NBA's Christmas Day programme continued with a contest between the Brooklyn Nets and the Los Angeles Lakers. Brooklyn, which had its last three games postponed due to the NBA's COVID health and safety rules, was without MVP candidate Kevin Durant, who entered the protocols in the past week, but the Nets received a major lift when James Harden returned to action for the first time since December 10th.
The Lakers, who were in urgent need of a win heading into the holiday break with a 16-17 record, were defeated by the rising Nets, who were led by Harden's 36-point triple-double and Australian Patty Mills' 34 points and seven assists. The Lakers were powered by James' 39 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, and Russell Westbrook's triple-double (13 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists), but they were unable to break their four-game losing streak. The Lakers are currently two games under.500 on the season as a result of the loss.