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Jalen Suggs Leaves NBA Cup Game With Hip Injury

December 13th, 2025 at 11:01pm CST by Arthur Hill

Magic guard Jalen Suggs engaged in a scoring battle with Knicks star Jalen Brunson during the first half of Saturday’s NBA Cup semifinals matchup, but pain forced him out of the game after he hurt his hip in the third quarter, writes Tim Bontemps of ESPN.

Suggs was in obvious discomfort as he talked to reporters in the locker room, Bontemps adds, and he’ll be evaluated further when the team returns to Orlando on Sunday.

“It’s the part that sucks the most,” Suggs said of potentially having to miss time. “I truly tried (to play). There’s nowhere else I would have rather been than on the court battling with my guys, especially in a close game. But (God) be having other plans, and I can’t be mad at his plans.”

Bontemps states that Suggs refused to answer any more questions about his condition, and he struggled to stand up and leave the area. He also couldn’t explain exactly what caused it.

“I don’t even know,” he said. “We’ll figure out what it is.”

Suggs was injured on a drive to the basket with 5:58 left in the third quarter when OG Anunoby stole the ball from him. Suggs yelled and grabbed at his left hip, but tried to continue playing before a timeout was called. He remained in the game after the stoppage, but was removed for good shortly afterward.

Suggs was in the midst of one of the best games of his career, as he poured in 25 points before halftime. Bontemps notes that he was able to get wherever he wanted to go against New York’s defense and repeatedly drove to the basket. He finished with 26 points in a little more than 29 minutes, and the Knicks pulled away for a 132-120 victory.

Injuries have been a frequent problem for Suggs throughout his five years in the NBA, as he’s only had one season where he’s played more than 53 games. Last season ended in January due to a knee injury that required surgery, and his recovery process lasted through most of October.

The Magic were expected to be one of the top teams in the East, but injuries to their stars have limited them to a 15-11 record. Franz Wagner is currently out with a high left ankle sprain and Paolo Banchero recently returned from a left groin strain.

“He’s been battling through some pain the last few games,” Banchero said of Suggs. “He’s just been giving it his all for the team and kind of playing through it, so you hope it’s not too bad, whatever the injury is. We don’t want to lose him. He gave us a great effort in that first half … unfortunately, he couldn’t go in the second half.”

Lakers Notes: Vanderbilt, Reaves, Smart, Buss Brothers

December 13th, 2025 at 9:59pm CST by Arthur Hill

The Lakers‘ success has helped to mask their defensive deficiencies, but they’ve been a concern all season long, writes Broderick Turner of The Los Angeles Times (subscription required). Even though L.A. is off to a 17-7 start, the team ranks 18th in the league in points surrendered at 116.8 per game, 22nd in opponents’ field goal percentage at 48.1% and 27th in opponents’ three-point shooting at 38.2%.

Jarred Vanderbilt, who has made just one brief appearance in the past 10 games, is hoping he can help improve those numbers. A spot is the rotation has opened up while Austin Reaves recovers from a mild calf strain, and Vanderbilt could be called upon, beginning with Sunday’s game at Phoenix.

“Oh, yeah, I’m pretty eager,” he said after Saturday’s practice. “I mean, obviously, I think a lot of the stuff we lack, I think I can help provide on that end.”

The Lakers were hoping to be in Las Vegas this weekend for the NBA Cup semifinals, but they were eliminated Wednesday in a game where they gave up 132 points to San Antonio. Vanderbilt is averaging just 4.3 PPG and shooting 43.1% from the field, so his limited production has kept him on the bench, but his value could rise if coach J.J. Redick decides to place a greater emphasis on defense.

“It’s been a trending thing even when we was winning, so I think like you said, the defense still wasn’t there, but we was just outscoring everybody,” Vanderbilt told Turner. “So, I think obviously during the loss, it’s an appropriate time to address certain things just so it won’t keep lingering and get worse.”

There’s more on the Lakers:

Redick said the team will be careful with Reaves’ recovery, but he doesn’t expect it to turn into a prolonged absence, Turner adds. Reaves played nearly 40 minutes on Wednesday before the issue was discovered. “It’s a mild strain, Grade 1, and he’ll be out for a week,” Redick said. “I would venture to say every player is a little bit different, but players now are becoming more cautious — to use that word again — more cautious when they get those diagnoses with the calf. Everything looks clean. It’s not in the deep part.”
Marcus Smart said defense was the primary topic during a team meeting on Friday (Twitter video link from Khobi Price of The Orange County Register). “It exposed us a lot, which we already knew,” Smart said. “… The scouting report against us is we’re not guarding people. And if we want to be great in this league and do what we’re trying to do, you have to be able to guard.”
After being removed from their front office roles with the Lakers last month, Joey Buss and Jesse Buss may consider investing in Major League Baseball’s Athletics franchise, according to Bill Shaikin of The Los Angeles Times (subscription required). Two sources confirmed to Shaikin that discussions took place, but they’re described as preliminary. The Buss brothers still have their ownership stakes in the Lakers.

Warriors Notes: Curry, Kuminga, Backcourt, Green

December 13th, 2025 at 8:50pm CST by Arthur Hill

Stephen Curry showed no effects from the quad injury that sidelined him for five games as he returned to the court Friday night, writes Anthony Slater of ESPN. Even though the Warriors lost to Minnesota, Curry gave the offense a much-needed lift with 39 points in 32 minutes while making 14 of his 28 shots from the field.

“Started to feel normal again,” he said. “So individually, it was a good first game back just to get my lungs back and feel like myself.”

Curry came out firing, taking six shots and scoring 10 points during his eight-minute stint in the first quarter. He also helped to erase a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter with 14 points, including a trio of three-pointers. He didn’t travel with the team on its three-game road trip, staying in San Francisco to get treatment on the injury and participate in a Wednesday night scrimmage.

“He looked great,” coach Steve Kerr said. “Just the movement, the flow. I asked him how he was feeling after the first eight-minute run in the first quarter, and he said, ‘I feel great.'”

There’s more on the Warriors:

Curry responded to questions this week about Jonathan Kuminga, who hasn’t played in the past two games after being pulled from the rotation, relays Nick Friedell of The Athletic. Curry expressed support for the young forward, stating that he’ll likely get another chance to contribute before long. “We still have high hopes that he’ll impact our team this year,” Curry said. “But it’s just an idea you can’t lose your spirit when things aren’t going your way, because you’re a game or two away from it coming right back to you. And if you’ve checked out, or if you’re still not engaged in the learning process, then you might miss your moment on the back end. So it is a back-and-forth, and it’s the responsibility of both sides. As a team, it’s our job to support him because we know he’s a great dude, a very talented player, (and) we still have belief that he can help us.”
Curry’s return creates a crowded situation in the Golden State backcourt, observes Sam Gordon of The San Francisco Chronicle (subscription required). The team has nine guards on its roster, and the availability of De’Anthony Melton, who made his season debut last Thursday, along with the emergence of Pat Spencer will lead to some difficult decisions regarding playing time. “We have a lot of guys now and it’s a great problem to have but it’s not an easy problem to solve, because I also would say there’s not a ton of separation between our players,” Kerr said. “… You always like to have a set rotation, but we’ll just have to see how it plays out.”
Draymond Green will rejoin the team Sunday in Portland, but it hasn’t been determined if he’s going to play, according to Ali Thanawalla of NBC Sports Bay Area. Green has missed the past three games for personal reasons, and Kerr told reporters that the right mid-foot sprain he aggravated last week has healed. “It’s just a question of whether (director of sports medicine and performance) Rick (Celebrini) feels comfortable putting him out there,” Kerr said. “So, he’ll meet us in Portland and we’ll assess him there.”

Celtics Notes: Queta, Tatum, Walsh, Trade Options

December 13th, 2025 at 7:47pm CST by Arthur Hill

Neemias Queta has solved the Celtics‘ center problems this season, but he’s been disappointed with his free throw shooting, writes Souichi Terada of MassLive. There were concerns about what Boston would do in the middle after trading Kristaps Porzingis and seeing Al Horford and Luke Kornet leave in free agency, but Queta stepped into the starting role and has provided consistent scoring, rebounding and defense. However, he’s connecting at just 61.2% from the foul stripe after being a 71.3% career shooter coming into the season.

“I can get better,” Queta said. “It’s been a tough year for me at the line. I usually feel pretty confident when I’m out there. I don’t know what’s going on. Maybe it’s repetition or maybe it’s just getting my legs under it. But something I need to get better at, most definitely, because that’s unacceptable. … I’m too good of a shooter to shoot that bad.”

Terada adds that Queta’s breakout season has been massive considering that backup big men Luka Garza and Xavier Tillman have both dropped out of the rotation. Coach Joe Mazzulla has gone with smaller lineups when Queta rests, using Josh Minott and other players in the middle.

There’s more from Boston:

Jayson Tatum posted several lengthy workout videos to his Instagram account this week, but Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe (subscription required) cautions that doesn’t mean the All-Star forward will be returning soon. It’s been seven months since Tatum ruptured his Achilles tendon, and Himmelsbach states that he continues to remind team officials that he wants to play this season. However, a league source tells Himmelsbach that Tatum still has to reach several milestones in the recovery process before that can be considered.
Doc Rivers is the latest opposing coach to be impressed by Jordan Walsh, Himmelsbach adds in the same piece. The third-year forward has established himself as an elite defender this season, and his shooting has been outrageous lately as he’s 30-of-37 from the field and 9-of-12 from three-point range in December. “It seems like they just put him on anybody to pressure,” Rivers said of Walsh after Thursday’s game in Milwaukee. “His energy is infectious, man. If you don’t want to play hard when you’re watching him play, then there’s something wrong with you.”
The prospect of Tatum returning could prompt the Celtics to be more aggressive about finding another center at the trade deadline rather than waiting for the offseason, Brian Robb of MassLive states in a mailbag column. Robb responds to a question about Ivica Zubac, saying the team may be hesitant to part with multiple first-round picks for a big man and is likely to pursue minimum-salary options if a player of that caliber isn’t available.

Kings’ Drew Eubanks To Miss At Least Three Weeks With Thumb Fracture

December 13th, 2025 at 6:50pm CST by Arthur Hill

Kings center Drew Eubanks has an avulsion fracture in his left thumb and will be reevaluated in three weeks, according to Sean Cunningham of KCRA News in Sacramento (Twitter link).

The injury occurred during Thursday’s loss to Denver, as Eubanks was forced to leave the game after playing just four minutes. He underwent an MRI on Saturday that revealed the damage.

Eubanks was inserted into the starting lineup after center Domantas Sabonis was sidelined with a torn meniscus in mid-November. However, rookie big man Maxime Raynaud has been more productive lately and has taken over that role in the past three games, averaging 13.3 points and 9.0 rebounds during that stretch.

Eubanks, 28, is in his first season with the Kings after signing a one-year, minimum-salary contract over the summer. He has appeared in 25 games, making 11 starts and averaging 5.3 points and 2.8 rebounds in 14.4 minutes per night while shooting 61.5% from the field.

Sacramento is the sixth team in eight seasons for Eubanks, who was traded from the Jazz to the Clippers at last year’s deadline. He became a free agent when L.A, waived him in July to avoid paying his $4.5MM non-guaranteed salary.

With Eubanks out of action until at least January, Precious Achiuwa and Dario Saric could see an increase in playing time until Sabonis returns.

Wolves Notes: DiVincenzo, Gobert, Shannon, Edwards, Injuries

December 13th, 2025 at 5:32pm CST by Arthur Hill

The season that Donte DiVincenzo spent with the Splash Brothers helped him build the confidence to take late-game shots like the ones he hit against the Warriors Friday night, writes Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. DiVincenzo drilled a three-pointer to tie the score with 1:48 remaining and another 80 seconds later to put the game out of reach as the Timberwolves spoiled Stephen Curry‘s return from injury.

“I didn’t shoot the ball well at all tonight, but I could care less if I’m being honest with you,” DiVincenzo said. “My year here changed my entire mindset. Playing with that dude over there, 30 (Curry), it just changed my mindset on my misses, my mindset on my approach. I want the big shot at the end of the game. That’s the mindset I have.”

As Krawczynski notes, DiVincenzo was looking for a new NBA home when he signed a one-year deal with Golden State in the summer of 2022. He had been a starter on Milwaukee’s 2021 championship team, but he was removed from the starting lineup the following season and traded to Sacramento halfway through. Joining the Warriors gave him the chance to learn from Curry and Klay Thompson, picking up their practice habits and their fearlessness about taking clutch shots.

“It changed me, my approach, my mentality, how I process the game, how I live with negatives in my career,” DiVincenzo said. “I think it changed my entire trajectory of my career, and after that, I’ve been who I am.”

There’s more on the Wolves:

Another flagrant foul for Rudy Gobert any time this season will trigger an automatic suspension, according to Chris Hine of The Star-Tribune (subscription required). Gobert was whistled for flagrants in back-to-back games over the past week, putting him one flagrant-foul point away from a one-game suspension and two points away from a two-game suspension. He disputed the call in Monday’s game when he was assessed a flagrant foul for making “significant” contact to the ribs of Phoenix center Mark Williams while Williams was airborne. “There was an intent to foul, but I don’t feel like it was meant to really hit him in the rib to hurt him,” Gobert said. “It was more like to take away his momentum and contest the shot. They deemed that it was winding up. I didn’t feel like it. I just felt like it was just maybe a very physical foul. But I hope he’s doing OK. It seems like he was doing OK after that. It was just, to me, a physical basketball play.”
In the same piece, coach Chris Finch pointed to Terrence Shannon Jr.‘s defensive habits as the reason for the second-year guard’s inconsistent play. “It’s largely rooted in readiness,” Finch explained. “He’s a great athlete. He’s probably spent a lot of his time making up ground with his closing speed. It’s a dangerous habit to get into at this level, the guys that have either equal or greater athleticism, but also teams that execute well and can take advantage of that. So his screen navigation is poor, and that puts him even further behind the play.”
Anthony Edwards missed Friday’s game due to soreness in his right foot and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s home matchup with Sacramento. Bones Hyland, who left Friday’s contest with a right knee contusion, is also questionable, while Mike Conley has been ruled out with a right Achilles issue.

Cavs’ Evan Mobley Out 2-4 Weeks With Left Calf Strain

December 13th, 2025 at 4:02pm CST by Arthur Hill

Cavaliers big man Evan Mobley has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 left calf strain and is expected to miss about two-to-four weeks, the team announced Saturday (via Twitter).

Mobley suffered the injury Friday night at Washington, and it was discovered during a post-game examination of tightness in that area. The calf strain was confirmed by an MRI conducted Saturday morning.

Cleveland has been hit hard by injuries, but Mobley has been a reliable presence, appearing in 25 of the team’s first 26 games. He’s averaging 19.1 points, 9.3 rebounds and 4.1 assists with .496/.352/.640 shooting numbers and appeared to be headed for his second straight All-Star appearance.

Even if the Cavaliers can get by without his scoring contributions, it will be hard to replace Mobley on defense. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year is blocking 1.6 shots per game and is a major deterrent for opponents at the rim.

The Cavs are already dealing with a depleted frontcourt, which has played a role in their somewhat disappointing 15-11 record. Starting center Jarrett Allen remains sidelined with a right finger strain that has forced him to miss all but one game since November 19, while backup big man Larry Nance Jr. also has a calf strain and hasn’t played since November 28.

Veteran center Thomas Bryant may be asked to take on an increased role until the roster gets healthier. He has appeared in 19 games since signing with Cleveland during the summer and is averaging 3.3 points and 2.2 rebounds in 7.8 minutes per night.

Spurs Notes: Wembanyama, Guard Trio, Castle

December 13th, 2025 at 3:59pm CST by Rory Maher

While Victor Wembanyama is technically listed as probable for Saturday’s NBA Cup semifinal against Oklahoma City, Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson was certainly talking on Friday as though the star big man would be playing, tweets Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News.

“He’s going to be tired, the excitement, the mental fatigue. He was tired the first time I saw him play live against video guys. … I would expect an early sub and not his normal minutes,” Johnson said of Wembanyama, who has been out since November 14 due to a left calf strain.

Johnson added that Wembanyama was pushing hard behind the scenes to return to action, per Michael C. Wright of ESPN (Twitter link).

Here’s more on the Spurs:

Wembanyama admitted he was hoping to return sooner than Saturday, according to Orsborn (Twitter link). “I would have come back earlier, but it is more reasonable to listen to (the team’s medical staff),” Wembanyama said. The French center also discussed San Antonio’s surprising 9-3 record without him, Orsborn adds (via Twitter). “The brand of basketball we were playing … it’s getting closer to the ideal basketball. … And everybody has something to eat,” Wembanyama said. “Everybody can step up at any time. … Everybody trusts the next teammate, so it’s just beautiful to see.”
They’ve only shared the court together for two games, but the backcourt trio of De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper have already developed chemistry both on and off the floor, Orsborn writes for The Express-News. In 78 total minutes during Wednesday’s quarterfinal win over the Lakers, Fox, Castle and Harper combined for 63 points, 17 rebounds, 12 assists and three steals, Orsborn notes. “It’s been great,” forward Harrison Barnes said. “Each of them are different and their games complement each other. They’re all trying to make the right play, investing in the time off the court for that chemistry. So for us as a group, it’s great as we continue to evolve this thing and continue to get healthy, that those three continue to figure out ways to be effective.”
Former UConn star Castle has purchased a stake in two professional expansion soccer teams in Connecticut, according to Marc J. Spears of Andscape. “It was the right choice just to start at my age and to also give back to the state of Connecticut for what they’ve done for me,” Castle told Andscape in a phone interview Thursday. “I just wanted to put my name out there as well and just have it build up as my career goes on. Just to have this on the back end is another great idea.”

Injury Notes: Young, Eason, Clarke, Edey, Booker

December 13th, 2025 at 3:10pm CST by Rory Maher

All-Star point guard Trae Young continues to ramp up his reconditioning activities and is expected to return to practice next week, the Hawks announced today in a press release (Twitter link).

Young injured his right knee in a collision with teammate Mouhamed Gueye in the first quarter of an October 29 game at Brooklyn. He was ruled out for the rest of that game and was diagnosed with a sprained MCL a few days later after undergoing an MRI, which revealed no additional damage.

Young has missed the past 21 games with the injury. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported last week that Young was optimistic about returning to action this month.

Atlanta is currently 14-12, the No. 9 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Here are a few more injury updates from around the NBA:

Rockets forward Tari Eason, who has been out since November 14 due to a strained oblique, could return to action in a couple days. Head coach Ime Udoka said Eason practiced on Saturday and the team is “hoping” the 24-year-old will be available for Monday’s game at Denver, tweets Rockets sideline reporter Vanessa Richardson. Udoka clarified that Eason’s return will depend on if he experiences soreness after practice.
Grizzlies big man Brandon Clarke was assigned to the G League’s Memphis Hustle to practice on Friday prior to being recalled, the team announced (via Twitter). Clarke underwent an arthroscopic procedure in September to address synovitis in his right knee after having his 2024/25 season cut short due to a PCL sprain in that same knee. He’s expected to be out at least a couple more weeks, but obviously practicing is a positive development — the 29-year-old Canadian hasn’t suited up for a game since March 19.
Second-year Grizzlies center Zach Edey missed the first 13 games of the season as he recovered from offseason surgery on his left ankle. He will be out at least four weeks after being diagnosed with a stress reaction in the same ankle. Head coach Tuomas Iisalo discussed Edey’s situation prior to Friday’s loss to Utah, per Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal (video link). “He’s been a huge part of what we’ve been doing … it’s a big loss, ” Iisalo said. “But at the same time, it’s for the long-term benefit of everybody involved.”
Suns star Devin Booker did “everything” during Friday’s practice and was also a full participant in Saturday’s practice, according to Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic (Twitter video links). “Responding well,” head coach Jordan Ott said of Booker. “That’s encouraging. No issues. Practiced today. Just see exactly how it responds.” The four-time All-Star guard, who has missed the past three games with a right groin strain, could return Sunday vs. the Lakers.

Knicks Notes: Yabusele, Alvarado, Anunoby, Brunson, Magic

December 13th, 2025 at 1:59pm CST by Rory Maher

Unless Guerschon Yabusele‘s play and role with the Knicks change substantially over the next several weeks, both sides would probably be better off parting ways prior to the February 5 trade deadline, writes Stefan Bondy of The New York Post (subscriber link).

As Bondy explains, Yabusele was New York’s primary free agent addition over the summer — the team signed the French forward to a two-year, $11.25MM contract using the taxpayer mid-level exception. However, the signing took place prior to the hiring of new head coach Mike Brown, and Yabusele hasn’t fit well in Brown’s fast-paced offensive system.

Yabusele becomes trade-eligible on Monday, and while he wouldn’t be viewed as a positive asset on his own, his salary could be useful for matching purposes, Bondy notes. The Knicks could use a backup point guard, and Bondy cites Jose Alvarado as a player who might fit the team’s needs.

Alvarado, who earns $4.5MM this season with an identical player option for 2026/27, would be a popular name on the market if the Pelicans make him available to trade, according to Ian Begley of SNY.tv (Twitter video link), who agrees that the Knicks would be among the teams with interest in the New York native.

Here’s more on the Knicks:

Forward OG Anunoby has quickly shown his importance to the Knicks after returning from a hamstring strain earlier this month, per Jared Schwartz of The New York Post. The team has gone 3-0 with Anunoby back in action and is now 76-36 (.679 winning percentage) when the 28-year-old plays during the regular season since his arrival in 2023/24, Schwartz writes, compared to 25-20 (.556) when he has been unavailable. “OG, he was all over the place,” Josh Hart said after Tuesday’s win in Toronto, when Anunoby keyed a second-quarter run. “He really helped start that run and then we were able to get stops, play fast, get out in transition and play to our strength. Huge shoutout to him, really changed the tide of the game.”
Brown continues to push star guard Jalen Brunson‘s MVP candidacy, as Andrew Crane of The New York Post relays. When asked if Brunson is already among the greatest players in Knicks history, Brown didn’t hesitate to give an affirmative reply. “He’s been here long enough,” Brown said Thursday. “He’s helped them win a lot of games. Obviously, he did start in Dallas, but he was a little younger. It wasn’t his team. He wasn’t really the guy. He came here, it’s his team, he’s the guy here, he’s an MVP candidate, like I said, and so what he’s doing is definitely franchise-altering, and again, that has to be taken note [of]. Not just in the MVP race but also within the community of New York.”
Saturday’s NBA Cup semifinal will mark New York’s fourth matchup with Orlando this season, with the Magic winning the first two contests before the Knicks claimed the third last Sunday, observes Kristian Winfield of The New York Daily News. Saturday could be a potential playoff preview for two teams hoping to come out of the Eastern Conference. “I don’t feel it’s on the rivalry level yet,” Brown said after Thursday’s practice. “It can be in due time, but I don’t think it’s there yet.”

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