Steve Kerr responds to leaked Joe Lacob email
Steve Kerr responded on Tuesday to the leaked email from Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob.
A Warriors fan had emailed Lacob to vent about the state of the team, which entered play on Tuesday eighth in the Western Conference with a 13-14 record. The fan emailed Lacob with a subject line “please read.”
Here is the text of the email:
“Dear Joe,
Please do something about this team. What [does] Steph [Curry] need to do every night to win? Drop 50 points? Team is [in] need [of] a real second option. Jimmy [Butler’s] tools are being underutilized because he is playing as a power forward due to the small position players. We have no true center.
I am so frustrated.
Thanks,
Justin.”
The fan sent the email on Sunday night, and soon received a reply from Lacob.
“You can’t be as frustrated as me,” Lacob wrote back. “I am working on it. It’s complicated. Style of play. Coaches desires regarding players. League trends. Jimmy is not the problem.”
An angry Warriors fan emailed Warriors owner Joe Lacob, and he actually responded 😅
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) December 16, 2025
(h/t @NBCSWarriors ) pic.twitter.com/pjF368kE4k
The fan posted a screenshot of the entire exchange to Reddit, which is how the story began to receive attention.
Emailed Joe Lacob
byu/Justdutari inwarriors
It’s pretty cool that Lacob responded to the fan, but the fan publishing the contents of a personal email might erode some trust. This is exactly why high-level people typically would not respond to an email like that.
Kerr was asked about the email Tuesday when talking with the media. He tried to brush it aside even though Lacob was critical of the coaches, noting that private comments are not intended to be made public.
“Not a big deal,” Kerr said of the email. “Joe supports me 100 percent. I support him. We have a great connection.”
Kerr also said that the Warriors’ stable organization is one of their strengths.
Steve Kerr on the Joe Lacob email leak about his current frustrations (included “coaches desires regarding players”)
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) December 16, 2025
“Not a big deal.”
“Imagine if everyone’s emails were posted publicly, how tough that would be to live.”
“Joe supports me. I support him.” pic.twitter.com/8FzyRIXyV8
Surprise MLB team joins Alex Bregman sweepstakes
With Pete Alonso and Kyle Schwarber signing new deals during the MLB Winter Meetings, a lot of attention has shifted towards Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker.
Bregman opted out of his contract after just one year with the Boston Red Sox. The Chicago Cubs reportedly showed “renewed interest” in Bregman with Tucker expected to leave, but now a surprising team has joined in on the Bregman discussions.
The Arizona Diamondbacks are “kicking the tires” on a possible Bregman deal, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
The Diamondbacks have floated All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte in trade talks, which would open the way for Jordan Lawlar to move to second and Bregman to slot in at third base if he were to come to Arizona. Arizona having some interest in Bregman is surprising considering they went a middling 80-82 last season, but they are looking to improve.
Bregman signed a three-year, $120 million deal with the Red Sox last offseason, but he is in free agency again and could command an even bigger deal this time around, with ESPN projecting a five-year, $170 million contract for Bregman.
Bregman hit .273 with 18 home runs and 62 RBIs this past season, and he had three-straight 20-home run seasons with the Houston Astros before that. Bregman is a three-time All-Star, two-time World Series winner with the Astros, and has a Gold Glove, Silver Slugger and World Series MVP on his resume.
Last offseason, the Diamondbacks spent big by signing pitcher Corbin Burnes to a six-year, $210 million deal. Now, Arizona is reportedly exploring a Bregman move that could shake things up in the desert.
ESPN analyst makes bold statement about Tua Tagovailoa
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel hinted at a quarterback change just a day after the 28-15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa, on Monday night. McDaniel said that “everything is on the table” while admitting the “quarterback play last night was not good enough.”
After the comments surfaced from the Dolphins coach, ESPN analyst and former NFL QB Dan Orlovsky called for Miami to bench Tua Tagovailoa and start former Texas Longhorns star Quinn Ewers.
“I would for the final three start Quinn Ewers,” Orlovsky said during an episode of “NFL Live.” “I’ve seen enough from Tua this year. I don’t know what the future’s going to hold.
“I think it’s time for Miami to bench Tua and see if there’s something those other two guys can bring as a glimmer of hope for their future,” Orlovsky added.
Tagovailoa has thrown for 2,660 yards with 20 touchdowns and a career-worst 15 interceptions this season. He has 4 interceptions in the last five games, and he had two straight games with 3 interceptions in October.
The other QBs on the roster are Ewers and Zach Wilson, but Orlovsky wants to see Ewers get a chance. The former Longhorns star led Texas to a College Football Playoff and was selected in the 7th round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Ewers started the year as the QB3 in Miami, and he has played in just one game, going 5-of-8 for 53 yards against the Cleveland Browns on October 19.
The Dolphins are 6-8 and end the year with games against the Cincinnati Bengals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New England Patriots.
After the struggles with Tagovailoa, it might be time for the Dolphins to see if Ewers has what it takes to be a capable starting QB in the NFL.
Jim Harbaugh opens up about the Sherrone Moore situation
Jim Harbaugh opened up on Tuesday about the firing and ensuing legal troubles of former Michigan coach Sherrone Moore, who was a member of Harbaugh’s Wolverines staff for seven seasons.
In an appearance on “The Dan Patrick Show” Tuesday, Harbaugh was asked about Moore’s firing at Michigan and ensuing personal crisis. While the Los Angeles Chargers coach did not offer too many details, he did say it was a “tragedy.”
“I still don’t have my head wrapped around it,” Harbaugh said. “It’s a tragedy, and just praying for all concerned. I love my alma mater. I love Michigan. But I love the Chargers too, and I’d be doing a disservice if I wasn’t putting all my focus on this game.”
Harbaugh added he and Moore have texted since Moore’s firing and arrest.
“It’s a tragedy. It’s the worst days of his life,” Harbaugh said. “Keep it together and take care of your family. That’s the message.”
Jim Harbaugh shares that he has been in contact with Sherrone Moore since his arrest. pic.twitter.com/vBc8jENFBB
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) December 16, 2025
Harbaugh also said he is playing no part in Michigan’s coaching search.
These comments are a bit more than Harbaugh offered when first asked about the situation last week. He is clearly still close to Moore, but also does not want to make the situation any worse for Michigan, either.
Moore succeeded Harbaugh as Michigan head coach, and had Harbaugh’s endorsement in doing so. He was fired last Wednesday for his involvement in an inappropriate relationship with a staffer. He was then arrested for threatening that staffer, who had allegedly ended the relationship earlier that week and informed school leadership about it.
Jayden Daniels addresses Commanders’ ‘disappointing’ decision
Jayden Daniels’ season is over after seven games after he reaggravated an elbow injury in a Week 14 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, and he is not thrilled about that.
The Washington Commanders quarterback admitted he understood the team’s “disappointing” decision to shut him down for the remainder of the season. He added, however, that it only compounds his frustration after what has already been an abbreviated season.
“I don’t want to miss games at all. I have been frustrated all season missing games,” Daniels said. “I want to be out there and help my teammates as much as possible. It’s been a frustrating year at this point of the year, but you learn from it moving forward.”
Jayden Daniels on how tough it was to be told his season was over: pic.twitter.com/LcjCjaFWYT
— John Keim (@john_keim) December 16, 2025
Daniels has made it clear that he wants to play as long as he is healthy enough to do so. The Commanders are just 4-10, and he has already aggravated his injury once, however. There is no good reason for the franchise to put him at any further risk in what is already a lost season.
Daniels failed to follow up on his elite rookie season, thanks largely to those injuries. In seven games, he threw for 1,262 yards with eight touchdowns and three interceptions. Despite his contributions, the Commanders still only went 2-5 in his starts, the exact same record they have in games he did not play in.
Kirk Herbstreit deletes X post after getting called out by Navy
Kirk Herbstreit found himself in hot water this week over an inaccurate post about the lack of college football action over the weekend.
Herbstreit promoted his “Nonstop” podcast on Monday by posting a clip from the show accompanied by the caption “Saturday not having college football threw us for a loop.” The since-deleted post drew backlash on X, and even a community note pointing out the fact that several games were played that day.
You can delete the tweet @KirkHerbstreit but screenshots are forever pic.twitter.com/B5sliGfode
— JewkboxHero – BE47SZN (@LanceJewkes) December 16, 2025
In addition to the annual Army-Navy game, both the Cricket Celebration Bowl and the Bucked Up LA Bowl were played on Saturday. The Navy football X account wasted no time in roasting Herbstreit for his comment in light of that.
https://t.co/X8sMYwVEx9 pic.twitter.com/Urzos77Osg
— Navy Athletics (@NavyAthletics) December 15, 2025
Herbstreit was quick to delete his post after that.
Obviously, Herbstreit was alluding to the fact that there was a much lighter diet of college football on Saturday than normal. By painting with such a broad brush, however, there was no way he was not going to invite a backlash.
In the past, Herbstreit has indicated that he does not even run his own X account. He might want to have a word with whoever does after that post.
Nick Saban purchases a stake in an NHL team
Nick Saban is officially a professional sports owner.
Saban has purchased a minority stake in the NHL’s Nashville Predators, the team announced Tuesday. Saban is making the purchase along with Joe Agresti, his business partner.
Smashville just got that much better 👏
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) December 16, 2025
Nick Saban and partner Joe Agresti have joined the #Preds ownership group via Dream Sports Ventures LLC with a minority stake in the franchise!
📝 » https://t.co/6Y5EK0I6qA pic.twitter.com/1FXqW4O5tx
“Although I am now retired as a coach, I still possess a competitive nature and a great passion for sports,” Saban said in a statement. “Being involved in a sports team in Nashville has always been a goal and the opportunity to partner in the Predators with a class act like Bill Haslam created the perfect scenario for us. The Preds are a great organization with a fantastic brand, and we are excited to be part of the future success of the franchise.”
This is Saban’s first venture into professional sports ownership. The expectation certainly might have been that he would invest in an NFL team, but the cost of investing in an NHL franchise is much lower. It also lessens the risk of him running into a conflict of interest, which is something he has had to deal with lately.
The Predators are one of the NHL’s rare southern success stories. Though they have missed the playoffs in two of the last three seasons, they developed into one of the sport’s more successful franchises of the 2010s, and even made the Stanley Cup Finals in 2017.
Mike McDaniel has scathing assessment of Tua Tagovailoa
Tua Tagovailoa may have finally worn out his welcome with the Miami Dolphins.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel delivered a scathing verdict on Tagovailoa’s performance during Monday’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The coach said in no uncertain terms that Tagovailoa had not been good enough, and a quarterback change might be in the offing because of that.
“The quarterback play last night was not good enough. So for me, everything is on the table,” McDaniel said, via Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network.
Coaches usually do not openly discuss the possibility of a quarterback change unless they are actually planning to do it. This would be a pretty strong indication that Tagovailoa may lose his job, at least for the remainder of the season.
Tagovailoa was 22/28 for 253 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in Monday’s 28-15 loss. Those numbers are inflated a bit, as most of his production came during garbage time after the Dolphins had fallen behind 28-3.
This is not even the first time this season Tagovailoa’s starting job has been under threat. With the team eliminated from playoff contention, it is reasonable to think that he might just sit out the rest of the season. Whether the Dolphins could actually move on from him in the offseason is another question entirely.
Patrick Mahomes may have extremely ambitious target for his return
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes underwent surgery on his torn ACL and LCL on Monday, and seems to be targeting a very ambitious goal for his return to action.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter believes Mahomes is determined to try to be back for the start of the 2026 season. Schefter cited the speed with which Mahomes underwent surgery as evidence to back this thought.
“I don’t remember the last time I remember hearing about a player tearing his ACL on Sunday and having surgery on Monday,” Schefter said. “That was extreme, that was immediate, and that sent a message to me that Patrick Mahomes already is locked in on getting back for opening day 2026.”
Patrick Mahomes appears to be hellbent on being back in time for Opening Day 2026.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 16, 2025
A look at the chance of that and the NFL’s biggest storylines with @tyschmit:
🎧 https://t.co/rqCwGVoROQ pic.twitter.com/L5CFGHfizJ
Schefter noted that the typical recovery timeline for an injury like this is roughly nine months, which would be around the start of next season. He added that Mahomes is “built different” and said he would be surprised if the quarterback did not meet his target.
Mahomes made it clear after suffering the injury that he plans to attack his rehab. That is not a surprise. There is a difference between playing and playing effectively, though, and it can take time for players to get back to full speed after such a severe injury.
Mahomes suffered the injury late in Sunday’s loss to the Los Angeles Chargers (video here). Getting back for the season opener in 2026 will be difficult, but not impossible.
Chris Paul disagreed with Clippers about his role
New details have emerged regarding the events that led the Los Angeles Clippers to part ways with Chris Paul.
There was no single incident that soured the relationship between Paul and the Clippers, but Paul’s role and leadership style appear to have been the subject of a misunderstanding. The Clippers brought Paul in to play a minor reserve role, but effectively to act as an extension of the coaching staff for his final NBA season, according to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.
Paul was willing to accept that role, but when he fulfilled what he saw as the duties of the role, the Clippers balked. The organization did not approve of his more confrontational style, and accused him of undermining the coaching staff when he made suggestions to teammates about training methods.
The situation was complicated further when Paul became a leader on the second unit, and consistently bested the starters during preseason. He wound up playing 19 minutes per game in the preseason, and coach Ty Lue handed him a larger role than previously anticipated.
“I think that’s where Ty went wrong, because that really empowered Chris and changed the expectations,” a source told Shelburne.
Ultimately, Paul’s leadership style did not fit a more reserved Clippers locker room. Previous reports about Paul having been perceived to be undermining the coaching staff also resurface in the story.
The Clippers seemingly gave Paul a bigger role than anticipated, which empowered him. They either did not think he would lead the way he did, or simply changed their mind on him after seeing it in action. That spelled the end of his time with Los Angeles in shocking fashion.
Michigan interim head coach reveals players’ reaction to Sherrone Moore scandal
Michigan interim head coach Biff Poggi spoke out about the players’ reaction to Sherrone Moore’s firing and the ensuing scandal.
Poggi admitted that players are struggling to come to terms with what has happened in the week since Moore was fired for having an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. Poggi added that the situation is something the staff is trying to work through with the players.
“It has been a tumultuous time,” Poggi said. “At first disbelief, then anger, and really what we’re in right now is the phase of the kids, quite frankly, feel very betrayed. And we’re trying to work through that.”
"The kids, quite frankly, feel very betrayed and we're trying to work through that."
— Brandon Green🍀 (@BGreenReports) December 16, 2025
Michigan interim head coach Biff Poggi talked at the Cheez-It bowl availability about how the program is trying to move forward after the firing of Sherrone Moore pic.twitter.com/aAUmLcnqMs
It would be one thing if Moore had simply been fired abruptly, as he was last Wednesday. The incident, however, spiraled into a criminal case that has led to Moore being charged with a felony.
It also does not help that Michigan’s season is not actually over. The Wolverines will face Texas in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl in Orlando on Dec. 31, and one can imagine it will definitely be a challenge to keep the team focused for that game.
Poggi, a former associate coach under Jim Harbaugh, has been serving in the same role under Moore since the start of the current season. He also has head coaching experience from his stint at Charlotte, so he at least has something to fall back on, though nothing can really prepare anyone for this sort of tumult.
Victor Wembanyama pumps brakes on Spurs-Thunder rivalry
The San Antonio Spurs are gearing up for Tuesday night’s championship showdown against the New York Knicks in the finale of the 2025 NBA Cup at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.
The Spurs are a surprise team in the NBA’s in-season tournament title game. Many expected the reigning NBA champions Oklahoma City Thunder to represent the Western Conference, but they were upset in the semifinal round by Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs. San Antonio edged OKC at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, 111-109, with Wembanyama returning from a 12-game absence due to a calf injury.
But just because the Spurs became the second team this season to beat Oklahoma City doesn’t mean San Antonio should be viewed as a chief Thunder rival — at least from Wembanyama’s perspective.
“I think we’re not quite there yet, but it’s a good sign that people see that it’s possible because it’s not like we’re the second seed right now,” Wembanyama said, via Clemente Almanza of the OKC Thunder Wire.
“I don’t think anybody right now can claim to have a rivalry with them in the league. They’re in their own tier.”
Still, it’s hard to deny that the Spurs are a team on the rise. With Wembanyama as the franchise’s cornerstone and other promising young players in the fold, San Antonio could soon become a major contender in the Western Conference and a serious threat to OKC.
If anything, the thrilling first encounter between the Spurs and the Thunder in the 2025-26 NBA season adds flavor to their next meeting, which will be on Dec. 23 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.
Aaron Rodgers makes NFL history at age 42
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers got a little vintage on Monday night against the Miami Dolphins at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa.
The future Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback got into a zone and led the way for a Pittsburgh 28-15 win over Tua Tagovailoa and company. Rodgers, who turned 42 years old on Dec. 2, went 23-of-27 for 224 passing yards and 2 touchdowns with 0 interceptions. He was sacked three times for a loss of 23 yards, but what truly stood out in his performance was his incredible efficiency. It was as though he was back with the Green Bay Packers.
Rodgers’ accuracy made him the oldest signal-caller ever in the history of the NFL to connect on at least 85% of his throws in a game, according to OptaSTATS.
Aaron Rodgers of the @steelers is the oldest starting QB in NFL history to complete 85% of his passes in a game. pic.twitter.com/o3yQouQYOT
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) December 16, 2025
Despite his age, Rodgers can still deliver a gem, and the Dolphins were the latest to feel the wrath of a throwback performance from the 10-time Pro Bowler. Over his last two starts, Rodgers has passed for 508 yards and 3 touchdowns without an interception.
The Steelers need Rodgers to sustain that form, as they look to lock up the top spot in the AFC North with three games left on the schedule.
Through 15 weeks in the 2025 season, the Steelers own the best record in the division at 8-6, while the Baltimore Ravens are behind them with a 7-7 slate.
Igor Shesterkin had violent outburst after Rangers loss
The New York Rangers can’t seem to figure things out at home. On Monday, the Rangers suffered yet another loss in the Big Apple, as they absorbed a 4-1 defeat at the hands of the visiting Anaheim Ducks at Madison Square Garden in New York, N.Y.
Rangers star netminder Igor Shesterkin did not hide his frustration over the contest’s outcome.
As he was making his way out of the ice, the Russian goalie violently slammed his stick into the wall, while teammate and Rangers center Sam Carrick was close behind.
Igor Shesterkin just DESTROYED his stick while heading off the ice after the Rangers 14th home loss of the season 😳 pic.twitter.com/nOnoatQhrf
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 16, 2025
Shesterkin’s outburst sums up the kind of night the Rangers had on the ice.
After a scoreless first period, the Ducks got on the board, thanks to a power play goal by Jackson LaCombe. But Matthew Robertson leveled the score at 1-1 with a goal several minutes later.
It all went downhill from there for the Rangers. In the third period, the Ducks scored not one, not two, but three goals, while New York came up empty on offense.
The lack of scoring support for Shesterkin was glaring, especially when considering that the Rangers failed to light the lamp in any of their four opportunities on the man advantage.
The loss dropped the Rangers to 16-14-4 overall and 4-9-3 in home games, so far in the 2025-26 NHL regular season.
Shesterkin allowed 3 goals on 25 shots faced for an updated season record of 13-11-3 to go with a 2.55 goals against average and a .908 save percentage.
Ernie Clement reveals risky offseason activity
Toronto Blue Jays infielder Ernie Clement just had his best season in the big leagues, and he may have another sport to thank for it.
In an appearance on “The Hobby Never Sleeps” podcast, Clement opened up about one of his favorite offseason activities.
“I think, honestly, my best workout that I do is playing hockey in the offseason,” the 29-year-old Clement said.
Having played for three seasons already with Toronto, Clement may have fallen more in love with the sport of hockey, given the city he represents. Canada will always be a hockey-first country, and Clement seems to share the same passion, to some extent.
Asked whether playing hockey has ever become a concern for the Blue Jays organization, Clement said that his contract doesn’t really stop him from lacing it up.
“There’s nothing in the contract about it,” Clement continued.
“It’s obviously a concern for them because if I get hurt, that would not be good for anyone. But with how I play out there, I treat it like a workout, and I’m not going digging into corners and being an idiot out there, but I’ve been doing it for the last few years, and it’s really helped me get ready for sprin,g and it’s a big reason why I’ve stayed healthy throughout the baseball season.”
During the 2025 MLB season, Clement slashed .277/.313/.398 with nine home runs and 50 RBIs in 157 games. He also posted a career-best bWAR of 4.3. Clement then became one of the Blue Jays’ top performers in the playoffs, where he even set a new single-postseason MLB record with a total of 30 hits, while batting .411/.416/.562.
Jordan Phillips goes off on Patriots fans after win
The Buffalo Bills pulled off a statement 35-31 win over the New England Patriots in a Week 15 showdown at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.
After the game, Bills defensive tackle Jordan Phillips tried to score another victory of his own against some New England fans.
As he made his way to the tunnel, the 33-year-old Phillips showed he could match the rowdy fans word for word.
“Go suck a fat d–k. 21-0 and you guys got your a– beat? Shut the f–k up,” Phillips could be heard saying.
You can watch the wild exchange here
Regardless of what the fans said to Phillips, the Bills had the last laugh.
As mentioned by Phillips, the Patriots had a 21-point lead in the contest, but New England squandered it all in the second half, where the Bills outscored the home team, 28-7.
The Bills were powered by the big performance of quarterback Josh Allen, who went 19-of-28 for 193 passing yards and 3 touchdowns against 0 interceptions.
Running back James Cook stepped up as well, as he gashed the Patriots on the ground for 107 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns on 22 carries to go with a TD reception. Meanwhile, tight end Dawson Knox caught Allen’s two other touchdown tosses
Phillips was unable to finish the game after injuring his ankle in the first half, but at least some Pats fans will never forget that he was there.
LeBron James practicing golf on the sideline feels like the end
It’s fair to say that Los Angeles superstar forward LeBron James is on the back nine of his legendary NBA career.
At some point, Father Time is going to win against the four-time NBA Most Valuable Player and force him out of the league.
But James surely will have plenty of other endeavors to keep him busy once his playing days are over.
He’s even getting his golf game ready — while still in the NBA.
On Sunday’s game between the Lakers and the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Ariz., the future Basketball Hall of Famer was seen testing his golf swing during a break in the contest. James’ swing can’t be mistaken for Rory McIlroy’s, but the passion is clearly there for the 21-time NBA All-Star.
Here’s the video of James, perhaps imagining himself as a certain someone in a red shirt and black pants on a Sunday at Augusta National Golf Club.
LeBron practicing his golf swing DURING the Suns game
— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) December 15, 2025
It’s really almost over 😭 pic.twitter.com/jE0Z5tNXN7
It will not be long before James gets all the time in the world to play golf. While he’s still playing better than many other younger players in the league, he is about to turn 41 years old on Dec. 30.
As for the game itself, the Lakers took down the Suns, 116-114, with James scoring 26 points on 8-for-17 shooting from the field to go with 4 assists and 3 rebounds in 36 minutes of action.
Ime Udoka went nuclear on referees after controversial ending of Rockets-Nuggets game
Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka will likely be expecting a hefty fine in his mailbox soon.
Udoka did not hold back on his frustrations Monday after his Rockets lost to the Denver Nuggets in a 128-125 overtime affair at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo. The Rockets coach lambasted the officiating in the contest, directly attacking the referees who made the said calls.
“The most poorly officiated game I’ve seen in a long time,” Udoka said during his postgame press conference. “Two have no business being out there, and the crew chief was acting star-struck. You’re seeing all kind of inconsistent calls, and I’m sure we should’ve gotten more [technical fouls].”
23-year veteran Zach Zarba served as the crew chief, while Jamahl Ralls and Natalie Sago rounded out the three-man officiating crew.
The Rockets were on the wrong end of a few controversial calls down the stretch of Monday’s primetime affair. Houston swingman Amen Thompson got called for a costly foul before a Denver inbound as the Rockets led by 1 with 2.3 seconds left. Jamal Murray converted the game-tying free throw that eventually sent the game to overtime.
This was the “foul” on Amen Thompson that led to overtime, where Houston lost to Denver
— SleeperRockets (@SleeperRockets) December 16, 2025
The Rockets didn’t play well in overtime, but they should have won in regulation…pic.twitter.com/kCUkGM9GlF
Thompson was again penalized for a foul in overtime on what looked like a clean strip of Murray near the halfcourt line. Udoka could only watch in disbelief.
I’m simply tired of sports. One of the worst calls of all time. Nuggets and Rockets. Thompson clearly strips Murray and gets whistled. I’m just done with sports man. pic.twitter.com/B0RlbbfHFL
— Cokeville (@CokeVille313) December 16, 2025
Alperen Sengun had a monster outing for the Rockets, finishing with 33 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in what was his best Nikola Jokic impression. But Sengun badly missed a potential game-tying three-pointer in the final seconds of overtime.
NBA makes a ruling on controversial LeBron James-Dillon Brooks play
The NBA has officially chimed in on the LeBron James-Dillon Brooks controversy from Sunday’s game.
James and the Los Angeles Lakers faced off against Brooks and the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Ariz. on Sunday. It was a back-and-forth affair during which Phoenix battled back from a 20-point deficit in the fourth quarter and even briefly took the lead before the Lakers regained the upper hand and won by a 116-114 final score.
One particular moment in the final moments of the game drew scrutiny online. The Suns swingman Brooks made a go-ahead three-pointer over the Lakers star James with 12.2 seconds remaining and was knocked to the ground by James’ contest. Brooks was irate that no foul was called against James on the play and proceeded to take out his frustration by running up to James and bumping him.
The former All-Defensive selection Brooks was called for a technical foul on the play (which meant an automatic ejection since he had already picked one up earlier in the game). Here is the video.
Dillon Brooks has been ejected.
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) December 15, 2025
pic.twitter.com/EPZgaeVTUY
On Monday, the NBA rendered its verdict on the last two-minute (L2M) report for the game. The league ruled that it was a correct no-call (CNC) by the officials because James had contested to the side and Brooks had effectively initiated the contact by extending his leg towards James.
Last Two-Minute report on LeBron James non-call on Dillon Brooks 3 to give Suns a 114-113 lead in 116-114 loss to Lakers.
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 15, 2025
CNC (Correct Non Call).
Explanation: James (LAL) contests to the side of Brooks (PHX) and would avoid making contact if not for Brooks extending his left… pic.twitter.com/IvicQoSolf
Instead of one free throw for Brooks (if a foul had been called on the play), it was the Lakers who instead got one free throw because of Brooks’ technical foul. James went on to miss that free throw but eventually made two others to give his team the win after being fouled in the act of shooting by Phoenix’s Devin Booker on the next possession.
Brooks and James got extremely heated with each other throughout Sunday’s game and were seen exchanging trash talk multiple times. That makes perfect sense too given their negative history with one another, which was even on display during their previous meeting in Los Angeles earlier this month.
Cooper Flagg records wild feat never done in NBA history
Cooper Flagg made history Monday with a feat that may not be matched for a very long time.
The Dallas Mavericks star went off in a losing effort against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The rookie phenom erupted for 42 points on 13/27 shooting to go along with 7 rebounds and 6 assists in the 140-133 loss.
Flagg may not have led his team to victory, but he did secure himself a unique piece of NBA history in the contest. The Mavericks swingman became the first 18-year-old ever to score 40 points in a single NBA game.
Cooper Flagg is the first 18 year old in NBA history to score 40 points in a game pic.twitter.com/ZnmGrWvDAr
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) December 16, 2025
Flagg’s 42-point night surpassed LeBron James’ 37-point outing as a rookie on December 13, 2003. The Duke alum also joined James, Kevin Durant, and Anthony Edwards as the only teenagers to ever record at least 40 points and 5 assists in a single game.
Cooper Flagg is the fourth teenager in NBA history to record 40 points and 5 assists in a game, joining Anthony Edwards, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James 🤩
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) December 16, 2025
Flagg is the first to do it at 18 years old 😎 pic.twitter.com/WNBRIuzfDG
One element that aided Flagg was his decision to reclassify to an earlier draft class. Few prospects in today’s high-scoring NBA arrive in the league before turning 19. On the other hand, one could see that as a testament to Flagg’s advanced skill level at such a young age, which had him ready for the league a year earlier.
Flagg has come a long way from the early-season struggles that had some worried about his ability to handle the NBA game. He turns 19 on December 21.
