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When Naoya Inoue fights David Picasso Saturday, he’ll be facing an opponent seven years younger, three inches taller and unbeaten at 32-0-1.

But there’s a reason Inoue is known as ‘The Monster’ and why the Japanese sensation is an overwhelming favorite to defend his undisputed super bantamweight title

At 5-foot-5, Inoue packs a wicked punch. The power has served him well while winning world titles as a light flyweight, junior bantamweight, bantamweight and super bantamweight while amassing a record of 31-0 with 27 knockouts.

By contrast, the 5-foot-8 Picasso, a rangy 25-year-old from Mexico, relies more on volume. And he’ll also be making his first appearance in a title fight.

USA TODAY Sports will have results for the Naoya Inoue vs David Picasso fight, so check back here for updates.

Naoya Inoue vs David Picasso: Time, PPV, streaming for fight

Naoya Inoue will face David Picasso on Saturday, Dec. 27, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

  • Date: Saturday, Dec. 27
  • Time: 4 a.m. ET
  • Inoue vs Picasso main event ringwalks: 7:57 a.m. ET (estimate)
  • Stream: DAZN PPV

Watch Inoue vs Picasso on DAZN PPV

What time is Naoya Inoue vs David Picasso fight card?

Inoue vs Picasso starts at 4 a.m. ET with the main card estimated to begin at 7:57 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 27.

When is the Naoya Inoue vs David Picasso main event ring walk?

The main card between Inoue and Picasso has an estimated start time of 7:57 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 27.

Inoue vs Picasso price: How much to watch fight

The fight available on DAZN will cost $39.99.

Naoya Inoue stats

Naoya Inoue is 31-0 with 27 KOs. He has won by knockout in 11 of his past 12 fights.

How much does Naoya Inoue weigh

Naoya Inoue weighed in at 121.1 pounds, under the maximum weight limit of 122 pounds for super bantamweights.

Naoya Inoue net worth

Naoya Inoue’s estimated net worth is between $7 million and $10 million, according to various reports.

Super fight on the line

There’s extra incentive for Naoya Inoue entering the bout against David Picasso. Inoue likely needs to keep his perfect record intact to secure a super fight with Junto Nakatani, a feared three-division world champion from Japan. Nakatani relinquished his bantamweight title to move up to the super bantamweight division and stalk Inoue.

Nakatani (31-0, 24 KOs) will be fighting Sebastian Hernandez (20-0, 18 KOs) on the main card Saturday.

Naoya Inoue among pound-for-pound best

ESPN and The Ring both rank Naoya Inoue No. 3 in their pound-for-pound rankings, behind only top-ranked Terence Crawford and No. 2-ranked Oleksandr Usyk. BoxRec, the official record keeper for boxing, ranks Inoue No. 1.

Why Naoya Inoue is nicknamed ‘The Monster’

Naoya Inoue earned the nickname ‘The Monster’ thanks to his punching power. You can watch some of his most brutal KOs here.

Is Naoya Inoue vulnerable?

Naoya Inoue has been knocked down twice in his last five fights.

In 2024, Luis Nery knocked down Inoue in the first round, and Inoue won the fight by TKO in Round 6.

In May, Ramon Cardenas knocked down Inoue in Round 2, and Inoue won the fight by TKO in Round 8.

Naoya Inoue vs David Picasso fight card, odds:

  • Naoya Inoue (-5000) vs David Picasso (+1000) – Undisputed super bantamweight titles
  • Junto Nakatani vs. Sebastian Hernandez – super bantamweight bout
  • Reito Tsutsumi vs. Leobardo Quintana – super featherweight bout
  • Taiga Imanaga vs. Eridson Garcia – lightweight bout
  • Willibaldo Garcia Perez (+275) vs. Kenshiro Teraji (-400) – super flyweight
This post appeared first on USA TODAY

The Christmas Day showcase for the defending NBA champions this year featured one of the few teams to actually beat them this season, and still the Thunder remain winless against them.

The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 117-102 on the road to hand a lump of coal to the home crowd on Christmas.

The Spurs haven’t just beaten the Thunder this year, they’ve throughly dominated them, and have won every matchup the two teams have had this year. Three of Oklahoma City’s five losses have come against these Spurs, which has to have Thunder fans shaking in their boots.

Oklahoma City suffered its second largest loss of the season – a 15-point defeat at the hands of the Spurs – who handed the Thunder their largest loss of the year just two days prior.

Despite Victor Wembanyama coming off the bench in this game as well, the big man still had a massive impact, recording 19 points and 11 rebounds. De’Aaron Fox led all scorers with 29 points, while Harrison Barnes continued to provide veteran aggressiveness in a showdown between two of the youngest teams in the league. Barnes added 15 points of his own, giving him 35 over the team’s last two games against OKC.

Here’s what happened during the NBA’s Christmas Day game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs:

Spurs vs. Thunder highlights

Spurs vs Thunder final player stats

Spurs scoring leaders

  • De’Aaron Fox 29 points, Stephon Castle 19 points, Victor Wembanyama 19 points

Spurs rebound leaders

  • Victor Wembanyama 11, Keldon Johnson 7

Thunder scoring leaders

  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 22 points, Isaiah Hartenstein 12 points, Alex Caruso 12 points

Thunder rebound leaders

  • Isaiah Hartenstein 12, Chet Holmgren 12

Spurs vs Thunder final team stats

  • FG%: Spurs 54%, Thunder 39%
  • 3PT%: Spurs 38%, Thunder 28%
  • FT%: Spurs 76%, Thunder 68%
  • Rebounds: Spurs 49, Thunder 48
  • Assists: Thunder 23, Spurs 20
  • Turnovers: Thunder 7, Spurs 12
  • Steals: Thunder 7, Spurs 3
  • Blocks: Thunder 6, Spurs 4

FINAL: Spurs 117, Thunder 102

The San Antonio Spurs (23-7) scored their third consecutive victory against the reigning NBA champions this season and moved to just 2.5 games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder (26-5) at the top of the Western Conference standings.

Thunder hot to start fourth

Less than two-and-a-half minutes into the fourth, the Thunder have found a groove. The reigning champs have rattled off six straight points to begin the quarter, and have been gathering offensive rebounds as well to reduce San Antonio’s lead to just 10 points.

The Thunder were so dominant in that short stretch that the Spurs were forced to use a timeout. Hopefully that small break will be enough to shift the momentum back in the Spurs’ favor.

End Q3: Spurs 95, Thunder 79

The San Antonio Spurs continued to take advantage of OKC’s offensive woes. The Thunder really struggled with the three-ball in the third quarter, particularly Alex Caruso who finally hit his first field goal of the afternoon with just over a minute left in the quarter.

The Spurs have dominated pace of play, forcing several bad shots from OKC and not letting the Thunder get away with committing offensive fouls. The Spurs find themselves up 16 heading into the final quarter. De’Aaron Fox leads all scorers with 25.

Spurs take advantage of OKC offensive struggles

On three of OKC’s last four offensive possessions, the Thunder have turned the ball over due to offensive fouls. Jalen Williams committed two of them, with Isaiah Hartenstein committing the final foul.

The only other possession in that span wasn’t much prettier, requiring two offensive rebounds by Hartenstein before Williams could cap the possession off with a midrange floater.

San Antonio has taken advantage of these offensive flubs, extending their lead to 17. Spurs lead 85-68.

Spurs vs. Thunder halftime stats

  • FG%: Spurs 61.4, Thunder 47.9
  • FT%: Spurs 61.5, Thunder 57.1
  • 3PT%: Spurs 43.8, Thunder 33.3
  • Rebounds: Spurs 25, Thunder 29
  • Assists: Spurs 12, Thunder 12
  • Turnovers: Spurs 6, Thunder 4
  • Blocks: Spurs 3, Thunder 1

End Q2: Spurs 69, Thunder 60

After a solid first quarter, one that ended with an 11-0 San Antonio run, the Spurs have built a solid lead headed into halftime.

Oklahoma City’s shooting cooled in the second period, and the defensive impact Victor Wembanyama created can’t be overlooked. Though he recorded just 1 block in the quarter, Wembanyama’s presence down low constantly affected the shots the Thunder tried to take in the paint and near the rim.

That was compounded by Oklahoma City’s inefficient shooting from downtown in the period; the Thunder made just two of their eight 3-point shot attempts in the second. This is the issue when playing the Spurs: when scoring in the low block becomes difficult, making perimeter shots becomes essential.

Thunder guard Alex Caruso, in particular, has struggled from deep, failing to hit any of his eight shots from 3-point range.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander spent a chunk of the period on the bench, but he has been the most consistent OKC player, scoring 16 points.

De’Aaron Fox continues to lead the Spurs in scoring with 21 points. Stephon Castle has added 13 points and 4 assists. Victor Wembanyama has added 9 points and 6 rebounds.

End Q1: Spurs 41, Thunder 36

After a thrilling finish in the first Christmas Day game, the Spurs and Thunder picked things right up in the second leg of the slate, though it was the Spurs who ended the period on an 11-0 run.

Both teams played quick and loose, which allowed consistent shot-making to follow; both teams combined to shoot a ridiculous 30-of-48 (62.5%) from the floor in the first period.

The numbers were also impressive from beyond the arc: (9-of-18; 50%).

Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox set the tone early and knocked down 5-of-6 shots to lead all players with 13 points. Fellow Spurs guard Stephon Castle added 9 points.

Victor Wembanyama (calf strain) came off the bench as San Antonio continues to manage his minutes  and played 4:08 in the first period, scoring 5 points and collecting 1 rebound. He was active and physical and appeared to frustrate OKC players.

The Thunder were led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, each of whom had 9 points.

Is Victor Wembanyama playing vs Thunder

Spurs star Victor Wembanyama is not starting San Antonio’s Christmas Day contest, but he’s available to come off the bench. The team has made it clear they’re managing his minutes since he strained his left calf on Dec. 13.

Jalen Williams off to fast start

Thunder guard Jalen Williams has made all three of his shot attempts in the early going as the Thunder have jumped out to an 18-12 lead with 8:10 to go in the first quarter.

OKC is currently on a 10-2 run.

What time is Spurs vs. Thunder Christmas game today?

The Oklahoma City Thunder will host the San Antonio Spurs in one of five NBA on Christmas games on Thursday, Dec. 25 at 2:30 p.m. ET. The game will take place at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Watch NBA Christmas games with Fubo

How to watch Spurs vs. Thunder NBA Christmas game: TV, live streaming

The game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs will be broadcast nationally on ABC and ESPN and can be live streamed via Fubo.

  • Date: Dec. 25, 2025
  • Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
  • Location: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
  • TV: ABC, ESPN
  • Streaming: ESPN Unlimited, Fubo

Spurs vs. Thunder odds

The Oklahoma City Thunder are favored to beat the San Antonio Spurs, according to DraftKings odds as of Dec. 24.

  • Line: Thunder -9.5
  • Over/under: 232.5

Spurs starting lineup

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

The Dallas Cowboys already own Thanksgiving. This year, they owned Christmas.

Dallas took down the Washington Commanders, 30-23, in the first of three games on Christmas Day in 2025. The Cowboys leaned heavily on their run game against a Washington front missing Daron Payne, gashing them for 211 yards on the ground to earn their seventh win of the season.

The Commanders put up an admirable fight despite injuries to Payne, quarterbacks Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota, left tackle Laremy Tunsil, and running back Chris Rodriguez, who was dealing with an illness. Their defensive struggles against Dallas’ run game doomed Washington to its 12th loss of the season.

Each team has one game left to play against another divisional rival — the Cowboys play the Giants on the road; the Commanders travel to Philadelphia — in Week 18. They’ll both head into long offseasons after missing the playoffs this year.

Here’s how the Cowboys’ Week 17 Christmas win went down as USA TODAY Sports provided live updates for the first game in the holiday triple-header:

Cowboys at Commanders takeaways from Christmas game

  • Brian Schottenheimer does not care about your fantasy football matchup. During the week of most leagues’ championship matchups, the Cowboys’ top two receivers — CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens — combined for eight catches, 103 yards and zero touchdowns. Dallas leaned a lot more heavily on its run game with four different rushers accumulating a total of 190 yards and a touchdown on 38 combined carries — averaging five yards per carry. Malik Davis led the way with 90 yards on 17 carries.
  • The Cowboys will have to spend this offseason overhauling their defense. Dallas’ secondary made a 39-year-old Josh Johnson look like he deserved to be starting all season long at some points of the game — yet it was his first start since 2021 and just the 10th start of his career. The Commanders’ third-string quarterback finished with 198 yards and a passer rating of 92.3 while only taking [one sack], and Washington’s offense mostly kept up with Dallas’ scoring efforts. The Cowboys’ offense ranks second in yards per game (393.1 on average) and fifth in points scored (28.3 per game). Yet Dallas was eliminated from the playoffs by Week 16. An upgraded defense could get the Cowboys back on track for another playoff push in 2026.
  • Deebo Samuel was playing like a pending free agent hungry for his next payday. Which he is. Samuel didn’t get many touches, but each one of them stood out. He finished the game with two catches for 68 yards and 2 carries for 25 more scrimmage yards. Each time Samuel had the ball, he looked fast, took on would-be tacklers and trucked a couple of them to tack on more yards after contact on several of his touches. Outside of rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt — who had more than 100 yards and two touchdowns in the game — Samuel was Washington’s biggest standout on offense throughout their Christmas clash with the Cowboys.

Commanders vs. Cowboys highlights

Cowboys vs. Commanders final score: Dallas 30, Commanders 23

Cowboys vs. Commanders score update: Jake Moody knocks through 51-yard field goal

Commanders head coach Dan Quinn opted to be strategic with his possession and time left, asking his kicker to attempt a field goal on third down with just over two minutes left. That will force an additional clock stoppage during the Cowboys’ next possession while Washington can hang onto its three timeouts while on defense.

Moody’s longest field goal attempt of the day went through the uprights like his first two, drawing the Commanders within seven points. It’s 30-23 Cowboys at the two-minute warning. The Cowboys have the ball at their own 33-yard line.

Cowboys vs. Commanders score update: Brandon Aubrey hits second 50+ yard field goal

Aubrey missed a 58-yard field goal on the Cowboys’ previous drive, but he bounced back with a 51-yarder on Dallas’ second possession of the fourth quarter.

The Cowboys’ lead is back up to 10 points. Dallas leads 30-20 with four minutes left in the game.

Cowboys vs. Commanders score update: Jake Moody boots another field goal

The Commanders’ kicker sent a 23-yard field goal through the uprights after another Washington drive stalled in the red zone.

Moody’s second field goal of the day brings the Commanders back within seven points. The Cowboys still lead, 27-20, with 16 seconds left in the third quarter.

Jake Ferguson injury update

Ferguson exited the Christmas game against the Commanders with a calf injury and has been ruled out for the remainder of the matchup, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. The Cowboys tight end’s sole catch before his injury was a six-yard touchdown reception — his eighth of the season.

Cowboys vs. Commanders score update: Brandon Aubrey knocks through another field goal

Dallas extends its lead back to 10 points on a 52-yard field goal from its kicker. Aubrey is 2-for-2 on field goal attempts on Christmas, in addition to a perfect 3-for-3 mark on extra point attempts.

It’s 27-17 Cowboys with 4:42 left in the third quarter.

Javonte Williams injury update

The Cowboys’ running back is questionable to return to his team’s Christmas game with a shoulder injury, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport. Williams already has 54 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown.

Cowboys vs. Commanders score update: Jacory Croskey-Merritt doubles up on Christmas TDs

Moments after former Washington running back Clinton Portis joined Netflix’s broadcast, Croskey-Merritt broke through with a 72-yard touchdown run on the Commanders’ first play of their second possession of the second half.

The score brought Washington within seven points of Dallas, but the Cowboys still lead, 24-17, with 9:34 left in the third quarter.

Cowboys vs. Commanders score update: Brandon Aubrey knocks through 42-yard field goal

Aubrey’s first field goal attempt of the afternoon is good from just over 40 yards out.

It gives the Cowboys a 24-10 lead with 19 seconds left in the first half.

Cowboys vs. Commanders score update: Jacory ‘Bill’ Croskey-Merritt scores Commanders’ first TD

Washington took advantage of three costly Cowboys penalties to score its first touchdown: a kickoff short of the landing zone, a horse collar tackle and a defensive pass interference.

The Commanders cut Dallas’ lead to 11 points after Croskey-Merritt’s seventh touchdown of his rookie season on his 10-yard run. They’ll kick the ball back to the Cowboys, who lead 21-10 with 4:35 left in the first half.

Cowboys vs. Commanders score update: KaVontae Turpin streaks past defender for 86-yard touchdown

Commander’s safety Frankie Luvu jumped offside, and Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott took advantage of the free play with a deep shot downfield. Turpin hauled in the throw right across the 50-yard line and took it the rest of the way for another Cowboys touchdown.

Dallas’ 97-yard touchdown drive took the fewest plays and the least time to score of any of their drives today. The Cowboys’ lead is up to 21-3 with seven minutes left in the first half.

Cowboys vs. Commanders score update: Javonte Williams slams through defenders for TD

The Cowboys have been gashing the Commanders on the ground. They’re up to 92 yards on 17 carries (5.4 yards per carry) through two possessions.

Williams was the latest beneficiary of Washington’s poor run defense, pounding the rock through a few defenders to score Dallas’ second touchdown in as many possessions. The Cowboys now lead 14-3 with 12 minutes left in the first half.

Dallas has scored on two straight drives that each lasted over five minutes and featured more than a dozen plays each possession.

Cowboys vs. Commanders score update: Jake Moody gets Washington on the board

The Commanders made it inside the Cowboys’ 5-yard line before quarterback Josh Johnson took a third-down sack.

On the ensuing fourth down, Washington’s kicker gave his team its first points of the holiday matchup with a 29-yard field goal. It’s 7-3 Cowboys with 4:44 left in the first quarter.

Cowboys vs. Commanders score update: Jake Ferguson snags one-handed TD catch

The Cowboys’ fourth-year tight end has his eighth touchdown of the season, extending his career high, and he did it with flair. Quarterback Dak Prescott’s throw was a bit high, but the 6-foot-5 tight end reached up to tip the ball to himself.

Ferguson’s score and kicker Brandon Aubrey’s extra point gave the Cowboys a 7-0 lead. The Commanders will begin their first possession with 9:42 left in the first quarter.

How to watch Cowboys game today vs. Commanders

  • Matchup: Dallas Cowboys at Washington Commanders
  • Location: Landover, Maryland
  • Venue: Northwest Stadium
  • Time: 1 p.m. ET
  • How to watch: Netflix

Netflix is broadcasting the Cowboys-Commanders game on Christmas to a national audience. There is no national broadcast of the game available on cable TV.

Fans living in the local markets (Dallas or Washington) can watch the game on their local CBS affiliate.

How to buy Cowboys vs. Commanders tickets for NFL Week 17

You can buy tickets to see the Cowboys take on the Commanders from multiple sources.

  • StubHub: Buy Cowboys vs. Commanders tickets on StubHub
  • SeatGeek: Buy Cowboys vs. Commanders tickets on SeatGeek
  • Vivid Seats: Buy Cowboys vs. Commanders tickets on Vivid Seats

Josh Johnson football player

The Commanders are starting veteran journeyman quarterback Josh Johnson for their Christmas game against the Cowboys, head coach Dan Quinn announced.

It will be the 39-year-old’s first start since 2021 and 10th start of his career. Johnson holds a 1-8 record in his nine career starts.

Johnson notably holds the NFL record for most teams played for in a career, with 14. Here’s who he has played for, in alphabetical order:

  • Baltimore Ravens
  • Buffalo Bills
  • Cincinnati Bengals
  • Cleveland Browns
  • Denver Broncos
  • Detroit Lions
  • Houston Texans
  • Indianapolis Colts
  • Las Vegas (then-Oakland) Raiders
  • New York Giants
  • New York Jets
  • San Francisco 49ers
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  • Washington Commanders

NFL games today on TV

There are three NFL games taking place on Christmas, though none of them are available on national TV with a cable subscription or antenna.

Here’s which games kick off on Dec. 25, when they start and how to watch each holiday matchup:

Commanders vs. Cowboys:

  • Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET
  • Streaming: Netflix (national)
  • TV channel: N/A (national) | KTVT – CBS 11 (Dallas) | WUSA – CBS 9 (Washington)

Vikings vs. Lions

  • Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. ET
  • Streaming: Netflix (national)
  • TV channel: N/A (national) | WWJ-TV – CBS 62 (Detroit) | WCCO – CBS 4 (Twin Cities)

Chiefs vs. Broncos

  • Kickoff: 8:20 p.m. ET
  • Streaming: Amazon Prime Video (national)
  • TV channel: N/A (national) | KMGH – ABC 7 (Denver) | KSHB – NBC 41 (Kansas City)

What TV channel is the Commanders vs Cowboys game on?

  • TV channel (national) N/A
  • TV channel (Dallas market): KTVT (CBS Channel 11)
  • TV channel (Washington market): WUSA (CBS Channel 9)

The Commanders vs. Cowboys Christmas Day game will not air on a national TV network, as it is being streamed on Netflix.

Viewers in the Dallas and Washington markets can watch the game on their local CBS affiliate.

What time is the Cowboys game on?

  • Start time: 1 p.m. ET

The Cowboys and Commanders are scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m. ET. Dallas travels to Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland for the matchup.

Commanders vs Cowboys stream

  • Live stream: Netflix

The Cowboys vs. Commanders matchup is the first of two Christmas games on Netflix. A subscription is required to watch the games.

Cowboys vs. Commanders picks, predictions

Here’s how the USA TODAY Sports NFL experts feel the Cowboys vs. Commanders matchup is going to tilt:

  • Jarrett Bell: Cowboys, 30-24
  • Nick Brinkerhoff: Cowboys, 30-24
  • Chris Bumbaca: Cowboys, 33-22
  • Nate Davis: Cowboys. 27-17
  • Tyler Dragon: Cowboys, 30-21
  • Mike Middlehurst-Schwartz: Cowboys, 34-23

Cowboys vs. Commanders odds, moneyline, O/U

National Football League odds courtesy of BetMGM. Odds updated Tuesday at 7:28 a.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub.

  • Spread favorite: Cowboys (-6.5)
  • Moneyline: Cowboys (-285), Commanders (+230)
  • Total: 50.5 points

NFC East standings

The Cowboys enter today’s game in second place in the NFC East. The Commanders are in third. Both teams are eliminated from playoff contention.

  • Philadelphia Eagles (10-5)
  • Dallas Cowboys (6-8-1)
  • Washington Commanders (4-11)
  • New York Giants (2-13)

Dallas Cowboys inactives today vs. Commanders

  • WR Ryan Flournoy
  • CB Caelen Carson
  • RB Jaydon Blue
  • DT Jay Toia
  • LB DeMarvion Overshown
  • DT Perrion Winfrey
This post appeared first on USA TODAY

It’s a holly jolly Christmas for Athletics’ fans.

After missing a good chunk of the 2024 season due to a bone bruise in his left wrist, Soderstrom enjoyed his first full season in the Majors in 2025. He didn’t disappoint.

Soderstrom was a key cog in the Athletics’ offense that finished the 2025 season above league average in runs (733), home runs (219), batting average (.253), OPS (.749), and total bases (2388).

What are the details of Soderstrom’s extension?

Soderstrom’s contract is worth $86 million over seven years, with an option for an eighth year as well. Soderstrom’s contract is also filled to the brim with incentives that could lift the value of the contract up to a staggering $131 million.

Tyler Soderstrom 2025 stats

Soderstrom enjoyed a remarkable 2025 season, slashing .276/.346/.474 with 25 home runs and 93 RBI. His 126 OPS+ ranked fourth on the team.

Soderstrom was drafted as a catcher but spent most of his time in left field in 2025, while also playing 394 innings at first base.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

Lakers guard Austin Reaves’ night ended early as he was ruled out for the remainder of Los Angeles’ Christmas Day game against the Houston Rockets due to ‘left calf soreness.’

Reaves had missed three straight games for the Lakers, from Dec. 14-20, due to a calf strain. He returned to the lineup on Dec. 23, playing nearly 22 minutes off the bench.

The fifth-year guard was back in the starting lineup on Thursday, but his night ended after 15 minutes of play. He did manage to score 12 points in his time on the court, going 5-for-8 from the field.

Marcus Smart was on the court in place of Reaves when the second half began.

Reaves entered the Lakers’ Christmas contest averaging 27.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game.

‘Austin clearly felt something,’ Lakers coach JJ Redick said after the game. Redick did not have any further updates for reporters.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

Amazon MGM Studios used the platform of the Denver Broncos-Kansas City Chiefs game, airing on Prime Video on Christmas night, to share a teaser trailer for its 2026 movie chronicling the life of John Madden.

The teaser said the movie, currently titled ‘Madden,’ is set to be released Thanksgiving 2026.

Nicolas Cage is playing Madden, the Hall of Fame coach turned legendary broadcaster turned video game icon. Christian Bale is playing Al Davis, the longtime owner of the Raiders.

Other billed stars in the trailer include Kathryn Hahn, John Mulaney, Sienna Miller and Shane Gillis. The director is David O. Russell.

Watch ‘Madden’ teaser trailer

The description on the YouTube video of the teaser reads: ‘Inspired by a true story, MADDEN follows the football legend from Super Bowl glory with the Raiders to revolutionizing the game with Madden NFL.’

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

Craig Hemke, publisher of TFMetalsReport.com, shares his thoughts on the gold and silver markets heading into 2026, outlining why he remains bullish.

‘Just keep adding some — it’s your protection against the madness. It’ll get you through the storm,’ he said. ‘It preserves your net worth from the destruction of these bankers and politicians.’

Securities Disclosure: I, Charlotte McLeod, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

The holiday season brings more than festive cheer, as for investors, it may signal the start of the so-called Santa Claus rally.

The Santa Claus rally is a period between the final trading days of December and the first days of January when stocks tend to climb. While this seasonal uptick isn’t guaranteed, historical data shows that markets rise more often than not during this window, driven by investor optimism, low trading volumes and year-end portfolio adjustments.

Historically, the last five trading days of December and the first two of January have been a period of above-average stock gains, offering a short, sharp rally for markets heading into the new year.

According to the Stock Trader’s Almanac, the Santa Claus rally has delivered an average gain of 1.3 percent for the S&P 500 (INDEXSP:.INX) since 1950. The phenomenon was first documented in 1972 by Yale Hirsch, founder of the Almanac, and continues to shape investor expectations today.

As for whether 2025 will deliver a Santa Claus rally to close out the year, after a choppy first half for December, markets have shown signs that a late-year recovery is possible.

When does the Santa Claus rally start?

The Santa Claus rally typically occurs over the final five trading days of December and the first two trading days of January. For 2025, the rally window begins on Wednesday, December 24, and runs through Monday, January 5, if historical patterns hold.

This narrow window often yields modest, yet consistent, returns for investors who time the market correctly.

While the rally’s timeframe is traditionally short, its effects can ripple through the market into early January. Essentially, a strong performance during this period can set the tone for January.

However, the exact timing of the Santa Claus rally can vary. Some analysts suggest that the rally has started earlier in recent years as investors attempt to front run the effect by increasing their positions in mid-December. This shift may blur the lines between the Santa Claus rally and broader December market upswings.

Will 2025 deliver a Santa Claus Rally?

This year, the S&P 500 fell during the middle of the month following a cooler-than-expected, albeit controversial, inflation report, which raised hopes for additional interest-rate cuts next year.

Despite this downturn, analysts note that a weak start to December has often failed to derail Santa’s run. Since 1950, the S&P 500 finished the Santa Claus rally period higher in 77 percent of years, even after early-month declines. By the end of the week, the index had already regained some ground, and it continued higher in the days leading up to Christmas.

“Barring any major shocks, it will be hard to fight the overwhelmingly positive seasonal period we are entering and the cleaner positioning set-up,” Goldman Sachs’ (NYSE:GS) trading desk team wrote in a note to clients, as reported by Bloomberg. ‘While we don’t necessarily see a dramatic rally, we do think there is room to go up from here into year end.”

Jeffrey Hirsch, editor-in-chief of the Stock Trader’s Almanac and Yale Hirsch’s son, also weighed in on the markets.

“It looks like (the Santa Claus rally) is set up and we can make another high by the end of the year,” he told MarketWatch. Hirsch cited cooler inflation readings and slower job growth in November, which may give the Federal Reserve room to cut interest rates in 2026.

It remains to be seen whether these predictions will come true, or if the market will be weighed down by factors including recent volatility in technology and artificial-intelligence-linked stocks.

Is the Santa Claus rally reliable?

Despite skepticism in some quarters, historical data supports the existence of the Santa Claus rally, and it is well documented.

Historically, the Santa Claus rally has been a relatively consistent period of gains. That said, historical patterns do not guarantee results, and not every year delivers the expected results. The S&P 500 lost about half a percentage point during the Santa rally period in 2024, and consecutive losses are rare but possible.

Columnist Mark Hulbert has expressed skepticism about the event in the past, noting that there is no definitive evidence that the market consistently outperforms during this period.

“An analysis of the past century reveals that the stock market in the weeks prior to Christmas is no more likely to rally than at other times of the year. (I suggest investors) ignore any arguments based on an alleged Santa Claus Rally,” Hulbert warned in an opinion piece posted on MarketWatch in 2018.

In 2019, for example, the market experienced volatility in December, defying the usual pattern.

In a December 2025 interview with CNBC, Jeffrey Hirsch cautioned that failure to rally is not an immediate bear-market signal, but rather “a flag to start looking at the other data — whether it’s seasonal indicators or other fundamental or technical measures.”

Despite the varying takes, many investors view the rally as a psychological phenomenon — one that influences market sentiment even if the returns are marginal.

Strategies for the Santa Claus rally

Now that the Santa Claus rally seems to be underway, investors interested in joining in have a variety of options, including domestic markets, international diversification or targeted sector plays such as mega-cap tech stocks.

As always, consulting with a financial advisor and conducting thorough research remains essential. While the Santa Claus rally offers potential rewards, market conditions can shift quickly, making flexibility and prudence key to success.

Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

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The biotech sector is entering 2026 with a positive outlook, characterized by reasonable valuations, robust oncology momentum and supportive policy tailwinds. This combination is setting the stage for a continued recovery, driven in part by the integration of artificial intelligence (AI).

However, this sectoral resurgence must navigate a tug-of-war between supportive stimulus and structural risks, which have the potential to challenge the pace of recovery.

Biotech sector rebounding after US uncertainty

According to Song, biotech has rebounded since its lows in April of this year.

Company valuations are trading at a 15 percent discount to broader markets on forward price-to-earnings, with secular demand intact for oncology, obesity and chronic diseases. In Song’s view, the biotech industry’s rebound stems from reduced uncertainty under the administration of US President Donald Trump.

Song added that valuations across healthcare are reasonable, noting rotational flows from cooling AI hype.

“I can’t deny that there have been some rotational effects that not just biotech has benefited (from), but healthcare in general,’ he commented. “While AI is an important driver in healthcare, to our view, it certainly is not priced in to the largest extent in many pockets of healthcare.”

Key biotech sector catalysts in 2026

Song sees healthcare’s recovery extending into 2026, with oncology remaining the primary growth engine.

He characterized the current sector resurgence as a durable structural shift being fueled by key developments that present tangible investment opportunities, including anticipated positive clinical trial outcomes, such as those for Revolution Medicines’ (NASDAQ:RVMD) pancreatic cancer drug.

“They have a lead drug that blocks an important pathway called RAS … and they could have a potential breakthrough in pancreatic cancer. They’re running a Phase III trial to demonstrate a potential survival benefit. There could be meaningful progress there,” Song noted. A data readout is expected next year.

Outside oncology, Song flagged high-profile biotech catalysts that could broaden the sector’s 2026 rally.

“Non-peptide oral GLP-1s … are clearly going to be an important data set readout and launch that could occur next year,” he explained, citing Eli Lilly’s (NYSE:LLY) orforglipron, a daily pill that hit Phase III success for type 2 diabetes and obesity in 2025. Approval is expected in 2026, and he believes it could be a potential game changer in obesity and chronic disease treatments, an area dominated by biotech innovators.

Song also sees validation ahead for platform technologies.

A dual-track recovery for biotech

While macro analysts see a broad cyclical recovery in 2026, Song predicts that the market will be defined by a dual-track recovery: a diagnostics-led initial public offering (IPO) surge, and a biopharma M&A environment focused on companies with the clinical validation required to alter the current standard of care.

Renaissance Capital predicts a faster pace for biotech IPOs, with a strong pipeline of companies such as Aktis Oncology, a radiopharma diagnostics firm targeting solid tumors, ready to list for US$100 million.

Additionally, AlphaSense forecasts steady M&A flow as companies rebuild their pipelines in the new year, a trend that Song sees as a structural necessity rather than a simple trend. “It’s an important pillar where Big Pharma needs to replenish their pipelines, and they can’t all do it internally,” he explained.

Consequently, he believes the primary “hunting ground” for these deals is mid-cap territory, where acquiring one or two proven drugs can effectively move the needle for a large pharmaceutical giant.

AI in the biotech sector

Song maintained that AI has not reached full valuation in the sector, and its role is expected to grow, with significant future productivity gains predicted in biopharma, drug discovery, clinical development and healthcare delivery.

“We’ve done some preliminary work that that that suggests there could be … productivity gains in areas like biopharmaceuticals and drug discovery and clinical development,” Song explained, adding that these are long-term projections. He sees a more immediate economic impact in how care is managed.

“Since healthcare is a large part of the US and global economy, and growing quickly in terms of healthcare costs, there are also opportunities for efficiency gains, which could lead to margin and consumer gains,” he noted. This revolution in delivery is already a key focus for his firm’s Tema Oncology ETF (NASDAQ:CANC).

However, life science market analyst Anastasia Bystritskaya warned that valuation and productivity are not synonymous, as high-performing models do not automatically become revenue-producing products. For investors, the real inflection point is operational integration rather than operating as a standalone prototype.

Drive for efficiency is expected to take a practical form in 2026 through what Sergey Jakimov, managing partner at longevity and biotech venture capital firm LongeVC, described as the “doctor in your hand.”

This AI companion manages routine, low-complexity tasks between clinic visits.

LongeVC anticipates that this shift to a regulated digital workflow will allow AI to identify meaningful clinical signals continuously without overburdening primary care teams.

This democratization of discovery creates a new competitive landscape for the hunting ground Song described; if AI-enabled teams can dissect complex pathways without a billion-dollar balance sheet, the traditional R&D model of Big Pharma faces a permanent disruption. In this new era, the innovation gap could be filled by agile players who use technology to act with the scale of a giant, but the speed of a startup.

Investor takeaway

Despite sector momentum, headwinds remain, particularly regarding the stability of clinical research funding.

A November report in JAMA Internal Medicine reveals that 383 clinical trials recently had their grants terminated, disrupting progress for over 74,000 participants. Dr. Gary K. Zammit, founder of Clinilabs, warned these reductions in National Institutes of Health funding risk slowing future commercial development of innovative therapies.

Macroeconomic headwinds, including rising tariffs and early labor market weakness, also present a material challenge.

Ultimately, the 2026 biotech outlook balances promising catalysts with the need for strategic capital deployment and a focus on clinically validated platform technologies, ensuring a durable expansion for the sector.

Securities Disclosure: I, Meagen Seatter, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

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Altius Minerals (TSX:ALS,OTCQX:ATUSF) is making a bet on a lithium market recovery, agreeing to acquire Lithium Royalty (TSX:LIRC) in a C$520 million deal that will expand its exposure to battery metals.

Under a definitive agreement announced by the two companies on Monday (December 22), Altius plans to purchase all of the issued common and convertible common shares of Lithium Royalty for C$9.50 each.

The amount will be paid as either C$9.50 in cash or 0.24 of a common Altius share, according to shareholders’ election.

For Altius, the acquisition will allow it to bring a portfolio of 37 lithium royalties into its fold. None of them involve streams, and they span projects from production through early exploration.

Four of the royalties are tied to producing assets, three of which were commissioned in 2025 and are currently ramping up or expanding. Another 12 projects are in advanced stages with completed economic studies, while three to five additional assets are targeting startup between 2026 and 2030.

The company said the portfolio is geographically concentrated in lower-risk jurisdictions, with most assets located in Canada, Australia and South America, and diversified across both brine-based and hard-rock lithium production.

At the current spot price, Altius expects the acquired royalties to contribute between US$29 million and US$43.7 million in annual revenue by the end of the decade. Lithium carbonate equivalent prices fell to multi-year lows in 2025, holding below US$9,000 per metric ton for most of the year, even as demand continues to expand beyond electric vehicles.

Altius said global lithium demand is expected to exceed 1.5 million metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent in 2025, with supply deficits potentially re-emerging as early as 2026 after years of oversupply.

Altius Chief Executive Brian Dalton said lithium has “emerged as a mainstream scale mined commodity,” and described the acquired portfolio as featuring “very long resource lives,” strong cost positioning and low jurisdictional risk.

A special shareholders’ meeting is scheduled to happen no later than March 10, 2026.

If approved, the deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026, after which Lithium Royalty shares will be delisted and the company will cease to be a reporting issuer in Canada.

Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

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