Christmas slate averaged 5.25M viewers, according to final Nielsen ratings

NEW YORK>> The NBA’s five-game Christmas Day slate averaged about 5.25 million viewers per game across ABC, ESPN and its platforms, in final ratings released by the league and Nielsen on Monday.

All of the Yuletide games — San Antonio at New York, Minnesota at Dallas, Philadelphia at Boston, Denver at Phoenix and Lakers at Warriors — saw year-over-year viewership increases.

The NBA’s lineup saw an 84% rise from 2023. One reason for the increase is that all five games were on ABC for the first time compared to two last year.

The game between the Suns and Nuggets averaged 3.9 million, making it the most-watched Christmas late-night tilt.

Nance to have surgery

ATLANTA>> Atlanta Hawks forward Larry Nance Jr. will undergo surgery for a broken bone in his right hand. The team said imaging confirmed a fractured fourth metacarpal bone. A timeline for his return won’t be known until Thursday.

Grizz: Morant week to week

MEMPHIS, Tenn.>> Ja Morant has a sprained right shoulder and will be considered week to week, the Memphis Grizzlies said. Morant was hurt Friday when he crashed into a hard screen set by Daniel Theis during the Grizzlies’ 132-124 win in New Orleans.

FBI issues warning about organized crime groups targeting pro athletes

The FBI has warned sports leagues about crime organizations targeting professional athletes following a string of burglaries at the homes of prominent NFL and NBA players.

The athletes’ homes are targeted due to the perception they may contain high-end goods like designer handbags, jewelry, watches and cash, the FBI said in a Liaison Information Report obtained by ABC News.

Star QBs Patrick Mahomes of Kansas City and Joe Burrow of Cincinnati, along with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, have been victims, as have NBA players Bobby Portis of Milwaukee and Mike Conley Jr. of Minnesota.

Source: Nationals to re-sign P Williams on 2-year deal

The Washington Nationals agreed to terms with pitcher Trevor Williams on a two-year contract worth $14 million, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press.

The right-handed starter spent the past two seasons with Washington. He has a 4.30 ERA in 202 MLB appearances with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, New York Mets and Nationals since his 2016 debut.

Sasaki may visit 1 or 2 teams before decision

NEW YORK>> Prized Japanese free agent Roki Sasaki may visit one or two teams before deciding which club he wants to sign with. Sasaki’s agent, Joel Wolfe, says 20 teams expressed interest in the 23-year-old right-hander, who listened to presentations from clubs in Los Angeles.

Slovakia beats Kazakhstan

OTTAWA, Ontario>> Maxim Strbak scored 2:55 into overtime to lead Slovakia to a 5-4 win over Kazakhstan at the world junior hockey championship.

Slovakia led 4-2 with less than five minutes left when a Kazakh forward was assessed a 5-minute major for cross-checking. Kazakhstan scored twice while short-handed, sending the game into overtime. In Group A, Latvia secured a berth in the quarterfinal round by beating Germany 4-3 in overtime.