NBA News Today: Adam Silver confirms potential expansion team in Mexico City; Nikola Jokic and Donovan Mitchell named Players of the Week, and more
NBA commissioner Adam Silver has confirmed that the league is considering Mexico City for an expansion team. The NBA has been vocal about the possibility of introducing new teams, with several rumored cities, including Vancouver, Seattle and Las Vegas.
Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets and Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers were named the NBA Players of the Week. Jokic is still playing at a high level and is in search of his third straight MVP, while Mitchell has been fabulous in his first year in Cleveland.
On that note, here's the latest NBA news today (December 20) brought to you by Sportskeeda:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ruins Damian Lillard's record-breaking night
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the OKC Thunder ruined Damian Lillard's record-breaking Monday night. Gilgeous-Alexander hit a baseline jumper at the buzzer to to beat the Portland Trail Blazers 123-112. Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 35 points, two rebounds and six assists.
Meanwhile, Lillard became the all-time leading scorer in Blazers history. He overtook Clyde Drexler in the third quarter after sinking a free throw as he's becoming the greatest player in franchise history.
However, Lillard will likely need more successful seasons to eclipse Drexler, who went to the NBA Finals twice, while Lillard has only made the Western Conference finals once.
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Adam Silver confirms potential expansion team in Mexico City
NBA commissioner Adam Silver told reporters on Saturday that the league could consider Mexico City as a potential expansion city. Silver has been quiet about the details of the rumored NBA expansion to several cities like Las Vegas, Seattle and Vancouver.
"It's definitely possible," Silver said. "I don't have a specific timeline right now in terms of expansion, but there's no doubt we will be looking seriously at Mexico City over time."
The San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat faced each other in Mexico City on Saturday. It was the 30th game in Mexico since 1992, which is more than any other country apart from the United States and Canada.
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LA Lakers lose big to Phoenix Suns without LeBron James, Anthony Davis
The Phoenix Suns dominated the LA Lakers 130-104 on Monday night at the Footprint Center. The Lakers were on the second night of a back-to-back, so some of their players didn't play. Anthony Davis continues to be out due to a foot injury suffered recently.
LeBron James and Austin Reaves were dealing with ankle problems, while Russell Westbrook had a sore left foot. The Suns took advantage of that and decimated the Lakers, led by Chris Paul, who finished with 28 points, four rebounds and eight assists.
Meanwhile, the Lakers were led by Dennis Schoder with 30 points, four rebounds and four assists. Lonnie Walker IV and Thomas Bryant each had 16 points, while Kendrick Nunn added 17 points off the bench.
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Nikola Jokic and Donovan Mitchell named NBA Players of the Week
Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets and Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers were named the NBA Players of the Week for Week 9.
NBA Players of the Week for Week 9.
West: Nikola Jokic (@nuggets)
East: Donovan Mitchell (@cavs) https://t.co/flU6vZeE7g
Jokic had MVP numbers in three games last week, averaging 36.0 points, 17.3 rebounds and 8.7 assists. He led the Nuggets to a 2-1 record, winning against the Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets, while losing to the LA Lakers.
In legendary company 👏 https://t.co/1gJHbjoI6s
Meanwhile, Mitchell averaged 32.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists in four games last week. The Cavaliers started the week by losing to the San Antonio Spurs before winning three straight games, against the Indiana Pacers and the Dallas Mavericks twice.
🕷️ Week.
@nba | #LetEmKnow
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Complete NBA scores for Dec. 19
There were nine NBA games on Monday night, headlined by the Charlotte Hornets defeating the Sacramento Kings. The Phoenix Suns got an easy win over the LA Lakers, while the Atlanta Hawks snapped the Orlando Magic's six-game winning streak.
The Philadelphia 76ers outlasted the Toronto Raptors in overtime, while the Cleveland Cavaliers dominated the Utah Jazz. The Milwaukee Bucks, OKC Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves and San Antonio Spurs also won their games on Monday.
Here are the complete scores for December 19:
- Cleveland Cavaliers def. Utah Jazz 122-99
- Philadelphia 76ers def. Toronto Raptors 104-101 OT
- Atlanta Hawks def. Orlando Magic 126-125
- Milwaukee Bucks def. New Orleans Pelicans 128-119
- OKC Thunder def. Portland Trail Blazers 123-121
- San Antonio Spurs def. Houston Rockets 124-105
- Minnesota Timberwolves def. Dallas Mavericks 116-106
- Phoenix Suns def. LA Lakers 130-104
- Charlotte Hornets def. Sacramento Kings 125-119
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