On the Christmas Day scoring list in the NBA, LeBron James passed Oscar Robertson into second place, with a stepback three-pointer over Luka Doncic in the third quarter against Dallas Mavericks. Earlier in the day, Kevin Durant, with his 29-point perfomance against the Celtics, went past Shaquille O’Neal for the 5th on the all-time list.
James finished with 22 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists in his 15th assistance on Christmas Day.
All-Time Leading Scorers on Christmas Day:
10. Richie Guerin
Statistics: 232 points in 9 games (25.7 points per game on 53.6 FG%)
The 6-foot-4 guard etched his name in the history books with a 57-point showing that at the time set the New York Knicks and MSG record for most points in a single game. This historic performance came on December 11, 1959.
9. Walt Bellamy
Statistics: 237 points in 9 games (26.3 points per game on 76.8 FG%)
The centre played 14 seasons for 5 different teams. Bellamy’s career averages were 20.1 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 1,043 regular-season games. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1993.
8. Dolph Schayes
Statistics: 239 points in 13 games (26.3 points per game on 76.8 FG%)
His career stretched from the NBA’s inaugural year to basketball’s emergence as a major sporting event. He was known as the star of the Syracuse Nationals, following the franchise as it became Philadelphia 76ers, going on to become its coach.
7. Russell Westbrook
Statistics: 241 points in 10 games (24.1 points per game on 38.7 FG%)
The Washington Wizards guard had second-most triple-doubles (146) in the history of the league and averaged a triple-double in three seasons straight from 2016-17 to 2018-19. In the 2020-21 season, he averaged 23.2 points, 8.3 assists, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.7 steals in 878 career games with 861 starts.
6. Shaquille O’Neal
Statistics: 272 points in 13 games (20.9 points per game on 53.3 FG%)
He was drafted by the Orlando Magic as the first overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft. He led them to the 1995 NBA Finals where they lost to the Houston Rockets. The highlights of his basketball career came as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. He was named the Finals MVP in three championships.
5. Kevin Durant
Statistics: 299 points in 10 games (29.9 points per game on 51.7 FG%)
He has appeared in 849 games over 12 seasons with Oklahoma City and Golden State. He was selected in the first round of the 2007 NBA Draft by the Seattle SuperSonics. He was named the league’s MVP in 2013-14, scoring an NBA-high and career-best 32.0 points.
4. Dwyane Wade
Statistics: 314 points in 13 games (24.1 points per game on 45.7 FG%)
He has won three NBA championships as a member of the Miami Heat. Known as the “Big Three” along with LeBron James and Chris Bosh, the megastar trio powered through the Eastern Conference, before losing to the Dallas Mavericks in the 2011 Finals.
3. Oscar Robertson
Statistics: 377 points in 12 games (31.4 points per game on 47.0 FG%)
Playing for the Cincinnati (Ohio) Royals in 1961-62, he averaged 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 11.4 assists per game, a feat unmatched by anyone else until Russell Westbrook did so in 2016-17. He led the league in assists six times. He was elected into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1979.
2. LeBron James
Statistics: 383 points in 15 games (25.5 points per game on 48.4 FG%)
He was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the first overall selection of the 2003 NBA Draft. Also, he signed an unprecedented $90 million endorsement contract with the shoe company, Nike, before he ever played a professional game. He instrumental in leading the Los Angeles Lakers claiming their 17th NBA title.
1. Kobe Bryant
Statistics: 395 points in 16 games (24.6 points per game on 40.8 FG%)
“With 17 NBA All-Star selections, an NBA MVP, five NBA championships with the Lakers, two Olympic gold medals and a relentless work ethic, Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest players in the history of our game,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, as a reaction to his retirement announcement. In the last game of his career, he scored 60 points and lead the Lakers to win against the Utah Jazz. It was his sixth 60-point game ever.
