Top Stories

• Wolves survive Wemby’s 34 pts

• Magic finding ways to win without Paolo and Franz

• Lakers trade D’Angelo Russell for Dorian Finney Smith

• 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)

Donte DiVincenzo scored 26 points as the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the San Antonio Spurs 112-110. Rudy Gobert had 17 points and 15 rebounds for the Timberwolves, won won their third straight. Julius Randle had 16 points, while Jaden McDaniels added 12 points and 10 boards for Minnesota. Anthony Edwards, who earlier in the day was fined $100,000 for continued use of profanity in postgame media comments, was held to 14 points, 11 below his season average. After DiVincenzo made one of two free throws with 12 seconds left, the Spurs had one more possession down 112-110. San Antonio found a wide-open Jeremy Sochan for 3, but he came up short. Wembanyama led San Antonio with 34 points and eight rebounds. Harrison Barnes had 24 points, Devin Vassell had 22 and Chris Paul dished out 14 assists.

Cole Anthony drove for a layup with 1.3 seconds left to complete the Orlando Magic's 17-point fourth-quarter comeback in a 102-101 win over the Brooklyn Nets. Cam Thomas missed a jumper from the corner at the final horn. Anthony scored 10, and Tristan da Silva scored 13 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter for Orlando, which was down 71-50 midway through the third quarter. Goga Bitadze added 19 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. The Magic's comeback was their second in eight days after Orlando rallied from 25 points down to beat Miami 121-114 on Dec. 21. Thomas came off the bench with 25 points to lead the Nets. Jalen Wilson added 16 points including two free throws with 6 seconds left.

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League News

Around the League

• The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to trade D’Angelo Russell and Maxwell Lewis to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton, the teams announced Sunday. The Lakers will also send three future second-round picks to the Nets in the trade. The Lakers bolster their wing depth by adding forward Finney-Smith, who is shooting a career-high 44% from 3-point range and averaging 10.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 2024. Finney-Smith is the only player in the NBA this season to defend guards, forwards and centers each for at least 15 half-court matchups per game, according to Second Spectrum.

• 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. The Lakers traded D’Angelo Russell to the Nets for Dorian Finney Smith.

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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

SGA continues his dominant stretch

Overtime Thoughts