Top Stories

• Steph drops 2 points in 51 point loss

• KAT drops 30-20 on Wolves

• LeBron sets All Time minutes record

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Games of the day

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

Santi Aldama had 21 points and 14 rebounds, and the Memphis Grizzlies set a franchise record with 27 3-pointers in a 144-93 victory over the Golden State Warriors, the biggest win in the NBA this season. Stephen Curry was held without a field goal and finished with two points for the Warriors, who took their worst loss since falling 140-88 againt Boston last season. Newly acquired point guard Dennis Schroder started alongside Curry and struggled in his Warriors debut, scoring five points on 2-of-12 shooting. Jake LaRavia scored 19 points and Jaren Jackson Jr. added 17 for the Grizzlies, who have won 11 of 13. Aldama and Luke Kennard (15 points) each made five 3s. Brandin Podziemski finished with 21 points and Andrew Wiggins had 19 for the Warriors, who have lost eight of 10. Schroder and Curry shot a combined 2 of 19, missing all 10 3-pointers. Curry was 0 for 6 from beyond the arc and 0 for 7 overall. He made his only two free throws.

Karl-Anthony Towns had 32 points and 20 rebounds in his return to Minnesota, leading the inspired New York Knicks past the Timberwolves 133-107. Mikal Bridges scored 29 points for the Knicks, who built a lead as big as 36 points in the third quarter and won for the 12th time in 16 games. Towns was the star, the subject of a loud ovation and a tribute video before the game highlighting his nine seasons with Minnesota after being picked first overall in the 2015 draft. Traded to New York just before training camp began for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, Towns clearly had fun from start to finish as the Knicks stomped to 73-point first half. Randle had 24 points for the Timberwolves, who were outscored 37-8 over the first nine minutes of the second quarter. Towns had 19 points in that period, his highest in any quarter this season.

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League News

Around the League

• LeBron James surpassed six-time NBA MVP Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most minutes played in league history last night, adding yet another major record to his career resume. Already the all-time leader in career points, James surpassed Abdul-Jabbar with his 10th minute against the Kings, giving him 57,447 and counting in 1,517 games played. In addition to his record 11,838 playoff minutes, James has played roughly 70,000 total minutes — the equivalent of 1,458 full games — since he entered the NBA out of high school as the No. 1 overall pick in 2003. He also holds the NBA records for career field-goal attempts and turnovers while ranking fourth in assists, eighth in steals and 29th in rebounds. Abdul-Jabbar retired in 1989 with 57,446 minutes played. Karl Malone (54,852), Dirk Nowitzki (51,368) and Kevin Garnett (50,418) round out the top five.

• 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. 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

KAT has his best game of the season against his former team

Overtime Thoughts