NBA roundup: Lakers nip Warriors in final second
Wed Dec 25 11:19pm ET
Field Level Media
Austin Reaves drove for a go-ahead layup with one second left to cap a triple-double, LeBron James added to his Christmas Day lore with 31 points and the Los Angeles Lakers overcame an injury to Anthony Davis to outlast the Golden State Warriors 115-113 on Wednesday night in San Francisco.
Despite losing Davis for good to a twisted left ankle in the eighth minute of the game, the Lakers held the upper hand for almost the entire final three quarters, leading to a fourth win in five games.
The Lakers led 109-100 with 1:30 to go before Stephen Curry nearly stole the show. The Warriors star scored eight points in a 13-4 run, burying a pair of improbable 3-pointers in the final 12.2 seconds, including a game-tying 31-footer with 7.6 seconds left.
Reaves wound up with 26 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, and James had 10 assists, too. Curry logged a game-high 38 points, a majority of which came on eight 3-pointers, tying the NBA record for a Christmas game.
Timberwolves 105, Mavericks 99
Anthony Edwards scored 26 points and visiting Minnesota beat Dallas, which played the second half without star Luka Doncic after he sustained a left calf strain late in the second quarter.
Doncic suffered the non-contact injury with 2:31 left in the second quarter and went straight to the locker room. The guard had 14 points in 16 minutes for the Mavericks, who were trailing 51-38 at the time of his injury.
Dallas fell behind by as many as 28 in the third quarter before mounting a comeback in the final period. The Mavericks cut the deficit to 101-99 on Klay Thompson's 3-pointer with 1:05 remaining. Kyrie Irving scored 15 of his 39 points in the fourth quarter but missed a 3-pointer that would have given Dallas the lead with 37 seconds left, and Edwards scored on the next possession to give the Wolves a four-point lead.
76ers 118, Celtics 114
Tyrese Maxey collected 33 points and 12 assists to lead Philadelphia to a victory at Boston. The 76ers received 27 points and nine rebounds from Joel Embiid and 23 points from Caleb Martin, who made 7 of 9 3-point attempts.
The Celtics, who trailed by 15 in the fourth quarter, trimmed their deficit to 116-114 with 4.9 seconds to play, but Embiid made two free throws to put the 76ers up by four with 2.8 seconds left. Philadelphia has won six of its past eight games.
Jayson Tatum led Boston in points (32) and rebounds (15). Jaylen Brown added 23 points and seven rebounds, but the Celtics lost a second game in a row for the first time this season.
Knicks 117, Spurs 114
Mikal Bridges outdueled Victor Wembanyama by scoring 15 points in the fourth quarter to lead host New York to a comeback win over San Antonio.
Bridges and Wembanyama combined to score 26 points in a fast-paced fourth quarter in which the teams combined for 60 points while shooting a collective 54.8 percent (23-for-42). Bridges finished with a season-high 41 points -- the second-most by a Knicks player on Christmas Day behind Bernard King's 60-point effort in 1984. Wembanyama had 42 points, 18 rebounds, four assists and four blocks in his Christmas Day debut.
Miles McBride hit the tiebreaking 3-pointer with 2:43 left to give the Knicks the lead for good as the hosts won their season-high fifth in a row and improved to 15-4 since Nov. 15. Jeremy Sochan had 21 points and nine rebounds for the Spurs.
- NBA roundup: Lakers nip Warriors in final second
- Celtics C Kristaps Porzingis injures ankle vs. 76ers
- Lakers big man Anthony Davis (ankle) leaves game vs. Warriors
- Mavs star Luka Doncic (calf) to miss extended time
- Mavs G Luka Doncic (calf) won't return against Wolves
- Stephen Curry says 'end is near' for career
- Jimmy Butler 'ready for exit' from Miami
- Pelicans' Zion Williamson (hamstring) to practice next week
- Heat G Dru Smith (Achilles tendon) out for season
- NBA roundup: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (41) leads Thunder to 8th straight win
- Nuggets G Jamal Murray has sprained ankle, out vs. Suns
- Wolves G Anthony Edwards fined again for postgame comments
- Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard out vs. Bulls
- NBA roundup: Nikola Jokic (triple-double) lifts Nuggets in OT
- G Alex Caruso lands contract extension from Thunder
- Magic’s Mo Wagner (torn ACL) out for season
- NBA roundup: Magic stun Heat after franchise-record rally
- Suns G Devin Booker to miss two games with groin soreness
- NBA fines Nets C Nic Claxton $25K for throwing ball into stands
- NBA fines Celtics' Joe Mazzulla $35K for actions toward official
Chicago Bulls guard/forward Ayo Dosunmu (Achilles) has landed on the injury report with a questionable tag ahead of Thursday's action against Atlanta. Right Achilles tendinopathy might keep him off the floor for the first time this season. It's been a good campaign for Dosunmu, who has battled out a regular starting role. He's put up 14.5 points with 3.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.2 steals in the first unit. The Bulls might be without several backcourt pieces for Thursday's game, which will potentially elevate Talen Horton-Tucker's role in the rotation.
Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (ankle) is considered probable for Thursday's game against Sacramento. The talented big man is dealing with a right ankle sprain but is expected to play. Duren is a nightly double-double threat, averaging 9.0 points and 9.2 rebounds for the campaign with 1.1 blocks. Centers haven't been too productive against the Kings this season, but the hosts could be without Domantas Sabonis (illness) on Thursday. His absence would put Duren in a better position to perform.
Detroit Pistons forward/center Isaiah Stewart (knee) has been listed as questionable on the injury report ahead of Thursday's road outing against Sacramento. He's missed the past three games with a sprained left knee. Jalen Duren's (ankle) minutes have gone up during Stewart's absence, with Paul Reed providing backup off the bench. Reed has just logged a season-high 20 minutes in Monday's 117-114 victory against the Lakers. Strangely, he failed to score in the contest but was busy in other areas of the game, amassing three rebounds with five assists, two blocks, and three steals. Meanwhile, Duren has averaged 10.3 points and 9.0 rebounds across the last three games without Stewart.
Utah Jazz forward/center John Collins (hip) is questionable for Thursday's matchup against Portland. He's dealing with a hip contusion and might be absent for a second straight game. As a result of Collins' absence, Micah Potter hopped into the starting five for Monday's clash with Cleveland. He put in a good performance in 26 minutes with 11 points, seven rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block. The Trail Blazers' defense is horrible, and they struggle to rebound the ball, so Potter will find himself in a perfect spot for another productive outing if he continues to fill in for Collins.
Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (ankle) has been labeled as questionable for Thursday's meeting with Portland. An ankle might keep George off the court for a third consecutive game. The injury has given Svi Mykhailiuk a chance to prove his worth. He's made back-to-back starts, averaging 14.5 points and 2.0 assists with six makes from downtown. Mykhailiuk might do damage with three-point bombs again on Thursday, with the Trail Blazers giving up the eighth-most three-point makes in the league.
Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III (ankle) is questionable for Thursday's game against Utah. He's in danger of missing a second consecutive contest. Williams III's continued absence would leave Deandre Ayton and Donovan Clingan as the lone big men in the rotation. Deni Avdija, who scored a team-high 19 points off the bench in Monday's 132-108 loss to Dallas, has also seen time at center this season. Utah gives up the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing centers, so this will be a juicy matchup for the Portland players who end up getting minutes at the five position.
Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (lower leg) has picked up a questionable tag ahead of Thursday's encounter with New Orleans. He's missed the past three games while managing a lower leg injury. Eason has established himself as one of the league's most productive bench players, averaging 11.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.9 steals in 22.8 minutes this season. He might have a bigger role to play in Thursday's game due to Dillon Brooks' (ankle), although the team likely will not want to overwork him. Cam Whitmore and Jae'Sean Tate will lose minutes with Eason's return.
New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III (ankle) has been listed as questionable for Thursday's game against Houston. The 24-year-old sprained his left ankle in the last contest against Denver on Sunday. However, Murphy III may remain in the lineup versus the Rockets. On Tuesday, the team announced that Murphy III is considered day-to-day. Both Brandon Boston Jr. and Jordan Hawkins would have larger roles to play in the rotation if Murphy III isn't game-ready. New Orleans might also be without another rotational piece in Javonte Green (knee), who is sporting a questionable tag as well.
Houston Rockets guard/forward Dillon Brooks (ankle) has been ruled out for Thursday's clash against New Orleans. He's nursing right ankle soreness. Brooks' injury has come at a bad time for the Rockets, who play three games in four nights. Amen Thompson crushed it as a starter in Brooks' place on Monday against Charlotte and should do well again in Thursday's matchup. The 21-year-old posted a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds on Monday, adding three assists, three blocks, and one steal to his tally.
Los Angeles Lakers' G Austin Reaves recorded a triple-double, finishing with 26 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds in a 115-113 win over Golden State on Wednesday, Dec. 25.
Spurs' C Victor Wembanyama recorded a double-double, scoring 42 points and grabbing 18 rebounds in a 114-117 loss to New York on Wednesday, Dec. 25.
Knicks' F Mikal Bridges scored 41 points on 17-of-25 shooting in a 117-114 win over the Spurs on Wednesday, Dec. 25.
Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis (illness) is iffy for Thursday's game against Detroit. He's battling an illness, and the team has listed Sabonis as questionable on the injury report. The Kings star has previously sat out two contests this season. On these occasions, Trey Lyles and Alex Len filled in for him in the starting lineup. Lyles had a pair of big games when Sabonis was out in November and will definitely be an appealing fantasy option if he gets another start on Thursday.
Atlanta Hawks center Onyeka Okongwu (knee) will remain out of the lineup on Thursday against Chicago. The talented big man has battled inflammation in his left knee lately and will miss a fourth consecutive game. Larry Nance Jr. has entered the rotation in Okongwu's absence, posting impressive numbers. Working as Clint Capela's backup, Nance Jr. has averaged 11.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.3 steals, and 2.3 blocks across the past three games. The Hawks big men should get plenty of work done on Thursday against a team that gives up the seventh-most fantasy points in the league to opposing centers.
Los Angeles Lakers forward/center Anthony Davis (ankle) has been officially ruled out for the rest of Wednesday's matchup against Golden State. Davis exited the contest early and has been diagnosed with a left ankle sprain. He finishes the Christmas Day game with zero points, two rebounds, and one steal on 0-for-3 shooting in seven minutes. Jaxson Hayes (ankle) and Christian Wood (knee) are already on the shelf, so the Lakers could be very thin on the frontcourt going forward if Davis has to miss additional time following Wednesday's game.
Denver Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray (ankle) will play against Phoenix on Christmas Day. He's returning from a one-game absence, with the team upgrading Murray from questionable to available. Murray's return will send Russell Westbrook back to the second unit. Coming off the bench, Westbrook's contributions have been limited to 11.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 5.8 assists this season. Murray has registered 20-plus points in each of his last four appearances, which marks his best scoring run of the season.
Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young (heel) is questionable to face Chicago on Thursday. After sitting on the injury report for multiple weeks with an Achilles injury, Young is currently troubled by a heel contusion. He missed a game with the issue last week but was back in the lineup for Monday's matchup against Minnesota. Should Young head back to the shelf on Thursday, Vit Krejci will likely log his second start of the season. He was fairly anonymous in his first opportunity last Saturday versus Memphis, finishing with seven points, three assists, and one steal. Young's absence would likely bring Keaton Wallace back to the rotation as well. His production was limited to five points and four assists versus the Grizzlies.
Atlanta Hawks guard/forward Bogdan Bogdanovic (lower leg) is carrying a questionable tag ahead of Thursday's game against Chicago. He might be out for a second consecutive game after sustaining a lower leg contusion. With Bogdanovic out of the lineup against Minnesota on Monday, Garrison Mathews went berserk off the Hawks bench with 25 points on 7-for-8 shooting from deep. We might see a similar effort from him on Thursday if Bogdanovic remains sidelined. The Bulls give up the fifth-most three-point attempts in the league and have one of the worst defensive records.
Milwaukee Bucks small forward Khris Middleton (ankle) has been labeled as probable for Thursday's matchup against Brooklyn. The veteran has just logged his first couple of starts of the campaign and is expected to make an eighth consecutive regular-season appearance. He missed the recent NBA Cup final with an illness. Middleton looked back to his best in Monday's 112-91 win against Chicago, notching 21 points with five rebounds and five assists in 23 minutes. However, he has offensively benefited from the absences of Giannis Antetokounmpo (back) and Damian Lillard (illness). Both Bucks superstars have been listed as questionable and may return to action on Thursday.
Milwaukee Bucks forward/center Giannis Antetokounmpo (back) is considered questionable for Thursday's clash against Brooklyn. After leading Milwaukee to the 2024 NBA Cup win, Antetokounmpo has struggled with a back problem, missing two consecutive contests. If he remains out on Thursday, Bobby Portis will be in line for a third consecutive start. He's had a pair of big games in the first unit and should continue to put up good numbers in Thursday's favorable matchup. Portis averages 24.7 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists as a starter this season.
