Most games played on Christmas: LeBron James to become NBA all-time leader and pass Kobe Bryant

Kyle Irving

Most games played on Christmas: LeBron James to become NBA all-time leader and pass Kobe Bryant image

When LeBron James takes the floor on Christmas Day in 2022, he'll set another NBA record.

The Lakers are set to take on the Mavericks in Dallas on the holiday, marking James' 17th Christmas Day game. This will break a tie with the late, great Kobe Bryant for the most Christmas Day games in NBA history.

James has become synonymous with the marquee day on the NBA schedule, setting (and chasing) numerous records along the way.

Which records does James already own on the holiday and which ones could he break this season? The Sporting News has the answers you're looking for below.

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LeBron James passes Kobe Bryant for most games played on Christmas

Following the Lakers' matchup with the Mavericks on Christmas Day in 2022, James will be the NBA's all-time leader with 17 games played on the holiday.

James is 10-6 all-time on Christmas Day, averaging 26.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game.

Most total games played

Rank Player Games
1. Kobe Bryant 16
  LeBron James 16
3. Earl Monroe 13
  Shaquille O'Neal 13
  Dolph Schayes 13
  Dwyane Wade 13

LeBron James' records on Christmas Day

Along with the most games played on Christmas Day in NBA history, James is also the NBA's all-time leader in points and 3-pointers made on the holiday. Take a look below to find out which other records James is closing in on.

Most total points

James surpassed Kobe Bryant as the NBA's all-time scorer on Christmas Day in 2021.

Rank Player Points
1. LeBron James 422
2. Kobe Bryant 395
3. Oscar Robertson 377
4. Dwyane Wade 314
5. Kevin Durant 299

Most total assists

James is only 30 assists away from surpassing Oscar Robertson for the most assists on Christmas Day.

Rank Player Assists
1. Oscar Robertson 144
2. LeBron James 114
3. Russell Westbrook 93
4. Kobe Bryant 85
5. Dwyane Wade 80

Most total steals

James only trails his teammate, Westbrook, for the most steals on Christmas Day in NBA history. Both players will look to add to their steal totals on the holiday this season.

Rank Player Steals
1. Russell Westbrook 29
2. LeBron James 26
3. Scottie Pippen 24
4. Dwyane Wade 23
5. Kobe Bryant 17
  Michael Jordan 17

Most total turnovers

As it comes with the territory of playing the most games in NBA history on Christmas, James is only five giveaways behind Bryant for the most ever on the holiday.

Rank Player Turnovers
1. Kobe Bryant 65
2. LeBron James 60
3. Russell Westbrook  47
4. Dwyane Wade 39
5. Shaquille O'Neal 32

Most total 3-pointers made

This one may surprise you, but James is the all-time leader in 3-pointers made on Christmas. With the 76ers also playing on the holiday in 2022, James Harden could surpass LeBron, only two 3-pointers behind the lead.

Rank Player 3-pointers
1. LeBron James  28
2. James Harden 26
3. Kevin Durant 25
4. J.J. Redick 24
5. Kyrie Irving 17
  Klay Thompson 17

Kyle Irving

Kyle Irving Photo

You read that wrong – not Kyrie Irving. From Boston, graduated from the University of New Hampshire. Sixth season as a content producer for NBA.com's Global editions. Covering the NBA Draft has become his annual "dream come true" moment on the job. Irving has a soft spot for pass-first point guards, with Rajon Rondo and Steve Nash being two of his favorite players of all time.