Gilgeous-Alexander scores 30 points as Thunder top Trail Blazers 124-95

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 30 points in three quarters and the Oklahoma City Thunder rolled past the Portland Trail Blazers 124-95 on Wednesday night for their third straight win.

Ajay Mitchell scored 17 points off the bench, and Jalen Williams had 13 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Chet Holmgren added 12 points, 10 rebounds and a season-high six blocks for Oklahoma City (29-5), which made 44 of 90 shots (48.9%) and converted 25 Portland turnovers into 28 points.

Gilgeous-Alexander sank 11 of 15 field goals and all seven of his foul shots. He scored at least 20 points for the 105th consecutive game. Mitchell, meanwhile, hit all four of his field goal attempts and all eight free throws.

Two-way player Sidy Cissoko scored 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting for Portland (14-20). Deni Avdija had 17 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, and Shaedon Sharpe added 14 points.

Oklahoma City scored 38 points in the first quarter but couldn't shake the Trail Blazers, who scored 30 and made six of seven 3-point shots.

The Thunder increased the lead to 60-44 on a short jumper by Williams midway through the second before Portland countered with nine straight points. That's when Gilgeous-Alexander took over, scoring nine points during a 13-2 run that put Oklahoma City up 73-55 at halftime.

The defending NBA champions extended the advantage to 86-60 on a layup by Gilgeous-Alexander, who sat out the fourth quarter. Back-to-back 3-pointers by Cason Wallace and Isaiah Joe early in the fourth made it 106-78.

Trail Blazers: Visit the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday.

Thunder: Visit the Golden State Warriors on Friday.

AP NBA:https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

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December 31, 2025

Gilgeous-Alexander scores 30 points as Thunder top Trail Blazers 124-95

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 30 points in three quarters and the Oklahoma City Thunder rolled pas...

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Has NBA fought off NFL's Christmas Day invasion? Viewership up for hoops

For the NBA, Christmas Day in 2025 was a resounding success — at least in terms of viewership.

Across the five-game slate on the Disney networks, 47.19 million unique viewers tuned in, making it the most-watched Christmas Day since 2010 and representing a 45% year-over-year increase, according to Nielsen Big Data + Panel. These data exclude 2011, when a lockout prompted the start of the regular season to fall on Dec. 25.

Interestingly, Christmas Day viewership may also be hinting at a general changing of the guard. The first two games of the slate — Knicks vs.Cavaliersand Thunder vs. Spurs — were the ones with the highest viewership.

Oct. 26: The Brooklyn Nets' Michael Porter Jr. dunks in front of the San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama at Frost Bank Center.

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Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents

Knicks-Cavs averaged 6.37 million viewers, making it the most-watched 12 p.m. ET Christmas game in history. Thunder-Spurs averaged 6.71 million, making that the most-viewed second game since 2017.

The league made an impact on social media, as well. According to Videocites, the NBA generated more than 1.6 billion views across social platforms, making it the brand with most views on Christmas.

This is notable, given that the NFL has also laid claim to the holiday, broadcasting Christmas games over the past two years. NFL remains king in broadcast viewership, but this year's games proved to besignificantly inconsequential, with injuries marring the matchups, which mostly featured teams already eliminated or in danger of elimination from playoff contention.

The Knicks-Cavaliers game featured a late flurry from New York, whichrallied back from a 17-point fourth quarterdeficit to beat Cleveland, 126-124.

TheThunder-Spurs gamefeatured the latest iteration ofan emerging rivalry in the NBA, one that features a pair of the game's most dynamic young stars in Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama and reigning NBA MVP, Shai Gilegous-Alexander.

The other games on the 2025 Christmas slate wereWarriors-Mavericks, Lakers-Rockets and Nuggets-Timberwolves.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:NBA on Christmas Day TV ratings up as NFL invasion continues

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December 31, 2025

Has NBA fought off NFL's Christmas Day invasion? Viewership up for hoops

For the NBA, Christmas Day in 2025 was a resounding success — at least in terms of viewership. Across the five...

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Steven Stamkos scores goal No. 600, Predators win New Year's Eve matinee in Vegas 4-2

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Steven Stamkos scored his 600th career goal and the Nashville Predators beat the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2 on Wednesday.

The Predators, in the middle of a season-long seven-game road trip, won for the 12th time in 17 games, including the third of their first four on the trip.

The win put the Predators (18-17-4) above .500 for the first time since Oct. 16, just five games into the season, when they were 2-1-2.

Vegas, meanwhile, lost for the sixth time in seven games. The Knights closed their four-game homestand with a 1-2-1 mark.

Now in his 18th season, Stamkos scored his 18th of the season and ninth against the Golden Knights since they entered the league in 2017. The game-tying goal was part of an unanswered three-goal spurt over five minutes that turned a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 lead for the Predators.

Nick Perbix, Reid Schaefer and Michael Bunting also scored for the Predators. Justus Annunen made 29 saves.

Former Knight Erik Haula, who is two games shy of skating in his 800th game, registered the 200th assist of his career on Bunting's goal.

Mark Stone, who earlier in the day was named toCanada's Olympic roster, scored his 10th goal of the season, while Ben Hutton added his sixth for the Knights. Akira Schmid stopped 15 shots before being pulled late in the third period for an extra skater.

Vegas forward Mitch Marner and defenseman Shea Theodore were also named to Canada's team. All three of the Knights represented their homeland in the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off.

Nashville: Visits Seattle on Thursday.

Vegas: Visits St. Louis on Friday.

AP NHL:https://apnews.com/hub/NHL

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December 31, 2025

Steven Stamkos scores goal No. 600, Predators win New Year's Eve matinee in Vegas 4-2

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Steven Stamkos scored his 600th career goal and the Nashville Predators beat the Vegas Golden Knights 4...

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Reports: Eagles plan to start QB Tanner McKee, rest Jalen Hurts, other starters

The Philadelphia Eagles plan to start little-used quarterback Tanner McKee and rest Jalen Hurts and several other starters in the regular-season finale at home Sunday against the Washington Commanders, according to multiple reports on Wednesday.

The Eagles (11-5) cannot fall any lower than their current No. 3 seed in the NFC playoffs but would rise to No. 2 if they win and the Chicago Bears (11-5) lose to the Detroit Lions. Both games kick off at the same time late Sunday afternoon.

Philadelphia coach Nick Sirianni said Wednesday that the team would rest several starters and were "nearing" a decision, but he wanted to talk to players first at a team meeting.

McKee, 25, has appeared in three games this season as relief for Hurts and completed all three pass attempts for 33 yards. He is 33 of 48 for 356 yards and four touchdowns in five career games, winning his lone start 20-13 against the New York Giants to close out the 2024 regular season.

The Eagles selected McKee in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Stanford.

"When you see Tanner, he's really good about knowing where to go with the football, seeing the defense and being able to deliver things accurately," Sirianni said. "It's a great room where those guys feed off each other and learn from each other."

The Philadelphia Inquirer first reported that the Eagles plan to make 10 or so key starters inactive and suit up another 10 or so on the active roster but hop they rest against the Commanders (4-12), who lost at home to the Eagles 29-18 on Dec. 20.

Among those likely to rest are Hurts, running back Saquan Barkley, receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, tight end Dallas Goedert, several offensive linemen and a host of defensive starters, per the Inquirer report.

--Field Level Media

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December 31, 2025

Reports: Eagles plan to start QB Tanner McKee, rest Jalen Hurts, other starters

The Philadelphia Eagles plan to start little-used quarterback Tanner McKee and rest Jalen Hurts and several other st...

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Mike Vrabel responds to Stefon Diggs, Christian Barmore charges

TwoNew England Patriotsplayers have been charged with assault in the last 36 hours.

Wide receiverStefon Diggsis facingfelony strangulation or suffocation charge as well as misdemeanor assaultas of Dec. 30. Defensive linemanChristian Barmoreis facingassault and battery chargesas of Dec. 31.

Coach Mike Vrabel has the team at 13-3 and fighting for the No. 1 seed in the AFC in his first year in New England.He was asked todayabout the charges against Diggs and Barmore as the team prepares for Week 18.

"We've been aware of these allegations," Vrabel said. "Yesterday and today isn't the first that we've heard about them. [We] try to do everything in accordance with the league policy and making sure that the league, that we're in compliance with the league."

Vrabel shot down any fears that Diggs and Barmore's legal proceedings would be a distraction for the other players.

"I'm 50 years old, going to be 51, I'm not afraid," Vrabel said. "I love coaching this football team."

The team put out a statement about both players and said the franchise is aware of reports regarding both Diggs and Barmore. The statements did not include comments because both are "ongoing legal matters," a stance Vrabel reiterated through much of his news conference today.

"There's ongoing legal matters," he said. "We've made a statement, we take these allegations seriously and what comes of that, then we'll have another discussion. I don't think we have to jump to any sort of conclusions right now and let the process take its toll."

Vrabel said Barmore likely will not be at practice today due to an illness. As of today, he considers both players available to play against theMiami Dolphinsin Week 18.

"I haven't heard anything that would keep either player from the game," Vrabel said. "The NFL hasn't told me anything... I haven't had a call with the NFL."

LIVE: Mike Vrabel Press Conference 12/31https://t.co/bnLd1hZnhZ

— z - New England Patriots (@Patriots)December 31, 2025

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December 31, 2025

Mike Vrabel responds to Stefon Diggs, Christian Barmore charges

TwoNew England Patriotsplayers have been charged with assault in the last 36 hours. Wide receiverStefon Diggsi...

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