Whereas the NFL dominates Thanksgiving Day, the NBA has made the weekend its personal by internet hosting video games that ship unforgettable moments. Listed below are a number of the most memorable Thanksgiving weekend NBA video games, showcasing star performances, intense rivalries, and iconic buzzer-beaters.
Knicks vs. Nets: Battle of New York (November 29, 2013)
Thanksgiving weekend NBA video games typically function regional rivalries, and in 2013, the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets placed on a present. The Knicks, led by Carmelo Anthony, squared off in opposition to a Nets staff anchored by Deron Williams and Kevin Garnett.
In a recreation that exemplified the excessive stakes of a metropolis rivalry, Carmelo Anthony poured in 29 factors, lifting the Knicks to a 109-98 win. The environment at Barclays Heart was electrical, and the victory gave the Knicks bragging rights over their cross-town rivals in the course of the vacation season.
The Shaq-Kobe Showdown (November 27, 2003)
When the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs met on Thanksgiving weekend in 2003, followers have been handled to a conflict of Western Convention titans. This recreation was significantly important because it highlighted the height of the Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant partnership, in addition to Tim Duncan’s dominance for the Spurs.
Shaq posted a monstrous 32-point, 18-rebound efficiency, whereas Kobe added 27 factors. The Lakers secured a hard-fought 90-86 victory in a recreation that previewed what would turn into a fierce playoff rivalry later that season.
LeBron’s Early Heroics (November 27, 2004)
In solely his second season, LeBron James confirmed why he was destined for greatness throughout a Thanksgiving weekend recreation in opposition to the Chicago Bulls. The Cleveland Cavaliers star delivered an all-around efficiency with 26 factors, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists, main his staff to a dramatic 96-91 win.
LeBron’s means to take over the sport in crunch time established him as a participant who thrived beneath the highlight, even in his early years. This efficiency set the tone for a lot of extra memorable vacation moments all through his profession.
Derrick Rose’s Buzzer-Beater (November 25, 2011)
Coming off an MVP season, Derrick Rose gave Chicago Bulls followers another excuse to be grateful throughout a Thanksgiving weekend showdown in opposition to the Milwaukee Bucks. In a tightly contested recreation, Rose hit a game-winning jumper on the buzzer to safe a 93-91 victory.
Rose’s clutch shot was a defining second of his profession and underscored his means to rise to the event. It additionally solidified his repute as one of many league’s most electrifying gamers earlier than accidents started to take their toll.
Golden State’s Early Dominance (November 28, 2015)
The Golden State Warriors’ 2015-16 season is extensively thought to be one of many best in NBA historical past, and their Thanksgiving weekend matchup in opposition to the Sacramento Kings supplied one more glimpse of their dominance. Steph Curry dropped 17 of his 19 factors within the first quarter, because the Warriors cruised to a 120-101 victory.
The sport prolonged Golden State’s record-setting begin to 18-0, fueling hypothesis that the staff may surpass the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls’ 72-10 file. The Warriors finally had the best single regular season record that 12 months, and this Thanksgiving weekend efficiency was a spotlight of their historic season.
Celtics vs. Sixers: Vacation Rivalry Renewed (November 29, 2019)
Thanksgiving weekend NBA video games typically reignite rivalries, and the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers supplied an exhilarating chapter in 2019. The sport showcased the Celtics’ Jayson Tatum and the Sixers’ Joel Embiid, two rising stars who embodied the way forward for their franchises.
Regardless of Embiid’s dominant 38-point, 13-rebound efficiency, the Celtics held on for a 114-109 victory behind a balanced scoring assault and clutch protection. This recreation highlighted the depth of the Celtics-Sixers rivalry, one of many oldest and most storied in NBA historical past.
James Harden’s Scoring Clinic (November 27, 2020)
In 2020, James Harden gave followers another excuse to feast on basketball throughout Thanksgiving weekend. Going through the Dallas Mavericks, Harden erupted for 44 factors, together with a number of deep three-pointers that left the group in awe.
The sport, a high-scoring affair, resulted in a 132-128 time beyond regulation win for the Houston Rockets. Harden’s efficiency was a testomony to his scoring prowess and talent to dominate video games within the fashionable NBA period.
Conclusion
Thanksgiving weekend NBA video games have supplied numerous memorable moments. From Shaq and Kobe’s dominance to Derrick Rose’s buzzer-beater and Steph Curry’s capturing clinic, followers can stay up for much more legendary moments so as to add to the vacation’s wealthy sports activities historical past.
