Purdue remained at No. 1 in The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll, while Arizona jumped to No. 2 to continue its opening-month rise after another impressive win against a ranked opponent.
Cameron Carr scores 21 and Baylor holds off Creighton 81-74 in the Players Era Tournament
Cameron Carr had 21 points, nine rebounds and two blocks and Baylor held off Creighton 81-74 on Monday in the Players Era Tournament. Carr, who entered leading BU at 23.7 points per game, scored 11 of his points in the second half and finished 7 of 16 from the field and 7 of 8 at the free-throw line. Following an offensive rebound, Carr threw down an alley-oop dunk off a pass by Obi Agbim to make it 75-68 with 1:09 to go.
Lawsuit claims Suns owner Mat Ishbia treated team like his ‘personal piggy bank’
The legal battle between Phoenix Suns and Mercury owner Mat Ishbia and two of the franchise’s minority owners took another turn Monday, with the stakeholders accusing Ishbia of using the basketball organizations as his own “personal piggy bank” while hiding details of his spending from them.
Andy Kohlberg and Scott Seldin say Ishbia has mismanaged the pro basketball organizations, accusing him of financial malfeasance and of trying to use a capital call to try to bully them out of some of their shares in the franchises. Instead, they allege, it blew up in Ishbia’s face and afforded them an opportunity to take a majority share of the teams.
The accusations come in a legal filing made last week in Delaware court in response to a countersuit filed by Ishbia last month against the two minority owners, who had originally sued in August to begin what has become a messy legal drama.
“Ishbia does not own the Suns to make money for the company but he does operate it as a personal fiefdom for his own personal gain and for the benefit of his other businesses, including his mortgage company United Wholesale Mortgage,” the legal filing states. “The reality is that Ishbia is using the Suns as his personal piggy bank, including through a lengthy list of conflicted transactions — only some of which the Minority Owners are aware of.”
Ishbia, the two minority owners allege, made a loan to the Suns at an interest rate that is significantly above market rate. They say he leased the Mercury’s new practice facility to himself. They also claim that he has turned the Suns and Mercury into money-losing franchises while he intends to make money through UWM.
“This isn’t a lawsuit; it’s a shameless shakedown dressed up as legal process,” a spokesperson for Ishbia said. “From day one, Mat Ishbia was transparent that he was going to do things differently. Contrary to how the team was previously managed, Mat made it very clear he would invest significantly into the Suns and Mercury. He told all the investors that they could step up with him or sell their stake and step aside. Kohlberg and Seldin stayed in and now they’re trying to freeload off the value Mat created.
“Kohlberg and Seldin want to drag the organization backward, and they openly admit in this filing that investing in the team and its fans ‘makes no business sense.’ They are advocating neglect. They are free to sell their shares in the open market and if they don’t, they should be prepared to lose this lawsuit and participate in Mat’s continued investments in the teams and community.”
Ishbia, in an appearance on “The Draymond Green Show,” said the two minority partners “can sell if they want” and should be thanking him.
“Those people, they think about money. All the people think about money,” Ishbia said. “The way I look at it is, let’s do the right thing. Money follows success. It’s not the other way around.”
“And by the way, since I bought the team at $4 billion, it’s worth, what, $6 billion now? It’s gone up,” he said later. “I told them, ‘Instead of suing me, why don’t you just write me a letter and say, thank you? Your investment is worth more.”
"Instead of suing me, why don't you just write me a letter and say, thank you?" – @Mishbia15 responds to the minority owners' lawsuits on The Draymond Green Show… pic.twitter.com/YvqIus8Xfr
— The Draymond Green Show (@DraymondShow) November 24, 2025
The disagreement stems from a capital call this past summer. Kohlberg said he originally went to Ishbia last September looking for the majority owner to buy out his share because of his own liquidity issues. Ishbia bought more than half of the teams in early 2023 at a $4 billion valuation and has since then bought out other minority shareholders. Kohlberg, through the legal filing, said Ishbia did not respond initially. When he went to him again and asked that he answer his offer by June 1, 2025, Ishbia, the filing said, set a capital call for the next day.
That capital call, the two minority owners claim, was used as a way to dilute their shares in the teams, which could occur if they did not pay, and to create a new lower per-unit share price. They ended up contributing their share, but when another member did not, Ishbia set another capital call for the next month, according to the filing, and they paid again.
They later learned that more of the capital had not been funded and that Ishbia had used a debt-to-equity conversion to fill the financial gap. This maneuver, Kohlberg and Seldin say, was not the legitimate way to do that. The two minority owners also say that a July 8, 2025, capital call was also not fully funded on time. They argue that under the team’s operating agreement, they would be afforded to buy the shares Ishbia had not funded himself. If they did, they would then have a majority stake in the franchises.
“Ishbia blundered into the very trap he set for the Minority Owners and faced a devastating dilution of his ownership interest if his failure was discovered,” the filing said. ”A failure that would wipe off his net worth and put his continued status as an NBA team owner and governor in jeopardy.”
Since assuming controlling interest of the Phoenix organizations in February 2023, Ishbia has promised championships. He started by spending. With the Suns, he made a big, early splash, trading for superstar Kevin Durant. Ishbia and the front office later doubled down and traded for Bradley Beal despite the star guard’s injury history and burdensome contract that included a no-trade clause. The moves backfired.
Last season, the Suns were perhaps the NBA’s biggest disappointment. Built around Durant, Beal and Devin Booker, they had the league’s most expensive roster, yet they finished 36-46 and failed to make the Play-In Tournament. Ishbia promised change.
Over the offseason, he overhauled the roster and front office. Phoenix traded Durant to the Houston Rockets and negotiated a buyout of Beal, a move that got the Suns out of the second apron, a payroll threshold that limits an organization’s ability to make roster moves, as well as the luxury tax.
Built around Booker, this season’s team lacks star power but has played well over the season’s first month. Entering Monday, the Suns (11-6) were one of the NBA’s early surprises under first-year coach Jordan Ott and had won eight of their past nine.
The Mercury have been more successful. In July of 2024, the WNBA franchise opened a $100 million, 58,000-square-foot practice facility in downtown Phoenix. Last season, the Mercury advanced to the WNBA Finals, where the Las Vegas Aces swept them in four games.
But the off-court issues continue.
Kohlberg and Seldin, who have invested in the Suns for more than two decades, first began their legal battle against Ishbia this summer, when they sued him for a lack of transparency and the team’s unwillingness to provide them with internal financial records. They alleged that Ishbia’s capital call in June appeared to be “part of a leverage strategy to exert pressure on and dilute” their ownership shares.
Ishbia countersued last month, claiming the minority owners were trying to force him to buy out their ownership stakes at an “extortionate” cost. He dismissed their claims as part of a public-relations ploy.
Kohlberg and Seldin are the only remaining minority owners who still invested in the Suns and Mercury, and originally bought in while Robert Sarver led the franchises. Ishbia bought the two teams in early 2023 and has since rolled up minority stakes; he now owns roughly 85 percent of the franchises.
Ishbia professed this fall that he will not settle any of the seven lawsuits he and the teams face. In addition to the mismanagement complaint, former and current employees have accused the organization of discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination and other issues. The Suns have denied these allegations.
“The truth is, you actually got to win a lawsuit,” Ishbia said in September. “And where I’m different than most successful people … is like, we don’t settle. If we don’t do anything wrong, I’m not paying someone. I hope you guys all report on how many lawsuits we actually lose.”
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury, NBA, WNBA
2025 The Athletic Media Company
How to watch Houston Rockets vs Phoenix Suns: TV/live stream info, preview for tonight's game
The Houston Rockets head to Phoenix for a showdown against the Suns tonight on Peacock. This will be the first of four meetings between the two teams this season. Tip-off is at 9:30 PM ET, following the Cavaliers vs. Raptors game at 7:30 PM.
See below for additional information on how to watch tonight's Rockets vs. Suns game and follow all of the NBA action on NBC and Peacock. Peacock will feature 100 regular-season games throughout the course of the 2025-2026 season.
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Check out the latest fantasy basketball rankings update as December approaches.
Raphielle JohnsonHouston Rockets:
Tonight's game was supposed to be Kevin Durant's first return to Phoenix since being traded to the Rockets in July, but the 15-time All-Star will miss both tonight's game and Wednesday's matchup against Golden State due to personal reasons. He leads the team with 24.6 ppg this season.
The Rockets are looking to bounce back after falling 112-109 to the Denver Nuggets on Friday night, which ended their 5-game win streak.
Houston currently leads the league in 3-point shooting (42.0%), rebounding (49.6 rpg), and offensive rating (122.5).
Phoenix Suns:
The Suns have won 10 of their last 12 matchups, including the last three straight. In last night's 111-102 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, Dillon Brooks and Devin Booker led the way for the Suns, scoring 25 and 24 points, respectively.
Booker is averaging a team-high 26.9 points per game. He has already recorded four double-doubles this season, including seven games with 30 or more points.
DEVIN BOOKER DOWN THE LANE pic.twitter.com/tEoDgq2Gdh
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) November 24, 2025
How to watch Houston Rockets vs Cleveland Suns:
- When: Tonight, Monday, November 24
- Where: Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix, Arizona
- Time: 9:30 PM ET
- Live Stream:Peacock
Entering the final week of group play, there are some critical games, including Clippers at Lakers Tuesday night on NBC and Peacock.
Kurt HelinWhat other NBA games are on tonight?
How to watch Cleveland Cavaliers vs Toronto Raptors:
- When: Tonight, Monday, November 24
- Where: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario
- Time: 7:00 PM ET
- Live Stream:Peacock
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.
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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.
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NBA power rankings 2025-26: Thunder remain on top, Pistons jump to second, Lakers enter top five
We are a quarter of the way into the NBA season and we now have a pretty good sense of who most teams are. Now we also get to see how teams perform under a little bit of pressure with the NBA Cup, and here we talk about the teams facing it.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
(17-1, last week No. 1)
Oklahoma City's defense hasn't just been good this season, it's been suffocating — OKC's 103 defensive rating is 7 points better than second-place Detroit. Nobody is close to them. While that's a team effort — they play defense on a string and have a wealth of quality perimeter defenders — Chet Holmgren and his rim protection could be rewarded. He is going to get mentioned in Defensive Player of the Year conversations already, and if Victor Wembanyama can't reach the 65-game threshold set by the league for awards (a real possibility with him being out with a calf strain), Holmgren becomes the favorite. One other note to scare the rest of the league: Oklahoma City could have two lottery picks next June. They own the Clippers' first-round pick (the last of the Paul George trade). OKC also owns Utah's first-rounder, but the Jazz pick is top-eight-protected, so it depends on how much Lauri Markkanen lifts his team up the rest of the way (Utah would currently draft ninth).
2. Detroit Pistons
(14-2, last week No. 3)
Detroit has had one of the best fourth quarter offenses in the NBA this season, averaging 30.3 points per game in the fourth, and has outscored opponents by 2.4 points in the fourth (third best in the league). With that, the Pistons are 11-0 this season when taking a lead into the fourth quarter. Detroit and Jalen Duran were nowhere close to a contract extension last offseason, and to his credit Duran is playing himself into a huge payday — he averages 20.5 points and 11.5 rebounds a game and looks like an All-Star, an All Defensive Team player and might be the Most Improved Player frontrunner. Duran is now critical to the Pistons' future, and he is going to get paid like it this summer.
3. Denver Nuggets
(12-4, last week No. 2)
Denver's improved depth is getting put to the test. Starter Christian Braun was already going to miss six weeks with a sprained ankle, and now Aaron Gordon is going to miss 4-6 weeks with a hamstring strain. Sometimes when a starter goes out injured, it’s the bench that suffers, and Denver's bench was already bottom 10 in the league in scoring, averaging 18.6 points a game before Braun got injured. In the first two games after he went out that bench scored 15 and 9 points, but then it bounced back with two 33-point games against the Pelicans and Rockets, followed by 20 in a loss to the Kings. Peyton Watson has become a key starter now and he has averaged 14.8 points and seven rebounds per game, shooting 58.1% from the floor, when asked to start this season. He has been stepping up. Denver needs a big win vs. San Antonio Friday night to have a chance to advance to the knockout round of the NBA Cup.
4. Houston Rockets
(10-4, last week No. 4)
Kevin Durant is out for the next couple of games for personal reasons, which could put a dent in what has been the best offense in the NBA, but one doing it in a very unconventional way. The Rockets have the league's lowest 3-point attempt rate — just 33.2% of their shots — but the league's highest in offensive rebound rate, getting a second chance on 38.5% of their missed shots. They are top 10 in the league in points in the paint per game, 53.3. This team is mashing its way to the best offense in the league, but will that work as well without the outlet of Durant on the court? See for yourself when the Rockets take on the Suns in a fascinating second game on Peacock NBA Monday.
5. Los Angeles Lakers
(12-4, last week No. 7)
LeBron James is back, and what's maybe most impressive about him is not that this is his 23rd NBA season (a record) or how his mind still just processes the game faster than anyone (as evidenced by his passing), it's his willingness to accept a new, smaller role. This is Luka Doncic's team now. Austin Reaves had become a significant presence and key shot creator. LeBron is willingly working to fit in around them. "I can fit in with anybody. I don't understand why that was even a question," James said in front of his locker after his debut. LeBron’s Lakers were the winners of the inaugural NBA Cup (then called the In-Season Tournament), and with a win Tuesday over the Clippers, they will clinch a spot in the quarterfinals/knockout round, a game you can watch on Coast 2 Coast Tuesday on NBC and Peacock.
LeBron James made his NBA-record 23rd season debut tonight!
— NBA (@NBA) November 19, 2025
11 PTS
12 AST
@Lakers W pic.twitter.com/LkuBu0TkHH
6. Toronto Raptors
(12-5, last week No. 9)
Toronto became the first team to punch its ticket to the quarterfinals (the knockout round) of the NBA Cup, going 3-0 in Cup play so far (they have one Group A Cup game left, against the Pacers, and while it will not impact them getting in it will matter for seeding). The NBA Cup quarterfinals are Dec. 9-10, with the higher-seeded team hosting that game (and the winner advancing to Las Vegas for Semifinals and, potentially, Finals). “I think our guys deserve the opportunity to compete in that setup,” Raptors coach Darko Rajaković said. “It's gonna be a really different feeling for us because it’s going to be one game that will decide if we're going to the final four or not. Definitely we have the ambition and desire to be there.”
7. Cleveland Cavaliers
(12-6, last week No. 6)
Donovan Mitchell is comfortable where the Cavaliers are so far this season because he sees the growth and potential with a team that has a top-10 defense and an improving offense. "I think for us, this is perfect," Mitchell said after Sunday's win over the Clippers. “There's so many learning lessons. We have good games, we have bad games. Obviously, you want to continue to trend the right way, and I feel like we are. But I think 12-6 is right where we need to be. Continue to just progress."
8. Phoenix Suns
(11-6, last week No. 15)
Jordan Ott has impressed in his first season as a head coach, and may even be in line for some Coach of the Year votes if Phoenix keeps playing this well. The first thing that stands out is he just has the Suns playing hard, which is a big step forward for anyone forced to watch this team the past couple of seasons. One of the things Ott has preached is Phoenix winning the possession game, and you saw that Sunday in a comeback win over San Antonio when the Suns took 20 more shots on the night. Can they do that on Peacock NBA Monday in a great early-season showdown against Houston, a game worth streaming to catch?
9. Minnesota Timberwolves
(10-6, last week No. 8)
Minnesota drafted Rob Dillingham No. 8 in 2024, envisioning someone who could step up and be the point guard of the future for them as Mike Conley aged out of the job. Well, Father Time caught up with Conley quickly (6.2 points and 3.5 assists a game this season, he looks slow), and Rob Dillingham has not been ready to step up: 4.7 points and 1.9 assists a game on 38.6% shooting (20% on 3-pointers). It's too early to write a 20-year-old off, the Timberwolves are going to give Dillingham more time to figure it out. But this is a win-now roster, and it's no accident that the Wolves come up in talks about potential trades for point guards such as LaMelo Ball, Ja Morant and Trae Young (whether any of those is a fit in Minnesota is another question). Point guard is now a long term concern for Minnesota.
10. Miami Heat
(11-6, last week No. 17)
Winners of four in a row, and now Tyler Herro is set to make his return to the court Monday night against Dallas. It will be interesting to see him fit into the Heat's new isolation style attacking offense, or whether they run a few more pick-and-rolls for the best P&R ball handler on the roster. If Miami can defeat Milwaukee on Wednesday, it will move to the top of East Group C and have a chance to advance to the quarterfinals of the NBA Cup (the Heat would be 3-1, but the Knicks control their own destiny and would take the group if they win out).
11. San Antonio Spurs
(11-6, last week No. 11)
The Spurs have gone 3-1 without Victor Wembanyama, who is out with a calf strain (and the buzz around the league is he could miss closer to a month, in part because San Antonio will be cautious with his return). The Spurs also have been without Stephon Castle the past three games, forcing Julian Champagnie and Luke Kornet into the starting five. That starting unit has not impressed, but the bench has, which is why the Spurs won their first three games without Wemby (and had a double-digit lead over the Suns but couldn't hold it).
12. Boston Celtics
(9-8, last week No. 18)
The biggest question coming into the season in Boston was at center, because Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kornet and Al Horford were all gone. Neemias Queta has answered that question — he has been impressive as the starting five, averaging 9.3 points on 62.8% shooting, and grabbing 7.9 rebounds a game. However, his more significant impact is on the defensive end, where the Celtics are 19.8 points per 100 possessions better when he is on the court.
13. Orlando Magic
(10-8, last week No. 16)
The Magic have gone 3-2 without Paolo Banchero (left groin strain), but with a good +6.4 net rating. The idea that the Magic are better without Banchero is foolish, but it's fair to question whether there is a ceiling on this offense with him and another natural forward, Franz Wagner, as the primary shot creators. It just doesn't flow. That said, Orlando has gone 8-4 in its last 12 games (with a +7.1 net rating) after a 1-4 start to the season, thanks in large part to Desmond Bane looking more comfortable and an improved defense.
14. New York Knicks
(9-6, last week No. 5)
This ranking feels a little low for the Knicks, but they have stumbled of late. New York is 1-2 on its current five-game road trip and is now 1-5 for the season away from Madison Square Garden — and that lone win, against Dallas last week, only happened because Brandon Williams got called for hooking Landry Shamet on a drive for a game-tying layup. The Knicks control their own destiny in the NBA Cup, beat Charlotte on the road on Wednesday then Milwaukee at home on Friday and the Knicks advance to the quarterfinals.
15. Atlanta Hawks
(11-7, last week No. 13)
Since Trae Young went out with a sprained knee, the Hawks are 9-4 with a +6.3 net rating, with a slightly above average offense and a top-10 in the league defense. Not only did the wheels not fall off without Young on the court, but this stretch may also have shown a path to a future without him. Atlanta went into this season with a roster specifically built to maximize Young's strengths, and the front office wanted to see what that roster could do before making any long-term decisions about a new contract for Young (they did not extend him last summer, and he can opt out and become a free agent next summer) or Kristaps Porzingis. What they have learned so far is that this team is not bad without Young. That could play into future decisions.
16. Philadelphia 76ers
(9-7, last week No. 14)
Paul George has been on a minute restriction since his return, averaging 13.3 points in 22 minutes a night, and Philly has a -2.2 net rating with him on the court in that small sample size. Whether George and Joel Embiid are playing or not, this is Tyrese Maxey's team, he drives the offense and leads the league in touches, averaging five more a night than Nikola Jokic. Behind him, the 76ers have been one of the best fourth quarter teams in the league this season, averaging 30.1 points per game in the fourth (fourth best in the league), they are outscoring opponents by 5.1 in the fourth (best in the league), and with that have a solid 6-5 record in games where they trailed entering the fourth.
17. Chicago Bulls
(9-7, last week No. 19)
On paper, the Bulls had a good week, winning three of four, including beating the Nuggets, and Nikola Vucevic drained a game-winner against the Trail Blazers. However, after the Bulls beat the lowly Wizards 121-120 Sunday, Vucevic was not happy and tried to explain to a young roster why: “For three quarters, we were very soft. We gave no resistance. We didn't do anything that we talked about. Just played really soft. It was really bad." Chicago is on the road this week, but with winnable games against New Orleans, Charlotte and Indiana.
️ "THE CARDIAC BULLS DO IT AGAIN!"
— NBA (@NBA) November 20, 2025
Another look at @NikolaVucevic's @TISSOT buzzer-beater vs. Portland! pic.twitter.com/HE4hzX8aMH
18. Golden State Warriors
(9-9, last week No. 10)
Golden State is 4-6 in its last 10 games and, according to Jimmy Butler, the issue is the team's defense in that stretch. Over those 10 games, the Warriors have a defensive rating of 112.4, 12th in the league. Jimmy Butler summed it up this way: “We're just not guarding nobody. From what I can tell, I haven't been here long, but that's never been the formula here. To win a championship, you got to take each and every matchup personal. Yeah, help's going to be there, but we got to do way better guarding on that side of the ball."
19. Milwaukee Bucks
(8-9, last week No. 12)
The Bucks have dropped both games since Giannis Antetokounmpo went out with a groin strain and now have dropped four in a row and 5-of-6, with a -9 net rating in those six games. Milwaukee controls its own destiny in the NBA Cup but will have to beat Miami and New York on the road — without Antetokounmpo — to advance. That's a big ask.
20. Portland Trail Blazers
(7-10, last week No. 20)
The Trail Blazers surprisingly control their own destiny and can win the NBA Cup West Group C — the "group of death" with five of the top nine teams in the conference — by beating San Antonio on Wednesday night. That will mean turning things around fast, the Trail Blazers are 2-7 in their last nine with a -7.9 net rating in those games.
21. Los Angeles Clippers
(5-12, last week No. 23)
Kawhi Leonard made his return to the court after missing 10 games with an ankle/foot sprain, and scored 20 in a loss to the Cavaliers, shooting 6-of-13 in his 26 minutes. Just his return should help other Clippers because of his gravity. For example, the most underrated player in the league is not so underrated anymore — Ivica Zubac is drawing a lot more defensive attention this season, something coach Tyronn Lue talked about recently: "Just double team the post, not let him get a rhythm on the post. Also just fronting the post a lot, so now we got a flash and trying to hit him over the top. But [teams] doing a good job just trying to keep it out of his hands, and when they can try to push him off the block so he's not in his sweet spot.” Part of the reason teams are collapsing on Zubac is that without Norman Powell or near enough shot creation and shooting, teams are not penalized for packing the paint and focusing on stopping him. Despite the rough start, the Clippers can go to 3-0 in NBA Cup play and put themselves in the driver's seat to advance to the knockout round with a win “on the road” against the Lakers this week, a game you can watch on Coast 2 Coast Tuesday on NBC and Peacock.
22. Memphis Grizzlies
(6-11, last week No. 25)
The Grizzlies took advantage of the schedule and snapped a streak where they had lost 9-of-10 and knocked off the Kings and Mavericks in their last two games — doing so without the services of injured-but-still-talking-trash Ja Morant and the just injured Jaren Jackson Jr. It may be tough to keep that streak going against Denver on Monday (and don't trash talk Jokic, you don't want him playing angry), the Memphis heads out on the road again for its next four.
23. Utah Jazz
(5-11, last week No. 22)
Lauri Markkanen is averaging 29.3 points per game, but is doing it while barely dribbling the ball — 91% of his shot attempts have come off two dribbles or fewer (compare that to SGA, where more than 45% of his shots come off 7+ dribbles). It’s because the Jazz work hard to free him with off-ball actions, which makes him very difficult to cover. Lakers coach J.J. Redick talked about it before one of their matchups last week. "He's getting about 31 off-ball screens a game ... I'm not comparing him to Steph Curry, but there's a similarity to the scout in terms of his your awareness on him. If he's head under and he's not trying to duck you in or post you up, he's going to come off something. He's going to come off a smash or he's going to come off a pin down. He's at the top of the floor, he's going to get a chest. If he's in the corner, he's going to get a single or a double, like you just have to have heightened awareness on him at all times."
24. Dallas Mavericks
(5-13, last week No. 24)
Dallas has gone 3-10 with Anthony Davis in street clothes, although he could be nearing a return (depending on what the Dallas medical staff is thinking). If Mavericks fans want something to be thankful for through all of this it's not just Cooper Flagg, but how much better and more comfortable Flagg has looked when played on the wing, his natural spot (the point forward experiment is over).
25. Charlotte Hornets
(4-13, last week No. 21)
The good news is that Brandon Miller is back after missing 13 games with a shoulder injury (and he scored 21 in his return against the Clippers). The other good news in Charlotte to start the season is just how well rookie Kon Knueppel has played. His 18.8 points per game is top among rookies, he's shooting 42.1% from 3-point range and grabbing 5.8 rebounds a game. It's early, but Knueppel is right in the middle of the Rookie of the Year discussion with Cooper Flagg and V.J. Edgecombe.
26. Brooklyn Nets
(3-13, last week No. 27)
Brooklyn has the second-worst defense in the league, but one guy who might start to turn things around on that end — and be a key piece for this team long term — is rookie Drake Powell, coach Jordi Fernandez said this week. "He's very capable of being one of the best perimeter defenders in the league. He's just a rookie right now, and he doesn't even know it, but I see the tools. He just has to keep embracing that part and believing that he can do it. And what he’s doing right now is good, but it could be even better. If he has that belief, conviction and work ethic, the sky's the limit for him defensively." Egor Demin could be part of the future, too, but he's got to start getting downhill more: He's taken 14 shots in the restricted area this season (13.3% of this attempts) and 73 3-point attempts (69.6% of his total shot attempts).
27. Sacramento Kings
(4-13, last week No. 26)
DeMar DeRozan summed up where the Kings are emotionally after losing eight straight, saying they are "In a s**** place. Don't nobody want to lose the way we've been losing… I think it's just everything right now for us is just s****, honestly. Sometimes when you're in the deep end, it's hard to hear anything. You're just trying to swim your way out, one way or another." Adding to Sacramento's pile of, um, manure is the news that Domantas Sabonis will be out at least a month with a torn meniscus. If you're a Sacramento fan searching for a reason to believe the team can turn things around, there is this: the Kings have played the toughest schedule in the league so far this season. Things will get easier.
28. New Orleans Pelicans
(2-15, last week No. 28)
Zion Williamson returned to the court this week and averaged 18 points and 4.5 rebounds in the two games played. The story in New Orleans has been Derik Queen. He faced some unfair expectations because of the overpay Joe Dumars gave up to get him (control of the Pelcians' 2026 first-round pick, which looks like it will be a high one in a deep draft), but Queen himself has been impressive. He put up 30 points, nine rebounds, four assists and a couple of blocks going up against three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, for the first time, and after the game earned praise from Jokic: "He's an amazing player. You can see some similarities [to me]. I don't want people to see him and tell him he's something like me. He's a good enough player to have his own story."
When a talented rookie takes on a bonafide superstar it’s must-see TV.
— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) November 20, 2025
Altitude Sports pic.twitter.com/Z7ApF2UZSw
29. Indiana Pacers
(2-14, last week No. 29)
Pacers fans looking for a bright spot can point to the return of Bennedict Mathurin to the lineup. He has played in just five games this season, but is averaging 26.4 points a night. The Pacers picked up a win last week against lowly Charlotte and have a good shot at another one Friday against the one team below them in these rankings.
30. Washington Wizards
(1-15, last week No. 30)
Washington hasn't won a game since a week before Halloween. The biggest problem is that the young team — even with a couple of veterans like CJ McCollum and Khris Middleton — can't close games. Washington averages 24.9 points a game in the fourth quarter, and they get outscored by 7.5 points a game in the fourth, both of which are the worst in the league. Washington is 0-11 when trailing heading into the fourth and 1-4 when they are ahead entering the final frame.
Steph Curry amazingly wears Michael Jordan's ‘flu game' shoes before Jazz game
Steph Curry amazingly wears Michael Jordan's ‘flu game' shoes before Jazz game originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The Utah Jazz aren’t immune to shots from Steph “Petty King” Curry.
Before Monday’s game between the Warriors and Jazz at Chase Center, Curry, a sneaker free agent, entered the arena wearing Michael Jordan’s infamous “flu game” Jordan XIIs.
During the 1997 NBA Finals, Jordan fought through flu-like symptoms to score 38 points to help the Chicago Bulls beat the … Jazz … in Game 5 to take a three-games-to-two series lead.
Curry switched to Jordan 14s for his pregame warmups Monday night.
Since parting ways with Under Armour on Nov. 13, Curry has been wearing different shoes as he arrives at arenas and during pregame warmups.
Once the game begins, Curry has been wearing his own Curry Brand shoes.
As Curry pays tribute to Jordan, the 37-year-old is one 40-point game away from breaking a tie with the six-time NBA champion for most such games after turning 30 years old.
The Warriors are in desperate need of a win, so there would be no better time for Curry to drop a 40-piece on the Jazz.
How to watch Cleveland Cavaliers vs Toronto Raptors: TV/live stream info, preview for tonight's game
The Cleveland Cavaliers take on the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena tonight on Peacock. This will be the third and final meeting between the two teams this season. The Raptors won the first two matchups. Live coverage begins at 6:30 PM ET.
See below for additional information on how to watch tonight's Cavaliers vs Raptors game and follow all of the NBA action on NBC and Peacock. Peacock will feature 100 regular-season games throughout the course of the 2025-2026 season.
Click here to sign up for Peacock!
Check out the latest fantasy basketball rankings update as December approaches.
Cleveland Cavaliers:
The Cavaliers defeated the LA Clippers 122-105 at home last night, earning their fourth win in their last five matchups. Donovan Mitchell finished with a game-high 37 points and had 8 rebounds and 6 assists. The six-time All-Star guard is on pace for the best season of his career; he's averaging 30.8 points per game while shooting 51.5% from the field.
Evan Mobley is also on pace for career highs in scoring (18.9 ppg) and assists (3.9 apg), on 13.9 field goal attempts per game. He scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in last night's win.
Another day, another Spida 30-ball!
— NBA (@NBA) November 24, 2025
️ 37 PTS
️ 8 REB
️ 6 AST
️ 5 3PM
Cavs get win No. 12 on the year. pic.twitter.com/xTcH1I2Atr
Toronto Raptors:
The Raptors picked up their seventh straight win, defeating the Brooklyn Nets 119-109 at home last night. Scottie Barnes scored 17 points, Ja’Kobe Walter and RJ Barrett added 16 points, and Brandon Ingram finished with 14.
This is the team's longest winning streak since 2022.
The Raptors are the only team in the league with three different qualifying players who are averaging at least 19 points per game. Ingram leads Toronto in scoring with 20.7 points per game, followed by Barrett (19.4 ppg) and Barnes (19.3 ppg).
How to watch Cleveland Cavaliers vs Toronto Raptors:
- When: Tonight, Monday, November 24
- Where: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario
- Time: 7:00 PM ET
- Live Stream:Peacock
Entering the final week of group play, there are some critical games, including Clippers at Lakers Tuesday night on NBC and Peacock.
What other NBA games are on tonight?
How to watch Houston Rockets vs Cleveland Suns:
- When: Tonight, Monday, November 24
- Where: Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix, Arizona
- Time: 9:30 PM ET
- Live Stream:Peacock
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.
Men’s basketball AP Poll: Arizona looks legit after latest major win while Purdue holds No. 1
Arizona already has two top-five wins this season.
Arizona jumps to No. 2 behind Purdue in AP Top 25, Alabama into top 10; Kansas falls out of rankings
Purdue remained at No. 1 in The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll, while Arizona jumped to No. 2 to continue its opening-month rise after another impressive win against a ranked opponent.
Men’s college basketball rankings after Week 3: Updated Coaches Poll, AP Top 25
Here's an updated look at the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll and AP Top 25 after Week 3 of the men's college basketball season:
Arizona rises behind No. 1 Purdue in USA TODAY Sports men’s college basketball poll
A strong week by Arizona has moved the Wildcats up in the USA TODAY Sports men's basketball coaches poll. Purdue remains at No. 1.
Steph Curry reportedly ‘frustrated' with Under Armour after Caitlin Clark bid
Steph Curry reportedly ‘frustrated' with Under Armour after Caitlin Clark bid originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Steph Curry’s recent split from Under Armour after more than a decade may have been influenced by the company’s failed push to sign Caitlin Clark, according to Bloomberg’s Kim Bhasin and Randall Williams (h/t Sports Business Journal).
Curry and Under Armour ended their 13-year partnership earlier this month, with Curry Brand set to continue independently. While the breakup was widely viewed as business-oriented, Bloombergreported that Curry grew frustrated with what he and his advisers saw as underinvestment in his line.
One “sore point,” as Bloombergnoted, was Under Armour’s pursuit of the Indiana Fever star. Curry and the company both wanted to bring Clark into the Curry Brand, but Under Armour’s offer reportedly fell well short of Nike’s winning bid.
Clark ultimately signed a historic eight-year, $28 million signature sneaker deal with Nike, far outpacing Under Armour’s four-year, $16 million offer and Adidas’ four-year, $6 million bid. The significant gap between Under Armour’s pitch and Nike’s reportedly frustrated Curry, who has long emphasized investing in women’s basketball through Curry Brand initiatives and his equal-gender Curry Camp structure.
While the partnership between Curry and Under Armour is ending, the company still plans to release one final Curry sneaker, the Curry 13, in February 2026 before the two sides officially part ways.
Now one of the biggest sneaker free agents in years, Curry is expected to draw interest from major brands including Nike, Adidas and Puma. For now, he’s free to experiment, and he’s already been seen wearing various models — including Kobe Bryant’s Mambacita 6s — during pregame warmups.
Report: Even once healthy, there is a limited trade market for Anthony Davis
Despite Mark Cuban saying Dallas was not going to trade Anthony Davis because "we want to win," the expectation around the league is that the Mavericks' front office — whether the current, interim general managers or the person who gets the job full-time — will at least explore the trade market for AD.
Except, there's not that much of a market, ESPN’s Tim Bontemps said on the Hoop Collective Podcast.
"The idea of trading Anthony Davis has everyone trained to think, well, they're gonna get three firsts, two swaps, they're gonna get two young players and they're gonna get all this stuff. I shouldn't say it's not gonna happen... but, you talk to people in the league, there's not a lot of teams that are lining up to take on a 35-year-old Anthony Davis making $63 million, and you have to assume that he's gonna opt into that deal."
Davis, 32, has a $62.8 million player option for next season. He might be willing to opt out of that year as part of a longer, more lucrative contract extension, but either way, a team that trades for him is taking on an expensive player.
Before any discussion of Anthony Davis trades gets serious, he gets back on the court healthy and plays an extended period for Dallas, league sources have told NBC Sports.
Once on the court, how Davis plays will have an impact on any offers that come in, and Dallas is going to be looking for a bigger return than may be available, as Bontemps notes. In the five games he has played this season, Avis averaged 20.8 points and 10.2 rebounds a game, shooting 52% from the floor overall but continuing to not show a consistent jump shot.
Maybe the way he plays will pique interest in the 10-time All-Star, but Dallas has to find a team willing to take on all that money (with the Mavericks up against the second apron and not able to take back more money than they send out) and send out a package that can help the Mavericks save face. That is going to be a very small pool of teams.
Draymond ruled out with foot injury; Jonathan Kuminga reportedly has clean MRI
Draymond ruled out with foot injury; Jonathan Kuminga reportedly has clean MRI originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The Warriors, once again, will be without several key players when they host the Utah Jazz on Monday night at Chase Center.
With Al Horford (sciatica) and Jonathan Kuminga (knees) already ruled out of the contest, veteran forward Draymond Green (foot) is the latest Warrior to be ruled out against Utah.
Per ESPN’s Anthony Slater, Green has a right foot sprain he sustained when Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan fell on him during Golden State’s 127-123 loss to Portland on Friday.
Just one month into the 2025-26 NBA season, Golden State’s frontcourt can’t seem to catch a break.
Kuminga is set to miss his sixth consecutive game as he continues to deal with bilateral knee tendonitis. Horford is sidelined for at least a week.
But there’s no need to sound the alarms just yet, Dub Nation.
The MRI on Kuminga’s knees came back clean and there’s no structural damage, Slater reported, citing sources.
This certainly is welcome news for the Warriors just one day after coach Steve Kerr stated he had “no idea” how Kuminga was progressing.
“He’s got to tell you where he is,” Kerr told reporters when asked about Kuminga’s activity on Sunday (h/t ClutchPoints’ Kenzo Fukuda). “He didn’t do anything. We didn’t do scrimmages, but we did live drill work, and he barely did any of that. So, [he’s] not moving well, so training staff [is] working with him. I have no idea what he’s doing.”
For Utah (5-11), Walker Kessler (shoulder), Kevin Love (rest) and Georges Niang (foot) will be out against Golden State.
The Warriors (9-9), who opened a pivotal five-game homestand against the Trail Blazers on Friday, will look to bounce back with a win on Monday night.
NBA Cup 2025: Standings update, key remaining games, format for NBA's in-season tournament
"I think $500,000 will motivate just about anyone."
If you're wondering how motivated players are for NBA Cup games, Jake LaRavia of the Lakers spells it out. He and his team are motivated and have a chance to clinch their spot in the quarterfinals of the NBA Cup (the final-eight knockout round portion) by beating their cross-town rivals, the Clippers, on NBA Coast 2 Coast this Tuesday night on NBC and Peacock.
Three game days remain in the group stage of the NBA Cup, with games on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday this week. Let's break down where each group stands heading into the final week, with standings and analysis, but first, a quick reminder about how the NBA Cup works.
What’s the format for the NBA Cup 2025?
All 30 teams were drawn into one of six groups: Three East groups and three West groups, with five teams per group. Each team plays the other teams in its group once — four games total — and those games count double as both regular-season and NBA Cup games.
The six group winners plus a wild card from each conference — determined by Cup games record and point differential in those games — move into the quarterfinals, an eight-team knockout round bracket (East vs. East, West vs. West, similar to the NBA playoffs where the conferences are separate until the Finals). The knockout round games are single-elimination.
The final four teams left standing head to Las Vegas for the NBA Cup semifinals on Dec. 13 and the Cup Final on Dec. 16.
NBA CUP STANDINGS, ANALYSIS
Western Conference
West Group A
Oklahoma City Thunder 2-0
Phoenix Suns 2-0
Minnesota Timberwolves 2-1
Sacramento Kings 0-2
Utah Jazz 0-3
Analysis: Oklahoma City made it to the NBA Cup Finals a season ago and controls its own destiny again. It has what is shaping up to be a huge game Wednesday night, hosting Minnesota: If the Thunder win they will be on the verge of making the knockout round, but Minnesota still would a chance to advance as the wild card, because they are currently +53 through three Cup games (3-1 can get them in as a wild card, 2-2 will not).
The other game to watch in this group is Friday: Phoenix at Oklahoma City. The upstart Suns have beaten the Timberwolves in Cup play, and the Thunder and Suns could both be 3-0 and playing for a guaranteed spot in the quarterfinals when they meet Friday (Phoenix would have to beat Sacramento on Wednesday).
West Group B
Los Angeles Lakers 2-0
LA Clippers 2-0
Memphis Grizzlies 1-1
Dallas Mavericks 1-2
New Orleans Pelicans 0-3
Analysis: It's this simple for the Lakers: beat the Clippers Tuesday, and they are guaranteed group winners and advance to the quarterfinals (the Lakers already beat the Grizzlies). For the Clippers, a win puts them in the driver's seat, and they would qualify for the quarterfinals if Memphis loses at New Orleans on Wednesday or the Clippers beat Memphis on Friday.
You can watch the Clippers at the Lakers in the second game of Coast 2 Coast on Tuesday on NBC and Peacock.
West Group C
Portland Trail Blazers 2-1
Denver Nuggets 2-1
San Antonio Spurs 1-1
Houston Rockets 1-2
Golden State Warriors 1-2
Analysis: The "group of death" — with five of the top nine teams in the conference — could be decided Wednesday night if Portland can beat San Antonio. The Trail Blazers control their own destiny (despite the -18 point differential in cup games) because they beat the Nuggets. Denver plays San Antonio on Friday, and with a big win to pad their +26 point differential, could advance as the Wild Card in the West (if the Spurs beat the Trail Blazers, then the Nuggets would advance with a win Friday). If the Spurs can win out — without Victor Wembanyama — they would advance out of the group, but that is a big ask.
Eastern Conference
East Group A
Toronto Raptors 3-0
Cleveland Cavaliers 2-1
Atlanta Hawks 1-1
Indiana Pacers 0-2
Washington Wizards 0-2
Analysis: Toronto has already clinched the group win and will advance to the quarterfinals. If Cleveland can handle Atlanta and pad its +26 point differential, it stands a chance of advancing to the next round as a wild card. Atlanta, if it can win out over Washington and Cleveland, stands a chance to advance as the wild card as well.
East Group B
Detroit Pistons 2-0
Orlando Magic 2-0
Brooklyn Nets 1-2
Boston Celtics 1-2
Philadelphia 76ers 0-2
Analysis: This group could come down to a Friday night showdown between Detroit and Orlando, but only if the Magic knock out the 76ers on Tuesday and the Pistons beat the Celtics. For both Detroit and Orlando, it is simple: win out and they advance to the quarterfinals.
East Group C
Milwaukee Bucks 2-0
Miami Heat 2-1
New York Knicks 1-1
Chicago Bulls 1-2
Charlotte Hornets 0-2
Analysis: The Bucks have the Darvin Ham advantage: He was a coach for the first two NBA Cup winners. He was the Lakers' head coach in 2023 and an assistant with Milwaukee in 2024. He is still on the Bucks staff and is a perfect 16-0 in the NBA Cup games as a coach. Milwaukee controls its own destiny but will have to beat Miami and New York on the road — without the injured Giannis Antetokounmpo — to advance.
If Miami beats Milwaukee on Wednesday, then they will move to the top of the group. However, if New York could win out over Charlotte and Milwaukee, it would win the group (the Knicks beat the Heat in Cup play). Toronto, with a win over Milwaukee, would also be in a great position to pick up the wild card in the East, even if the Knicks win out.
When are the NBA Cup quarterfinals, Finals
Here is the schedule for the quarterfinals and beyond:
Quarterfinals: Dec. 9 and 10
Semifinals: Dec. 13 (Las Vegas)
Championship: Dec. 16 (Las Vegas)
How much money does the champion get?
There is more to the NBA Cup than just money. There is a trophy to win and something for a fan base to celebrate. Plus, giving competitive NBA players something to play for mid-season helps raise the level of play.
However, for the players, it's about the money.
"I think half a million dollars is still a good amount of money to be able to motivate you to want to win games," the Lakers' LaRavia said. "So I mean, they are games at the end of the day, and we want to just win them because we want to win the game. But, obviously, we know we're also playing for something, and it is cool to just be able to play for something in the middle of the season and be able to get a nice little bonus."
Players on teams that advance out of the group stage receive bonuses from a league-sponsored prize pool, with teams that advance further receiving more. It breaks down this way:
• Each player on the team that wins the championship: $530,933
• Each player on the team that loses in the championship: $212,373
• Each player on a team that loses in the semifinals: $106,187
• Each player on a team that loses in the quarterfinals: $53,093
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.