The NBA did have a great day, averaging 5.2 million viewers across their five games on Christmas, the most on the holiday in five years, but the NFL dominated those numbers.

LeBron insisted he wasn't ignoring reality when he said "Christmas is the NBA's day" on Dec. 25. He just felt the urge to defend his own league and sport against a mightier foe.

LeBron James appeared on the "New Heights" podcast Wednesday and admitted the NFL kicked the NBA's "a**" in Christmas Day TV ratings.

LeBron James led the Los Angeles Lakers to a standout 115-113 win over the Golden State Warriors on Christmas Day in a classic encounter where both he and Stephen Curry dominated.

Lakers’ LeBron James saw the NFL, and NBA viewership numbers Even though the 5.2 million fans was the highest viewership for a Christmas Day game in five years, it didn’t come to a close.

LeBron insisted he wasn't ignoring reality when he said "Christmas is the NBA's day" on Dec. 25. He just felt the urge to defend his own league and sport against a mightier foe.