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Avalanche Look to Extend Win Streak Against Golden Knights

The Colorado Avalanche (27-2-7) aim for their seventh consecutive win when they visit the Vegas Golden Knights (17-8-10) at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday night.

Nathan MacKinnon’s eight-game point streak came to an end during Colorado’s 1-0 victory over the Utah Mammoth on Tuesday. Still, the Avalanche reached an NHL-leading 61 points, becoming just the fourth team in league history to reach 60 points in their first 36 games. They also extended their overall point streak to nine games (8-0-1).

The Golden Knights snapped a three-game losing streak with a 7-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday. It was a full-team effort, as seven Vegas players recorded two-point nights. Mitch Marner led the charge with two goals, while Mark Stone, Reilly Smith, Brent Howden, Colton Sissons, and Tomáš Hertl all contributed to the scoring.

Looking at head-to-head stats, the Avalanche have won three of their last five matchups against the Golden Knights, including their most recent game on Halloween night, which Colorado won 4-2. In that contest, the Avs saw four goals and all from different players, including Martin Nečas, Cale Makar, Brent Burns, and Brock Nelson. 

Players To Watch for The Avalanche

Cale Makar has been particularly effective against the Golden Knights, recording six points over his last five games against Vegas. Nathan MacKinnon has also contributed significantly, tallying five points in the same stretch.

Samuel Girard has quietly emerged as a dark horse for the Avalanche. He scored the lone goal in Tuesday’s 1-0 win over the Mammoth, marking his second goal of the season. Over his last six games, Girard has been a point-per-game player, collecting six points.

The previously mentioned Nelson didn’t register a point against Utah, but he has been a key contributor to Colorado’s depth over the past month. The 6-foot-4 center has tallied six goals and three assists in his last 11 games, including a stretch in which he scored in three consecutive contests.

When Nečas last faced the Golden Knights, it was his first game following the signing of an eight-year extension with the Avalanche. He scored just 41 seconds into the contest and added two assists on the way to the win.

Colorado has built a reputation for quick strikes this season, but such fast starts have been rare lately. If there’s anyone capable of delivering one, it’s Nečas. The 26-year-old is currently on pace to finish the season with 36 goals and 71 assists for 107 points, which would mark career highs in both categories.

Players To Watch for The Golden Knights

Mitch Marner has racked up nine points (three goals, six assists) over his past five games and ranks second on the Golden Knights with 38 points (nine goals, 29 assists) in 35 games. He also scored twice in Vegas’ most recent victory.

Ivan Barbashev has been equally impressive, pairing production with physicality. The 30-year-old Russian has collected six points in his last five games against the Avalanche and is known for his bone crushing hits. 

Jack Eichel has recorded five points in his last five games against Colorado, while William Karlsson has contributed three points over the same stretch.

Start Time

The Avalanche square off against the Golden Knights on Saturday. Coverage begins at 8 p.m. local time. 

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The Sharks Just Learned a Harsh Truth About Their Rebuild

The San Jose Sharks have a long way to go to become true championship contenders.

Over the past several seasons, the Sharks have established an unenviable reputation as one of the NHL’s weakest clubs, missing the postseason in each of the last six years.

While the organization boasts an impressive collection of top-end talent, its lack of a reliable supporting cast has forced an unsustainable dependence on its stars.

When those players fail to deliver at an exceptional level, the structural deficiencies of the roster are exposed, often resulting in embarrassing losses.

The Sharks opened the season on a rough note, stumbling to a 0–3–2 record through their first five games. The growing frustration came to a head when head coach Ryan Warsofsky remarked that he would give up one of his children for a win—a comment he later acknowledged was inappropriate and apologized for.

"I'd give up one of my children for a fu**ing win," Warsofky said following a shutout loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 18.

Two days later, Warsofky apologized.

“I love my kids. I would never give them up,” Warsofsky said. “I love my wife. Obviously, I’m a passionate, emotional person, and probably got ahead of me there, and so I apologize for those comments.”

Hot And Cold

The Sharks are still mathematically in the playoff hunt, but their position is far more fragile than it may appear. One stabilizing force has been Macklin Celebrini. The 19-year-old is producing at a blistering pace, recording 55 points (19 goals, 36 assists) in 37 games this season.

Even in Tuesday’s 7–2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena, Celebrini found the scoresheet with a goal. That lone point carried added significance, as it allowed him to tie Sidney Crosby’s record for the most points by a teenager before the Christmas break.

On one hand, that’s encouraging. Collin Graff has also emerged as a solid contributor. The 23-year-old went undrafted, but he has come into his own this season, posting 10 goals and 10 assists for a career-high 20 points in 36 games. After appearing in 33 games for the Sharks last year, Graff has already surpassed those totals, clear evidence of his continued development.

Goaltending Is Awful

But herein lies the problem: when the Sharks’ top line isn’t on the ice, they are often giving up goals—and a lot of them. San Jose has allowed 129 goals this season, the second-most in the NHL. Only the St. Louis Blues have been worse, surrendering 131 goals as their historically rough season continues.

Erratic goaltending has been a persistent issue this season. From Yaroslav Askarov’s ill-advised attempts at a Dominik Hasek–style approach to more routine struggles, the instability in net has often overshadowed the efforts of the team’s stars to steer the Sharks in a better direction.

In Tuesday's game, Askarov didn't even last a full period as he allowed four goals on 16 shots, forcing the team to pull him in favor of Alex Nedeljkovic, who didn't fare any better, as he allowed three goals on 10 shots. It's been an absolute circus between the pipes. And for Nedeljkovic, he's allowed at least three goals in seven straight games.

The message is unmistakable: the Sharks have significant work ahead. While they are not the worst team in the league, they are perilously close to that threshold.

Goaltending remains a glaring weakness. Neither Yaroslav Askarov nor Alex Nedeljkovic appears capable of anchoring the position long-term, leaving San Jose with little choice but to pursue upgrades—whether via trades or the draft.

Additionally, the trade deadline offers an opportunity to add depth and bolster the roster. Even so, this rebuilding project is likely several years from fruition before the Sharks can genuinely be considered legitimate contenders.

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Spurs beat Thunder 117-102 for 3rd win over defending NBA champs in 2 weeks

San Antonio Spurs v Oklahoma City Thunder

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - DECEMBER 25: De’Aaron Fox #4 of the San Antonio Spurs drives to the basket during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on December, 25, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)

David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images

De’Aaron Fox scored 29 points, and the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 117-102 on Thursday for their third win over the defending NBA champs in the past two weeks.

The Spurs also defeated the Thunder in an NBA Cup semifinal on Dec. 13 and in San Antonio on Tuesday. The teams meet again on Jan. 13 in Oklahoma City.

Victor Wembanyama had 19 points and 11 rebounds and Stephon Castle had 19 points and seven assists for the Spurs (23-7). San Antonio shot 53.6% from the field and held the Thunder to 38.9% shooting.

It was San Antonio’s eighth straight win and Oklahoma City’s second home loss of the season. The Thunder entered the day at the top of the Western Conference standings, with the Spurs in second.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 22 points, but the reigning league MVP made just 7 of 19 field goals. He scored at least 20 points for the 102nd consecutive game.

Isaiah Hartenstein had 13 points and 12 rebounds and Chet Holmgren added 10 points and 12 rebounds for the Thunder.

Oklahoma City started the season 24-1, tied for the league’s best record through 25 games. The Thunder are 2-4 since, including the three losses to the Spurs.

The Thunder made their first seven field goals and went up 18-12 before Fox helped the Spurs fight back. His 21 points in the first half helped San Antonio head into the break with a 69-60 lead.

The Spurs pushed the lead to 85-68 midway through the third quarter, and a dunk by Dylan Harper late in the third quarter put the Spurs up 91-74. The Spurs led 95-79 at the end of the period and maintained control from there.

Up next

Spurs: Host the Utah Jazz on Saturday.

Thunder: Host the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday.

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Brunson and the reserves lead Christmas comeback as Knicks beat Cavaliers 126-124

Jalen Brunson scored 34 points, reserve Jordan Clarkson had 25 and the New York Knicks came from 17 down in the fourth quarter to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 126-124 on Thursday and win on Christmas Day for the third straight year.

Reserves Tyler Kolek and Mitchell Robinson sparked the comeback after the Cavaliers led 103-86 early in the final period. Kolek had 16 points and nine assists, and had fans chanting his name after a late block on Donovan Mitchell that originally was called a foul but was overturned on review. Robinson hustled after offensive rebounds to keep possessions alive and finished with 13 boards.

Brunson made the go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:05 remaining, after he, Kolek and Clarkson all hit from behind the arc in a 13-2 run that cut Cleveland’s 12-point lead to 111-110.

Mitchell had 34 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Darius Garland added 20 points and 10 assists, but the Cavaliers blew their chance at a third straight win.

Evan Mobley finished with 14 points and nine rebounds after missing five games with a strained left calf.

The Cavs raced to an 18-3 lead behind 10 points from Mitchell and led 38-23 after one quarter. But Clarkson opened the second with consecutive 3-pointers, and after a Cavs 3-pointer, the Knicks ripped off an 18-0 burst to take a 47-41 lead.

The Knicks made 12 of their first 14 shots in the second, before Mobley had Cleveland’s final four baskets as New York took a 60-58 edge into the break.

Cleveland quickly regained control in the third. Mitchell slammed down a lob pass that Garland threw from beyond halfcourt to cap a 10-3 burst to open the period, and Mitchell later hit a 3-pointer to cap an 18-4 spurt that turned a 71-all tie into an 89-75 advantage for the Cavs.

Up next

Cavaliers: Visit Houston on Saturday.

Knicks: Visit Atlanta on Saturday.

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Mike Sullivan Praises Alexis Lafrenière After Scoring His 100th NHL Goal

 Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

In the New York Rangers’ 7-3 win over the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night, Alexis Lafrenière achieved an important milestone. 

Lafrenière scored the 100th goal of his NHL career, and he spoke about the impressive feat after the game.

“I knew I was at 99, so it's good to get it," Lafrenière said. “It's a good feeling.”

Mike Sullivan was impressed with what he saw out of Lafrenière on Tuesday night and feels he’s added a new element to his game by providing net-front presence at a more consistent level. 

“I thought Laf had a strong game,” Sullivan said. “He's such a talented player as we all know. It's been a struggle for him most recently to score. I thought he had a number of really good looks tonight. He was hanging onto pucks. He was also getting inside the dots and going to the net a little bit more. 

Scott Morrow Continues To Roll With The Punches Through Highs And Lows Of His DevelopmentScott Morrow Continues To Roll With The Punches Through Highs And Lows Of His DevelopmentScott Morrow’s time with the New York <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers">Rangers</a> has been a rollercoaster ride this season, but there’s one aspect about his character that you can’t take away.&nbsp;

“I think that's got to be a more consistent element of his game. I think he's create more offense if he does. He's very capable. He's strong and he's got good stick skills...There needs to be another dimension to their offense and Laf's offense and that's something that we've had a lot of discussions with Laf about.”

The 24-year-old forward has recorded eight goals, 12 assists, and 20 points in 39 games, while averaging 17:23 minutes.

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Knicks complete largest comeback of season, beat Cavaliers on Christmas Day, 126-124

The Knicks trailed by 17 points with about 10 minutes left in the game and found a way to complete their biggest comeback of the season, beating the Cleveland Cavaliers on Christmas Day, 126-124.

Here are the takeaways...

-- Karl-Anthony Towns picked up two fouls within the first three minutes of the game, forcing head coach Mike Brown to call timeout with the team down 5-0. Mitchell Robinson came in for Towns and then OG Anunoby, back after missing Tuesday's loss, got New York on the board with an and-one layup. In the blink of an eye, the Cavs built an 18-3 lead as Donovan Mitchell made four of his first five shots while the Knicks as a whole missed 14 of their first 16 shots.

Jalen Brunson nailed a wing three and completed the four-point play to wake the team up. Jordan Clarkson and Mohamed Diawara helped out, both hitting three-pointers to cut the Cleveland lead down to six points. Brunson stayed in a groove and scored with under 30 seconds left on a scoop layup, but De'Andre Hunter hit a three of his own with the clock winding down to give the Cavs a 38-23 lead at the end of the first quarter.

-- Cleveland shot a ridiculous 68 percent from the field and 55 percent from three (6-for-11) in the first quarter, while New York struggled at just 38 percent from the field and 25 percent from deep (3-for-12). 

-- Clarkson opened the second quarter with two quick three-pointers, getting the Garden crowd on their feet and forcing a Cavs timeout. The Knicks rode the momentum and went on a 15-3 run to cut the Cleveland lead down to three points, 41-38. Mikal Bridges hit back-to-back jumpers to give New York their first lead of the game and Towns kept it going, extending their 18-0 run to make it a 47-41 game midway through the second quarter.

-- Evan Mobley, playing in his first game since Dec. 12, began to find his footing and scored eight straight points for the Cavs to keep it a close game. Brunson connected on another four-point play and then Josh Hart's three-pointer with 32.8 seconds left put the Knicks up 60-58 heading into halftime. 

New York outscored Cleveland, 37-20, in the second quarter thanks to making seven three-pointers. Brunson and Clarkson each scored 14 points in the first half.

-- The Cavs came out of the locker room hot, going on a 10-3 run capped off by Darius Garland delivering a gift-wrapped pass to Mitchell from halfcourt for the alley-oop jam. Hart tied the game at 71-71 with a three-pointer, but the Cavs went on another run as Jaylon Tyson scored six straight points to make it an 86-73 game with 3:30 remaining in the third quarter. Tyson kept it going with a three-pointer and a dunk to give him 11 points in the quarter.

Cleveland nearly duplicated their first quarter, outscoring New York 38-24 and building a 96-84 lead going into the fourth.

-- The game looked to be getting out of hand for the Knicks, down 103-86, but the team somehow flipped it around after Hart left with an ankle injury (down 107-95). Clarkson, Tyler Kolek, and Brunson all caught fire as the captain tied it up at 113-113 with a three-pointer. 

Brunson made another clutch three to put New York up two points and then Towns charged in to score on a tip-in to make it a 123-119 game. Mitchell rocked the rim with a huge dunk, but Anunoby came right back with his own to push the lead to back to four points. Mitchell hit a crazy three-pointer to keep Cleveland alive before Towns iced the game with a free throw.

-- New York outscored Cleveland 42-28 in the fourth quarter. Brunson finished with a team-high 34 points and made six threes, while Clarkson dropped 25 points off the bench with five three-pointers. Robinson had another monster performance on the glass, grabbing 13 rebounds off the bench, including eight offensive boards. Mitchell led the Cavs with 34 points of his own and Garland chipped in 20 points and 10 assists.

Game MVP: Tyler Kolek

Kolek was a burst of energy in the fourth quarter after Hart rolled his ankle. The guard scored 11 points with three three-pointers in the fourth quarter and finished the game with 16 points, nine assists, three rebounds, and a block. He was a plus-24 off the bench.

Highlights

What's next

The Knicks will travel to Atlanta to face the Hawks on Saturday, Dec. 27 at 8:00 p.m.

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Knicks' Josh Hart exits Christmas game vs. Cavaliers with ankle injury

Knicks wing Josh Hart suffered an ankle injury midway through the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday and left for the locker room.

Hart was driving down the lane in transition and stepped on an opposing player's foot going for a layup, appearing to roll his ankle.

Despite being in clear pain, he stayed in to shoot two free throws and made both. 

Hart then limped to the locker room and was subbed out for Tyler Kolek.

New York trailed 107-95 with 7:43 remaining in the game.

This is a developing story and will be updated...

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Five Things On The Kings' Christmas Wishlist For A Merry Season Finish

The Los Angeles Kings don't need a miracle this Christmas to save their season. They don't even need a splashy trade, a headline-grabbing signing, or even a reinvention in their front office. What they really need is progress in the areas that have been holding them back all season long. 

As the season rolls into the holiday stretch, the Kings find themselves playing mediocre hockey, especially in December, going 3-8 in the 11 games they've played this month, and have just one home win nearly two and a half weeks ago against Chicago.  

If Santa's listening, here's a realistic Kings Christmas wishlist. 

A Power Play That Stops Holding Them Back

The Kings don't need elite power play if that's asking too much from them; they just need one that doesn't feel like a momentum killer every time they step on the ice and play. 

For long stretches of this season, LA's five-on-five play has been good enough to compete with anyone in the league. The issue has been turning advantages into separation, and that's not more apparent with man advantage, where the Kings have been terrible at. 

Too often, the Kings' predictable entries and struggles to convert on the power play, which drains the energy inside the building, say everything you need to know about how bad it's been. They have scored only four power-play goals in their last 10 games. 

In the postseason and in late-game situations, that flaw is exposed by teams that can use it against the Kings and beat them whenever they want. Special teams swing close games, and Los Angeles has lived on the wrong side of that for so many stretches this year. 

A functional power play that can score when it matters most would change the outlook of the Kings' season and get them back in Stanley Cup contention. 

Quinton Byfield's Breakout Becoming Permanent

Quinton Byfield's development has been a real treat for Kings fans. The numbers have gotten better every single season, and the eye test says he can break out into an even better player, which is scary. 

After playing just six games in his rookie campaign, Byfield began a new role. By the 2022-23 season, he posted 22 points in 53 games, elevating his playmaking skills. Then came the big leap. In 2023-24, Byfield played all 80 games and delivered 55 points (20 goals, 35 assists) with a plus - 19 rating, while averaging 16 minutes of ice time. 

The numbers nearly doubled in those two seasons. And last season, he followed it up with another consistent season, scoring 54 points in 81 games, raising his average time on ice to 18 minutes, and taking on more challenging assignments as his star level rose. 

This season, his role has expanded even further. His ice time has climbed north of 20 minutes per game, a clear signal of trust from the coaching staff. The next step for Byfield could be simply to continue this streak of consistency for years to come and become one of the league's premier young talents. 

But despite Byfield getting more playing time, his numbers are a little down this season, and he has struggled over the last 20 games. Byfield has scored just two goals in the previous 20 games for the Kings and has four goals total in 35 games. 

Regardless of Byfield struggling this season, if he plays well consistently for several seasons, the future could be bright for Los Angeles. 

Anze Kopitar Staying a Little Longer

Every franchise and die-hard fan reaches the moment when they have to imagine themselves without their cornerstones, the players they've watched play for their team for as long as they can remember.

Anze Kopitar remains the heart and soul of this team. His numbers may not show it on the statsheet as they did a few years ago. Still, his impact remains big everywhere else, including leadership, mentoring players, defensive responsibility, and faceoffs. 

Kopitar has already come out and said this will be his last season playing hockey after 20 years of battles in the league, so it's unlikely he will change his mind on that decision. The only way his decision will change is if Kopitar wants to win more Stanley Cups and believes this Kings team has a legit chance, but Kopitar's legacy will remain the same whether he wins or retires. 

If Kopitar has another season left in him, it would be huge, but everyone knows that it's time to hang it up for Kopitar, who will go down as one of the greatest players ever and maybe the best King of all time.

Finally Getting Past the First Round

The Kings have had some bad luck in the last few years when they've made the postseason. Matching up against the Edmonton Oilers hasn't been good for them; they've lost four consecutive playoff series to the same team over the past four years.

Last year was the breaking point: finally having home-ice advantage against their rival and holding a 2-0 series lead, but they collapsed, losing four straight games and going home in six.

It comes down to matchups in the postseason in sports, and the Oilers are the one team Los Angeles can't seem to beat, whether they have home ice or not. It will undoubtedly be tough to accomplish this season because of the struggles the Kings have had this year compared to last year, and because of the teams ahead of them, including Dallas, Vegas, Edmonton, Colorado, etc. 

But getting past the first round will finally dispel the psychological effect the Oilers have had on the Kings over the last four postseasons. Winning a playoff series changes how a team carries itself, especially for the year the Kings are having. This would be a massive success for them. 

Success At Home 

Crypto.com Arena shoould feel uncomfortable for visitng teams, but this season, it hasn't. 

Sitting at 4-8-4 at home this year after being the best team at home last year is a big disappointment. Not just that, but the Kings might actually be the worst team at home, scoring the fewest goals (32) in the league and posting the worst pp percentage (10.7%). 

A winning home record will bring energy back into the stadium and reestablish the Kings' identity. Home games should give teams a significant advantage over visiting teams and boost their energy, but none have happened for Los Angeles. 

A Realistic Christmas Wish

None of these wishes is unrealistic. It's entirely possible, and it could happen if the Kings get it together. 

Los Angeles needs to be better where it matters most, not something it's not. If even a few of these items are checked off by the season's end, success in Los Angeles might come with something fans haven't felt in a while. 

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Canadiens: It Can’t Just Be About The Wins

While the Montreal Canadiens have done a pretty good job of staying in the playoff race since the start of the season, when you look at points total, sooner rather than later, they’ll have to start looking at how they win their games.

When everyone has played 82 games, if two teams have the same number of points, the first tiebreaker is regulation wins. Right now, the Canadiens have won 20 games this season, but only 13 of them were won in regulation.

In the Atlantic Division, only the Toronto Maple Leafs ,  the Boston Bruins ,and  the Buffalo Sabres   have fewer regulation wins than the Habs (12).    The Ottawa Senators have 13, and the rest of the teams battling for a playoff spot all have more regulation wins than the Habs: the Florida Panthers 17, the Detroit Red Wings 16, and the Tampa Bay Lightning 17.

The Canadiens have a lot of ground to make up, despite hanging with the big boys when it comes to points. Winning games in overtime and in the shootout may be spectacular and mean the fans get a good show, but at the end of the day, that’s not what matters. What matters is not only putting points on the board, but beating your opponent in the 60 minutes a match is supposed to last.

Once you get in the playoffs, though, that’s when being able to win in crunch time really matters. That’s where you get endless games that are not worth two points; they are each worth a W, one of the 16 you need to claim Lord Stanley’s Cup. Until the Spring dance starts, though, emphasis has to be on winning games as quickly and efficiently as possible. Perhaps that could be the Habs’ collective New Year’s resolution.

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John Gibson’s December Magic Lights Up Detroit, Enters Christmas Break Red Hot

John Gibson is proving to be a fan of the holiday season.

The veteran goaltender has strung together a perfect December, winning all eight of his starts this month and setting a new career high in consecutive victories.

Gibson had previously tied his personal best of seven straight wins during his time with the Anaheim Ducks. Over this streak, he has posted a .927 save percentage and a 2.12 goals-against average, giving the Detroit Red Wings a much-needed boost heading into the Christmas break.

For the season, Gibson now holds a 12-7-1 record with a 3.01 goals-against average and an .891 save percentage. While those numbers reflect the team’s early struggles, his hot streak is a reminder of the elite goaltender Gibson once was.

Between 2015 and 2018, he ranked among the NHL’s top netminders, compiling a 77-47-20 record with a 2.26 goals-against average and a .924 save percentage over 152 appearances. He finished his tenure in Anaheim with 506 games played, posting a 204-217-63 record, a 2.89 goals-against average, and a .910 save percentage.

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

Several teams, including the Oilers, Mammoth, Sharks, and Flyers, reportedly explored trades for Gibson, but Detroit ultimately became the landing spot for the Pittsburgh native. The Red Wings acquired him from the Ducks during the summer draft, sending Petr Mrazek, a 2027 second-round pick, and a 2026 fourth-round pick to Anaheim. The Ducks, shifting toward a younger core, moved on from their longtime starter as Lukas Dostal took on a larger share of the workload.

If Gibson’s current form continues, Detroit could be witnessing the return of a goaltender who once stood among the NHL’s best. His play could prove pivotal as the Red Wings aim for their first playoff berth in nearly a decade. Detroit has won nine of its last 12 games, tying with the Colorado Avalanche for the best record in the NHL during December.

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Steph Curry rocks Klay Thompson's shoes during Christmas Day game vs. Mavericks

Steph Curry rocks Klay Thompson's shoes during Christmas Day game vs. Mavericks originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Since parting ways with Under Armour in November, sneaker free agent Steph Curry has put a lot of thought into the shoes he wears when he arrives at the arena, when he warms up and when he plays in the games.

And Christmas Day was no different for the Warriors superstar.

After arriving in Kobe Bryant’s “Yellow Toe” Player Edition of Allen Iverson’s Reebok Question kicks and warming up in his original 2010 Nike Christmas sneakers, Curry wore Klay Thompson’s KT11 shoes during the actual game.

Curry and Thompson spent 13 years and 11 seasons as Warriors teammates before the latter asked out and was traded to the Mavericks following the 2023-24 NBA season.

While they no longer share the same backcourt, the love between the Splash Brothers remains unbreakable.

Before Thursday’s game, Curry and Thompson shared a quick embrace during their respective pregame warmup routines.

There’s rhyme and reason behind just about everything Curry does, and Thursday’s gesture clearly was a tribute to his former running-mate and lifelong friend.

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Draymond Green perfectly claps back after Charles Barkley shades Warriors

Draymond Green perfectly claps back after Charles Barkley shades Warriors originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Charles Barkley wasn’t in the Christmas spirit on Thursday morning.

The “Inside The NBA” Grinch threw shade at the Warriors while welcoming Draymond Green to ABC’s telecast before the New York Knicks’ game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

“We’re going to have you back here once the playoffs start,” Barkley told Green, signifying that he believes the Warriors will miss the first round of the NBA playoffs.

“Shaq, we’ll bring our rings and share them with Chuck,” Green said in response to Barkley.

Barkley is the most well-known Warriors detractor, and even after they won four NBA titles in the last 11 seasons — four more than he ever won — he still takes at them whenever he can.

But Green, a prolific trash-talker, has found a way to take shots at Barkley.

Green and Shaquille O’Neal, Barkley’s “Inside The NBA” co-host, have been doing a “Four Rings Handshake” ever since the Warriors won the 2022 NBA championship, a not-so-subtle jab at Barkley.

“It was always to pick on Charles … it’s so fun picking on Charles,” Green told former co-host Baron Davis on “The Draymond Green Show” in May. “And Chuck’s such a good sport about everything and funny as hell.”

Entering Thursday’s Christmas Day clash with the Dallas Mavericks, the Warriors hold the Western Conference’s No. 8 seed, which would mean they would have to escape the NBA play-in tournament to secure a playoff spot.

Green and the Warriors made it out of the play-in tournament last season and then upset the No. 2-seeded Houston Rockets before falling to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round after Steph Curry sustained a hamstring injury in Game 1 of that series.

If the Warriors can replicate that success this season, Green won’t join Barkley until at least May.

But if Green has it his way, in a dream scenario, he never joins Barkley in the studio this spring as he helps lead the Warriors on a magical run to a fifth NBA title.

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