The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Golden State Warriors 127-101 on the road but were dealt a blow when LeBron James left the court injured in the third quarter.
With 7.51 seconds remaining on the clock, the All-Star forward sustained a groin strain, finishing the Christmas game with 17 points, 13 rebounds and five assists.
Steph Curry hit back-to-back three-pointers and the Warriors got to within two points before the end of third, but the Lakers maintained control, completing the victory thanks to 19 points from Kyle Kuzma and 18 from Ivica Zubac.
🎥 LeBron James finished tonight's game with 17 points, 13 boards, and 5 assists in 21 minutes of action #LakersWin pic.twitter.com/yZi0LQ7LTD — Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 26, 2018
Kyrie Irving scored 40 points – including two overtime three-pointers – as the Boston Celtics recorded a 121-114 comeback victory against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Irving forced the extra period with a jump shot with 20 seconds remaining of the fourth quarter but the 76ers went on to grab a 113-108 lead in overtime.
Ben Simmons added to that advantage with two free throws before Irving got the Celtics ahead thanks to his first overtime three-pointer and then wrapped up the game up with just 1.28 left on the clock.
We topped off Christmas Day with a 121-114 victory over the Sixers, thanks to a 40-point effort from Kyrie Irving. pic.twitter.com/ULQnyYv8od — Boston Celtics (@celtics) December 26, 2018
James Harden, meanwhile, racked up 41 points for the Houston Rockets as they beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 113-109 to claim their seventh win in eight games.
Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 30 points and 14 rebounds as the Milwaukee Bucks recorded a 109-95 away win over the New York Knicks and Rudy Gobert put away 18 points as the Utah Jazz downed the Portland Trail Blazers 117-96.
