19.12.2025
Oklahoma City Thunder 122 - 101 LA Clippers
The Oklahoma City Thunder maintained their perfect home record by defeating the Los Angeles Clippers 122-101, moving to 13-0 at home. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led with 32 points, lifting the Thunder following a rare loss to the San Antonio Spurs. The Thunder, now 25-2 overall, capitalized on the Clippers' absence of James Harden, who was sidelined due to a bruised calf, causing Los Angeles to struggle with 28 turnovers, resulting in 39 points for Oklahoma City. Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams contributed 22 and 20 points, respectively, while Oklahoma City's defensive prowess was underscored by 18 steals, with Cason Wallace leading with five. The Clippers, suffering their fifth straight loss, initially led the game but fell behind after Oklahoma City outscored them 39-28 in the third quarter, with Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 19 points in that period alone.
San Antonio Spurs 119 - 94 Washington Wizards
The San Antonio Spurs secured their fourth consecutive victory with a commanding 119-94 win over the Washington Wizards, bouncing back after losing in the NBA Cup final. Rookie Dylan Harper shone with a season-high 24 points, while Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, playing restricted minutes in his third game back from a calf injury, contributed significantly with 15 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and maintained his streak of 99 consecutive games with a block. Despite a brief lead by the Wizards at 58-57 in the third quarter, the Spurs quickly regained control, sparked by a Devin Vassell three-pointer, leading to a decisive 14-2 run that extended their lead to 26 points. The victory marks San Antonio's tenth win in their last 11 regular season games, boosting their record to 19-7 as they prepare for upcoming road games against Atlanta and Washington.
Charlotte Hornets 133 - 126 Atlanta Hawks
In an exhilarating matchup, the Charlotte Hornets delivered a thrilling performance by defeating the Atlanta Hawks 133-126, highlighted by LaMelo Ball's impressive return from an ankle injury. Ball was exceptional, sinking seven first-half 3-pointers and finishing with 28 points and 13 assists, leading the Hornets to match both the NBA and franchise records with 18 first-half 3-pointers. Despite missing three games, Ball's contribution was pivotal in overshadowing Trae Young's comeback for Atlanta after a knee injury. Young, playing limited minutes, managed eight points and 10 assists. Jalen Johnson stood out for the Hawks, nearly achieving a triple-double with 43 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists. The Hornets collectively scored 24 out of 49 from beyond the arc, just shy of their franchise record. With this victory, Charlotte, now 9-18, secured back-to-back wins for only the second time this season, while the Hawks, falling to a 15-13 record, look to regroup as they host San Antonio next.
Indiana Pacers 113 - 114 New York Knicks
In a thrilling encounter, Jalen Brunson’s crucial 3-pointer with just 4.4 seconds remaining secured a 114-113 victory for the New York Knicks over the Indiana Pacers, extending their winning streak to seven games. Brunson contributed 25 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, while Mikal Bridges added 22 points and eight rebounds. Tyler Kolek set career highs with 16 points and 11 assists. Despite falling behind 28-12 early on, the Knicks rallied back, even without key players such as Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson. Andrew Nembhard led the Pacers with 31 points, but their attempts were thwarted when OG Anunoby stole the final inbound pass. Both teams were missing multiple players due to injuries, and the defeat marked the Pacers' third consecutive loss since coach Rick Carlisle’s 999th win, leaving him one shy of the 1,000-win milestone.
Brooklyn Nets 95 - 106 Miami Heat
In a much-needed victory, the Miami Heat ended their five-game losing streak by defeating the Brooklyn Nets 106-95, with standout performances from Norman Powell, who scored 24 points, and Kel’el Ware, who contributed 22 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks. Despite dealing with foul trouble, Bam Adebayo dominated the boards with 17 rebounds, while Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 19 points. This win marked Miami's second success in December after entering the month with a record number of pre-December victories. The Brooklyn Nets, fresh off a historic win against Milwaukee, struggled with their shooting, hitting under 39% from the field and just 22% from beyond the arc. Michael Porter Jr. led the Nets with 28 points, and Nic Claxton nearly netted a triple-double, yet their late-game efforts weren't enough as Miami pulled away in the final minutes, capitalizing on Brooklyn's missed opportunities.
Milwaukee Bucks 105 - 111 Toronto Raptors
Brandon Ingram's 29-point performance helped the Toronto Raptors secure a 111-105 victory over the struggling Milwaukee Bucks, marking their second consecutive road win after a prior slump. The Raptors capitalized on the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo, who missed his fifth straight game, as well as the absence of Bucks' Kyle Kuzma. Despite missing RJ Barrett and Jakob Poeltl, Toronto effectively utilized contributions from Scottie Barnes' 24 points and 11 rebounds, and Sandro Mamukelashvili's 18 points. The Bucks, with Bobby Portis scoring 24 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, as well as 22 from Kevin Porter Jr., struggled to recover a lead after Toronto countered every comeback attempt. Gradey Dick and Immanuel Quickley further cemented the Raptors' control late in the game, securing a solid win despite a late rally from Milwaukee. The Raptors now look forward to a home game against Boston, while the Bucks prepare to face Minnesota.
New Orleans Pelicans 133 - 128 Houston Rockets
The New Orleans Pelicans achieved a remarkable 133-128 overtime victory against the Houston Rockets, overcoming a franchise-tying 25-point deficit, the largest second-half comeback since the team's inception in the 2002-03 season. Saddiq Bey shone, scoring 21 of his season-high 29 points after halftime, while Trey Murphy and Herb Jones contributed 27 and 18 points, respectively. Jones also achieved a career-high with eight steals before fouling out. The Pelicans were down by 25 points in the third quarter but whittled the lead to 13 before tying the game at 117 in regulation, thanks to Bey's clutch plays. Jordan Poole added critical free throws in overtime, and Bey sealed the game with more free throws. Kevin Durant led the Rockets with 32 points, while Alperen Sengun scored 28 but failed to capitalize on key opportunities. Rookie Derik Queen's performance added depth to Houston's early lead, but ultimately, it was New Orleans' tenacity and strategic play that secured their exhilarating comeback win.
Dallas Mavericks 116 - 114 Detroit Pistons
In an exciting overtime game, the Dallas Mavericks edged out the Detroit Pistons 116-114, with Cooper Flagg leading the Mavericks with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Despite blowing an 18-point third-quarter lead, Dallas managed a comeback, capped by Anthony Davis' decisive dunk in the final minutes of overtime. Cade Cunningham shone for the Pistons, achieving his third triple-double of the season with 29 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, but struggled in the closing moments, missing crucial shots. The Pistons were hampered by the absence of two starters, Ausar Thompson, who was ejected, and Duncan Robinson, who left with a knee injury. Detroit dominated on second-chance points but suffered from a poor shooting performance from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, anticipation surrounds the Mavericks regarding the return of Kyrie Irving, still recuperating from his ACL surgery, as noted by coach Jason Kidd.
Denver Nuggets 126 - 115 Orlando Magic
In a thrilling game, the Denver Nuggets secured a 126-115 victory over the Orlando Magic, significantly led by Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. Jokic recorded another triple-double with 23 points, 13 assists, and 11 rebounds, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the all-time career assists leader among centers, setting the record with a crucial assist to Jalen Pickett. Jamal Murray dominated in the second quarter, scoring 20 of his 32 points as the Nuggets overturned a 14-point deficit with a 35-7 run. Meanwhile, Paolo Banchero stood out for Orlando with 26 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists, marking his third career triple-double. Despite Austin Rivers' absence, Murray's superb form continues, averaging 28.1 points per game in December, with standout performances like a 52-point game at Indiana. The Magic, missing key players like Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs, rallied late to close the gap but ultimately fell short, sealed by Cam Johnson’s decisive three-pointer.
Phoenix Suns 99 - 98 Golden State Warriors
In a thrilling finish, the Phoenix Suns edged out the Golden State Warriors 99-98 thanks to a crucial free throw by Jordan Goodwin with just 0.4 seconds remaining. Devin Booker led the Suns with 25 points, scoring 23 of those in a dominant second half, helping his team overcome a 62-48 deficit early in the third quarter. Dillon Brooks, who contributed 24 points, was involved in a late-game flagrant foul that nearly cost Phoenix the game. For the Warriors, Stephen Curry struggled with his shot, hitting only 3 of 13 attempts, a stark contrast to his previous 48-point game against the Trail Blazers. Despite this, Curry tied the game at 98 with two free throws with 21.7 seconds left. Jimmy Butler topped the Warriors with 31 points, while Brandin Podziemski impressed with 18 points on efficient shooting. Both teams are set to complete their home-and-home series in San Francisco on Saturday.
Utah Jazz 135 - 143 Los Angeles Lakers
Luka Doncic put on a stellar performance with 45 points, 14 assists, and 11 rebounds, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 143-135 victory over the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City. He achieved his fifth triple-double of the season and orchestrated crucial plays, including assisting Jaxson Hayes in the closing moments to secure the win. LeBron James contributed 28 points and 10 assists, even though he faced minor injuries during the game. Despite being without key players Deandre Ayton and Austin Reaves, the Lakers managed to outscore the Jazz 41-29 in the decisive fourth quarter. Hayes, remaining perfect against Utah, added 16 points, making him 26 of 26 in six games against the team. The Jazz, missing their leading scorer Lauri Markkanen, were led by Keyonte George's 33 points, while rookie Ace Bailey contributed 19 points. Although Utah shot 65% and attempted a season-high 47 free throws, the Lakers displayed resilience, sparked by a 10-0 run that shifted the momentum in their favor. Both teams face different challenges ahead, with the Lakers taking on the Clippers and the Jazz hosting the Orlando Magic.
Portland Trail Blazers 132 - 131 Sacramento Kings
The Portland Trail Blazers overcame Stephen Curry's impressive performance, including a season-high 12 three-pointers and 48 points, to secure a 136-131 victory over the Golden State Warriors, marking their third consecutive win against them this season. Jerami Grant and Shaedon Sharpe led Portland with 35 points each, contributing significantly to the team's efficient 51.3% shooting from three-point range. Deni Avdija also impressed with 26 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds. Despite the absence of key player Jrue Holiday due to a calf strain, the Trail Blazers have shown resilience. They now face the Sacramento Kings in a home-and-home series, starting Thursday. The Kings, suffering a challenging season with 20 losses in 26 games and recent injury setbacks including Zach LaVine's sprained ankle and Domantas Sabonis' knee issues, are focusing on developing young talent to rejuvenate their performance. Sacramento coach Doug Christie emphasized the importance of evaluating and nurturing young players amid these struggles.