Top Stories

• Brunson wills Knicks to win

• Kyrie’s big night not enough to overcome DeAndre Ayton

• Kings fire Mike Brown

• NBA All Star 2025 voting is now live!

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Games of the day

Last Night’s Top Games! (link to the box scores of every game from yesterday)

Jalen Brunson scored nine of his season-high 55 points in overtime and Karl-Anthony Towns had 30 points and 14 rebounds as the New York Knicks extended their season-long winning streak to seven games in a 136-132 win over the Washington Wizards. It was the first overtime game for both teams, and New York outscored Washington 17-13 in the extra period. Brunson scored 42 points after halftime, had two jump shots and hit five free throws in overtime. Justin Champagnie scored a career-high 31 points with 10 rebounds and Malcolm Brogdon added 22 as the Wizards failed to win their second straight game after beating the Hornets 113-110 on Thursday. Playing without leading scorer Jordan Poole, who was out with a bruised left hip, Washington led for most of the game but committed 17 turnovers, which resulted in 26 New York points.

Shaedon Sharpe had 23 points, Anfernee Simons scored 22 and the Portland Trail Blazers held off the Dallas Mavericks 126-122. Deandre Ayton had 21 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks and Deni Avdija had 21 points, five rebounds and five assists. Scoot Henderson had 19 points, four rebounds, six assists and a career-high five steals off the bench. Kyrie Irving led all scorers with 46 points and was the only consistent offensive threat for the Mavericks who were playing without Naji Marshall, PJ Washington — suspended for their involvement in an on-court fight against the Suns — Luka Doncic and Dereck Lively II. Irving had 20 points in the fourth quarter as Dallas tried to mount a comeback that ultimately fell short.

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League News

Around the League

• The Sacramento Kings have fired coach Mike Brown less than halfway through his third season with the team mired in a five-game losing streak. Assistant Doug Christie will take over as interim coach, with his first game coming Saturday night at the Los Angeles Lakers. Brown was the unanimous choice for NBA Coach of the Year in his first season in 2022-23, when he helped Sacramento end the longest playoff drought in NBA history at 16 seasons. But Sacramento lost in the Play-In Tournament last year and was off to a 13-18 start this season, leading to the move to fire Brown about six months after he agreed to a contract extension through the 2026-27 season. The Kings have lost an NBA-worst nine games this season after leading in the fourth quarter with the worst one coming in Brown’s final game as coach Thursday night against Detroit.

• Injury Updates: Kawhi Leonard (knee) is out indefinitely, but is targeting January 4th as a return date. James Wiseman tore his achilles and will be out indefinitely. Taylor Hendricks (leg and ankle) suffered a fractured fibia and dislocated ankle and will be out for the season. Paolo Banchero (oblique) has a tear and will be out indefinitely, and re-evaluated in 3-4 weeks. Isaiah Jackson (achilles) will be out for the season. Zion Williamson (hamstring) will be out multiple weeks. Chet Holmgren (hip) suffered a fracture and will be out 6-8 weeks. DeAnthony Melton (ACL) underwent surgery and will be out for the season. Grant Williams (ACL) suffered a tear and will be out for the season. Franz Wagner (oblique) has a tear and will be out at least 4 weeks. Luka Doncic (calf) will be out at least a month. We wish all these guys speedy and successful recoveries.

• Trade Updates: The Miami Heat traded Thomas Bryant to Indiana for a 2nd round pick. The Brooklyn Nets traded Dennis Schroder for DeAnthony Melton.

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NBA MVP Ladder

1. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets

Last Ladder: No. 1
Season stats: 30.7 ppg, 12.6 rpg, 9.4 apg

His case: Although the Nuggets continue to play to mixed reviews — and that’s being kind — “The Joker” is showing few signs of stress or wear. He’s coming off a two-assist game but that’s more due to his teammates’ inability to translate his passes into buckets.

That said, as the NBA season distances itself from Christmas, the games-won factor weighs heavier here on the Ladder. It wouldn’t necessarily eliminate Jokić from the conversation, but it makes for some serious talk.

2. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Last Ladder: No. 2
Season stats: 32.7 ppg, 11.6 rpg, 6.0 apg

His case: After complaining about the Bucks not appearing on the Christmas Day slate, Antetokounmpo sat the next night due to back spasms that have plagued him over the last week.

Nonetheless, Antetokounmpo is still breathing the healthy fumes of the recent NBA Cup title, and that should be enough to keep him elevated on the Ladder.

3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

Last Ladder: No. 3
Season stats: 31.1 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 6.1 apg

His case: He delivered emphatically in consecutive games, getting 41 points against the Wizards, then dropped 45 on the Pacers to generate a comeback win Thursday.

Unlike the two players rated ahead of him, Gilgeous-Alexander is steering a conference leader, which will lean in his favor as the season progresses.

4. Luka Dončić, Dallas Mavericks

Last Ladder: No. 4
Season stats: 28.1 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 7.8 apg

His case: Red alert — a calf strain could jeopardize Dončić’s MVP chances. Before suffering the injury this week, he missed eight games this season. If this latest injury causes him to sit for a significant time, he’d be in danger of missing the 65-game cutoff for awards eligibility.

That would be unfortunate for a five-time All-NBA player to miss making it a sixth time in addition to MVP consideration despite having the statistical numbers.

5. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

Last Ladder: No. 5
Season stats: 29 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 5.6 apg

His case: He was about the only bright spot (32-15-4) for the Celtics in their Christmas Day loss to the Sixers and, once again, is closing out a strong month. To date in December, Tatum is averaging 29.5 ppg, 11.8 rpg and 5.3 apg.

Consistency, winning and a bigger presence on the boards are keeping Tatum in the Top 5.

The Next 5:

6. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
7. Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks
8. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
9. De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings
10. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

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Fantasy Leaders

De’Aaron makes his Top 3 debut

Overtime Thoughts