NBA December 19, 2025

Matas Buzelis and Nikola Vucevic each scored 24 points as the Chicago Bulls pulled away in the fourth quarter for a stunning 136-125 victory over the reeling Cleveland Cavaliers. Vucevic dominated late, posting 11 points and six boards in the decisive fourth quarter alone, grabbing 15 rebounds total.

Seven Bulls scored in double figures, with Josh Giddey contributing 17 points and Tre Jones adding 16 off the bench. The balanced attack overwhelmed a Cleveland team missing All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell (illness). Darius Garland scored a season-high 35 points in a losing effort, but it wasn't enough without Mitchell. All-Star forward Evan Mobley remains sidelined for at least another week with a calf injury, further depleting Cleveland's roster.

Anthony Edwards returned from a three-game injury absence in spectacular fashion, scoring 26 points with 12 rebounds and hitting the go-ahead 3-pointer with 38.5 seconds left to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves past the Oklahoma City Thunder 112-107. Edwards' clutch shooting sealed the victory in a game that went down to the wire.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander poured in 35 points with seven assists for the defending champion Thunder (25-3), who lost for just the second time in three games after their historic 24-1 start. Donte DiVincenzo and Naz Reid each scored 15 points, while Rudy Gobert grabbed 14 rebounds for the Wolves (18-10). This was a statement win for Minnesota, proving they can compete with the league's best when healthy.

Derrick White exploded for a season-high 33 points and tied a career-high with nine 3-pointers to lead the Boston Celtics to a dominant 129-116 victory over the Miami Heat. The Celtics pulled away in the second half, snapping a two-game losing skid with an impressive performance at TD Garden.

Jaylen Brown added 30 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, continuing to shoulder the load with Jayson Tatum still recovering from his Achilles injury. Brown also passed Tommy Heinsohn on the team's all-time scoring list, adding a historic milestone to the victory. Kel'el Ware led Miami with 24 points and 14 rebounds, while Norman Powell (18 points) and Bam Adebayo (16 points, 10 rebounds) provided support in the losing effort.

Tyrese Maxey scored 30 points and VJ Edgecombe added 23 as the Philadelphia 76ers became just the second visiting team to win at Madison Square Garden this season, stunning the New York Knicks 116-107. The 76ers snapped the Knicks' six-game winning streak by outscoring them 28-20 in the fourth quarter, with Maxey delivering 11 crucial points in the final frame.

The Knicks wasted Mitchell Robinson's best game of the season - the center posted season highs of 21 points and 16 rebounds. Mikal Bridges also scored 21 points, but Jalen Brunson struggled badly down the stretch, missing all five of his fourth-quarter shots and finishing 7-for-22. Andre Drummond, starting with Joel Embiid out (illness, knee injury management), delivered 14 points, 13 rebounds, and shot 3-for-4 from beyond the arc.

The San Antonio Spurs dominated from start to finish, crushing the Atlanta Hawks 126-98 on the road at State Farm Arena. Victor Wembanyama continued his brilliant sophomore campaign, leading the Spurs' balanced attack in a game that was never close.

San Antonio improved to 20-7 on the season, establishing themselves as legitimate Western Conference contenders behind Wembanyama's two-way brilliance. The Hawks dropped to 15-14, unable to find answers against the Spurs' length and defensive intensity. The 28-point margin of victory showcased just how far San Antonio has come under Gregg Popovich's continued guidance and with Wembanyama's generational talent anchoring the roster.