Latest Basketball News
Pelicans Defeat Mavericks 119-113
New Orleans Pelicans won against Dallas Mavericks on December 22, 2025, improving to 8-22. Zion Williamson led with 24 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists; Anthony Davis had 35 points, 17 rebounds. Saddiq Bey added 19 points, 7 rebounds as Mavericks fell to 11-19.
Warriors Top Magic 120-97
Golden State Warriors beat Orlando Magic on December 22, 2025, moving to 15-15. Stephen Curry scored 26 points with 6 assists, 4 threes; Jimmy Butler III added 21 points efficiently. Paolo Banchero had 21 points, 12 rebounds for Magic, now 16-13.
NBA Proposes Draft Rule Changes to Curb Tanking
NBA is considering limiting pick protections to top-4 or top-14+, banning top-4 picks two years in a row, and locking lottery spots after March 1. Changes aim to stop late-season roster manipulation for better draft odds amid gambling concerns.
Owners and GMs received feedback requests post-gambling scandal.
Gambling Scandal Prompts Stricter NBA Injury Reporting
Following indictments of Damon Jones, Chauncey Billups, and Terry Rozier, NBA enforced earlier injury reports on game days. Teams now submit between 11 a.m.-1 p.m. local time, updating every 15 minutes.
Rozier pleaded not guilty to money laundering, wire fraud charges with $3M bail.
Spurs-Knicks Christmas Day Thriller Highlighted
Victor Wembanyama's wild debut at MSG featured late-game drama in Spurs vs Knicks Christmas matchup from 2024 slate. Game delivered clutch moments and chaos, becoming an instant classic.
NBA highlights emphasize intense finish.
Lakers vs Suns Game Live on December 24
Los Angeles Lakers face Phoenix Suns in NBA regular season game today, December 24, 2025. Stream features full highlights potential amid ongoing season action.
Part of packed Lakers schedule vs Western Conference foes.
Mavericks Past Tanking Fined in 2023 Example
NBA cites 2023 Mavericks resting Irving, Doncic vs Spurs despite play-in hopes to protect pick for Knicks. Team fined $750K but kept pick, traded down for Dereck Lively II at No. 12.
Influences current anti-tanking proposals.
Jazz Face Pressure on Protected Pick to Thunder
Utah Jazz risk losing top-8 protected pick to OKC if record stays eighth-worst. Personnel watch late-season handling after keeping pick past two years via top-10 protection.
Ties into league's tanking prevention efforts.
Nets Rebuild Impacted by Potential Lottery Tweaks
Brooklyn Nets, with sixth projection and recent lottery luck like Egor Demin pick, face rebuild changes. No top-5 since 2010; Mavericks got No.1 in 2025 despite 1.8% odds.
Proposals target mid-lottery protections.
NBA Owners Brainstorm Anti-Tanking Strategies
League presented protected picks examples affecting seasons at governors meeting. Ideas include expanding lottery to top-8 picks or play-in exclusions.
Focuses on purposeful roster tweaks, not standard rebuilding.
New Injury Policies Show Immediate Results
Teams complied swiftly: Jazz upgraded Markkanen, Mavericks' Thompson to probable, Hornets adjusted Ball status. Policies stem from gambling abuse of prior hourly updates.
Aims for transparency against insider betting.