NBA Daily Rewind

## NBA Cup Final: Knicks capture NBA Cup with 124–113 win over Spurs
The New York Knicks secured the 2025 Emirates NBA Cup title with a 124–113 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. After trailing by two points at halftime (61–59), New York outscored San Antonio 43–21 down the stretch, particularly dominating with offensive rebounds and second-chance points. OG Anunoby led all scorers with 28 points and nine rebounds, while Jalen Brunson was named NBA Cup MVP after posting 25 points, eight assists, and a +15 plus-minus rating. Mitchell Robinson chipped in a 15-point, 15-rebound double-double (including 10 offensive boards), and Karl-Anthony Towns added 16 points on efficient shooting ([postingandtoasting.com](https://www.postingandtoasting.com/knicks-scores-results/76599/knicks-124-spurs-113-mitch-clarkson-and-kolek-earn-their-bonuses-in-nba-cup-win?utm_source=openai)).
The Knicks shot 47% from the field, outrebounded the Spurs 59–42, and scored 32 second-chance points. San Antonio’s young stars, including Victor Wembanyama (18 points, six rebounds) and Dylan Harper (21 points), showed promise but could not overcome New York’s physicality and depth in the fourth quarter. With this win, the Knicks cap off their NBA Cup run and set their sights on regaining Eastern Conference dominance as the regular season continues ([poundingtherock.com](https://www.poundingtherock.com/game-recaps/91442/san-antonio-at-new-york-knicks-final-score-knicks-out-tough-the-spurs-124-113?utm_source=openai)).

## Pistons defeat Celtics 112–105 in Boston
The Detroit Pistons handed the Boston Celtics their second straight loss, prevailing 112–105 at TD Garden behind a 32-point, 10-rebound performance from Cade Cunningham. Detroit improved to 21–5 (9–3 on the road) by winning its fourth consecutive game and avenging an earlier loss in Boston. Caris LeVert and Tobias Harris each contributed 13 points off the bench, while Javonte Green provided a timely corner three and breakaway dunk late in the fourth to extend the Pistons’ lead ([espn.in](https://www.espn.in/nba/recap/_/gameId/401836803?utm_source=openai)).
Jaylen Brown paced Boston with 34 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, and Derrick White added 31 points and five three-pointers. However, the Celtics shot just 10 of 39 (25.6%) from beyond the arc, missing 20 of 21 threes between the end of the first quarter and early in the fourth. Detroit’s balanced attack and efficient free-throw shooting down the stretch proved decisive in neutralizing Boston’s home-court edge ([espn.in](https://www.espn.in/nba/recap/_/gameId/401836803?utm_source=openai)).

## Nuggets rally past Rockets 128–125 in overtime
Trailing late in regulation, the Denver Nuggets rallied to force overtime and ultimately defeated the Houston Rockets 128–125 at Ball Arena. Nikola Jokić delivered his 12th triple-double of the season, finishing with 39 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists, while Jamal Murray added 35 points, including six in the extra period. Murray also made 14 of 15 free throws, including the game-tying free throw with 2.3 seconds left in regulation after an away-from-play foul on Amen Thompson ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/401836806?utm_source=openai)).
Alperen Şengün recorded a triple-double of his own—33 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists—for Houston, and Kevin Durant chipped in 25 points and five blocks. The Nuggets overcame a 113–117 deficit by outscoring the Rockets 11–8 in OT. This victory marked Denver’s fifth straight win and snapped a lengthy home losing skid that dated back to early November. Jokić credited Houston’s competitiveness but stressed Denver’s resilience in critical moments ([washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nba/2025/12/16/nuggets-rockets-score/e1662754-da42-11f0-b484-4459fa8e79e5_story.html?utm_source=openai)).

## Jazz topple Mavericks 140–133 in overtime as Cooper Flagg makes history
The Utah Jazz overcame a historic performance from rookie Cooper Flagg to edge the Dallas Mavericks 140–133 in Salt Lake City. Flagg, just 18 years old, became the youngest player in NBA history to score 40+ points, erupting for a career-high 42 points along with seven rebounds, six assists, and two blocks. Despite his record-setting night—surpassing LeBron James’ 37-point mark at the same age—the Mavericks fell short as Utah outscored Dallas 11–4 in overtime ([sportscapitoldc.com](https://www.sportscapitoldc.com/2025/12/16/nba-roundup-jazz-overcome-cooper-flaggs-historic-outing-for-mavs/?utm_source=openai)).
Keyonte George led the Jazz with 37 points and six assists, shooting 55% from the field, and Lauri Markkanen added 33 points, 16 rebounds, and five assists. George and Markkanen combined for nine of Utah’s 11 OT points, while Kyle Filipowski contributed 25 points and nine boards. Utah improved to 10–15, rallying from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter. The Jazz defense tightened in clutch moments, forcing Mavericks turnovers down the stretch to secure the win ([sports.yahoo.com](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/utah-jazz-vs-dallas-mavericks-063310138.html?utm_source=openai)).

## Grizzlies cruise past Clippers 121–103 as Cam Spencer erupts
On the road in Inglewood, Jaren Jackson Jr. scored a season-high 31 points—21 of them in the first half—and Cam Spencer erupted for a career-best 27 points (seven three-pointers) off the bench to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to a 121–103 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. The Grizzlies shot 52.3% from the field and 41.0% from three, while building a 90–76 lead after three quarters and never looking back ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/401836807?utm_source=openai)).
Despite playing just 21 minutes in his second game back from a calf injury, Ja Morant added 12 points for Memphis, which moved to 12–14. Kawhi Leonard led L.A. with 21 points, and Kris Dunn added 17, but the Clippers committed 19 turnovers and have now lost eight straight at home. Memphis overcame the absence of center Zach Edey, allowing rookie Santi Aldama to log valuable minutes despite being held to three points ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/jaren-jackson-jr-grizzlies-extend-clippers-home-misery--flm-2025-12-16/?utm_source=openai)).

## Off-Court Highlights: Ime Udoka’s Criticism and Broadcast Mishap
Rockets head coach Ime Udoka publicly blasted the officiating after Houston’s OT loss to Denver, calling it “the most poorly officiated game I’ve seen in a long time” and accusing veteran referee Zach Zarba of being “starstruck.” Udoka’s ire centered on two late whistles against Amen Thompson, one of which allowed Denver to tie the game in regulation. The NBA’s two-minute report later confirmed three missed or incorrect calls against Houston in the final minutes, lending credence to Udoka’s complaints ([nypost.com](https://nypost.com/2025/12/16/sports/ime-udoka-goes-scorched-earth-on-starstruck-refs-after-controversial-rockets-nuggets-ending/?utm_source=openai)).
Meanwhile, during the Nuggets–Rockets broadcast, Rockets play-by-play announcer Craig Ackerman accidentally struck studio analyst Ryan Hollins with a celebratory fist pump after Reed Sheppard buried a crucial three-pointer. Despite the on-air incident, Hollins took it in stride and even joked about it on social media afterward, adding a lighthearted moment to an otherwise tense game night ([chron.com](https://www.chron.com/sports/rockets/article/craig-ackerman-punches-ryan-hollins-live-21245753.php?utm_source=openai)).