Luka Doncic shines in Mavs win, Celtics triumph over Lakers in Christmas clash - NBA highlights

Luka Doncic scored 50 points and hit 10,000 career points as the Mavericks beat the Suns, while the Celtics beat the Lakers.

Luka Doncic had an outstanding performance, scoring 50 points and surpassing 10,000 career points as he led the Dallas Mavericks to a 128-114 victory over the Phoenix Suns. He drilled eight three-pointers, with his milestone bucket coming in the first quarter. Doncic's achievement makes him the sixth-fastest player to reach 10,000 points in terms of age and tied for the seventh-fastest in terms of games played at 358. The Mavericks had to fight hard against the Suns, who rallied from a 15-point deficit and even led by six early in the fourth quarter. However, a 17-4 scoring run in the final quarter helped Dallas secure the win, with Doncic contributing six rebounds, 15 assists, four steals, and three blocked shots. He made all 12 of his free throws and became the fourth player to score 50 or more points on Christmas Day.

Another Christmas Day game saw the Boston Celtics face off against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Celtics emerged victorious with a 126-115 win, despite a 40-point effort from Lakers star Anthony Davis. Kristaps Porzingis scored 28 points and pulled down 11 rebounds, while Jayson Tatum added 25 points for the Celtics. The Lakers' LeBron James scored just 16 points on five-of-14 shooting. The Celtics got off to a strong start, leading by as many as 18 points before the Lakers began to chip away. Both teams faced a scare when James and Jaylen Brown collided late in the second period, but both returned to the game. Tatum praised the Celtics' resilience in responding to the Lakers' comeback and highlighted the significance of the win on the road.

The day's action also included the New York Knicks' 129-122 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, ending the Bucks' seven-game winning streak. Jalen Brunson scored 38 points for the Knicks, who had lost their previous nine games against Milwaukee. The reigning champion Denver Nuggets secured a 120-114 win over the Golden State Warriors. Despite a poor shooting day, Nikola Jokic scored 26 points, going 18-for-18 at the free-throw line. Warriors coach Steve Kerr criticized the officiating, expressing frustration with the number of free-throws taken in the game. The Miami Heat defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 119-113, with rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. scoring a career-high 31 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro also played pivotal roles in Miami's victory.

The Christmas Day games provided thrilling action, with standout performances from Doncic, Tatum, and Jaquez Jr. as teams battled to secure wins in front of fans and viewers. The games showcased the competitive spirit and skill of NBA players, delivering excitement and entertainment on the holiday.

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