Top Stories

• Luka drops crazy Triple-Double

• AD drops 40 and 16, LeBron returns

• Warriors trade for Dennis Schroder

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Games of the day

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

Luka Doncic had his 80th career triple-double with a season-high 45 points along with 13 assists and 11 rebounds, and the Dallas Mavericks beat Klay Thompson's former Golden State Warriors 143-133 in a second visit to Chase Center in just more than a month. Thompson hit two late 3-pointers for seven total and finished with 29 points after the Mavericks lost 120-117 in his emotional return Nov. 12. His former Splash Brother Stephen Curry had 26 points and 10 assists for Golden State in a game added to the schedule once the teams were eliminated from the NBA Cup. The Warriors lost by a point at Houston on Wednesday. Dallas opened 14 of 19 to go ahead 39-18 before Draymond Green hit back-to-back 3-pointers. Green had season highs of five 3s and 21 points. Doncic shot 16 for 23, making 9 of his first 11 shots with four 3-pointers on the way to 28 points by halftime. New acquisition Dennis Schroder is expected to join the team Monday to undergo his physical and then practice ahead of Thursday’s game at Memphis. Coach Steve Kerr considers him a “perfect fit” to start alongside Curry.

Anthony Davis had 40 points and 16 rebounds, LeBron James added 18 points in his return and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Memphis Grizzlies 116-110. James also had eight rebounds, eight assists and five turnovers in 34 minutes after missing the previous two games because of a left foot injury. He was away from the team most of last week due to personal reasons. Austin Reaves scored 19 points for Los Angeles. The Lakers never trailed and led by 23 points in the second half. Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 25 points for Memphis, which had won four in a row. Ja Morant had 20 points, Zach Edey added 13 points and 10 rebounds and Luke Kennard had 12 points.

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League News

Around the League

• The Golden State Warriors have acquired point guard Dennis Schröder in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for injured forward De’Anthony Melton, the teams announced Sunday. Schröder is averaging 18.4 points and 6.6 assists this season. The move gives the Warriors, who are fifth in the Western Conference at 14-10, another shooter to pair alongside all-time 3-point leader Stephen Curry. Schröder is making 2.5 3-pointers per game this season and shooting 39% from beyond the arc — both career-bests. Golden State will become Schröder’s eighth team in 12 NBA seasons. He had stints with Atlanta, Oklahoma City, the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston, Toronto and Houston before joining the Nets.

• Injury Updates: Kawhi Leonard (knee) is out indefinitely, but he practiced with the team this week and is getting closer to returning. 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 8-10 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. LaMelo Ball (calf) will be out at least 2 weeks. Franz Wagner (oblique) has a tear and will be out at least 4 weeks. 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: 32.3 ppg, 13.6 rpg, 10.2 apg

His case: Not only is he on a historic start to a season, but his last two games were legendary. On back-to-back nights he totaled 104 points, 30 rebounds and 16 assists. Oh, and don’t forget the 74 total minutes played flying from one city to another — no nights off here.

And that’s what you want in your MVP, someone who shows up both physically and productively. There’s nothing not to like about “The Joker” right now. The pole position for this award belongs to him as we begin the home stretch to Christmas. That’s not up for debate.

2. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Last Ladder: No. 2
Season stats: 32.7 ppg, 11.4 rpg, 6 apg

His case: Antetokounmpo is a case study in bucket efficiency and this season is shaping up as one of his best. He’s shooting 61.2% overall this season, which reflects how devastating he is when running downhill and charging the rim. The flip side — when he gets fouled his free throws are, shall we say, a bit trickier.

That and the recent rise in turnovers are the only blemishes. Otherwise, Antetokounmpo is simply doing work at both ends.

3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

Last Ladder: No. 4
Season stats: 30.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 6.3 apg

His case: He showed out in the biggest (we use that word carefully pre-Christmas) game of the season when he torched the Mavericks to punch OKC’s ticket to Vegas. And that’s what you look for in MVP candidates — do they rise to the occasion along with the stakes?

He has 30 points in eight of his last 10 games and while he lives for the mid-range and trips to the free-throw line, his five 3-pointers vs. the Mavericks were the most 3-pointers he’s made in a game this season.

4. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

Last Ladder: No. 3
Season stats: 28.2 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 5.7 apg

His case: As deep as the Celtics are, Tatum is the team leader in scoring, rebounds, assists and steals. He has always been a tremendous rebounder for a small forward and his average is a career best.

He had a pair of uncharacteristic lapses in scoring over the last week, failing to reach 20 points twice in three games. But those occasional dips are expected throughout a season and in no way reflect his consistent high-level production — that’s why he’s top five on this list.

5. Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks

Last Ladder: No. 5
Season stats: 24.9 ppg, 13.6 rpg, 3.2 apg

His case: Towns was extremely impressive during and especially in the clutch in the Knicks’ recent win in Toronto when he put the Raptors to sleep with a massive 3-pointer.

He’ll miss out on all the fun in Vegas despite coming shy of a 20-20 against the Hawks by a rebound and a point. Nonetheless, Towns, who is shooting 44% from deep, is not only making a strong case for an All-Star nod but also, an All-NBA spot if this keeps up.

The Next Five:

6. Luka Dončić, Dallas Mavericks
7. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
8. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
9. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
10. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks

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Fantasy Leaders

Klay makes his season debut in the Top 3

Overtime Thoughts