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

Saturday, December 20, 2025

Avdija Posts 24 Points, 10 Assists, Seven Rebounds in Win

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Deni Avdija delivered another strong performance for the Portland Trail Blazers, recording 24 points (6-18 FG, 3-9 3Pt, 9-10 FT), 10 assists, seven rebounds, and one steal in 40 minutes during Saturday's 98-93 victory over the Kings. This outing contributes to his recent averages of 25.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.6 blocks, and 2.4 three-pointers over his last 27 regular-season games, earning a fourth-round valuation. The team improved to 12-16 on the season.

LeBron James Scores Season-High 36 Points in Lakers Loss

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Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James delivered a season-high 36 points during Saturday's 103-88 defeat to the Clippers. Despite James's scoring effort, the Lakers fell short in a game where Luka Doncic exited with a left leg contusion in the first half, becoming the latest in a growing list of ailing Lakers players. James's performance was a bright spot amidst a challenging night for the team, which also saw Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves, Deandre Ayton, and Gabe Vincent sidelined due to various injuries.

Luka Dončić Ruled Out with Leg Contusion vs. Clippers

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Luka Dončić was ruled out for the second half of Saturday's game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers due to a leg contusion. The Lakers confirmed the injury just before the start of the second half, preventing Dončić from returning to the court for the remainder of the contest. This unexpected exit impacts the Lakers' lineup against the Clippers.

Clippers Rule Ivica Zubac Out with Left Ankle Injury vs Lakers

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Clippers starting center Ivica Zubac suffered a left ankle injury during Saturday's game against the Lakers and did not return. He limped to the locker room after rolling his ankle, unable to put much weight on it. The Clippers have officially ruled him out for the remainder of the game. Zubac is considered questionable for Tuesday's game against the Rockets. If he needs to miss time, John Collins and Brook Lopez could benefit from increased roles.

Trey Murphy Scores 17 Points, Six Rebounds in Pelicans' Win

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Trey Murphy supplied 17 points (5-8 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 5-5 FT), six rebounds, and four assists across 33 minutes during Saturday's 128-109 victory over the Pacers. This marked the first time he didn't reach the 20-point mark since Nov. 26. Murphy delivered a solid stat line and is expected to remain one of the Pelicans' go-to options on offense as long as he stays healthy.

Devin Booker's 38 Points Not Enough in Suns' Loss to Warriors

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Devin Booker produced 38 points (13-27 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 10-12 FT), five assists, one rebound, three steals, and two blocks in 38 minutes during Saturday's 119-116 loss to Golden State. Despite his strong performance, Booker's heroics weren't enough as the Suns dropped to 15-13 on the season. Through 25 regular-season appearances, Booker is averaging 25.6 points, 6.4 assists, 4.2 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 1.7 three-pointers, shooting 45.7% from the field.

Kyshawn George Logs 28 Points, Seven Assists in Wizards' Comeback Win

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Kyshawn George logged 28 points (10-16 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 5-5 FT), seven assists, seven rebounds, one steal, and one block in 39 minutes during Saturday's 130-122 comeback win over the Grizzlies. The Wizards rallied from a 20-point deficit. George continues to excel, averaging 15.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.3 blocks, and 2.0 three-pointers over his last four games, making him a top-60 player in nine-category formats.

Stephen Curry Double-Doubles with 28 Points, 10 Rebounds in Warriors' Win

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Stephen Curry produced 28 points (9-19 FG, 4-11 3Pt, 6-7 FT), 10 rebounds, six assists, and one steal across 35 minutes during Saturday's 119-116 win over the Suns. Curry scored a crucial reverse layup with 5.7 seconds remaining, helping the Warriors end their three-game losing streak. He bounced back from a 15-point performance in the previous game against Phoenix. This season, Curry averages 28.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 5.0 triples, and 1.3 steals per contest. He was also involved in an interaction with Dillon Brooks earlier in the week.

Jaren Jackson Scores 22 Points, Eight Rebounds in Grizzlies' Loss

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Jaren Jackson produced 22 points (7-18 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 5-7 FT), eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals in 32 minutes during Saturday's 130-122 loss to Washington. Jackson was a bright spot for Memphis, but the team had a miserable finish, snapping their two-game winning streak. Jackson is currently trending up, posting averages of 27.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.7 steals, 2.7 blocks, and 3.0 three-pointers over his last three games.

Cunningham Records Third Triple-Double of Season in Pistons' Win

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Cade Cunningham delivered his third triple-double of the season, and 14th of his career, with 22 points (9-20 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and two steals in 36 minutes during Saturday's 112-86 victory over the Hornets. The 24-year-old is currently achieving career highs in points (27.0), assists (9.2), and rebounds (6.4) this season, ranking within the top-15 in 8-cat leagues.

Williamson Matches Season-High 29 Points in Just 23 Minutes Off Bench

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Zion Williamson tallied 29 points (9-14 FG, 11-13 FT), seven rebounds, one assist, and one steal in just 23 minutes during Saturday's 128-109 victory over Indiana. Despite coming off the bench for the third consecutive game and playing only three minutes in the final quarter, Williamson matched his season high in points, showcasing his efficiency and impact on the court.

Durant Drops 31 Points, Hits Season-High Five Threes in Rockets' Win

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Kevin Durant recorded 31 points (8-14 FG, 5-6 3Pt, 10-11 FT), six rebounds, five assists, and one block across 40 minutes during Saturday's 115-101 win over the Nuggets. The 37-year-old superstar topped 30 points for the second straight game, with his five made three-pointers marking a season high. Durant has had a strong start to December, averaging 26.9 points, 5.1 assists, 4.5 boards, 2.5 threes, and 1.5 blocks through the first eight games this month.

Maxey Explodes for 38 Points, Delivers Clutch Buckets in 76ers' Win

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Tyrese Maxey led the Philadelphia 76ers with 38 points (15-31 FG, 5-11 3Pt, 3-3 FT), adding two rebounds, four assists, one block, and one steal over 41 minutes during Saturday's 121-114 victory over the Mavericks. Maxey scored 16 of his points in the fourth quarter, hitting crucial shots to secure the win. The 76ers have now won six of their last eight games and are a season-best five games over .500.

Edgecombe Extends 20-Point Streak to Four Games with 26-Point Outing

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VJ Edgecombe scored 26 points (10-21 FG, 3-11 3Pt, 3-3 FT), adding six rebounds and four assists in 35 minutes during Saturday's 121-114 win over the Mavericks. This extends his 20-point streak to four games. Earlier, in his Madison Square Garden debut, he exploded for 23 points, making 8 of his last 10 shots and playing stingy defense. The 20-year-old is now averaging 15.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.3 steals, shooting 39.3% from three, with Coach Nick Nurse praising his intelligence.

Marshall Ignites with 22 Points, Nine Rebounds in Mavericks' Loss

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Naji Marshall contributed 22 points (9-12 FG, 4-4 FT), nine rebounds, four assists, and two steals across 34 minutes during Saturday's 121-114 loss to the 76ers. Marshall was highly efficient, not missing a shot until late in the fourth quarter, and finished with a team-best plus-16 differential. Over the past seven games, he's averaged 17.3 points on 67.1% shooting, 3.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.1 steals.

Flagg Scores 24 Points, Receives High Praise Amidst Mavericks' GM Search

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Cooper Flagg delivered 24 points (8-16 FG, 8-8 FT), four rebounds, three assists, and one block in 37 minutes during Saturday's 121-114 loss to the 76ers, marking his fourth consecutive 20-point game. Teammate Naji Marshall lauded Flagg as 'amazing' and a 'dog on both ends,' affirming his status as the No. 1 pick. Meanwhile, the Mavericks are taking several months to hire a new GM, emphasizing the critical importance of this hire to build around Flagg as their franchise cornerstone. The team is also reportedly open to trade offers for other players.

Suns Guard Collin Gillespie Shoved by Draymond Green, Leads to Ejection

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Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie was involved in an on-court incident during Saturday's game against the Golden State Warriors. Gillespie was shoved by Warriors forward Draymond Green early in the second quarter, immediately after Green blocked his shot. The altercation resulted in Green receiving two quick technical fouls and his subsequent ejection from the game, marking his first of the 2025-26 NBA season.

Green Ejected for Shove, Technicals; Warriors Rally Past Suns

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Warriors forward Draymond Green was ejected early in the second quarter of Saturday's game against the Suns after receiving back-to-back technical fouls. He shoved Suns guard Collin Gillespie and mimicked a technical foul gesture, marking his first ejection of the 2025-26 season and sixth technical foul. Green played nine minutes, contributing 4 points (2-2 FG), 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block. Coach Steve Kerr criticized the ejection as 'weak.' Trailing 48-37 at the time of his ejection, Green's absence reportedly 'woke up' the Warriors, who then rallied to a 119-116 victory, snapping a three-game losing streak.

Mamukelashvili Explodes for 24 Points, Six Triples in Raptors Loss

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Toronto Raptors forward Sandro Mamukelashvili delivered a standout performance in Saturday's 112-96 loss to the Celtics, recording 24 points (9-13 FG, 6-9 3Pt), five rebounds, one assist, and one block in 30 minutes. He swished a season-high six three-pointers and co-led the Raptors in scoring. Mamukelashvili started his second consecutive game due to Jakob Poeltl's back injury and could make a third start Sunday against the Nets, as Poeltl remains day-to-day.

Pritchard Nears Triple-Double with 33 Points, 10 Assists for Celtics

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Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard stepped up significantly in Saturday's 112-96 win over the Raptors, registering 33 points (13-24 FG, 4-9 3Pt, 3-3 FT), 10 assists, and eight rebounds in 36 minutes. Thrust into a larger role due to Jaylen Brown's illness, Pritchard scored 19 of his game-high points in the third quarter. This marks his third 30-plus point game this season, and he narrowly missed his second career triple-double. With Jayson Tatum (Achilles) also sidelined, Pritchard is having a career-best start, averaging 17.0 points, 5.2 assists, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.7 threes.