League-Wide Stories
December's Top Performers
Justin Kubatko, Statitudes
Nikola Jokic averaged 29.2 PPG, 12.3 RPG, and 10.1 APG while shooting 60.4% from the field. The only other player in NBA history to average a triple-double with 60% shooting from the field in a month is Wilt Chamberlain (February & March, 1968).
Five NBA players poised to breakout in 2023, including Knicks' Quentin Grimes, Thunder's Jalen Williams
Michael Kaskey-Blomain, CBS Sports
NBA Players Who Can’t Be Traded This Season
Luke Adams, HoopsRumors
2023 NBA Predictions for the Finals, Trade Demands, Wembanyama, and More
Michael Pina, The Ringer
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Team-Specific Stories
ATL: Hawks’ Jalen Johnson tunes in to ‘what got me here’ as he finds spark
Lauren Williams, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
BKN: Ben Simmons making an underrated impact for red-hot Nets
Brian Lewis, New York Post
BKN: Yuta Watanabe keeps on doing ‘everything’ for the Nets
Brian Lewis, New York Post
BOS: Here are 11 things to watch for as the Celtics enter the new year
Adam Himmelsbach, Boston Globe
Mazzulla raised some eyebrows this past week when he suggested that Williams, who made his debut Dec. 16 after missing the start of the season following September knee surgery, could come off the bench for the rest of the season. Then assistant coach Damon Stoudamire let it slip that Williams remains on a minutes restriction.
BOS: Stepping up his game: Analyzing Derrick White’s recent stretch for Boston Celtics
Caden Charpentier, Hardwood Houdini
CHA: Jalen McDaniels’ Career Year has Gone Under the Radar
Israel Omondi, All Hornets
CHI: It’s all in the details as far as the Bulls’ Alex Caruso is concerned
Joe Cowley, Chicago Sun-Times
DEN: Why Nuggets’ Bones Hyland is “such an important part” even amid growing pains
Mike Singer, The Denver Post
GSW: It's too bad the Golden State Warriors can't play all their games at home
Kevin Pelton, ESPN+
At Chase Center, Warriors opponents are making 29% of their 3-point attempts -- the league's lowest mark by a wide margin. No other team sees opponents hit less than 32% of their 3s at home. On the road, that trend almost reverses. Golden State opponents make 41% of 3-point attempts in their own arenas -- second only to the San Antonio Spurs.
IND: Pacers pivot in 2022 turned into something special to appreciate
Tom Lewis, Indy Cornrows
IND: In the span of two weeks, Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton became a closer
Dustin Dopirak, Indianapolis Star
LAC: Clippers takeaways: Kawhi Leonard rounding into form
Andrew Greif, Los Angeles Times
LAC: For Clippers’ Nicolas Batum, the work keeps paying off
Janis Carr, Los Angeles Daily News
MIN: Luka Garza bringing energy and perspective to Timberwolves
Jace Frederick, Pioneer Press
OKC: Injuries to Key Big Men Prove Catastrophic for OKC
Randall Sweet, Inside The Thunder
PHX: Stephen’s Study: Turnovers Galore, Efficient Shooting, and Quiet Quality Minutes Compiled
Stephen Pridgeon-Garner, Bright Side of the Sun
TOR: Amidst the chaos, Gary Trent Jr. is playing the best ball of his life
Louis Zatzman, Raptors Republic
TOR: Raptors star Pascal Siakam’s real superpower is his elite conditioning
Oren Weisfeld, Yahoo Sports
WAS: The Washington Wizards are rolling, but is there an asterisk to their win total?
Josh Robbins, The Athletic
WAS: Is Rui Hachimura on the verge of a breakout season?
Chase Hughes, NBC Sports
Last Night’s Games
SAC 108, MEM 118
Ja Morant, Steven Adams post big numbers to power Memphis Grizzlies past Sacramento Kings
Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee
Kings can't stop rebound machine Adams in loss to Grizzlies
Jarrod Castillo, NBC Sports
Ja Morant, Steven Adams lead Memphis Grizzlies to win against Sacramento Kings
Damichael Cole, Memphis Commercial Appeal
Quick Recap: Grizzlies close out Kings to kick off 2023 with a win
Parker Fleming, Grizzly Bear Blues
WAS 118, MIL 95
Wizards demolish Bucks for fifth straight win
Chase Hughes, NBC Sports
Without Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks are dominated inside in a 118-95 loss to the Wizards
Jim Owczarski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
BOS 111, DEN 123
Karalis: On a night full of anomalies, the Celtics couldn't straighten themselves out
John Karalis, Boston Sports Journal
Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets defeat Boston Celtics 123-111 on New Year’s Day
Ryan Blackburn, Mile High Sports
The stoppage [to fix a bent rim] went on for 34 minutes, an inordinately long time, especially toward the end of a game nearly decided. Nikola Jokić was dancing along to the dance cam. DeAndre Jordan was playing Rock-Paper-Scissors with a fan. Marcus Smart was sitting on the middle of the floor for roughly 20 minutes. Game operations went through every single entertainment item it had and was finally resorting to the wave.
NBA Draft
2023 Aggregate NBA Mock Draft: The top point guards
Staff, HoopsHype
One-and-Done Mania: Which Freshman are Truly on Draft Radars?
Adam Spinella, The Box And One
The Future of Nick Smith Jr.
Nathan Grubel, No Ceilings