{
  "id": 573912,
  "title": "LeBron James Gets Christmas Day Matchup Against Former Team",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/lebron-james-gets-christmas-day-matchup-against-former-team",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-11T14:33:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Newsweek",
    "slug": "newsweek",
    "url": "https://www.newsweek.com/sports/nba/lebron-james-gets-christmas-day-matchup-against-former-team-12308558"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Christmas Day, basketball fans will gather to watch LeBron James and his new Philadelphia 76ers take on his former team, the Los Angeles Lakers. This marks LeBron's record 21st NBA Christmas Day game. LeBron spent eight years with the Lakers, helping them win another NBA championship in 2020 before joining the 76ers. The 76ers have fortified their roster by acquiring Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics, making them a formidable Eastern Conference contender.\n\nThe Los Angeles Lakers, on the other hand, have seen a roster overhaul, trading for big man Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz. This move has created a trio of stars for their starting lineup: Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Walker Kessler. More recently, Luka Doncic signed a lucrative four-year, $180 million deal, solidifying his role as the team's leader.\n\nThe matchup between James and the 76ers and the Lakers will kick off the Christmas Day slate at 5 p.m. ET. Other notable games include Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs facing the New York Knicks at 12 p.m. ET, Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Miami Heat taking on the Boston Celtics at 2:30 p.m. ET, the Oklahoma City Thunder hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves at 8 p.m. ET, and concluding with the Denver Nuggets versus the Golden State Warriors at 10:30 p.m. ET. All games will be broadcast on ABC and ESPN, providing fans with a day of thrilling NBA action.",
  "summary": "Philadelphia 76ers star LeBron James will face his former team in one of the NBA's five Christmas Day games.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}