On This Day: Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal face off for first time after ugly feud

The game is one of the most watched NBA games ever, and it fell on Christmas.

2024 NBA Christmas Day is back with five exciting matchups, but let’s go back to the history of the Christmas games when we saw a rivalry between NBA legends Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. Two iconic personalities faced off in a highly anticipated clash on Christmas Day 2004.

The league has announced great reunion clashes on Christmas Day, but 2004’s Kobe-Shaq reunion will be special. The game is one of the most watched NBA games ever, and it fell on Christmas. Shaquille O’Neal visited Los Angeles for the first time since he was traded to the Miami Heat.

20 years ago on Christmas, Kobe dropped 42 in his first ever matchup vs Shaq after their ugly breakup 🐍

One of the highest anticipated matches ever 🔥
pic.twitter.com/Dda1FFY2ss
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) December 24, 2024

The backdrop of the story added value to the game. If the new generation can cheer for the reunion of the ‘Splash Brothers’ at Chase Center in 2024 then they will cherish the tension of 2004’s epic clash. It was the Clash of the Titans and the match also went into the final moment. ‘

Kobe Bryant had a fantastic night with 42 points on Christmas night. Despite his heroics, Miami squeezed past the Lakers 104-102. Los Angeles had the ball and they could have tied or won the game. However, Kobe failed to score on the final shot and Shaq had the last laugh. Kobe’s winning shot hit the right side of the rim as time expired.

Shaq scored a double-double with 24 points and 11 rebounds. Dwayne Wade was the top performer for Miami with 29 points and 10 assists. The match was tied 12 times and it was a toe-to-toe finish. Dwayne Wade missed two shots at the end but the Heat pulled away in overtime to secure 11th straight win.

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The ugly feud between Shaq and Kobe which added fuel to Christmas encounter

It was not just the reunion clash but also a rivalry which was supposed to grow. Shaq won three NBA Championships in consecutive seasons for the Lakers and was on the verge of winning fourth but Pistons had better plans in NBA Finals 2004. On all four occasions, Kobe Bryant was Shaq’s best partner.

Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal are still the last duo to register a three-peat in the NBA. The actual issues occurred over the roles in the roaster. Kobe wanted to take over the leading role in the team and Shaq was unwilling to let go of it.

Things got worse after the NBA Finals in 2004 when the Pistons outscored the Lakers. The franchise had to pick one of the two players in the roaster. Jerry Buss added preference for Kobe and allowed Shaq to leave the club. O’Neal joined the Miami Heat on a blockbuster trade ahead of the season 2004-05.

12 years ago today, Shaq was traded from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Miami Heat #TBT pic.twitter.com/iNpf3alleh
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 14, 2016

This trade shook up the NBA landscape for years to come. Shaq was angry with the departure and felt betrayed by Kobe and the Lakers. Shaq got a taste of victory when he walked out of the Lakers’ home court on Christmas.

2004-05 was also a great season for the Miami Heat. They finished in first place in both their division and conference with a 59–23 record, which was their best since 1996–97. Meanwhile, the Lakers had the worst season with a 34-48 record and Kobe failed to reach playoffs. Shaq helped Miami to win the Championship in 2006.

Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal Head to Head

During their legendary career, Kobe and Shaq met each other a total of 11 times. Shaq O’Neal won seven games and won their head-to-head battle 7-4. Kobe’s individual numbers were great than O’Neal but Shaq’s team always had an upper hand over the Lakers.

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.