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Live Updates: Cavs-Spurs, Mavs-Blazers and Monday's action around the NBA

Follow along with live updates around NBA action on Monday Dec. 29 with key games, moments and highlights from 11-game schedule.

NBA.com Staff

Giannis Antetokounmpo (24 points, 7 assists) and Bobby Portis (game-high 25 points) combine for 49 points in Milwaukee’s win over Charlotte on Monday. (Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images)

Enjoy the best of Monday’s 11-game slate with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news, notes and highlights.

Monday’s Final Scores

Phoenix Suns 115, Washington Wizards 101

Milwaukee Bucks 123, Charlotte Hornets 113

Miami Heat 147, Denver Nuggets 123

Golden State Warriors 120, Brooklyn Nets 107

Toronto Raptors 107, Orlando Magic 106

Minnesota Timberwolves 136, Chicago Bulls 101

Houston Rockets 126, Indiana Pacers 119

Oklahoma City Thunder 140, Atlanta Hawks 129

New York Knicks 130, New Orleans Pelicans 125

Portland Trail Blazers 125, Dallas Mavericks 122

1:30 AM / December 30, 2025

What we know after Monday’s games 🗒️👇

Minnesota back on track with blowout win: The Timberwolves gained a lot of momentum before Christmas Day. They were winners of five-of-six games up to that point, including a win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, on Christmas they fell to Denver despite holding a decent lead in overtime, and followed that with a loss to the Brooklyn Nets. Tonight the Wolves were locked in, led by Naz Reid off the bench with 33 points.

Cleveland quiets San Antonio crowd: Arguably the hottest team in the NBA is the Spurs, thanks to three wins over the defending champion Thunder in the month of December. San Antonio was outclassed down the stretch Monday night, however, losing the final period 37-23 before losing by 12. Making the occasion extra special, it marked head coach Kenny Atkinson’s 200th career win.

Jokić goes down in blowout loss to Heat: The status of the three-time MVP will be the top concern for Nuggets fans. He never returned to the floor after appearing to have his lower leg stepped on by a teammate while playing defense. After trailing by just one at halftime, the team struggled without their superstar to close the game. Miami used a 24-point second-half advantage to coast to victory tonight.

1:15 AM / December 30, 2025

Portland survives wild finish 🚨

It required all 48 minutes of effort for the Portland Trail Blazers to hold off the Dallas Mavericks. After cruising through the first two-and-a-half quarters momentum started to swing to the Mavericks’ side. In the fourth quarter, the teams exchanged lead going into the closing minutes.

Portland managed to get the stops needed to ice this one at the free throw line after huge plays from Caleb Love, Deni Avdija and Shaedon Sharpe.

12:52 AM / December 30, 2025

Race to the finish 🏁⏳

Klay Thompson is leading a Mavericks comeback effort. After trailing by double-digits for most of the first three quarters, the Mavericks grabbed their first lead in a long time midway through the fourth quarter. Brandon Williams has also been huge for Dallas as he leads the team in scoring with 20 points off the bench, and counting.

12:32 AM / December 30, 2025

Power dunks & a late Mavs surge 👀

Dallas is in the midst of seven-nothing scoring run to cut Portland’s lead to just four points to begin the fourth quarter.

The third quarter saw big men from each team throw down some aggressive dunks. First Daniel Gafford flushes a one-handed jam over Donovan Clingan, and later Deni Avidija delivered a clean lob to Robert Williams who used both hands for safety.

12:12 AM / December 30, 2025

Catch them if you can 🤷‍♂️

It used to be the Golden State Warriors who flipped the switch on a dime, often in third quarters. Now it’s the Oklahoma City Thunder who can swing the momentum at a moment’s notice, and Atlanta was on the receiving end of a prime example of that.

Good teammates 🇨🇦 Better opponents

Being related to the league MVP could come with lofty expectations, but Nickeil Alexander-Walker met them by going off for 30 points against the reigning chamnps. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, meanwhile, had a casual 39.

11:52 PM / December 29, 2025

Cookies ‘n windmill 🍪💥

Shaedon Sharpe is turning into the feared offensive player he was billed when he entered the league, but his defensive growth is also worth highlighting. A clean pick-pocket on Max Christie led to a breakaway windmill for the electrip leaper.

Dallas was on the ropes in the first half, but enter the halftime break with only a 12-point deficit. Christie leads the Mavericks in scoring with 14 points while Daniel Gafford has 12 points and hasn’t missed on his five shots from the floor. The second half is underway now on NBC/Peacock.

11:39 PM / December 29, 2025

He’s a problem 😳

Teams are going to have to start preparing harder for Collin Gillespie. The Washington Wizards were unable to slow him down as the Villanova product did some of everything en route to a road victory. Gillespie is averaging 13.4 points, 5.4 assists, 4 rebounds and nearly 3 threes per game this season – which are all career highs.

Phoenix got a much needed win to hold rank in the Western Conference. The team is 19-13 which is good for seventh out West. The Suns are trending in the right direction as Dillon Brooks is also having a career year scoring the rock. He and Devin Booker each notched 20-plus points tonight in addition to Gillespie’s 25.

11:29 PM / December 29, 2025

Amen Thompson things 👏

When Kevin Durant goes for 30, the defense’s hands are generally full. Insert Amen Thompson slashing and scoring 20 of his own on only nine field goal attempts.

The Rockets are 10-2 at home, and now 20-10 overall. They are also the best rebounding team in the league, averaging 48.8 per game. Tonight that formula translated to victory as they outrebounded Indiana 50-29.

11:20 PM / December 29, 2025

At the Buzzer 🚨

Caleb Love drilled a three-pointer off of a dish from Deni Avdija to give his team a 13-point lead going into the first break. Avdija is on pace for a triple-double early on.

10:45 PM / December 29, 2025

Heading out west 🧳

The Portland Trail Blazers are hosting the Dallas Mavericks for the night’s final game. After getting a primer from the NBA TV guys, tune in to the second leg of a double header on NBC/Peacock which is getting underway now.

10:35 PM / December 29, 2025

Knicks survive Pels scare 🗽

New Orleans very nearly won this game outright, and still had a chance to force overtime in the final seconds, but ultimately fell to the New York Knicks. The teams have nearly inverse records, but a healthy Pelicans squad gave New York all it could handle. Deuce McBride delivered clutch shots and free throws to help New York seal the deal.

Yves out of nowhere 😤

During a back-and-forth fourth quarter, Yves Missi delivered one of the night’s top plays by finishing a missed Derik Queen fastbreak layup with authority.

10:25 PM / December 29, 2025

Triple-double spoiled in wild ending 🤯

Paolo Banchero’s miss at the buzzer was the final scene of a duel between Eastern Conference foes. The Raptors trailed by ten entering the fourth quarter, and by as many as 21 before storming back to win on their home floor.

Banchero finished with a monster line, while teammate Anthony Black continues to ascend after scoring 27 in defeat.

10:10 PM / December 29, 2025

Final stretch 🍿

Jalen Tyson is taking over in the opening stretch of the fourth quarter. He’s drilled three triples in the opening minutes to help keep his team ahead. The Spurs have been outscored 15-6 by the Cavaliers to start the fourth.

9:57 PM / DECEMBER 29, 2025

Ant-Man cooking Bulls

Anthony Edwards is up to 23 points on 9-for-13 shooting with 2 rebounds, 4 dimes, a steal and a block in 32 minutes. Naz Reid has been dominant off the bench for the Wolves, dropping a game-high 29 points and six made 3s in only 23 minutes.

Minnesota leads Chicago 104-83 with 9:21 remaining in the contest, live on League Pass!

Nikola Vučević is the high man for the Bulls with 23 points on 10-for-17 shooting with three made 3s.

9:50 PM / DECEMBER 29, 2025

Curry climbing the charts

Congratulations to Stephen Curry for passing Kevin Garnett and moving into 21st all-time in scoring!

Chef is up to 23 points on 7-for-13 shooting with five made 3s and 5 assists in 24 minutes, and his Warriors have a 107-96 lead over Brooklyn with 4:21 remaining in the contest.

Michael Porter, Jr. leads all scorers with 26 points (10-16 FG, 5-9 3PM) to go along with 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals for the Nets.

9:45 PM / DECEMBER 29, 2025

Easy money for KD

Kevin Durant gets his patented turnaround jumper to go, making it look impossibly smooth in the process. KD has a game-high 26 points (11-17 FG) to go along with 4 rebounds and 4 assists in 26 minutes.

Pascal Siakam leads the way for Indiana with 18 points on 7-for-15 shooting, but the Pacers trail the Rockets 89-74 with 3:52 remaining in the third quarter.

9:40 PM / DECEMBER 29, 2025

Cavs fighting to stay close with Spurs

Darius Garland finds a streaking Evan Mobley for an easy flush, as ‘DG’ tallies his game-best 9th assist of the evening. Jarrett Allen leads Cleveland with 14 points and 5 rebounds, but the Cavs trail the Spurs 59-55 with two minutes gone in the third quarter.

Victor Wembanyama (13 points, 8 rebounds) and Stephon Castle (11 points, 5 assists) lead the charge as the only two in double figures for San Antonio.

9:33 PM / DECEMBER 29, 2025

Pelicans lead Knicks in 3Q

OG Anunoby (18 points, 7 rebounds) and Mohamed Diawara (16 points) lead the Knicks in scoring, but Jalen Brunson is right behind them with 15 points and 4 assists.

Saddiq Bey has 26 points on 9-for-15 shooting to pace the Pelicans, and Zion Williamson pours in 22 points (8-12 FG) with 5 rebounds, 2 assists, a steal and a block in 18 minutes.

New Orleans has an 81-74 edge over New York with 9:17 left in the third quarter, live on League Pass!

9:23 PM / DECEMBER 29, 2025

Jokić (knee) won’t return vs. Heat

Here’s the play that causes Nikola Jokić to limp off the court at halftime against the Heat, and he has been ruled out for the remainder of the contest. He put up 21 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists in 19 minutes before suffering the injury.

We’re hoping for good news on the 3-time NBA MVP.

9:16 PM / DECEMBER 29, 2025

Bucks-Hornets in a tight one

Giannis Antetokounmpo is up to 21 points on 10-for-14 shooting with 6 assists, while Bobby Portis leads Milwaukee with 25 points (8-12 FG, 5-7 3PM) in 23 minutes as a reserve.

Brandon Miller (29 points, 8 rebounds) and LaMelo Ball (26 points, 6 assists) are keeping Charlotte within striking distance, as they trail the Bucks 116-109 with 2:30 remaining in the contest.

9:11 PM / DECEMBER 29, 2025

Raptors fighting back at home

Orlando was up as many as 21 points in the first half, but the Raptors have cut it down to just a 6-point deficit midway through the third quarter. Gradey Dick and Jamal Shead each have 15 points apiece off the bench, leading Toronto in scoring.

Paolo Banchero has 19 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists and a block to lead three Magic players in double figures scoring. Desmond Bane adds 18 points and 6 rebounds in 24 minutes, as Orlando leads Toronto 77-72 with 5:53 remaining in the quarter.

9:01 PM / DECEMBER 29, 2025

Bigs go defense to offense

Rudy Gobert gets the swat on one end and gets rewarded with a beautiful euro step finish at the other. Anthony Edwards (11 points) and Naz Reid (10 points) lead the way for Minnesota, as the Wolves have a 55-50 advantage over Chicago at the break.

Jalen Smith makes a similar play for the Bulls, and he’s got 6 points, 3 rebounds, 2 blocks, one assist and one steal in 12 minutes off the bench.

Nikola Vučević and Josh Giddey have 11 points apiece to pace the Bulls in scoring.

8:50 PM / DECEMBER 29, 2025

Seeing is believing

Nickeil Alexander-Walker somehow splashes from halfcourt with his off-hand, giving Atlanta a 38-35 lead over OKC after the first quarter. NAW has 10 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and a block in 12 minutes, and Onyeka Okongwu leads Atlanta in scoring with 14 points on 5-for-7 shooting.

On the other side, NAW’s cousin, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, bounces for a nasty two-handed jam to get the home crowd going. SGA has a game-high 15 points (6-9 FG) with 2 rebounds and 2 assists in 12 minutes.

Atlanta holds a 49-44 edge over the Thunder with 9:10 remaining before halftime, live on League Pass!

8:44 PM / DECEMBER 29, 2025

MPJ detonates at the rim

Michael Porter, Jr. gets up for this poster slam against Golden State, giving him a game-high 17 points (7-10 FG, 3-6 3PM) with 3 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal in 16 minutes.

Stephen Curry leads the Warriors with 10 points and 4 assists, while Trayce Jackson-Davis (9 points, 2 steals, 2 blocks) and Gary Payton II (8 points) are doing their part off the bench.

Golden State holds a 59-57 advantage over Brooklyn at halftime.

8:38 PM / DECEMBER 29, 2025

Saddiq Bey is ON FIRE

Bey goes on an absolute heater in the first quarter, dropping 23 points on 8-for-11 shooting with four made 3s in 12 minutes. Jordan Poole tallies 10 points and two made 3s off the Pelicans’ bench, helping New Orleans take a 41-37 lead after one.

Mohamed Diawara had himself a quarter, too, putting up 13 points on 5-for-6 shooting (3-3 3PM) with 2 steals in just 9 minutes for New York.

8:33 PM / DECEMBER 29, 2025

Spurs’ ROTY connection

Stephon Castle goes showtime off the backboard to Victor Wembanyama on Peacock & NBC! Wemby has 4 points, 2 rebounds and a block, while Castle is up to 4 points and 3 dimes in 8 minutes, but the Spurs trail the Cavs 22-19 with 2:02 left in the first quarter.

Dean Wade and Jarrett Allen lead the Cavs with 6 points apiece, and Darius Garland adds 4 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists and a steal in 8 minutes.

8:26 PM / DECEMBER 29, 2025

3Q underway in Charlotte

Brandon Miller hits the circus shot in the first half to give him 17 points in 17 minutes. LaMelo Ball (14 points) and Collin Sexton (13 points, 6 assists) are right behind him to keep the Hornets in front of the Bucks, 71-69, with two minutes gone in the third quarter.

Giannis Antetokounmpo (11 points), Myles Turner (12 points) and Ryan Rollins (12 points, 3 assists) lead the way for Milwaukee.

8:17 PM / DECEMBER 29, 2025

Suns lead Wizards at the break

Phoenix holds a 61-54 edge over Washington at halftime, fueled by the trio of Collin Gillespie (13 points), Devin Booker (11 points, 5 rebounds) and Jordan Goodwin (11 points, 4 rebounds).

Rookie Tre Johnson is on a heater tonight, putting up 18 points (7-8 FG, 4-4 3PM), 2 assists and a steal in 13 first-half minutes. Bilal Coulibaly adds 10 points with two made 3s and one block in 9 minutes.

8:11 PM / DECEMBER 29, 2025

Magic on top after 1Q

Orlando is lead by Desmond Bane (11 points, 3 rebounds) and Paolo Banchero (2 points, 6 boards, 2 assists) as they take a 29-18 advantage over Toronto into the second quarter.

Gradey Dick is the high man for the Raptors with 7 points in 5 minutes off the bench.

8:06 PM / DECEMBER 29, 2025

Joker + Jamal = chemistry

Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray have done this more times than we can count, but it never gets old watching it. ‘Joker’ has 6 points and 6 dimes while Murray has 6 points, 3 rebounds, one assist and one steal.

Norman Powell (10 points) is fueling a high-scoring first quarter for Miami, who are happy to have Bam Adebayo (4 points, 5 rebounds) back in the lineup after missing the last two contests.

The Heat lead the Nuggets 41-29 after 12 minutes of play on League Pass!

7:56 PM / DECEMBER 29, 2025

Raining 3s in Brooklyn

Egor Dëmin (6 points) and Michael Porter, Jr. (8 points) trade triples early for the Nets, powering their 23-13 lead over the Warriors with 5:23 left in the opening quarter.

Stephen Curry is scoreless (0-3 FG) in 7 minutes, but he has 3 assists and a rebound for Golden State.

7:50 PM / DECEMBER 29, 2025

Bank’s open late in Charlotte

Bobby Portis helps close the quarter out on a high note for Milwaukee, making it a 14-6 run by the Hornets to finish the first frame. ‘BP’ has 10 points to lead the Bucks in scoring.

Brandon Miller has 9 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists, while LaMelo Ball has 11 points (3-6 3PM) and 3 dimes in 12 minutes. Charlotte trails Milwaukee 41-40 with 7:23 remaining before halftime.

7:36 PM / DECEMBER 29, 2025

Wizards-Suns battling in D.C.

Dillon Brooks hits the tough turnaround in the lane for his only bucket of the evening so far. Collin Gillespie leads Phoenix with 8 points on 3-for-3 shooting with two made 3s.

Bilal Coulibaly paces Washington with 7 points in 8 minutes, helping the Wizards take a 23-22 lead after one quarter of play.

7:22 PM / DECEMBER 29, 2025

Giannis is unstoppable

Giannis Antetokounmpo makes this incredible take and spin look so effortless. He’s got 4 points and 2 assists in the early going tonight in Charlotte, helping Milwaukee take a 16-9 lead midway through the quarter.

LaMelo Ball leads the Hornets with 8 points and two made 3s.

6:57 PM / DECEMBER 29, 2025

Best clutch plays of 2025

With 2026 quickly approaching, enjoy the top 10 clutch plays of 2025 before the calendar flips.

6:20 PM / DECEMBER 29, 2025

What we know before Monday’s 11-game night

Victor Wembanyama looks to lead the San Antonio Spurs back into the win column when they host Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Peacock and NBC. (Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)

To tip off the Peacock / NBC doubleheader, the Cavaliers are in San Antonio to battle the surging Spurs (8 ET). Cleveland has lost two straight while San Antonio had their 8-game win streak snapped on Saturday night against the Jazz.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks square off against LaMelo Ball and the Hornets (7 ET, League Pass), who will be going for a third consecutive win. Giannis dropped 29 points and 8 rebounds in his first game back from an 8-game absence.

The Suns are aiming for a fourth straight victory tonight in the nation’s capital when they battle the Washington Wizards (7 ET, League Pass). Phoenix will be without Mark Williams, who’s serving a one-game suspension for his role in an on-court altercation on Saturday.

Brooklyn is looking for a third consecutive win of their own when they host Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors (7:30 ET, League Pass).

Bam Adebayo (back) is listed as probable for Miami’s home tilt with the Denver Nuggets after missing the last two games (7:30 ET, League Pass). The Heat won both contests with Bam on the shelf.

Paolo Banchero and the Magic are in Toronto to take on the Raptors (7:30 ET, League Pass). Both teams are coming off of a victory their last time out, with Scottie Barnes setting a franchise record with 25 rebounds in a 141-127 OT win against the Warriors on Sunday.

In a matchup between two squads fighting to get back in the win column, the Timberwolves travel to take on the Bulls in an inter-conference tilt (8 ET, League Pass).

Houston, winners of two straight, host the struggling Pacers, losers of eight in a row (8 ET, League Pass). Kevin Durant poured in a cool 30 points in 29 minutes during the Rockets’ 117-100 win over Cleveland on Saturday.

Jalen Brunson and the Knicks will go for a third consecutive dub when they face off against rookie Derik Queen and the Pelicans in New Orleans (8 ET, League Pass). The Pels have lost three straight after winning their previous five games.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder play host to Dyson Daniels and the Hawks (8 ET, League Pass). Oklahoma City will be without Isaiah Hartenstein (calf), while Atlanta, currently on a 6-game losing skid, will be missing Trae Young (quadriceps), Jalen Johnson (illness) and Kristaps Porziņģis (illness).

Capping off Monday’s jam-packed slate will be the Mavericks taking on the Trail Blazers on the road (10:30 ET, Peacock & NBC). Both teams are 4-6 over their last 10 outings, but Dallas has dropped two in a row while Portland is in the second night of a back-to-back after defeating Boston, 114-108.

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