The NBA games on Sunday, December 14, 2025 offered fans a little bit of everything. Some teams mobilized on the road. Others collapsed late. The defense won some games, while the execution decided the close games. A few struggling teams have regained confidence, and some contenders have shown worrying flaws. Here is a clear breakdown of the winners and losers of each match.
Washington Wizards against Indiana Pacers (108-89)
Winner: Washington Wizards
Washington finally got a road win and the defense led the way. Marvin Bagley III had his best game of the season with 23 points and 13 rebounds. Justin Champagnie added 13 points and 14 rebounds. The Wizards forced Indiana into poor shooting and never let the Pacers gain any momentum. The win ended a four-game losing streak.
Loser: Indiana Pacers
Indiana struggled a lot on offense. The Pacers shot under 37 percent and couldn’t hit threes. Bennedict Mathurin led with 15 points, but the assist was limited. Ball movement seemed halted all night. Rick Carlisle is still waiting for career win No. 1,000.
Charlotte Hornets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (119-111 OT)
Winner: Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte pulled off an impressive road win with confidence and effort. Rookie Kon Knueppel scored 29 points and continued his strong streak. Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges filled up the stat sheet. The Hornets locked down defensively in overtime and didn’t allow a single field goal to the Cavaliers.
Loser: Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland collapsed late at home. The Cavaliers missed every shot in overtime. Darius Garland scored 26 points, but the support was inconsistent. Donovan Mitchell missed a potential game-winner in regulation. Injuries, including the absence of Evan Mobley, continue to hamper their pace.
Philadelphia 76ers against Atlanta Hawks (120-117)
Winner: Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta relied on balance and rebounding to win a close game. Onyeka Okongwu scored 20 points and 15 rebounds. Jalen Johnson recorded a triple-double. Dyson Daniels also contributed with a strong overall performance. The Hawks stayed calm late and used their depth.
Loser: Philadelphia 76ers
Paul George scored 35 points, but Philadelphia still lost. Joel Embiid notched his first double-double of the season. VJ Edgecombe added a solid score. Missing key players in the rotation hurt the Sixers late and they couldn’t close out the game.
Brooklyn Nets against Milwaukee Bucks (127-82)
Winner: Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn dominated from start to finish. Egor Demin and Noah Clowney led a balanced attack. The Nets picked up the pace and had a huge third quarter. The 45-point victory was the largest margin in franchise history.
Loser: Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee struggled on both ends. Gary Trent Jr. tried to spark the offense, while Kyle Kuzma added points. Playing without Giannis Antetokounmpo exposed depth issues. The Bucks looked frustrated all night.
Minnesota Timberwolves against Sacramento Kings (117-103)
Winner: Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota remained in control despite missing key players. Julius Randle led with consistent scoring and rebounding. Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid provided reliable offense. Strong team defense helped Minnesota pull away during Sacramento’s scoring droughts.
Loser: Sacramento Kings
Sacramento could not resist the offense. DeMar DeRozan and Dennis Schroder scored, but it wasn’t enough. Zach LaVine exited early due to injury. Long droughts have once again proven costly.
New Orleans Pelicans against Chicago Bulls (114-104)
Winner: New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans won thanks to physical play and rebounding. Trey Murphy III and Jeremiah Fears each scored 20 points. Zion Williamson came back and delivered key baskets late. The Pelicans controlled the paint and closed strong.
Loser: Chicago Bulls
Chicago has struggled to stay consistent. Coby White scored 20 points, but the help faded late. Kevin Huerter contributed from the bench. Defensive breakdowns in the fourth quarter sealed the loss.
Los Angeles Lakers against Phoenix Suns (116-114)
Winner: Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers survived a chaotic ending. Luka Doncic scored 29 points despite ineffective shooting. LeBron James arrived late at the free throw line. Offensive rebounds gave Los Angeles extra possessions, which made the difference.
Loser: Phoenix Suns
Phoenix made a strong comeback but fell short. Devin Booker scored efficiently and attacked the rim. Late fouls hurt them in the final seconds. Closing games remains a problem.
Portland Trail Blazers against Golden State Warriors (136-131)
Winner: Portland Trail Blazers
Portland rode hot shots to a big win. Jerami Grant and Shaedon Sharpe each scored 35 points. Grant hit some clutch shots late. The Blazers remained calm despite Stephen Curry’s flurry of goals.
Loser: Golden State Warriors
Curry scored 48 points, but turnovers and defense hurt Golden State. The Warriors struggled to get any stops late. Another close loss followed a familiar pattern.
Final conclusion
December 14 showed how quickly things can change in the NBA. The young players delivered great moments. The veterans intervened late. Injuries continued to affect results. Washington and Charlotte’s road wins stood out, while Brooklyn’s blowout turned heads. Close losses to Cleveland, Phoenix and Golden State showed how costly small mistakes can be as the season progresses.
