Los Angeles Lakers: 10 greatest Christmas Day moments, performances

10. Lockout Ends

The Christmas Day game in 2011 is memorable not because of the outcome; the Lakers ended up losing the game to the Chicago Bulls at the Staples Center, 88-87. Instead, it was memorable because it marked the beginning of that season.

The 2011-12 season started on Christmas Day because of the lockout. The season was shortened to 66 games from the normal 82 as a result, causing the condensed schedule. In the game, the Bulls leading scorer was Derrick Rose, who poured in 22 points. This was the season that Rose’s career was derailed by numerous injuries. Luol Deng added 21 of his own,

For the Lakers, Kobe Bryant led the way with 28 points. He didn’t receive much help. Pau Gasol, with 14, and Steve Blake, with 12, were the only other Lakers to score double-figures. It was an odd starting lineup for the Lakers in this game, as Devin Ebanks, Derk Fisher and Josh McRoberts joined Bryant and Gasol.

Andrew Bynum missed the Chrismas Day game, but he would make his only All-Star game appearance this season. This year’s Christmas Day game also marked the head coaching debut of Mike Brown, who was replacing the immortal Phil Jackson.

Los Angeles would finish the season 41-25, winning the Pacific Division. After defeating the Denver Nuggets in the first round, the Lakers were bounced by the Oklahoma City Thunder in Round 2.