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Lakers' LeBron James: 'Really Sucks' Not Wearing Christmas Day Jerseys for NBA Games

Doric SamDecember 25, 2024

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 23:  LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Detroit Pistons on December 23, 2024 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images

One of the staples from the NBA's Christmas Day slate of games has been missing for the past few years, and Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James voiced his displeasure about it.

The NBA didn't roll out Christmas Day uniforms for the 10 teams in action on Wednesday. James, whose Lakers will face the Golden State Warriors in a primetime showdown, took to social media to let his disappointment be known, saying it "really sucks" to not have specialized uniforms anymore:

LeBron James @KingJames

Not having Xmas day unis anymore really sucks! That was a great feeling walking into the locker room and seeing those. It was literally like receiving a 🎁! Whomp whomp! 🤷🏾‍♂️

James has been a mainstay in the Christmas Day schedule since he arrived in the NBA as the No. 1 pick in the 2003 draft, so he knows more than anyone how meaningful it is to compete on one of the league's most stacked days of the season. The Christmas Day uniforms were an addition that helped signify the honor of being selected for one of the five games of the day.

ESPN's Brianna Williams pointed out that the reason for the NBA not having Christmas Day uniforms in recent years is Nike taking over as the league's uniform provider in 2017 from Adidas, which had previously ushered in the festive looks. Nike has instead established four jersey editions: Association, Icon, City and Statement.

With James and other fans voicing how much they miss the Christmas Day uniforms, perhaps Nike will be more amenable to bringing them back at some point in the future.