The Pirates will welcome the visiting Wildcats, who are opening their Big East schedule.
How velocity bump put Adrian Houser in much better position this offseason
How velocity bump put Adrian Houser in much better position this offseason originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO — For a second straight year, Adrian Houser signed a contract with a new organization as the holidays approached, but the circumstances this time around couldn’t be any different.
Houser agreed to a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers last offseason, one that would give him the chance to come to spring training and try to win a job. This time around, the only question is where he’ll slot into a big league rotation at the end of March.
The Giants and Houser agreed to a two-year deal last week, and on a Zoom call with beat reporters on Monday, he said the organization’s early interest made a difference as he looked for a new home.
“It was just coming down to knowing the talent was here, and then also the front office and Buster (Posey), they were pretty adamant and pretty consistent so far up to this point throughout the offseason, keeping in constant contact,” Houser said. “I could just tell they really wanted me and after sitting down and talking through it and everything, we felt like it was going to be a really good fit.”
For the Giants, the strong interest goes back to July, when Houser loomed as an appealing option to fill a hole in the rotation in the second half. Posey ended up going into sell mode, but the rotation still needs those innings, and the hope is that Houser is on an upward trajectory. The 32-year-old is coming off his best stint in the big leagues, and he said that success goes back to last offseason, when he couldn’t find a big league job.
Houser worked with specialists in Oklahoma to make mechanical changes. He got more into his backside and changed the way he drives down a mound. He also got his hands further away from his body.
“I just felt freed up,” he said. “It was coming out a lot easier.”
The success wasn’t immediate. Houser began the season in Triple-A and got released in May, but he found a new home in Chicago, posting a 2.10 ERA and 3.34 FIP in 11 starts for the White Sox. That led to a midseason trade to Tampa Bay, and while his ERA jumped to 4.79 after the deadline, he continued to show an uptick in stuff.
Houser’s sinker averaged 95 mph in September, his highest mark in a month in six years. The pitch was up two ticks from 2024, and his entire repertoire saw similar jumps. His slider went from 83 mph to 88 mph after a grip change.
While players hit free agency and want to be rewarded for what they’ve done, teams are looking ahead and trying to find a player whose best days are ahead of him. The Giants believe that’s the case with Houser, and they certainly need to be right. To this point, he is the only addition to a rotation that finished 2025 with a big talent deficit.
Houser currently slots in as either the third or fourth starter, although that could change with another free agent addition or trade. Regardless, he’s locked into a rotation this winter, and he said he’s doing many of the same things to prepare. A year ago, he embraced the carnivore diet and occasional 72-hour fasts to get his body ready for an important spring, and that has continued, along with the work on his mechanics.
“I plan to go out there and make every start and go as deep as possible as I can in every game and try to come off the field every time with the team ahead and with a chance to win the game,” he said.
Rugby brain injury case suffers huge blow after judge rejects court appeal
Up to 80% of league and 20% of union claims face strike-out
Appeal over medical record disclosure denied on all grounds
Two appeals launched by the legal firm representing former players in rugby league and rugby union have both been denied in a significant blow to the ongoing legal action about brain damage caused by the sport. It means that after five years of legal arguments a large number of the claimants in both codes face the risk of having their cases struck out before they come to trial.
The appeal judge, Mr Justice Dexter Dias, ruled that the judge presiding over the management of the case, Senior Master Jeremy Cook, had been right to find that the claimants firm, Rylands Garth, had failed to fulfil its obligations to disclose necessary medical material to the defendants, World Rugby, the Wales Rugby Union, and the Rugby Football Union in one case, and the Rugby Football League in the other.
Continue reading...Yankees sign former Mets INF Zack Short to minor league deal
The Yankees are bringing in INF Zack Short on a minor league deal.
Short spent time with the Mets two seasons ago after being claimed off waivers from the Tigers.
The New York native was able to crack the team coming out of camp, but ended up being DFA'd after just 10 appearances.
He was traded to the Red Sox in exchange for cash considerations, but was only in Boston briefly before he was again let go and shipped off to the Atlanta Braves.
Short appeared in a combined 32 games between the two teams the rest of the year.
He elected to hit free agency at season's end, and received a minor league deal with the Astros.
The 30-year-old spent most of the year in Triple-A, logging just 22 appearances in the majors.
Now in the Bronx, he is facing a bit of an uphill battle for a roster spot, but he'll look to provide the Yankees with a versatile glove off the bench.
Short has just a career .567 OPS, but he's logged appearances at second, third, and shortstop.
Is Samuel Girard On the Brink of a Trade?
The Colorado Avalanche have established themselves as one of the NHL’s top teams.
They are riding a five-game winning streak and boast a league-best 26-2-7 record through 35 games. But even with that success on the ice, the season is reaching a point where practical considerations start to matter more—when strong results are weighed against the careful, and sometimes difficult, business decisions teams have to make.
While the Avalanche have been undeniably dominant, some analysts have pointed out a potential vulnerability on the blue line in what has been dubbed “The Two Sams.” The third-pairing defensive duo of Samuel Girard and Sam Malinski does not bring the kind of physical presence or bone-crushing hits typically seen in postseason play. While penalties are called more frequently during the regular season, officiating tends to be somewhat more lenient in the playoffs. As the stakes rise, shots become harder, hits more punishing, and success often depends on defensemen who can not only absorb that physicality but respond in kind when necessary.
Solovyov Steps Up
Ilya Solovyov, claimed off waivers from the Calgary Flames in October, was sent to the AHL’s Colorado Eagles for a conditioning assignment on December 12 and was recalled ahead of Sunday’s game in Minnesota, where the Avalanche defeated the Wild 5-1 at Grand Casino Arena.
Unlike Girard, Solovyov stands 6'3" and weighs approximately 208 pounds, compared with Girard, who is 5'10" and around 170 pounds. During the Avalanche’s 2022 Stanley Cup run, Girard missed most of the postseason after being wrecked into the boards by then–St. Louis Blues forward Ivan Barbashev, which left him with a broken sternum and forced him to sit out the remainder of the playoffs.
The Avalanche will likely need the added strength on the back end. While Girard has been an impactful defenseman for Colorado for years, he has also been mentioned in trade discussions repeatedly. Sending Solovyov on a conditioning assignment suggests the team has a clear plan for him. The extra work he has put in at both the AHL level and with Avalanche skills coach Mark Popovic behind the scenes further indicates that Colorado is preparing him to take on a larger role.
The Colorado Avalanche have ended Ilya Solovyov's conditional loan after three games. He had no points but was +1 and and had 4 SOG while playing mostly top pair minutes. #Avs#GoAvsGopic.twitter.com/ehETqm29CZ
— Hockey Mountain High (@HockeyMtnHighCO) December 21, 2025
Will the Avs Trade Girard?
It’s no secret that Jared Bednar is looking for a third-line center. Based on what we’re seeing with the defense, it seems the Avalanche want a multi-dimensional player in that role—not just someone with a quick shot, but also a significant physical presence. Colorado is clearly aiming to step things up.
After what happened in the first round last year against Dallas, and the team’s struggles to respond to the slew of penalties handed out, the Avalanche know they need players who can levy serious punishment when necessary.
Detroit’s Michael Rasmussen is a true behemoth. At 6'6" and 222 pounds, the 26-year-old former ninth overall pick from the 2017 NHL Draft would be a solid addition for Colorado. Last year, he ranked third on the Red Wings with 141 hits, and through 32 games this season, Rasmussen boasts a faceoff win percentage of 58.3—a career-high by a wide margin. He finished the 2022–23 season with a 51 percent success rate.
Acquiring Rasmussen, who carries a $3.2 million cap hit through the 2027-28 season, would give the Avalanche the third-line center they’ve been seeking. With Detroit in the market for a left-handed, puck-moving defenseman, 27-year-old Girard would be an ideal fit for the Red Wings’ system—assuming he approves the trade.
Girard is in the sixth year of his seven-year, $35 million deal. He carries a nine-team no-trade list, which isn’t public, so the Red Wings may or may not be on it. If they aren’t, the move would be a win-win for both teams.
With the arrival of Brent Burns, Girard’s ice time has decreased this season, but in Detroit, he would slot in as a top-four defenseman and help solidify the blue line. He’s a shutdown defender who can also contribute offensively from the backend. This season, he has one goal and six assists for seven points in 20 games, recording his first goal of the year on December 16 when the Avalanche defeated the Seattle Kraken 5-3.
Great finish from Sam Girard! #GoAvsGo
— Mile High Hockey (@MileHighHockey) December 17, 2025
pic.twitter.com/nkozUPPmuU
While Rasmussen has been dominant in the faceoff circle, he could benefit from a change of scenery. If the Avalanche are smart, they might also include a mid-round pick to sweeten the deal.
Here’s a proposed trade scenario:
Red Wings acquire:
Samuel Girard
Avalanche acquire:
Michael Rasmussen
2026 third-round pick
What Happens Next
This trade would allow several things to fall into place. First and foremost, the Avalanche would secure their third-line center in Rasmussen. Ilya Solovyov could step into Girard’s spot, and unlike Girard, Malinski would likely remain in place. He’s been such a vital part of Colorado’s depth this season that he’s almost untouchable. The truth is, Colorado needs Malinski more than they need Girard.
In all honesty, the Avalanche have been looking to move on from Girard for some time, but nothing has really worked out. For example, Colorado attempted to get Ryan Lindgren to agree to an extension in the days leading up to July 1, but he ultimately signed with the Seattle Kraken.
This move would also allow Jack Drury to stay in the fourth-line center role and let Ross Colton return to the wing, where he’s most effective.
It’s always fun to dig through ideas like this, but Chris MacFarland is the genius behind these deals. Let’s let him work his magic.
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Warriors' Draymond Green shades Wizards while recalling courtside trash talk
Warriors' Draymond Green shades Wizards while recalling courtside trash talk originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Draymond Green will never back down from a little trash talk.
In his latest episode of “The Draymond Green Show,” Green responded to some fan mailbag questions. One asked: “What’s the best back and forth you’ve had with a fan courtside?”
He pointed to one game at the Washington Wizards.
“I think one of the best had to be in DC a few years back. I was sleepwalking, and them guys got me going,” Green said. “I finished the game with 24 or something like that. We went on to win.”
Green said it was after the Warriors beat the Celtics in the Finals, so that would point to Golden State’s 127-118 win over Washington on Jan. 16, 2023. Green finished with 18 points.
Although his point estimate was a bit off, Green did turn it on in the fourth quarter, scoring 11 of the Warriors’ 34 points in the final frame.
He made sure the Wizards’ fans who were talking to him knew he was grateful for the motivation in an arena that wasn’t giving him much in the first place.
“They were like, ‘Draymond, you’re a bum, you’re this, you’re that.’ Like, oh really? Thank you for getting me going in this dead ass gym – that is the Washington Wizards’ home arena,” Green explained. “Thank you, I’m about to bust y’all’s ass now, and I politely did, and they shut the hell up and they did not want to talk anymore.”
“And it was absolutely incredible. I mean every play – offensively and defensively.”
Even Warriors owner Joe Lacob chimed in on the trash talk.
“That was right after we beat Boston in the Finals. And then Joe Lacob was like, ‘Alright, guys, we’re going to Boston next, I’m [going to] put you on a plane to Boston, let’s go,’” Green recalled.
The Wizards had an eight-point lead with 9:30 remaining in the game, but the fans’ trash talk might have doomed their team by waking up Green and company.
Columbus Blue Jackets (34 pts) vs. Los Angeles Kings (39 pts) Game Preview
The Columbus Blue Jackets are at Crypto.com Arena to take on the LA Kings at 10 PM.
Los Angeles Kings - 15-10-9 - 42 Points - 4-4-2 in the last 10 - 4th in the Atlantic
Columbus Blue Jackets - 14-15-6 - 34 Points - 3-6-1 in the last 10 - 8th in the Metro
Blue Jackets Stats
- Power Play - 18.8% - 18th in the NHL
- Penalty Kill - 72.9% - 30th in the NHL
- Goals For - 101 - 20th in the NHL
- Goals Against - 123 - 31st in the NHL
Kings Stats
- Power Play - 14.6% - 30th in the NHL
- Penalty Kill - 79.8% - 20th in the NHL
- Goals For - 87 - 31st in the NHL
- Goals Against - 85 - 2nd in the NHL
Series History vs. The Kings
- Columbus is 28-33-1-7 all-time, and 10-22-1-2 on the road vs. L.A.
- The home team is 6-0-2 in the last 8 games of the series.
- The CBJ went 1-1 vs. the Kings last season.
- Columbus has killed off 20 of the last 23 Kings man advantages.
Who To Watch For TheKings
- Adrian Kempe leads the Kings in goals(13), assists(17), and points(30).
- Darcy Kuemper is 10-6-6 with a SV% of .917. His last start was on December 15th.
- Former Blue Jackets Goalie Anton Forsberg is 5-4-3 with a SV% of .901. His last start was on December 18th.
CBJ Player Notes vs.Kings
- Zach Werenski has 7 points in 14 career games vs. the Kings.
- Boone Jenner has 6 points in his last 17 games against LA.
- Charlie Coyle has 16 points in 31 games.
Injuries
- Erik Gudbranson - Upper Body - Missed 27 Games - IR - No timeline for a return
- Mathieu Olivier - Upper Body - Missed 12 Games - IR- No timeline for a return - He is skating
- Miles Wood - Unknown - Missed 1 Game
TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 70
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 97.1 THE FAN, with Bob McElligott behind the mic doing the play-by-play.
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Athletics acquire veteran second baseman Jeff McNeil in trade with Mets
Athletics acquire veteran second baseman Jeff McNeil in trade with Mets originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The Athletics added a veteran presence to their young, homegrown infield.
The A’s acquired veteran second baseman Jeff McNeil for right-handed pitcher Yordan Rodriguez in a trade with the New York Mets, the team announced Monday afternoon after ESPN’s Jeff Passan first reported the news.
Passan also reported, citing sources, that the A’s will acquire McNeil and $5.75 million from New York in the deal.
To make room for McNeil on the 40-man roster, the A’s designed left-handed pitcher Ken Waldichuk for assignment.
The 33-year-old McNeil, in eight seasons with the Mets, batted .284/.351/.428 with 80 home runs and 367 RBI in 923 career games.
In 2025, McNeil batted .243/.335/.411 with 12 homers and 54 RBI in 462 plate appearances.
Selected by New York in the 12th round of the 2013 MLB Draft, McNeil was a two-time All-Star (2019, 2022) and won a Silver Slugger Award (2022) during his time with the Mets.
He now joins a young A’s infield headlined by first baseman and 2025 American League Rookie of the Year Nick Kurtz, All-Star shortstop Jacob Wilson and catcher Shea Langeliers.
Canadiens: Crosby Makes History And The Penguins Finally Win One
The Montreal Canadiens didn’t hold a morning skate or a media availability on Sunday. However, they still made the headlines when the Communications department confirmed that Samuel Montembeault wouldn’t be joining the team in Pittsburgh as initially planned. With the Becancour native staying behind and Jacob Fowler having played on Saturday night, Jakub Dobes was on duty Sunday night.
While the Canadiens managed to stave off the inevitable on Saturday night when they shutout the Pittsburgh Penguins and therefore kept Sidney Crosby off the scoresheet, they couldn’t repeat the feat on Sunday night. It took less than eight minutes for the Pens’ captain to find the back of the net and tie Mario Lemieux’s point total atop the franchise history, and less than five minutes later, he took sole possession of the title of top scorer in the team’s history.
Canadiens Soaring Rookie Has Been Big Surprise
Canadiens: Montembeault Stays With The Rocket
Canadiens: Fowler In Fantastic Company
Jekyll and Hyde
Martin St-Louis has often said over the last few seasons that the biggest challenge with such a young team is to find consistency, and in the first frame, we got a prime example of that struggle.
The Habs took the lead on a fantastic passing play at even strength. Arber Xhekaj prevented the puck from leaving the zone by poking it to Ivan Demidov, who immediately fed Juraj Slafkovsky with a cross-zone pass before he, in turn, sent it across the zone to Oliver Kapanen, who one-timed it in.
TIC-TAC-TOE#GoHabsGopic.twitter.com/OBT3booGPt
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) December 22, 2025
It was as near perfect as a passing play could be. Still, on the very next shift, with the top line and the top pairing on the ice, the Habs skated like headless chickens in their own zone, turning the puck over to the Penguins and faster than a toddler goes from a broad smile to a full-blown temper tantrum, the Canadiens had conceded the equalizer.
It’s puzzling to see the effect scoring a goal can have on this young squad at times. Instead of giving them confidence, it makes them panic and all too often, they concede the equalizer right away.
Everything That Goes Up…
Trailing by one after 20 minutes and down 14-8 shots-wise, the Canadiens stormed back at the start of the second frame. They played a smart game, didn’t take any unnecessary risks, but were ready when an opportunity presented itself. Less than four minutes into the middle stanza, it was once again the kids’ line that struck gold. Slafkovsky first fed Kapanen, who was denied, but the big Slovak sent the rebound to the Russian rookie, who one-timed it in.
Combien de buts pour ce trio avant d'appeler ça une tradition?
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) December 22, 2025
Be merry and enjoy this goal from Ivan Demidov#GoHabsGopic.twitter.com/udvFSX664O
Once again, Slafkovsky’s pass was perfect. It makes a world of difference when he takes the time to check where his pass is going. Earlier this season, he would often try no-look backhand passes and lose the puck that way, no more. He’s playing smart and safe, and he’s being rewarded for it.
That proved to be another high, and by 9:36, the Canadiens had 15 shots on net and had caught up to the Pens in that department. From then on, it was all Pittsburgh, all the time for the rest of the period. The Habs' next shot came over seven minutes later, and by that point, Pittsburgh had 25 shots.
Granted, Dobes wasn’t great on Acciari’s goal, but the netminder faced 14 shots in each of the first two frames. A team that looked lifeless for large stretches of time in Montreal on Saturday night had the energy of a cup contender in the second game of this back-to-back.
Montreal finished the second down by a goal, and while it was able to tie up the score in the third frame, it couldn’t seal the deal.
Going To Extra Time Is Playing Russian Roulette
While I’ll agree that Dobes didn’t look great in the shootout, the truth of the matter is that the Canadiens wouldn’t have needed a good effort in the shootout had they been consistent all game long. When you can’t seal the deal in regulation, you’re basically leaving the result up to luck. One wrong move and it’s over. Or luck can be on your side, and your opponent absolutely dominates overtime but hits a couple of posts, which is what happened to Montreal tonight. The Penguins win their first game in nine outings on Crosby’s big night, a real Hollywood ending if there ever was one.
Despite the loss, it’s worth mentioning that the Habs were poetry in motion on the ice in overtime. Long gone are the days of the Canadiens’ big, heavy defenseman who could punish the opposition by hitting them, but couldn’t skate. Having Lane Hutson, Mike Matheson and Noah Dobson on the same team opens a world of possibilities for St-Louis.
The Canadiens will have a day off on Monday before playing their last game before the Christmas break when they take on the Boston Bruins on Tuesday. Phillip Danault, who has now arrived in Montreal, should join them there and be in the lineup, especially if the news isn’t good for Joe Veleno, who looked very shaken up after a hard collision late in the game.
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Shaikin: Should Angels fans just give up and join the Dodgers bandwagon?
Christmas is three days away, and you’re running out of time to get a gift for the Angels fan in your life. How about a Dodgers cap?
If ever a winter posed a loyalty test, this one could. The Dodgers spent $69 million on Edwin Díaz, the best closer available in free agency, and another $2 million in championship parade costs. The Angels spent $2 million on a closer who put up an 8.23 earned-run average last season.
Next year the Dodgers will try to become the first National League team to win three consecutive World Series. The Angels will try to end baseball's longest postseason drought at 11 years, still without much of a plan beyond rushing first-round draft picks to the major leagues while treading the financial waters until Anthony Rendon’s contract runs out.
On Sunday they missed out on Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami, who signed with the 102-loss Chicago White Sox. Of the Angels’ five acquisitions this winter, three did not play in the majors last season, and not because they are up-and-coming prospects.
If you’re an Angels fan and you’re sick and tired of this, should you reconsider your loyalty?
Jim Bowden believes you should.
Bowden, formerly the general manager of the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals, serves as a baseball insider on several media platforms. On “Foul Territory” last week he suggested fans of small-market teams have an option that might be more constructive than getting angry.
In Pittsburgh, for instance, the owner would rather complain about the lack of a salary cap than spend enough money to build a winner around generational pitcher Paul Skenes.
“You don’t have to be a Pirate fan,” Bowden said. “You can retire as a Pirate fan, or trade yourself to the Dodgers.
“If you want to see your team win, right now the Dodgers have got the best chance to win a World Series again. As a fan, you can root for any team you want.
“You don’t have to root for the team in your home city. You can see the Dodgers play in your home city. They’ll come into Pittsburgh and beat you.
“If it bothers you that much, just become a Dodger fan. It’s fine.”
The Angels no longer operate as a large-market team, and their circumstances could get even more dire in the near future.
On Sunday, Sports Business Journal reported that the parent company of FanDuel Sports Network is in jeopardy of shutting down if it cannot complete a sale to streaming service DAZN. The Angels would not disappear from your screens and streams, but it likely would mean the Angels would take a big cut in local broadcast revenue for a second consecutive year.
The Dodgers’ bandwagon shows no sign of slowing. The Dodgers set a franchise attendance record last season. They offer stadium tours in English, Spanish and Japanese. They launched a fan club in Japan.
So, as a frustrated Angels fan, you could hop on that bandwagon. Or you could try another large-market team — say, the New York Mets.
Mets owner Steve Cohen is worth $23 billion, according to Forbes. When Cohen bought the Mets in 2020, he said this: “If I don’t win a World Series in the next three to five years — I’d like to make it sooner — I would consider that slightly disappointing.”
Read more:Shaikin: What the Dodgers are doing isn't normal in pro sports. Be sure to appreciate it
The Mets still have not won a World Series since 1986. On Friday he took to social media to criticize “the usual idiots misinterpreting a Post article on Mets payroll.”
On Sunday, given the Mets’ losses of Díaz and beloved slugger Pete Alonso in free agency, New York Post columnist Mike Vaccaro shot back, comparing Cohen to greatly unloved former owner Fred Wilpon in this adaptation of a Christmas carol: “Steve’s beginning to look a lot like Wilpon/Mets fans say ‘Hell, no!’/What’s the point in being so rich/And a ruthless sonofabitch/If you don’t spend dough?”
The concept of fan free agency — essentially what Bowden suggested — is not new. Every now and then some disgruntled fan will publicly disown his favorite team, then invite rival teams to suggest why he should support them. If you’re creative enough, rival teams will send you some free swag.
That level of desperation is what many Dodgers fans felt a decade and a half ago, when former owner Frank McCourt needed a loan to cover payroll, hired a Russian physicist who channeled positive energy toward the team and “diagnosed the disconnects” among baseball operations personnel, and disparaged as “un-American” the league’s refusal to approve a television contract that he said would have provided the revenue to keep the Dodgers out of bankruptcy court.
In 2011, the year McCourt took the team into bankruptcy, the Angels outdrew the Dodgers for the only time. The Dodgers fans did not bail on their team. They waited for better days.
That is where Angels fans are now — and, for that matter, where Pirates fans are too. Bowden’s suggestion that unhappy Pirates fans exhausted by the perennial futility try the Dodgers did not go over well in Pittsburgh. At the Pirates’ fan site Rum Bunter, Emma Lingan wrote: “Fandom isn’t a streaming subscription you cancel when the content gets bad.”
This year’s World Series was the best and most dramatic I ever covered. But the one that was the most fun was the 2002 World Series: the underdog Angels, the Disney team no one projected for a happy ending, rampaging through October and toppling giants. As The Times’ headline on the Game 7 victory put it: “Fantasyland!”
If you were there in 1982 and 1986, when the Angels had six chances to win one game to clinch their first World Series appearance — and lost all six — then you could have a greater appreciation of 2002. And, if you were there for McCourt bankruptcy, you can have a greater appreciation of Guggenheim majesty.
So get that Angels fan in your life an Angels cap. That fan will be able to wear that cap proudly one of these years, and all the tears will make the cap fit that much more snugly.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Hugo Gonzalez by the numbers: Inside the rookie's early impact with Celtics
Hugo Gonzalez by the numbers: Inside the rookie's early impact with Celtics originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
With more than a third of the 2025-26 season in the rearview mirror, the Boston Celtics sit third in the Eastern Conference, outkicking most pundits’ expectations after the team’s summer overhaul to a championship core and with Jayson Tatum sidelined to start the new campaign.
But if you take a step back, perhaps the most important development through the first two months of the season has been the positive gains from Boston’s stable of young wings.
From third-year wing Jordan Walsh emerging as a starter-caliber lockdown defender, to second-year Baylor Scheierman making good things happening in small doses, to 19-year-old rookie Hugo Gonzalez being an absolute energy-shifter in his floor time, the three players drafted highest by Brad Stevens over the past three years all look like they can be contributors for Boston’s next version of a title chaser.
Walsh changed the entire tenor of the season while kicking down the playing time door early in the season, and Scheierman has played in 16 straight games after a rash of DNPs in early November.
Playing time is earned not given under Joe Mazzulla, but the rookie Gonzalez has basically demanded more time given the way his play has inspired some of Boston’s best basketball over the past month.
Let’s crunch the numbers on Hugo:
+19.9
That’s the team-best net rating the Celtics have posted during Gonzalez’s 305 minutes of court time. The number that pops: Boston’s defensive rating plummets to a team-best 103 with Gonzalez on the court, or 11.7 points per 100 possessions better than the team’s season average.
+111
That’s the raw number that Boston has outscored opponents by this season with Gonzalez on the court, which is best among all rookies. Gonzalez is comfortably ahead of Philadelphia’s VJ Edgecombe (+94) and San Antonio’s Dylan Harper (+80), both of whom were top-three draft picks.
3 percent
That’s the percentage of defensive plays that Gonzalez is generating steals on, which ranks in the 98th percentile among all wings, per Cleaning the Glass data. Only Oklahoma City’s Cason Wallace and Sacramento’s Keon Ellis have higher rates at that position. Gonzalez ranks in the top 10 in steal percentage among all positions.
16.2 percent
That’s the percentage of opponent misses that Gonzalez is rebounding this season. He’s tied for seventh among all wings, with teammate Walsh. Gonzalez has tied or bested his season high in rebounds in each of the last three games, culminating with his first double-double of the year when he snagged 10 rebounds on Saturday in Toronto.
50 percent
That’s our crude estimate on the percentage of time that Gonzalez has defended a former — or soon-to-be — All-Star this season. His most-frequent matchups read like an Eastern Conference All-Star ballot: Cade Cunningham, Franz Wagner, Bam Adebayo, Brandon Ingram, Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Scottie Barnes, Tyrese Maxey and Donovan Mitchell. He’s also taken turns against West stars like Lauri Markkanen, Kevin Durant, and Austin Reaves.
Over at BBall Index, they have Gonzalez graded at an A- for overall matchup difficulty (62nd out of 501 players) and an A+ in defensive positional versatility (9th out of 501 players). Gonzalez has spent nearly as much time on centers (18.5 percent) as he has defending shooting guards (22.6 percent).
David Butler II-Imagn ImagesHugo Gonzalez consistently guards the other team’s top players.
1
Loud poster dunk produced by Gonzalez this season, when he threw down over Toronto’s Sandro Mamukelashvili on Saturday night. It ranked 11th in Dunk Score by a Celtics player this season.
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Tommy Awards won by Gonzalez on consecutive nights during Boston’s weekend back-to-back. Gonzalez now has three Tommy Awards this season.
Bowl game schedule today: Breaking down the Idaho Potato Bowl matchup on Dec. 22
Future Pac-12 opponents Washington State and Utah State face off in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl on Monday. A breakdown of the matchup.
Fairer laws passed, polluting factories shuttered, charges against innocent people dropped – and 10 more ways our US reporting made change in 2025
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After we exclusively revealed that Israel’s elite spy agency was using Microsoft technology to store recordings of millions of mobile phone calls made each day by Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, Microsoft announced it was terminating the Israeli military’s access to services used in that surveillance system. According to sources, the sweeping and intrusive surveillance program was used to shape military operations and facilitate the preparation of deadly airstrikes. Our report, in collaboration with Israeli-Palestinian publication +972 Magazine and Hebrew-language outlet Local Call, prompted protests at Microsoft’s US headquarters and pressure from employees and investors that led to the tech company’s extraordinary decision.
Continue reading...What NBA games are on Christmas Day 2025: Schedule, how to watch, preview, tipoff times
In what's become a familiar holiday tradition like unwrapping presents from under the tree, the NBA will deliver its annual gift Thursday — a full slate of Christmas Day games for the 78th edition.
Starting with a noon tipoff and running until after midnight, there are five games on Christmas Day 2025 over more than 13 consecutive hours of coverage on ABC and ESPN.
Four of the past six NBA champions will be in action: the Lakers (2020), Warriors (2022), Nuggets (2023) and Thunder (2025).
Here's the rundown of the NBA on Christmas Day, past and present (and a look at the future on NBC and Peacock):
NBA Christmas Day 2025 full schedule and how to watch
*All times listed are ET
- Cleveland Cavaliers at New York Knicks
Time: Noon. TV: ABC, ESPN - San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder
Time: 2:30 p.m. TV: ABC, ESPN - Dallas Mavericks at Golden State Warriors
Time: 5 p.m. TV: ABC, ESPN - Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers
Time: 8 p.m. TV: ABC, ESPN - Minnesota Timberwolves at Denver Nuggets
Time: 10:30 p.m. TV: ABC, ESPN
How long has the NBA played on Christmas Day?
The tradition dates to the league's second season in 1947.
Which NBA team has played the most times on Christmas Day?
The New York Knicks have played a record 57 games on Christmas Day. The Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers are tied for most Christmas Day victories with 25 apiece.
There are seven players in NBA history with at least 11 Christmas Day starts: LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Dwyane Wade, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant and Steph Curry.
Who holds the record for most points scored on Christmas Day?
Bernard King scored 60 points for the New York Knicks in a 120-114 defeat to the New Jersey Nets on Dec. 25, 1984.
Three other players have scored more than 50: Wilt Chamberlain (59 for the Philadelphia Warriors in a 136-135 double-overtime loss to the New York Knicks on Dec. 25, 1961), Luka Doncic (50 for the Dallas Mavericks in a 128-114 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Dec. 25, 2023) and Rick Barry (50 points for the San Francisco Warriors in a 124-112 victory over the Cincinnati Royals on Dec. 25, 1966).
LeBron James on Christmas Day history:
LeBron James holds multiple NBA records for points (507) and games played (19) on Christmas Day. James surpassed former teammate Dwyane Wade with his record 11th victory on Christmas Day last year (his teams are 11-8 on Dec. 25).
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.
How to watch 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 and Bravo hits on Peacock for whatever suits your mood.
What devices does Peacock support?
You can enjoy Peacock on a variety of devices. View the full list of supported devices here.
Warriors' Steve Kerr hilariously recalls emails from fan before 2025 NBA Draft
Warriors' Steve Kerr hilariously recalls emails from fan before 2025 NBA Draft originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Joe Lacob isn’t the only one in the Warriors organization getting emails from fans.
Steve Kerr, during an interview on “The Tom Tolbert Show,” recalled a particularly ridiculous email he received from a fan before the 2025 NBA Draft.
“I occasionally do [respond] but often do not. If something warrants a response, I will respond. I’m not gonna put anything out there, you know, that would be controversial,” Kerr said. “I remember last year, before the draft, I had a guy, he kept emailing me and saying, ‘just offer Dallas three firsts for Cooper Flagg.’”
Imagine if trades were as simple as that.
Nico Harrison, general manager of the Dallas Mavericks at that time, already had made a controversial trade sending Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in February. If Harrison approved the fan-proposed deal, he might have been fired much sooner than his Nov. 11 departure.
But the fan in Kerr’s inbox was adamant.
“The guy sent me like three of them, but he kept calling him Cooper Kupp,” Kerr recalled.
The 32-year-old wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks would be an interesting fit for Golden State to say the least.
Kupp does have some basketball experience playing for Davis High School in Yakima, Washington. In 2012, the now-Seahawks receiver held Sacramento Kings star Zach LaVine to four points in the first half of a state quarterfinal game.
Nevertheless, it is unclear how sending three first-round draft picks to Dallas would help Golden State acquire Kupp.
Aside from crazy trade proposals from fans, the Warriors could use a bit of a boost from a trade, just like the boost the acquisition of Jimmy Butler gave the team last season. Kerr applauded Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy for having the team primed to make such a move.
“Mike has done an amazing job as GM. He’s signed guys who have helped us on the court. He’s signed guys to good contracts that are tradeable. He’s given us the flexibility to go out and do something,” Kerr explained. “There’s no doubt at 13-and-15; we’d be foolish to sit here and say we can’t get better. So, I’m for anything that helps us get better for sure.”
The Warriors have added one more win since the time of the interview, but Kerr surely still would welcome any big improvements added via trade.
But, for all parties involved, some realistic expectations are necessary to draw up a trade that actually works.