Dec. 25, 1984
In what was becoming a holiday tradition, New Jersey once again traveled to Madison Square Garden to face off against New York on Dec. 25, 1984. A total of 10,581 fans chose to spend their holiday watching Nets-Knicks.
New York had an eight-point advantage after the first quarter of play and extended that lead to 10 points at halftime, 64-54. New Jersey scored 33 points in each of the final two quarters to hold off King and New York for the 120-114 win. The Nets shot 47.6% from the field and the Knicks shot 51.2%. Both teams had 99 offensive possessions.
Although the game didn’t go into overtime like the previous two Christmas games in Manhattan, King dropped a career-high 60 points (19-of-30) in 41 minutes for New York. His point total remains the highest ever scored on the holiday.
Richardson led New Jersey with 36 points (10-of-22) in 48 minutes, Gminski scored 27 (11-of-18) and pulled down 14 rebounds, Ransey had 24 (7-of-12), and Williams finished with 16 (5-of-9) and 10 rebounds.
Following the game, the Nets had a 12-17 record and the Knicks sat at 12-19. New Jersey eventually beat the Sixers in the opening round of the playoffs before losing to the Bucks again in the semifinals.