NBA Daily Rewind

## Brooklyn Nets 96, Toronto Raptors 81
The Brooklyn Nets leaned on their elite defense to throttle the Toronto Raptors 96-81 on December 21, 2025. Holding Toronto to just 39 points in the first half, Brooklyn showcased the NBA’s second-best defensive rating in December, frequently converting stops into transition buckets. Michael Porter Jr. paced the offense with 17 first-half points, while rookie Nolan Traoré contributed eight boards and timely scoring. In the fourth quarter, Egor Dëmin ignited a decisive 16-2 run that put the contest out of reach. The Raptors, led by Brandon Ingram’s 19 points, misfired from the perimeter (27.8% 3-point) and fell to 6-8 in their last 14 games ([netsdaily.com](https://www.netsdaily.com/nets-scores-results/103342/nets-vs-raptors-96-81-egor-demin-michael-porter-jr?utm_source=openai)).

## Minnesota Timberwolves 103, Milwaukee Bucks 100
In a back-and-forth affair, the Minnesota Timberwolves edged the Giannis-less Milwaukee Bucks 103-100, rallying from a 16-point third-quarter deficit with a 20-0 run. Anthony Edwards led the comeback with 24 points, albeit on inefficient shooting, while veteran playmakers Mike Conley (10 points, 8 assists) and Donte DiVincenzo (10 points, including four clutch 3-pointers) steadied the ship. Rudy Gobert dominated the glass, hauling in 18 rebounds and surpassing 10,000 career boards. Despite shooting just 18.2% from deep overall, Minnesota improved to 19-10, though Jaden McDaniels exited early with a hip injury. The Bucks fell to 11-17, struggling to capitalize on home-court advantage ([canishoopus.com](https://www.canishoopus.com/timberwolves-scores-results/63254/timberwolves-vs-bucks-game-recap-final-score?utm_source=openai)).

## San Antonio Spurs 124, Washington Wizards 113
The San Antonio Spurs extended their winning streak to six games by dispatching a shorthanded Washington Wizards squad 124-113. De’Aaron Fox orchestrated the attack with 20 points and four made 3-pointers in just 22 minutes, while Victor Wembanyama provided a dominant bench spark with 14 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, and two blocks. San Antonio jumped out to a 20-point halftime lead by exploiting Washington’s depleted depth, then weathered a late surge to maintain control. The victory bolsters the Spurs’ position (21-7) as the Western Conference’s second-best record. Washington, led by Tristan Vukcevic’s 19 points, remains without key rotation players due to injuries ([poundingtherock.com](https://www.poundingtherock.com/game-recaps/91737/spurs-take-care-of-business-against-shorthanded-wizards?utm_source=openai)).

## Chicago Bulls 152, Atlanta Hawks 150
In the highest-scoring game of the season, the Chicago Bulls outlasted the Atlanta Hawks 152-150, thanks to a season-high 28-point performance by Matas Buzelis and a balanced attack featuring nine players in double figures. Chicago shot 47.6% from three (20-for-42) and set season highs for points in a half (83) and game, while Atlanta’s prolific perimeter shooting (48.9% on 23-for-47) fell just short. Trae Young missed a potential game-tying floater at the buzzer after Jalen Johnson’s seven-foot pull-up had given the Hawks a brief lead. Josh Giddey flirted with a triple-double (19 points, 12 assists, 9 rebounds), and the Bulls improved to 13-15 ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/bulls-fend-off-hawks-shootout-152-150--flm-2025-12-21/?utm_source=openai)).

## New York Knicks 132, Miami Heat 125
Jalen Brunson erupted for a season-high 47 points—his most ever at Madison Square Garden—guiding the Knicks to a 132-125 win over the Miami Heat. Brunson shot 15-for-26 from the floor, including 6-of-13 from beyond the arc, and added eight assists with zero turnovers in 38 minutes. Mikal Bridges chipped in 24 points on 6-of-7 3-point shooting, and Josh Hart secured a double-double (13 points, 10 rebounds). Despite Kel’el Ware’s historic 28-19 performance, Miami couldn’t sustain its early 10-point lead. The victory marks New York’s eighth in nine games, moving them to 20-8 on the season ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/jalen-brunson-posts-career-high-47-knicks-win-again--flm-2025-12-22/?utm_source=openai)).

## Los Angeles Clippers 103, Los Angeles Lakers 88
The Los Angeles Clippers snapped a five-game skid by routing the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers 103-88. Kawhi Leonard led all scorers with 32 points and pulled down 12 rebounds, shooting 4-of-7 from three. James Harden nearly posted a 20-10 line (21 points, 10 assists) while Brook Lopez added three 3-pointers off the bench. The Lakers, missing key contributors Deandre Ayton, Rui Hachimura, and Austin Reaves, dropped Luka Dončić to a leg contusion at halftime—after he managed just 12 points on 4-of-13 shooting. LeBron James poured in a season-high 36 points, but Los Angeles must address its 38.6% field-goal efficiency and 15.8% three-point mark ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/clippers-rout-lakers-halt-3-skids-luka-doncic-injures-leg--flm-2025-12-21/?utm_source=openai)).

## Portland Trail Blazers 98, Sacramento Kings 93
Deni Avdija posted a near triple-double (24 points, 10 assists, 7 rebounds) and Shaedon Sharpe added 23 points to propel the Trail Blazers past the Kings 98-93, sweeping the home-and-home series. Donovan Clingan anchored the paint with 14 points and 14 rebounds, including a crucial offensive board late in regulation. Portland has now won three straight, improving to 12-16, as coach Tiago Splitter lauded his team’s defensive intensity and collective growth. Sacramento dropped its fifth consecutive game, as Dennis Schröder’s 21 points went for naught in the face of Portland’s balanced attack ([cbssports.com](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20251220_POR%40SAC/?utm_source=openai)).

## Orlando Magic 128, Utah Jazz 127 (OT)
In a thrilling overtime showdown, Desmond Bane’s finger-roll layup with 0.9 seconds remaining secured a 128-127 win for the Orlando Magic over the Utah Jazz. Bane finished with 32 points on 13-of-21 shooting, while Paolo Banchero flirted with a triple-double (23 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists). Ace Bailey’s four-point play had given Utah a late lead, but Orlando’s resilience prevailed. The Magic shot 49.0% overall (47-of-96) and outrebounded Utah 61-66, snapping a two-game road skid. Keyonte George paced the Jazz with 27 points and nine assists but couldn’t cap the comeback ([thehour.com](https://www.thehour.com/sports/article/desmond-bane-scores-32-points-including-winning-21255083.php?utm_source=openai)).

## Philadelphia 76ers 121, Dallas Mavericks 114
Tyrese Maxey erupted for 38 points—17 of which came in a decisive fourth quarter—to lift the Philadelphia 76ers past the Dallas Mavericks 121-114. VJ Edgecombe complemented the effort with 26 points and five assists, while Dominick Barlow chipped in a career-high 21. Philadelphia, playing without Joel Embiid and Paul George, forced 18 turnovers and dominated the fourth-quarter run (30-17). Cooper Flagg and Anthony Davis each scored 24 for Dallas, but the Mavericks’ turnover issues (18 giveaways) and 20 offensive rebounds conceded proved too costly. The win moves Philly to 16-11, holding fourth in the Eastern Conference ([abcnews.go.com](https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/tyrese-maxey-scores-38-points-lead-76ers-121-128591294?utm_source=openai)).