NBA-Christmas Day viewership jumps as league contends with NFL-Netflix appeal

NEW YORK, Dec 26 (Reuters) - The NBA saw its most-watched Christmas Day lineup in five years, the league said on Thursday, as it went head-to-head with the NFL's splashy debut on streaming giant Netflix.

An average of 5.25 million viewers tuned in per game across five games on Walt Disney Co's DIS.N ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, Disney+ and ESPN+, the NBA said, up 84% over last year's audience.

A marquee showdown between the league's two biggest stars, LeBron James and Stephen Curry, led the charge with an average of 7.76 million viewers, as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Golden State Warriors 115-113.

The New York Knicks' 117-114 win over the San Antonio Spurs, meanwhile, averaged 4.91 million viewers to become the most-watched Christmas Day opener in 13 years.

The NBA has been a reliable Christmas Day fixture in American households since first airing on the holiday in 1947, but had to contend this year with the NFL's highly anticipated inaugural two games on Netflix NFLX.O.

Viewers from more than 200 countries tuned in for the first game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to the NFL, while Beyonce's blockbuster halftime show during a game between the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans set social media ablaze.

But James, who led the Lakers in scoring with 31 points for a record 11th Christmas Day win in 19 appearances, said he had no concerns about tackle football stealing the NBA's holiday cheer.

"I love the NFL," James told a reporter in televised remarks. "But Christmas is our day."

(Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York; Editing by Leslie Adler)

((Amy.Tennery@thomsonreuters.com; 917-361-8594;))