Chris Brown and Rihanna attend Christmas Day Lakers game

Rihanna and Chris Brown attend a game between the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, on Dec. 25, 2012. / ROBYN BECK

Chris Brown and Rihanna spent Christmas Day together watching the Los Angeles Lakers take on the New York Knicks at the Staples Center.

• Pictures: Rihanna
• Pictures: Chris Brown

The stars were photographed sitting side-by-side together in courtside seats. They were photographed getting cozy together at the game and were seen holding hands as they left.

After the game, Rihanna posted a photo of herself, posing outside of a car with Brown with a Merry Christmas message:

ThugLife #merryChristmas instagr.am/p/Tre852BM3A/

— Rihanna (@rihanna) December 26, 2012

Rihanna and Chris Brown attend an NBA game between the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Dec. 25, 2012.

/ Getty

The on-again, off-again couple has appeared to be more "on" as of late, collaborating on each other's songs and reportedly spending Thanksgiving together, too. It's the first time in years, they have appeared in public together

It's been nearly four years since Brown made headlines for an attack on Rihanna. He pleaded guilty in 2009 to felony assault.

[Nursedel]

He who is without sin cast the first stone!!!!!!Not my business, or yours.....She said it best, It's her mistake to make...She is a grown woman.

[TEAMBREEZY]

i disagree to everything!!! #nobodiesbusiness i am soo happy to see them back together ! and just to let yall no it was a mistakee something that everyone makes everydayy ugh! #teambreezy #navy #iloveyoutodeath

[TEAMBREEZY]

i disagree to everything!!! #nobodiesbusiness i am soo happy to see them back together ! and just to let yall no it was a mistakee something that everyone makes everydayy ugh! #teambreezy #navy #iloveyoutodeath

[reeblite]

time to BOYCOTT their concerts, cd, dvd, digital music sales. hit them where it hurts. they're irresponsible, selfish shoving it in their fan's faces, media ******, twitter, public displays. rihanna has no respect for her young, impressionable fans. she could care less. again, hit them where it hurts and boycott. until no one cares if she posts a twitter pic of the two of them. charity is nice, but sending the message to young fans that domestic violence is okay, sucks. he looks like he's on heroin, she's either got drug, alcohol or extreme low self esteem issues. there is no right to this, what so ever....it's a syndrome, looks like she should have gotten professional help after he beat the crap out of her. he's still on probation for a felony for what he did to her.

[coolchick08]

As a woman I would never want to put myself in the same position of being beaten again but at the same time she's a grown woman and knows exactly what she's getting involved with. Regardless if it's a dumb decision to go back to him, I would never wish that upon someone hoping they would get beat again because they decided to go back to their abusive ex. We all make some dumb decisions sometimes.. Like I said I wouldn't but she knows better. As for as her setting an example for young girls, I never heard her say she was in the industry for that.. It's not up to her to do that. That's the job of parents to be the best examples for their kids so you can't blame a celebrity for the decision younger females make. There are very few people in Hollywood that would be considered setting a "great example" for young women. What happened to men setting a good example for boys and young men?

[KimMike1]

Wow - you said a whole lot about nothing - Rihanna is waco for hanging with this women beater!

[KimMike1]

Wow - you said a whole lot about nothing - Rihanna is waco for hanging with this women beater!

[florenceday]

All of you are all hateful. Where is the anger where it comes to Charlie Sheen. Hypocrites you all are and I wonder why.

[coolchick08]

I agree!

[KimMike1]

Hey no doubt Rihanna is hot - but she is missing some brain cells!

[embot5]

I agree. I hope he does beat the **** out of her again. The example she has set for thousands of young women and teenagers is disgusting.

[animaltoo]

When he beats her up again, I hope she gets no sympathy whatsoever.