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NBA News

Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.

Friday, January 2

Peyton Watson Becomes Must-Start Fantasy Option Amidst Nuggets' Injury Woes

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Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson has emerged as an "absolute must-start" fantasy option, benefiting from significant injuries sidelining Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, Cameron Johnson, and Jonas Valanciunas. This has led to increased usage for Watson, who posted 24 points and eight rebounds in his last outing. With DaRon Holmes II stepping in at center, Watson is expected to take on a larger role in scoring and rebounding during upcoming matchups against the Cavaliers and Nets.

Trae Young Ruled Out for Friday's Game Against Knicks Due to Quadriceps Injury

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Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (quadriceps) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Knicks. This marks his third consecutive missed game as he continues to recover from the injury. Young was previously listed as questionable but is not yet ready to return. In his absence, the Hawks are expected to rely more on Vit Krejci and Nickeil Alexander-Walker to fill the void.

Derik Queen Ruled Out for Friday's Game Against Portland with Quadriceps Injury

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New Orleans Pelicans rookie Derik Queen (quadriceps) has been ruled out for Friday's game against Portland, as reported by Will Guillory of The Athletic. The first-round pick was unable to clear his questionable status for the contest and is expected to be listed as day-to-day moving forward. In Queen's absence, the Pelicans may increase the roles of Yves Missi and Kevon Looney.

Nic Claxton Out Friday Against Wizards Due to Personal Reasons

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Nic Claxton (personal) will not play Friday against the Wizards. This is a tough blow for the Brooklyn Nets, who are already very shorthanded for the second leg of their back-to-back set. With Claxton sidelined, Day'Ron Sharpe and Danny Wolf are expected to see sizable workloads for the team.

Cam Thomas Sits Out Friday for Rest After 21-Point Performance

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Cam Thomas (rest) will not play Friday against the Wizards as part of injury maintenance for the second leg of a back-to-back set. In Thursday's loss to Houston, Thomas posted 21 points (8-13 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 2-4 FT), one rebound, and one assist in 23 minutes. The Nets are expected to lean heavily on Ziaire Williams and Terance Mann (hip) in his absence.

Nikola Jokić Out At Least Four Weeks with Hyperextended Left Knee

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Nikola Jokić is sidelined for at least four weeks due to a hyperextended left knee, impacting his MVP eligibility under the 65-game rule. The Denver Nuggets, currently 23-10 and 3rd in the West, won their first game without him. However, the team faces challenges, including Jonas Valančiūnas also missing four weeks with a calf strain, leaving DaRon Holmes as the lone healthy center. Despite a likely tumble in standings, Jokić and other key players are expected back by the All-Star break, keeping Denver's championship aspirations alive.

De'Anthony Melton Reflects on Warriors' '22 Title, Praises Curry

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Golden State Warrior De'Anthony Melton, formerly with the Memphis Grizzlies, reflected on the 2022 Western Conference semifinals against his current team. Melton stated the Warriors "had no business winning the championship" that year but "just fought" and "willed their way." He recalled the Grizzlies' strong desire to "kill the dynasty." Melton also expressed admiration for Stephen Curry's work ethic and consistent performance, noting his ability to average nearly 30 points at 37 years old.

Luka Garza's Resurgence Bolsters Celtics Bench with High Efficiency & Screen Assists

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Boston Celtics big man Luka Garza is undergoing a surprising resurgence, averaging 10.7 points and 5.8 rebounds over 22 minutes per game in the team's last six contests, where Boston holds a 5-1 record. He's shooting an efficient 55.6% from three and 72% inside the arc. The Celtics boast a remarkable +29.2 net rating with Garza on the floor in this span, and he leads the NBA with 28 screen assists, generating 67 points, over the last six games. Despite acknowledged defensive limitations, his high-effort play and improved finishing (74.2% eFG%) are significantly boosting the bench.

Kevin McCullar Contributes Key Stats to Knicks Win

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Second-year player Kevin McCullar made a notable contribution for the New York Knicks in a Saturday night win against the Atlanta Hawks, recording 13 points, eight rebounds, and two steals. Although he saw under 10 minutes of action in a subsequent loss to the Spurs, McCullar's presence adds valuable depth to the Knicks' bench. Standing 6-foot-5 with a 6-foot-9 wingspan, his size on the wing is a beneficial asset. McCullar, currently on a two-way deal, is considered an important part of the Knicks' future development plans.

Mohamed Diawara's 18-Point Outburst Boosts Knicks Bench

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New York Knicks rookie second-round pick Mohamed Diawara showcased his potential in a recent victory against the Pelicans, scoring 18 points in just 16 minutes, including four three-pointers. While he saw under 10 minutes in a subsequent loss to the Spurs, Diawara's emergence adds valuable depth to the Knicks' bench. Listed at 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-4 wingspan, his size on the wing addresses a team concern. Diawara's development is considered important for the Knicks' future, especially given his modest salary this year.

Tyler Kolek Leads Knicks' Youth Movement with Strong Play

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Tyler Kolek, the 24-year-old point guard for the New York Knicks, has emerged as a key player in the team's youth movement. He has secured a spot in the rotation, seeing crunch time minutes, and contributed significantly to recent wins. Over the past couple of weeks, Kolek delivered a 16-point, nine-assist Christmas Day performance and, filling in as a starter, recorded 20 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists against the Timberwolves. While he had 3 points in 15 minutes in a recent loss to the Spurs, his presence adds crucial depth to the Knicks' bench and is vital for the team's future development.

Thursday, January 1

Melton Happy to Return to Warriors Post-ACL Tear, Reflects on Trade

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De'Anthony Melton shared a thoughtful response to his trade from the Golden State Warriors to the Brooklyn Nets last season following an ACL tear, stating he understood it was a business decision and held no hard feelings. Having an inkling the Warriors intended to bring him back, Melton is now happy to return to the team. His 2025-26 season start has been challenging, averaging 6.7 points on 28.6% FG and 13.6% 3P, with 1.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 18 minutes over six games since his injury return, though he's impactful defensively.

Bam Adebayo Records Second Straight Double-Double with 15 Points, 14 Boards

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Bam Adebayo closed Thursday's 118-112 win over the Pistons with 15 points (5-14 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 14 rebounds, two steals, and one block over 33 minutes. Despite struggling with efficiency, he finished as Miami's fourth-leading scorer and grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds, securing his second consecutive double-double. Over his last five appearances, the 28-year-old has averaged 13.4 points, 11.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.2 steals while shooting just 40.7 percent from the field in 31.6 minutes per contest.

Amen Thompson Paces Rockets with 23 Points, Secures Fourth Straight Win

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Amen Thompson led the Houston Rockets with 23 points (10-12 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 1-1 FT), four rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block across 32 minutes in their 120-96 victory over the Brooklyn Nets. This performance marked his 12th outing with 20-plus points through 31 regular-season games and was key in securing the team's fourth consecutive win, their first in Brooklyn in seven years. Thompson has now scored at least 20 points in three of his last four outings, averaging 20.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in 33.5 minutes per tilt during that span.

Alperen Sengun Returns from Calf Strain, Scores 20 Points in Rockets' Win

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Alperen Sengun (calf) returned from a two-game absence due to a left soleus strain, playing his usual workload for the Houston Rockets. In Thursday's 120-96 victory over the Nets, Sengun amassed 20 points (8-12 FG, 4-6 FT), six rebounds, six assists, two steals, and one block over 34 minutes. This efficient outing marked his second 20-plus point game in his last five appearances. In December, the star big man averaged 23.4 points, 9.9 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 2.2 steals, and 1.3 blocks in 34.7 minutes, shooting 53.4 percent from the floor.

Anthony Davis Nears Double-Double in Return, Plays 37 Minutes

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Anthony Davis returned from a two-game absence due to right adductor soreness, playing a team-high 37 minutes for the Mavericks in their 123-108 loss to the 76ers on Thursday. He posted 13 points (6-13 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), eight rebounds, two assists, and one steal, falling two rebounds shy of his 11th double-double. Over his last 10 games, Davis has averaged 19.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 1.2 steals.

Embiid Scores 22 Points in Win Over Dallas Despite Ankle, Knee Injuries

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Joel Embiid was cleared to play Thursday against the Mavericks despite ongoing ankle and knee injuries. He then played 35 minutes, contributing 22 points (9-18 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 4-5 FT), six assists, four rebounds, and one block in the 76ers' 123-108 win. Embiid, who averaged 25.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists in December, has played 38 and 35 minutes in his last two outings. The 76ers conclude their road trip Saturday against the Knicks.

VJ Edgecombe Posts 23 Points, Four Steals in 76ers' Win Over Mavericks

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VJ Edgecombe registered 23 points (9-14 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 2-3 FT), five rebounds, two assists, four steals, and one block over 40 minutes during the 76ers' 123-108 win over the Mavericks. The rookie first-rounder displayed his defensive chops, with his four steals matching a career high. He finished as the 76ers' second-leading scorer behind Tyrese Maxey (34 points) and has logged at least 23 points in five of his last seven outings. Over his last 10 appearances, Edgecombe has averaged 19.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.7 threes, and 1.3 steals over 36.1 minutes per game.

Maxey Nears Triple-Double with 34 Points, 10 Assists; Continues Dominant Run

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Tyrese Maxey delivered a dominant performance for the 76ers against the Mavericks, recording 34 points (14-24 FG, 4-10 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 10 assists, eight rebounds, two steals, and two blocks in 42 minutes. He was just two rebounds shy of his second career triple-double, marking his second consecutive double-double with at least 30 points and 10 assists, including 11 points in the fourth quarter. Since returning from a two-game illness absence, Maxey has averaged 29.1 points, 7.1 assists, 3.6 rebounds, 3.7 threes, and 2.0 steals over 40.0 minutes per game across seven games.

Durant Logs Season-High 11 Assists, 22 Points in Rockets' Win

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Kevin Durant delivered a strong performance for the Houston Rockets in their 120-96 win, logging 22 points (8-15 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 4-4 FT), a season-high 11 assists, and five rebounds in 37 minutes. This marks his ninth consecutive game with at least 22 points and his second double-double of the season. Separately, Durant expressed sympathy for Nikola Jokic's recent injury, noting he has experienced similar injuries twice in his career.