Friday Night NBA Action 🏀🎬
Immediately following a terrific lineup on Christmas Day, the NBA is back with nine games and more storylines to follow. The Eastern Conference is in the spotlight, with 12 of the 18 teams competing representing the East. The night wraps up out West, where the surging Portland Trail Blazers look to halt the LA Clippers’ recent momentum.
Top-15 scorers go head-to-head as James Harden (26.0 PPG) and the Clippers visit Deni Avdija (career-high 25.5 PPG) and the Trail Blazers.
⏰ 10:00pm/et | Prime pic.twitter.com/zx8xzqVRjK
— NBA (@NBA) December 26, 2025
Final Scores 🚨
- Heat 126, Hawks 111
- Wizards 138, Raptors 117
- Hornets 120, Magic 105
- Celtics 140, Pacers 122
- Bulls 109, 76ers 102
- Grizzlies 125, Bucks 104
- Suns 115, Pelicans 108
8:01 PM December 26, 2025
Avdija-Lopez Battling 🤺
Portland took control of this game at the very beginning, thanks to strong play across the board from Deni Avdija. He sank his first six shots of the night, along with four free throws.
DENI GOIN' CRAZY IN THE FIRST HALF 🤯
▫️17 PTS
▫️6-6 FG
▫️1-1 3PT
▫️4 AST
▫️2 REB pic.twitter.com/upRSBTY836— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) December 27, 2025
Deni Avdija tosses it up…
… and Robert Williams III slams it down!
Portland out in front early in the 2Q.
Watch here: https://t.co/xRf1OkOlNF pic.twitter.com/UqdUNbvz1A
— NBA (@NBA) December 27, 2025
Brook Lopez had a similar hot start for the Clippers, preventing what could have been a disastrous start. Lopez scored the team’s first eight points of the night, and leads LA in scoring so far with 19 as halftime approaches.
Brook hit another three while admin was trying to post this one 🥵 https://t.co/8gWqVO7VhB pic.twitter.com/4OseodYclU
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) December 27, 2025
7:51 PM / December 26, 2025
Booker, Williams fuel PHX W 🌵
The Phoenix Suns avoided falling victim to the New Orleans Pelicans, thanks to superb performances from Devin Booker and Mark Williams. Booker notched another 30-point outing while Williams posted 24 points and 13 rebounds. Collin Gillespie also gave New Orleans trouble, ending one assist shy of a double-double with 16 points.
THROW IT DOWN, MARK! pic.twitter.com/HVzqOy4stB
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) December 27, 2025
Book's 9th 30+ point game this season 🔥
VOTE HIM TO ALL-STAR: https://t.co/K45fdlaq6r pic.twitter.com/F3ARxeHACa
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) December 27, 2025
7:25 PM / December 26, 2025
Looking ‘Sharpe’ in the sky 📸
Shaedon Sharpe highlights are coming in early tonight, as he converts this alley-oop off of the steal early against the Clippers.
Steal it then… SLAM IT!
Shaedon Sharpe makin' plays early for Portland 🤩 pic.twitter.com/kYKsGyiX0d
— NBA (@NBA) December 27, 2025
7:11 PM / December 26, 2025
Bulls charge late, win 5th straight 😤
Chicago’s final push came at the perfect time, as the team shutout Philadelphia for the final 2:45 of the game to come from behind and win. A 10-nothing run from that point on sealed the Sixers’ fate, as they were outscored by 11 in the fourth quarter overall.
This victory extends the team’s current winning streak to five games. The Bulls had six double-digit scorers including Jalen Smith who scored 12, and finished with the most memorable dunk of the night.
BULLS WIN.
BULLS WIN.
BULLS WIN.
BULLS WIN.
BULLS WIN. pic.twitter.com/1T4VkKI1SB— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 27, 2025
Embiid put on poster 🫢
🔥🔥 FROM EVERY ANGLE. https://t.co/V9JZBCNPAf pic.twitter.com/WqqaHSvGAQ
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 27, 2025
7:05 December 26, 2025
Grizz in control ⛹️
Memphis was slow out of the gate against Milwaukee, but haven’t looked back since turning the tide in the second quarter. Ja Morant is a pair of assists away from a double-double, while Jaren Jackson only needs two more rebounds to have one himself. Jackson also has five rejections on the night, leading to transition opportunities for Memphis.
Block 👋 & Run 💨 pic.twitter.com/ilVCiPTNDg
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) December 27, 2025
R U N W I T H U S‼️ pic.twitter.com/RfbSs3KuOO
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) December 27, 2025
7:00 PM / December 26, 2025
Trey Murphy soars 🚀 Pels-Suns 4Q begins
The Smoothie King Center erupted as Trey Murphy converts a transition highlight reel slam. Their relentless attack has translated to 29 free throw attempts on the night, helping them stay afloat despite shooting 22% from three. Murphy has 12 points to lead his team in scoring, as does Zion Williamson who came off the bench tonight.
fly Trey Murphy fly pic.twitter.com/6XTXjncFTq
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) December 27, 2025
To the fourth. pic.twitter.com/1ObwaSRzGy
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) December 27, 2025
6:48 PM / December 26, 2025
Buckle up 🎢
We’re in for a compelling final five minutes of play in Chicago. This one has seesawed throughout, with neither team gaining a large lead. The 76ers lead by one as this game enters the final six minutes.
Maxey ➡️ the hoop! pic.twitter.com/nIB49ILvKe
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) December 27, 2025
9:35 PM / December 2025, 2026
Orlando goes cold against Charlotte 🥶
The Hornets took care of business against Orlando tonight, even with Kon Knueppel exiting the game in the second quarter. LaMelo Ball helped pick up the slack with a team-high 22 points along with seven rebounds and five assists.
VOTE LAMELO ⭐️ https://t.co/oQJmNeBT3Z | @Lowes pic.twitter.com/8aIKDi3fAr
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) December 27, 2025
Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane each struggled from the floor. Banchero finished with 13 points on 13 shot attempts while Bane mustered 15 points on 19 shots, failing to convert on all of his six tries from distance. Anthony Black shined, meanwhile, with a game-high 24 points while racking up two steals and a block on defense.
back at home tomorrow night. pic.twitter.com/reFdYwrUjO
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) December 27, 2025
Final Scores 🚨
9:10 PM / December 26, 2025
Raptors down big late
The Wizards have been sharp all night long, getting the better of a Toronto squad without RJ Barrett in the lineup. Brandon Ingram and Immanuel Quickley have 29 and 25 points respectively, but the team has had no answer for Washington’s uptempo play tonight.
Bilal Coulibaly is up to a seson-high 21 points tonight for the Wizards, while Bub Carrington has been finding open teammates throughout the fourth quarter.
QB BUB 🏈 pic.twitter.com/T7RkGNXLEK
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) December 27, 2025
Bub Carrington finds Marvin Bagley III for the two-handed jam ‼️
Wizards in control at home in the final frame. pic.twitter.com/gWlmnrN8kd
— NBA (@NBA) December 27, 2025
9:02 PM / December 26, 2025
Sixers-Bulls resume ▶️
An eight-point unanswered run from Philadelphia forced a Chicago timeout early into the third quarter. The 76ers have not played many games this season with Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and Paul George in the lineup, so each rep the group gets is valuable.
halftime in chi town. @cryptocom pic.twitter.com/NdLFesVacy
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) December 27, 2025
8:52 PM / December 26, 2025
Heat following Norman’s lead
Norman Powell has a team-high 17 points, after catching fire in the second quarter, but it has been a balanced scoring attack overall. Miami’s leads 98-87 with less than ten minutes to play against Atlanta.
Heading into the 4th pic.twitter.com/Y6CmfEFV44
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) December 27, 2025
https://t.co/KwUxqYFkar 🗣️🗣️🗣️ https://t.co/xSh0cNwZ4W pic.twitter.com/rRIWlNwNUI
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) December 27, 2025
8:40 PM / December 26, 2025
1Q check-ins: Booker, KPJ doing it all
The Suns are ahead 26-23 over the Pelicans tonight at the end of the first quarter. Devin Booker is in rhythm already, getting to his spots and either sinking the shot or finding the open man.
Book it 📚 pic.twitter.com/2GdtWbBlsX
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) December 27, 2025
Book maneuvers the defense to find the open man 👀 pic.twitter.com/l2i1u9Uukr
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) December 27, 2025
Kevin Porter Jr. has been all over the court in the first quarter, helping the Bucks take a 35-25 lead over the Grizzlies. Tune in on NBA League Pass to see the action resume in the second.
KPJ takes it away and finds Bobby for the bucket. pic.twitter.com/cjbm5Ts1nm
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 27, 2025
KPJ starts the scoring with a two-handed flush! pic.twitter.com/ouY2iPPUrV
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 27, 2025
8:34 PM / December 26, 2025
2H Underway
- Wizards holding lead over Raptors
- Hawks trail at home to Miami
- Hornets up double-digits on Orlando
8:22 PM / December 26, 2025
Knueppel ruled out ⚠️
This is a bummer. Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel needed help leaving the court after appearing to roll his ankle in the second quarter. He’ll finish the night with 16 points, all of which coming in the first frame.
INJURY UPDATE: @hornets forward Kon Knueppel left tonight’s game at ORL with a right ankle injury and will not return.
— Charlotte Hornets PR (@HornetsPR) December 27, 2025
8:15 PM / December 26, 2025
Scipt flipped, C’s score 47 Q2 points 🙃☘️
Perhaps the most surprising start to a game of the night, now resembles the contest many imagined coming in given the teams’ standings in the East. The Celtics trailed by as many as 15 early, but have reversed course and hold 14-point lead at halftime.
Payton is COOKING 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ouOcL9NnbS
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) December 27, 2025
Witness the stars aligned ✨
Vote for our stars at https://t.co/lwoZWC5Nks pic.twitter.com/NF8XEg3glQ
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) December 27, 2025
8:09 PM / December 26, 2025
Circus Shot from LaMelo 🎪
Already being guarded beyond the three-point line, LaMelo Ball strings together a slick combo before stepping-back for a super deep triple that ripped the net.
LaMelo Ball said:
'Tween.
'Tween.
Behind-the-back.
Stepback.
Swish. pic.twitter.com/O92uG1R64E— NBA (@NBA) December 27, 2025
Charlotte shot the lights out in the first quarter, scoring 38 points as a team. The tempo slowed overall in the second, where the two teams scored 39 points combined. Orlando will try to regroup in the second half.
intermission. pic.twitter.com/goGcsaMhlC
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) December 27, 2025
8:00 PM / December 26, 2025
Joel and-1 💪
It’s nice to see Joel Embiid active and in a groove. The former MVP is for just his 13th game of the season, but he’s coming off of a 27-point effort in the team’s last game against Brooklyn.
Joel Embiid working hard in the paint 💪
9 PTS on 4-5 FGM in the 1Q! pic.twitter.com/VRACKFEYBX
— NBA (@NBA) December 27, 2025
7:51 PM / December 26 2025
A fun one in D.C. 👀
Scottie Barnes took flight and finished with authority to give his team a jolt of adrenaline in the second quarter. So far, Washington has come to play. It’s been a high-paced game with the Wizards leading 49-47 midway through the frame.
SCOTTIE WITH THE LEFT HANDED SLAM 💥
🌟 Vote Scottie for All-Star : https://t.co/hBrcYmT62a pic.twitter.com/rrAS15sesk
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) December 27, 2025
First 12 minutes are in the books 📚#ForTheDistrict | @CapitalOne pic.twitter.com/BXOeYQvqb8
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) December 27, 2025
7:45 PM / December 26 2025
C’s erase double-digit deficit
It has been a tale of two quarters in Indianapolis. The Pacers grabbed an early lead and went into the second quarter leading Boston by 11. Very quickly Boston turned things around, as they’ve outscored Indiana 14-5 to open the second quarter after the Pacers led by as many as 15 points.
2nd QT coming up next pic.twitter.com/21IHlYPedz
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) December 27, 2025
7:31 PM / December 26, 2025
Call for backup ☎️
Kon Knueppel had quite the first quarter. The rookie sharpshooter is up to 16 points and has made all four of his three-point attempts. He’s the biggest reason why Charlotte is leading Orlando at the end of the first quarter.
See the highlights of his hot start below.
WHAT A START FOR KON KNUEPPEL 🔥
14 PTS
4-4 3PM
5-5 FGMCharlotte leads by 10 in the opening frame! pic.twitter.com/Me9PQaJSls
— NBA (@NBA) December 27, 2025
7:25 PM / December 26, 2025
Heating up early ♨️
Miami is leading the Hawks so far. Kel’el Ware has been having a breakout season and it’s easy to see why as he finishes this alley-oop with ease.
This LOB 💯 https://t.co/al79IEtGvJ pic.twitter.com/0ilgNTiYga
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) December 27, 2025
7:10 PM / December 26, 2025
Cast your vote 🗳️
The NBA is mixing things up this year for the All-Star Game format. While tonight’s games are unfolding, keep in mind that All-Star voting is underway.
USA vs. The World 🌎
Which players do you think should represent in L.A? Make your NBA All-Star picks today and every day until Jan. 14 on the NBA App or https://t.co/R6fBO5Mqqq!
Vote here: https://t.co/kXlSeGewFt pic.twitter.com/7SipDALAiZ
— #NBAAllStar (@NBAAllStar) December 26, 2025
7:00 PM / December 26, 2025
Behind the scenes in Boston 🎥
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to play for the Boston Celtics, this practice video will give an idea. The players share what’s motivating them as the team prepares for the rest of the season.
"We are scrappy, tough and not going away." 😤
Step inside Boston Celtics practice as the team breaks down what it takes to succeed on and off the court, building chemistry and fine-tuning every detail.
Jaylen Brown and the East #3 Celtics seek their 4th straight win vs. the… pic.twitter.com/kewlgyyWOj
— NBA (@NBA) December 26, 2025
6:50 PM / December 26, 2025
First Four 📋
These two teams enter this matchup with nearly identical records. Miami holds a half-game edge over Atlanta to claim the 8th spot in the Eastern Conference.
Trae Young is playing in his fourth game since returning from a knee injury that forced him to miss 22 games. Jalen Johnson has been masterful in Young’s absence, averaging career bests nearly across the board this year.
There's still some basketball under the tree 🏀🎄
🆚 @MiamiHEAT
⏰ 7 PM ET
📍 @StateFarmArena
📺 @FanDuelSN_Hawks @ATLNewsFirst & Peachtree Sports Network
🎙️ @929TheGame
⭐️ Vote Hawks https://t.co/5VxuQT7Ibn
🎟️ https://t.co/bXnCBBtzOD pic.twitter.com/RlCgObX14R— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 26, 2025
The Hornets are without rookie center Ryan Kalkbrenner tonight, so Moussa Diabate will start inside. LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel, Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges round out their first unit. Meanwhile the Magic will be without Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs tonight.
tonight’s starters #HiveMentality | @NovantHealth pic.twitter.com/KAnUV5yTlO
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) December 26, 2025
Team statistics for this one aren’t very different, but the two teams’ records certainly are. Toronto, 18-13, hold the fourth spot in the East coming into tonight while the Wizards are in last at 5-23.
Head to Head ⤵️
Presented by FanDuel pic.twitter.com/SiBNlFWU6B— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) December 26, 2025
The Pacers are in the same boat as the Washington Wizards, looking up at the rest of the Eastern Conference with a 6-24 record entering tonight’s game. The Boston Celtics haven’t skipped a beat this year, even without Jayson Tatum, who is sidelined due to a torn achilles suffered in last year’s playoffs.
LIVE from the 317📍🫡 pic.twitter.com/vrNfyTahsR
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) December 26, 2025







