NBA’s greatest modern rivalry rekindled on 2024 Christmas Day schedule

The NBA has rolled out its Christmas Day schedule and revealed a main event for the ages. In what could be their last encounter on the Christmas stage, Stephen Curry and LeBron James will rekindle their rivalry after thriving as teammates at the 2024 Summer Olympics.

On Christmas Day, it will be Curry and the Golden State Warriors hosting LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Curry and James have come to define a generation, with statistics, accolades, and stylistic influences that rival anyone in NBA history. During their time at the top of the Association's hierarchy, they've squared off in five different postseason series, including one between the Lakers and Warriors.

Curry owns the 3-2 edge in head-to-head postseason matchups, but it was James who most recently knocked his rival out of the playoffs.

Curry and the Warriors captured their first championship in 2014-15 by defeating James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in a classic NBA Finals. A year later, James and Kyrie Irving made history by helping the Cavaliers overcome a 3-1 deficit to defeat Golden State 4-3 in the legendary 2016 NBA Finals.

The Warriors responded by controversially signing Kevin Durant, and went on to win back-to-back championships against James and the Cavaliers.

Stephen Curry vs. LeBron James rekindled on Christmas Day

James evened the score a bit in 2022-23, when he and Anthony Davis led the Lakers past the Warriors in the second round of the playoffs. Curry scored 32 points in the decisive Game 6, but James finished with 30 points, nine rebounds, nine assists, two steals, and a block in a 122-101 Lakers win.

Davis was nothing short of dominant in that series, capping his efforts off by posting 17 points, 20 rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and two steals in the close-out game.

The rivalry will be rekindled on Christmas Day as two of the NBA's marquee organizations look to overcome recent inconsistency. Golden State missed the playoffs in 2023-24, which stunned many considering they won a championship as recently as 2021-22.

Los Angeles was able to reach the playoffs, but followed a 2023 Western Conference Finals appearance and winning the 2023 NBA Cup by losing in the first round in 2024.

Lakers, Warriors looking to rebound from disappointing seasons

Los Angeles has kept its roster generally the same, but key changes are still expected to reveal their importance. That includes the hiring of JJ Redick, the selection of Dalton Knecht at the 2024 NBA Draft, and the hope that Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent will be able to remain healthy in 2024-25 after appearing in a combined 40 games in 2023-24.

Golden State, meanwhile, is entering a new era after the departure of Klay Thompson and the addition of players such as Kyle Anderson, Buddy Hield, and De'Anthony Melton.

Both sides are hoping that the Olympics can provide momentum for their superstars to lead them back to the promised land. Curry, Davis, and James are all representing Team USA in Paris, and they've each taken center stage in crucial matchups throughout the tournament.

Come Christmas Day, those friendships will be put aside as the greatest rivalry of the modern era is rekindled on one of the biggest stages of the 2024-25 NBA regular season.