Dallas Mavericks' Dereck Lively II Sidelined with Right Foot Swelling

The Dallas Mavericks announced on Tuesday that center Dereck Lively II will be sidelined for a minimum of three more games as he deals with swelling and discomfort in his right foot. Lively, who has already missed the last two contests, is scheduled for a follow-up evaluation within seven to ten days. Standing at 7-foot-1, Lively has struggled with the same foot since last season, which restricted him to just 36 games. During the offseason, he underwent surgery to remove bone spurs from the affected foot. The 21-year-old has played in only seven games this season, averaging 4.3 points and 5.3 rebounds in roughly 16.4 minutes per game. He has not exceeded 21 minutes in any game and has started four times. His last outing was on Friday against the New Orleans Pelicans, registering four points and four rebounds in 18 minutes. Selected 12th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, Lively holds career averages of 8.4 points and 7.0 rebounds across 98 games with 75 starts over three seasons. He boasts an impressive field goal percentage of 72.8%. The Mavericks, currently holding a 5-14 record, began a four-game road trip with a narrow 106-102 loss to the Miami Heat on Monday night.

Philippine Athletes Alex Eala and Bryan Bagunas Lead Parade at 2025 SEA Games Opening Ceremony

The Philippines showcased its delegation in full force at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, with tennis star Alex Eala and volleyball player Bryan Bagunas leading the parade as flag bearers. Their roles symbolized the country's athletic prowess and the spirit of unity among Filipino competitors. The vibrant ceremony highlighted the diverse talents and competitive spirit of athletes across the region. Both Eala and Bagunas, well-known figures in their respective sports, carried the national flag with pride, setting an inspiring tone for the games. As the SEA Games progressed, the Filipino team's commitment to excellence aimed to translate into strong performances across various events, strengthening the country's standing in the regional sporting community. This moment marked a significant start to what promises to be a memorable competition.

Gilgeous-Alexander Leads Thunder to Decisive Victory Over Clippers

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander spearheaded the Oklahoma City Thunder’s commanding 122-101 triumph against the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night, contributing 32 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. This victory improved the Thunder’s perfect home record to 13-0 and marked their 17th win in 18 games overall. The Clippers, on the other hand, deepened their slump with their fifth straight defeat and have now lost 10 out of their last 11 games. Oklahoma City’s defensive intensity once again proved pivotal. The Thunder capitalized on 29 turnovers committed by Los Angeles, converting 38 points off these mistakes, the highest turnover count for any NBA team this season. Guard Cason Wallace excelled defensively, tying his career-high with five steals and amassing 16 steals over his last four games. Wallace currently leads the league averaging 2.4 steals per game. Supporting Gilgeous-Alexander’s efforts, Chet Holmgren posted 22 points and Jalen Williams contributed 20. Gilgeous-Alexander rested through the entire fourth quarter, a strategy frequently employed this season. The Clippers played without All-Star James Harden for only the second time this year due to a left calf contusion. Kawhi Leonard topped the Los Angeles scoring with 22 points, while John Collins added 20. Center Ivica Zubac notched a double-double, scoring 11 points alongside 11 rebounds. Los Angeles started strong, opening with an 11-point advantage fueled by six straight points from Leonard during a 12-0 run late in the first quarter. Nonetheless, the Thunder quickly responded with 10 unanswered points culminating in a three-point play by Ajay Mitchell. Oklahoma City then seized control permanently with a 9-0 run midway through the second quarter. Although the Clippers shot an efficient 48.7% from the field across the game, their second-quarter performance faltered, managing just 7-of-21 shooting overall and 3-of-13 beyond the arc while the Thunder outpaced them 37-22. Oklahoma City extended its lead to as much as 23 points in the third quarter, largely powered by 19 points from Gilgeous-Alexander, effectively sealing the outcome. Isaiah Hartenstein was sidelined as the Thunder began a back-to-back schedule, while Isaiah Joe made his return after missing four games with a knee injury, contributing 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting. The Thunder’s dominant defensive effort and efficient scoring underscored their continued ascendancy in the league this season.

McIlroy Recovering with Strong Third Round at Dubai Invitational, Trails Leader Elvira by Three Shots

Rory McIlroy produced a resilient performance in the third round of the Dubai Invitational, carding a three-under-par 69 to maintain close proximity to the tournament leader. The Northern Irish golfer, ranked world number two, had struggled on Friday after encountering trouble with four water ball penalties during his second round. Improving markedly on Saturday, McIlroy reduced his total score to five-under par. Reflecting on his round, he explained, \"It was a little better than yesterday, kept the ball dry instead of the four water balls I had. It was a tricky enough day, got off to a bit of a slow start, but stayed patient and hung in there and was rewarded with birdies on the back nine.\" Despite finishing with three birdies, McIlroy remains three strokes behind leader Nacho Elvira. The Spanish golfer, who shared the lead with Republic of Ireland's Shane Lowry after two rounds, has pulled ahead following successive rounds of 68. Elvira now holds a two-shot advantage at seven-under par. Meanwhile, Lowry fell back to tie for second place alongside England’s Marcus Armitage and South African Dylan Frittelli, all at six-under. Elvira, 38, expressed composure heading into the final round, stating, \"I’ve been here long enough to not be too nervous tomorrow, let’s put it that way. I think I’m going to try to enjoy and probably learn from all the experiences that I have in the past and see where that puts me.\"

Denver Broncos Secure AFC No. 1 Seed for First Time in a Decade Ahead of Playoff Clash with Buffalo Bills

For the first time in a decade, the Denver Broncos have clinched the AFC’s No. 1 seed as they prepare to host the Buffalo Bills in Saturday’s playoff opener. The Broncos last held the top seed in 2015—the final season of Peyton Manning’s tenure and the year they last captured the Super Bowl. Broncos head coach Sean Payton, who previously led the New Orleans Saints to a Super Bowl victory as the NFC’s top seed in 2009, emphasized the importance yet limitations of the No. 1 ranking. "The bye week is valuable, but it doesn’t guarantee a fast start," Payton stated on Tuesday. "We’re facing a team coming off one of their biggest wins in a decade, so we have to earn that momentum on the field." The Bills enter the matchup on the heels of a dramatic 27-24 road victory over Jacksonville—their first playoff road win since 1992. Quarterback Josh Allen, despite battling foot, head, hand, and knee injuries during the game, delivered an impressive performance with 306 total yards and three touchdowns, including two pivotal go-ahead drives in the fourth quarter. "I feel good," Allen reported on Tuesday. "Honestly, I feel a little better than I have the last couple weeks." With this victory, Allen aims to secure his third AFC Championship appearance, continuing a streak of playoff wins in each of his six seasons. However, the Bills face significant challenges in their receiving corps following ACL injuries to Tyrell Shavers and Gabe Davis. Buffalo’s active roster now includes only three wide receivers: Keon Coleman, Brandin Cooks, and Khalil Shakir. Shakir led the team with 719 receiving yards this season and recorded 12 catches for 82 yards against Jacksonville. Filling the void is pressing, and Bills coach Sean McDermott urged his squad to rise to the occasion. "Another guy’s got to step up. That’s point-blank what it means," he said. "It’s full confidence in the guys in that room." Additional optimism comes from the possible returns of key players. Defensive tackle Ed Oliver, sidelined with a biceps injury since late October, has resumed limited practice and may participate in his first playoff game this season. Wide receiver Curtis Samuel, recovering from an elbow injury, also opened his practice window and fully participated in early week sessions. On the Broncos’ side, quarterback Bo Nix is preparing for his first home playoff game. He completed 59.1% of his passes for 144 yards and a touchdown in last year’s playoff loss to Buffalo. "Everybody would say they’d rather be at home in this situation," Nix remarked. "Last year was a tough environment, good for a young player like me to gain that experience, but it’s nice to be at home this time." Denver’s defense remains a formidable unit, having set a franchise record with 68 sacks this season, 11 more than any other team and just shy of the NFL record held by the 1984 Bears. Injuries affect both rosters heading into the contest. Buffalo’s Ty Johnson (ankle), Maxwell Hairston (ankle), and Jordan Poyer (hamstring) did not practice midweek, while Greg Rousseau (back), Matt Milano (ankle), and Dalton Kincaid (knee) were limited. Denver’s injury list includes four players with limited participation but none missing practices, notably tight end Lucas Krull and linebackers Dre Greenlaw and Drew Sanders. Historically, the Bills have dominated recent meetings, winning four of the last five matchups, including postseason victories in both meetings, the latest being a 31-7 wild-card victory last season and a 10-7 AFC Championship win in 1991. Saturday’s game promises a high-stakes rematch, with Denver seeking to leverage home-field advantage and secure a deep playoff run, while Buffalo aims to continue their recent winning trend against the Broncos.

Talor Gooch Named New Captain of LIV Golf Team for 2026 Season

Talor Gooch, aged 34, is set to assume the role of team captain for LIV Golf ahead of the 2026 season, commencing February 4 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Gooch, who previously teamed with Brooks Koepka in Smash GC, acknowledged the challenge of filling Koepka's shoes after the latter's return to the PGA Tour. \"Brooks is one of the best players and major champions in the last decade, so it is going to be tough to fill that type of player\'s shoes,\" Gooch stated. Alongside Gooch, teammates Graeme McDowell and Jason Kokrak will continue their involvement, with the trio eager to build on years of collaboration. \"We are excited to get going and build something that we have been talking about over the last few years, me, Kokrak, and GMac,\" Gooch said. \"We are going to have to step up. The three of us are going to have to make more birdies. I have said it a lot that my golden rule in golf is the rule of 67. The goal is shoot 67s and shoot as many 67s as you can and everything takes care of itself.\" There is speculation that Harold Varner III could join the team from 4Aces to fill the roster vacancy, although Gooch declined to confirm any movements, commenting only, \"We have someone in mind.\" Gooch, who secured three individual LIV Golf titles in 2023 and an additional victory in Andalucia, Spain last year, plans to dedicate the coming weeks to adapting to his leadership responsibilities. \"I\'ll be meeting with LIV to discuss details like the budget and reviewing the overall system, but more importantly, getting more time with GMac and Kokrak to align on our expectations and goals,\" he explained. \"Fortunately, in the last couple of years, the three of us have gotten pretty tight. … Man it\'s fun, it\'s exciting and we\'re ready to get going.\" As Gooch prepares to lead, the LIV Golf team looks poised for a competitive and strategic 2026 season under his captaincy.

PBA Philippine Cup Heads into Quarterfinals Following Elimination Round

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup has wrapped up its elimination round and is preparing to begin the quarterfinal stage on Christmas Day. San Miguel Beer emerged as the leader with a 9–2 record, securing the top seed along with a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals. Close behind are Rain or Shine and TNT, both finishing with 8–3 records, while Converge claimed the fourth spot at 7–4, also earning a twice-to-beat benefit. The remaining quarterfinalists include Barangay Ginebra, Magnolia, Meralco, and NLEX. **Final Elimination Round Standings:** - San Miguel Beer (9–2)** - Rain or Shine (8–3)** - TNT (8–3)** - Converge (7–4)** - Barangay Ginebra (7–4)* - Magnolia (6–5)* - Meralco (6–5)* - NLEX (6–5)* - Titan Ultra (4–7) - Phoenix (3–8) - Blackwater (1–10) - Terrafirma (1–10) **Note:** Teams marked with ** have a twice-to-beat advantage; those marked with * have qualified for the quarterfinals. Quarterfinal pairings will follow the conventional 1 vs. 8, 2 vs. 7, 3 vs. 6, and 4 vs. 5 format, with the top seeds enjoying their twice-to-beat edge. Winners from these matchups will advance to the semifinals, which will be conducted in a best-of-seven series. The tournament will culminate in a best-of-seven championship round to determine the champion.

New Zealand's Black Foils Poised for SailGP Season Finale in Abu Dhabi

New Zealand’s Black Foils are heading into the final round of the SailGP 2025 season in Abu Dhabi with cautious optimism. Skipper Peter Burling expressed satisfaction with the team’s current form after a campaign marked by two event victories and consistent performances throughout the fleet races. “We’re really excited; it’s been an interesting season for us,” Burling remarked. “We’ve experienced some ups and downs, but overall, we feel well-positioned going into the final.” The upcoming Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix is known for its challenging conditions, featuring light winds and technically demanding waters. Adding a layer of unpredictability, this season’s Grand Final will introduce SailGP’s new 27.5-meter wing sail for the first time. “I’m eager to see how the boats perform with the new configuration,” Burling said. “It’s going to be a test of which teams can adapt most quickly and master the changes.” Unlike other teams that are anticipating significant lineup changes due to the new Athlete Transfer regulations, New Zealand has prioritized team continuity and the integration of youthful talent. The inclusion of young sailor Leo Takahashi this season has been a positive development, and Burling confirmed the team’s intention to maintain its current roster. SailGP is an international sailing league featuring national teams competing on identical F50 foiling catamarans capable of reaching speeds over 50 knots. The competition combines advanced technology, data analytics, and skilled seamanship in a high-stakes racing format supported by Oracle founder Larry Ellison. The 2025 SailGP season finale will take place in Abu Dhabi on November 29-30. Currently, Great Britain leads the standings with 85 points, closely followed by New Zealand’s Black Foils at 82 points and Australia’s Flying Roos at 80 points, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the season.

Jimmy Butler III Shines in Third Quarter Against Pelicans

On November 29, 2025, during the third quarter of a tightly contested game, Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III showcased his offensive skill by successfully shooting over New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado. The moment highlighted Butler's agility and scoring ability as he navigated the defense with precision. The Warriors and Pelicans engaged in a competitive matchup, with Butler’s contribution proving pivotal in maintaining his team's offensive momentum. This performance underscores Butler's role as a key player for Golden State, consistently delivering under pressure.

Tachiana Mangin Secures Philippines’ Seventh Gold at 2025 SEA Games

Taekwondo competitor Tachiana Mangin brought home the Philippines’ seventh gold medal at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games on Friday. Mangin triumphed in the women’s 49-kilogram kyorugi division, showcasing her skill and determination on the regional stage. This victory represents the Philippines’ second gold medal on the third day of the biennial sporting event, following the men’s baseball team’s win over Thailand in the finals earlier the same day. The Philippine Sports Commission highlighted Mangin’s impressive track record, noting that she was the first Filipina to claim a gold medal at the World Junior Taekwondo Championships held last year. Her continued success underscores the rising prominence of Filipino athletes in international taekwondo competitions. Mangin’s achievement contributes to the country's growing medal tally, bolstering its rankings among Southeast Asian nations in the ongoing Games.