The Los Angeles Lakers are coming off a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, a game that again put LeBron James at the center of attention. While the Lakers fell short, James continued to shoulder responsibility at age 40, guiding the offense and keeping the game competitive. The loss set the stage for postgame questions, not just about basketball, but about what lies ahead on Christmas Day.

Despite the defeat, James delivered another steady performance. Since returning from sciatica, he has averaged 20.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 7.1 assists over 11 games, numbers that reflect his continued impact. Even in losses, James remains the Lakers’ anchor, controlling pace, creating shots, and setting the tone for younger teammates.

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After the Clippers game, attention quickly shifted to Christmas. James is set to play in his NBA-record 20th Christmas Day game when the Lakers host the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena. Asked why the holiday game still matters to him, James was honest.

“I’d much rather be at home with my family,” he said. “But I mean, it’s the game that I love. It’s a game I watched when I was a kid on Christmas Day, watching a lot of the greatest play the game.”

“I’d much rather be at home with my family. But I mean, it’s the game. It’s the game that I love. It’s a game I watched when I was a kid on Christmas Day, watching a lot of the greatest play the game on Christmas. It’s always been an honor to play it. Obviously, I’m gonna be… pic.twitter.com/kAnvbfpQWw

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 22, 2025

For James, Christmas basketball is tied to memory and responsibility. “It’s always been an honor to play it,” he added. “Obviously, I would like to be home on the couch with my family all throughout the day. But our number is called, so we have to go out and perform.”

His presence on Christmas Day has become historic. James leads the NBA in all-time Christmas scoring with 507 points and ranks near the top in rebounds, assists, steals, and wins on the holiday. While family remains his priority, James understands the stage. For two decades, Christmas has meant basketball, and once again, he is ready to answer the call.

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