Tag: NBA

Giannis returns from calf strain as Bucks try to revive season

Giannis Antetokounmpo
December 2025

Antetokounmpo is back in action after missing eight games with a right calf strain suffered against Detroit. Milwaukee went 2-6 without him and sit 11th in the East at 12-19, but remain within touching distance of the playoff places. Having previously battled a left adductor issue and an earlier calf strain that ended his 2023-24 season, Giannis focused his rehab on getting fully healthy amid persistent trade speculation. He insists he is “locked in” on the Bucks, recognising outside noise but prioritising fitness and a push back up the Eastern Conference standings.

Lakers star Austin Reaves out at least four weeks with calf strain

Austin Reaves
December 2025

The Lakers have ruled Austin Reaves out for a minimum of four weeks after scans confirmed a strained gastrocnemius muscle in his left calf, an issue that previously cost him three games and now halts a career-best season in which he is averaging 26.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.3 assists. Reaves aggravated the calf after returning from an earlier strain, coming off the bench against Phoenix and then starting on Christmas versus Houston before exiting at halftime with 12 points. With a re-evaluation due late January, the Lakers must cover heavy minutes and playmaking in his absence.

Hornets rookie Knueppel exits with ankle injury in loss to Magic

Kon Knueppel
December 2025

Kon Knueppel left the Hornets’ clash with the Magic due to a right ankle injury and was ruled out for the remainder of the game, cutting short a promising outing in which the No. 4 overall pick had already scored a team-high 16 points for Charlotte. The rookie, averaging 19.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists across his first 30 NBA games, had appeared in every contest this season before this setback. Charlotte confirmed his absence for the rest of the night, with further evaluation to determine how long he will be sidelined.

Mavericks’ Anthony Davis suffers groin spasms, ruled out vs Warriors

Anthony Davis
December 2025

Dallas Mavericks center Anthony Davis exited the Christmas matchup against the Golden State Warriors with groin spasms after pulling up while running in the second quarter, adding another setback in a season already interrupted by a significant left calf issue. Davis left with three points, three rebounds and two blocks in under 11 minutes before medical staff ruled him out for the remainder, with no firm return date yet as Dallas weigh short-term depth problems against the need to protect a key big man’s health.

Mobley returns early from calf strain to give Cavs timely boost

Evan Mobley
December 2025

Evan Mobley made a rapid return from a Grade 1 left calf strain to log 14 points and nine rebounds in 25 minutes during the Cavaliers’ narrow 126-124 loss to the Knicks, beating the original two-to-four-week recovery estimate. After progressing quickly through 3-on-3 and 4-on-4 in practice, the 23-year-old Defensive Player of the Year came off the bench, joining other recent returnees like Wembanyama and Williamson in easing back from injury as Cleveland tries to build momentum despite multiple starters sidelined.

Carlisle to step down as coaches’ boss, Bickerstaff to take over NBCA role

Rick Carlisle
December 2025

Rick Carlisle will end a 20-year run as president of the National Basketball Coaches Association at month’s end, with Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff elected as his successor, as Carlisle nears his 1,000th NBA coaching win and shifts focus fully back to team duties. Praising Bickerstaff as a trusted leader who has stabilised difficult situations in Memphis, Cleveland and Detroit, Carlisle called the new role “life-changing” and also used the moment to champion Bernie Bickerstaff’s Hall of Fame case, highlighting the Bickerstaff family’s long-standing impact on coaching and front-office culture.

Clippers lose Ivica Zubac for weeks with ankle sprain

Ivica Zubac
December 2025

Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac will miss several weeks after suffering a Grade 2 sprain to his left ankle, having landed awkwardly on LeBron James’ foot during the first quarter of a 103-88 win over the Lakers at the Intuit Dome. Zubac left the game after posting five points and two rebounds in 11 minutes, with scans confirming significant ligament damage, and the 28-year-old’s absence deprives the Clippers of a double-double machine who anchors their interior defense and has been central to their frontcourt identity.

Timberwolves coach Chris Finch hit with heavy fine after ejection

Chris Finch
December 2025

Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch has been fined 35,000 dollars for using inappropriate language toward officials and refusing to leave promptly after his ejection during the first quarter of a 112-107 home win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Finch was hit with two technical fouls and tossed with 6:19 left in the opening period after protesting calls, and the NBA’s basketball operations chief James Jones later announced the substantial sanction as part of ongoing efforts to clamp down on verbal abuse of referees.

Luka Dončić injury adds to shorthanded Lakers concerns

Luka Dončić
December 2025

Luka Dončić left the Lakers’ derby defeat to the Clippers at halftime with a left leg contusion, cutting short the NBA’s leading scorer’s night after 19 minutes and 12 points and adding fresh concern over his fitness in an already injury hit Los Angeles squad. Coach JJ Redick said he noticed Dončić limping in the second quarter but could not offer a timeline, while LeBron James called injuries the worst part of sport as the Lakers juggle absences for Rui Hachimura, Deandre Ayton and Austin Reaves and search for stability in the Western Conference race.

Griffin and Parker headline 2026 Hall of Fame first-time nominees

Blake Griffin, Candace Parker
December 2025

Blake Griffin, Candace Parker, Jamal Crawford and the 1996 U.S. Olympic women’s team headline the first-time nominees for the 2026 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame class. Elena Delle Donne, Joe Johnson and coach Mike D’Antoni also feature on a deep opening ballot. The Hall praised the candidates’ defining performances and global impact, noting that finalists will be named at NBA All-Star weekend, with the class officially unveiled at the men’s Final Four. Enshrinement weekend is scheduled for mid August 2026 in Connecticut and Springfield, Massachusetts.

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