NBA Daily Rewind

## Game Recaps

**Denver Nuggets 136, Sacramento Kings 105**
The Nuggets never trailed after the midway point of the first quarter, building a lead as large as 37 points en route to a 31-point victory in Sacramento. Nikola Jokić was virtually unstoppable, finishing with 36 points on 14-of-16 shooting, 12 rebounds and 8 assists, while Peyton Watson chipped in 21 points on 7-of-10 shooting. Denver shot an efficient 59.1% from the field on 88 attempts, with multiple bench contributors helping maintain intensity throughout the night. Sacramento was hamstrung by a short bench and struggled to contain Denver’s ball movement, despite Malik Monk leading the Kings with 18 pointsciteturn0search0turn0search2.

**Houston Rockets 115, Los Angeles Clippers 113**
In a back-and-forth contest decided in the final seconds, the Rockets outrebounded the Clippers 51-28 and erased multiple late Clippers possessions to secure the win at Toyota Center. Alperen Şengün recorded a 22-point, 15-rebound, 5-assist, 4-steal line, while Amen Thompson contributed 20 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists, drilling a go-ahead three-point play with 17.2 seconds left after tipping in Şengün’s miss and converting the free throw. Ivica Zubac led L.A. with 33 points on 13-of-14 shooting and 7 rebounds, and Kawhi Leonard added 24 points, but the Clippers committed critical miscues in crunch time. Houston improved to 16-6 on the season, their sixth win in eight games, while Los Angeles fell to 6-19 (3-12 on the road) despite shooting 50% overallciteturn1news12turn1search2.

**New Orleans Pelicans 143, Portland Trail Blazers 120**
Jordan Poole returned from an 18-game absence to score 22 points off the bench, helping New Orleans snap a seven-game losing streak. Trey Murphy III led the starters with 24 points, while Bryce McGowens poured in a career-high 23 points on a perfect 5-of-5 from three. The Pelicans built a 39-30 first-quarter cushion and, despite the ejection of Herb Jones just before halftime, dominated Portland in the fourth quarter with a 38-23 advantage. Shaedon Sharpe paced the short-handed Blazers with 21 points, and Sidy Cissoko added 20, but Portland’s depleted roster couldn’t keep pace. The Pelicans improved to 4-19 overall and will visit the Chicago Bulls next, as Portland returns home to face the Golden State Warriors on December 14citeturn3news12turn3search1.

**Milwaukee Bucks 116, Boston Celtics 101**
Without Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf strain), the Bucks rallied for a statement win at Fiserv Forum, ending Boston’s five-game winning streak. Kyle Kuzma exploded for a season-high 31 points, while Bobby Portis added 27 points and 10 rebounds off the bench, connecting on 5-of-6 three-pointers. Kevin Porter Jr. posted his first triple-double of the season with 18 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 30 points and Jordan Walsh contributed 20, but Boston shot just 3-of-26 from beyond the arc in the second half. Milwaukee improved to 11-15 at home and 2-7 without Antetokounmpo, while the Celtics fell to 15-10 and will look to bounce back against Charlotte on Sunday afternoonciteturn4news14turn4search6.

**Philadelphia 76ers 115, Indiana Pacers 105**
Joel Embiid recorded a season-high 39 points and 9 rebounds in just his 10th game of the season, leading Philadelphia past a short-handed Indiana squad. Paul George added 23 points, and rookie VJ Edgecombe chipped in 22 points on 60% shooting. The Sixers overcame an early 100-95 deficit, embarking on a decisive 13-2 run capped by an Embiid offensive rebound and and-one basket to push the margin beyond single digits. Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 20 points, and Andrew Nembhard logged 18 points and 7 assists, but Indiana managed only one field goal over the final 8:24. Philadelphia improved to 14-10 (8-7 at home) and has won four of its last five, while the Pacers dropped to 6-19 (1-11 on the road)citeturn6news12turn6search0.

**Utah Jazz 130, Memphis Grizzlies 126**
Keyonte George exploded for a career-high 39 points, including five 3-pointers, and added 6 rebounds, 8 assists and 2 steals to power Utah past Memphis. Lauri Markkanen contributed 26 points and 9 rebounds, and Kevin Love posted 20 points in a balanced attack. The Grizzlies, missing leading scorer Desmond Bane, fought back late but were undone by costly turnovers and missed free throws in the final minute. The Jazz improved to 16-7, while Memphis dropped to 9-13 despite Alperen Bowens’ 22 points and Brandon Clarke’s 18 points and 12 reboundsciteturn0search1turn6news14.

**Dallas Mavericks 119, Brooklyn Nets 111**
Anthony Davis continued his dominance with 24 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks in Dallas’ win over Brooklyn. Cooper Flagg also made an impact with 22 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, a steal and a block in 34 minutes, while Michael Porter Jr. led the Nets with 34 points and six 3-pointers. Rookie Danny Wolf came off the bench to add 17 points and 7 rebounds on perfect 3-of-3 three-point shooting. The Mavericks improved to 15-7 and have won five of their last six, while the Nets fell to 10-12citeturn0search1turn6news14.

**Detroit Pistons 142, Atlanta Hawks 115**
Detroit recorded its third straight win in a balanced offensive showcase, as eight Pistons scored in double figures. Isaiah Stewart led the way with 17 points, followed by Cade Cunningham and Duncan Robinson with 15 apiece. Marvin Bagley III, Kyshawn George and Jamir Watkins each added 15 points, exemplifying the team’s depth. Atlanta, missing Dejounte Murray and Jalen Johnson, struggled to contain Detroit’s movement and could not keep pace after surrendering a 40-point painting by the Pistons in the first half. The Pistons improved to 11-10, while the Hawks fell to 8-13citeturn0search1turn6news14.

## Standout Performer Highlights

- **Nikola Jokić**: 36 points (14-16 FG), 12 rebounds, 8 assists, two steals on 87% shooting
- **Joel Embiid**: 39 points (12-23 FG, 13-18 FT), 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal
- **Keyonte George**: 39 points (12-20 FG, 10-10 FT), 6 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals
- **Anthony Davis**: 24 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 3 blocks
- **Stephen Curry**: 39 points (14-28 FG, 6-15 3PM), 5 rebounds, 5 assists in his return (Warriors loss) ([nba.com](https://www.nba.com/news/live-updates-hawks-pistons-timberwolves-warriors-and-action-from-a-7-night-game-in-the-nba))

## Injury and Roster News

- **Victor Wembanyama (Spurs)**: Expected to return from a left calf strain for Saturday's NBA Cup semifinal against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Listed as probable, Wembanyama will have a minutes restriction and early substitutions, but his presence bolsters a Spurs team that went 9-3 without him. This season he’s averaging 26.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 3.6 blocks through 12 games ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/spurs-star-c-victor-wembanyama-calf-could-return-vs-thunder--flm-2025-12-12/?utm_source=openai)).
- **Miles “Deuce” McBride (Knicks)**: Diagnosed with a left ankle sprain after initially being considered day-to-day. McBride will be re-evaluated in one week; the injury timeline suggests a potential return after missing only a few games, providing relief for New York as they enter the NBA Cup semifinals ([postingandtoasting.com](https://www.postingandtoasting.com/knicks-news/76350/knicks-finally-give-update-on-deuce-mcbrides-ankle-injury?utm_source=openai)).

## NBA Cup Semifinals Preview

- **Spurs vs. Thunder (Las Vegas, Saturday 9:00 p.m. ET)**
The San Antonio Spurs, with Victor Wembanyama probable, face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the West semifinal. S&A coach Mitch Johnson plans to manage Wembanyama’s minutes carefully, with early substitutions to preserve his health. The winner will face the Eastern semifinal victor in Tuesday’s NBA Cup final ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/spurs-star-c-victor-wembanyama-calf-could-return-vs-thunder--flm-2025-12-12/?utm_source=openai)).

- **Magic vs. Knicks (Las Vegas, Saturday 5:30 p.m. ET)**
Orlando’s strategy hinges on limiting Jalen Brunson’s free-throw attempts—a strength he’s exploited in past meetings—by playing disciplined, physical defense without fouling. The Magic (15-10) rank fifth in paint points (54.1 per game), led by Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner (questionable availability). New York (17-7) counters with 46.1 rebounds per game and needs Karl-Anthony Towns to support early scoring while contending with Orlando’s full-court pressure. Four-point favorites, the Knicks aim to translate their four-game winning streak into a Cup final berth ([abcnews.go.com](https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/magic-knicks-square-off-saturday-nba-cup-semifinals-128337112?utm_source=openai)).