Beginning 5, Dec. 23: An epic 14-game Monday & what’s trending forward of NBA on Christmas Day – NBA.com

Compensate for the highest storylines across the NBA earlier than 28 groups take the ground tonight.
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#NBAXmas week is right here.
And to get you prepared, we’re catching you up on the largest tales across the league as we shut out 2024 — unfold round right this moment’s large 14-game slate.

5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION 🏀
Dec. 23, 2024
Beasts In The East: A trio of contenders have joined the Cavs & C’s atop the East
Finest In The West: The convention’s prime 4 groups are additionally its hottest
Playoff Implications: Star duels and marquee matchups spherical out a monster Monday 
#NBAXmas: 5 marquee matchups, an animated twist and a marathon of hoops
Sunday Sizzle: Denver, Indy and Houston keep sizzling with Sunday dubs
BUT FIRST … ⏰
Sunday’s scores and a mouthwatering Monday slate…

14 video games tip off tonight, together with a doubleheader on NBA TV. First, a red-hot Victor Wembanyama will lead the Spurs in opposition to Joel Embiid and the Sixers (7 ET). 
Then, Steph Curry and the Warriors will host Tyrese Haliburton and the surging Pacers (10 ET). You can even catch these and a dozen extra showdowns on NBA League Pass.
NBA on Christmas Day is sort of right here, with 12+ hours of hoops on Wednesday waiting to be unwrapped throughout ABC & ESPN, together with a particular alternate broadcast on ESPN 2, Disney+ and ESPN+. See part 4 for extra particulars.
Plus, a standings test earlier than we dive into the highest tales across the NBA:

1. WHAT’S TRENDING: EAST POWERS ASSERT THEMSELVES

As we enter the ultimate full week of 2024, let’s catch you up on just a few of the largest tales across the league, starting with a race atop the East amongst championship contenders:
Surging Bucks: After a 2-8 begin, the Bucks rattled off 12 wins within the span of 15 video games to place the league on discover. Their closing assertion? An emphatic win within the Emirates NBA Cup championship in Vegas over the West-leading Thunder.
Cavs’ Rebuttal: Whereas the Bucks left Las Vegas hotter than the desert solar, the Cavs reminded the league why they’ve owned one of the best document within the NBA for almost two months, defeating Milwaukee 124-101 on Friday.

Champs Lurking: Proper behind Cleveland atop the East standings since October? The reigning champion Celtics, who lead the NBA in 3-point makes an attempt (51.0) and makes (18.7).
Right here Comes NY: Winners of eight of its previous 10 video games, New York continues to climb up the standings, fueled by a well-rounded assault that ranks second in offensive ranking (119.7) — trailing solely Cleveland for one of the best within the NBA.
2. WHAT’S TRENDING: WILD WEST RACE HEATS UP
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Out West, the highest 4 squads are all using sizzling streaks, led by the Thunder’s NBA-best seven-game heater — giving them a three-game cushion atop the standings.
Proper behind them? The Grizzlies, Rockets and Mavericks — all separated by simply 1.5 video games.
Rumbling Thunder: House owners of first place since Nov. 25, the Thunder haven’t misplaced a regular-season sport since Dec. 1, due to a historic protection that leads the league in opponents’ ppg (103.1), opponents FG% (42.6), steals (12.1) and DefRtg (103.0).
Roaring Grizzlies: Final season, the Grizzlies completed thirteenth within the West, averaging a league-low 105.8 ppg. This season? They lead the NBA in scoring (123.1 ppg) and maintain second place with 12 wins of their final 14 video games.

Mavs Transferring Up: One other squad that’s galloping up the standings, the Mavs are 12-3 of their final 15 video games, leaping from tenth within the West to fourth in simply over a month. 
Don’t Neglect About Houston: Winners of 4 of their final 5 video games, the Rockets have held a top-four seed within the West since mid-November, highlighted by a visit to the Emirates NBA Cup semifinals, the place they fell to the Thunder.
Crowded Playoff Image: Behind the highest 4 seeds within the West, seven groups — the Nuggets, Lakers, Warriors, Clippers, Spurs, Wolves and Suns — are separated by simply 1.5 video games.
3. PLAYOFF PACK TIGHTENS, HEADLINED BY A SLEW OF STARS

Six extra matchups get underway Monday, with a handful of stars seeking to assist their group transfer up within the standings — each within the East and West.
Suns at Nuggets (10 ET, LP): Ranked No. 1 on the Kia MVP Ladder for a sixth straight week, Nikola Jokić and Denver host the Suns tonight, with Kevin Durant coming off a season-high 43 factors.
Pistons at Lakers (10:30 ET, LP): Within the final week, LeBron James handed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for many minutes performed (57,505) and most 10+ level video games (1,510) in NBA historical past, whereas serving to lead the Lakers to a few straight wins.

Spurs at 76ers (7 ET, NBA TV): On Thursday, Victor Wembanyama turned the youngest participant to whole 40+ factors, 5+ rebounds, 5+ assists and three+ blocks in an NBA sport. On Saturday, he adopted it up with the primary 30+ level, 10+ block sport in 16 years.
Pacers at Warriors (10 ET, NBA TV): After a 31-point efficiency on Saturday, Steph Curry will lead the Warriors in opposition to Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers, who’ve notched 4 wins in a row to maneuver only a half-game again of Playoff place.
Wolves at Hawks (7:30 ET, LP): After tallying six wins in seven video games, the Wolves have dropped two in a row. Tonight, Anthony Edwards will look to get them again on monitor as he faces Trae Younger and the Hawks, who want to snap a three-game slide of their very own.
Nets at Warmth (7:30 ET, LP): A half-game again of tenth place within the East, a win for the Nets will transfer them into Play-In place. In the meantime, within the sixth seed, the Warmth will look to carry their Playoff spot with a victory — which might halt a three-game slide.
4. UP NEXT? WEDNESDAY’S #NBAXMAS MARATHON 

NBA on Christmas Day is simply two sleeps away, and followers will likely be gifted #NBAXmas motion all day, starting at 12 ET — with an unprecedented twist.
Spurs at Knicks (12 ET, ABC/ESPN): The day ideas off with Victor Wembanyama making his Christmas Day debut at Madison Sq. Backyard in opposition to the red-hot Knicks.
Wolves at Mavericks (2:30 ET, ABC/ESPN): Subsequent, a Western Convention Finals rematch sees Anthony Edwards and the Wolves’ hungry protection tackle Luka Dončić and the Mavs’ prolific offense.
76ers at Celtics (5 ET, ABC/ESPN): A basic rivalry takes place in Boston, as Jayson Tatum and the defending champs host a rising Sixers squad seeking to make an announcement.
Lakers at Warriors (8 ET, ABC/ESPN): A Christmas deal with in primetime, as LeBron James and Steph Curry go head-to-head within the Bay, with each squads out to maintain Playoff tempo in a wild West.
Nuggets at Suns (10:30 ET, ABC/ESPN): The night time closes with one other star-studded West duel, as Nikola Jokić and the Nuggets face Kevin Durant and Phoenix within the Valley, with KD having his finest scoring season (27.4 ppg) as a Solar.
5. SUNDAY SIZZLE: DENVER, INDY & HOUSTON STAY HOT

Nuggets 132, Pelicans 129 (OT): Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray tallied 27 factors apiece, whereas Jokić added 13 boards and 10 dimes for his league-leading eleventh triple-double, rallying Denver again from 17 factors right down to prime New Orleans in OT. | Recap

Pacers 122, Kings 95: Domantas Sabonis was a power inside (17 pts, 21 reb), however seven Pacers scored in double figures, as Indiana received 58 factors from its bench to outpace Sacramento for its fourth straight dub. | Recap
Rockets 114, Raptors 110: Dillon Brooks (27) and Jalen Inexperienced (22) mixed for 49 factors, because the Rockets overcame an early 16-point deficit and held on to beat the Raptors, marking their seventh win in 10 video games. | Recap
Look again at NBA on Christmas Day historical past, together with prime performances & record-breaking moments, earlier than this yr's 5-game slate.
Orlando faces one other setback with Moe Wagner out for the season, including to an harm listing that has already sidelined its prime 2 scorers.
A two-time All-Defensive Staff member, Caruso is now locked up with Oklahoma Metropolis via the 2028-29 season.
San Antonio's heart joins Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, Artis Gilmore, Dwight Howard and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to perform the feat.
Look again at NBA on Christmas Day historical past, together with prime performances & record-breaking moments, earlier than this yr's 5-game slate.
Orlando faces one other setback with Moe Wagner out for the season, including to an harm listing that has already sidelined its prime 2 scorers.
A two-time All-Defensive Staff member, Caruso is now locked up with Oklahoma Metropolis via the 2028-29 season.
San Antonio's heart joins Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, Artis Gilmore, Dwight Howard and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to perform the feat.
A two-time All-Defensive Staff member, Caruso is now locked up with Oklahoma Metropolis via the 2028-29 season.
Keep within the know on right this moment's NBA motion with the most recent information, scores and highlights from across the league.
Wall hasn't performed for the reason that 2022-23 season and says he would give something for 1 extra probability to play within the NBA.
Orlando faces one other setback with Moe Wagner out for the season, including to an harm listing that has already sidelined its prime 2 scorers.
Look again at NBA on Christmas Day historical past, together with prime performances & record-breaking moments, earlier than this yr's 5-game slate.
Historic performances from Jayson Tatum and Victor Wembanyama spotlight a memorable Saturday night time within the NBA.

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