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In this exploration, we delve into the NBA's Christmas Day lore, uncovering the all-time leaders in nine major statistical categories. From scoring titans to assist maestros, we illuminate the stars who have shone brightest on the grand holiday stage, leaving an indelible mark on the Christmas Day hardwood.
Most Games Played
1. LeBron James - 17
2. Kobe Bryant - 16
T3. Shaquille O'Neal - 13
T3. Dwyane Wade - 13
T3. Earl Monroe - 13
LeBron James leads Kobe Bryant as the player with the most appearances in NBA's Christmas Day games. With no other active players currently at the top of the scale, Shaq and Dwyane Wade are tied with Ea rl Monroe to finish the group.
Most Wins
T1. LeBron James - 10
T1. Dwyane Wade - 10
T2. Udonis Haslem - 9
T2. Dick Van Arsdale - 9
T3. James Harden - 8
T3. Oscar Robertson - 8
Playing for the Miami Heat for 4 seasons, LeBron James and D wyane Wade historically lead in most victories, after 17 and 13 games played. Their teammate Udonis Haslem is also at the top, while James Harden is another active player looking to continue adding wins on Christmas.
Most Points
1. LeBron James - 460
2. Kobe Bryant - 395
3. Oscar Robertson - 377
4. Dwyane Wade - 314
5. Kevin Durant - 299
LeBron James, still active, leads all players as the highest point-scorer in the history of Christmas Day games. His 460 points stand as th e highest mark and will prove to be a formidable record to surpass. Not only has his enduring excellence placed him at the pinnacle, but also Kevin Durant, the only active player in the Top 5, trails far behind with 299 points.
Most Rebounds
1. Bill Russell - 176
2. Wes Unseld - 163
3. Shaquille O’Neal - 155
4. Wilt Chamberlain- 152
5. Wayne Embry - 136
Bill Russell cemented his legacy as the all-time leader in rebounds during Christmas. With an average of 22.5 rebounds per game over his career, the legendary Boston Celtics player etched his name atop the conversation, seemingly untouchable and far from being dethroned.
Most Assists
1. Oscar Robertson - 144
2. LeBron James - 119
3. Russell Westbrook - 97
4. Kobe Bryant - 85
Oscar Robertson not only stands as one of the top scorers in Christmas history but also holds the title of assists leader with an average of 12.0 over his 12 played games, where he also achieved 4 triple-doubles. Behind him is LeBron James, who came close but seems to find the top spot elusive.
Most Steals
1. Russell Westbrook - 29
2. LeBron James - 26
3. Scottie Pippen -24
4. Dwyane Wade - 23
T5. Kobe Bryant - 17
T5. Michael Jordan - 17
While LeBron James may be leading in multiple categories, Russell Westbrook remains the all-time leader in steals in Christmas Day games, just 3 ahead of LeBron. The competition is still very much alive. Among active players, none are currently challenging for a spot on the podium in this category.
Most Blocks
1. Shaquille O’Neal - 25
2. Dwight Howard - 19
T3. Amare Stoudemire - 16
T3. Elvin Hayes - 16
5. Pau Gasol - 1 3
While Shaq is renowned for his offensive prowess, his ability to be a rim protector is well displayed in this setting. In Christmas Day games, O’Neal leads the entire NBA in history in blocks, and it appears that his record will not be surpassed anytime soon.
Most 3-Pointers Made
1. James Harden - 31
2. LeBron James - 28
3. Kevin Durant - 25
4. J.J. Redick - 24
5. Klay Thompson - 20
James Harden, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant are vying for the top spot in this category. Harden, during his time with the Rockets, relished being a one-man offensive force, while James and Durant continue to showcase their enduring prowess.
Most Free Throws Made
1. Oscar Robertson - 125
2. LeBron James - 106
3. Kobe Bryant - 106
4. Dolph Schayes - 87
5. Dick Van Arsdale - 84
Oscar Robertson holds a considerable advantage over LeBron James in free throws. In his 12 games, Robertson went to the line a total of 136 times, converting an impressive 91.2% of his shots into points. It's safe to say that his record is far from being surpassed anytime soon.
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TODAY'S BEST
The 'Scoring leaders by NBA franchise' quiz
Happy birthday to the late Los Angeles Lakers and NBA legend Kobe Bryant! Originally drafted by the Charlotte Hornets out of high school in 1996, he was traded on draft night to the Lakers for big man Vlade Divac. Bryant gave the Lakers 20 seasons, making 18 All-Star teams, 15 All-NBA nods, five NBA titles, two scoring titles, two Finals MVP awards and one regular season MVP. Which brings us to today's quiz. When Bryant retired after the 2015-16 season -- going out with a historic 60 points (on 50 shots from the field). With that being said, how many of the all-time leading scorers for every NBA franchise can you name in five minutes? Good luck! Did you like this quiz? Are there any quizzes you’d like to see us make in the future? Let us know your thoughts at quizzes@yardbarker.com, and make sure to subscribe to our Quiz of the Day Newsletter for daily quizzes sent right to your email!
Steelers' Kenneth Gainwell Sends A New Eye-Opening Cryptic Message
The Pittsburgh Steelers have reshaped their running back room for the 2025 NFL season. With Najee Harris leaving in free agency and Cordarrelle Patterson released, Jaylen Warren is the lone returning back from 2024. Warren has totaled nearly 1,300 rushing yards over the past two years and is widely expected to assume the RB1 role following Harris’ departure. Competition is emerging however, as several newcomers are making strong cases for the starting job, and one running back recently sparked speculation with a cryptic post to Steelers fans on X. The Steelers signed Kenneth Gainwell to a one-year deal worth $1.79 million in March. Gainwell is entering his fifth year in the NFL out of Memphis, spending his first four seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles backing up Miles Sanders, De'Andre Swift, and Saquon Barkley. Gainwell has always been a serviceable backup and third-down weapon, but he wants to be more than that in Pittsburgh. Gainwell took to X on Friday morning when rumors were conveniently swirling about who will be the Steelers' RB1 when they face the New York Jets in two weeks. "They gone find out real soon!!" Gainwell said via X. It's important to remember that Gainwell could be referring to many things here. The Steelers' running game has showed promise this offseason, but many pundits would argue there's still plenty of room for improvement. Gainwell could simply be referring to the room as a whole taking the league by storm in 2025. However, it would be no surprise if he were referring to himself as being the player to look out for in the Steel City. He has shown his capability of being an impact player so far in his NFL career and has a competitive spirit. Gainwell has rushed for 1,185 yards with 12 touchdowns in his career, to go along with 102 receptions for 721 yards. During his four seasons with the Eagles, Gainwell carved out a reputation as a reliable dual-threat option. Though often used in a rotational role, Gainwell proved that he was capable of producing in high-leverage moments. Steelers fans might recall the nasty spin-move that he put on Donte Jackson during Pittsburgh's 27-13 loss at Philadelphia last December. So is Gainwell now a candidate for the Steelers' starting running back spot in 2025, that's the real question. With recent rumors swirling of Warren being in danger getting benched due to ball security issues, the idea of someone else leading the Steelers' running back room doesn't seem so unrealistic. Warren has seven fumbles in his career so far, including four in 2023 alone. In the Steelers' recent preseason win over the Panthers, Warren put the ball on the ground during Pittsburgh's opening drive. Warren might be the most talented running back that the Steelers currently have, but with turnovers being a potential issue, it might not be a terrible idea to turn elsewhere to lead the way. Even if Warren does get benched however, does Gainwell take his place? The Steelers spent a third-round draft pick on Kaleb Johnson in April, and the expectations for him are sky high. Johnson rushed for 2,779 yards in three years at Iowa, and he did show some promise during the preseason, rushing for 94 yards on 23 carries. One area of uncertainty with Johnson's game is his pass protection abilities, simply due to the fact that Iowa did not throw the ball much while Johnson was there. Pass protection is an area where Gainwell could separate himself from Johnson in terms of competition. It will be key for the Steelers to protect four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers in 2025. With some uncertainty on the offensive line, the Steelers' running backs will need to be helpful in the pass protection game. Durability will also play a factor. Gainwell has remained relatively healthy throughout his career, only missing one game due to injury so far. Steelers' Gainwell Brings Experience And Success To Pittsburgh Along with pass protection and durability, Gainwell brings experience and success. The Eagles made it to two Super Bowls during Gainwell's tenure, winning one last season. The Steelers are looking to replicate the playoff success that Gainwell experienced in Philadelphia, and he could potentially help them reach that threshold.
Browns have major injury concern on offense after starter exits game
The Cleveland Browns have a big concern on Saturday following an injury to a key part of the offensive line. The Browns played their starters against the Los Angeles Rams as a tune-up before the regular season. Per the NFL's website, center Ethan Pocic was ruled out of Saturday's game against the Rams when he suffered a knee injury. Via the NFL: "C Ethan Pocic suffered a knee injury against Los Angeles and will not return to the game. Pocic played eight snaps with starting quarterback Joe Flacco before exiting with his injury. Pocic was injured on a third-and-9 play in the first quarter when Rams defensive tackle Desjuan Johnson ran into his leg while he was engaged in a block on linebacker Brennan Jackson." Pocic's injury is a worry for the Browns ahead of their Week 1 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 7. The 2017 second-round pick by the Seattle Seahawks is a leader on Cleveland's offensive line. He's been with the Browns since 2022. Pocic has appeared in 101 games and started in 84 during his first eight years in the league. The upcoming season is important for the 30-year-old, as he's in the final year of the three-year, $18 million deal he signed in 2023. When Pocic came out of the game, the Browns inserted Luke Wypler in at center. The 2023 sixth-round pick has played in just five games in his career and has made one start. Wypler missed all of 2024 with an ankle injury that required surgery.
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Former Yankees Outfielder Rips Aaron Boone, Brian Cashman
The New York Yankees have been having a rough couple of months, losing their once-dominant lead of the AL East. Now, both Yankees manager Aaron Boone and general manager Brian Cashman are on the receiving end of some tough words by a former player, outfielder Clint Frazier. Boone has been criticized by a number of analysts (not to mention Yankees fans) for lineup and mid-game moves that range from head-scratching to downright bizarre, especially for a team that has been having a hard time securing wins. Cashman has repeatedly defended Boone, arguing that is knowledge of the players' capabilities is driving his decisions. To Frazier, Cashman's defense of Boone is self-serving because Cashman is the person who is responsible for Boone's tenure as manager. “When Cashman comes out and gives support to Boone, lowkey, I kind of feel like that’s self-preservation,” Frazier said on his podcast. “I know his resume is insane, but when he gives the confidence boost to Boone, I was saying ‘he’s got to, because Booney is the frontline of defense for him. I brought this guy in, and I have to support him, because he’s my guy.' Boone is Cashman’s shadow a little bit." Frazier, who played for the Pinstripes from 2017 to 2021, went on to discuss the Yankees' playoff chances, criticizing Boone for his lineup and mid-game decisions, which he claims will impact the team negatively during the post-season. “You need to make sure that you aren’t walking into it with bad decisions, because these are the decisions they’ll be doing in the playoffs,” he said. “They’re going to be way more under the microscope in the playoffs... You’ve got to make sure that you’re buttoned up and ready to go. If you start firing from the hip, it becomes a mockery of what every guy is trying to do.” While the Yankees are doing better now than they were at the time of Frazier's comments, surpassing the Boston Red Sox for second place in the AL East and securing the top spot in the AL Wild Card standings, they still aren't consistent. For New York to secure a trip to the World Series for the second year in a row, they're going to have to play better, which requires Boone to make better decisions. Make sure to bookmark Yankees On SI to get all your daily New York Yankees news, interviews, breakdowns and more! Yankees Have Advantage in Cody Bellinger Sweepstakes Former Yankees Pitchers Swap Places On NL Contender Hall of Famer Explains Leaving Red Sox for Yankees Mariano Rivera's Injury End of Yankees Old-Timer's Game? Four Yankees Among MLB's Top 25 Free Agents
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