Before the Golden State Warriors started against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks on Christmas Day in 2020, Warriors Wire is looking at memorable matchups, standout performances and everything else between the Warriors on Christmas Day .
With Kevin Durant moving to the Warriors, the 10-time All-Star made his debut in the stormy Golden State tournament with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Christmas Day in 2016. In a major remake The NBA Tournament on Christmas in Cleveland, Steph Curry, Durant, James and Kyrie Irving did not disappoint.
December 25, 2016
Durant took no time to commit himself to a Golden State clash with Cleveland, scoring 12 points and capturing four boards in the opening quarter. However, the Warriors were unable to capitalize on Durant’s early scoring effort as a result of James, Irving and Kevin Love’s three coming together for 18 points.
The Warriors traded back and forth with the Cavaliers going up into the final quarter. Irving’s 14-point fourth quickly knocked out Golden State’s seven-point lead, tying the game at 103 with just over 2 minutes left in the tournament.
With 1:14 left, Curry dropped a deep triple to give Golden State a three-point advantage. But it wasn’t enough to serve the Cavaliers coal at Christmas time.
Over the next minute, Irving scored the final four points to give the Cavaliers a one-point lead with three seconds left, sealing Cleveland’s late rally for the win, 109-108.
Durant finished the tournament with a high of 36 points on an 11-of-23 shooting from the field with 15 rebounds, three assists, theft and a block in 38 minutes.
James led the Cavaliers with 31 points, 13 rebounds and four assists. Irving scored 25 heroic points with 10 assists, seven assists and six boards.
Watch the exciting events from the Golden State Christmas player with the Cavaliers via YouTube: