LeBron James and Stephen Curry once again gave fans a duel for the ages as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Golden State Warriors on Christmas Day.

LeBron James and Stephen Curry share the national spotlight as the Los Angeles Lakers play the Golden State Warriors on Christmas. Before the game, the Lakers superstar pulled off a playful prank on his longtime Warriors rival. James snuck up on Curry while the Golden State guard was warming up and hilariously pretended to block his shot.

In the 2020s—and particularly in the last few years—every matchup between forward LeBron James's Los Angeles Lakers and guard Stephen Curry's Golden State Warriors has taken on special meaning. There is a growing sense that both legends—and particularly James—may not have much time left in the NBA.

“Part of it is just Father Time,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said. “If you’re 40 or almost 37 in Steph’s case, it’s a lot harder — physically and emotionally — to face what those guys face night after night after night. There’s a reason players have to retire. They can’t do it forever.”

Steph Curry rivalry was an instant classic. Curry scored 38 points, including a game-tying 3, but Austin Reaves' last-second layup gave the Lakers a 115-113 win. LeBron James led LA with 31 points.

The way both LeBron and Curry have been figureheads in the league is something that no one takes for granted, even Lakers coach JJ Redick. Before the Lakers faced off against the

Before falling to the Los Angeles Lakers on Christmas Day, star point guard Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors reportedly attempted to address

Reaves lifted the Lakers over the Warriors, 115-113, to hand Golden State (15-14) its 11th loss in the past 14 games. Curry finished with 38 points — a personal Christmas Day best — including eight 3s, and James poured in 31 points.

Both LeBron James and Steph Curry put on a show in their Christmas Day showdown but the Los Angeles Lakers got the last laugh as they picked up a thrilling 115-113 victory on the road over the Golden State Warriors.

LeBron James declared Christmas "our day," but the NFL had nearly 20 million more viewers than the NBA throughout the holiday this week.