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Lakers takeaways: Pistons dominate paint as Lakers close out a sub-.500 December

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 30, 2025: Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick reacts after his team is called for a foul against the Detroit Pistons at Crypto.com Arena on December 30, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers coach JJ Redick reacts after his team is called for a foul against the Detroit Pistons at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

The Lakers started the day by singing “Happy Birthday” to LeBron James as the superstar forward turned 41 on Tuesday. They ended by singing another familiar, but more somber tune.

The Lakers got blown out again Tuesday, letting a close game devolve into a 128-106 loss to the Detroit Pistons. James scored 17 points with four assists and five turnovers while the Lakers (20-11) lost by 20 points for the sixth time this year. They are tied for the third-most 20-point losses in the league, yet somehow are still clinging to fifth in the Western Conference standings.

“The intent and the, like, effort was there for the most part tonight,” coach JJ Redick said. “... The turnovers and the fast break points, they kill you.”

Here are three takeaways from the loss:

Read more:Lakers still searching for their identity after late implosion vs. Pistons

Detroit executes its plan 

The scouting report was clear. The Pistons (25-8) were second in the league in points in the paint. They were third in points off turnovers and third in turnovers forced.

The Lakers played directly into Detroit’s hands.

Detroit scored 74 points in the paint, the most allowed by the Lakers all season, and capitalized on 21 Lakers turnovers for 30 points. Entering the game, the Pistons’ 58.1 points in the paint per game were only narrowly behind Oklahoma City’s league-leading 58.2.

“We've got to definitely match their physicality,” said Luka Doncic, who led the Lakers with 30 points and 11 assists, but had eight turnovers, which is tied for his second-most in a game this season. “That's the whole point. We got to match how they play."

Last week, the Lakers faced Phoenix and Houston, two teams with similar styles to Detroit. The Suns averaged 59 paint points in their two wins over the Lakers in December compared to 44 in the Lakers’ Dec. 14 win. The Rockets poured in 68 paint points on Christmas Day.

The Pistons made more shots in the paint (37) than the Lakers attempted (34) and kept their shooting percentage sky-high when three-pointers started to fall. Detroit, which had been shooting 34.7% from three this season, made 11 of 24 (45.8%) from beyond the arc Tuesday.

“We had a game plan,” James said as the Lakers allowed a season-high 63.2% shooting from the field. “We understand that they’re probably No. 1 in points in the paint in the NBA. They get a lot of their points off fast breaks and in the paint. So we knew we’d try to make them miss from the outside and they made some tonight and that's OK.”

Marcus Sasser hit four of six from three, all in the second half, to finish with 19 points off the bench. Cade Cunningham starred for the Pistons with 27 points and 11 assists.

Jaxson Hayes’ return sparks bench

As the Lakers’ revolving door of injuries turned, Jaxson Hayes returned Tuesday while forward Rui Hachimura was sidelined. After missing two games because of an ankle injury, Hayes came off the bench for 13 points with two rebounds, two assists and one steal, giving the team a jolt of energy behind starting center Deandre Ayton.

Ayton finished with 10 points but only two rebounds, which equaled his fewest for a full game this season.

Read more:Lakers newsletter: It's the Luka and LeBron show again

Ayton commended Hayes earlier this season, calling the high-flying Hayes “the best big man I’ve played alongside when it comes to holding your own.” Ayton pointed out how Hayes thrives when he’s throwing down thunderous dunks that amp up the crowd or making second-effort plays that magnify the athletic 7-footer’s true talents. Ayton’s strengths lie in his work in the pocket, but their complementary skill sets have been critical for the Lakers frontcourt.

"Both those guys, throughout the season, when there has been two on the ball with Luka, have done a really good job of making pocket decisions, and making the right play, whether that's to the corner, the slot, cutter from the corner,” Redick said before the game. “... Both those guys have been really good for us."

The Lakers got Hayes back, but Hachimura will be out for at least one week after he missed Tuesday’s game with left calf soreness. Jake LaRavia started in his place and had nine points with four rebounds and four steals.

Lakers could use a new year reset 

The Lakers can’t wait to turn the calendar on this month. They went 5-7 during December, endured their longest losing streak of the season and got exposed by potential playoff teams such as San Antonio, Phoenix and Houston.

After non-competitive losses to other Western Conference contenders, the Lakers provided hope against the Pistons by keeping pace with the No. 1 team in the East for three quarters. The Lakers fought back from a 14-point second-quarter deficit to tie the score midway through the third.

Then they scored just eight points in the first eight minutes of the fourth quarter and emptied the bench down 26 with 4:09 left.

“I think we played good basketball for three quarters, physical basketball,” Doncic said. “We just kind of let go of the rope.”

Read more:Lakers takeaways: Nick Smith Jr. shines in win over Kings with Austin Reaves sidelined

The Lakers begin 2026 with home games against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday and Sunday. Still without Austin Reaves (calf) for a month, the Lakers have eight of their next nine games against teams with losing records. The Lakers are 13-3 against teams below .500.

But even some seemingly lopsided matchups have gone awry for the Lakers. They lost to the Clippers on Dec. 20 in a game that ended with four starters on the bench because of injuries.

The Lakers’ defensive rating of 122.4 points allowed per 100 possessions is 29th in the NBA during December.

“We just got to dig deep down and everyone has got to bring effort every time, all the time,” Hayes said, “and that’s all we have to care about is defense.”

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Takeaways: Big Second Line Powers Penguins To 5-1 Win Over Hurricanes

After an eight-game losing streak threatened to derail their season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have begun to get back on track a little bit.

All of a sudden, they've won three out of their last four games. They've scored 19 goals in those four games, and they're getting better goaltending than they were during their losing streak. They're also getting healthier. 

And all of that became very evident in their 5-1 win against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday. 

Big man Anthony Mantha scored two goals, and linemates Justin Brazeau and Tommy Novak added two more, as the Penguins played their best hockey game since Dec. 1 against the Phildelphia Flyers. The Penguins largely controlled play against the best team in the Metropolitan Division throughout the game, they capitalized on their opportunities, and they were able to shut down the Hurricanes in the final minutes of the third period. In fact, they did not allow a goal in the third period.

Sidney Crosby opened the scoring with his 21st of the season as well, and Stuart Skinner earned his first win in Pittsburgh with a 27-save performance. 

The Penguins now find themselves just two points out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, and they have games in hand against most teams ahead of them.

Here are some takeaways from this impressive win:

- Mantha and Brazeau have both been revelations for the Penguins this season, and it's amazing how well they work together in tandem. They're both big-bodied, and their size allows them to gain a huge advantage in the danger areas of the ice. 

But it's not just the size. They both have the skill and the finishing ability as well, which is a rare combination. Mantha has a lethal shot and is able to use that advantageously, while Brazeau has soft hands and the ability to get his stick on any pucks thrown in his vicinity. 

Mantha, who has 14 goals and 27 points, is on pace for 30 goals and 57 points, while Brazeau - with 12 goals and 20 points - is on pace for 34 goals and 56 points despite missing 14 games to injury. And the most impressive thing about this is that neither of them have seen time with Sidney Crosby, which is usually the case when wingers are producing at this clip.

And they've also been doing it without Evgeni Malkin this month, which is even more impressive. Novak has done a fine job as second-line center, but the line with Malkin centering it was dominant at the start of the season before Brazeau's injury.

The Penguins' lineup - once Malkin returns and Yegor Chinakhov joins the lineup - will become crowded with scorers and young players with high potential, which is certainly a good problem to have. It gives the Penguins lineup deployment options - and it also makes a few players more expendable in the trade market, should they want to go that route.

Penguins' Biggest Summer Acquisition Hits New Career-HighPenguins' Biggest Summer Acquisition Hits New Career-HighNew Pittsburgh Penguins' winger Justin Brazeau is putting up the best numbers of his career in Pittsburgh.

- Speaking of Chinakhov, I'm very interested to see what this lineup looks like with him in it. And, especially, with him and Malkin back in the fold. 

Because the second line is playing so well - and, presumably, he'll be ready for Jan. 1 against the Detroit Red Wings - I think a natural spot to start him would be on the third line with Rutger McGroarty and Ben Kindel. That third line has been driving play and playing well on both sides of the puck, but the production has yet to come. Chinakhov could, potentially, help in that department, and it will help ease him into the Penguins' lineup.

Once Malkin comes back? I'm not sure what you do. Novak has been very good for well over a month now, the top line is still producing, the fourth line has been excellent, and McGroarty and Kindel are both playing well enough to remain in the lineup. 

As far as trimming the roster itself, it makes sense to either waive Kevin Hayes or option Ville Koivunen, who could, perhaps, use some more time in the AHL. But the actual lineup is not going to be easy to figure out. 

And when is the last time the Penguins had a problem like this? Honestly, it's hard for me to recall. This team, when healthy, is deep at forward, and it's a wonderful problem to have. 

- The fourth line is playing some great hockey right now. 

Blake Lizotte makes a discernible difference centering that line. Noel Acciari has been playing sound fundamental hockey all season long, and Connor Dewar is the sparkplug that helps energize the line and get it going on the forecheck. 

This is, honestly, a perfect fourth line. If they can maintain this level, it's going to make for some tough decisions as far as the lineup.

- After a string of rough games, Erik Karlsson was much better in this one, as was Kris Letang. I still didn't love Letang's play on Carolina's lone goal, but otherwise, they were much better. 

- The Penguins needed this kind of confidence-building win. Even if they've won three out of their last four, the other two wins came with plenty of flaw. 

That wasn't really the case Tuesday. The Penguins played better defensive hockey, and they were rewarded for it. They also got the goaltending, as Skinner earned his first win as a Penguin. 

They need both of those things - defense and goaltending - to be functional if they hope to make a run at a playoff spot. 

Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!   

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Warriors showing signs of a surge entering new year after road win vs. Hornets

Warriors showing signs of a surge entering new year after road win vs. Hornets originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

While many card-carrying members of Dub Nation now accept the Warriors with their obvious limitations, a few true believers keep waiting for the moment when it all clicks, when they transform into a team nobody wants to face in the playoffs.

Some of those true believers are on the payroll, spanning the organizational depth chart. They are predisposed to optimism.

All, however, could look at Golden State’s 132-125 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday and see at least a dim glow of momentum. The Warriors, for the first time this season, have won seven of 11 games.

Moreover, the Warriors have won five of their last six – also the first such stretch this season. That could mean something. Not that a 50-win season is in store but that maybe they’re figuring out some of the issues that baffled them through the first 28 games.

“We still need to play fast, but not as fast as we once did,” Draymond Green, still fighting his turnover habit, said in a radio interview with Tim Roye. “The possession battle matters a lot more. We seem to get better stuff in the half court when we’re slowed down, as opposed to rushing, turning the ball over. We’re really trying to do a better job taking care of the ball and then we’ve got to be a great defensive team.”

Coach Steve Kerr’s 15th starting lineup – Stephen Curry, Moses Moody, Jimmy Butler III, Quinten Post and Green – has been intact for seven games. Rotations are trending toward consistency.

“Coach has talked to us about rotations and trying to have consistency, even though we’re playing a lot of guys,” Curry told Bonta Hill, Chris Mullin and Festus Ezeli on NBC Sports Bay Area’s “Warriors Postgame Live” after the win. “The consistency is just organization on offense and understanding where shots are going to come from. And how we’re trying to create good looks using Jimmy when he’s out there with that second unit, and then me and Draymond creating offense, and we’re out there. 

“I think guys are starting to understand it a little bit more, see the pictures more and play with confidence. That only makes us better as a group.”

Three days after Kerr’s latest dip into masochism – “I feel like I let us down tonight” (in a loss at Toronto on Sunday) – he was sharing his big-picture strategy for a team whose 18-16 record has been marked by constant change in search of efficiency.

“Steph, Dray and Jimmy, they’re all in a good rotation pattern,” Kerr told reporters at Spectrum Center. “Everybody else just has to be ready to play when their name is called. The way the game is played, with the pace and all the 3-point shooting, we’re going to play a lot of people, and we’re going to play a lot of people in short bursts too. It’s a little different, but we have to get used to it.”

It seems Kerr has settled on a closing lineup, with Curry, Butler and Green joined by De’Anthony Melton and rookie Will Richard. It’s a solid defensive unit, as indicated by Charlotte scoring 25 points in the fourth quarter after averaging 33.3 through the first three. This came two nights after the Nets shot 6 of 19 in the fourth quarter in Brooklyn.

The bench, which has bounced between terrific and sub-ordinary, is trending toward reliability, with Brandin Podziemski and Gui Santos thriving of late, along with Gary Payton II, Melton and Richard. It’s beneficial, it seems, when roles and rotations are clarified.

Though turnovers through reckless passing continues to hurt the Warriors, their improved offense is showing signs of offsetting their tendency for self-harm. They gave Brooklyn 19 points off turnovers on Monday but shot 55.3 percent from the field and made 28 free throws. They then gave the Hornets 28 points off 19 turnovers but shot 55.4 percent from the field, including 49 percent from deep, and 94.1 percent from the line.

“Our offense has dramatically improved; we’re scoring at a much higher clip now … Six games in a row, with 120 or more,” Kerr said. “We haven’t done that in a while. It just feels like we’ve got a better rhythm.”

These Warriors are built with the belief that the unique brilliance of Curry, the ingenuity of Butler and the tenacity of Green will be enough to contend for the NBA Finals. It’s not. Two months into the season, they seem to understand and accept that it’s not.

It has become abundantly clear that decisive wins will be rare for these Warriors; only three of their 18 wins were by more than 20 points.

There will be more clutch games. Many more. The roster, still in need of at least one impact player, looks more capable of being vastly superior to what was on display through the two months of this season.

Golden State’s next 11 games, 10 of which are at Chase Center, will tell us whether this is the new reality or yet another mirage.

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Ottawa Senators Year In Review Part Two, April-June: The Stanley Cup Playoff Drought Finally Ends

The Hockey News Ottawa is looking back on some of the biggest Senators news of the 2025  calendar year.  In part two of our walk down memory lane, we're looking at the big news and events from April to June, and there was nothing bigger than the Senators getting back to the postseason for the first time since 2017.

April

The Drought Finally Ends

The Senators clinched a playoff spot for the first time in eight years, closing out the 2024-25 season with a record of 45-37 for 97 points, earning the first wild card and finishing just one point behind the Florida Panthers, the eventual Stanley Cup champions.

The Senators drew the Toronto Maple Leafs in Round 1, and unfortunately, they quickly fell behind in the series 3-0, though Games 2 and 3 could have gone either way, with both going to overtime.

To their credit, the Senators didn’t roll over. After winning Game 4 in Ottawa, 4–3 in overtime, Brady Tkachuk left the ice yelling to the crowd, “We’re coming back here.”

The Senators made good on that vow by heading to Toronto for Game 5 and shutting out the Leafs 4–0. However, back in Ottawa for Game 6 (and we’re cheating a little here since it happened on May 1), while the Senators tied the game with two minutes to go on a goal by David Perron, they couldn’t hold on. Max Pacioretty scored with just over five minutes left to eliminate the Senators in six games.

Except for Game 1, all five games that followed could have gone either way. The hope at the time was that the sting of that loss would serve the Senators well in the coming season.

Award Nominees

As the Stanley Cup Playoffs marched on without Ottawa, Perron was named the Senators’ Masterton Trophy nominee. The trophy goes to the player who best exhibits perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication. Perron dealt with injuries last season, but more importantly, he had to step away from the team to be with his family as they successfully helped their newborn daughter through her health challenges.

Meanwhile, Brady Tkachuk was Ottawa’s nominee for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for the third straight year. The award is given annually to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a significant humanitarian contribution to their community. The trophy is named after King Clancy, a beloved Senators captain from the 1920s, known for his scoring ability, leadership, and toughness. One hundred years later, that description fits Tkachuk to a tee.

Ray Shero Passes

On a sad note, in April 2025, longtime NHL executive Ray Shero passed away at the age of 62. The well-liked Shero was Pittsburgh’s general manager when they won the Stanley Cup in 2009 and served as an assistant GM with the Senators from 1993 to 1998.

May

Exit, Stage Left

As the Senators held their player exit meetings, disappointed to be halted in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, they all went their separate ways. It turned out to be the end for free agents  like Adam Gaudette (signed in San Jose), Anton Forsberg (signed in LA), Travis Hamonic (Detroit), Dennis Gilbert (Philadelphia), and Angus Crookshank (New Jersey).

General manager Steve Staios quickly began a busy offseason by signing Nikolas Matinpalo to a two-year contract.

Worlds

Matinpalo was one of several Senators who headed off to the World Hockey Championship. Tim Stützle arrived a little late and played for Team Germany, later admitting he probably should have shut it down for the year after the Senators’ season ended. Shane Pinto suited up for the United States and helped the Americans win gold.

Jacques Talk

Jacques Martin was named to the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame. The former Senators head coach is the winningest coach in team history and returned for a second stint a couple of years ago when DJ Smith was fired. Martin guided the Senators through the remainder of that season before being replaced by Travis Green.

Management Changes

Without getting into specifics as to why, the Senators mutually parted ways with the well-regarded Ryan Bowness, who served as both Belleville’s GM and Ottawa’s associate general manager. Bowness was kept on after Pierre Dorion was fired, but the Sens opted to replace him with former Hamilton Bulldogs GM Matt Turek. Sam Gagner was also named director of player development. Turek replaced

June

The Remote NHL Draft

The Senators made six selections at the 2025 NHL Draft. They entered the draft with the 21st overall pick but traded it to the Nashville Predators for the 23rd and 67th overall picks. With the 23rd selection, they chose defenceman Logan Hensler from the University of Wisconsin.

NHL teams were invited to bring in guests or celebrities to make draft announcements from their home cities, and the Senators opted for comedian Tom Green, who announced the Hensler selection. The Senators then traded the 67th overall pick along with a sixth-round pick in 2026 to the Los Angeles Kings for defenceman Jordan Spence.

Rounds three through seven saw the Senators select Blake Vanek, son of former NHLer Thomas Vanek; Goalie Lucas Beckman, who was traded in December from dead-last Baie-Comeau to first-place Chicoutimi; diminutive Russian forward Dmitri Aitsev; Croatian-born forward Bruno Idzan; and Russian goaltender Andrei Trofimov.

Re-Signings

The Senators re-signed restricted free agent Tyler Kleven to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $1.6 million.

Toward the end of the month, Claude Giroux signed a one-year extension with a base salary of $2 million, plus bonuses that could bring the total to $4.7 million. Through the first half of the 2025-26 season, he's more than earned his keep.

The Senators also re-signed Levi Marilainen to a one-year contract worth $1 million. He will be a free agent again this summer and is arbitration-eligible.

Olympic Senators

Finally, thoughts began turning to the Olympics when various national hockey federations announced the first six players on their preliminary rosters. Those lists included Ottawa Senators Brady Tkachuk (Team USA), Tim Stützle (Team Germany), and Lars Eller (Team Denmark). Full rosters are expected to be out on New Year's Eve.

Steve Warne
The Hockey News - Ottawa

Ottawa Senators Year In Review Part One: January To March

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Canada unveils Olympic hockey roster loaded with NHL stars. Here's the full team

Canada unveils Olympic hockey roster loaded with NHL stars. Here's the full team originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Canada will be taking a team loaded with NHL stars to Italy for the Winter Games.

The Canadians on Wednesday unveiled their men’s ice hockey roster for the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.

The 25-man squad is headlined by Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid, Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon and Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar. It also features veterans like Pittsburgh Penguins forward Sidney Crosby, Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty and Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand. Crosby and Doughty were part of Canada’s gold-medal winning team at the 2014 Sochi Games.

Meanwhile, San Jose Sharks young sensation Macklin Celebrinicracked the roster at just 19 years old.

Here’s a position-by-position breakdown of the team:

Goaltenders

Defenseman

Forwards

Crosby, MacKinnon, Makar, McDavid, Point and Reinhart were announced in June as Canada’s first six roster selections.

Blues general manager Doug Armstrong serves as Team Canada’s GM, while Lightning two-time Stanley Cup champion head coach Jon Cooper is the Canadians’ bench boss.

Among the notable omissions from the Olympic team were Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard, who’s currently sidelined due to injury, Panthers forward Sam Bennett, Jets forward Mark Scheifele, Islanders rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer and Avalanche goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood.

The Olympic men’s ice hockey competition runs from Feb. 12-22.

The Milan Cortina Games will see NHL players competing in the Olympics for the first time since 2014, when Canada defeated Sweden for gold.

The Canadians will be looking to build off their 4 Nations Face-Off title triumph last February. The 4 Nations Face-Off, which was conducted by the NHL and featured Canada, Finland, Sweden and the United States, marked the first best-on-best international hockey tournament since the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

Canada defeated Team USA 3-2 in overtime of the 4 Nations Face-Off final.

When will Team USA’s Olympic hockey roster be announced?

The Americans will reveal their roster on Friday, Jan. 2. The announcement will be made on NBC’s “TODAY” during the 8 a.m. ET hour.

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Canada unveils Olympic hockey roster loaded with NHL stars. Here's the full team

Canada unveils Olympic hockey roster loaded with NHL stars. Here's the full team originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Canada will be taking a team loaded with NHL stars to Italy for the Winter Games.

The Canadians on Wednesday unveiled their men’s ice hockey roster for the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.

The 25-man squad is headlined by Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid, Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon and Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar. It also features veterans like Pittsburgh Penguins forward Sidney Crosby, Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty and Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand. Crosby and Doughty were part of Canada’s gold-medal winning team at the 2014 Sochi Games.

Meanwhile, San Jose Sharks young sensation Macklin Celebrinicracked the roster at just 19 years old.

Here’s a position-by-position breakdown of the team:

Goaltenders

Defenseman

Forwards

Crosby, MacKinnon, Makar, McDavid, Point and Reinhart were announced in June as Canada’s first six roster selections.

Blues general manager Doug Armstrong serves as Team Canada’s GM, while Lightning two-time Stanley Cup champion head coach Jon Cooper is the Canadians’ bench boss.

Among the notable omissions from the Olympic team were Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard, who’s currently sidelined due to injury, Panthers forward Sam Bennett, Jets forward Mark Scheifele, Islanders rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer and Avalanche goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood.

The Olympic men’s ice hockey competition runs from Feb. 12-22.

The Milan Cortina Games will see NHL players competing in the Olympics for the first time since 2014, when Canada defeated Sweden for gold.

The Canadians will be looking to build off their 4 Nations Face-Off title triumph last February. The 4 Nations Face-Off, which was conducted by the NHL and featured Canada, Finland, Sweden and the United States, marked the first best-on-best international hockey tournament since the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

Canada defeated Team USA 3-2 in overtime of the 4 Nations Face-Off final.

When will Team USA’s Olympic hockey roster be announced?

The Americans will reveal their roster on Friday, Jan. 2. The announcement will be made on NBC’s “TODAY” during the 8 a.m. ET hour.

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From Matildas magic to Winter Olympic wonders: Australia’s sporting highlights for 2026

Football captures the imagination, Formula One and tennis hopes rise – our writers pick the Australian sport moments to watch this year

Whether you want sun or snow, football or tennis, home-soil heroes or intrepid contenders – there is something for every Australian on the 2026 sporting calendar. Guardian Australia’s sport team have selected the events they are most looking forward to in 2026, at home and abroad.

Continue reading...
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Week 11 Fantasy Basketball Injury Report: Nikola Jokić, Josh Giddey among the sidelined

The days after Christmas have been rough for the NBA from an injury standpoint. In addition to the illness-related absences that can happen this time of year, multiple players who are highly impactful in fantasy basketball have been sidelined due to injury. Nuggets center Nikola Jokić is the headliner, as a hyperextended left knee will sideline him for at least four weeks. Already without Christian Braun, Aaron Gordon and Cameron Johnson, Denver will be down four starters for the foreseeable future.

Among the other teams needing to compensate for the loss of starters this week are Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas and New York, to name a few. Below is a look at some of the injuries affecting fantasy basketball and team rotations.

NBA: Denver Nuggets at Miami Heat
Nikola Jokić sidelined by knee injury: timeline and fantasy impact
The Nuggets will be without the three-time MVP for multiple weeks, leaving a massive hole in the team’s lineup.

C Ryan Kalkbrenner and F Miles Bridges, Charlotte Hornets

Including Wednesday's game against the Warriors, Kalkbrenner has missed Charlotte's last five games with a sprained left elbow. While Mason Plumlee (less than one percent rostered, Yahoo!) was the initial replacement in the starting lineup, Wednesday's game will be the fourth that he's missed due to a strained right groin. That's opened the door for Moussa Diabaté (22 percent) to step into the void, and he has been close to a top-50 player in eight-cat formats over the last four games, according to Basketball Monster. Given the opportunity, with Diabaté playing nearly 33 minutes per game, it would be wise to hop onto the bandwagon.

Bridges sprained his right ankle during the first half of Monday's loss to the Bucks and, at the time of publishing, was considered questionable for Wednesday afternoon. While he only scored three points against Milwaukee, Tidjane Salaün (one percent) grabbed 11 rebounds in 28 minutes off the bench. However, Collin Sexton (19 percent) would be a superior streaming option for those needing offense if Bridges misses time, even though he does not have forward eligibility.

G Josh Giddey, G Coby White and F/C Zach Collins, Chicago Bulls

Monday's loss to the Timberwolves was brutal for the Bulls, who stood no chance after losing Giddey and White to hamstring and calf injuries. On Tuesday evening, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Giddey has been diagnosed with a strained left hamstring and is expected to miss "at least a few weeks." As for White, he was diagnosed with tightness in his right calf, but it would be unsurprising if he were sidelined for multiple games as well.

As for waiver wire options, Tre Jones (18 percent), Ayo Dosunmu (16 percent) and Kevin Huerter (eight percent) are the players to target. Jones began the season as a starter due to White's offseason injury, averaging 13.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.1 steals in 29.9 minutes over 11 games. With Giddey also out, the Bulls will likely require more from Jones as a floor general.

As for Collins, an injury initially described as a sore left big toe is now a sprain. His absence cuts into Chicago's depth behind starting center Nikola Vučević, leaving the backup responsibilities to Jalen Smith (three percent). At first glance, this won't do much for Smith's fantasy value. He's averaging 18.0 minutes per game this season, and that number may not increase much, if at all, since Vooch is healthy. However, if Smith can exceed 20 minutes consistently, he may turn into a deep-league option for managers needing rebounds.

F/C Anthony Davis, Dallas Mavericks

Davis exited the Mavericks' Christmas Day loss to the Warriors with right groin spasms and has missed the last two games. Daniel Gafford (15 percent) moved into the starting lineup, totaling 28 points, 17 rebounds, two steals and four blocks in losses to the Kings and Trail Blazers. And his playing time increased, with Gafford playing 23 and 26 minutes in those two games. If Davis remains out, Gafford will be worth a look in a higher percentage of fantasy leagues, but it would be nice if he could be relied on to hit the high-20s in minutes.

Someone else to watch in Dallas is Max Christie (seven percent), who has replaced Naji Marshall (21 percent) in the starting lineup and scored 25 points in Tuesday's loss to Portland. If Christie can retain his place in the starting lineup, deep-league fantasy managers may be able to get some value from rostering him, but the 2022 second-round pick is not worth the risk just yet.

G Caris LeVert, Detroit Pistons

LeVert had to leave Detroit's December 28 loss to the Clippers after playing 13 minutes due to a sore left knee, and he did not play against the Lakers on Tuesday. While the production has not been good enough to affect fantasy basketball, LeVert's absence may ultimately benefit Jaden Ivey (21 percent). Working his way back from the fractured leg that ended his 2024-25 season on New Year's Day, he played a season-high 29 minutes against the Clippers. We'll see if that trend continues and whether Ivey ultimately returns to the starting lineup, especially given Ausar Thompson's offensive limitations.

C Alperen Şengün, Houston Rockets

Şengün has missed Houston's last two games with a left soleus strain. While Steven Adams (eight percent) moved into the starting lineup, he had to leave Monday's win over the Pacers with a sprained right ankle. If Şengün and Adams can't play on Thursday against the Nets, it may be "Clint Capela time" in Houston. Rostered in one percent of Yahoo! leagues, Capela is averaging 11.0 minutes per game as the third man in the Rockets' center rotation.

F/C Isaiah Jackson, Indiana Pacers

Jackson has been in the league's concussion protocol since suffering a head injury during a December 22 loss to the Celtics, missing Indiana's last five games. While Jay Huff (24 percent) was already the starting center, Jackson's absence has not resulted in a sharp increase in his playing time. Huff has averaged 20.6 minutes per game over the last four, with recent signing Micah Potter (less than one percent) averaging 13.6 minutes in his three appearances. Huff has been fantasy-relevant in the minutes he's received, but fantasy managers have to keep their expectations in check for obvious reasons.

G Austin Reaves and F Rui Hachimura, Los Angeles Lakers

Reaves was forced to exit the Lakers' Christmas Day loss to the Rockets with a Grade 2 left calf strain, and he will be re-evaluated in four weeks. Marcus Smart (six percent) has been the replacement in the starting lineup, and that won't change anytime soon. The veteran guard can be inconsistent offensively, but there's a clear need for what Smart can bring to the table defensively. He's a player who fantasy managers should track for the time being, rather than rushing to pick him up.

Unable to participate in Monday's practice, Hachimura was diagnosed with a sore right calf. During his availability ahead of Tuesday's game against the Pistons, Lakers head coach JJ Redick said that he expected Hachimura to be out for "about" one week. Jake LaRavia (10 percent) was moved into the starting lineup, and he's in a similar boat to Smart regarding fantasy streaming value. Adding him can be considered, but it isn't a must.

G/F Pelle Larsson, Miami Heat

Having missed time earlier this season with a sprained left ankle, Larsson suffered a sprained right ankle during Monday's win over the Nuggets and did not return. While he has not been an especially impactful fantasy option, the second-year wing missing time would free up additional minutes for Jaime Jaquez Jr. (42 percent) and Nikola Jović (16 percent), with the former offering a higher fantasy ceiling. However, since returning from a right elbow injury, Jović has been close to a top-50 player in eight-cat formats.

F Herb Jones, New Orleans Pelicans

Jones has missed the Pelicans' last five games with a sprained right ankle, including Wednesday's matchup with the Bulls. While Bryce McGowens (less than one percent) was the replacement in the starting lineup for the first three games, interim head coach James Borrego took a different approach for Monday's loss to the Knicks.

Zion Williamson (98 percent), who was coming off the bench as part of his minutes restriction, was inserted back into the starting lineup, while McGowens (who's on a two-way contract) was inactive. That change preserved the fantasy value of Saddiq Bey (33 percent), who scored 23 of his 27 points in the first quarter of Monday's defeat. Fantasy managers certainly can't find Williamson on the waiver wire, but that isn't an issue for Bey, who's worth a look as long as he's playing starters' minutes.

G/F Josh Hart and C Mitchell Robinson, New York Knicks

Hart and Robinson are dealing with ankle issues, robbing the Knicks of two rotation players. Injured during the fourth quarter of New York's Christmas Day win over the Cavaliers, Hart did not travel with the team for its three-game road trip, which concludes in San Antonio on Wednesday. Rookie Mohamed Diawara (less than one percent) moved into the starting lineup for wins over Atlanta and New Orleans, going for a career-high 18 points (16 in the first quarter) against the Pelicans.

Diawara isn't worth the risk in fantasy leagues, but Miles McBride (five percent) and Tyler Kolek (five percent) are worth watching, especially with Deuce playing 18 minutes in his first game back from a sprained ankle. Robinson's absence initially resulted in rotation minutes for Ariel Hukporti (less than one percent), but a mouth contusion sidelined him for the second half of Monday's win in New Orleans. Guerschon Yabusele (less than one percent) also isn't worth the risk in fantasy leagues, although he was solid in his return to the rotation on Monday.

NBA: Boston Celtics at Portland Trail Blazers
Fantasy Basketball Stock Up Stock Down: Donovan Clingan leveling up
Clingan has notched a double-double in six out of his last seven games.

C Isaiah Hartenstein, Oklahoma City Thunder

Hartenstein has not been playing in both games of back-to-backs recently, but Wednesday's game will be the second that he's missed with a right soleus strain. Cason Wallace (23 percent) has moved into the starting lineup when iHart is unavailable, which moves Luguentz Dort, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren down a position. Also, more minutes become available to Ajay Mitchell (24 percent), Aaron Wiggins (five percent) and Isaiah Joe (three percent). Wallace and Mitchell are the players who fantasy managers should first seek on their league's waiver wires.

G Desmond Bane, Orlando Magic

Bane left Monday's loss to the Raptors briefly due to back spasms but returned and ultimately logged 30 minutes. However, at the time of publishing, he was considered questionable for Wednesday's game against the Pacers. With Anthony Black (40 percent) now on the radar of many fantasy managers due to his play in the absence of Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner, there aren't any great options if Bane is limited or cannot play. Jase Richardson (less than one percent) played 20 minutes off the bench in Toronto, but he has not reached the point where he can be trusted in redraft leagues.

G Grayson Allen, Phoenix Suns

Despite having missed Phoenix's last seven games, including Wednesday's matchup with the Cavaliers, Allen's issue is still listed as right knee injury management on the official injury report. With Jalen Green still sidelined by a strained hamstring, there really isn't a good reason not to go all-in on Collin Gillespie (37 percent). Over the past three weeks, he has provided third-round per-game value in eight-cat formats. Of course, Royce O'Neale (15 percent) has been Allen's replacement in the starting lineup, but he has not offered the all-around fantasy value that Gillespie has.

F Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers

Counting Wednesday's matchup with the Thunder, Grant has missed the last seven games with left Achilles tendonitis. With details scarce, it's unknown when he'll be healthy enough to return. Kris Murray (one percent) was Grant's replacement in the starting lineup, but he has also missed time due to injury and was listed as questionable for Wednesday night at the time of publishing with a right quad contusion. His absence opened the door for Sidy Cissoko (less than one percent) to make a few starts, but he hasn't done enough to merit rostering.

If fantasy managers are going to commit to any of the Trail Blazers wings sitting on more than half of Yahoo! waiver wires, it should be Toumani Camara (41 percent). His percentages have been poor recently, but he has been able to offer solid value in the steals and three-point categories.

G Zach LaVine, Sacramento Kings

LaVine has missed seven straight and eight of Sacramento's last nine games, most recently sitting out Tuesday's loss to the Clippers with a sprained left ankle. Kings head coach Doug Christie has gone big with the guard's replacement, starting Precious Achiuwa (five percent) at power forward with DeMar DeRozan and Keegan Murray (when available) shifting up a position. Unfortunately, Achiuwa has not offered much value to fantasy managers, ranking well outside the top-200 in eight-cat formats since moving into the starting lineup on December 18. He and LaVine may not play the same position, but rookie center Maxime Raynaud (31 percent) is deserving of more fantasy attention as he continues to fill in for the injured Domantas Sabonis.

G Devin Vassell, San Antonio Spurs

Vassell was ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Knicks with a strained left adductor, and that's the kind of injury that can cost a player multiple games, depending on the grade. With Stephon Castle listed as questionable at the time of publishing with a sprained left thumb, the Spurs could be down two perimeter starters against the Knicks. Julian Champagnie (six percent) and Dylan Harper (22 percent) have usually been next in line when the Spurs are down a perimeter starter, and while the former may offer a safer floor, it's hard to overlook Harper's ceiling as a lottery pick. Another option is Keldon Johnson (15 percent), but he offers no defensive production in his reserve role.

C Jakob Poeltl, Toronto Raptors

Poeltl's lower back has been an issue since the preseason, and Wednesday's game against the Nuggets will be the fifth straight that he's missed. On Monday, it was announced by the team that the 7-footer would miss at least one more week before he's re-evaluated. Sandro Mamukelashvili (21 percent) has not been guaranteed to start every night when Poeltl is unavailable, but he has been a sixth-round player over the last two weeks. He should be the first player considered by fantasy managers looking to compensate for Poeltl's absence. Collin Murray-Boyles (two percent) has seen his playing time increase recently, but not to the point where he should be rostered in most redraft leagues.

G/F Ace Bailey, Utah Jazz

Tuesday's loss to the Celtics was the second that Bailey has missed since suffering a strained right hip flexor during Friday's win over the Pistons. Brice Sensabaugh (10 percent) moved into the starting lineup, totaling 16 points, nine rebounds, six assists and four three-pointers in games against the Spurs and Celtics. While the production hasn't been elite, Sensabaugh has played 33 minutes or more in each of Utah's last three games. That may make him worth a roll of the dice in deep leagues until Bailey is cleared to return. Taylor Hendricks (one percent) replaced Svi Mykhailiuk (two percent) in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game but only played 17 minutes. There's no need to consider rostering either player.

F Kyshawn George, Washington Wizards

Wednesday's game against the Bucks will be the third that George has missed with a strained left hip flexor, and the Wizards have not provided a return timeline. Could it be "Tre Johnson time" in the nation's capital? The rookie, who's rostered in seven percent of Yahoo! leagues, has totaled 38 points, six assists, two steals and seven three-pointers in two games as George's replacement in the starting lineup.

Johnson does not offer much value as a rebounder or defender, but he shot 14-of-23 from the field in games against the Grizzlies and Suns. Bilal Coulibaly (25 percent) and Bub Carrington (15 percent) are also worth a look, but managers looking for pure scoring should consider Johnson now. And he'll likely be a popular target for the "silly season."

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Mavericks reportedly called Warriors about potential Anthony Davis trade

Mavericks reportedly called Warriors about potential Anthony Davis trade originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

It appears one NBA team is open to a blockbuster deal with the Warriors, but it’s unclear if the feeling is mutual.

Golden State (18-16) currently sits at eighth in the Western Conference as of Wednesday afternoon after its 132-125 win over the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center, and is headed toward another trade deadline where a move might be necessary to keep its playoff hopes alive.

If the Warriors wanted to swing big, perhaps in a blockbuster deal for Dallas Mavericks center Anthony Davis, who has been linked to Golden State already, it likely would require parting with either forwards Draymond Green or Jimmy Butler in the trade package, which The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported in a story published Wednesday, citing team sources, is not something the Warriors want to do.

Not only are the Warriors not keen on parting with one of their veteran forwards in a potential deal, but they might not even be interested in Davis at all. Amick also reported in his story, citing team sources, that Dallas contacted Golden State about a potential trade for Davis, not the other way around.

“A Butler-for-Davis swap works financially, as the Warriors forward also makes $54.1 million this season, but Golden State has shown no interest in making such a move,” Amick wrote. “While team sources say the Warriors have not completely closed the door on the prospect of doing a Davis deal, it appears unlikely. What’s more, it should be noted that the Mavericks called Golden State about the Davis possibility — and not the other way around.”

While the Warriors reportedly have not completely closed the door on the idea of a Davis trade, any potential deal likely would include young forward Jonathan Kuminga, who Dallas appears to be enticed by.

“While a league source said the Mavericks do have interest in the Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga, who can’t be traded until Jan. 15 but is widely expected to be dealt before the deadline, the fifth-year forward’s salary ($22.5 million) comes well short of Davis’ ($54.1 million) and would thus require the inclusion of another big contract — i.e. Green ($25.8 million),” Amick added. “Yet as Warriors coach Steve Kerr said publicly last week, and team sources confirmed, a move like that is simply not in their plans.”

While a trade for Davis does not seem likely for the Warriors at this moment, a lot can change in the five weeks leading up to the Feb. 5 deadline, and it appears Dallas, at least, is open for business.

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Top 5 Knicks trade targets ahead of 2026 deadline

Although no transactions have officially kicked it off, NBA trade season is here and the Knicks are looking increasingly likely make a move by February’s deadline. 

Some of New York's much-hyped bench pieces haven’t performed, while they’ve gotten big seasons from unexpected places, giving them some flexibility to reshuffle their rotation.

Here are the top five targets the Knicks should aim to acquire by the deadline. We’ve centered these around salaries that closely match Guerschon Yabusele’s as the main piece of a potential deal, excluding the hanging cloud that is Giannis Antetokounmpo’s availability and trades that would require shipping Josh Hart or Mitchell Robinson, which aren’t likely.  

Keon Ellis

A 6-foot-4 guard doesn’t seem like it should be on the top of New York’s priority list, but as far as realistic short-term upgrades go, they may not find a better one in the league. Ellis is only a four-year player, but even spending all that time with the Sacramento Kings, his strengths have popped through.

He’s a strong defender and career 41.7 percent three-point shooter, and had his best years under Knicks head coach Mike Brown. The Kings don’t appear to value him highly despite being one of their few young talents, giving the Knicks a chance to boost their depth at a discounted cost. 

Saddiq Bey

The Knicks have been starting 20-year-old rookie Mohamed Diawara and playing second-year man Kevin McCullar Jr. amid Yabusele’s disappointing season and Hart’s injury. While both have been impressive, New York could use some more veteran depth on the wing, perhaps more so than anything else.

One target who fits the bill is Bey, a six-year veteran playing for the New Orleans Pelicans. He just torched the Knicks for 26 points -- perhaps his tryout for the team -- and was an intriguing 3-and-D prospect before his shot fell off. 

Nicolas Batum

The Clippers should be looking for any way to get younger and more draft assets during this disaster of a season, giving New York an edge should they call about a supplementary role player. Batum is 37 years old, long past his prime, and shouldn’t be expected to move the needle. But he’s reliable, flexible, and has played in the biggest of games.

He’s also still shooting close to 40 percent from three. If you’re looking for an under-the-radar pickup, this may be the right move.

Jose Alvarado

Linked to the Knicks by SNY NBA Insider Ian Begley, Alvarado has New York roots and plays with a New York attitude from the point guard position, hounding ball-handlers and never shrinking from a big game or shot. He’s hitting nearly 38 percent of his threes this season and would thrive in Brown’s high pace style.

Andre Drummond or Precious Achiuwa

The focus has been on wings and guards, but the Knicks could also look for a big man since their current rotation hinges heavily on Robinson’s health. Two names brought up by Begley are Drummond and Achiuwa.

The former is playing for the Philadelphia 76ers and getting plenty of chances with Joel Embiid in and out of the lineup. It’s unclear if they'd even be interested in dealing him given their own postseason aspirations, but he’s still one of the league’s most impactful rebounders and would be a big help up front.

Achiuwa spent a year and a half in New York after coming over in the OG Anunoby deal. He had a mixed career with the Knicks, bouncing in and out of the rotation and between frontcourt positions, but all under former head coach Tom Thibodeau -- opening up a potential avenue for a return and revitalization after having to deal with the Kings.

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Canadiens: Top 5 2025 Moments

It’s been a great year for Montreal Canadiens’ fans, a year that has given them hope that the rebuild was heading in the right direction and that rewarded their trust with a first playoff appearance since the surprise 2021 Stanley Cup Final run. After missing the postseason for three years running, the young Habs rewarded their faithful with an appearance in the spring dance, a short-lived one, of course, but one that allowed them to learn and grow so much.

Seeing as this is the last day of 2025, it’s time to look back at what has gone on over the previous 12 months and reminisce about what went right for the most storied franchise in NHL history. Without further ado, here are my top five Canadiens moments in 2025.

Canadiens: Mission Accomplished For Montembeault
This Big Canadiens Trade Just Keeps Getting Better
Canadiens: Suzuki Waiting To Hear

Demidov’s Surprise Arrival

The Habs’ fan base was resigned to wait until the start of the 2025-26 season to see Ivan Demidov’s debut in the NHL since his contract with KHL side SKA St. Petersburg ran until the end of May. Still, fans and media alike were pleasantly surprised when it was announced that the Russian rookie was on his way.

In the days that followed, a kind of craze took over the fandom as Demidov’s plane was tracked online, and a group of fans showed up at the Toronto airport to welcome the most exciting offensive prospect in recent memories.

It took a few days for Demidov to make his debut, but when he did on April 14 against the Chicago Blackhawks, there were already Demidov jerseys in the stands, and there was a distinct buzz in the Bell Centre. The youngster didn’t disappoint, registering a goal and an assist in his first game in front of his new fans. Even the press gallery was filled to the brim for the occasion. While the media usually stays neutral during games, that one was the exception to the rule, as everyone spontaneously got on their feet when the Russian prodigy found the back of the net.

Hutson’s Calder Win

It had been quite some time since a Canadiens player had won the Calder Trophy, awarded annually to the league’s best rookie. It hadn’t happened since the late great Ken Dryden captured the award all the way back in 1971-72, but there was little doubt by the end of the season that standout defenseman Lane Hutson would finally bring it back to Montreal.

With four points in the first three games of the 2024-25 season, he wasted no time showing that he was something special. Every time he picked up the puck and carried it up the ice, the Bell Center buzzed with excitement; he had people on the edge of their seats, something a Habs’ defenseman hadn’t done since P.K. Subban’s best days.

Hutson led the rookie scoring race all season long, and by the time everything was said and done, he had a new franchise record for the most points by a rookie defenseman and the fourth-highest total in league history with 66 points. He tied Larry Murphy’s record for the most assists by a rookie defenseman with 60, a record that had been set nearly 45 years ago in the 1980-81 season.

Slafkovsky’s Awakening

Who would have guessed that Juraj Slafkovsky needed to be taken away from the top line to really shine? Not many. Throughout the 2024-25 season, the Canadiens’ top line, formed by the young Slovak, captain Nick Suzuki and sniper Cole Caufield, produced most of the team’s offence, and as the saying goes, if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it, right? Wrong.

Because of the latest onslaught of injuries and the fact that he had more talent in his top six, bench boss Martin St-Louis decided to take the power forward away from his top line and to play him alongside rookies Demidov and Oliver Kapanen, and the result was a resounding success.

As the veteran on the line, Slafkovsky stepped up and started doing things he had never done on the top line, where he was merely seen as the complement to the dynamic duo. He clearly felt more confident and dared to do so much more. It took a few games, but fantastic chemistry started to develop among the three youngsters, and after 39 games, he’s on pace for 59 points, which would be a career high for him.

It’s about more than points for the hulking forward, however, the strength he shows on the ice and the way he’s now able to use his body to make an impact on the game are qualities the Canadiens have long needed. In his rookie season, he was often caught with his head down and found himself lying on the ice far too frequently, but now he can look like an immovable object even when colliding with an unstoppable force.

Netting A Right-Shot Defenseman

GM Kent Hughes had long been looking for a right-shot defenseman, and the opportunity finally arose in the run-up to the 2025 draft. The man in charge did not hesitate. When a 25-year-old defenseman with such talent wants a change of scenery and is willing to come to your team, you do whatever you need to land him, and that’s exactly what Hughes did.

Sending two first-round picks to the New York Islanders and sacrificing promising forward Emil Heineman to obtain Dobson was a no-brainer for the GM. Not just because the man the Habs were targeting at the draft was likely to be available in the second round, but because of the message it sent.

Acquiring him showed his players that the Canadiens had taken a turn in their rebuild, that they were entering another phase, one in which they weren’t just after futures anymore, but after pieces that could make them win in the here and now. That message was also heard loud and clear by the fans, and the anticipation was palpable in the city in the run-up to the season.

Montreal Getting Hometown Discounts

When Hughes signed Hutson and Mike Matheson to contract extensions this season, he gave further proof to players around the league that his two defensemen believed in what the Habs were building so much that they were willing to take less money to stick around.

While that may not seem like a big deal to some, it is actually crucial for a team that will soon be looking to add complementary pieces in free agency. Forget about the language, the weather and the taxes, as Hughes has often said himself, hockey players want to win. In other words, and to quote a particular Kevin Costner sports movie: if you build it, they will come. Except we’re not talking about a baseball field here, but about a winning culture.

Slowly but surely, this is what Hughes, Jeff Gorton, and St-Louis have been laying the groundwork for over the last few years, and it’s never been more evident that it’s happening: the Canadiens have a 44-26-14 record in 2025. They’ve won more games than they’ve lost, and it seems like the only way is up.

Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.  

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What we learned as Steph Curry's 26 leads Warriors past Hornets in hometown win

What we learned as Steph Curry's 26 leads Warriors past Hornets in hometown win originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

BOX SCORE

Scoreboards aren’t always a beauty pageant. 

The Warriors, to close out 2025, still gave away far too many turnovers that were accompanied by perplexing decisions on Wednesday. They also let it fly from deep and found a way to end the year winning five of their last six games after beating the Charlotte Hornets 132-125 at the Spectrum Center. 

Hometown hero Steph Curry scored a team-high 26 points on 9-of-16 shooting and went 5 of 10 behind the 3-point line. Curry now has 400 career games of making at least five 3-pointers.

Draymond Green dished a season-high 12 assists, showcasing his chemistry alongside Curry all game. He was a game-high plus-18, also adding 10 points and eight rebounds. To round out the Big Three, Jimmy Butler scored 19 points, going 11 of 12 from the free-throw line, and also had five rebounds and seven assists to stuff the stat sheet.

Led by Brandin Podziemski (19 points) and Gui Santos (13 points), the Warriors’ bench shone again to outscore the Hornets’ reserves 61-29.

Each team scored with ease. The Warriors shot 55.4 percent from the field, 49 percent from three and 94.1 percent at the free-throw line. On the other side, the Hornets shot 51.6 percent from the field, 40 percent from three and went 13 of 17 on free throws (76.5 percent). 

However, the Warriors had a 24-point advantage from downtown, and six players made multiple threes.

Here are three takeaways from the Warriors’ win that pushes their record to 18-16 entering 2026.

Curry’s Charlotte Homecoming 

With his father, Dell, on the broadcast, all that was missing from a full family affair was a healthy Seth Curry. The younger of the Curry brothers remains sidelined due to sciatic-nerve issue related to his pelvis and lower back. But the elder still was ready to give his hometown fans plenty to cheer about.

Curry missed a layup and three to begin the game before draining a triple from the right wing. While being hugged and hounded wherever he went, the theatrics started to show up in the second quarter. Cheers echoed while Curry dropped 12 points and made three 3-pointers in the second quarter. 

The strategy of holding onto Curry for dear life worked for stretches and even had him showing some frustrations. Before Wednesday, Curry was averaging 27.3 points per game in Charlotte, falling just short of the mark in Year 17. 

He and Dell, in an early New Year’s Eve game, tied Dolph and Danny Schayes for the most combined games played by a father-son duo in NBA history with 2,134. They’ll stand alone when the Warriors play the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday for their first game of 2026.

Three Santos 

It could be four minutes, eight minutes or more. Steve Kerr knows what he’s getting from Santos.

The Brazilian always brings energy on both sides of the ball. When he’s hitting outside shots, the Warriors reap the benefits of a cherry on top. That hasn’t happened often this season. But it sure did in Charlotte. 

Santos came into the day shooting a career-low 30.8 percent from three. That didn’t stop him from taking advantage of wide-open space, going a perfect 4 of 4 from the field and 3 of 3 on threes in the first half for 11 points. 

“I jumped, I didn’t see anybody to pass to, but I’m glad Will showed up. I hit him, he hit me right back and I was wide open. I got to shoot that. I shot three shots, I had made all three, so I said, ‘Ahh, I gotta shoot that one too,’” Santos said to Bob Fitzgerald and Kelenna Azubuike at halftime while talking about his third three.

Yet as the Warriors watched their lead vanish in the third quarter, Santos was watching from the bench. Once he came in, he immediately grabbed a huge offensive rebound that led to two free throws for Butler. Those are the kind of intangibles that led to Santos being a plus-15 in 17 minutes off the bench with 13 points, five rebounds and two assists.

Wake-Up Call 

Breakfast with a side of basketball was an odd feeling on Wednesday morning. The Warriors clearly still were waking up and in need of Butler’s BIGFACE Coffee at the start of the game against an 11-win Hornets team. They were all tied up at 30 points apiece after the first quarter, mostly because of six Warriors turnovers that became 10 Hornets points. 

A few minutes into the second quarter, the Warriors had one of their more low-IQ sequences of the season. Following a turnover by Green where he dribbled the ball off his foot, there was a shot-clock malfunction where Moussa Diabate caught a Brandon Miller airball, but the clock reset. Refs corrected the mistake, giving the Hornets the ball out of bounds with 1.8 seconds, just for the Warriors to commit two terrible fouls – first from Gary Payton II and then Moses Moody on a Sion James 3-point attempt, to which he made two free throws.

As the Warriors went into halftime with a five-point lead behind hot shooting, they already committed 11 turnovers for 19 Hornets points. Their tendency to foul also led to the Hornets taking six more free throws than them in the first half. The Warriors started the third quarter strong, but once they held a 15-point lead, 79-64, the Hornets outscored them 36-19 the rest of the quarter to go up by two at the start of the fourth.

Giving the Hornets 28 points off 19 turnovers won’t work against better teams, which the Warriors have seen time and time again. Starting Friday, they don’t leave California until Jan. 22, giving the Warriors a stretch of games to build some real momentum.

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Sabres Should Make Big Push For Canucks Top Target

The Buffalo Sabres are on fire right now. With their 4-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Dec. 29, the Sabres have now won nine straight games. With this, they have improved to a 20-14-4 record and are fifth in the Atlantic Division standings. 

The Sabres' big winning streak has gotten them right back into the playoff race when their chances seemed low before it. With the Sabres heating up and wanting to snap their 14-year playoff drought, they should not be afraid to try to add to their roster through trading.

When looking at trade candidates around the NHL, Vancouver Canucks forward Kiefer Sherwood stands out as a very intriguing potential option for the Sabres. 

Sherwood is one of the NHL's top trade candidates as we continue to inch closer to the deadline. With the Canucks having a disappointing 2025-26 season and Sherwood being a pending unrestricted free agent (UFA), there is an expectation that the 30-year-old forward will end up being traded. With the Sabres looking to get back into the playoffs, it would make sense for them to make a push for the Columbus, Ohio native. 

If the Sabres acquired Sherwood, he would fit very nicely in their top nine due to his scoring ability and physicality. Furthermore, he would also give the Sabres another option for both their penalty kill and power play if brought in.

In 39 games so far this season with the Canucks, Sherwood has recorded 16 goals, 20 points, and 184 points. This is after he set career highs with 19 goals, 21 assists, 40 points, and 462 hits in 78 games for Vancouver during the 2024-25 campaign. With numbers like these, he would have the potential to be a very good addition for a Sabres club looking to take that next big step. 

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Columbus Blue Jackets (40 pts) vs. New Jersey Devils (42 pts) Game Preview

The Columbus Blue Jackets are back at home to take on the New Jersey Devils in the final game of the 2025 calendar year.   

New Jersey Devils - 20-17-2 - 42 Points - 4-5-1 in the last 10 - 7th in the Metro

Columbus Blue Jackets - 17-15-6 - 40 Points - 4-6-0 in the last 10 - 8th in the Metro  

Blue Jackets Stats

  • Power Play - 19.2% - 15th in the NHL
  • Penalty Kill - 75.7% - 29th in the NHL
  • Goals For - 112 - 20th in the NHL
  • Goals Against - 127 - 25th in the NHL

Devils Stats

  • Power Play - 20.6% - 11th in the NHL
  • Penalty Kill - 75.7% - 28th in the NHL
  • Goals For - 103 - 28th in the NHL
  • Goals Against - 118 - 16th in the NHL

Series History vs. TheDevils

  • Columbus is 30-22-1-3 all-time, and 17-12-0-0 at home vs. New Jersey.
  • The CBJ are 3-8-1 in the last 12 against the Devils.
  • The Blue Jackets are 1-1 against the Devils this season.

Who To Watch For TheDevils

  • Timo Meier leads the Devils with 11 goals.
  • Jesper Bratt leads New Jersey with 23 assists and 31 points.
  • Jake Allen is 10-8-1 with a SV% of .910. His last start was on December 27th.
  • Jacob Markstrom is 9-9-1 with a SV% of .884. His last start was on December 30th.

CBJ Player Notes vs.Devils

  • Mason Marchment has 2 points in 6 career games vs. New Jersey.
  • Boone Jenner has 20 points in 37 games.
  • Charlie Coyle has 12 points in 36 career games against vs. the Devils.

Injuries 

  • Erik Gudbranson - Upper Body - Missed 30 Games - IR - No timeline for a return
  • Zach Werenski - Lower Body - Missed 3 Games - IR
  • Isac Lundeström - Lower Body - Missed 2 Games - IR

TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 80

How to Watch & Listen: Tonight's game will be on FANDUEL SPORTS NETWORK. Bob Wischusen will be on the play-by-play. The radio broadcast will be on 93.3 The Bus, with Bob McElligott behind the mic doing the play-by-play. 

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