NBA NOTES - New Basketball League in Europe?

ABC and ESPN to televise these games on Christmas day - (NBA Graphic)

A record 71 Europeans, including a record 19 players from France and a record four from the UK, as well as a record-tying 13 from Australia- (NBA Graphic) NBA record 135 international players

NBA to engage prospective teams and ownership groups for new basketball league in Europe in partnership with FIBA - THIS DAY IN THE NBA

MIES, SWITZERLAND AND NEW YORK

Tuesday December 23, 2025

The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) announced that they will in January move forward in their joint exploration of a new professional, pan-European men's basketball league by engaging prospective teams and ownership groups in the process to join the league.

In addition to permanent spots, the new league would offer every team in a FIBA-affiliated domestic league in Europe a merit-based pathway to qualify on an annual basis either through FIBA's Basketball Champions League (BCL) or an end-of-season qualifying tournament. The league would also align its schedule with domestic league and national team schedules, allowing players to represent their club and national team year-round.

As part of the new league, the NBA and FIBA would also plan to dedicate financial support and resources to the continued development of Europe's basketball ecosystem, including domestic leagues, club team academies, and the NBA and FIBA's existing programs to develop aspiring players, coaches and referees at all levels of the game.

"Advancing further this joint NBA-FIBA project is great news for the European basketball community," said FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis. "The format of the league respects European sport model principles by offering any ambitious club in the continent a fair pathway to the top. The project is conceived in a way that will improve the sustainability of the entire European basketball ecosystem, including players, clubs, leagues and national federations, by generating a knock-on effect that will strongly benefit basketball fans throughout Europe."

"Our conversations with various stakeholders in Europe have reinforced our belief that an enormous opportunity exists around the creation of a new league on the continent," said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. "Together with FIBA, we look forward to engaging prospective clubs and ownership groups that share our vision for the game's potential in Europe."

The NBA and FIBA will provide additional updates in the coming months.

BAD BOYS

Timberwolves' Chris Finch fined

December 21, 2025

Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch has been fined $35,000 for directing inappropriate language toward game officials and failing to leave the court in a timely manner following his ejection, it was announced today by James Jones, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.

The incident, for which Finch was assessed two technical fouls and ejected, occurred with 6:19 remaining in the first quarter of the Timberwolves' 112-107 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Dec. 19 at Target Center.

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Lakers' Marcus Smart fined

December 20, 2025

Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart has been fined $35,000 for making an obscene gesture toward a game official, it was announced today by James Jones, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.

The incident occurred at halftime of the Lakers' 143-135 win over the Utah Jazz on Dec. 18 at Delta Center.

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Rockets' Ime Udoka fined

December 17, 2025

Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka has been fined $25,000 for public criticism of the officiating, it was announced today by James Jones, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.

Udoka made his comments to the media following the Rockets' 128-125 overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets on Dec. 15 at Ball Arena.

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Magic's Desmond Bane fined

December 8, 2025

Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane has been fined $35,000 for throwing the game ball with force at an opponent in an unsportsmanlike manner, it was announced today by James Jones, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.

The incident, for which Bane was assessed a technical foul, occurred with 6:13 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Magic's 106-100 loss to the New York Knicks on Dec. 7 at Madison Square Garden.

THIS DAY IN THE NBA

December 23, 1990 In a game that took 26 days to decide, the Boston Celtics downed the Atlanta Hawks 132-104 at the Garden. The game was originally scheduled to be played on November 28, but a wet playing surface, caused by condensation from the ice underneath the parquet floor, forced postponement of the game 90 seconds into the second quarter and the Celtics ahead 37-22.

December 23, 1992 Michael Jordan scored 57 points to lead Chicago over Washington 107-98, giving Bulls Coach Phil Jackson his 200th career victory, in an NBA record 270 games.

December 23, 1994 Dana Barros of Philadelphia began a streak of 58 games in which he sank at least one three-point field goal, breaking the NBA record for a single season previously held by Michael Adams at 43. December 23, 1997 Hall of Famer Les Harrison, who led the Rochester Royals to the NBA Championship in 1951 as owner, general manager and coach, died at the age of 93.

December 23, 1997 Chicago's Phil Jackson recorded his 500th victory as an NBA coach, reaching the mark in his 682nd game, faster than any other coach in NBA history.

December 23, 1999 The Philadelphia 76ers are selected to host NBA All-Star 2002, the NBA announced. NBA All-Star 2002 will include the 51st NBA All-Star Game, the events of NBA All-Star Saturday, the NBA TeamUp Celebration and the NBA All-Star Jam Session presented by Fleer. NBA All-Star 2002 will be held February 8-10, 2002. The First Union Center, which opened during the 1996-97 season, will host the NBA All-Star Game and the events of NBA All-Star Saturday, while the Pennsylvania Convention Center will play host to the NBA All-Star Jam Session. The city of Philadelphia and the 76ers were originally scheduled to host the 1999 NBA All-Star Weekend, which was cancelled due to a league work stoppage. This will mark the fourth time the NBA All-Star Game will be held in the city of Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Warriors hosted the game in 1960 at Convention Hall, where 10,421 turned out to see the East top the West, 125-115, behind 25 points from Wilt Chamberlain.

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