NBA roundup: Spurs knock off Thunder in matchup of West's best
Wed Dec 24 1:09am ET
Field Level Media
Keldon Johnson poured in 25 points off the bench and Stephon Castle added 24 as the host San Antonio Spurs waylaid the Oklahoma City Thunder 130-110 on Tuesday in a matchup of teams with the best records in the Western Conference.
The Spurs have won seven straight for the first time since a nine-game run in the 2018-19 season. Two of the victories in the current run came against Oklahoma City, the league's top team all season.
Harrison Barnes scored 20 points for San Antonio, with Devin Vassell hitting for 17 and Victor Wembanyama scoring 12 off the bench. Wembanyama did not have a blocked shot, snapping a 101-game streak with at least one block.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander produced 33 points and eight assists for the Thunder, who have dropped three of their past five following a 24-1 start. Jalen Williams added 17 points and eight assists.
Mavericks 131, Nuggets 130
Cooper Flagg finished with a game-high 33 points along with nine rebounds and nine assists and Anthony Davis added 31 points and nine rebounds as Dallas halted Denver's franchise-best road winning streak at 11.
Naji Marshall scored 15 points, Ryan Nembhard chipped in 11 points and seven assists and Brandon Williams, Caleb Martin and D'Angelo Russell all scored nine points off the bench for the Mavericks.
Jamal Murray led the way for the Nuggets with 31 points, a season-high 14 assists and seven rebounds. Nikola Jokic added 29 points, 14 assists and seven rebounds. Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 23 points on a season-high-tying seven 3-pointers and fellow reserve Bruce Brown filled up the statsheet with 13 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block.
Hornets 126, Wizards 109
LaMelo Ball scored 23 with the help of four 3-point baskets and Charlotte beat visiting Washington.
Brandon Miller poured in 20 points and Kon Knueppel provided 15 of his 19 points in the second half as the Hornets used a strong fourth quarter to secure the win. Miles Bridges added 10 points, nine rebounds and nine assists, while Moussa Diabate scored 12 points and grabbed a career-high 18 rebounds.
Khris Middleton led Washington with 16 points, Marvin Bagley III had 15 points off the bench, and Bilal Coulibaly and CJ McCollum both finished with 14 points.
Cavaliers 141, Pelicans 118
Donovan Mitchell scored 27 points and Sam Merrill tied his season high with 22 points and made six 3-pointers as Cleveland pulled away for a victory over visiting New Orleans.
Cleveland had nine players reach double digits in points for the second time in franchise history. Jaylon Tyson scored 18 points, Thomas Bryant had 15 points and Jarrett Allen logged 14 points and nine rebounds for the Cavaliers, who won consecutive games for the first time since Nov. 21-23.
Zion Williamson scored 26 points in 21 minutes off the bench for the Pelicans, who had their season-best winning streak snapped at five games. Rookie Derik Queen posted 19 of his 21 points in the second half, while Trey Murphy III chipped in 14 points.
Suns 132, Lakers 108
Dillon Brooks scored 25 points, Devin Booker went for 21 points and 11 assists, and host Phoenix rolled past Los Angeles, which was playing without the injured Luka Doncic.
After taking the lead for good late in the first quarter, the Suns steadily built on their advantage and blew the game open with a 45-point third quarter. Phoenix went on a 16-4 run coming out of intermission and held Los Angeles to just one made field goal for the first three-plus minutes of the second half.
Four Suns knocked down multiple triples, led by Royce O'Neale's 4-of-5 shooting from deep. Mark Williams finished with 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the field and grabbed a team-high nine rebounds. LeBron James led the Lakers with 23 points.
Bulls 126, Hawks 123
Coby White scored 24 points and made the go-ahead free throw following an away-from-the-ball foul with 1.9 seconds left to give visiting Chicago a come-from-behind win over Atlanta.
Chicago earned its fourth consecutive win and swept the three-game season series with Atlanta. The Hawks took their fourth straight loss. Vucevic had 21 points and 10 rebounds, and Josh Giddey recorded 19 points, 11 rebounds and 15 assists for his seventh triple-double of the season.
Atlanta was led by Jalen Johnson with 24 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds, his 11th straight double-double. Trae Young added 22 points and 15 assists, and Alexander-Walker finished with 21 points.
Bucks 111, Pacers 94
Kevin Porter Jr. scored 24 points to help Milwaukee top host Indiana in Indianapolis, handing the Pacers their sixth straight loss while snapping the Bucks' own three-game skid.
Ryan Rollins added 23 points for the Bucks while Kyle Kuzma scored 15 and Bobby Portis finished with 14 points and nine rebounds for Milwaukee. Myles Turner chipped in 10 points in the win against his former team.
T.J. McConnell led Indiana with 16 points, followed by Pascal Siakam's 15 and Andrew Nembhard's 14.
Nets 114, 76ers 106
Michael Porter Jr. scored 25 of his 28 points in the first half as visiting Brooklyn topped Philadelphia.
Egor Demin added 20 points for Brooklyn, which improved to 6-3 in its last nine games. Nic Claxton chipped in with 16 points and 10 rebounds for the visitors.
Joel Embiid led Philadelphia with 27 points, while Paul George contributed 19 points. Tyrese Maxey, who came into the night averaging 31.7 points, was limited to 13 points on 3-of-14 shooting as the Sixers lost for just the third time in their last nine games.
Timberwolves 115, Knicks 104
Anthony Edwards scored 38 points and Julius Randle logged 17 of his 25 in the fourth quarter as Minnesota topped visiting New York.
Rudy Gobert added 11 points and 16 rebounds as the Timberwolves won for the 10th time in 12 games. Randle caught fire against his old team in the fourth quarter, at one point scoring 15 straight points and flexing for the crowd.
The Knicks played without starters Jalen Brunson (right ankle injury management) and OG Anunoby (left ankle soreness). Karl-Anthony Towns got a warm reception from the Minnesota crowd that remembered him from his days with the Wolves, and he kept New York close with a game-high 40 points before fouling out late in the fourth quarter. Tyler Kolek made his first NBA start for the Knicks, filling in for Brunson, and finished with career-high totals of 20 points and 11 rebounds to go with eight assists. New York took just its third loss in 14 games.
Raptors 112, Heat 91
South Florida native Scottie Barnes scored a game-high 27 points and added eight rebounds and four assists to lead Toronto past host Miami.
Barnes, held to just six points in his previous game, made 10 of 14 shots. Immanuel Quickley added 18 points, seven assists and five rebounds as Toronto snapped a two-game losing streak. Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles had an impressive game, leading all players with nine offensive rebounds. He finished with 11 points and a career-high 12 total boards in 25 minutes off the bench.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored 21 points off the bench as the Heat lost their third straight and their eighth in nine games. Miami also got 17 points from Norman Powell and 14 from Andrew Wiggins. The Heat played without All-Star guard Tyler Herro (toe injury) as well as Nikola Jovic (elbow) and Pelle Larsson (ankle).
Grizzlies 137, Jazz 128
Santi Aldama scored a career-high-tying 37 points, Jaren Jackson Jr. added 21 and GG Jackson scored 18 with nine boards to lead Memphis past Utah in Salt Lake City.
Aldama's total included a career-best seven 3-pointers to go with seven assists and five rebounds. He was 13 of 21 from the field. Memphis also got a double-double of 11 points and a career-high 13 assists from Cam Spencer. Memphis shot 55.7% overall and 42.2% from long range (19 of 45).
Kyle Filipowski led the Jazz with 25 points and 13 rebounds. Keyonte George contributed 24 points and Taylor Hendricks scored 21. Rookie Ace Bailey added 17 points for Utah, which lost its fourth straight.
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Detroit Pistons guard/forward Caris LeVert (knee) will be active on Tuesday against the Sacramento Kings, as the team has upgraded him from questionable to available. Due to his knee problem, Detroit has regularly listed LeVert on the injury report this season, but he has missed only three games since the start of November. Sadly, the 10-year veteran is averaging under 10 points per game for the first time since his rookie campaign, and his recent performances have been especially disappointing. LeVert has failed to make a field goal in back-to-back games, totaling just two points.
Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III (knee) will miss Tuesday's encounter with the Orlando Magic. The injury-prone big man will get the night off to rest his bad knee after making a fourth consecutive appearance in Monday's loss to the Detroit Pistons. With Williams III sidelined, Duop Reath will probably get a slight bump in playing time behind starting center Donovan Clingan. The Portland bigs are in a tricky spot on Tuesday, as Orlando generally contains centers well. However, Goga Bitadze's (knee) absence will work in their favor.
Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac (hip) will be available on Tuesday night against the Portland Trail Blazers. The defensive specialist is managing a hip injury and was initially considered questionable for the game. With Franz Wagner (ankle), Tristan da Silva (shoulder), and Goga Bitadze (knee) shelved, Isaac may play a more important role for Orlando on Tuesday. However, due to his injury history, Isaac hasn't logged 20-plus minutes in a game since February, so he's unlikely to see enough court time to matter for fantasy managers.
Orlando Magic forward Tristan da Silva (shoulder) won't play on Tuesday versus Portland, marking his fourth-straight absence. He was getting consistent work before injuring his shoulder in the loss to the New York Knicks on December 13. However, now that da Silva will miss another contest, Jett Howard and Noah Penda should remain more involved, even if Jonathan Isaac (hip) sheds his questionable designation and suits up. With that said, Howard and Penda aren't reliable contributors, so fantasy managers shouldn't consider either player for streaming purposes.
Memphis Grizzlies point guard Javon Small (toe) has been cleared to return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Utah Jazz. He landed on the shelf in early November due to a toe injury. The second-round pick has not seen much usage during his rookie campaign, averaging 12.4 minutes per game. Currently, he has a chance to play a more prominent role in the rotation, as Memphis hits the court on Tuesday without several backcourt players. It's a perfect matchup for Small, as Utah gives up the second-most fantasy points to point guards.
Memphis Grizzlies guard/forward Vince Williams Jr. (knee) will be out of action for a third consecutive game on Tuesday against the Utah Jazz. He is dealing with left patellar tendinitis, and it's unclear if Williams Jr. can return to the lineup before the calendar flips to 2026. Williams Jr. has joined a long list of injuries for Memphis, making players like Cam Spencer, Jaylen Wells, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope more appealing fantasy options.
Orlando Magic center Goga Bitadze (knee) won't play on Tuesday against Portland. This will be his first absence of the year. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day, with his next chance to suit up coming on Friday versus the Charlotte Hornets. Without Bitadze in the mix, that could mean even more minutes for Wendell Carter Jr. Jonathan Isaac (hip) might also spend time in the middle, although the Magic may need to run smaller than usual if he isn't available.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard/forward Aaron Wiggins (adductor) has been upgraded to available for Tuesday's matchup against the San Antonio Spurs. He was initially listed as questionable for the game. Wiggins has missed two contests due to an adductor injury. His return comes at a good time, as the Thunder have lost Ajay Mitchell (concussion) from the rotation for Tuesday night. While Wiggins' numbers tend to fluctuate, he has done a decent job for his team, averaging 11.9 points and 3.1 rebounds for the season, with 40.7 percent shooting from beyond the arc.
Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (heel) won't play on Tuesday against Utah, marking his first absence of the 2025 campaign. The Grizzlies are also down Ja Morant (ankle), Brandon Clarke (calf), and Vince Williams Jr. (knee), meaning fantasy managers could see additional statistical contributions from Jaylen Wells, Cam Spencer, Jaren Jackson Jr., Santi Aldama, and Jock Landale, making them all must-start fantasy options on Tuesday night. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who had 16 points in Monday's loss to OKC, should also be more involved than usual.
San Antonio Spurs forward/center Victor Wembanyama (calf) will be active on Tuesday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The team initially listed Wembanyama as questionable for the game but has now upgraded him to available. Wembanyama has not played more than 25 minutes in five games since returning from a calf injury. Yet, he has still averaged a double-double, producing 19.3 points and 10.3 rebounds. His first game back from injury was against the Thunder, and even the NBA's best defense couldn't handle him, as Wembanyama finished his comeback game with 22 points and nine rebounds in 21 minutes.
Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine (ankle) will be re-evaluated in one week. He's already missed three games as a result of a sprained left ankle. Fortunately, he's progressing, although the latest update means he won't suit up for upcoming meetings with the Pistons, Mavericks, Lakers, and Clippers, at the very least. With Domantas Sabonis (knee) also sidelined, DeMar DeRozan and Keegan Murray will need to do even more of the heavy lifting on the offensive end. Russell Westbrook, averaging 14.9 points, 7.7 assists, 7.6 boards, and 1.6 steals in 23 starts this season, should also continue to benefit statistically while LaVine isn't on the floor.
Phoenix Suns guard/forward Grayson Allen (knee) will sit out a third consecutive game on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Lakers. His status has been downgraded from doubtful to out. Royce O'Neale figures to remain in the starting lineup as Allen's replacement, while Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin also have a larger workload without him. From a fantasy perspective, Gillespie has been the best of the bunch, averaging 14.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.6 steals in December.
Dallas Mavericks guard Jaden Hardy will start on Tuesday versus Denver. With Klay Thompson (knee), P.J. Washington (foot), and Max Christie (illness) sidelined, the Mavs need others to step up. This will be Hardy's first start of the 2025 campaign. Although he hasn't been productive this season, he certainly has more than enough streaming potential to justify starting him in all fantasy formats. In three starts last season, he averaged 14.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.3 steals.
Dallas Mavericks center Dwight Powell (illness) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Denver Nuggets. The Canadian big man has to sit this one out due to illness. However, Powell has not been in the rotation recently, so his absence likely won't change Dallas' plans. Anthony Davis and Daniel Gafford will head out for a fascinating battle in the middle against Nikola Jokic and Jonas Valanciunas. This season, Denver has held opposing centers to the ninth-fewest fantasy points in the league.
Denver Nuggets center Jonas Valanciunas (illness) will be in action on Tuesday against the Dallas Mavericks. The team has upgraded him from probable to available. Despite dealing with an illness, Valanciunas posted a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double in just 16 minutes during Monday's win over the Utah Jazz. It could be another good bench outing for the Lithuanian giant on Tuesday, as Dallas gives up the second-most rebounds to second-unit players.
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Klay Thompson (knee) will skip the second leg of a back-to-back on Tuesday night against the Denver Nuggets. The veteran gets some well-deserved rest after producing one of his best outings of the season in Monday's loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. Thompson posted 20 points with five makes from downtown. Since Thompson has only sat out games during back-to-back sets this season, it appears likely he will be available to return on Christmas Day against the Golden State Warriors. With Thompson and Max Christie (illness) sidelined on Tuesday, D'Angelo Russell may see increased usage.
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (oblique) won't play on Tuesday versus the New York Knicks. He suffered an oblique contusion in Sunday's win over the Milwaukee Bucks. Fantasy managers will need to await an update ahead Minnesota's next contest, which will be on Christmas night against the Denver Nuggets. For now, Naz Reid should see more work, potentially entering the starting lineup, giving him an even higher upside for fantasy participants.
Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson (side) has been cleared to play in the second leg of a back-to-back on Tuesday against the Dallas Mavericks. He returned from a two-game absence in Monday's win over the Utah Jazz, registering an impressive 20 points in 28 minutes. With Watson returning to the lineup, Tim Hardaway Jr. shifted to a bench role but remained effective, netting 21 points with six triples.
Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Darius Garland (quadriceps) will be active against the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday. He played 30 minutes in Monday's win over the Charlotte Hornets and was initially listed as questionable for Tuesday's matchup. This will be the first time this season that Garland appears in both games of a back-to-back set. On Tuesday, Garland may struggle to produce his usual numbers, as New Orleans has posted good defensive numbers against opposing point guards, giving up the seventh-fewest fantasy points to the position.
Dallas Mavericks guard Max Christie (illness) won't play on Tuesday versus Denver, marking his second-straight absence. Under normal circumstances, his absence wouldn't be a significant concern. However, with Klay Thompson (knee) and P.J. Washington (foot) sidelined, Christie could have seen additional action. Fortunately, Brandon Williams (ankle) is available, which will help. D'Angelo Russell should also see more work while Williams is on the shelf. His next chance to suit up will be on Thursday for the Christmas clash with the Golden State Warriors.
