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Lakers lose Austin Reaves, then fall to Rockets for third consecutive loss

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 25: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles.
Lakers star Austin Reaves runs on the court after making a three-pointer against the Houston Rockets on Thursday. (Katelyn Mulcahy / Getty Images)

The Lakers felt good about their starting lineup Thursday when Luka Doncic and Rui Hachimura returned from injury to restore their normal starting unit for only the seventh time this season.

But the good times didn't last long. Coming out of halftime down 10 points to the Houston Rockets, the Lakers announced Austin Reaves wouldn't play in the second half because of left calf soreness.

With another apparent setback for Reaves adding to the Lakers' desperate search for continuity, the team put up another inconsistent performance on defense in a 119-96 loss to the Rockets at Crypto.com Arena.

Read more:Austin Reaves' return can't save Lakers from dismal defensive effort in loss to Suns

The Lakers, who've lost three in a row for the first time this season, allowed the Rockets to shoot 53% from the field. Amen Thompson led the way with 26 points and Kevin Durant scored 25 as the Rockets out-rebounded the Lakers 48-25.

Reaves missed three games with a left calf strain before returning against Phoenix on Tuesday. He scored 17 points off the bench in the Lakers’ loss to the Suns.

Against the Rockets, Reaves started and played 15 minutes in the first half, scoring 12 points on five-for-eight shooting.

Reaves entered Thursday averaging 27.3 points per game, ranking him 11th in league scoring.

Doncic, who had been out with a lower left leg contusion, had 25 points and seven assists and LeBron James had 18 points. Hachimura (right groin injury management) didn’t score in his 28 minutes.

With so many players rotating through the lineup because of injuries, the Lakers have struggled to find solutions to their defensive issues.

They entered Thursday allowing 117.4 points per game, 19th most in the league. They were allowing the 26th highest field-goal percentage (48.4) and the highest three-point shooting percentage (40.1). They were next-to-last in rebounds, averaging 40.1 per game.

That was a real issue against the Rockets team that entered the game first in offensive rebounds (16.1).

And in this game, the Rockets got 17 offensive rebounds.

The Lakers didn’t have key role players Jaxson Hayes (left ankle soreness) and Gabe Vincent (lumbar back strain), adding to their woes.

“It’s the modern NBA where there’s injuries and then there’s not a lot of time to practice," Lakers coach JJ Redick said. "So, when you have continuity, you can kind of capture what you’re trying to do and you feel comfortable and good about it."

Read more:Jalen Brunson leads Knicks past Bucks in Christmas Day opener

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Curry, Butler lead the way as Warriors beat Mavericks 126-116 on Christmas Day

NBA: Dallas Mavericks at Golden State Warriors

Dec 25, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots against Dallas Mavericks guard Ryan Nembhard (left) during the third quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Darren Yamashita/Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Stephen Curry scored 23 points and knocked down a key 3-pointer with 3:45 left to help seal it, Jimmy Butler added 14 points, nine assists and nine rebounds, and the Golden State Warriors beat the Dallas Mavericks 126-116 on Thursday.

Mavericks rookie star Cooper Flagg had 27 points on 13-for-21 shooting, six rebounds and five assists in his Christmas Day debut, while Brandon Williams scored 26 off the bench.

Klay Thompson returned to face his former Warriors team in the holiday matinee after missing Tuesday’s home game against the Nuggets with soreness in his left knee.

And former Splash Brother Curry kept sneaking a peek at Thompson’s warmup before they met at midcourt for a greeting and embrace. Thompson received a warm ovation when he entered the game for the first time with 5:51 remaining in the opening quarter.

Mavericks center Anthony Davis didn’t return after exiting in the second quarter with groin spasms. Davis had three points, three rebounds and two blocked shots in 11 minutes.

Draymond Green started and contributed seven points and five rebounds playing in foul trouble two days after he and coach Steve Kerr had a heated exchange during a third-quarter timeout against Orlando — with both later apologizing to each other.

Golden State started 0 for 6 from 3-point range before the Mavericks even attempted their first shot from deep. Moses Moody connected at the 6:05 mark of the first quarter and that helped the Warriors get going — along with Al Horford.

Horford returned from a seven-game absence because of sciatica in his right leg. He came in at the 5:27 mark of the first and made all four of his 3-pointers as the Warriors led 40-28 after one quarter. He finished with 14 points, De’Anthony Melton scored 16 and Brandin Podziemski contributed 13 points, eight rebounds and four assists off the bench.

Up next

The Mavericks play at Sacramento on Saturday, while the Warriors hit the road to face Toronto on Sunday.

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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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Knicks' Tyler Kolek impresses in win over Cavaliers, shows how he can 'change the game'

With the Knicks down 17 points early in the fourth quarter on Thursday afternoon against the Cleveland Cavaliers, it looked like fans were going to leave the Garden without a Christmas Day win.

That was until New York mounted their largest comeback of the season, finding a way to beat the Cavs, 126-124, and deliver the best present of the day.

Leading the comeback as per usual was Jalen Brunson, who finished with a team-high 34 points in the win, but he didn't do it alone. Jordan Clarkson scored a season-high 25 points off the bench, making five three-pointers, Mitchell Robinson grabbed what felt like every offensive rebound (eight of his 13 boards), and Tyler Kolek scored 11 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter to help pull off the victory.

When asked about his mindset coming off the bench and how he can make a difference, Kolek shared something that a former teammate taught him last season.

"Change the game," Kolek said. "That's what I always say. Cam Payne actually taught me that last year whenever we won a game. You got to change the game, you got to do something different to make the game flow differently."

Kolek did exactly that in the fourth quarter, making three clutch three-pointers and getting a block on Donovan Mitchell to swing the momentum New York's way. The play was initially called a foul, but the second-year guard was confident he blocked it and the call was eventually overturned.

"We always talk about next play speed," Kolek said. "I saw him running, and honestly if he ran and just did a regular layup, I wouldn't have caught up to him. But he wanted to do some windmill s--t. He slowed down, he was trying to do something crazy."

After the block, Kolek assisted Mikal Bridges to put the Knicks up 118-117 with 1:29 left in the game. Darius Garland put Cleveland back up briefly before Brunson scored to give New York the lead for good.

Kolek was rewarded for his stellar play by getting his name chanted by the MSG crowd, saying he's "grateful" for the moments like that.

"It's fun, man," Kolek said. "Playing at The Garden on Christmas, it doesn't get much better than that. I'm grateful for the fans that come out and support us every night."

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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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Warriors exhibit quick recovery from Draymond-Steve Kerr spat in Christmas win

Warriors exhibit quick recovery from Draymond-Steve Kerr spat in Christmas win originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – It’s natural after any earthquake to anticipate aftershocks, which is why it was fair to wonder how the Warriors would function after the tremor created by Draymond Green and coach Steve Kerr on Monday.

The Warriors, to a man, expressed zero concerns about any lingering effect. And if Thursday’s performance is any indication, their projection is reality.

Their 126-116 victory over the Dallas Mavericks was generated for the most part by a 71-point first half featuring classic Golden State offense, as drawn up by Kerr. The Warriors shared the ball like newlyweds sharing wedding cake at a reception, and, moreover, seemed to enjoy seeing everybody eat.

Nobody more than Jimmy Butler III, Stephen Curry, Green and Kerr.

“We’ve always been a ball movement team,” Kerr said after a season-high-tying third straight victory. “Steph off the ball is so powerful, and Jimmy loves to pass; Jimmy would prefer to get an assist than a basket. We saw tonight, nine assists and 14 points. He loves that kind of game. Draymond is such good passer.”

The Warriors recorded 33 assists, their highest total in seven weeks, one off their season high, and a sharp contrast to the 21 they averaged over the previous three games and the 22.5 they averaged over the previous 10. Six Warriors recorded at least three assists. Eleven Warriors played, and all 11 scored.

Most impressive, perhaps, is that Golden State gave the Mavericks a grand total of . . . drum roll . . . six points off turnovers.

Kerr and Butler have been saying for weeks that such cohesion is possible with this roster. And there it was, on full display on Christmas Day.

“It was clicking tonight,” Butler said. “We were moving the ball at an incredible pace, finding guys. Sometimes it may look a little bit too unselfish, because we [will pass up] layups, myself included, but we all love to see everybody else shine, so it’s a good problem.”

There were some deficiencies, the most obvious being Golden State’s 28-percent shooting from distance and its defense being ravaged for 72 points in the paint while Dallas shot 55.1 percent from the field.

But the Warriors more than offset that with teamwork and effort. There was plenty of dapping and back-slapping, first quarter to fourth. There was Green bouncing off the bench, each knee wrapped in about 15 pounds of ice bags, to coach up teammates during stoppages.

To the naked eye, Golden State’s esprit de corps channeled a very quick recovery from the heated squabble between Kerr and Green.

The Warriors often struggle early in games, but not on this day. With Al Horford returning after a nine-game absence to ring up 12 points on 4-of-4 shooting from deep, they put up 40 points in the first quarter, taking a 12-point lead into the second. Golden State maintained a lead until the final buzzer.

Green didn’t particularly stand out, playing 28 minutes, finishing with seven points, five rebounds, three assists and two turnovers. His presence, however, was felt by his teammates and by Kerr. There was not the slightest hint of animosity.

“They’re in a better place,” Curry said. “But I was [at the podium Monday] talking about it, how they’re really professional and how they handled it. And that’s how they handled it, and how we handled it as a team.

“Stuff like that happens. They have the equity of years and years of relationship that has had its moments as professionals as you are, you come back and you approach the next day with a fresh start, and they handled yesterday and practice well. We responded well as a team.”

The next test will come on the road, as the Warriors leave Friday for a three-game swing through the Eastern Conference, beginning Sunday at the Toronto Raptors. Can they push their streak to a season high? Will Kerr and Green simply resume the relationship they’ve always had?

“That’s just part of the game,” Butler said, recalling the spat. “When you’ve been together for so long, y’all gonna have arguments. It ain’t gonna be quiet all the time. It’s OK. You’ve got two fierce competitors that have won it together and that want to continually win. We know what it is. And if you were looking at me, I’m just looking up, like, all right. I expect that to happen. That’s okay. We move on from it.”

That’s how it looked on Christmas. But eyes hungry for spectacle will be following the Warriors as they proceed.

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Steph Curry still fueled by climb after hitting ‘special' 26K-point milestone

Steph Curry still fueled by climb after hitting ‘special' 26K-point milestone originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Steph Curry surpassed another impressive round number in the Warriors’ 126-116 Christmas Day win over the Dallas Mavericks at Chase Center.

With the 12th point of his team-high 23 on Thursday, Curry reached 26,000 career points, making him just the 22nd NBA player ever to reach that threshold.

Curry, who has made it clear he sees everything, told reporters after the win that he wasn’t aware that he was close to the milestone.

“No, I didn’t know going into it, which is great because those things take care of themselves,” Curry said. “The more you play, the more opportunity you get out there. And it is a special milestone for sure, just, 22 guys in the history of the league.

“You look up and you know there are some other active players still doing it, still climbing the ladder and I’m happy to be a part of that chase to see how far I can get up there.”

After Thursday’s performance, Curry sits at 26,013 career points. Sacramento Kings wing DeMar DeRozan is close behind Curry and should reach the 26,000-point club in the next four or five games.

Next on the NBA’s all-time points list is Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett, who sits at 26,071, which means Curry should pass him sometime next week.

The active players ahead of Curry are Kings guard Russell Westbrook (26,638 points), Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (28,388) and Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (31,201 entering Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers).

Whenever Curry reaches 27,000 career points, he will be the 14th or 15th player to get there, depending on whether Westbrook beats him there.

Only 11 players have scored at least 28,000 points and only eight have gotten to 30,000 points.

No one, not even Curry, knows how much time he has left. But he’s still playing at an elite level, so 4,000 more points isn’t out of the question.

But wherever Curry finishes, he has cemented himself as one of the NBA’s all-time greatest scorers.

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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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Steph Curry shares how playing Klay Thompson puts NBA journey into perspective

Steph Curry shares how playing Klay Thompson puts NBA journey into perspective originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Christmas Day wasn’t Klay Thompson’s first time playing at Chase Center as a member of the Dallas Mavericks, but each time the Warriors legend returns is a special occasion for Dub Nation and his former teammates.

That admiration was on display during a moment in warmups, hours before Golden State’s eventual 126-116 win Thursday, when the ex-Warriors guard and Steph Curry met up for a pregame handshake — an interaction that elicited cheers from the Bay Area crowd.

The moment wasn’t lost on Curry, who won four NBA championships with his fellow Splash Bro over the course of 13 years before Thompson departed for the Mavericks in a sign-and-trade following the 2023-24 season.

“Yeah, [Warriors fans] don’t miss a thing for sure, especially the Splash Bros out there,” Curry told reporters after the game. “Very sentimental moment, I’m sure, any time we’re in the same space, Draymond [Green] included, so that was cool, for sure.”

The reunion came just one day after Warriors coach Steve Kerr admitted Golden State is a “fading dynasty.” Both Curry and Thompson were key to those golden days, but facing each other on different teams at ages 37 and 35, respectively, certainly puts things into perspective for the Warriors point guard.

But Curry knows both he and Thompson still are capable of accomplishing more, no matter how quickly Father Time is ticking.

“It will never be normal, you know, seeing [Thompson] somewhere else, but it’s also — we’re all trying to deal with the here and now,” Curry said. “And we’re such competitors that no matter what position you’re in or situation you’re in with your teams, you still feel like you can win and you have a lot to accomplish. So, it’s a great reminder of the journey, but you don’t really put too much extra emphasis on it.

“That time will come down the road.”

There’s no saying for sure when Curry or Thompson will hang up their sneakers. But the memories they’ve made together — and the memories Dub Nation has made watching them play with and now against each other — certainly will live on forever.

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