Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid returned for Friday's contest against the Charlotte Hornets...

<p>Philadelphia 76ers center <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/31932" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/31932">Joel Embiid</a> returned for Friday's contest against the Charlotte Hornets and scored a game-high 34 points in the 76ers' 108-98 victory.</p><p>Embiid missed one game over the last week due to a sinus fracture amid a light 76ers schedule. Donning a face mask for protection, he started and played 31 minutes, shooting 12-of-24 from the field (2-of-4 from deep), adding nine assists, five rebounds, two steals, and two blocks.</p><p>He did the bulk of his damage in the second half, scoring 12 points apiece in the third and fourth quarters. He helped Philadelphia avert a Hornets comeback in the final frame, during which Charlotte cut the 76ers' lead to just four after trailing by 23 in the third.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Immediately following Friday's win, 76ers head coach Nick Nurse said that he expects Embiid won't play Saturday against the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers, according to <a href="https://x.com/SixersAdam/status/1870297584666857490">PhillyVoice's Adam Aaronson</a>.</p><p>The All-Star big man sustained the sinus injury last Friday against the Indiana Pacers after he was inadvertently hit in the face by Pacers wing <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/102759" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/102759">Bennedict Mathurin</a>.</p><p>Friday's win over the Hornets was just Embiid's seventh game of the campaign as he's struggled with lingering knee problems and served a three-game suspension. It was just his third contest with 30 or more points so far in 2024-25; by Dec. 20 last season, he had already eclipsed that mark in 19 of 24 games played.</p><p>The 30-year-old won a gold medal for the United States at the 2024 Paris Olympics but was forced to sit out the first nine games of the season with swelling in his surgically repaired left knee.</p><p>The former MVP entered Friday averaging 20.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.8 assists this year.</p><p>Philadelphia won its previous game without Embiid, a 121-108 win over the Hornets on Monday night. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/93855" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/93855">Tyrese Maxey</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/1889" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/1889">Paul George</a> combined for 73 points in the victory.</p><p>The Sixers are now 9-16 but remain 12th in the Eastern Conference.</p>

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 20: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on December 20, 2024 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE

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Embiid drops 34 in return from sinus fracture, helps 76ers hold off Hornets

The Memphis Grizzlies blew out the Golden State Warriors 144-93 on Thursday, handing Steve Kerr's...

<p>The Memphis Grizzlies blew out the Golden State Warriors 144-93 on Thursday, handing Steve Kerr's squad the largest defeat in the NBA this season.</p><p>Warriors superstar <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/148" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/148">Stephen Curry</a> went 0-for-7 from the field, including six missed threes, marking his first career game with zero field goals while playing at least 12 minutes. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/2982" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/2982">Draymond Green</a> finished without a point, rebound, or assist for only the 11th time in 837 career games. However, he'd never previously done so when playing more than eight minutes.</p><p>Curry and Green were also minus-42 and minus-41, respectively, during their time on the court. The Warriors veterans are two of four players to finish with plus-minuses lower than minus-40 in a game this season.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"We have to accept that if we don't have an answer for how a team's guarding us, we've got to figure something (else) out on the fly," Curry said after the heavy loss, courtesy of <a href="https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/12/19/grizzlies-hammer-warriors-as-losing-skid-continues-in-dennis-schroders-debut/">The Mercury News' Danny Emerman</a>. "We didn't do it, and they (beat us by) 50. ... That was kind of embarrassing."</p><p>Memphis, meanwhile, had six players in double digits. Reserve forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/96118" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/96118">Santi Aldama</a> led the Grizzlies with 21 points and 14 rebounds while adding four assists, two steals, and a block. Aldama and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/44933" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/44933">Luke Kennard</a> led the team with five threes apiece, contributing to the Grizzlies' single-game franchise-record 27 makes. Forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/45655" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/45655">Brandon Clarke</a>, who did not attempt a shot from distance, was the only Grizzlies player out of all 12 to play Thursday that didn't hit a three.</p><p>"When you see blood, you gotta go get it. ... We want to beat them every single time," Aldama told <a href="https://x.com/grindcitymedia/status/1869958796144988376">Grind City Media's Michael Wallace</a>, acknowledging the Grizzlies' competitive meetings with the Warriors in recent years. "Obviously, that's not going to happen, but that's in the back of our minds, being honest.</p><p>"They got one win, we got one win - it doesn't matter by how much you beat them, but you want to make sure they know you're coming."</p><p>The loss is tied for the Warriors' fourth-largest margin of defeat in franchise history. It's also their worst result since a 52-point blowout at the hands of the Boston Celtics in March.</p><p>"I know who we are, I know what our team is about," Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said, according to Emerman. "I know we've got competitors, I know we're going to bounce back. So I'm not concerned about that.</p><p>"But we've got a lot of work to do to execute, learn how to execute under pressure, take care of the ball, get good shots. We'll regroup tomorrow in Minneapolis, have practice, and get ready to go Saturday (against the Minnesota Timberwolves)."</p><p>Memphis now holds the two most lopsided victories of the season. The previous record was their 45-point win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Nov. 10.</p>

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - DECEMBER 19: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball against Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half at FedExForum on December 19, 2024 in Memphis, Tennessee.

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Grizzlies hold Curry to 0 field goals in 51-point rout of Warriors

Adidas signed Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard to a lifetime contract extension, sources told ...

<p>Adidas signed Milwaukee Bucks star <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/5343" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/5343">Damian Lillard</a> to a lifetime contract extension, sources told <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/42755710/sources-bucks-damian-lillard-adidas-agree-life-deal">ESPN's Shams Charania</a>.</p><p>The financial terms of the deal are unknown. However, the eight-time All-Star signed a 10-year contract with the apparel giant in 2014, with the pact worth a maximum value of approximately $100 million.</p><p>Lillard and Adidas first joined forces in 2012, shortly before the former Weber State standout made his NBA debut with the Portland Trail Blazers. The company released his first signature shoe, the D Lillard 1, partway through his third pro season in February 2015. The latest entry in his signature shoe line, the Dame 9, launched in August.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>During Lillard's first return to Portland in January following his September 2023 trade to Milwaukee, Adidas announced it was renaming the basketball court at its Portland headquarters after the former Trail Blazers franchise star. The honor marked the first time in the company's history that it renamed one of its facilities after an athlete.</p><p>The Bucks guard will become just one of four NBA players with lifetime shoe deals, joining Under Armour's Stephen Curry and Nike's LeBron James and Kevin Durant.</p><p> </p>

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 16: Damian Lillard attends the Future of adidas Basketball Mixer at All-Star Weekend at adidas Hospitality Lounge on February 16, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

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Report: Lillard signs lifetime contract extension with Adidas

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid will miss at least another week with his sinus fracture befor...

<p>Philadelphia 76ers star <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/31932" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/31932">Joel Embiid</a> will miss at least another week with his sinus fracture before being re-evaluated, the team announced Monday.</p><p>Embiid, who sustained his latest injury Friday against the Indiana Pacers, will be sidelined for Monday's road game against the Charlotte Hornets. The 76ers don't play again until Friday when they host the Hornets in Philadelphia.</p><p>Embiid was inadvertently <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3159002" href="https://thescore.com/news/3159002">struck</a> in the face by Pacers wing <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/102759" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/102759">Bennedict Mathurin</a> late in Friday's first half. He didn't return after the break, finishing with 12 points, five assists, four rebounds, and 4-for-9 shooting from the field, splitting a pair of threes.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Philadelphia will meet the first-place Cavaliers on Saturday in Cleveland before returning home Monday to play the San Antonio Spurs. They then embark on a six-game road trip through the end of 2024, with contests against the Boston Celtics, Sacramento Kings, and Golden State Warriors.</p><p>The 30-year-old Embiid has played just six outings in a season so far decimated by injury.</p><p>He missed Philly's first nine games of the year while managing swelling in his surgically repaired left knee. After returning in a Nov. 12 NBA Cup loss to the New York Knicks, he sat out against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second contest of a back-to-back set with the same knee issue.</p><p>He then played three consecutive games - all of which the 76ers lost - before the same swelling caused him to miss another seven straight matchups. Friday's defeat to Indiana was just Embiid's second game back from that extended absence.</p><p>Embiid has looked little like the former MVP and perennial candidate of years past. His 20.3 points per game represent his lowest scoring output since his rookie year in 2016-17, which was cut short at 31 contests due to a torn meniscus in his left knee. He's registering career lows in rebounding (7.7 per game), field-goal percentage (41.1%), and 3-point shooting (16% on 4.2 attempts).</p>

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 13: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrates a basket during the first half against the Indiana Pacers at the Wells Fargo Center on December 13, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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Embiid out at least 1 week with sinus fracture

LeBron James returned from a week-long break Sunday against the Memphis Grizziles but cautioned t...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/72" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/72">LeBron James</a> returned from a week-long break Sunday against the Memphis Grizziles but cautioned that the soreness in his left foot remains an issue.</p><p>"It's not behind me," James said after playing 34 minutes in the Los Angeles Lakers' 116-100 victory, courtesy of <a href="https://x.com/jovanbuha/status/1868537744177144020?s=46">The Athletic's Jovan Buha</a>. "It's an everyday thing. ... But I was able to do some great things (on my break)."</p><p>James missed just two games during a light stretch thanks to the NBA Cup, which alleviated schedules for teams that failed to get out of the group stage. He scored 18 points against the Grizzlies to go with eight assists, eight rebounds, two blocks, and a steal, while shooting 3-of-6 from deep (7-of-17 overall). However, his plus-minus of zero was the lowest registered by any of the Lakers' starters, and he was just 1-of-4 on free throws despite shooting 76.2% from the line this season entering Sunday.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The soon-to-be 40-year-old started all 23 games to begin the season before sitting out Los Angeles' Dec. 8 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. James, who said early in the campaign that he was aiming to play in all 82 regular-season contests, revealed Sunday that he had to be swayed by his inner circle to take the extended time off.</p><p>"If it was up to just me, I probably would've played," he said, courtesy of <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/42993504/lakers-lebron-james-try-give-go-vs-grizzlies">ESPN's Dave McMenamin</a>. "It would've been hard to keep me away from it.</p><p>"I have a team and I got to listen to them as well. They look out for my best interest."</p><p>The Lakers don't play again until Thursday, when they face the Sacramento Kings on the road. Their schedule is also free of back-to-backs until the new year, when they host the Trail Blazers and Atlanta Hawks on Jan. 2 and 3, respectively.</p>

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 02: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the third quarter at Target Center on December 02, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Lakers 109-80.

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LeBron: Foot soreness 'not behind me'

The Golden State Warriors officially landed point guard Dennis Schroder in a trade Sunday with th...

<p>The Golden State Warriors officially landed point guard <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/30613" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/30613">Dennis Schroder</a> in a trade Sunday with the Brooklyn Nets.</p><p>Golden State <a href="https://twitter.com/WarriorsPR/status/1868340291587146077">parted</a> with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/53030" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/53030">De'Anthony Melton</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/121722" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/121722">Reece Beekman</a>, and three future second-rounders in the deal, only one of which is their own pick in 2029. The other two are 2026 and 2028 selections via the Atlanta Hawks.</p><p>The Nets are also sending the Warriors a second-round selection in 2025 via the Miami Heat, which is protected from No. 31-37.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The trade was reportedly first agreed upon Saturday. However, it couldn't be completed until Dec. 15 when Melton, who's out for the season with a torn ACL, became trade-eligible.</p><p>Schroder is averaging 18.4 points on 45.2% field-goal shooting, along with 6.6 assists, three rebounds, and 1.1 steals. The veteran guard is also knocking down a career-best 2.5 shots from three, shooting 38.7%.</p><p>The Nets have been more competitive than anticipated this campaign, ranking 10th in the Eastern Conference with a 10-15 record.</p><p>Golden State has gone 3-7 over its past 10 contests, sitting fifth in the Western Conference at 14-10. The 26-year-old Melton signed a one-year contract with the Warriors in the summer but made his sixth and last appearance for the club on Nov. 12.</p><p>The Warriors had <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3152102" href="https://thescore.com/news/3152102">reportedly</a> been in the market for a second star to pair with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/148" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/148">Stephen Curry</a>. While not considered a star, Schroder would become the team's second-leading scorer behind Curry's 22.8 points per game.</p><p>The Nets now have 13 second-round picks at their disposal, according to <a href="https://x.com/BobbyMarks42/status/1868048596890980662">ESPN's Bobby Marks</a>. </p><p>Schroder, 31, is in the final season of a two-year, $25.4-million contract he originally signed with the Toronto Raptors in 2023.</p><p>The journeyman guard has spent 12 seasons in the NBA, also playing for the Atlanta Hawks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, and Houston Rockets. He holds career averages of 14.2 points, 4.9 assists, and 2.9 rebounds.</p><p>Beekman, who was not mentioned in initial trade reports, totaled just over four minutes in two games this season for Golden State. The 6-foot-1 guard has been effective in the G League, averaging 18.7 points, 7.3 assists, and 5.2 rebounds in nine contests for the Santa Cruz Warriors. He went undrafted in June following four seasons at Virginia.</p>

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 25: Dennis Schroder #17 of the Brooklyn Nets is guarded by Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors in the first half at Chase Center on November 25, 2024 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

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Warriors trade for Schroder, send Melton, Beekman to Nets

Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels was grateful to learn he was being traded by the New Orleans Pe...

<p>Atlanta Hawks guard <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/102785" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/102785">Dyson Daniels</a> was grateful to learn he was being traded by the New Orleans Pelicans this past summer - freeing him from whatever jinx had been seemingly placed on the franchise.</p><p>"That organization's cursed," Daniels told <a href="https://marcstein.substack.com/p/the-great-nba-trade-steal-of-2024?utm_content=buffer5d33d&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=twitter.com&amp;utm_campaign=email-post&amp;r=3shtjf">The Stein Line's Jake Fisher</a> on Wednesday. "Every year, there's something new. I'm happy I'm not there anymore."</p><p>Daniels added that he felt whatever jinx was plaguing the Pelicans was affecting him, too.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"I had like four or five ankle injuries down there as well," he told Fisher. "There's something down in that water down there or something.</p><p>"They got hamstrings. They got knees. They got concussions and stuff as well. They get everything down there. I don't know what it is. Playing hard I guess?"</p><p>The Pelicans have been dealt a seemingly disproportionate share of misfortune since Daniels' rookie season with the club in 2022-23.</p><p>The Australian guard himself turned his right ankle in his very first Summer League contest, which forced him to miss the rest of the offseason competition. That same ailment sidelined the eighth overall pick for eight of the first 12 games of his rookie season. He then tweaked the same ankle again in January, causing him to miss 12 straight games.</p><p>Meanwhile, star forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/69536" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/69536">Zion Williamson</a> - who missed the entire season prior because of a foot fracture - had his 2022-23 campaign cut short in January due to a strained hamstring. Teammate <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/44931" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/44931">Brandon Ingram</a> played a career-low 45 games that season after a toe contusion ruled him out for two months in the middle of the campaign.</p><p>Williamson's hamstring is again proving problematic, with the Pelicans star currently out indefinitely with another strain. Ingram is also without a return date after spraining his ankle Saturday against the Oklahoma City Thunder in what was his second game back after missing five straight with a calf issue. The pair was among seven Pelicans to not play in Thursday's 111-109 loss to the Sacramento Kings.</p><p>Daniels, meanwhile, is having a breakout season in Atlanta. The 21-year-old has missed just two of 26 games so far while averaging career highs across the board with 13.5 points, five rebounds, 3.3 assists, and an NBA-leading three steals per contest.</p><p>He also had one of his most impactful performances of the season in his return to New Orleans on Nov. 3; he scored 16 points with five rebounds, three assists, and a steal and was a season-high plus-21 in just under 25 minutes in a 15-point win for the Hawks.</p>

CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 3: Dyson Daniels #5 of the Atlanta Hawks shoots the ball during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on November 3, 2024 at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE

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Hawks' Daniels relieved he's no longer on 'cursed' Pelicans

Chris Paul believes he could be concluding his NBA career in the near future.  "Maybe a year or t...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/314" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/314">Chris Paul</a> believes he could be concluding his NBA career in the near future.</p><p>"Maybe a year or two, I'm still trying to feel it out," the San Antonio Spurs guard told franchise great Tony Parker in a recent <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXbcUPguaZ4&amp;t=747s">interview</a>. "I think, at this point, the hardest part is - like I love this: practice today, all that, I love hooping. I love all of that.</p><p>"The hardest part is when I get home and I got to to watch my kids' games on the iPad or what not so that's the tug-of-war right now."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Paul is in Year 20 of his professional career but his first with San Antonio after signing a $10.5-million deal for the season in the summer. The 39-year-old scored just three points in each of his first two games but appears to have settled in, averaging 10.9 points, 8.5 assists, and 1.5 steals in the 22 contests since. He's also yet to miss a free throw in 35 attempts this season.</p><p>San Antonio is the seventh different stop for the 12-time All-Star, who entered the league with the then-New Orleans Hornets as the fourth overall pick in 2005. He spent six years with the franchise before being sent to the Clippers, where he was frequently in the MVP conversation during his half-dozen seasons in L.A. Paul then played multiple seasons for the Houston Rockets and Phoenix Suns, interspersed by single-year stints with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Golden State Warriors.</p><p>"While I came into the league and was thinking, 'I'm only going to play for one team,' like (Tim Duncan), like Kobe (Bryant), Dirk (Nowitzki), and all that, I'm actually grateful that I had the opportunity to play for these different teams now because I learned so much," Paul told Parker.</p><p>He added: "So now, I feel like if I do get team ownership or have a team, I've learned so much from all these different places that I would want to put into a team."</p><p>Paul now ranks second all time in assists with 12,099 after <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3154463" href="https://thescore.com/news/3154463">passing</a> Jason Kidd during Sunday's over the New Orleans Pelicans. He broke the tie with Kidd on an inbound pass that set up a three by Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama, with whom Paul is still trying to familiarize himself.</p><p>"In our game, when we were coming up, we usually handled it in the pick-and-roll. ... So now, having 7-foot-5 that can handle the ball, and I'm setting screens for him, learning how to roll."</p>

SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 8: Chris Paul #3 of the San Antonio Spurs throws an assist to pass Jason Kidd for the second all time assist record during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on December 8, 2024 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photos by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

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Chris Paul expects to retire in 'maybe a year or 2'

Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes is expected to miss several weeks because of his sprained ...

<p>Toronto Raptors forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/96044" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/96044">Scottie Barnes</a> is expected to miss several weeks because of his sprained right ankle, sources told <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1866860983567737099">ESPN's Shams Charania</a>. </p><p>The Raptors confirmed the former Rookie of the Year will be re-evaluated in a week after he got hurt Monday against the New York Knicks. </p><p>It's Barnes' second significant injury in the last month. The 2024 All-Star missed nearly three weeks in November with a fractured orbital bone, and Toronto went 2-9 without him.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>He sprained his ankle midway through Monday's third quarter when he landed awkwardly on <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/37817" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/37817">Karl-Anthony Towns</a>' foot after attempting to block the Knicks center from behind. Barnes immediately left the game and didn't return, and was then seen wearing a walking boot during practice Tuesday.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7jlADeyRE-k?si=ukvAGFxrHwqt3YeX" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></figure><p>The 23-year-old is posting a career-best 20.6 points per game in his third season, second on the team to <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/69533" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/69533">RJ Barrett</a>. He's also averaging a team-high 7.4 assists, along with 8.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals.</p><p>The Raptors have dealt with multiple injuries in the first couple months of the season, forcing them to deploy 10 different starting lineups through 25 games.</p><p>Starting guard <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/93852" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/93852">Immanuel Quickley</a> has made just three appearances so far; he's missed 14 consecutive matchups with a partially torn UCL, an injury he sustained in just his second game back after missing eight straight with a pelvic contusion. Veteran center <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/2041" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/2041">Kelly Olynyk</a> made his season debut Saturday after missing the first 23 games with a back strain, and the team's first-round pick <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/121673" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/121673">Ja'Kobe Walter</a> has been limited to 11 contests after spraining - and later re-aggravating - the AC joint in his right shoulder.</p>

TORONTO, CANADA - DECEMBER 9: Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors looks on during the game against the New York Knicks on December 9, 2024 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE

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Report: Raptors' Barnes out several weeks with ankle sprain

Los Angeles Clippers wing Derrick Jones Jr. will be re-evaluated in two weeks after suffering a h...

<p>Los Angeles Clippers wing <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/45396" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/45396">Derrick Jones Jr.</a> will be re-evaluated in two weeks after suffering a hamstring strain in Sunday's 117-106 loss to the Houston Rockets, the team announced.</p><p>Jones sustained the injury while playing all 12 minutes of the first quarter against Houston and did not make an appearance outside the opening frame. He managed just two points on one field goal before bowing out.</p><p>The 27-year-old's injury adds to a growing list of absences for the Clippers. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/44950" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/44950">Terance Mann</a> is not expected to return until late-December because of a fractured finger on his left hand, and star forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/4200" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/4200">Kawhi Leonard</a> is still without a return date from the lingering right knee issue that has kept him out all season.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Some good news is on the horizon for L.A. regarding Leonard, however. Head coach Tyronn Lue said the two-time Finals MVP took part in limited practice Tuesday with no contact but added that Leonard will not play in any games this week. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/351" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/351">James Harden</a>, meanwhile, who missed the loss to Houston with groin tightness, participated in full practice Tuesday.</p>

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 27: Derrick Jones Jr. #55 of the LA Clippers handles the ball against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on November 27, 2024 in Washington, DC.

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Clippers lose Jones for at least 2 weeks due to hamstring strain

The Miami Heat's Jimmy Butler era could be coming to a close.  The Heat are open to trading the s...

<p>The Miami Heat's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/2809" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/2809">Jimmy Butler</a> era could be coming to a close.</p><p>The Heat are open to trading the six-time All-Star ahead of his expected foray into free agency next summer, sources told <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/42878390/shams-charania-nba-pass-trade-intel-jimmy-butler-brandon-ingram-golden-state-warriors#:~:text=The%20Heat%20are%20open%20to%20listening%20to%20offers%20for%20Butler%20and%20making%20a%20deal%20if%20the%20proposal%20is%20right">ESPN's Shams Charania</a>.</p><p>Butler reportedly prefers to land with a contender if dealt. His agent has signaled that the 35-year-old would be receptive, specifically, to a move to the Golden State Warriors, his hometown Houston Rockets, or the Dallas Mavericks, Charania reports.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The five-time All-NBAer's contract contains a $52.4-million player option for next season; however, Butler has indicated he won't exercise it in order to seek a new deal in 2025 as a free agent. He initially landed in Miami on a four-year, $140-million deal through a four-team sign-and-trade in 2019 and then extended that contract with a four-year, $184-million agreement in 2021.</p><p>Butler missed four straight matchups in mid-November with a sprained right ankle but has looked comfortable since, putting up 21.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and one steal per game in nine matchups following his return (he sat out against the Boston Celtics on Dec. 2 with a knee injury). He's also been efficient yet selective from distance, converting seven of 12 attempts from deep after shooting two of 13 before his ankle injury.</p><p>The former Most Improved Player has arguably been most prolific with the Heat in the postseason, helping the club to two NBA Finals in its last five playoff trips. He averaged 26.9 points in 22 postseason contests in 2023 as Miami fell in five games to the Denver Nuggets in the Finals.</p><p>The Heat have won seven of their last 10 games and now sit fifth in the East with a 12-10 record, 7.5 games back of the first-place Cleveland Cavaliers.</p>

MIAMI, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 26: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat reacts against the Milwaukee Bucks during the fourth quarter of the Emirates NBA Cup at Kaseya Center on November 26, 2024 in Miami, Florida.

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Report: Heat open to trade offers for Butler

The Golden State Valkyries' roster is finally starting to take shape.  The WNBA's 13th franchise ...

<p>The Golden State Valkyries' roster is finally starting to take shape.</p><p>The WNBA's 13th franchise began the process of constructing a team Friday with an expansion draft that featured an opportunity to select one player from each of the league's other dozen organizations.</p><p>Here's a look at what went down with an explanation for the criteria and rules listed below:</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>PLAYER</th>
<th>PREVIOUS TEAM</th>
<th>POSITION</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Iliana Rupert</td>
<td>Atlanta Dream</td>
<td>C</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Maria Conde</td>
<td>Chicago Sky</td>
<td>F</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Veronica Burton</td>
<td>Connecticut Sun</td>
<td>G</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Carla Leite</td>
<td>Dallas Wings</td>
<td>G</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Temi Fagbenle</td>
<td>Indiana Fever</td>
<td>C</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kate Martin</td>
<td>Las Vegas Aces</td>
<td>G</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Stephanie Talbot</td>
<td>Los Angeles Sparks</td>
<td>F</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cecilia Zandalasini</td>
<td>Minnesota Lynx</td>
<td>F</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kayla Thornton</td>
<td>New York Liberty</td>
<td>F</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Monique Billings</td>
<td>Phoenix Mercury</td>
<td>F</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Julie Vanloo</td>
<td>Washington Mystics</td>
<td>G</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>The Valkyries, which were not required to select a player from every team, chose not to make a selection from the Seattle Storm.</p><p>Each team privately submitted a list of six players - including pending free agents for whom they own the contract rights - the Valkyries couldn't select. Golden State could choose only one player set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason and couldn't pick an unrestricted free agent who's been tagged with the core player designation for two or more seasons.</p><p>Valkyries general manager Ohemaa Nyanin revealed following the draft that she preferred to go "all-in" with the team's selections rather than ship them off immediately in possible trades she had been looking into, according to <a href="https://twitter.com/kendra__andrews/status/1865189092734177515">ESPN's Kendra Andrews</a>.</p><p>Of the 11 players selected, three did not feature in the WNBA last season: Rupert, Conde, and Leite. Rupert, a champion with the Aces in 2022, elected to sit out the 2024 campaign to focus on the Olympics in her native France. Her compatriot Leite was the ninth overall pick in April's WNBA draft. Conde was selected 27th overall by Chicago in the 2019 draft, but the Spanish guard has yet to play in the league.</p><p>The 11 picks were revealed in alphabetical order of their previous team. They were announced at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art with the help of a few popular local faces: five-time LPGA TOUR winner Michelle Wie West announced the first four picks, Bay Area hip-hop icon E-40 revealed the second quartet, and former Golden State Warriors guard Baron Davis announced the final three, as well as the Storm non-selection.</p><p>Golden State gets its inaugural regular-season campaign underway when it hosts the Los Angeles Sparks at the Chase Center in San Francisco on May 16.</p>

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 04: Kate Martin #20 of the Las Vegas Aces reacts to a play against the Washington Mystics in the first quarter in their game at Michelob ULTRA Arena on July 04, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aces defeated the Mystics 98-77.

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Valkyries expansion draft: Aces' Martin among 11 joining Golden State roster

Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant should not have been whistled for a fourth-quarter foul Thursday...

<p>Memphis Grizzlies star <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/62077" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/62077">Ja Morant</a> should not have been whistled for a fourth-quarter foul Thursday on Sacramento Kings forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/470" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/470">DeMar DeRozan</a>, crew chief Pat Fraher admitted postgame.</p><p>The call earned Morant a second technical foul, and his subsequent protests resulted in an ejection.</p><p>"In live play, the official thought that Morant bumped DeRozan on his jump shot," Fraher told pool reporter <a href="https://x.com/NBAPR/status/1864896119815152064">Damichael Cole</a> after the Grizzlies' 115-110 win. "However, after postgame review, Morant was in legal guarding position and should not have been called for a foul."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Morant seemed to stand his ground on a post-up attempt by DeRozan midway through the fourth and didn't appear to lift his feet when he contested the latter's turnaround fadeaway jumper. However, the Grizzlies star was assessed a second personal foul on the play, and he took immediate issue with the decision.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Genuinely embarrassing that Ja Morant got ejected for this. Cant happen. Wasn’t even a foul, and dude gets tossed for a second technical. Unacceptable to compound that call with a T there. <a href="https://t.co/vMHCmLQl6p">pic.twitter.com/vMHCmLQl6p</a></p>— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sam_Vecenie/status/1864888118014284217?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Morant walked to Memphis' bench in the aftermath while appearing to point at and utter something to the referees. It was then that he was hit with a second technical for "multiple points and profanity toward an official," Fraher said.</p><p>Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins was incensed and had to be restrained by assistants. The team led 98-97 at the time of the incident, and DeRozan converted the subsequent technical free throw to tie the score. However, after Sacramento extended its lead to 101-98, the Grizzlies responded with a 6-0 run to go back in front and never relinquished their advantage for the rest of the game.</p><p>Morant picked up his first technical foul less than two minutes prior for also pointing and using profanity toward an official, according to Fahrer. The 25-year-old struggled Thursday, scoring just eight points on 2-of-13 shooting while going 0-of-6 from deep.</p><p>"Obviously, I thought he was trying to get going, just couldn't get into the game," Jenkins told <a href="https://x.com/bcmGrizzlies/status/1864896366964572283">reporters</a> postgame. "Obviously a struggle for him, a couple other starters. ... But for our group, they'd built up momentum throughout the game, and when they came in, that's what we've been talking about. No matter who can step on the floor, we know what we got to do."</p><p>The Grizzlies improved to 15-8 with the win, tying them with the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks for the second-best record in the Western Conference. The Kings, meanwhile, dipped to 10-13 and remain outside the play-in picture.</p>

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - DECEMBER 05: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts during the second half after a foul is called against \S at FedExForum on December 05, 2024 in Memphis, Tennessee.

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Ref admits Morant 'should not have been called for a foul' before ejection

Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic registered the 139th triple-double of his career Thursday, break...

<p>Denver Nuggets star <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/37604" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/37604">Nikola Jokic</a> registered the 139th triple-double of his career Thursday, breaking a tie with Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson for third on the all-time leaderboard.</p><p>Jokic posted 27 points, a season-high-tying 20 rebounds, and 11 assists, though his all-around effort wasn't enough as Denver lost 126-114 to the Cleveland Cavaliers, suffering their sixth defeat in their past 10 games.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nikola Jokić's 139th career triple-double:<br><br>🃏 27 PTS | 20 REB | 11 AST 🃏<br><br>He's now THIRD on the all-time TRIPLE-DOUBLES list! 💫 <a href="https://t.co/9kQsP8vnhK">pic.twitter.com/9kQsP8vnhK</a></p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1864864389553131681?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>The three-time MVP shot 13-of-26 from the floor but missed all three of his long-range attempts. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/60530" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/60530">Michael Porter Jr.</a> was Denver's only player with multiple such makes, going 3-of-6 from deep. The rest of the team was 3-for-18.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Meanwhile, Cleveland scored nearly as many threes as Denver attempted, going 22-of-48 (45.8%) and setting a new team-high for the most triples in a game this season. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/44998" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/44998">Donovan Mitchell</a> alone matched the Nuggets from distance, going 6-of-10 and finishing with a game-high 28 points along with six assists, three rebounds, two steals, and two blocks.</p><p>Cleveland's previous 3-point season high was 21 in a Nov. 15 win against the Chicago Bulls, though the Cavs were slightly more efficient in that contest at 48.8% from beyond the arc.</p><p>Jokic still has a ways to go to break the all-time triple-double mark held by his teammate <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/347" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/347">Russell Westbrook</a>, who picked up No. 200 on Nov. 19 against the Memphis Grizzlies. That remains Westbrook's only triple-double this season; the 36-year-old hasn't registered multiple in a campaign since 2022-23, when he had four with the Los Angeles Lakers.</p><p>Jokic is in line to pass Oscar Robertson for the second-most all time, potentially as early as next season. Thursday's result against the Cavaliers was the 29-year-old's ninth triple-double in 17 games so far; he didn't record his ninth triple-double last season until his 21st contest and finished the year with 25 in 79 appearances.</p>

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 8: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets looks on during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on December 5, 2024 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE

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Jokic passes Magic for 3rd in triple-doubles in Nuggets' loss to Cavs

Junior guard Pop Isaacs scored 27 points and shot 6-of-9 from three to help Creighton upset No. 1...

<p>Junior guard <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/103105" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/103105">Pop Isaacs</a> scored 27 points and shot 6-of-9 from three to help Creighton upset No. 1 Kansas 76-63 on Wednesday.</p><p>It's the Jayhawks' first defeat of the season after winning their first seven contests.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">STORMING IN OMAHA!!! DOWN GOES NO. 1 KANSAS ⛈️ <a href="https://twitter.com/BluejayMBB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BluejayMBB</a> <a href="https://t.co/olB8K4tCwI">pic.twitter.com/olB8K4tCwI</a></p>— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBBonFOX/status/1864514336166723898?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>It's the second straight season in which the Bluejays have knocked off a No. 1 side. Their 85-66 win over UConn in February was the program's first-ever victory over a top-ranked team and snapped a 14-game winning streak for Dan Hurley's side.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/85101" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/85101">Ryan Kalkbrenner</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/89116" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/89116">Steven Ashworth</a> added 17 points apiece, with Kalkbrenner also contributing 10 rebounds and Ashworth recording eight boards and six assists.</p><p>Kansas was led by <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/78734" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/78734">Dajuan Harris Jr.</a>, who scored 15 points with five assists, two rebounds, and two steals but was held to just 3-of-9 shooting from deep. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/103094" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/103094">AJ Storr</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/96515" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/96515">Zeke Mayo</a> were the only other Jayhawks to reach double digits, scoring 12 points each. The loss was the Jayhawks' first against an unranked nonconference opponent in the regular season in three years.</p>

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 26: Pop Isaacs #2 of the Creighton Bluejays dribbles the ball up the court against the San Diego State Aztecs in the second half of their game during the Players Era Festival basketball tournament at MGM Grand Garden Arena on November 26, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aztecs defeated the Bluejays 71-53.

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Creighton hands top-ranked Kansas 1st loss of season

Star guard Jewell Loyd requested a trade from the Seattle Storm, sources told The Chicago Sun-Tim...

<p>Star guard Jewell Loyd requested a trade from the Seattle Storm, sources told <a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky-and-wnba/2024/12/04/jewell-loyd-requests-trade-out-of-seattle">The Chicago Sun-Times' Anna Costabile</a>.</p><p>Loyd's request comes hours after Seattle announced that an investigation into the coaching staff regarding alleged player mistreatment turned up "no findings of policy violations or any discrimination, harassment, or bullying," according to <a href="https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/42781606/investigation-alleged-bullying-seattle-storm-coaching-staff-finds-no-violations">ESPN's Kevin Pelton</a>.</p><p>The former Rookie of the Year and two-time WNBA champion had filed a complaint against the staff and was heavily involved in the investigation, according to Costabile.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>It was <a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky-and-wnba/2024/11/15/storm-being-investigated-for-alleged-player-mistreatment-noelle-quinn#:%7e:text=The%20Storm's%20coaching%20staff%20is,2024%20season%2C%20a%20source%20said.">reported</a> Nov. 15 that there were allegations of players being bullied and harassed in practices and games over on-court performances. Specific names weren't mentioned, but multiple players were reportedly involved.</p><p>Head coach Noelle Quinn led the Storm to a 25-15 regular-season record in 2024, her fourth campaign in charge after two as an assistant. She also played four-and-a-half seasons in Seattle across two separate stints and was Loyd's teammate during the club's 2018 championship run.</p><p>Assistants Pokey Chatman and Ebony Hoffman have been on Quinn's coaching staff since 2022 and remain <a href="https://storm.wnba.com/front-office">listed</a> on the team's basketball operations directory. Perry Huang, now an assistant with the Los Angeles Lakers' G League affiliate, was also on Quinn's staff last season.</p><p>Loyd has played her entire career in Seattle after the organization selected her first overall in 2015. She owns career averages of 16.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.2 steals and has shot 34.8% from three over 327 regular-season games. She signed a two-year extension in September 2023, putting her on pace to become a free agent in 2026.</p>

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JUNE 11: Jewell Loyd #24 of the Seattle Storm reacts during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Sparks at Climate Pledge Arena on June 11, 2024 in Seattle, Washington.

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Report: Storm's Loyd requests trade after coaches cleared in bullying probe

The second annual in-season tournament resumed Tuesday with 11 games as group play came to a clos...

<p><em>The second annual in-season tournament resumed Tuesday with 11 games as group play came to a close. For an explanation on how the tourney works, tap <a href="https://www.nba.com/news/nba-cup-101">here</a>.</em></p><p>To see what happened during Friday's action, tap <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3125554" href="https://thescore.com/news/3125554">here</a>.</p><h3>Tuesday's results</h3><ul>
<li>
<strong>76ers</strong> 110-104 Hornets</li>
<li>Wizards 87-118 <strong>Cavaliers</strong>
</li>
<li>
<strong>Bucks </strong>128-107 Pistons</li>
<li>Magic 106-121 <strong>Knicks</strong>
</li>
<li>Pacers 111-122 <strong>Raptors</strong>
</li>
<li>Jazz 106-133 <strong>Thunder</strong>
</li>
<li>Grizzlies 116-121 <strong>Mavericks</strong>
</li>
<li>Spurs 93-104 <strong>Suns</strong>
</li>
<li>Warriors 115-119 <strong>Nuggets</strong>
</li>
<li>Rockets 111-120 <strong>Kings</strong>
</li>
<li>Blazers 105-127 <strong>Clippers</strong>
</li>
</ul><p>Check out our <a href="thescore:///nba/scores">NBA scores page</a> for box score recaps for each game, and the NBA Cup tab on our <a href="thescore:///nba/standings/">NBA standings page</a> for group standings.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Top performers</h3><p><strong>Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks):</strong> The Bucks capped off a dominant group stage sweep with a blowout win over the Detroit Pistons thanks in no small part to Antetokounmpo. The Greek Freak scored "just" 28 points but was an absolute menace around the paint, missing just one of 11 shots - all but two of which were from inside 15 feet. Add in eight assists, seven rebounds, and a block, and Antetokounmpo has the Bucks looking dangerous again with seven straight wins.</p><p><strong>Scottie Barnes (Raptors): </strong>Goggles Scottie continues to impress. The 23-year-old dropped a career-high 35 points in Toronto's win over the Pacers. This is the second time he's scored over 30 points since returning from a right orbital bone fracture in mid-November. Barnes also added nine assists and six rebounds, becoming the first Raptors player to post these numbers - while shooting at least 60% - since Vince Carter in 2004, per <a href="https://x.com/statmuse/status/1864143499605553664">StatMuse</a>.</p><p><strong>Luka Doncic (Mavericks): </strong>Doncic led Dallas to an improbable fourth-quarter comeback win against the Grizzlies, tallying 37 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, and four steals in the victory. This is the fourth time the Slovenian has had at least 35 points, 10 rebounds, and four steals in a game, more than every other Mavericks player combined.</p><h3>Highlight of the night</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">DERECK LIVELY II OVER THE TOP!<br><br>🏆 MEM, DAL in the Wild Card hunt<br>🏆 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EmiratesNBACup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EmiratesNBACup</a> on NBA League Pass<br>🏆 <a href="https://t.co/5cqvoV4BuY">https://t.co/5cqvoV4BuY</a> <a href="https://t.co/MVTbpV9OZV">pic.twitter.com/MVTbpV9OZV</a></p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1864132127257747583?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Mavs big man Dereck Lively II returned from a knee injury to finish this Doncic lob in style. The second-year pro put Jaren Jackson Jr, the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year, on a poster with a ferocious two-handed slam.</p><h3>Tweet of the night</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Josh Hart, who never has a dull moment, says he’d buy a watch with his NBA Cup winnings.<br><br>“I don’t really care about the end (of bench) guys getting the money. I just care about me,” he said.<br><br>Jalen Brunson then cut him off, shouting at Hart from his locker, “You’re an asshole.”</p>— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) <a href="https://twitter.com/FredKatz/status/1864152693851242798?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>We all need that one friend who isn't afraid to tell it like it is, but bonus points if they do it in a crowded professional locker room in the vicinity of several journalists.</p><h3>Stat of the night</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">A season-high 23 triples tonight. <a href="https://t.co/lyatcFwCfe">pic.twitter.com/lyatcFwCfe</a></p>— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) <a href="https://twitter.com/Bucks/status/1864136955698794707?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>While Antetokounmpo was unstoppable inside the perimeter, the rest of the Bucks were lethal outside of it. Milwaukee converted on a season-high 23 triples in their win over Detroit to secure its passage to the knockout stage. It's a simple marker but one as strong as any that Doc Rivers' squad has turned the corner after a brutal start to the year.</p><h3>What's next</h3><p>As group winners, the Bucks, Knicks, and Hawks will be joined in the quarterfinals by the Magic, whose blowout loss to New York was just within the margins to send them through in the wild-card spot above the Celtics. Milwaukee will host Orlando in the first quarterfinal at 7 p.m. ET on Dec. 10, while Atlanta will travel to Madison Square Garden to face New York on Dec. 11, also at 7 pm ET.</p><p>In the West, the Thunder, Rockets, and Warriors finished as the top three group winners, in that order. Oklahoma City will host the Mavericks, who secured the conference's wild card, at 9:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 10 following Magic-Bucks. Golden State will meet the Rockets in Houston at the same time on Dec. 11, following the conclusion of the Hawks-Knicks clash.</p><p>The four winners then head to Las Vegas for the semifinals Dec. 14 in hopes of earning a spot in the Dec. 17 final at T-Mobile Arena.</p><p><em>Tap the NBA Cup tab on our <a href="thescore:///nba/standings/">NBA standings page</a> for the latest group standings.</em></p>

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - DECEMBER 3: Isaiah Joe #11 and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrate a made basket during the second half against the Utah Jazz at Paycom Center on December 3, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

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Boston Celtics wing Jaylen Brown believes the biggest names can't afford to take a night off when...

<p>Boston Celtics wing <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/45455" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/45455">Jaylen Brown</a> believes the biggest names can't afford to take a night off when scheduled to play on consecutive days.</p><p>"Back-to-backs, it's not like (only) the Celtics got to play them. Everybody in the whole league is no different. ... As a team, some of those moments are some of the adversity," the 28-year-old said after Boston's 108-89 win over the Miami Heat on Monday, according to <a href="https://x.com/BobbyKrivitsky/status/1863799851164569814">Bobby Krivitsky of Sports Illustrated</a>. "Back-to-backs are tough. You get your body, your mind, everything ready. ... But as you're looking to do something special, those are the moments you got to accept.</p><p>"It's hard for teams to be great if some of their best players never play back-to-backs."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Brown scored a team-high 29 points Monday after initially being listed as questionable with an illness. He missed Sunday's 115-111 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers with the same ailment but said he made a concerted effort to not miss both matchups.</p><p>"Even when you're not feeling well, to show that you're still available, I think kind of just sets the tone for your team to have the same type of mindset," he <a href="https://x.com/BobbyKrivitsky/status/1863805012171997377">said</a>.</p><p>The NBA's 2024-25 schedule includes an average of 14.9 back-to-backs, per <a href="https://x.com/ByTimReynolds/status/1824163007104160031">Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press</a>. That's a small increase for a third straight season (14 in 2023-24 and 13.3 in 2022-23).</p><p>Boston has 13 back-to-backs, tied with the Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, and Portland Trail Blazers for the fewest in 2024-25.</p><p>Stars being rested in one of the two contests is a growing trend in recent years, though the practice has attracted plenty of scrutiny.</p><p>Philadelphia 76ers star <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/31932" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/31932">Joel Embiid</a> arguably drew the most notable criticism in October when he said he believed he'd never play in back-to-back games for the rest of his career, citing lingering knee concerns. The former MVP later appeared to walk that back, saying those decisions were up to the team.</p><p> </p><p> </p>

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 02: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics reacts after the Miami Heat passed the ball out of bounds during the second quarter at the TD Garden on December 02, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts.

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The Washington Wizards are ready to flip the monthly calendar over.  The Wizards ensured they fin...

<p>The <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/15" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/15">Washington Wizards</a> are ready to flip the monthly calendar over.</p><p>The Wizards ensured they finished November with an 0-14 record following Saturday's 124-114 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, marking the first time the franchise has failed to record a single win in the traditional first full month of the NBA regular season.</p><p>Washington mustered just two victories during the same timeframe last season but played an extra game. Its previous franchise-worst record in the month was a 1-12 mark in 2012-13. The Wizards went 29-53 under head coach Randy Wittman that season in what was also Bradley Beal's rookie campaign.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p><strong>Wizards' worst Novembers by year</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Season</th>
<th>Record</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>2024-25</td>
<td>0-14</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2012-13</td>
<td>1-12</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2023-24</td>
<td>2-13</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2008-09</td>
<td>2-11</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1961-62*</td>
<td>2-10</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p><em>*playing as the Chicago Packers in their inaugural season</em></p><p>(Courtesy: <a href="https://stathead.com/sharing/8PTtb">Stathead</a>)</p><p>Washington also went 0-12 in December 2023 and lost all 12 games in February 2024 as part of a franchise-worst 16-game losing streak. Those are the only other times in franchise history in which the Wizards failed to record a win in a single calendar month with at least five games - they went winless in April 2019, but in the final four games of the 2018-19 regular season.</p><p>Washington's current 14-game skid is now the second-longest losing streak in franchise history. The team also lost 16 consecutive matchups in March 2010 but salvaged the month somewhat by beating the then-New Orleans Hornets on March 31.</p>

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 26: Kyle Kuzma #33 of the Washington Wizards reacts against the Chicago Bulls during the second half in the Emirates NBA Cup at Capital One Arena on November 26, 2024 in Washington, DC.

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Lost month: Wizards go winless in all 14 November games

The second annual in-season tournament resumed Friday with 10 games in group play. For an explana...

<p><em>The second annual in-season tournament resumed Friday with 10 games in group play. For an explanation of how the tourney works, tap <a href="https://www.nba.com/news/nba-cup-101">here</a>.</em></p><p>To see what happened during Tuesday's action, tap <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3125553" href="https://thescore.com/news/3125553">here</a>.</p><h3>Friday's results</h3><ul>
<li>
<strong>Knicks</strong> 99-98 Hornets</li>
<li>Cavaliers 101-117 <strong>Hawks</strong>
</li>
<li>Pelicans 109-120 <strong>Grizzlies</strong>
</li>
<li>
<strong>Magic</strong> 123-100 Nets</li>
<li>Clippers 92-93 <strong>T-Wolves</strong>
</li>
<li>
<strong>Pistons</strong> 130-106 Pacers</li>
<li>Raptors 111-121 <strong>Heat</strong>
</li>
<li>
<strong>Celtics</strong> 138-129 Bulls</li>
<li>
<strong>Thunder</strong> 101-93 Lakers</li>
<li>Kings 106-115 <strong>Blazers</strong>
</li>
</ul><p>Check out our <a href="thescore:///nba/scores">NBA scores page</a> for box score recaps for each game and the NBA Cup tab on our <a href="thescore:///nba/standings/">NBA standings page</a> for group standings.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Top performers</h3><p><strong>Franz Wagner (Magic):</strong> Orlando has relied on Wagner during Paolo Banchero's absence, and he's delivered beyond expectations. The Magic wing recorded 29 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists over the Brooklyn Nets, helping the squad improve to 11 wins over their last 12 games. He and Banchero together amount to a formidable threat in the Eastern Conference.</p><p><strong>Payton Pritchard (Celtics): </strong>The reserve guard provided a spark during the fourth quarter, scoring 19 of his 29 points to push Boston past the Bulls. Pritchard <a href="https://x.com/statmuse/status/1862699419352932475">added</a> to an increasingly sizeable league lead in bench points with 296, further cementing his early case for Sixth Man of the Year. He also led the team with four offensive rebounds.</p><p><strong>Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder): </strong>The Oklahoma City maestro was too much for the Lakers in one of his best all-around games of the season: 36 points, nine assists, six rebounds, two steals, and a block for good measure. Though his threes weren't falling (3-of-10), he was methodical in putting the defending NBA Cup champs away late, including a <a href="https://x.com/NBA/status/1862729412531073301">dagger</a> trey with just over a minute-and-a-half left that sucked the life out of the L.A. arena.</p><h3>Highlight of the night</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">JAYLEN BROWN POSTER TIME 😱😱<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EmiratesNBACup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EmiratesNBACup</a> 🏆 <a href="https://t.co/gH7u1Amy8q">pic.twitter.com/gH7u1Amy8q</a></p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1862691523151732777?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Celtics star Jaylen Brown added to his ever-growing collection of memorable posters with a dunk on Bulls big man Jalen Smith, who unfortunately stood no chance in contesting the monstrous one-handed slam.</p><h3>Tweet of the night</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Okay this is too funny Scottie Barnes 💀 <a href="https://t.co/YUXkvLMDEV">pic.twitter.com/YUXkvLMDEV</a></p>— Pensare Basketball (@PensareBBall) <a href="https://twitter.com/PensareBBall/status/1862669113614651769?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Forward Scottie Barnes had a comical reaction after earning a technical foul less than five minutes into the Raptors' loss to the Heat, mimicking crew chief Tre Maddox's signal. Barnes clearly didn't agree with the call.</p><h3>Stat of the night</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Pistons are now up to 9 wins for the season.<br><br>It took them until the end of February to get to 9 wins last season. <a href="https://t.co/awZ6M54gbt">pic.twitter.com/awZ6M54gbt</a></p>— StatMuse (@statmuse) <a href="https://twitter.com/statmuse/status/1862704096261939491?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Exactly how much better have the Pistons been compared to last season? With Saturday's trouncing of the Pacers, they're now <em>three</em> months ahead of their winning pace from 2023-24. They didn't get win No. 9 last season until Feb. 27 - their last game of that month.</p><h3>What's next</h3><p>The Atlanta Hawks won East Group C, becoming the first team from the conference to qualify for the quarterfinals following their victory over the Cavaliers and the Bulls' loss to the Celtics. </p><p>Meanwhile, the defending champion Lakers aren't <em>officially</em> eliminated but it's not looking great for JJ Redick &amp; Co. They can no longer finish atop West Group B, and their odds of advancing via the wild card are almost impossible with eight other teams now above them in the pecking order.</p><p><em>Tap the NBA Cup tab on our <a href="thescore:///nba/standings/">NBA standings page</a> for the latest group standings.</em></p>

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 29: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers during a Emirates NBA Cup game on October 22, 2024 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE

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