LeBron James and Kyrie Irving re-enacted Game 7

Good morning. Let’s basketball.

IS IT JUNE YET? The Warriors and Cavaliers had a barn-burner, thrilling rematch. Cleveland took it on a ridiculous clutch Kyrie Irving jumper. (Who’d believe that?) This game was just full of amazing, from Richard Jefferson dunks to an awesome LeBron chasedown block that clearly gave Andre Iguodala flashbacks to amazingly salty locker room artwork.

ICYMI: Paul Flannery’s Sunday Shootaround focused on Russell Westbrook and a philosophy that can be summed up in two words: Why not?

SPEAKING OF WHICH ... Westbrook was as spectacular as expected on Christmas against the Timberwolves in a Thunder win.

AND AN ALDRIDGE IN A SPURS TREE: LaMarcus Aldridge hit his first 11 shots as the Spurs crushed the Bulls.

THRILLER PART 1: The Christmas slate started off in exceptional fashion as the Celtics held off the Knicks late.

THE BIG BROTHER IS BACK: The Lakers beat the Clippers for the first time in 12 tries. Finally, the Lakers catch a break.

STAY MELO: Carmelo Anthony met a 17-year-old fan who has cancer ... and gave him a car.

POWER SHIFT: Mitch Lawrence on the growing power of players in determining the course of the game under the new labor deal. Players will now sit on the competition committee and be able to file monthly reports on officials.

A HUMBLE KEVIN LOVE ON WRESTLING, WESTBROOK, AND THE CAVS’ REAL MVP.

HIS SIDE OF THE TRACKS: Kenyon Martin responds to George Karl more fully, describing what it was like to grow up without a father in the projects. And here’s Justin Tinsley on why Karl’s comment drew such a loud, quick response.

GOOD: ESPN is putting women at the forefront of its NBA coverage.

GAMECHANGER: Good story on the massive impact new retiree health benefits will have after being pushed through by the players’ union and a certain Michael Jordan.

INTERESTING: Adam Silver did a long interview with Mike Wise about social justice, politics, and protest. The commish says players shouldn’t miss an opportunity to share their politics with the President by boycotting a post-title White House visit.

THIS IS A THING: Jeanie Buss really does not seem to be backing down on insisting that Jim Buss GTFOH if the Lakers don’t make the second round.

GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO STANKFACE.

GUARDING THE GREATS: Kobe produced a video for ESPN on defending the best players.

NEXT UP: NBA TV’s Monday doubleheader gives us Pacers-Bulls at 8 p.m. ET and Nuggets-Clippers at 10:30. None of the 11 games feature two teams with winning records, but the long-awaited Embiid vs. Boogie is on League Pass at 10:30.

AND FINALLY: This is Kristaps Porzingis’ family accepting the Unicorn’s Latvian Athlete of the Year Award via song.

Be excellent to each other.