Live scores, updates, highlights, analysis of the NBA on Christmas Day: The Knicks triumph despite Victor Wembanyama’s show
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Live scores, updates, highlights, analysis of the NBA on Christmas Day: The Knicks triumph despite Victor Wembanyama’s show

Posted on by Amelia Pressman

Before the opening game on Christmas Day there was talk of Victor Wembanyama conquering Manhattan.

And the sophomore sensation was certainly successful.

Wembanyama scored 42 points, nearly breaking the record of 45 points set by rookie Wilt Chamberlain in his Christmas Day debut in 1959, but the Knicks held on and won 117-114 on Wednesday.

Mikal Bridges had his best game of the season, scoring 41 points on 17 of 25 shooting and six three-pointers to pace the Knicks, and Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns combined for 41 points.

Wembanyama added 18 rebounds, four assists and four blocks for San Antonio.

The Knicks, who were 9.5-point favorites at BetMGM, improved to 19-10 while San Antonio fell to 15-14.

  • Knicks 117, Spurs 114

  • Timberwolves-Mavericks, 2:30 p.m. ET: You never know what Anthony Edwards would say.

  • 76ers-Celtics, 5:00 p.m. ET: The champions are the champions.

  • Lakers-Warriors, 8 p.m. ET: Let’s enjoy LeBron vs. Steph while we still can.

  • Nuggets-Suns, 10:30 p.m. ET: Nikola Jokić is the best player in the world and Kevin Durant is still doing it.

Live60 updates

  • With Dončić out, Dallas will have to find its offense elsewhere than just Kyrie Irving. Dereck Lively could be an interesting candidate simply to see what the second-year center can offer in an expanded role.

  • Luka Dončić is out for the rest of the game due to a calf strain.

    The 25-year-old superstar’s evening ended with 14 points, five rebounds and two assists in 16 minutes.

  • Minnesota was ahead at halftime

    The Wolves go into halftime with a lead of 57:40. An encouraging game from them so far. The offense has been difficult this season, but things have been going well.

    Randle and Edwards combined for 11 assists, and the Wolves are 10-21 from three assists.

  • Oh no. Luka Dončić carefully goes into the locker room. He recently suffered from a bruised heel.

    He couldn’t even run back on defense. Bad news for the Mavericks, who are already 13 points behind.

  • Anthony Edwards was phenomenal in this first half.

    13 points and four assists aren’t exactly great, but he picked his spots excellently and moved the ball at the right time.

  • We have an argument between Daniel Gafford and Rudy Gobert, neither of whom could remember the true meaning of Christmas.

  • The Mavericks are making questionable decisions. The offense looks anything but crisp and their defense is shaky. Seven early turnovers and they look confused rotating at the other end.

    Donte DiVincenzo came into the game and drained three triples in nine minutes without Minnesota’s bench in trouble.

    Dončić led Dallas with 14 points and 5 rebounds.

  • T’wolves lead after one quarter

    Minnesota leads 26-24 after the first quarter with Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle scoring 8 points each. Luka Doncic has 11 and Kyrie Irving has 8 for Dallas

  • Strong start for the Wolves. 26:24 after the first quarter. Julius Randle took over the creative work in the final minutes and now has 8 points and 3 assists.

    He and Edwards were the heart of the offense.

    On the Dallas side, Dončić and Irving (19 points total) are at the top. I haven’t heard anything about PJ Washington and Klay Thompson yet. Both have had moments of inconsistency this season.

  • Dončić with another three-pointer, this time in the catch-and-shoot variety, which historically hasn’t been his strength.

    The addition of Kyrie Irving a few years ago was crucial to this specific evolution of his game.

  • Everything is going through Edwards right now. The Wolves offense has been a bit chaotic this year. They lack a true second man who can produce and create at a high level when the defense commits to double teams on Ant.

    It will be interesting to see where they get their offense from outside of Edwards today.

  • Edwards early on. Eight points and assisted on all other field goals. The Wolves will need a big game from him.

  • It’s Dončić’s turn. That’s two threes and a mid-range pull-up in four minutes.

    Meanwhile, Jaden McDaniels is finally taking his first shots. He’s 1-5 early.

  • Luka Dončić vs. Anthony Edwards.

    Two super productive players. Two super different approaches.

    That should be good!

  • Knicks stay tuned

    Knicks win in a thriller!

    OG Anunoby and Josh Hart with key offensive rebounds, and that’s the game.

    We hope we get a similar quality game in Dallas.

  • With 38.6 seconds left he makes it three points, 117-114. You have possessions.

    Bridges, Towns and Brunson combined for 82 of New York’s points today. And they needed every single one of them.

    42/18 for Wembanyama and 21/9 for Sochan.

    Fans got their money’s worth today. Fantastic start to the Christmas playlist!

  • Mikal. Bridges.

    41 points, getting everything he wanted in midfield the whole game.

    17-24 shooting, including 6-8 from three. Spectacular performance.

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