Jamal Murray is averaging a career-best 25.2 points per game in 25 appearances for Denver this season.
Enjoy the best of Saturday’s 10-game slate with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news, notes and highlights.
5:28 PM / DECEMBER 20, 2025
Rockets-Nuggets underway
It’s been a back and forth contest early on in Denver, and the Rockets and Nuggets are all tied at 23 with 2:53 remaining in the opening frame. Houston jumped out to a 10-2 lead, but 6 points apiece from Nikola Jokić and Spencer Jones spark a 21-13 run for the home team.
Murray steal ➡️ Hardaway Jr. triple
Denver turning defense to offense on NBA TV! pic.twitter.com/1M4TenOEXK
— NBA (@NBA) December 20, 2025
Kevin Durant and Reed Sheppard lead the Rockets with 6 points each.
🔙 to 🔙 pic.twitter.com/VVMwU3LhXL
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) December 20, 2025
4:30 PM / DECEMBER 20, 2025
Welcome to Saturday Night Hoops!
Nikola Jokić and Alperen Sengun each tallied triple-doubles in their last meeting on Dec. 15 in Denver, with the Nuggets winning 128-125 in OT.
Five days after their 128-125 OT loss to the Nuggets, the Rockets are back in Denver for a showdown between two of the top teams in the West in our first of three marquee matchups on NBA TV (5 ET). The Nuggets look to make it seven straight wins while Houston hopes to snap a two-game skid.
The East-leading Detroit Pistons host the Hornets in the second game of our tripleheader (7:30 ET, NBA TV). Charlotte has won two in a row but will be taking on Cade Cunningham and Co. for the first time this season.
The Lakers and Clippers meet in the nightcap for a star-studded clash between LA franchises (10:30 ET, NBA TV). Austin Reaves (calf), Rui Hachimura (groin) and Deandre Ayton (elbow) are all listed as out for tonight’s tilt, meaning Luka Dončić and LeBron James will be tasked with the heavy lifting.
Cooper Flagg and Anthony Davis are in Philadelphia as the Mavericks take on the 76ers and their dynamic backcourt duo of Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe (7 ET, League Pass).
The fourth-place Celtics are north of the border for a road clash with the third-place Toronto Raptors (7 ET, League Pass). Both teams are coming off much needed wins their last time out and will be jockeying for position in a tightly-packed Eastern Conference.
Derrick White dropped a season-high 33 points and tied a career-high with nine 3-pointers in Boston’s win over Miami on Friday.
New Orleans will host the Indiana Pacers, losers of three straight, for an interconference showdown (7 ET, League Pass). The Pelicans are riding a three-game win streak and are coming off of a thrilling 133-128 OT win over the Rockets on Thursday, climbing all the way back from a 25-point deficit.
Memphis plays host to the Washington Wizards while trying for a third consecutive win of their own (8 ET, League Pass). The Grizzlies are 7-3 in their last 10, but they’ll be without Ja Morant (ankle) for the second straight contest.
The Warriors and Suns meet for a rematch of Thursday’s wild 99-98 victory for Phoenix, but the scene shifts to Golden State tonight (8:30 ET, League Pass). The Dubs are hoping to exact revenge while simultaneously snapping a three-game losing streak.
The Orlando Magic visit the Utah Jazz for their second game of a four-game road trip, with both squads looking to get back in the win column (9:30 ET, League Pass).
Portland goes for a third consecutive victory when they travel to take on the Kings (10 ET, League Pass). Sacramento is in the midst of a four-game losing streak and will be vying for their first home win since Nov. 24.