The Top 5 NBA Christmas Day games of all time

1986: Patrick Ewing's last-second heroics against Michael Jordan

Charlotte Hornets v Miami Heat - Game Seven

Patrick Ewing pulled off a miracle as he grabbed a rebound and, in mid-air, floated in a shot in the dying moments of the game. The game-winner was the culmination of a comeback that handed Michael Jordan a defeat in his first-ever NBA Christmas game.

The Knicks star tormented the young Chicago Bulls with 28 points (13-29 FG), 17 rebounds, and two blocks. Ewing was pushed to the brink by Jordan, who put up 30 points (10-18 FG, 10-12 FT), six steals, five assists, three rebounds, and two blocks in his NBA Christmas game debut.

2008: NBA Finals rematch

Boston Celtics v Los Angeles Lakers

On Christmas day in 2008, the LA Lakers met the Boston Celtics for the first time since losing to them in the 2008 NBA Finals.

With the memory of the defeat still fresh on their minds, Kobe Bryant and co. beat the Celtics with the Mamba leading the way with 27 points, as the Lakers prevailed 92-83.

Kevin Garnett put up a fight with 23 points and nine rebounds but had no support from his team on the big day.

#NBAXmas Flashback: 2008-@KobeBryant scores 27 points and lifts the @Lakers to a 92-83 victory over the @celtics. @kobebryant is the NBA’s career Christmas Day leader in points (395) and games played (16). #NBAXmas 2017 @Lakers host the @Timberwolves at 10:30 pm/et @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/MOVfosX7QC

— NBA History (@NBAHistory) December 24, 2017

2016: Kyrie Irving recreates the NBA finals moment

Golden State Warriors v Cleveland Cavaliers

In December 2017, the Cleveland Cavaliers faced off against the Golden State Warriors, who had added Kevin Durant, for the first time since the legendary 2016 NBA Finals.

The Warriors went into the 4th quarter with a 13 point lead, but Kyrie Irving had other ideas. He took over and scored 14 of his 27 points in the 4th quarter to lead a comeback. The point guard also hit the game-winning shot with 3.7 seconds to go, beating the Warriors 109-108 on Christmas day.

Kevin Durant put on a show, scoring 36 points and 15 rebounds but could not outduel LeBron James, who stuffed the stat sheet with 31 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a block.