Lakers Edge Warriors in Thrilling Final Seconds on Christmas
Austin Reaves delivered a clutch go-ahead layup with one second remaining, capping a triple-double performance and leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a dramatic 115-113 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night in San Francisco.
The game saw LeBron James continue his Christmas Day dominance with 31 points and 10 assists, while the Lakers overcame the early loss of Anthony Davis, who twisted his left ankle and exited in the eighth minute. Despite Davis’ absence, the Lakers controlled most of the game, securing their fourth win in five outings.
Curry’s Late-Game Heroics Fall Short
The Lakers held a 109-100 lead with 1:30 left, but Stephen Curry nearly turned the tide with a stunning performance in the closing moments. Curry scored eight points in a 13-4 run, including two improbable 3-pointers in the final 12.2 seconds.
His game-tying 31-foot shot with 7.6 seconds remaining electrified the crowd, but Reaves’ decisive layup sealed the win for Los Angeles.
- Reaves’ Triple-Double: 26 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists
- Curry’s Performance: Game-high 38 points with eight 3-pointers, tying the NBA record for a Christmas Day game
Around the League: Christmas Day Recap
Timberwolves 105, Mavericks 99
- Anthony Edwards scored 26 points to lead the visiting Timberwolves past the Mavericks.
- Luka Dončić exited late in the second quarter with a left calf strain after scoring 14 points.
- Kyrie Irving: Scored 39 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter, but missed a potential go-ahead 3-pointer with 37 seconds left.
76ers 118, Celtics 114
- Tyrese Maxey: 33 points, 12 assists in Philadelphia’s road win over Boston.
- Joel Embiid: Added 27 points and nine rebounds, sealing the victory with two clutch free throws.
- Jayson Tatum: Led Boston with 32 points and 15 rebounds as the Celtics lost back-to-back games for the first time this season.
Knicks 117, Spurs 114
- Mikal Bridges: Scored a season-high 41 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter, to lead New York to a comeback win.
- Victor Wembanyama: Dominated with 42 points, 18 rebounds, four assists, and four blocks in his Christmas Day debut.
- Miles McBride: Hit a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 2:43 remaining to give the Knicks the lead for good.
Suns 110, Nuggets 100
- Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal: Each scored 27 points, leading Phoenix to a revenge victory after Monday’s loss in Denver.
- Nikola Jokic: Tallied 25 points and 15 rebounds for the Nuggets, who suffered just their second loss in seven games.
What’s Next
Christmas Day brought unforgettable moments, clutch performances, and dramatic finishes across the league. With teams now eyeing playoff positioning, the stakes continue to rise as the season unfolds.
