Top Stories

Live Updates: Celtics, 76ers, Heat Jockey for Positioning in 5-Game Slate

Follow along with scores, highlights and reactions in real-time as 10 teams take the floor tonight in the NBA.

NBA.com Staff

Friday’s Finals ๐Ÿ“‹๐Ÿ€

Celtics 129, Heat 116

76ers 116, Knicks 107

Spurs 126, Hawks 98

Bulls 136, Cavaliers 125

Timberwolves 112, Thunder 1107

1:07 AM / December 19, 2025

What we know after Friday’s games ๐Ÿšจ

The Spurs are off to their best start in nearly a decade: San Antonio is now 20-7. The Spurs haven’t hit 20 wins this early since the 2016-17 season, and that group went on to win 61 games. The first extended glimpse of a fully-healthy Spurs squad has been extremely promising, even with Victor Wembanyama currently coming off the bench. Dylan Harper is finding his stride on both ends, Stephon Castle continues to impress, while De’Aaron Fox and Devin Vassell are capable of erupting at a moment’s notice as well. Tonight, they coasted to a 28-point win over the Atlanta Hawks.ย 

VJ Edgecombe can take over games:ย The 76ers went into Madison Square Garden and knocked off a Knicks team with a lot of momentum coming into Friday. The team was on the second night of a back-to-back, nonetheless, the final minutes of this game belonged to VJ Edgecombe. The third pick in this year’s draft showcased clutch shot-making, a relentless motor and high basketball IQ down the stretch. Watch how he swung the final score with a combination of skill and flat-out hustle.

Minnesota can hang with the Thunder: Yes, it was just one game. But one game is likely all that Anthony Edwards, Chris Finch and the Timberwolves needed to validate their hopes of winning the Western Conference. The Thunder have been a buzzsaw all year long, but have now suffered two losses in roughly one week. After seeing the Spurs take down OKC in the NBA Cup semi-finals, Minnesota handed them a third loss in their own unique way. Different guys shined throughout the night, including role players like Bones Hyland and Rob Dillingham. If the Wolves see production like this across the board, they’re capable of hanging with anyone.

 

12:15 AM / December 19, 2025

Ant takes over final minute, Wolves defeat OKC โ€ผ๏ธ๐Ÿบ

This was the shot that began a masterful sequence for Anthony Edwards. This three gave his team a one–point lead. Edwards followed it up with a help-side block on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and defensive rebound on the ensuing second-shot attempt.

After a pair of Julius Randle free throws, Edwards picked SGA’s pocket on OKC’s final attempt at extending the game. Down go the Thunder, who fall to 25-3 on the season.

11:58 PM / December 19, 2025

Denied by Naz โœ‹

It’s been a team effort from the Timberwolves, but Naz Reid in particular is leaving his mark on the game early in the fourth quarter. This block below prevented a fast-break layup after replay review overturned an initial goaltending call.

On the other end, he’s provided back-to-back buckets, including this and-one through the contact.

11:45 PM / December 19, 2025

4th Quarter ๐ŸŽฌ

Oklahoma City brought a slim lead into the final period, but Minnesota has already re-gained the advantage in the opening minutes. The third fram was easily the highest scoring of the game, with Minnesota outscoring the Thunder 35-34.

Both star players have stepped up for their respective teams. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has 24 points so far, while Anthony Edwards leads the Timberwolves with 21

11:11 PM / December 19, 2025

5-Point possession for the lead ๐ŸŽฏ

Donte DiVincenzo sank a top of the key three while getting fouled to tie this game up in the third quarter, thanks to a Rudy Gobert tap that kept possession with Minnesota. He missed the free throw, but Minnesota grabbed the rebound, leading to a trip to the free throw line for Anthony Edwards. Ant Man would convert both and give his team the lead over OKC.

10:55 PM / December 19, 2025

T-Wolves Rally in the 2nd

Oklahoma City’s grip on this game is a lot looser at halftime than at the end of the first frame. Bones Hyland was the catalyst for a second quarter Minnesota surge, sinking timely threes to trim a double-digit Oklahoma City lead to just one. The Thunder managed to keep the Timberwolves at bay, for now.

10:30 PM / December 19, 2025

Off the shot clock?? ๐Ÿ˜จ๐Ÿšซ

Victor Wembanyama is now one of just three players all-time with a block in 100 consecutive games played. A much more peculiar stat would be; how many players have rejected a shot that ricocheted directly off the shot clock?

It was that kind of night for the Hawks, who trailed by 30 as the game entered the fourth quarter. San Antonio went on to win this one 126-98. Wembanyama came off the bench again, but led all scorers in the end with 26 points and 12 rebounds on 10-15 shooting from the field.

10:22 PM / December 19, 2025

Dynamic Duo ๐Ÿ€

Jaylen Brown and Derrick White are shouldering the load for the Boston Celtics while Jayson Tatum rehabs from an achilles tear during last season’s playoffs. Tonight, Brown continued his 30-point scoring streak and entered rare Boston air in the process.

White, meanwhile, was fantastic tonight on both offense and defense. He led all scorers, sank nine threes, recorded four blocked shots and had just one turnover in the process.

10:10 PM / December 19, 2025

SGA the PG ๐Ÿฅฝ

The reigning MVP and scoring champion is getting buckets like usual, finishing the first quarter with 11 points. He also has three assists, two of which ending in Chet Holmgren scores. His ability to find his shot from anywhere puts pressure on the defense, sometimes resulting in an open teammate at the last second.

10:00 PM / December 19, 2025

Garland’s 35 not enough, Bulls blow past Cavs ๐ŸŒฌ๏ธ

A three-pointer from Darius Garland cut Chicago’s lead to five points in the final two minutes, but that was the closest the Cavaliers would get down the stretch.

The Bulls win their second straight matchup with Cleveland behind 24 points each from Matas Buzelis and Nikola Vuรงeviฤ‡.

9:45 PM / December 2025

C’s pile up the 3’s in win ๐Ÿ‘Œ

The fourth quarter was icing on the cake for Boston, who was unconscious as a team behind the arc tonight. Derrick White alone made nine threes, while the team made 10 collectively in the final frame to set a new team record. White and Jaylen Brown combined for 63 points tonight as Boston overpowered Miami in the second half.

Edgecombe Hustle, Maxey Dagger ๐Ÿ—ก๏ธ๐Ÿ˜ค

The 76ers steal one on the road against the New York Knicks thanks to an incredible hustle play from VJ Edgecombe. The rookie was the first on the ground for a loose ball with under a minute to play, saving possession for Philadelphia and leading to a Tyrese Maxey corner three. It created a nine-point cushion that would be insurmountable for the Knicks.

Moments before that, he skied for an offensive rebound and converted the putback dunk to keep momentum on his team’s side.

9:35 PM / December 19, 2025

Circus shot ๐ŸŽช Crunch time in Cleveland

Jaylon Tyson managed to somehow flip this layup in with his left hand amidst plenty of traffic. The Cavaliers need more clutch plays like this to survive a battle with the Chicago Bulls. Darius Garland leads all scorers tonight with 30 points and counting.

9:30 PM / December 19, 2025

Trading blows in MSG ๐ŸฅŠ

It’s a three-point game with less than four minutes to play in New York. Jalen Brunson has been inefficient on the night, but hopes to deliver when his team needs him most. Tyrese Maxey is up to 27 points on the night.

9:17 PM / December 2025

Every-Ware ๐Ÿ”ฅ

Miami is enjoying a superb night from center Kel’el Ware. He has 21 points and 13 rebounds with time to go in the fourth quarter. Most eye-popping from the box score, Ware has already sank six threes on the night. Ware is nearing his career-high in scoring (25).

9:13 PM / December 2025

Robinson to the rescueย  โ›‘๏ธ

Where would the Knicks be tonight without Mitchell Robinson? The big man made an emphatic return earlier this week during the NBA Cup, but was given the night off Thursday on the front end of a back-to-back. The extra rest is paying dividends as he has a double-double and is helping New York stay in control.

9:06 PM / December 19, 2025

Garden Coming Alive ๐Ÿ‘

The Boston Celtics have the lead in the final quarter, and this Sam Hauser three in transition nearly blew the roof off of the TD Garden.

8:53 PM /December 19, 2025

Get a hand up ๐Ÿ˜ณ

Andre Drummond is adding to his game, even in his 14th season. It’s the first time that the big man has made double-digit threes across a season in his career, and he’s adding to that total tonight.

8:45 PM / December 2025

The ball is lava ๐ŸŒ‹

Chicago entered the halftime break on a high note after some splendid ball movement. The Bulls lead the Cavaliers 66-55 thanks to a 15-5 run that ended the second quarter.

8:35 PM / December 19, 2025

The future is very bright for San Antonio with young stars like Wemby and Dylan Harper. In recent weeks, Harper has appeared more comfortable on an NBA floor and the highlights back it up.

8:30 PM / December 19, 2025

2H Underway

Both games in the initial tip-off window are complete up for grabs as the third quarters begin.

8:20 PM / December 19, 2025

Spurs Running Away ๐Ÿ‘€

San Antonio distanced themselves from Atlanta early, winning the first quarter by 13 points. It’s been more of the same in the second quarter. Victor Wembanyama is causing problems, per usual, finishing through the contact for this and-one bucket.

8:00 PM / December 19, 2025

We have liftoff ๐Ÿš€

There’s no need to jump with Matas Buzelis on this one

Letting it fly โ˜”๏ธ

San Antonio and Atlanta are sinking shots from deep in the night’s only cross-conference matchup. Nickeil Alexander-Walker keeps his streak alive, while Devin Vassell has already drilled a trio of shots from beyond the arc.

7:50 PM / December 19, 2025

Hustle Highlights ๐Ÿ‘

The Boston Celtics are all over the place defensively, whether making plays in the backcourt or above the rim. Miami isn’t going away, though, as neither team has separation early in the second frame.

7:40 PM / December 19, 2025

Making a difference ๐Ÿ˜ณ

Mitchell Robinson did not play in last night’s game for New York against Indiana, but he’s making his presence felt early versus Philadelphia. Robinson has two first-quarter blocks to go along with the early alley-oop coming off the bench.

We’re tied at 29 as this one enters the second quarter.

7:30 PM December 19, 2025

Bulls-Cavaliers Rematch ๐Ÿ”‚

Rookie Tyrese Proctor is getting called up to the starting lineup for Cleveland tonight, playing without Donovan Mitchell. Jalen Tyson has played well recently as well, coming off 21 points Wednesday night in Chicago. The Bulls won that matchup 127-111.

A former Bull, Isaac Okoro, finds himself starting for Chicago against his old team tonight.

7:20 PM / December 19, 2025

All-Star Voting Open ๐Ÿ—ณ๏ธ

Fresh off winning some hardware in the NBA Cup, Jalen Brunson is at it again scoring early for New York. Brunson is seeking his third All-Star appearance this season.

7:05 PM / December 19, 2025

Going big

Miami has the luxury of playing Bam Adebayo at either frontcourt position, and tonight he’ll start at power forward and Kel’el Ware at center. The duo averages just a tick below 20 rebounds per game combined.

The Celtics are donning their City Edition jerseys against the Heat, and rolling out their normal starting five led by Jaylen Brown who’s averaging 29.3 points per game this season.

6:50 PM / December 19, 2025

Eastern Conference in Focus ๐Ÿ”

Four of the five contests tonight feature teams currently in the Eastern Conference standing’s top-10. One marquee matchup pits the New York Knicks against the Philadelphia 76ers. New York is riding high, after hoisting the NBA Cup on Tuesday and winning their regular season restart on Thursday.

Philadelphia is bordering on a top-four spot in the East as Christmas Day approaches. Tyrese Maxey’s 31.5 points per game has fueled the team so far, and he’ll be called upon tonight as Joel Embiid sits this one out.

The Highest Honor ๐ŸŒŸ

Check out the list of first-time nominees for the newest class of the Naismith Hall of Fame.

Related

Latest