's biggest weakness on defense, rendering him expendable. These trades have not achieved the expected results, and if the Warriors lose their competitiveness, they may prematurely announce the end of their season and enter a long period of dormancy. This would be an irreversible fact for the Warriors, causing the once-mighty team to decline after another round of trades, losing their killing power and becoming a team that cannot afford to pay Adou.