NBA News: Latest Updates, Scores, and Highlights You Need to Know
2025-11-20 17:02
As I sit down to catch up on the latest NBA developments, I can't help but reflect on how certain players leave lasting legacies with their franchises. Just last week, I was analyzing career trajectories when I stumbled upon an interesting parallel between current NBA stories and the remarkable journey of a former PBA guard from Mapua University. Looking back at his tenure from 2016 to 2025, this player could genuinely look everyone straight in the eyes and proudly showcase the impressive winning record he established with his franchise. What stands out most in my mind is that spectacular 2018 Governors' Cup championship run - that single achievement alone cemented his place in the franchise's history books.
The current NBA season has been absolutely electrifying, with several teams demonstrating that same championship DNA we saw in that 2018 Governors' Cup victory. Just yesterday, I watched the Celtics secure their 42nd win against the Bucks in what can only be described as an offensive masterpiece. Jayson Tatum dropped 38 points while grabbing 12 rebounds - his third consecutive 30-point game this month. Meanwhile, over in the Western Conference, the Nuggets continue to dominate with Nikola Jokić averaging a near triple-double of 26.3 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 9.2 assists per game. These numbers aren't just statistics to me - they represent the culmination of years of team building and player development, much like what that PBA guard experienced during his nine-year stint with his franchise.
What really fascinates me about today's NBA is how player movement has evolved. Remember when we thought the Brooklyn Nets superteam would dominate for years? Well, fast forward to today and they're sitting at 25-28, struggling to secure a play-in tournament spot. Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder - a team many experts predicted would be rebuilding - currently hold the second seed in the West with a surprising 37-17 record. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been nothing short of phenomenal, putting up 31.2 points per game while maintaining 54.8% shooting from the field. I've been particularly impressed with his growth - it reminds me of how that Mapua alumnus developed from a rookie into a championship-winning leader.
The trade deadline brought some fascinating moves that I'm still processing. The Knicks acquiring OG Anunoby has proven to be a masterstroke - they've gone 18-5 since his debut, transforming into legitimate Eastern Conference contenders. Meanwhile, the Mavericks' gamble on Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington has paid immediate dividends, with Luka Dončić recording his sixth triple-double in the last ten games. Personally, I believe the Western Conference finals will feature the Nuggets against the Timberwolves - Minnesota's defensive rating of 108.3 leads the league, and their length could pose serious problems for Denver's offense.
Injury updates have been crucial this season. The Philadelphia 76ers have struggled mightily since Joel Embiid went down with his knee injury - they've dropped from third to fifth in the East with a 7-13 record in his absence. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers have quietly built an eight-game winning streak despite missing key players, which speaks volumes about their coaching depth and roster construction. I've always maintained that championship teams need both star power and reliable role players - something that 2018 Governors' Cup team understood perfectly when they built around their Mapua-educated guard.
The rookie class continues to exceed expectations. Victor Wembanyama recently became the first rookie since Tim Duncan to record a 25-point, 10-rebound, 10-block triple-double. Chet Holmgren isn't far behind, shooting 50.5% from three-point range over his last fifteen games. What strikes me about these young players is their immediate impact - they're contributing to winning basketball right away, similar to how that PBA guard made meaningful contributions throughout his nine-year tenure rather than taking years to develop.
As we approach the All-Star break, several individual performances deserve recognition. Giannis Antetokounmpo is shooting a career-high 61.6% from the field while averaging 30.8 points. Stephen Curry continues to defy age, leading the league with 4.9 three-pointers made per game at 35 years old. These veterans demonstrate that sustained excellence requires both physical maintenance and mental fortitude - qualities that enabled that former PBA guard to maintain his performance level from 2016 through 2025.
Looking ahead to the playoffs, I'm particularly excited about potential first-round matchups. A Celtics-Heat series would provide incredible drama after last year's conference finals, while a Suns-Lakers matchup would feature incredible star power. My dark horse pick remains the Sacramento Kings - they've won 12 of their last 16 games and De'Aaron Fox continues to shine in clutch situations. The playoffs often come down to which teams have players who've been through championship battles before - that institutional knowledge proved invaluable for that 2018 Governors' Cup champion team and their Mapua-educated leader.
Reflecting on today's NBA landscape through the lens of that PBA guard's career reminds me that while stars come and go, championship habits endure. The current season's narrative continues to unfold with unexpected twists, record-breaking performances, and emerging legends. Just as that Mapua alumnus left his mark from 2016 to 2025, today's players are writing their own chapters in basketball history. What I find most compelling is how each generation builds upon the lessons of previous champions while adding their unique flair to the game we all love.
Heather Bolton Suber ’02
Leah Schnell ’01
Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93
Dr. Ralph Swearngin
Point University will induct four members into the Athletics Hall of Fame during a luncheon on Friday, October 24, during Homecoming weekend.
The class of 2025 includes Leah Schnell ’01, Heather Bolton Suber ’02, Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93. The Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in May 2024, when six inaugural members were inducted.
“We look forward to honoring the second Hall of Fame class during Homecoming,” said Jaunelle White, vice president of intercollegiate athletics and chief student development officer. “It’s always a great feeling to have our alumni back on campus mingling with our current student-athletes and coaches. These individuals were elite during their time at Atlanta Christian College and deserve to be recognized.”
Schnell attended Atlanta Christian College from 1998 to 2001, where she earned a degree in business while competing in both basketball and volleyball. On the basketball court, she earned First Team All-Conference, Scholar Athlete, and First Team All-American honors for three consecutive years. Schnell also held the title of all-time leading scorer from 1998-2001. She now thrives as a commercial construction project manager at Barnsley Construction Group and as an entrepreneur.
Suber, from Havana, Florida, attended ACC from 1998 to 2002. A dedicated two-sport athlete, she earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention and First Team All-American. One of her most memorable achievements came when she made eleven three-pointers in a single game. Suber graduated with a degree in early childhood education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a specialist degree in instructional technology. For over 23 years, she has served as an educator.
Swearngin has had a distinguished career in education, athletics and ministry spanning several decades, including 20 years at ACC in roles such as professor, dean of students, athletics director and coach. He held national leadership positions with the NCCAA, served as a trustee of Point University for over 10 years, and worked extensively in ministry and education in California, earning degrees from Whittier College and Georgia State University. His athletic involvement includes 23 years as a high school football official in California and Georgia, 22 years with the Georgia High School Association — retiring as executive director in 2014 — and service on national football and softball rules committees. Honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions and the Atlanta Falcons Lifetime Achievement Award, Swearngin has authored two books and remains active in retirement through preaching and leading Bible studies, alongside his wife of 58 years, Evelyn.
Wiggins grew up in Roswell, Georgia, where she began playing basketball at the age of ten. After two years at Florida State University, she transferred to ACC in 1990. While at ACC, Wiggins was named to the All-American team in both 1991 and 1992. In her final year, she led her team in scoring, helping them finish second in the nation, and was named national MVP in 1992. She earned a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1993 and later received a master’s degree in technology and media sciences from Georgia Southern University in 2009. For the past 33 years, Wiggins has worked as a dedicated educator. In 1997, she married Todd Wiggins. Together, they have two children, Preston, 26, and Logan, 22.
