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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Donovan Clingan (lower leg) will not play Sunday against the Grizzlies. This marks his second consecutive missed game due to a lower leg contusion. As a result, Robert Williams and Duop Reath are expected to receive expanded roles for the Portland Trail Blazers. Clingan's next chance to play is Thursday against the Pelicans.
Jalen Suggs (leg) left Sunday's game against the Knicks in the fourth quarter and did not return. He finished with 17 points, four assists, three rebounds, two steals, and one block in 32 minutes. Suggs was seen grabbing his upper leg/groin area. His status for Tuesday's NBA Cup game against Miami is uncertain; Anthony Black is expected to start if Suggs is sidelined.
Victor Wembanyama (calf) fully participated in Sunday's practice, showing progress from a left calf strain suffered Nov. 14. While he is unlikely to play Monday, he is "iffy" for Wednesday's game. His return date remains unclear, but his practice participation is encouraging for the Spurs.
Immanuel Quickley (illness) will play in Sunday's game against the Celtics. He has not missed a game this season and has been a consistent scorer, averaging 21.6 points, 7.0 assists, and 2.8 rebounds in his last five outings. His availability is a boost for the Raptors.
Karl-Anthony Towns was ruled out of Sunday's 106-100 victory over the Orlando Magic due to calf tightness. The Knicks' leading rebounder and second-leading scorer, Towns had previously posted 35 points and 18 rebounds against Charlotte. Mitchell Robinson started in his place as the team secured their third straight win.
Gary Payton (II) entered the Golden State Warriors' rotation against the Chicago Bulls, starting the second quarter and being one of 11 players to see action in the first half of the game.
On his "Draymond Green Show" podcast, Draymond Green explained the significant challenges in trading Giannis Antetokounmpo. Green highlighted that Antetokounmpo's $50M+ salary makes it difficult for most teams to match salaries without depleting their roster, thus limiting potential destinations. He suggested Giannis' recent social media actions are a common tactic to pressure a team, and believes the Bucks would attempt to fulfill a trade request if he desired an exit.
Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner left Sunday's game against the Knicks in the first quarter after a fall, instantly grabbing his left knee. He was helped to the locker room and will not return due to a "lower left leg injury," requiring re-evaluation upon the team's return to Orlando. Wagner had been playing at an All-Star level, averaging 23.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, and shooting 35.4% from 3-point range.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and his agent are reportedly in talks with the Milwaukee Bucks regarding the franchise's future, following Giannis' removal of Bucks-related posts from Instagram. Draymond Green commented that trading a player with Antetokounmpo's $54.13 million salary (2025-26) is challenging due to salary cap implications, limiting potential destinations. Green believes Giannis' actions are a tactic to pressure the team, and the Bucks would likely try to fulfill a trade request if he desires an exit, especially with the team 11th in the East.
Zach LaVine of the Sacramento Kings erupted for a season-high 42 points (12-24 FG, 8-13 3Pt, 10-11 FT), along with five rebounds, one assist, and one steal in 39 minutes during Saturday's 127-111 victory over the Heat. LaVine, who set a season-high with eight three-pointers, showcased a major bounce-back performance after scoring just two points in Wednesday's loss. Despite this impressive outing, the 30-year-old veteran has been inconsistent, averaging 17.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists over his last 10 games.
Guerschon Yabusele is struggling to find his footing with the New York Knicks, averaging just 3.0 points and 2.2 rebounds in 10.1 minutes through 21 games, a significant drop from his 11.0 points and 5.6 rebounds last season with the 76ers. His role at center has decreased, and he's primarily used as a floor spacer, shooting a poor 27.5% from three. OG Anunoby's return has further impacted his rotation spot, despite a recent season-high 11 points on Friday.
Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been officially ruled out for the upcoming game against the Jazz. The decision comes due to the player experiencing left elbow bursitis, preventing his participation in the matchup.
Pat Spencer achieved a career-high 19 points and 7 assists in his debut as a starter for the Golden State Warriors, contributing to their 99-94 win over the Cavaliers on Saturday. The 29-year-old, a former lacrosse superstar who holds the D1 assist record (231) and won the Tewaaraton Award, credits his court vision to his lacrosse background. Coach Steve Kerr praised Spencer's performance, highlighting his impact.
James Harden has officially climbed into the NBA's top 10 all-time scorers list, surpassing Carmelo Anthony with 28,290 points. The Los Angeles Clippers star achieved this milestone during a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he finished with 34 points. Harden is now 293 points behind Shaquille O'Neal for ninth place. He also ranks high on the all-time free-throw list (fifth) and 3-pointer list (second). Despite Harden's performance, the Clippers lost to the Timberwolves 109-106.
Evan Mobley recorded an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double in the Cleveland Cavaliers' 99-94 loss to the Warriors. He shot 8-of-19 from the field and 2-of-2 from the free-throw line, adding one assist, one block, and one steal in 35 minutes. This marked his third consecutive double-double and 12th of the season. Mobley also extended his streak of games with at least one block to four, averaging 1.7 blocks per game this season.
Donovan Mitchell led the Cleveland Cavaliers with 29 points in their 99-94 defeat against the Warriors. He shot 11-of-26 from the field, including 7-of-14 from three-point range, and contributed four rebounds, three assists, and one block in 37 minutes. This performance marks his fourth consecutive game scoring at least 28 points in December, averaging 33.3 points, 5.5 assists, and 5.0 rebounds over that stretch.
Pat Spencer emerged as the unlikely hero for the depleted Golden State Warriors, scoring a career-high 19 points and dishing out seven assists in their 99-94 upset victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Making his first NBA start, Spencer's clutch fourth-quarter performance, including 12 points, was crucial. Coach Steve Kerr praised Spencer's impact, stating, "His coach realized that Pat is that motherf–ker." The Warriors, missing multiple stars, showcased strong defense and a collective effort to secure the encouraging road win.
Michael Porter Jr. tied his season high with 35 points, and Nic Claxton recorded his second triple-double of the season, leading the Brooklyn Nets to a 119-101 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. Porter Jr. matched his career best by scoring 30 points for the third consecutive game. Claxton finished with 14 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, becoming the second Nets center with multiple career triple-doubles. The Nets secured their third win in four games, improving to 6-17, while the Pelicans extended their losing streak to six games.
Cade Cunningham posted 23 points (8-18 FG, 3-10 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 12 assists, six rebounds, and one block in 32 minutes during the Detroit Pistons' 124-112 win against the Bucks. This marked his 12th double-double of the season. Cunningham has scored at least 23 points in eight of his last 10 games, recording four double-doubles and a triple-double in that stretch.
Kevin Porter led the Milwaukee Bucks with 32 points (11-16 FG, 7-9 3Pt) and added six assists, four rebounds, four steals, and one block in Saturday's 124-112 loss to the Pistons. He hit a season-high seven three-pointers and has scored at least 20 points in four consecutive games. Porter is expected to handle increased playmaking duties with Giannis Antetokounmpo sidelined.
