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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
P.J. Washington (right foot) is listed as questionable for Thursday's Christmas Day game against the Warriors. The veteran forward was unable to play against the Nuggets on Tuesday due to the injury but has a chance to return. If Washington is not given the green light to play, Naji Marshall would likely start in the frontcourt alongside Anthony Davis and Cooper Flagg for the Mavericks.
Chet Holmgren (face) is not listed on the injury report ahead of Thursday's game against the Spurs, indicating he has been cleared to play. Holmgren was forced to leave in the fourth quarter of Tuesday's loss to San Antonio due to a facial injury but will be available for the rematch. In eight games since December 2, Holmgren has averaged 18.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.6 threes, and 1.4 blocks over 26.8 minutes per game.
Evan Mobley (calf) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Knicks. The Cavaliers' big man has been sidelined since December 12 with a Grade 1 left calf strain, an injury typically requiring about two weeks for recovery. His potential return on Christmas Day would be a significant boost, though his official status won't be known until closer to the 12:00 p.m. ET tipoff. A return would likely move Dean Wade to the bench.
Luka Dončić (leg contusion) is expected to play in Thursday's game against the Rockets. The Lakers star suffered the injury during Saturday's loss to the Clippers and subsequently missed Tuesday's game against the Suns. His anticipated return is a positive development for the team and fantasy managers.
New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (ankle) has been cleared to play on Christmas Day, not appearing on the injury report for Thursday's game against the Cavaliers. He had missed Monday's game against the Timberwolves due to left ankle soreness. Anunoby previously missed nine games with a left hamstring strain, returning December 5th. Since his return, he's averaged 15.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.9 threes, 1.6 steals, and 0.9 blocks in 32.4 minutes per game.
James Nnaji, whose NBA Draft rights are owned by the New York Knicks, has reportedly enrolled at Baylor University and is immediately eligible to play college basketball. The 21-year-old center, listed at 6-foot-11, 250 pounds, previously played overseas for five years and was part of the Knicks' 2025 Summer League team, averaging 3.2 points and 3.6 rebounds. Nnaji was the 31st pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, with his rights acquired by the Knicks in October 2024. He is expected to provide a significant boost for Baylor.
Denver Nuggets forward Cameron Johnson (knee) is expected to miss 'some time' after being diagnosed with a bone bruise in his right knee. Johnson exited Tuesday's 131-130 loss to the Mavericks. The team is set to begin a seven-game road trip Saturday in Orlando, and it remains uncertain if he will be able to return at any point during this stretch. With Johnson likely sidelined for at least the next few contests, Tim Hardaway and Bruce Brown could see increased roles.
Jalen Brunson (ankle) has been cleared to play in Thursday's Christmas Day game against the Cavaliers, as reported by Shams Charania of ESPN. Brunson was held out of Tuesday's loss to the Timberwolves due to a lingering right ankle injury but will make his return to the lineup, which means Tyler Kolek will revert to the bench. Across his nine outings in December, Brunson has averaged 30.3 points on 49.0 percent shooting (including 38.0 percent from three on 7.9 3PA/G), 7.2 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 0.9 steals over 36.9 minutes per game.
Victor Wembanyama, returning from a calf strain, is being cautiously managed by the Spurs, playing 20.8 minutes per game over their last five undefeated contests. Despite limited court time, the 21-year-old phenom is averaging 17.8 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 2 blocks, showcasing near All-Star numbers. He's emerging as a top rebounder (11.8 RPG) and the league's best defender. With Wembanyama extension-eligible after this season, the San Antonio Spurs, currently 2nd in the West, are evaluating roster moves to add another star before his potential 2027-28 cap hit.
NBA free agent Ben Simmons, 29, has purchased a controlling stake in the South Florida Sails Angling Club, a professional sports fishing team. The three-time NBA All-Star, who played 51 games for the Nets and Clippers last season, was unable to secure an NBA contract for the current season but remains hopeful for a return. Simmons, who developed a love for fishing in Australia, stated his belief in investing in passions. He joins other notable investors in the 16-team Sports Fishing Championship, a league with 16 annual tournaments.
Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson is back in the Bay Area ahead of Thursday's Christmas Day game against his former team, the Golden State Warriors. Thompson, in his second season with the Mavericks (12-19), has been posting career-low numbers, averaging 11.1 points on 36.9% shooting from the field and 35.3% from three-point range in 28 games. He started the first seven games but has since come off the bench in 20 of 21 contests. He was also seen boating with Megan Thee Stallion.
LeBron James has significantly reoriented his offensive style, embracing an off-ball role with the Lakers. He's posting career-low usage and on-ball percentages, with over half his buckets now assisted. While effective in transition (63.6% FG) and elite in post-ups (1.226 points per possession, a career-high), he's struggled as a spot-up shooter (8-for-25 from three). With Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves battling injuries, James may need to increase his scoring, having recently averaged 30 PPG over a three-game road trip. The Lakers' defense, however, remains a concern, ranking 25th overall.
Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg has transformed his game, thriving since shifting from point guard to an off-ball finisher. In 23 games, he's averaged 20.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.0 blocks on 51% shooting. His production has surged to 24.1 PPG and 4.8 APG on 53% shooting (58% on 2-pointers) with a .608 true shooting percentage over the last 12 games. Flagg has also become Dallas' go-to player in crunch time, posting 51% FG and 83% FT, with a 25.5% clutch usage rate. Despite needing to develop his jumper and strength, the 19-year-old is already a 'monster' talent.
The New York Knicks reportedly have interest in Donte DiVincenzo, whom they 'hated losing' in the Karl-Anthony Towns trade. However, sources indicate that a potential trade for DiVincenzo is 'highly unlikely' to materialize. Significant movement on this front has not been observed, as the Knicks would need to part with key players like Josh Hart or Mitchell Robinson to facilitate a deal, which they are reportedly unwilling to do. This suggests DiVincenzo is unlikely to return to New York despite their interest.
Memphis Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama erupted for a career-high tying 37 points (13-21 FG, 7-13 3Pt, 4-7 FT) during Tuesday's 137-128 win over Utah. He added five rebounds, seven assists, and one steal in 34 minutes. Aldama's seven made three-pointers marked a new career high. This performance ties his previous career best set just last Saturday. Despite an inconsistent role, Aldama has shown impressive peaks, averaging 16.3 points, 6.3 boards, 3.5 assists, 2.1 threes, and 1.4 combined steals/blocks over his last 15 games (six starts), shooting 50.5% from the field.
Tyler Kolek made his first career NBA start Tuesday against the Timberwolves, filling in for the injured Jalen Brunson (ankle). He delivered an impressive performance, racking up 20 points (9-22 FG, 2-6 3Pt), 11 rebounds, eight assists, and three steals across 31 minutes in the 115-104 loss, finishing two assists shy of a triple-double. Kolek has earned an expanded role, averaging 7.0 points, 5.0 assists, and 3.8 rebounds over 19.8 minutes in his last four outings prior to this start. He is expected to return to a bench role if Brunson plays Thursday.
Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves to a 115-104 victory over the Knicks, delivering a dominant scoring effort with 38 points (15-27 FG, 4-10 3Pt, 4-6 FT). In 37 minutes, he also recorded four steals, two assists, one rebound, and one block. This marked his 13th 30-plus point performance of the season, maintaining his career-high pace of 28.7 points through 23 games. Edwards is set to face the Nuggets in a Christmas showdown on Thursday.
Kawhi Leonard delivered a dominant performance, scoring 41 points—his highest total since December 2023—to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a 128-108 victory over the Rockets. Leonard also contributed 8 rebounds and 5 assists, shooting an efficient 16-of-23 from the field. This win marks the first time the Clippers have secured back-to-back victories since October, with coach Tyronn Lue attributing the team's recent success to Leonard's healthy state. Leonard started strong, tallying 18 points on 8-of-12 shooting in the first half.
Dallas Mavericks' Anthony Davis tallied 31 points (12-19 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 6-6 FT), nine rebounds, four assists, and three steals in 36 minutes during Tuesday's 131-130 victory over the Nuggets. He was instrumental in the narrow win, falling just one rebound shy of extending his double-double streak to five games. Davis has been excellent in December, averaging 22.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 1.0 steals across eight appearances. He looks to continue this momentum into a Christmas matchup against the Warriors.
Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam totaled 15 points (6-10 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 2-8 FT), nine rebounds, two assists, and one steal in 33 minutes during Tuesday's 111-94 loss to the Bucks. After scoring 20-plus points in his last three outings, Siakam tied his season low in shot attempts and finished with 15 or fewer points for only the fifth time in 29 games. Despite a less aggressive offensive night, he led the Pacers in rebounds and delivered an efficient performance.
