NBA Daily Rewind

## NBA Game Recaps (December 22, 2025)

### San Antonio Spurs 126, Atlanta Hawks 98
The San Antonio Spurs extended their lead in the Western Conference with a convincing 126–98 road win over the Atlanta Hawks on Monday. Victor Wembanyama paced the Spurs with 26 points, adding 12 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal in just 29 minutes off the bench ([espn.com.sg](https://www.espn.com.sg/nba/recap/_/gameId/401810238?utm_source=openai)). Devin Vassell contributed 18 points on 4-of-9 three-point shooting, while bench standout De’Aaron Fox chipped in 27 points and five three-pointers en route to his season high in treys ([espn.com.sg](https://www.espn.com.sg/nba/recap/_/gameId/401810238?utm_source=openai)). San Antonio led for 47 minutes, outscoring Atlanta 68–44 by halftime, and coasted home by maintaining aggressive defense and balanced scoring across all rotations.

### Boston Celtics 103, Indiana Pacers 95
In Boston, the Celtics rallied from a 20-point, second-half deficit to down the Pacers 103–95, marking their third straight win and preserving home-court momentum. Jaylen Brown led the comeback with a game-high 31 points, 14 of which came in the final quarter, and sank key baskets to overturn Indiana’s hot first half ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=401810258&utm_source=openai)). Derrick White added 19 points, and Payton Pritchard and Anfernee Simons each scored 11 off the bench. Pascal Siakam carried the Pacers early with 25 points, and Andrew Nembhard had 20, but Indiana went 1-of-20 from three after halftime, allowing Boston to seize control ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=401810258&utm_source=openai)).

### Minnesota Timberwolves 103, Milwaukee Bucks 100
The Minnesota Timberwolves outlasted the Milwaukee Bucks 103–100 at Target Center, rallying from a 16-point deficit thanks to timely perimeter shooting and clutch free throws. Anthony Edwards scored 24 points despite shooting 7-of-24 from the field and knocked down a driving layup with 21 seconds left to seal the win ([africa.espn.com](https://africa.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=401810255&utm_source=openai)). Donte DiVincenzo provided 18 points on 4-of-8 from deep, and Rudy Gobert collected 11 points and 18 rebounds, becoming the 45th player in NBA history to reach 10,000 career boards. Milwaukee’s Kevin Porter Jr. flirted with a triple-double, finishing with 24 points, 10 rebounds and four steals ([africa.espn.com](https://africa.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=401810255&utm_source=openai)).

### Chicago Bulls 152, Atlanta Hawks 150
In the highest-scoring affair of the season so far, the Chicago Bulls edged the Hawks 152–150 at State Farm Arena. Matas Buzelis led nine Chicago double-digit scorers with 28 points and a career-high seven three-pointers, while Coby White added 21 ([espn.com.sg](https://www.espn.com.sg/nba/recap/_/gameId/401810251?utm_source=openai)). The Bulls set season highs for points in a half (83) and a game, narrowly securing victory on Buzelis’s free throws with 4.2 seconds remaining after Jalen Johnson’s 3-pointer had briefly tied the contest ([espn.com.sg](https://www.espn.com.sg/nba/recap/_/gameId/401810251?utm_source=openai)). For Atlanta, Johnson poured in 36 points and Trae Young added a season-high 35, but defensive lapses in transition proved costly.

### Sacramento Kings 125, Houston Rockets 124 (OT)
Dennis Schröder’s game-winning 3-pointer with 2.2 seconds left in overtime lifted the Sacramento Kings to a 125–124 triumph over the Rockets in a dramatic comeback ([wsau.com](https://wsau.com/2025/12/22/nba-roundup-dennis-schroders-late-ot-trey-lifts-kings-past-rockets/?utm_source=openai)). Off the bench, Schröder finished with 24 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds, while Russell Westbrook’s late corner triple with 14.2 seconds remaining forced the extra period ([wsau.com](https://wsau.com/2025/12/22/nba-roundup-dennis-schroders-late-ot-trey-lifts-kings-past-rockets/?utm_source=openai)). DeMar DeRozan scored 27 points for Sacramento, and Keegan Murray added 26. Houston was paced by Alperen Şengün’s 28 points and Kevin Durant’s 24-point, 10-rebound performance, but could not close it out despite multiple chances.

## Off-Court News

### NBA-FIBA European League Partnership
On December 22, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver unveiled a landmark collaboration with FIBA to create a new European men’s professional league featuring permanent franchises alongside qualification berths tied to domestic competitions. The initiative, aiming to complement existing calendars and invest in grassroots and professional development, has attracted at least 70 prospective investors, with franchise valuations projected to exceed $1 billion ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/nba-teaming-with-fiba-sees-enormous-opportunity-european-league--flm-2025-12-22/?utm_source=openai)). Nonbinding bids will be solicited in January, with a formal board vote slated for March, as the NBA seeks to capitalize on Europe’s burgeoning market and globalize its footprint.

### Clippers’ Ivica Zubac to Miss Several Weeks
The Los Angeles Clippers confirmed that center Ivica Zubac suffered a Grade 2 left ankle sprain during Monday’s 103–88 victory over the Lakers and will be sidelined for at least three weeks. Zubac, a pillar of the Clippers’ defense and rebounding, was injured in the first half and did not return, ending a streak of seasons with over 70 games played ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/reports-clippers-ivica-zubac-ankle-sprain-miss-several-weeks--flm-2025-12-22/?utm_source=openai)). The 28-year-old is averaging 15.6 points and 11.1 rebounds this season and earned All-Defensive second-team honors last year, marking a significant loss for Los Angeles as they navigate the midseason stretch ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/reports-clippers-ivica-zubac-ankle-sprain-miss-several-weeks--flm-2025-12-22/?utm_source=openai)).

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This comprehensive recap of December 22’s NBA action combines on-court performances with critical organizational developments, providing a detailed foundation for a full-length sports feature.