Michael Scotto: Kevin Durant called Nikola Jokić “arguably the best player in the world and a top-10 player of all-time” during his ESPN postgame interview. pic.x.com/DrVnL64FGl
Source: Twitter @MikeAScotto
Source: Twitter @MikeAScotto
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
🇷🇸 Nikola Jokic posts a double-double in #NBAXmas loss
🇱🇻 Kristaps Porzingis leaves with left ankle soreness
🇸🇮 Luka Doncic is set for an MRI
👀 Full NBA Christmas Games recap
eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/17… – 2:16 AM
🇷🇸 Nikola Jokic posts a double-double in #NBAXmas loss
🇱🇻 Kristaps Porzingis leaves with left ankle soreness
🇸🇮 Luka Doncic is set for an MRI
👀 Full NBA Christmas Games recap
eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/17… – 2:16 AM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Kevin Durant on Bradley Beal’s performance before laughing: “Just a great all-around game. 4 steals tonight, a block, 11-for-21. He missed 2 FTs, which is trash. But we’ll take it.”
Later added: “It was incredible to watch. In that 4Q, we played through him, and he took us home” pic.x.com/IpP536Lsf4 – 1:50 AM
Kevin Durant on Bradley Beal’s performance before laughing: “Just a great all-around game. 4 steals tonight, a block, 11-for-21. He missed 2 FTs, which is trash. But we’ll take it.”
Later added: “It was incredible to watch. In that 4Q, we played through him, and he took us home” pic.x.com/IpP536Lsf4 – 1:50 AM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Kevin Durant postgame. #NBAChristmasDay #Suns pic.x.com/ZyM6d3PWCz – 1:34 AM
Kevin Durant postgame. #NBAChristmasDay #Suns pic.x.com/ZyM6d3PWCz – 1:34 AM
Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Not the best showing for the Denver Nuggets on Christmas Day.
Murray looked slow. Braun looked unsure. Gordon got hurt. The Defense couldn’t function.
That was a very frustrated Nikola Jokic too.
For @MileHighSports
milehighsports.com/denver-nuggets… – 1:22 AM
Not the best showing for the Denver Nuggets on Christmas Day.
Murray looked slow. Braun looked unsure. Gordon got hurt. The Defense couldn’t function.
That was a very frustrated Nikola Jokic too.
For @MileHighSports
milehighsports.com/denver-nuggets… – 1:22 AM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Phoenix Suns avenge lopsided loss as Durant, Beal lead win over Denver Nuggets (w/video) #Suns #NBAChristmasDay azcentral.com/story/sports/n… via @azcentral – 1:05 AM
Phoenix Suns avenge lopsided loss as Durant, Beal lead win over Denver Nuggets (w/video) #Suns #NBAChristmasDay azcentral.com/story/sports/n… via @azcentral – 1:05 AM
Michael Scotto @MikeAScotto
Kevin Durant called Nikola Jokić “arguably the best player in the world and a top-10 player of all-time” during his ESPN postgame interview. pic.x.com/DrVnL64FGl – 1:01 AM
Kevin Durant called Nikola Jokić “arguably the best player in the world and a top-10 player of all-time” during his ESPN postgame interview. pic.x.com/DrVnL64FGl – 1:01 AM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Phoenix was 1-11 without either Booker or Durant in the lineup coming into tonight. The win was at Utah.
Big win for the Suns tonight. It took a season-high 21 field goal attempts from Bradley Beal
Also
The team that had the fewest turnovers won all five 2024 Christmas games. – 12:53 AM
Phoenix was 1-11 without either Booker or Durant in the lineup coming into tonight. The win was at Utah.
Big win for the Suns tonight. It took a season-high 21 field goal attempts from Bradley Beal
Also
The team that had the fewest turnovers won all five 2024 Christmas games. – 12:53 AM
Vinny Benedetto @VBenedetto
Nuggets fall 110-100. Aaron Gordon exits and doesn’t return with right calf tightness. He missed 10 games earlier this season with a right calf strain.
Jokic leads the Nuggets with 25-15-2.
Nuggets finish with 16 turnovers. – 12:52 AM
Nuggets fall 110-100. Aaron Gordon exits and doesn’t return with right calf tightness. He missed 10 games earlier this season with a right calf strain.
Jokic leads the Nuggets with 25-15-2.
Nuggets finish with 16 turnovers. – 12:52 AM
Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Final Rotations for the Nuggets as they lose to the Suns 110-100.
It’s almost impossible to sweep a 2-game series against a team that’s close in talent with you. Too bad it happened on Christmas.
Murray looked hampered again. Jokic looked frustrated. Nuggets still searching. pic.x.com/ehv4akkbEf – 12:52 AM
Final Rotations for the Nuggets as they lose to the Suns 110-100.
It’s almost impossible to sweep a 2-game series against a team that’s close in talent with you. Too bad it happened on Christmas.
Murray looked hampered again. Jokic looked frustrated. Nuggets still searching. pic.x.com/ehv4akkbEf – 12:52 AM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Final: PHX 110, DEN 100
Beal: 27 Pts, 4 Ast, 4 Stl, 11-21 FG
Durant: 27-6-4-2-2, 9-26 FG
Jones: 17 Pts, 4 Ast, 7-9 FG
Nurkic: 8 Pts, 13 Reb, 6 Ast
Jokic: 25 Pts, 15 Reb, 10-19 FG
Suns win their first Christmas Day game since 2009 – 12:50 AM
Final: PHX 110, DEN 100
Beal: 27 Pts, 4 Ast, 4 Stl, 11-21 FG
Durant: 27-6-4-2-2, 9-26 FG
Jones: 17 Pts, 4 Ast, 7-9 FG
Nurkic: 8 Pts, 13 Reb, 6 Ast
Jokic: 25 Pts, 15 Reb, 10-19 FG
Suns win their first Christmas Day game since 2009 – 12:50 AM
Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Murray waves off Jokic, guarded by Beal, to isolate Nurkic, then turns it over. – 12:43 AM
Murray waves off Jokic, guarded by Beal, to isolate Nurkic, then turns it over. – 12:43 AM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Durant goes to celebrate Beal’s bucket and gets close to going over the baseline. Ref tells him that and Durant informs him I am in my zone! On the turnover forced by Beal, Durant instinctively sprints toward Beal (past the same ref) and then quickly retreats. Fun! – 12:33 AM
Durant goes to celebrate Beal’s bucket and gets close to going over the baseline. Ref tells him that and Durant informs him I am in my zone! On the turnover forced by Beal, Durant instinctively sprints toward Beal (past the same ref) and then quickly retreats. Fun! – 12:33 AM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Jokic and Durant have both played 30:28, including the entire 1st and 3rd quarters
KD is now outscoring Joker 23 to 22
Nuggets now have a better FG% (47.6% than Phoenix (47%)
But Suns have more 3s, more free throws, and have forced more Nuggets turnovers. – 12:19 AM
Jokic and Durant have both played 30:28, including the entire 1st and 3rd quarters
KD is now outscoring Joker 23 to 22
Nuggets now have a better FG% (47.6% than Phoenix (47%)
But Suns have more 3s, more free throws, and have forced more Nuggets turnovers. – 12:19 AM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
End of 3Q: PHX 85, DEN 78
Durant: 23 Pts, 5 Ast, 7-19 FG
Beal: 19 Pts, 4 Stl, 7-13 FG
Jones: 14 Pts, 4 Ast, 6-8 FG
Jokic: 22 Pts, 13 Reb, 9-17 FG
Suns won the 3Q 27-22 – 12:17 AM
End of 3Q: PHX 85, DEN 78
Durant: 23 Pts, 5 Ast, 7-19 FG
Beal: 19 Pts, 4 Stl, 7-13 FG
Jones: 14 Pts, 4 Ast, 6-8 FG
Jokic: 22 Pts, 13 Reb, 9-17 FG
Suns won the 3Q 27-22 – 12:17 AM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Flare screen at the top of the key on Durant post touches for the guard one pass away has been a nice boost for the ball movement off the doubles. – 12:11 AM
Flare screen at the top of the key on Durant post touches for the guard one pass away has been a nice boost for the ball movement off the doubles. – 12:11 AM
Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Halftime Rotations for the Nuggets as they trail the Suns 58-56.
Nikola Jokic: 17-8-2, 6/7 from 2, 1/5 from 3
Michael Porter: 11 points, 2/5 from 3
Russ: 9 points, 3 rebounds, +5 off the bench
Murray: -9 in his minutes, looked uncomfortable for much of that half. pic.x.com/UqVRd9qPbj – 11:38 PM
Halftime Rotations for the Nuggets as they trail the Suns 58-56.
Nikola Jokic: 17-8-2, 6/7 from 2, 1/5 from 3
Michael Porter: 11 points, 2/5 from 3
Russ: 9 points, 3 rebounds, +5 off the bench
Murray: -9 in his minutes, looked uncomfortable for much of that half. pic.x.com/UqVRd9qPbj – 11:38 PM
Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
At the half: Suns 58, Nuggets 56
PHX shot well from beyond the arc & Beal/Durant got going.
For Denver, Jokic led with 17 pts, 8 rebs & MPJ added 11 pts. Nuggets are starting to hit a groove.
If you’re Malone, what’s your holiday message to the team? – 11:37 PM
At the half: Suns 58, Nuggets 56
PHX shot well from beyond the arc & Beal/Durant got going.
For Denver, Jokic led with 17 pts, 8 rebs & MPJ added 11 pts. Nuggets are starting to hit a groove.
If you’re Malone, what’s your holiday message to the team? – 11:37 PM
Vinny Benedetto @VBenedetto
Nuggets trail 58-56 at halftime.
Jokic has 17-8-2. Michael Porter Jr. is the only other Nugget in double figures with 11. Denver has nine offensive rebounds and an 8-0 edge in second-chance points. Phoenix owns a 9-1 edge in FB points.
Durant and Beal with 14 apiece for Phoenix. – 11:37 PM
Nuggets trail 58-56 at halftime.
Jokic has 17-8-2. Michael Porter Jr. is the only other Nugget in double figures with 11. Denver has nine offensive rebounds and an 8-0 edge in second-chance points. Phoenix owns a 9-1 edge in FB points.
Durant and Beal with 14 apiece for Phoenix. – 11:37 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Halftime: PHX 58, DEN 56
Durant: 14 Pts, 5 Ast, 5-13 FG
Beal: 14 Pts, 3 Stl, 5-10 FG
Nurkic: 8 Pts, 6 Reb, 3-4 FG
Jokic: 17 Pts, 8 Reb, 7-12 FG
Big 3Q coming up for a Suns team that’s struggled in the 3rd and a Nuggets squad that dominates second halves – 11:35 PM
Halftime: PHX 58, DEN 56
Durant: 14 Pts, 5 Ast, 5-13 FG
Beal: 14 Pts, 3 Stl, 5-10 FG
Nurkic: 8 Pts, 6 Reb, 3-4 FG
Jokic: 17 Pts, 8 Reb, 7-12 FG
Big 3Q coming up for a Suns team that’s struggled in the 3rd and a Nuggets squad that dominates second halves – 11:35 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Durant grabbed at his left ankle when going around Nurkic screen and falling as foul called on Gordon.
Westbrook around Durant on other end, Durant answer. Suns up one. #Suns #NBAChristmasDay – 11:32 PM
Durant grabbed at his left ankle when going around Nurkic screen and falling as foul called on Gordon.
Westbrook around Durant on other end, Durant answer. Suns up one. #Suns #NBAChristmasDay – 11:32 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Mama Durant good luck.
4 of Suns 7 made 3s are corner/wing 3s where she’s sitting.
Suns up 51-45. #Suns #NBAChristmasDay pic.x.com/MxWEHV1zyi – 11:23 PM
Mama Durant good luck.
4 of Suns 7 made 3s are corner/wing 3s where she’s sitting.
Suns up 51-45. #Suns #NBAChristmasDay pic.x.com/MxWEHV1zyi – 11:23 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Suns-Nuggets updates: Phoenix hot start, but only up four points as Nikola Jokic sizzling (w/videos) #Suns #NBAChristmasDay azcentral.com/story/sports/n… via @azcentral – 11:17 PM
Suns-Nuggets updates: Phoenix hot start, but only up four points as Nikola Jokic sizzling (w/videos) #Suns #NBAChristmasDay azcentral.com/story/sports/n… via @azcentral – 11:17 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Full shift first quarters for Nikola Jokic and Kevin Durant
Joker outscored KD 15-10
But Suns shot 70.6% FGs, 6/7 3s – 11:12 PM
Full shift first quarters for Nikola Jokic and Kevin Durant
Joker outscored KD 15-10
But Suns shot 70.6% FGs, 6/7 3s – 11:12 PM
Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Well, Nikola Jokic is here.
Jamal Murray looks pretty hampered by what he’s dealing with. Want to see him try and get downhill/get shifty to start the second quarter. – 11:09 PM
Well, Nikola Jokic is here.
Jamal Murray looks pretty hampered by what he’s dealing with. Want to see him try and get downhill/get shifty to start the second quarter. – 11:09 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Could have been a bigger lead after that last minute but the Suns go +4 with Jokic on the floor. They’ve got a great opportunity to take real control of this game while he rests. – 11:08 PM
Could have been a bigger lead after that last minute but the Suns go +4 with Jokic on the floor. They’ve got a great opportunity to take real control of this game while he rests. – 11:08 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
End of 1Q: PHX 38, DEN 34
Durant: 10 Pts, 4 Ast, 3-6 FG
Nurkic: 7 Pts, 3 Reb, 3-3 FG
Beal: 5 Pts, 2 Ast, 2 Stl, 1-2 FG
Jokic: 15 Pts, 5 Reb, 6-7 FG – 11:08 PM
End of 1Q: PHX 38, DEN 34
Durant: 10 Pts, 4 Ast, 3-6 FG
Nurkic: 7 Pts, 3 Reb, 3-3 FG
Beal: 5 Pts, 2 Ast, 2 Stl, 1-2 FG
Jokic: 15 Pts, 5 Reb, 6-7 FG – 11:08 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Kevin Durant lost his footing on a drive and you could hear the collective groan in the arena as he stayed on the ground for a second. Fortunately it looks like he’s all right and he’s staying in the game – 11:03 PM
Kevin Durant lost his footing on a drive and you could hear the collective groan in the arena as he stayed on the ground for a second. Fortunately it looks like he’s all right and he’s staying in the game – 11:03 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Durant went down hard on butt driving on Westbrook.
Hit FTs. Seems fine.
Suns up 31-24. #Suns #NBAChristmasDay – 11:03 PM
Durant went down hard on butt driving on Westbrook.
Hit FTs. Seems fine.
Suns up 31-24. #Suns #NBAChristmasDay – 11:03 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Nikola Jokic different color sneakers. #NBAChristmasDay pic.x.com/93HVZxQOun – 10:51 PM
Nikola Jokic different color sneakers. #NBAChristmasDay pic.x.com/93HVZxQOun – 10:51 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Kevin Durant tried to get through an Aaron Gordon screen and AG fell over. KD just stood there staring at him like “really, dude?” for a good 15 seconds. I laughed – 10:51 PM
Kevin Durant tried to get through an Aaron Gordon screen and AG fell over. KD just stood there staring at him like “really, dude?” for a good 15 seconds. I laughed – 10:51 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Mama Durant in the building. #Suns #NBAChristmasDay pic.x.com/EpKpJaTvmV – 10:49 PM
Mama Durant in the building. #Suns #NBAChristmasDay pic.x.com/EpKpJaTvmV – 10:49 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Dunn on Murray.
Durant transition dunk from Beal. Suns 2-0. #Suns – 10:39 PM
Dunn on Murray.
Durant transition dunk from Beal. Suns 2-0. #Suns – 10:39 PM
Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Alright, nightcap time Nuggets fans. Let’s see what Nikola Jokic has in store. – 10:34 PM
Alright, nightcap time Nuggets fans. Let’s see what Nikola Jokic has in store. – 10:34 PM
NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA
What would you gift Steph, LeBron and KD to win one more title?
@Kendrickperkins, @stephenasmith and Bob Myers share their choice 🎁 pic.x.com/0uAdAy6Wr8 – 8:55 PM
What would you gift Steph, LeBron and KD to win one more title?
@Kendrickperkins, @stephenasmith and Bob Myers share their choice 🎁 pic.x.com/0uAdAy6Wr8 – 8:55 PM
Ben Golliver @BenGolliver
Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama (42 points, 18 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 blocks) joins Wilt Chamberlain and Nikola Jokic as only players with 40+ points/15+ rebounds on Christmas.
– Knicks win 117-114 at MSG. pic.x.com/H0eALpF9t0 – 2:28 PM
Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama (42 points, 18 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 blocks) joins Wilt Chamberlain and Nikola Jokic as only players with 40+ points/15+ rebounds on Christmas.
– Knicks win 117-114 at MSG. pic.x.com/H0eALpF9t0 – 2:28 PM
Michael C. Wright @mikecwright
Wemby is the third player in NBA history with 40 points and 15 rebounds on Christmas Day, joining Wilt Chamberlain (1959 & 1961) and Nikola Jokic (2022). – 2:11 PM
Wemby is the third player in NBA history with 40 points and 15 rebounds on Christmas Day, joining Wilt Chamberlain (1959 & 1961) and Nikola Jokic (2022). – 2:11 PM
Marc J. Spears @MarcJSpears
“You don’t have to have cable to have ABC at the crib. So, s—, KD [Kevin Durant] would play on Christmas. Me, my mama, my grandma, my brother, we’d all be sitting right there watching him. It was just special for us,” Anthony Edwards on NBA Xmas as a kid. bit.ly/4gwCd5S – 1:10 PM
“You don’t have to have cable to have ABC at the crib. So, s—, KD [Kevin Durant] would play on Christmas. Me, my mama, my grandma, my brother, we’d all be sitting right there watching him. It was just special for us,” Anthony Edwards on NBA Xmas as a kid. bit.ly/4gwCd5S – 1:10 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
From TUESDAY:
“I think KD is going to give us a performance we’re going to remember for a long time.” @KendrickPerkins.
@DGreen_14 and @malika_andrews chose Nuggets as Devin Booker is indeed out with left groin soreness.
Who you got tonight?
Merry Christmas to all. #NBAXmas pic.x.com/2WSKDXpoTW – 12:56 PM
From TUESDAY:
“I think KD is going to give us a performance we’re going to remember for a long time.” @KendrickPerkins.
@DGreen_14 and @malika_andrews chose Nuggets as Devin Booker is indeed out with left groin soreness.
Who you got tonight?
Merry Christmas to all. #NBAXmas pic.x.com/2WSKDXpoTW – 12:56 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Most points on Christmas Day:
476 — LeBron
395 — Kobe
377 — Oscar
315 — Durant
314 — Wade
The only players with over 300. pic.x.com/vE3jUsDKyz – 9:22 AM
Most points on Christmas Day:
476 — LeBron
395 — Kobe
377 — Oscar
315 — Durant
314 — Wade
The only players with over 300. pic.x.com/vE3jUsDKyz – 9:22 AM
More on this storyline
Duane Rankin: “It’s a weird dialogue around the league and viewership and I see a lot of people blaming the players for it. Something that big, it’s not just one component on why it’s going that way.” Kevin Durant on viewership being down in NBA. #Suns #NBAChristmasDay pic.x.com/DLzcJutQMB -via Twitter @DuaneRankin / December 26, 2024
Wembanyama became the third player in NBA history after Wilt Chamberlain (1959 and 1961) and Nikola Jokic (2022) to score 40-plus points with 15-plus rebounds in a Christmas game. His 42-point performance ranks third in NBA history for a player making his Christmas Day debut behind Chamberlain (45) and Tracy McGrady (43). “Good Lord, man,” Knicks guard Josh Hart said of Wembanyama. “He’s different. The league will be in good hands when all the old guys and elder statesmen like LeBron [James] and [Kevin Durant] are out of the [sport]. His release point is so high, and his ability to hit shots, it opens up everything for them.” -via ESPN / December 26, 2024
For Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, seeing an NBA game on television was a luxury for himself and his family when he was young. The two-time NBA All-Star said he grew up without cable television in his Atlanta-area home because his family couldn’t afford it. On Christmas Day, however, NBA games could be viewed locally on ABC’s Atlanta affiliate, WSB-TV, which felt like a Christmas present to Edwards and his family. “You don’t have to have cable to have ABC at the crib. So, s—, KD [Kevin Durant] would play on Christmas,” Edwards told Andscape. “Me, my mama, my grandma, my brother, we’d all be sitting right there watching him. It was just special for us.” -via Andscape / December 24, 2024
Duane Rankin: “He’s really good when people allow him to facilitate and score. I really believe the team looks different when he just wants to score.” Jusuf Nurkic on Nikola Jokic as they were teammates in Denver. 27 points, 13 boards, 10 assists in Nuggets win Sunday at New Orleans. #Suns pic.x.com/7YtwxLTMll -via Twitter @DuaneRankin / December 23, 2024
BALLIN HQ: 2024-25 Top 10 Most Viewed NBA Players: 1. LeBron James – 623M 2. Ja Morant – 538M 3. Victor Wembanyama- 402M 4. Stephen Curry – 350M 5. LaMelo Ball – 237M 6. Giannis Antetokounmpo – 227M 7. Klay Thompson – 189M 8. Nikola Jokic – 182M 9. Jayson Tatum – 175M 10. Anthony Davis – 169M -via x.com / December 23, 2024