ICYMI
Better late than never!
The Christmas Day has always been one of the top highlights in the NBA season. The annual basketball matchups are a tradition unlike any other, owning the holiday from afternoon well into the night. Some of the league’s best teams compete in these historic games, introducing new stars, new rosters and new shoes.
This year, Santa Claus brought us quite some entertaining gifts.
Boston Celtics @ New York Knicks, Noon
Golden State Warriors @ Cleveland Cavaliers, 2:30 P.M.
Chicago Bulls @ San Antonio Spurs, 5:00 P.M.
Minnesota Timberwolves @ Oklahoma City Thunder, 8:00 P.M.
L.A. Clippers @ L.A. Lakers, 10:30 P.M.
The Quicken Loans was hosting the matchup of the night, the Cleveland Cavaliers vs. the Golden State Warriors. They once again renewed their rivalry in a thrilling game full of outstanding performances – especially thanks to the one and only Kyrie Irving, doing it again! The game winning shot of Uncle Drew took the Warriors back in time to the notorious seventh game of last year’s Championship Finals. Quite a traumatic experience for Curry, Thompson & Co. – AGAIN! Rose, Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis on one side, Isaiah Thomas, Horford and Brown on the other. That was enough star power to tune in on the Boston Celtics against the New York Knicks. In the AT&T Center, the San Antonio Spurs welcomed the Chicago Bulls. Even without Duncan, the Spurs have now played on Christmas for the fourth straight season. They showed Dwyane Wade, Rajon Rondo and Jimmy Butler their manpower and send them home with a L! In L.A., the Los Angeles Clippers faced the Los Angeles Lakers. For the first time in this season, all five starters of the Lakers scored in double-figures. Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan & Co. were overchallenged by the Purple and Gold squad and lost the battle of the city. Despite Karl-Anthony Towns, silver bullet of the Wolves, the Minnesota Timberwolves lost to Westbeast and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Basketball fans and shoe enthusiasts alike were entertained throughout Christmas Day. Superstars wore their signature shoes, Stars in the making wore sneakers of their idols. Either way, the shoe game was pretty strong. While the last years showed us special edition colorways, this year marked a shift. Nike and Adidas introduced simple white uppers adorned with either gold or mint green accent, toning down this year’s holiday themes. The major focus on Christmas Day was on model debuts though. LeBron James, Melo and Kyrie Irving revealed their latest signature shoe of their lines with Nike and Jordan. In case you missed it, take a look at the kicks of the stars:
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS @ CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (108:109)
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
BOSTON CELTICS @ NEW YORK KNICKS (119:114)
BOSTON CELTICS
NEW YORK KNICKS
CHICAGO BULLS @ SAN ANTONIO SPURS (100:119)
SAN ANTONIO SPURS
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS @ LOS ANGELES LAKERS (102:111)
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES @ OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER (100:112)
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
In cooperation with FIVE Mag!