NBA Daily Rewind

## Overview
On Sunday, December 7, 2025, the NBA featured a full slate of eight regular-season games. The headline came in Salt Lake City, where the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder extended their winning streak to 15 games, tying a franchise record in a 131-101 rout of the Utah Jazz. Elsewhere, the Los Angeles Lakers snapped their Philadelphia skid behind a Luka Dončić triple-double and LeBron James late heroics, while the Boston Celtics overcame a 23-point lead collapse to hold off the Toronto Raptors. The Golden State Warriors dominated the Chicago Bulls by 32 points, and the New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets, Portland Trail Blazers, and Dallas Mavericks each picked up wins in their respective matchups. Injury news also shaped several contests, most notably Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s absence for OKC, and Jayson Tatum remaining sidelined for the Celtics.

## Thunder Cruise Past Jazz, Extend Streak to 15
The Thunder improved to 23-1 by routing the Jazz 131-101 in Salt Lake City, equaling their franchise record with a 15th straight victory. Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams each poured in 25 points, with Holmgren adding nine rebounds and Williams dishing eight assists and recording two steals. Oklahoma City shot 58% from the field and drained 21 of 42 attempts from three, while capitalizing on 17 Utah turnovers for 27 points. Aaron Wiggins chipped in 19 off the bench, and Branden Carlson contributed 13. Utah’s leading scorers—Lauri Markkanen and their other key starters—were out, compounding a poor defensive effort that saw them give up 45 first-quarter points. Kyle Filipkowski managed 21 points and 10 rebounds in defeat, and Walter Clayton Jr. notched a career-high 20 points. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/thunder-crush-jazz-tie-franchise-mark-with-15th-straight-win--flm-2025-12-08/?utm_source=openai))

## Lakers Edge 76ers as Dončić and James Shine
In Philadelphia, the Lakers snapped an eight-game winless streak at the Wells Fargo Center by outlasting the 76ers 112-108. Luka Dončić returned from a brief absence to record a 31-point, 15-rebound, 11-assist triple-double, while LeBron James took over late, pouring in 12 fourth-quarter points en route to a 29-point, 7-rebound, 6-assist line. Despite a halftime deficit, Los Angeles outscored Philly 59-48 in the second half. Rui Hachimura added 17 points, Deandre Ayton had a double-double (14 points, 12 rebounds), and Austin Reaves chipped in 11. Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers with 28 points, and Joel Embiid struggled at 4-of-20 shooting for 16 points. ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/401810217?utm_source=openai))

## Celtics Hold Off Raptors Despite 23-Point Collapse
The Boston Celtics rallied to a 121-113 victory over the Toronto Raptors in Canada, earning their fifth straight win. Boston built a 23-point lead early in the third quarter, but Toronto chipped away behind Brandon Ingram’s 30 points and Scottie Barnes’ 18 points and 11 rebounds, briefly taking a one-point edge in the fourth. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 30 points, Derrick White scored 27 (including 14 in the first quarter), and Payton Pritchard added 15. Neemias Queta recorded a double-double (11 points, 11 rebounds). Toronto played without RJ Barrett and Jamison Battle, while Boston remained without Jayson Tatum (Achilles). ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/celtics-outpace-raptors-win-fifth-row--flm-2025-12-07/?utm_source=openai))

## Warriors Dominate Bulls in Blowout Win
Shorthanded but undeterred, the Golden State Warriors throttled the Chicago Bulls 123-91 at the United Center. Brandin Podziemski led Golden State off the bench with 21 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, while Jimmy Butler III returned from a two-game absence to contribute 19 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. Quinten Post scored 19 on five three-pointers. The Warriors shot 62% from the field and 47% from deep, forcing Chicago into 22 turnovers and limiting them to 36% shooting. The Bulls fell to 9-14, extending their losing streak to seven games. ([games.cbssports.com](https://www.games.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20251207_GS%40CHI/?utm_source=openai))

## Knicks Pull Away from Magic in Physical Contest
At Madison Square Garden, the New York Knicks defeated the Orlando Magic 106-100 behind Jalen Brunson’s 30 points and nine assists. OG Anunoby added 21 points, seven rebounds, and three steals, while Josh Hart posted 16 points and 12 rebounds. Knicks newcomer Ariel Hukporti contributed seven points, seven rebounds, and three blocks in his best outing to date. Orlando led by one at halftime but couldn’t withstand New York’s third-quarter surge. The Magic were also without Franz Wagner late due to an injury scare. ([postingandtoasting.com](https://www.postingandtoasting.com/knicks-scores-results/76176/knicks-106-magic-100-huk-yeah?utm_source=openai))

## Nuggets Outlast Hornets Behind Murray, Jokic
In Charlotte, the Denver Nuggets held off the Hornets 115-106 as Jamal Murray poured in 34 points and Nikola Jokić nearly notched a triple-double with 28 points, nine rebounds, and 11 assists. Tim Hardaway Jr. added 14 off the bench. Despite a 23-point first quarter from Murray, Denver trailed by one at the half before pulling away in the second half. Charlotte, missing LaMelo Ball and Collin Sexton, got 24 points from Miles Bridges and 16 from Brandon Miller in the loss. ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/401810214?utm_source=openai))

## Mavericks Rally to Defeat Rockets Amid Short-Handed Stretch
The Dallas Mavericks snapped a three-game slide by rallying past the depleted Houston Rockets 122-109 at home. Anthony Davis led Dallas with 29 points and eight rebounds, while rookie Cooper Flagg impressed with 19 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks. Dallas closed the third quarter on a decisive 29-9 run. Houston, playing back-to-back without Alperen Şengün, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Tari Eason, was paced by Kevin Durant’s 27 points and Jabari Smith Jr.’s 22 points and eight rebounds. The Rockets committed 18 turnovers and were outscored 37-20 in the third period. ([thescore.com](https://www.thescore.com/nba/events/2448093?utm_source=openai))

## Grizzlies Stifle Blazers on the Road
The Memphis Grizzlies handed the Portland Trail Blazers a 119-96 defeat in Memphis, executing a dominant first quarter that put the game out of reach. Portland’s Jerami Grant led the offense with 21 points; Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija added 17 each. Rookie Yang Hansen made his first NBA start but encountered foul trouble early. Memphis got 22 points from Santi Aldama, 16 from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and 15 from Jock Landale off the bench. Portland was outrebounded 65-47 and trailed by as many as 27 in the second quarter. ([blazersedge.com](https://www.blazersedge.com/gameday-coverage/106336/portland-trail-blazers-memphis-grizzlies-nba-score-recap-yang-hansen-deni-avdija-zach-edey-aldama?utm_source=openai))

## Injury Report and Roster Notes
– Oklahoma City’s reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander missed his first game of the season (left elbow bursitis), ending his streak of playing all 23 games, during OKC’s win over Utah ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/thunder-g-shai-gilgeous-alexander-elbow-out-vs-jazz--flm-2025-12-07/?utm_source=openai)).
– Boston remained without Jayson Tatum (Achilles), and Toronto sat RJ Barrett (knee) and Jamison Battle, impacting both teams in their contest ([celticsblog.com](https://www.celticsblog.com/boston-celtics-game-previews/126436/boston-celtics-14-9-at-toronto-raptors-15-9-game-24-12-7-25?utm_source=openai)).
– Joel Embiid struggled through knee issues, shooting 4-of-20, though he played against the Lakers ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/401810217?utm_source=openai)).
– Golden State’s Jonathan Kuminga was a healthy scratch again amid rotation tightening, emphasizing the depth Warriors coach Steve Kerr now relies on ([sfchronicle.com](https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/warriors/article/amid-latest-benching-warriors-kuminga-says-21228703.php?utm_source=openai)).

## Looking Ahead
Teams now quickly turn their attention to the NBA Cup quarterfinals scheduled for Wednesday. The Thunder will host the Phoenix Suns, the Lakers travel to San Antonio, and the Knicks face a quick turnaround as they head back to Toronto. With momentum and health in play, Sunday’s performances could foreshadow key matchups in the midweek Cup competition. ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/401810218?utm_source=openai))