After defeating the Golden State Warriors on a last-second layup, LeBron James gave a clear message to the NFL.
James remains the face of the NBA despite his old age. And as the Los Angeles Lakers star's statements continue, most of the rest of the basketball world follows.
The timing of the message arriving on Christmas Day in America's most popular sport was poignant, as the NBA had five games scheduled, compared to the NFL's two.
This pair of football games is the most for a non-Sunday Christmas Day in league history.
The NFL didn't usually have games on Christmas Day every year, and the NBA filled the holiday schedule for more than the last decade. Now the NFL appears to be trying to spread out over some holidays.
“I love the NFL, but Christmas is our day,” James said.
LeBron James gave a clear message to the NFL about his Christmas Day doubleheader
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell approved the league having games on Christmas
The five-time NBA title, with five games played in a row, has become a staple of the league, and most of its big stars share the day with the current opening.
Last year, the only NFL game broadcast on CBS, in which the Kansas City Chiefs hosted the Las Vegas Raiders, with Taylor Swift watching from a luxury suite, was a critical ratings hit.
Now it appears the NFL wants to cash in on the holiday viewership each year, as future Christmas Day games appear to be scheduled through 2026.
This year's move to Netflix will likely give the NFL's viewing numbers an even bigger boost, especially with Beyonce performing at the Ravens-Steelers halftime. In the other NFL game of the day, the Chiefs defeated the Steelers.
It's clear that the NBA and its biggest stars still view Christmas Day as their territory, as the NFL has traditionally dominated Thanksgiving.
It's much easier for the NBA to schedule games around the holidays, with an 82-game season, and the NFL struggles every year Christmas Day falls on a Tuesday.
However, it looks like the NFL is here to stay in the Christmas Day ratings battle.