NEW YORK – The NBA delivered its most-watched Christmas Day in five years, averaging 5.25 million viewers per game in the U.S. across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, Disney+ and ESPN+, according to Nielsen Fast Nationals. Viewership was up 84% vs. last year.

NBA legacies are built, at least in part, on the holiday with huge viewership for the biggest and brightest stars.

The NBA on Christmas is a tradition that goes back to 1947, the league's second season. In fact, since 1947, there has only been one season when the NBA has not played at least one game on a Christmas: the 1998-99 season, which began in February because of a lockout.