Lakers' Austin Reaves diagnosed with Grade 2 calf strain, will be re-evaluated in four weeks

JJ Redick may be about to get a lot more frustrated.

Austin Reaves, the Lakers' second-leading scorer, has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 left gastrocnemius strain — a calf strain — and will be re-evaluated in four weeks, the team announced. With that timeline, he will miss at least the next 14 games. The injury happened on Christmas Day, when he did not play the second half in a loss to the Rockets because of it. This reportedly is separate from the calf strain that cost him three games earlier in the month.

Reaves has been playing at an All-Star level, averaging 26.6 points, 6.3 assists, and 5.2 rebounds per game this season, shooting 36.5% from 3-point range. He has proven he can carry the offense for a stretch when Luka Doncic is out.

This season, the Lakers outscore opponents by 3.1 points per 100 possessions when he is on the court and get outscored by 5.6 per 100 while he is off. With him out, more playmaking duties will fall to LeBron James and backup guards such as Gabe Vincent, Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia.

The Lakers have lost three straight games, the last two by 20+ points to Houston on Christmas Day and Phoenix before that. The Lakers have gone 2-4 in their previous six games, with the worst defense in the league over that stretch. Reaves is a member of four of the five most-used Lakers lineups.

Lakers guard Austin Reaves out for at least a month because of calf injury

Los Angeles, CA - November 02: Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) gestures during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers guard Austin Reaves has a grade 2 strain of his left calf and will be out for approximately a month. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers guard Austin Reaves will miss at least a month with a grade 2 strain in his left calf, the team announced Friday, one day after he left the game against the Houston Rockets at halftime.

Reaves, averaging career highs in points (26.6), assists (6.3) and rebounds (5.2), had already missed three games with what the team called a “mild” calf strain. He returned off the bench while playing on a minutes restriction against Phoenix on Dec. 23 and reprised his starting role on Christmas Day in a loss to the Rockets. But after scoring 12 points in 15 minutes in the first half, he was ruled out for the second half with “left calf soreness.”

Calf injuries have been major concerns across the NBA since three stars — Tyrese Haliburton, Damian Lillard and Jayson Tatum — suffered Achilles tears during last year’s playoffs. Haliburton and Lillard have previously dealt with calf injuries.

Lakers star guard Luka Doncic suffered a calf injury on Christmas Day last year while with the Dallas Mavericks and missed two months, during which he was traded to the Lakers.

“I know how it is to go to a calf injury. It's not fun at all,” Doncic said Thursday after the game. “[I’ll] just be there to support him. Take your time. Calves are dangerous so take your time.”

The Lakers (19-10) are losing their second-leading scorer at a critical time of the season. They have lost three consecutive games, their only losing streak of the season, and their defense in the last 15 games has been among the worst in the league.

Read more:'We don’t have it right now.' Takeaways from the Lakers' third straight loss

After the third consecutive blowout loss, coach JJ Redick questioned how much his players cared. He promised an “uncomfortable” film session and team meeting at practice on Saturday before the Lakers face Sacramento at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday.

After a difficult stretch of the schedule that included eight out of 10 games against teams with winning records, the Lakers have four of their next five against teams in the bottom of the Western Conference standings. Outside of a home game against the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons on Tuesday, the Lakers play the Sacramento Kings, the Memphis Grizzlies (on Jan. 2 and 4) and at New Orleans on Jan. 6.

Reaves’ absence could extend until the beginning of the Lakers’ Grammy road trip that begins on Jan. 20 against Denver.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Frustrated Lakers coach JJ Redick: 'We don't care enough right now'

On Christmas Day the Lakers dropped their third straight game, an ugly 23-point loss to the Houston Rockets. That comes on the heels of a 24-point loss to the Phoenix Suns. The Lakers are 2-4 in their last six with the worst defense in the NBA in that stretch with a -10.9 net rating in that stretch.

After the game, a frustrated JJ Redick vented at his team, with quotes via Dave McMenamin of ESPN.

"We don't care enough right now," Redick said. "And that's the part that bothers you a lot. We don't care enough to do the things that are necessary. We don't care enough to be a professional...

"Saturday's practice — I told the guys — it's going to be uncomfortable," Redick said. "The meeting is going to be uncomfortable. I'm not doing another 53 games like this."

Redick made similar comments after the loss to the Suns days earlier, saying of his team's defense, "It comes down to just making the choice. It's making the choice."

Three quick thoughts.

1) It's understandable that Redick is frustrated with the losing and the play of his team lately. Lakers fans are, too. He's understandably frustrated with the athleticism gap between his team and some of the other top six teams in the West — such as Houston, San Antonio and Oklahoma City — but that is less about effort and more about the roster's construction. This is a team that waived Jordan Goodwin to clear roster space for veteran Marcus Smart, and Goodwin goes to Phoenix and thrives on an athletic roster.

2) The idea that the Lakers' biggest issue is just needing to play harder — "We don't care enough" or "it's making a choice" — both feels slightly outdated in today's high-paced NBA and is not going to play well in the locker room long-term. The "we just have to play harder" card is one a coach can only pull out once or twice a season, and Redick has pulled it out twice in the last week.

3) The Lakers roster was clearly going to struggle defensively even before the season tipped off — playing Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves (who is expected to miss time with calf soreness) and about-to-turn 41 LeBron James together was always going to be an issue. Dallas, a couple of years ago, showed the model for winning and reaching the NBA Finals with Luka Doncic — surrounding him with shooting, athleticism and defense — and the Lakers have not built to that model.

Redick isn't wrong trying to push his players, but the Lakers are what they are built to be. Redick can shift things around, but at the end of the game these are the cards he's been dealt. Welcome to coaching in the NBA.

Observations after Sixers falter down stretch, open road trip with loss to Bulls

Observations after Sixers falter down stretch, open road trip with loss to Bulls originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Sixers were thoroughly outplayed in crunch time Friday night in Chicago.

They kicked off a five-game road trip by faltering late in the fourth quarter and dropping a 109-102 contest to the Bulls.

Chicago extended its winning streak to five games and moved to 15-15 overall. The Sixers dipped to 16-13. They’ll face the Thunder on Sunday afternoon.

Joel Embiid scored 31 points and Tyrese Maxey added 27. 

The Bulls had six double-figure scorers. Zach Collins and Tre Jones posted 15 points each. 

Here are observations on the Sixers’ loss to the Bulls:

Three key pieces back in action 

VJ Edgecombe, Dominick Barlow and Quentin Grimes were back in the fold after all three players missed the Sixers’ loss Tuesday to Nets because of an illness. 

Sixers head coach Nick Nurse had highlighted that his team felt the absence of that trio’s considerable collective athleticism. Their boost was noticeable right away in Chicago. 

Edgecombe opened the game guarding Josh Giddey and Barlow defended Matas Buzelis. Both Edgecombe and Barlow featured in the Sixers’ strong start. Barlow had an early put-back layup and Edgecombe turned a steal into an easy slam. Two free throws apiece by Edgecombe and Barlow gave the Sixers a 13-2 lead.

Grimes scored a slick bucket on the Sixers’ last possession of the first quarter, gliding along the baseline and converting a graceful reverse layup. 

Boards help Sixers offset more shooting troubles

Maxey sunk a long-range jumper for the night’s first points. He was coming off of his worst shooting game of the season, a 3-for-14 outing vs. Brooklyn.

Seeing one drop didn’t spell an immediate return to form; Maxey missed his next six field goals. As a team, the Sixers started 1 for 13 beyond the arc. 

Their early superiority on the glass mitigated those shooting struggles. The Sixers grabbed the game’s first six offensive rebounds and scored the first nine second-chance points. Paul George reached a new season high in rebounds by the end of the first half. He finished with 12 rebounds — his most in a game since 2021
— and also tallied 15 points on 5-for-15 shooting and five assists. 

The Sixers have improved substantially on the offensive boards so far this season. According to Cleaning the Glass, they entered Friday night ranked eighth in the NBA in offensive rebounding rate. 

Bulls dominate off the bench, down the stretch

With Maxey, George and Embiid all sitting, the Sixers’ defense was very leaky in the first few minutes of the second quarter. Chicago routinely had the Sixers on their heels and created high-quality looks in the half court with little resistance. Ayo Dosunmu’s wide-open corner three put the Bulls up 41-30. 

The Sixers’ stars prevented that deficit from growing.

Embiid had another efficient, aggressive first quarter offensively and also churned out plenty of points in the second and third. Maxey eventually rediscovered his jumper to some extent, knocking down five threes. He wound up 9 for 24 from the field.

Chicago leaned heavily on its bench and got a ton of production. The Bulls’ second unit racked up 59 points. On the other side, Nurse tried a variety of bench options and ultimately used 11 players. No Sixers bench player did much in the scoring department. Overall, the team’s second unit had just 12 points on 5-for-19 shooting.

The Sixers and Bulls traded runs throughout the night. Thanks to threes from George and Maxey late in the third quarter, the Sixers held an 85-81 edge going into the fourth.

Like so many Sixers games this year, the contest came down to the final minutes. The Sixers went up 102-99 with 2:45 to play when Embiid scored on Nikola Vucevic in the post.

The Bulls then closed the evening with a 10-0 spurt, making all the clutch plays and out-hustling the Sixers on several occasions.

Jalen Smith jammed in a huge dunk over Embiid and Coby White nailed a step-back three on the Sixers’ superstar big man. Jones scored inside after the 6-foot-1 guard somehow snagged two offensive boards on one possession.

Offensively, the Sixers appeared rushed and panicky at times as Chicago seized control of the game. No one had any answers to stop the bleeding.

2025-26 NBA MVP Ladder, Race, Odds, power rankings, frontrunners including Nikola Jokic overtaking SGA

The NBA's MVP race has a new leader in the clubhouse, and it's a familiar face, Nikola Jokic. After Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Oklahoma City lost to San Antonio on Christmas Day, marking a third-straight loss to the Spurs, and Denver's epic OT win on the back of Jokic's record-breaking Christmas performance — it's quite easy to see why the odds have shifted.

Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & team props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!

Vaughn Dalzell‘s Week 10 MVP Rankings

Denver Nuggets Primary Logo
1. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets (+120)
Points Per Game: 29.8 (5th)
Rebounds Per Game: 12.1 (1st)
Assists Per Game: 11.0 (1st)

We have a new No. 1 in the building and no surprise, it's Nikola Jokic! His stock has been trending alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's as the No. 2 option all season long and it will likely go back-and-forth a few more times. However, this is Jokic's time to be the leader.

The Joker went bananas with 56 points, 16 rebounds, and 15 assists in a 142-138 OT win versus Minnesota on Christmas Day. Denver won that game despite being down three starters and what's more impressive was Jokic scoring 18 points in OT! Those 18 OT points broke Steph Curry's record of 17 points in 2016.

Oklahoma City Thunder Primary Logo
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder (+125)
Points Per Game: 32.1 (2nd)
Assists Per Game: 6.5 (17th)
Rebounds Per Game: 4.9 RPG (89th)

The Thunder have dropped back-to-back games for the first time all season, plus lost three of the past four, and are 2-4 over the previous six. Nothing has gone right for the Thunder, especially if it includes the Spurs who beat them three times over the last six games.

It's hard to defend the Thunder as the best team right now or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the rightful MVP favorite. SGA is still playing at an extremely high level, scoring 30 points in four of the past five, shooting at ridiculous clips, but the winning hasn't come lately, so the door is open for Nikola Jokic and Denver.

Los Angeles Lakers Primary Logo
3. Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers (+700)
Points Per Game: 33.7 (1st)
Assists Per Game: 8.7 (4th)
Rebounds Per Game: 8.5 (20th)

Luka Doncic has missed three games in December, but balled out in the other seven. Doncic is averaging 30.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 7.6 assists in December. but scored 12 and 25 points in the past two.

Los Angeles has lost the past two with Doncic and three games overall. The offense has suffered one of its worst stretches of the season, ranking 27th in offensive rating over the last three and 15th in all of December.

Detroit Pistons Primary Logo
4. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons (+8000)
Points Per Game: 26.4 (12th)
Rebounds Per Game: 6.4 (T-46th)
Assists Per Game: 9.4 (2nd)

Over the last two weeks, Cade Cunningham's odds shifted negatively from +5500 to +8000 due to his low scoring output. Cunningham averaged 22.2 points in December, which is a monthly-low on the season, but did post 9.4 assists and 6.3 rebounds per game. Through those 10 games, Detroit has gone 8-2 in that span and still leads the Eastern Conference with a 24-6 record.

New York Knicks Primary Logo
5. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks (+15000)
Points Per Game: 29.3 (8th)
Rebounds Per Game: 3.3 (150th+)
Assists Per Game: 6.5 (16th)

Jalen Brunson is about to close off a strong December. The Knicks star has averaged 30.7 points, 6.9 assists and shot 47.9% from the field and 39.8% from deep through 11 games. New York's December will be remembered for their cup win over San Antonio, who beat Oklahoma City to get there. The Knicks have solidified themselves as a top two team in the East (No. 1 for me).

Stock Up

Denver Nuggets Primary Logo
1. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets (+120)
Points Per Game: 29.8 (5th)
Rebounds Per Game: 12.1 (1st)
Assists Per Game: 11.0 (1st)

Nikola Jokic did everything he could to boost his stock on Christmas Day and it worked. Jokic has overtaken Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the first time at all sports books, and while it's only a $5 difference between a $100 bet — a lead is a lead.

Starting on Dec. 27, Denver goes on a seven-game road trip that ends on Jan. 7. The Nuggets start in Orlando and finish the trip in Boston. Success on their longest road trip of the season is either a trampoline for Jokic's odds or a worst case scenario if they end up with a losing record or close to it through seven games.

Stock Down

San Antonio Spurs Primary Logo
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs (+15000)
Points Per Game: 26.2 (14th)
Rebounds Per Game: 12.9 (2nd)
Blocks Per Game: 3.6 (1st)

Despite beating the Thunder three times and winning on Christmas, Victor Wembanyama's MVP odds have faded toward 150-to-1. With Wembanyama coming off the bench, his case isn't as strong since no MVP has likely ever done that for a part of the season, but the Spurs are 6-1 since he's returned and won five straight.

Follow my plays for the season on X @VmoneySports, Instagram @VmoneySports_ and Action App @vaughndalzell.

Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & team props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!

How to Watch the NBA on NBC and Peacock

Peacock NBA Monday will stream up to three Monday night games each week throughout the regular season. Coast 2 Coast Tuesday presents doubleheaders on Tuesday nights throughout the regular season on NBC and Peacock. On most Tuesdays, an 8 p.m. ET game will be on NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones, and an 8 p.m. PT game on NBC stations in the Pacific and often Mountain time zones. Check local listings each week. Both games will stream live nationwide on Peacock. NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball across NBC and Peacock on Feb. 1, 2026. For a full schedule of the NBA on NBC and Peacock, click here.

How to sign up for Peacock:

Sign up here to watch all of our LIVE sports, sports shows, documentaries, classic matches, and more. You’ll also get tons of hit movies and TV shows, Originals, news, 24/7 channels, and current NBC & Bravo hits—Peacock is here for whatever you’re in the mood for.

NBA on NBC 2025-26 Schedule

Click here to see the full list of NBA games that will air on NBC and Peacock this season.

What devices does Peacock support?

You can enjoy Peacock on a variety of devices. View the full list of supported devices here.

Anthony Davis to miss 'a few games' with latest groin strain

Jeff Stotts of In Street Clothes, who maintains a deep database of NBA injuries, had the scariest stat of the day: This is the 13th groin injury of Anthony Davis' career.

Davis has suffered a minor groin strain and is expected to miss a few games, reports Shams Charania of ESPN. Stotts said Davis' average time missed for a minor groin strain is about eight days, meaning two or three games.

Davis left the Mavericks' Christmas Day game against the Warriors in the second quarter with the injury and did not return.

"Leg got tight, like a little spasm…" Davis said after the game. "Obviously, dealing with the ab strain still, so just tried to get it loose, it wouldn't really loosen up, let go, but it's nothing serious. I'm fine."

Davis has played in half of the Mavericks' games this season, but has been fantastic when healthy, averaging 20.5 points on 52.1% shooting, plus grabbing 10.9 rebounds a game.

Davis' name comes up in trade rumors, and while the Mavericks are listening to offers, the market for Davis — who is making $54.1 million this season, and is guaranteed $58.5 million next season, and wants an extension beyond next season — is limited.

Nets' Cam Thomas returning to lineup Saturday after lengthy hamstring injury

December has been far more kind to the Nets than November, and their month on the relative upswing will soon include the return of a key contributor.

Cam Thomas, who missed nearly eight weeks nursing a hamstring strain, is slated to take the court again on Saturday against the Timberwolves, head coach Jordi Fernandezrevealed on Friday.

The 24-year-old guard last played on Nov. 5 against the Pacers, and the hamstring injury cost him 20 games. Before the injury, Thomas averaged 21.4 points on 40 percent shooting across eight contests.

While the Nets have yet to see Thomas score in a win this season -- they were 0-7 at the time of his injury -- he's rejoining a group that's discovered some ways to build momentum.

In their 20 games without Thomas, the Nets went 8-12, rattling off back-to-back victories on two separate occasions. They've heavily relied on offense from veteran Michael Porter Jr., averaging a career-high 25.7 points with 7.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists (24 games).

This wasn't Thomas' first time recovering from a prolonged hamstring injury -- he dealt with similar troubles last season, missing a whopping 57 games.

Thomas is slated for unrestricted free agency next summer, after signing a one-year, $6 million qualifying offer to return to the Nets this past offseason.

NBA Minutes Report: Tyler Kolek emerges, Ivica Zubac gets hurt, more

Welcome to the Fantasy Basketball Minutes Report. Every week, I will review each team's updated minutes per game to see which players are seeing the court more or less than in previous weeks. With this information in hand, I'll try to discuss any relevant fantasy risers or fallers; players who we should be adding off waivers or removing from our teams.

The charts below are also great for exploring on your own. You can track the minutes over the last three, five, and ten games, and for the entire season, to see which trends stand out to you.

All of this data was made accessible by Kyle Bland, who is incredibly talented and also extremely generous. Be sure to follow him to check out all of his baseball data as well.

NBA: Miami Heat at New York Knicks
Ware had an outstanding Week 9, culminating with a 28-point, 19-rebound effort against the Knicks.

Atlanta Hawks

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Onyeka Okongwu35.535.834
Jalen Johnson35.23636.5
Dyson Daniels32.533.834.5
Nickeil Alexander-Walker3232.832.6
Trae Young28.725.825.8
Zaccharie Risacher25.223.523.9
Vít Krejčí21.822.924
Luke Kennard19.718.818.7

Trae Young is back, but has that actually been a good thing for this team? The Hawks' offense was kind of flowing without him, and the defense has taken a real step back with Young on the court. Fantasy managers don't care about that, but Nickeil Alexander-Walker has seen his usage take a big hit, and this team isn't playing as well of late.

Boston Celtics

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Derrick White34.434.133.5
Jaylen Brown3434.335.9
Payton Pritchard32.332.632.4
Hugo González31.425.218.4
Luka Garza25.125.115.2
Sam Hauser24.219.722.4
Anfernee Simons24.124.723.7
Neemias Queta23.526.125.8
Jordan Walsh17.12124.8

As we've seen all season, the fringes of the Celtics' rotation (apart from White, Brown, and Pritchard) continue to change, with Hugo Gonzalez and Luka Garza getting increased minutes. Jordan Walsh has been battling an illness recently, but over the last two weeks, Gonzalez and Garza have been the two biggest contributors on the fringe of the rotation as the Celtics have looked to play a little bigger. Neemias Queta is still seeing some minutes, but Sam Hauser and Josh Minott are seeing their minutes decline.

Brooklyn Nets

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Michael Porter Jr.34.532.933.4
Egor Dëmin30.627.125.8
Nic Claxton29.93030.2
Noah Clowney29.328.529.2
Terance Mann28.826.824.9
Danny Wolf20.122.223.2
Nolan Traore18.413.713.7
Day'Ron Sharpe18.116.917.2
Ziaire Williams16.919.520.4

Don't look now, but the Nets are playing some feisty basketball. They've won three of their last four games and six of their last nine, and their defense has been tremendous. Offensively, this team is still basically driven by Michael Porter Jr. and Nic Claxton, but Egor Dëmin is emerging as a little bit more of a consistent threat, averaging 14 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.2 steals over his last five games, which is a top-150 player. This still isn't a really good team, but they're playing hard.

Charlotte Hornets

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Kon Knueppel31.234.534.3
Miles Bridges31.23332.7
Brandon Miller2932.331.8
Moussa Diabaté26.92421.2
Ryan Kalkbrenner24.22425.5
LaMelo Ball24.125.425.7
Sion James22.224.824.9
Tidjane Salaün20.218.118.6
Collin Sexton161614.5

LaMelo Ball continues to be in and out of the lineup, and both Mason Plumlee and Ryan Kalkbrenner have been battling day-to-day injuries, which has meant extra minutes for Moussa Diabaté. Diabaté hasn't done a ton with the minutes, but he is averaging 11.7 rebounds and 2.3 steals over the last three games with Kalkbrenner out, so the defensive value has been great. It won't help fantasy managers too much, but it makes him a valuable player in the Hornets' rotation. Collin Sexton also missed seven games with a quad injury and returned earlier this week to play 20 minutes against the Wizards, so we should expect those minutes to tick up soon.

Chicago Bulls

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Josh Giddey32.731.132.9
Nikola Vučević31.230.629.3
Coby White30.730.228.9
Matas Buzelis26.825.327.8
Tre Jones22.823.424.5
Kevin Huerter22.723.620.6
Isaac Okoro20.122.923.5
Zach Collins17.516.117.5
Ayo Dosunmu15.615.624.5

The Bulls are finally healthy with only one player on their entire injury report. Of course, that has led to a confusing rotation behind Josh Giddey, Coby White, and Nikola Vučević. Matas Buzelis continues to be the most intriguing player of the rest of the roster, and he has looked good in his last three games, but he needs to find more consistency. Kevin Huerter is also averaging 13 points and 4.3 rebounds in his last three games and has taken a lot of minutes from Ayo Dosunmu, who also continues to play through multiple hand injuries.

Cleveland Cavaliers

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Darius Garland31.731.732.7
Donovan Mitchell30.430.933.4
Dean Wade27.426.425
Sam Merrill272727
De'Andre Hunter25.626.126.8
Evan Mobley25.325.332.8
Jarrett Allen23.125.324.9
Jaylon Tyson21.624.628.9
Lonzo Ball18.720.723.2

Evan Mobley made his return after only missing five games with a calf injury that was allegedly supposed to have sidelined him for up to four weeks. Jarrett Allen went back to playing 23 minutes with Mobley back and scored seven points with eight rebounds. Thomas Bryant basically fell out of the rotation with only three minutes played. It's back to the status quo for the Cavs.

Dallas Mavericks

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Cooper Flagg36.937.436
Max Christie33.522.325.7
P.J. Washington31.232.432.8
Naji Marshall29.531.231.5
Klay Thompson28.723.622.5
Anthony Davis27.430.729.9
Ryan Nembhard24.724.426.2
Brandon Williams19.922.522.2
Jaden Hardy19.419.415.3

Anthony Davis continues to battle injuries and just left Thursday's game with a groin injury. As we've come to see, a Davis injury will mean more minutes and usage for P.J. Washington and Naji Marshall and would likely also mean more run for Daniel Gafford, who hasn't played over 17 minutes in any of the six games since being back from injury. Ryan Nembhard's play has also really fallen off of late, and we saw Brandon Williams play 30 minutes and score 26 points on Thursday, so this might be an ugly hot hand situation for a while.

Denver Nuggets

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Nikola Jokić35.934.935.2
Jamal Murray35.635.435.6
Tim Hardaway Jr.31.630.429.8
Peyton Watson31.531.527.3
Spencer Jones2926.726.2
Bruce Brown27.428.827.6
Cameron Johnson26.530.233.7
Jalen Pickett13.718.416.6
Jonas Valančiūnas13.613.913.9

The Nuggets could be getting Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun back as early as next week, and they need them because Cameron Johnson is now going to be sidelined for a month with a knee injury. Without him, Bruce Brown figures to take on a big of a bigger role, and Tim Hardaway Jr. should see his usage continue to increase. He's averaging 17.8 points and 2.8 rebounds over the last four games, but he doesn't contribute much else

Detroit Pistons

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Cade Cunningham33.436.234.5
Ausar Thompson29.824.225
Tobias Harris29.827.927.4
Duncan Robinson29.125.225.6
Jalen Duren26.928.828.6
Ronald Holland II23.119.219.4
Isaiah Stewart22.12423.1
Javonte Green18.717.815.2
Caris LeVert18.320.221
Jaden Ivey15.216.215.8

There are too many players in this rotation. Yes, it's great to have a deep team, and the Pistons remain at the top of the Eastern Conference, but this is a ship driven by Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren and then a rotation of guys who step up in different games. That might change if Ausar Thompson could develop some consistency, but this feels like a team that could make a consolidation trade to move on from somebody like Jaden Ivey, who barely plays, and some other pieces to add a bigger offensive force that can help them win a title.

Golden State Warriors

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Stephen Curry3333.633.3
Jimmy Butler III323330.7
Brandin Podziemski28.629.226.6
Moses Moody26.826.923.4
Quinten Post21.722.324.6
De'Anthony Melton18.417.818.5
Draymond Green17.922.721.7
Will Richard151519.4
Gary Payton II14.611.712.4

Draymond Green's minutes are down because he stormed off the court in the third quarter on Monday. I mean, not really, but also kind of. Green simply isn't the player that he used to be, and he's not impacting the game in as meaningful a way. You have to wonder if the team would be better off if some of his minutes went to Brandin Podziemski or Al Horford, who just came back from injury.

Houston Rockets

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Amen Thompson37.238.137.7
Kevin Durant36.838.536.9
Jabari Smith Jr.34.737.337
Alperen Sengun33.433.334.3
Reed Sheppard26.527.326.3
Tari Eason202020
Steven Adams19.823.221.7
Josh Okogie18.422.822.9

Can we just take a minute to acknowledge that Clint Capela has somehow become a player who plays just seven minutes a game? Jabari Smith Jr. is back to being a top-100 player in fantasy basketball over the last two weeks, averaging 16.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. Tari Eason also returned from injury and has seen his minutes tick up due to his strong defensive value. He played 26 minutes on Christmas against the Lakers, and that has relegated Josh Okogie to a much smaller role.

Indiana Pacers

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Pascal Siakam33.933.633.3
Bennedict Mathurin32.533.532.1
Andrew Nembhard3232.732.5
Ethan Thompson26.221.221.1
Jay Huff22.522.124.1
Johnny Furphy21.716.914.4
T.J. McConnell19.117.915.6
Jarace Walker17.418.118.7

This Pacers rotation has been pretty consistent for the last few weeks. They are working around injuries to Ben Sheppard and Isaiah Jackson, but neither player was playing huge minutes. T.J. McConnell has gone on one of his runs where he's playing really solid basketball, and is a top-100 player in fantasy leagues over the last two weeks, but he's still seeing under 20 minutes per game, which makes it hard to trust him too much.

NBA: Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Lakers
The Pacers, Lakers and Thunder are among the teams with lengthy injury reports at the halfway point of Week 2.

Los Angeles Clippers

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
James Harden37.836.835.1
Kawhi Leonard3737.734.9
John Collins29.827.828.7
Kris Dunn29.528.227.7
Brook Lopez22.520.218.1
Nicolas Batum21.723.223.3
Ivica Zubac21.227.531.6
Bogdan Bogdanović20.62121.3
Kobe Sanders20.116.418.7

Ivica Zubac went down with an injury this week, and the Clippers will be without him until the middle of January. I covered the fallout in a video this week, but I think John Collins figures to benefit the most.

Los Angeles Lakers

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
LeBron James31.932.933.6
Deandre Ayton31.931.329.7
Marcus Smart29.929.829.6
Jake LaRavia29.827.823
Rui Hachimura27.730.530.7
Luka Dončić26.732.834.7
Nick Smith Jr.2518.416.5
Jarred Vanderbilt24.522.719.5
Austin Reaves18.318.331.8

Austin Reaves is hurt again, leaving the Lakers' Christmas game with a calf injury. We don't know how many games, if any, he'll miss, but his absence previously has (obviously) led to more usage for LeBron James and Luka Dončić, who is back from his own brief absence with a leg injury. Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia would also likely benefit a little with increased playing time if Reaves were to miss games.

Memphis Grizzlies

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Cam Spencer34.733.529.2
Jaylen Wells32.131.530.1
Santi Aldama31.63229.5
Jaren Jackson Jr.31.33230.2
Cedric Coward27.926.627.4
Jock Landale23.425.522.5
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope22.72321.3
GG Jackson212121
Brandon Clarke3.910.210.2
Vince Williams Jr.21.721.1
Ja Morant2123.1

With Ja Morant sidelined again, Cam Spencer is enjoying a bit of a breakout, which I covered in a video this week, so check that out. Brandon Clarke also returned and then got hurt again, which led to an opportunity for GG Jackson, who returned from his own injury on Monday and then played 30 minutes on Tuesday, scoring 18 points and grabbing nine rebounds. He's a name to keep an eye on.

Miami Heat

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Jaime Jaquez Jr.35.232.930
Norman Powell34.934.332.9
Bam Adebayo34.633.632.8
Davion Mitchell29.13030.8
Andrew Wiggins28.530.631.4
Kel'el Ware27.726.623.9
Kasparas Jakučionis25.220.816.8
Tyler Herro32.3

Tyler Herro is still out with his toe injury and is still trying to fit into this new-look Miami offense. I covered all of that in a video this week. In that time, Jaime Jaquez Jr. has stepped back into his larger role, but Kel'el Ware has also seen his role increase in a two-big-man look with Bam Adebayo. Ware has been a top-70 player in fantasy basketball over the last two weeks and deserves a bit more attention for how well he's played.

Milwaukee Bucks

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Kevin Porter Jr.38.435.434.1
Bobby Portis36.830.626.5
Kyle Kuzma33.431.327.4
Myles Turner32.129.726.5
Ryan Rollins27.926.428.9
AJ Green24.624.626.1
Jericho Sims21.821.223.8
Gary Trent Jr.17.72224

Giannis Antetokounmpo remains out, and Gary Trent Jr. has played just 23 total minutes in the last two games as he battles a calf injury. In their stead, Kevin Porter Jr's has been a top-15 player in fantasy basketball, and Ryan Rollins and Bobby Portis Jr. have both continued to play well in their expanded roles. They're both top-100 players in fantasy basketball, but Myles Turner doesn't seem to be doing much more with the bigger role, averaging just 13.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists over his last 5 games.

Minnesota Timberwolves

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Anthony Edwards38.739.237.6
Rudy Gobert3735.931.2
Julius Randle3534.535
Donte DiVincenzo33.23432.3
Naz Reid27.328.529.8
Jaden McDaniels24.230.534.1
Bones Hyland22.223.321.6
Mike Conley21.121.118.9

Minnesota has a pretty consolidated eight-man rotation, and little has changed. Bones Hyland has stepped into a slightly bigger role as a ball-handling scorer off the bench, and he might be better suited in that role than Mike Conley right now.

New Orleans Pelicans

Trey Murphy III32.533.934.8
Bryce McGowens30.616.523.4
Saddiq Bey29.729.631.5
Jordan Poole29.427.727.3
Derik Queen28.829.330.8
Jeremiah Fears24.624.426.8
Zion Williamson23.223.523.5
Jose Alvarado2122.224.2
Herbert Jones16.92322

The Pelicans reportedly don't want to trade Herbert Jones, but his ankle injury has kept him off the court and sapped some of his effectiveness. Derik Queen continues to be effective, even playing alongside Zion Williamson, and both have been top-80 players in fantasy basketball over the last two weeks. I would like to see more minutes for Jeremiah Fears, but Jordan Poole has seemed to cut into those.

New York Knicks

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Jalen Brunson38.737.136.8
Mikal Bridges3837.735.7
Josh Hart34.13433.5
OG Anunoby33.33332.3
Karl-Anthony Towns30.231.531.9
Tyler Kolek26.12417.9
Jordan Clarkson25.524.423
Mitchell Robinson21.722.820.6

Tyler Kolek season is here, and I'm not sure it's going anywhere. Deuce McBride is still managing an ankle injury, and Landry Shamet is out with a shoulder injury, so Kolek has stepped up and is averaging 10.7 points, 6.2 assists, and 4.8 rebounds over the last two weeks while playing crucial minutes at the end of games for the Knicks. At this point, the Knicks can't take Kolek out of the rotation, so even when Deuce returns, it might be somebody like Jordan Clarkson who needs to lose more minutes.

Oklahoma City Thunder

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander35.834.633.4
Jalen Williams31.63129.2
Chet Holmgren28.828.327.1
Luguentz Dort28.526.425.1
Cason Wallace25.226.325.3
Isaiah Hartenstein24.625.624.2
Ajay Mitchell22.224.625.1
Alex Caruso19.319.118.9

Isaiah Hartenstein came back from his calf injury last week, so we've actually seen the full Thunder roster for the first time all season. Turns out, it's a roster that can't beat the Spurs. I'm kidding, but the Spurs are playing tremendously well against the Thunder. The rotation has become pretty consistent, but it's a matter of who emerges. Chet Holmgren has not been as effective in recent games, but Ajay Mitchell has stepped up and been a top 100 player in fantasy leagues over his last four games.

Orlando Magic

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Paolo Banchero37.637.533
Desmond Bane3636.435.9
Anthony Black34.235.333.4
Wendell Carter Jr.32.332.231.2
Tyus Jones26.421.518.7
Noah Penda2118.613.5
Jase Richardson18.916.713.6
Jalen Suggs29.529.7
Tristan da Silva1221.5
Franz Wagner27.4

Orlando's rotation has become consolidated thanks to injuries to Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs, and Tristan Da Silva. In that time, Desmond Bane has taken on a much larger role, averaging 198 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.8 blocks, which makes him a top 40 player. Anthony Black has also stepped into a much larger role and has been highly efficient for the Magic as well. We've also seen Noah Penda take on a bigger role now that he's up from the G-League. I don't expect that to last too long, but it's been fun to see.

Philadelphia 76ers

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Tyrese Maxey39.339.339.3
VJ Edgecombe36.437.731.3
Paul George33.133.230.1
Joel Embiid31.531.229.8
Jared McCain30.224.523.3
Andre Drummond2421.618.9
Dominick Barlow2427.428.3
Quentin Grimes21.23032.9

Joel Embiid survived a bit of an injury scare earlier this week, but seems ot have survived it. Quentin Grimes has seen his minutes decrease in the last two games, but he has also been battling an illness, so it might be connected to that. The 76ers continue to hum because of their young guards and a resurgent season from Paul George, who is averaging 16.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.6 steals per game in 12 games. Also, it's pretty fun that Dominick Barlow is playing such a big role on a two-way deal.

Phoenix Suns

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Collin Gillespie32.231.831.7
Devin Booker31.431.429.9
Dillon Brooks29.627.930.1
Royce O'Neale2826.927.8
Oso Ighodaro26.322.823
Jordan Goodwin25.822.922.8
Ryan Dunn2219.820.3
Mark Williams19.521.322.1
Grayson Allen28.528.3

Grayson Allen is battling a knee injury, but it doesn't sound too serious. Jalen Green is also expected back in the first week of January, so this Suns team could be getting healthy soon. Collin Gillespie has also remained tremendously valuable even with Devin Booker back, but it remains to be seen if that would continue with both Allen and Green back too.

Portland Trail Blazers

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Deni Avdija38.538.136.5
Toumani Camara35.233.132.1
Donovan Clingan32.630.928.7
Shaedon Sharpe31.832.731.5
Kris Murray30.527.226.7
Sidy Cissoko2224.624.8
Caleb Love20.316.317.5
Robert Williams III16.117.219.3
Jerami Grant37.433.9

Jrue Holiday is still out, and now Jerami Grant has missed the last three games with an Achilles injury. In those three games, Donovan Clingan and Shaedon Sharpe have taken on larger usage roles. Those two guys, along with Deni Avdija, have all been top-60 players in that span, but Grant doesn't figure to be out for too much longer.

Sacramento Kings

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
DeMar DeRozan38.938.134.5
Keegan Murray35.637.736
Russell Westbrook32.732.330.8
Maxime Raynaud30.130.729.3
Dennis Schröder27.826.226.2
Nique Clifford27.122.921.1
Dylan Cardwell22.721.121.1
Precious Achiuwa18.21918.5

Zach LaVine remains out with an ankle injury but could return early next week. Keegan Murray also suffered a calf injury earlier this week, so we're still awaiting news on how long he will be out. Russell Westbrook continues to take on a large usage role with LaVine out and will do so for the foreseeable future. We have also seen Maxime Raynaud emerge of late, averaging 14.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists over the last two weeks, which has made him a top 100 player in fantasy leagues.

San Antonio Spurs

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
De'Aaron Fox33.229.330.7
Devin Vassell30.829.229.8
Stephon Castle30.528.128
Harrison Barnes27.424.427.8
Luke Kornet25.123.225.3
Victor Wembanyama23.521.821.6
Keldon Johnson212020.3
Julian Champagnie20.220.925.1
Dylan Harper19.519.921.6

Victor Wembanyama is back but still on a bit of a minutes restriction. Nevertheless, the Spurs have been on a run of strong play lately, and this is a true contender. That being said, Dylan Harper has taken a bit of a backseat with the full crew back, and I'm a little surprised that Devin Vassell has been getting more playing time and being more productive than Harper. That said, he does fit what the team needs a little better, so he will likely remain impactful, and he's been a top 110 player in fantasy leagues over the last two weeks.

Toronto Raptors

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Scottie Barnes34.334.235.2
Immanuel Quickley32.932.432.3
Brandon Ingram32.634.234.4
Sandro Mamukelashvili25.726.424.2
Ochai Agbaji2322.321.4
Collin Murray-Boyles2219.617.7
Jamal Shead212223.2
Ja'Kobe Walter19.317.918.7

Not much has changed for the Raptors in recent weeks. They're still managing Jakob Poeltl's minutes, and he's missed three of the last four games. No other big man is really stepping up in his absence, so there's no real corresponding move. RJ Barrett should also return as early as next week, which would be welcome for the Raptors.

Utah Jazz

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Keyonte George36.537.934.7
Lauri Markkanen36.23835
Kevin Love30.225.620.7
Ace Bailey29.127.628.9
Jusuf Nurkić27.829.125.5
Isaiah Collier2627.521.8
Kyle Filipowski22.926.727.8
Svi Mykhailiuk22.521.123.5
Brice Sensabaugh20.820.316.9

Things have remained pretty status quo for the Jazz over the last few weeks. The minutes and usage are dominated by Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George, with Jusuf Nurkić and Isaiah Collier also continuing to give meaningful production in their minutes as well. Sadly, even though Ace Bailey is getting plenty of run, he's averaging 12.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and little else.

Washington Wizards

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
CJ McCollum35.63433.3
Kyshawn George34.635.233.1
Bub Carrington3031.931.2
Alex Sarr25.324.924.9
Bilal Coulibaly23.42325.9
Tre Johnson22.821.620.8
Khris Middleton222225.1
Jamir Watkins21.914.918.1
Marvin Bagley III21.523.425.3

Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, and Khris Middleton are all back. Coulibaly played 23 minutes in his first game back, and Bub Carrington was down to 15 minutes. However, Carrington also had a foot injury in that game, so we may not know until Friday just how the Wizards are splitting up these minutes after Carrington emerged when everybody else was out. Marvin Bagley III has also played well in his limited minutes, and he could be useful on another squad if he gets traded.

Tyler Kolek-Jordan Clarkson backcourt winning the Knicks' biggest games

With the Knicks trailing and disjointed for most of their nationally-televised, playoff-intensity contest, head coach Mike Brown turned to two of his bench guards — Tyler Kolek and Jordan Clarkson — to provide a lift late in the ball game. The poised floor general and sparkplug scorer went beyond their job descriptions, mounting massive runs that scored their team a decisive victory, further adding to their pedigree and readiness for the championship hunt ahead.

Does this story sound familiar to Knicks fans? It should, as it seems to happen every other week now. 

What started off as a low-risk, high-reward veteran’s minimum flier and rocky second-year development project have turned into a devastating combination for opponents and a surprise surge of depth for a team that’s struggled with the issue for two years now. They’re winning New York the biggest games on the biggest stages of their schedule, and if that’s any indication of what’s to come in the playoffs, the Knicks will be at a new level of formidable.

But let’s start at the beginning. New York drafted Kolek 34th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, but he failed to find consistent playing time in his rookie season.

There were stronger, more veteran options, and though Kolek had impressed in Las Vegas Summer League and some spot backup minutes, he didn’t look fully confident and prepared defensively. Entering this training camp with a new coach but similar competition, Kolek was seemingly at risk of being moved before a surprise retirement announcement from Malcolm Brogdon

He was unremarkable in preseason and in spot minutes to start the year, but when Landry Shamet went down with an injury in late November, Kolek seized his opportunity. He’s since averaged 7.1 points, 3.8 assists and 0.8 assists in 16.6 minutes per game on 57 percent shooting from two, 38 percent from three, and very few giveaways. 

Kolek’s brought a new level of defensive intensity to his court presence, and seems to have found a liking to Brown’s offensive system. His veteran teammates also have a newfound trust in him to control the ball.

Clarkson is 33 years old and came to the Knicks with far less to prove than Kolek but just as much to accomplish. He played for three teams prior, his latest stop in Utah, where he cemented himself as a Sixth Man of the Year winner and reliable postseason contributor.

His production slowed with age, and the stakes around him disappeared with the talent. With a chance at bringing his plug-and-play ball handling and scoring to a contender desperately needing it, he took the veteran’s minimum to sign in New York.

It wasn’t the hottest or most consistent of starts, but Clarkson’s gotten more comfortable as the season has progressed, climaxing in the last couple of weeks. He scored 15 in the Cup Championship, 18 the game after, and 25 on Christmas, helping will the Knicks to three victories that looked out of reach.

Nov 2, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jordan Clarkson (00) reacts after making a three point basket during the first half against the Chicago Bulls at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Nov 2, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jordan Clarkson (00) reacts after making a three point basket during the first half against the Chicago Bulls at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images / © Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Kolek and Clarkson have had great individual performances, but it’s been their production as a tandem that’s flipped entire games on their heads. First in the Cup Championship, when the two controlled the fourth quarter, finishing the game with a combined near-30 off the bench.

Then, with the Knicks looking hapless and trailing by 17 in the fourth quarter, they totally shifted the momentum again. Both were constantly pushing the ball, getting into the paint and connecting from three.

The two combined for 41 points and 11 assists in the clutch victory, with Clarkson chipping in three steals. In both wins, Brown trusted the combo deep into the final period, even grouping them with Jalen Brunson for stretches. 

Just Kolek and Clarkson as a pairing, now seen much more frequently since the injuries to Shamet and Miles McBride, is outscoring opponents by 6.6 points per 100 possessions in 192 minutes. It will be interesting to see how Brown keeps this duo intact once those pieces return. 

In the meantime, the Knicks are happy to have such a weapon off the bench as the season enters its midpoint and the starters’ legs start to get heavy. Not only will that help steal them regular-season wins when the stars don’t have it, but potentially a playoff series down the line.

Kolek and Clarkson having these huge nights to win the Cup and then beat the Cavs on Christmas Day brings major confidence that they can do the same in a pivotal playoff game. The Knicks scrambled to find those kinds of guys at the end of their bench in past postseasons, but seem to finally have it.

Sixers sign wing MarJon Beauchamp to two-way contract

Sixers sign wing MarJon Beauchamp to two-way contract  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Sixers have shuffled their two-way contract slots shortly before turning the calendar to 2026.

MarJon Beauchamp has inked a two-way deal, the team announced Friday. 

The 6-foot-7 wing signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Sixers in October. He’s played seven G League games for the Delaware Blue Coats this season and averaged 20.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists. 

Beauchamp began his professional career with G League Ignite and was the 24th overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft by the Bucks. The 25-year-old has made 135 NBA appearances and posted 4.1 points and 1.9 rebounds per contest. 

According to The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey, Beauchamp is with the Sixers in Chicago for the opener of their five-game road trip Friday night.

As of Friday afternoon, the Sixers listed VJ Edgecombe, Dominick Barlow and Quentin Grimes (illness) as probable against the Bulls. Joel Embiid (right knee injury management) was questionable, while Kelly Oubre Jr. (left knee LCL sprain) and Trendon Watford (left adductor strain) remained out. 

The Sixers waived rookie two-way contract shooting guard Hunter Sallis before signing Beauchamp. Two-ways Barlow and Jabari Walker have been regulars in the Sixers’ rotation. Barlow’s been especially versatile and valuable, starting 15 games and averaging 9.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.0 blocks and 0.8 steals. 

Jokic’s 56-point triple-double powers Nuggets past Timberwolves in OT

DENVER — Nikola Jokic recorded a 56-point triple-double and set an NBA record with 18 points in overtime, leading the Denver Nuggets to a 142-138 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday night.

Jokic broke Stephen Curry’s record of 17 overtime points from 2016, making it the highest by any player in regular season or NBA playoffs.

Jokic added 16 rebounds and 15 assists and Jamal Murray scored 35 points as the Nuggets improved to 3-0 this season against the Wolves, who got 44 points from Anthony Edwards, only to see him get ejected in the extra period for arguing foul calls.

The Nuggets won despite being down three starters, including Cameron Johnson, who injured his right knee at Dallas on Tuesday night.

Edwards made good on his prediction for a big Christmas night performance, leading Minnesota back from a 15-point deficit in the final 5 1/2 minutes of regulation and hitting a twisting 3-pointer with 1.1 seconds left in regulation to tie it at 115-all.

Edwards added seven quick points as the Wolves opened the extra period on a 9-0 run, but as the Nuggets fought back, Edwards picked up two technical fouls and was ejected.

In the leadup to the game, Edwards told ESPN: “I’m gonna have 30 points for sure. I might have 40. But it’s gonna be a night.”

Was it ever.

For Jokic.

In the extra period, Jokic was 3 for 3 from the floor, including 2 for 2 from long range to go with a 10-for-11 performance at the foul line.

After blowing a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter, the Nuggets fell behind 124-115, but went on an 11-2 run to tie it at 126-all

The Nuggets are down three starters after Johnson hyperextended his right knee Tuesday night in Dallas. Johnson joined Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and Christian Braun (ankle) on the sideline for Denver.

With Johnson out, Tim Hardaway Jr. got the start and scored 19 points.

By the third quarter, Joker had his 179th career triple double, two shy of Oscar Roberton for second place in NBA history.

Up next

Timberwolves: Host the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday.

Nuggets: At Orlando on Saturday.

'We don't have it right now.' Takeaways from the Lakers' third straight loss

Rocket Tari Eason attempts a three pointer as Laker Lebron James is late contesting the short on Dec. 25.
Rocket Tari Eason attempts a three pointer as Laker Lebron James is late contesting the shot on Thursday at Crypto.com Arena. (Katelyn Mulcahy / Getty Images)

JJ Redick repeats the same key words after every loss: effort and execution. The Lakers found none of either at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday in a 119-96 loss to the Houston Rockets that played out with a plot as familiar as a Hallmark holiday movie.

Getting outhustled by a team that simply played harder with more energy, the Lakers (19-10) dropped their third consecutive game. It’s their longest losing streak of the season and left the team questioning its identity.

“I don't know what has to change,” said guard Luka Doncic, who led the Lakers with 25 points and seven assists, but had six turnovers. “But definitely something needs to change.”

Here are three takeaways from the loss:

Vibes are bad

Lakers coach JJ Redick points and direct his team during the fourth quarter of a loss to the Rockets on Thursday.
Lakers coach JJ Redick points and direct his team during the fourth quarter of a loss to the Rockets on Thursday at Crypto.com Arena. (Katelyn Mulcahy / Getty Images)

When the Lakers were climbing up the Western Conference standings, improbably winning games with LeBron James and Luka Doncic injured and celebrating Austin Reaves’ 51-point performance and ascent into stardom, the vibes were high. Players jumped off the bench to cheer for each other. They championed team bonding exercises such as slideshow presentations that introduced themselves to each other and a field trip to a Porsche driving experience. It all felt surprisingly easy, especially for a team that had several new additions.

“We had it,” Redick said wistfully Thursday. “We had it. I always say this about culture, I always say this about a good team being a functioning organism.”

Redick snapped his fingers.

“It can change like that,” he continued. “We don’t have it right now.”

Read more:Lakers lose Austin Reaves, then get called out by JJ Redick after loss to Rockets

All three of the Lakers’ most recent losses have been blowouts. With an average margin of defeat of 20.7 points, their total point differential has dropped to minus-15 on the season, which ranks 16th in the NBA.

Forward Jake LaRavia said in the locker room that there felt like a “disconnect” on the team, but couldn’t verbalize more about how things had turned so suddenly. The team’s seven-game winning streak at the end of November feels like a distant memory, although it should serve as a constant reminder of how a team shouldn’t let its guard down, especially when it was just collecting wins off teams with losing records.

“This [has] kind of been the trending thing even when we were winning,” forward Jarred Vanderbilt said. “Obviously wins kinda shadow a lot of stuff. But it's been the same pretty much all year of how we finished games, lose games: transition defense, rebounding and stuff like that. It's been a trend all year."

LeBron James, who played in his 13th game this season after missing the first 14 games because of sciatica, had 18 points and five assists and declined to speak with reporters after the game, along with Marcus Smart (six points, two rebounds) and Rui Hachimura (zero points, two assists).

To further exasperate the lingering injury bug, Reaves left the game after the first half because of left calf soreness. It was the same calf that sidelined him for three games last week.

Jarred Vanderbilt shooting for larger role

Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt grabs a rebound during a game against the Houston Rockets Thursday at Crypto.com Arena.
Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt grabs a rebound during a game against the Houston Rockets Thursday at Crypto.com Arena. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Associated Press)

Vanderbilt was one of the few bright spots for the Lakers, finishing with eight points, four rebounds, two assists and one steal. His energy off the bench in the second quarter, especially when playing with Smart, who fought through a right shoulder injury, helped the Lakers force four turnovers in a five-minute stretch. Vanderbilt’s three-pointer with 4:16 remaining in the second that trimmed the lead to four was one of the few moments that made the mostly apathetic holiday crowd roar.

Vanderbilt’s offensive deficiencies were the primary reason he fell out of the rotation for 10 games, but since returning to the lineup regularly against Phoenix on Dec. 14, Vanderbilt has made seven of 13 three-pointers in five games, including three for four on Thursday. It was his first game as a Laker with three made threes.

Outside of LaRavia, who stayed on the court after both teams had otherwise emptied the bench, Vanderbilt was the only Laker who had a positive plus-minus. The Lakers outscored the Rockets by five in Vanderbilt’s 26 minutes and 23 seconds on the floor.

“I feel like I try to come in the game and bring that energy and hoping guys could feed off it,” Vanderbilt said. “But we need to play [like] that for 48 minutes. … We just got to dig deep and want to do it.”

Lakers get buried on the boards

Rockets guard Amen Thompson drives to the basket and shoots under pressure from Lakers center Deandre Ayton.
Rockets guard Amen Thompson (1) drives to the basket and shoots under pressure from Lakers center Deandre Ayton (5) on Thursday at Crypto.com Arena. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Associated Press)

The Rockets (18-10) are not just the NBA’s best rebounding team, but they could be the best in a generation. The team’s 55.6% rebounding rate is the best in the NBA on record since at least the 1996-97 season.

Houston’s dominance on the boards was at the top of Redick’s mind before the game when he estimated the Rockets were the best rebounding team since the 1994-95 Mavericks. He emphasized the importance of gang rebounding against a team known for its physically imposing double-big lineup and athletic wings.

Read more:Amid injury 'chaos' for Lakers, LeBron James is starting to look like his old self

Then the Rockets grabbed two offensive rebounds in their first two possessions. The Rockets outrebounded the Lakers 48-25, the Lakers’ largest rebounding deficit since Nov. 8, 2023, which was also against Houston. Houston had 17 offensive rebounds, only one fewer than the Lakers’ defensive rebounding total, and with 12 rebounds, center Alpren Sengun matched the Lakers’ entire starting lineup on the boards.

“Everybody gotta give better effort,” Doncic said, “starting with me.”

Doncic had five rebounds, tied with Vanderbilt for the team lead. Center Deandre Ayton had just two boards and 10 points in 36 minutes and 17 seconds. It was the 7-footer’s lowet rebounding total of the season.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Steph Curry heaps praise on ‘true hooper' Cooper Flagg after Warriors-Mavs

Steph Curry heaps praise on ‘true hooper' Cooper Flagg after Warriors-Mavs originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Steph Curry already is familiar with Cooper Flagg, as the former No. 1 overall draft pick attended Curry’s camp as a top high school prospect.

But Thursday night was the first time the Warriors superstar played against Flagg in an NBA game during Golden State’s 126-116 win over Flagg’s Dallas Mavericks on Christmas Day at Chase Center.

And it’s safe to say Curry was impressed.

“Just a true hooper,” Curry said of Flagg in a postgame interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews. “Competitor. You forget how young he is. Just his presence out there on the court. The future is bright. I’m glad he got this experience, his first year to understand what the bright lights feel like.

“The league is in good hands.”

Wow. That’s certainly high praise for a rookie from one of the best to ever play the game.

Flagg finished Thursday’s contest with a game-high 27 points on 13-of-21 shooting from the field and 1 of 3 from 3-point range, with six rebounds, five assists and one block in 36 minutes.

In 31 games so far this season, Flagg is averaging 19.4 points on nearly 50 percent shooting, with 6.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists.

There certainly still is plenty to learn for the 19-year-old rookie, but playing against some of the best to ever do it will only help him maneuver the highs and lows of a rookie season.

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Klay Thompson drops funny quip about Steph wearing his shoes in Warriors-Mavs

Klay Thompson drops funny quip about Steph wearing his shoes in Warriors-Mavs originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Sneaker free agent Steph Curry had fun with his choice of shoes for Thursday’s game against his former Splash Bro and the Dallas Mavericks.

The Warriors superstar rocked Klay Thompson’s KT11 shoes during Golden State’s 126-116 win over Dallas on Christmas Day at Chase Center.

After the game, Thompson expressed his gratitude to Curry for showing him some love through his kicks.

“It was great,” he said (h/t The Dallas Morning News’ Mike Curtis). “Really cool. Wish he didn’t get a win in them, but it was awesome. Respect.”

Thompson is as intense a competitor as anyone, so it’s no surprise that while he appreciated Curry’s gesture, the loss was all that was on his mind postgame.

Curry and Thompson were Warriors teammates for 13 seasons, and together, alongside Draymond Green, they helped bring a new era of winning basketball back to the Bay with four NBA championships during a dynastic run.

Thompson departed Golden State in the 2024 offseason for a fresh start in Dallas.

In Thursday’s game, Thompson finished with just seven points on 3-of-8 shooting from the field and 1 of 4 from 3-point range in his return to the Bay.

Meanwhile, Curry, in Thompson’s kicks, had 23 points on 6-of-18 shooting from the field and just 2 of 10 from distance.

While the Splash Bros now are on different paths in their respective NBA careers, nothing will ever erase the success and memories they made side by side.

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Jokic breaks Curry record in historic triple-double

Nikola Jokic stood with his hands on his hips while playing for the Denver Nuggets
Nikola Jokic recorded the 176th triple-double of his career [Getty Images]

Nikola Jokic recorded a 56-point triple-double and broke a record set by Steph Curry as the Denver Nuggets beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 142-138 on Christmas Day.

The Serb hit 56 points, recorded 16 rebounds and 15 assists - becoming the first player in NBA history to hit at least 55 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists in a triple-double.

Three-time MVP Jokic hit 18 of his 56 points in overtime, breaking Curry's record of 17 overtime points from 2016.

The Timberwolves took the game in Denver to overtime after clawing back a 15-point deficit in the final five minutes of the game.

Anthony Edwards top-scored for the Timberwolves with 44 points, including the game-tying three that took the game to overtime.

But the 24-year-old was ejected in the extra period for arguing over foul calls as the Nuggets clamed the win.

The Nuggets are third in the Western Conference, with the Timberwolves in fifth.