LeBron James has been handed a brutal reality check after the NFL's Christmas Day viewing figures crushed the NBA's.

The Los Angeles Lakers star had a message for the NFL as it pushes to schedule games on a holiday that's seen NBA contests for decades.

LeBron James and Stephen Curry share the national spotlight as the Los Angeles Lakers play the Golden State Warriors on Christmas. Before the game, the Lakers superstar pulled off a playful prank on his longtime Warriors rival. James snuck up on Curry while the Golden State guard was warming up and hilariously pretended to block his shot.

Warriors' Stephen Curry agreed with LeBron James' comments that Christmas Day is reserved for the NBA, and not the NFL.

Austin Reaves scored the winning layup with one second left after Stephen Curry tied it on a 31-foot 3-pointer with seven seconds remaining, LeBron James had 31 points and 10 assists playing in his NBA-record 19th Christmas Day game,

“Part of it is just Father Time,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said. “If you’re 40 or almost 37 in Steph’s case, it’s a lot harder — physically and emotionally — to face what those guys face night after night after night. There’s a reason players have to retire. They can’t do it forever.”

LeBron James finishes with 31 points and Austin Reaves scores the winning basket the Lakers' 115-113 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Christmas.

LeBron James got nostalgic about his old rivalry with the Warriors while he was with the Cavaliers. After rejoining the Cavaliers, James led the team to four straight NBA Finals appearances — all against the Warriors — from 2015-18.

Los Angeles has moved up from 16th to 15th in their rankings after the win. LeBron James continues to be one of the best players in the NBA at the age of 39. He turns 40 in a few days and he's still averaging 23.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, and nine assists per game.

After LeBron James missed a few games and had a candid talk with coach JJ Redick, he’s returned better than ever for the Lakers.