4. Jerry West sets scoring record
High scoring affairs and Jerry West go hand in hand on Christmas Day. He isn’t one of the top-five points per game scorers on Christmas Day for no reason. In 1963, he added to that impressive scoring resume.
West dominated the New York Knicks, pouring in 47 points. The 47 points, based on available information and statistics, is the most points scored in a Christmas Day game by a Lakers player in franchise history.
There are very few statistics available for games this long ago, as West was the only whose shot attempts were tracked in the game, according to Basketball-Reference. West wasn’t the only player with an eye-popping stat line in this game.
Elgin Baylor scored 27 points with 15 rebounds, while Rudy LaRusso scored 20 points with 20 rebounds. Los Angeles needed all of those points, as they needed a strong second half to defeat the lowly Knicks that season.
The Lakers used an 18-point advantage in the second half to lead them to a 134-126 victory over their cross-country foes.