Luka Doncic maintained his dynamite form with another triple-double as the Dallas Mavericks improved to 20-16 with a 129-114 victory over the Houston Rockets on Thursday.

Doncic, who scored a franchise-best and season-high 60 points two nights earlier, recorded his eighth triple double of the season, finishing with 35 points, 12 rebounds and 13 assists.

The Slovenian guard led the Mavs to their fifth straight win, notching up a second straight triple-double for the second time this season. Doncic's collective 95 points across the past two games is an NBA-record in consecutive triple-doubles.

Doncic shot 11-of-21 from the field, including four-of-nine from beyond the arc, making nine-of-12 free-throws.

Ex-Rockets forward Christian Wood offered good support with 21 points, including five-of-eight three-pointers, six rebounds and four blocks, along with Dwight Powell, who added a season-high 19 points with six rebounds and two blocks off the bench.

The Rockets, who are 10-25 and have lost seven of their past eight games, had few answers as they fell behind 65-51 at half-time with a Doncic 35-foot buzzer beater, with Jalen Green top scoring with 23 points.

Celtics avenge Clippers' blowout

The Boston Celtics avenged their heavy loss to the Los Angeles Clippers three weeks ago with a 116-110 victory led by 29 points each from Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

The NBA-best Celtics (26-10) had suffered their worst loss of the season at the hands of the Clippers earlier this month, losing 113-93, starting off a run where they lost five of six games.

Tatum had 11 rebounds to go with his 29 points, shooting 10-of-26 from the field, while Kawhi Leonard scored 26 points with eight rebounds for the Clippers.

Hield makes history in Pacers' win

Buddy Hield made history with the fastest three-pointer recorded since play-by-play began in 1996-97 as the Indiana Pacers downed the Cleveland Cavaliers 135-126.

Hield, who leads the league in three-pointers made this season, swished a shot just three seconds into the game. The Pacers made 19-of-31 from beyond the arc for the game, rallying from a seven-point fourth-quarter deficit.

Tyrese Haliburton top scored with 29 points, including six-of-eight three-point shooting, while Hield made six triples in his 25 points. Donovan Mitchell had 28 points and six assists for the Cavs.

Dak Prescott threw two touchdown passes as the Dallas Cowboys kept alive their hopes of winning the NFC East division with a 27-13 victory over the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on Thursday.

The Cowboys capitalised on a series of penalties to lead from start to finish and improve to a 12-4 record, behind the 13-2 Philadelphia Eagles in their division. Dallas need to win their final game against the Washington Commanders and hope the Eagles lose both of their remaining two to top the NFC East.

Prescott threw both TD passes for Dalton Schultz, although he also extended his run to six games with an interception, giving up two in the second quarter as the Titans rallied to 10-6 at half-time with two Randy Bullock field goals.

Ezekiel Elliott, who ran 37 yards on 19 carries, rushed in the game's opening touchdown in the first quarter, extending his run of TDs to nine straight games. CeeDee Lamb brought up 100 yards across 11 receptions.

The Titans slump to their sixth straight loss but remain in playoffs contention at 7-9, with victory next week against the Jacksonville Jaguars to determine the winner of the AFC South.

Titans QB Joshua Dobbs, making his first career start, made 20 of 39 passes for 232 yards with one touchdown, for Robert Woods, and one interception. Prescott completed 29 of 41 attempts for 282 yards with two TDs and two interceptions, tying Troy Aikman with 165 passing TDs for second most in franchise history.

Prescott found Schultz to make it 17-6 in the third quarter after a penalty on third-and-19 against Tre Avery for pass interference on Michael Gallup led to a 51-yard gain, with the Cowboys scoring on the next play. Monty Rice was penalised for roughing the passer on a second-and-10, leading to Schultz's second TD.

Los Angeles Chargers' four-time Pro Bowl selection Joey Bosa returned to practice on Thursday for the first time since groin surgery after Week 3.

The Chargers edge rusher, who suffered a groin tear in the Week 3 defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars, has been designated to return from injured reserve, opening up a 21-day window for the playoffs-bound team to decide whether to activate him.

Bosa said after practice on Thursday that he is feeling the best he has in years, in a promising sign for the 9-6 Chargers.

"I'm feeling really good. It's kind of revitalising, honestly," Bosa told reporters. "This was something that really caused me a lot of pain and kind of stress throughout the last couple of years, and I've gotten to a point where I was used to it and I didn't understand how much was really wrong.

"Obviously, it sucks to miss all this time, but its honestly something that I really, really needed to get done."

The 27-year-old was optimistic about playing for the Chargers on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams.

"I kind of made it a point not to come back until I felt confident in myself and being able to perform in a game and not just go out there for three reps at practice and feel decent," Bosa said. "I'm feeling very good."

Bosa has been an impact pass rusher since entering the NFL as the third overall selection of the 2016 draft.

The seventh-year veteran led the Chargers with 10.5 sacks in 2021, the fourth time he’s reached double digits in that category for his career.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts participated in practice on Thursday for the first time since injuring his throwing shoulder almost a fortnight ago.

Hurts missed the Eagles' 40-34 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday, having hurt his shoulder on December 18 against the Chicago Bears.

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said on Wednesday he is hopeful Hurts will heal quick enough to be available to face the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, when victory will clinch the NFC number one seed.

Hurts participated in individual drills on Thursday, throwing several short and intermediate passes.

The 24-year-old, who is a first-time Pro Bowl selection and MVP contender, was listed as a limited participant on the Eagles' official injury report.

"We'll continue to see how he progresses throughout the week," Sirianni said on Wednesday.

"Does he have a chance? Of course he does because his body just knows how to heal. He's a freak. We'll see what happens as the week progresses."

Hurts has thrown 22 touchdown passes with five interceptions this season, with a completion percentage of 67.3 per cent. He has also rushed for 747 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Gardner Minshew went 24-of-40 for 355 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions against the Cowboys in Hurts' absence.

Alvaro Morata did not realise he had scored Atletico Madrid's second goal against Elche as they snapped a three-game winless run in LaLiga with a 2-0 victory on Thursday.

The Spain international was on hand to score for the Rojiblancos after Joao Felix had given them the lead at the Metropolitano to deliver three points for Diego Simeone's side.

But Morata did not initially believe he had finished his effort, after going to ground following a challenge as he shaped to shoot.

His finish arced over Edgar Badia and in, with the forward not realising until he saw team-mate Antoine Griezmann's celebrations.

"I was on the ground and I thought it had been a goal for Griezmann," he told Movistar. "I thought that after the rebound, he had scored.

"It was important to win. Especially in our stadium, we want the fans to have a good end to their year. We thank them for our support."

Simeone concurred on the crucial nature of his side's result, while also praising 19-year-old Pablo Barrios after the midfielder impressed on his first LaLiga start.

"We were looking to do damage," he added. "When we found our first goal, it gave us piece of mind. I'm heading home happy with the work and effort from the whole team.

"We showed desire. It is time to continue working with humility. As for Pablo, when a boy like him plays, you have to accompany him. You have to lead him in the best way, so as to not rush him. Football has no age."

Thiago Silva labelled Pele as "forever the king of football" as tributes flooded in from Brazil players after the Selecao great's death on Thursday.

The three-time World Cup winner suffered multiple organ failure after being moved to palliative care in Sao Paulo earlier in December when his body stopped responding to cancer treatment.

Sao Paolo's Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital confirmed the cause of the 82-year-old's death before tributes poured in from players, clubs and sporting organisations.

Pele helped Brazil to World Cup success in 1958, 1962 and 1970, with no player in the tournament's history winning more, and the likes of Silva and Casemiro joined in sharing their memories of the former forward.

"Forever the king of football, the Legend!," Chelsea centre-back Silva posted on Twitter alongside a crown emoji. "Rest in peace, Pele. You have changed the history of football.

"Your legacy will always be in our hearts. Thanks for everything!"

Manchester United midfielder Casemiro, who played alongside Silva as Brazil fell to World Cup quarter-final elimination in Qatar, echoed a similar sentiment.

"Rest in peace, king Pele. Thank you for the glory you gave to Brazil and football. Your legacy is eternal," he wrote on social media.

Casemiro's United team-mate Antony labelled Pele as an "example", posting: "The biggest of all! The king, the inspiration, the example, the only one, the ETERNAL!!"

Pele's 77-goal international haul remains a benchmark among Brazilian players, though Neymar matched that record with his World Cup quarter-final strike against Croatia in Qatar.

That scoring form from the former Santos forward inspired numerous current Brazil stars, with young Real Madrid forward Rodrygo recalling the tales told of Pele.

He wrote on Twitter: "What a sadness! 12/29 from today will always become a sad date. We grew up in Santos hearing people talk about you every day, how good you were at playing and as a person. 

"Thank God I had the opportunity to meet you in person…"

Richarlison, who excelled as the central striker for Brazil on the global stage in Qatar, added: "Today, football says goodbye to its most beautiful chapter.

"From the guy who dedicated his thousandth goal to children, stopped wars and showed an entire country that he could do more. You are and always will be matchless and eternal, King.

"Thank you and may God welcome you with open arms."

Granit Xhaka has detailed his happiness at Arsenal and says the club have "something special planned" as they continue their fine campaign.

A comeback victory over West Ham on Boxing Day extended the Gunners' unbeaten run in the Premier League to nine games, with Mikel Arteta's side dropping just five points so far this term and holding a five-point lead at the top of the table.

The club have exceeded expectations with an improbable push for Premier League glory, and are reportedly eyeing further additions in the January transfer window in their bid to clinch a league title for the first time since 2004.

Xhaka has played an integral role in Arsenal's success this term, creating 22 chances and contributing four assists in 15 appearances, and has teased the club have "something special" up their sleeves.

"Of course, I'm happy that we're on a very good path at Arsenal," he told Keystone-SDA.

"I feel completely at ease and enjoy an enormous amount of confidence there. We have something special planned in London.

"We discussed everything [with Arteta about the World Cup], yes. He can read me like nobody else.

"Mikel knows what it's like to be down. He felt how hurt I was by the way I was eliminated [in Qatar]. But there are so many other challenges and tournaments. I will take those on."

The Gunners round off 2022 with a trip to face Brighton and Hove Albion, before hosting fellow high-fliers Newcastle United three days later.

Jurgen Klopp has suggested Liverpool have plans beyond Cody Gakpo's signing for the January transfer window, but acknowledged they remain unsure if they will add to their ranks.

The arrival of Gakpo from PSV, fresh from a strong World Cup with the Netherlands in which he scored three goals, was confirmed on Wednesday as the Reds' first bit of business ahead of the New Year.

The Dutchman's acquisition is a key one for Klopp, but the German remained tight-lipped over what impact it will have on any further transfer targets.

"In principle it's like this for all people in the world," he said at a press conference on Thursday. "The money you spend has an impact on the money you can spend [in the future].

"It's not that it increases it. It has nothing to do with each other.

"We know what we want to do, and we will see if we can do it."

In adding Gakpo to his ranks, Klopp is able to plug a gap left by injuries to Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota, both of whom are expected to be out for another two to three months.

The Reds manager said Gakpo's arrival was not a plan informed by that situation though, adding the transfer had been in the works prior to Diaz suffering a recent recurrence of his knee problem.

"The injuries were not at all an impact [on the signing]," he said. "We decided to do something from a sports point of view without having the financial green light already, two or three months ago."

Philippe Coutinho has shut down speculation he is looking to leave Aston Villa, with the Brazil international blasting reports he wants an exit as "lies".

The former Liverpool and Barcelona playmaker initially arrived at Villa Park in January on a short-term loan deal under Steven Gerrard, whom he played alongside at Liverpool.

A successful spell earned a permanent move from Barca during the off-season, but following Gerrard's sacking in October, Unai Emery took charge at the Midlands club.

Reports emerged earlier this month the 30-year-old was seeking a departure in the January transfer window, but Coutinho has taken to social media to rubbish those claims.

"In the last few days I've seen a lot of news with my name," he said in an Instagram post. "The problem is now that some lies have started, and I'm here to clarify.

"Never, and at any moment, [have I] had any kind of conversation asking to leave the club, because I'm happy here and my family [are] too.

"My only focus now that I've recovered from injury is to work at the maximum every day, to play [at] a high level, and help the club and my team-mates to achieve our goals."

It has been a tough campaign for Coutinho so far, with form and injury struggles contributing to him losing his position in the Brazil squad ahead of the World Cup.

After recording eight goal involvements (five goals, three assists) in 19 Premier League games during his initial loan spell, he has failed to contribute any in 13 league games since the move was made permanent.

Carlo Ancelotti has made it abundantly clear that he will never declare Lionel Messi as the greatest football of all time.

Victory at the World Cup with Argentina handed Messi the one prize that had previously escaped his clutches, adding to a trophy cabinet that boasts four Champions League medals, 10 LaLiga titles and seven Ballon d'Or wins.

That has reignited the debate surrounding who the greatest player in history is, with Messi's standing receiving a boost against the likes of Pele and Diego Maradona.

While some are now happy to declare Messi as the greatest of all time, those are words that Real Madrid boss Ancelotti, who has coached the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Karim Benzema, will never utter.

"It's a hard thing to say. His career continues, whether he has a World Cup or not," he said in a press conference.

"In every era there have been very strong players, a lot. 'Messi is the best in history' will not come out of my mouth.

"I enjoy the best, I have seen Maradona, [Johan] Cruyff, I coach the current Ballon d'Or winner [Benzema]. I don't know who is 'the best ever'."

Ancelotti has been linked with taking over as coach of Argentina's great rivals Brazil, but the Italian reiterated his commitment to Madrid.

"I don't know if they are interested, because they haven't contacted me," he said.

"I appreciate it, in any case, but my situation is very clear: I am happy in this adventure and I will continue until Madrid tell me 'it's over'."

Jurgen Klopp is delighted by Liverpool's swift signing of Cody Gakpo but knows the forward will likely be made to wait for his debut.

The Reds concluded a transfer reportedly worth around £37million (€42m) for the Netherlands international as their first piece of business for the mid-season window, which opens officially on January 1.

With New Year's Day falling on Sunday, it means there will be a national holiday on Monday, and based on other dealings in the past, it is unlikely the move would be ratified in time for Gakpo to make his debut that day against Brentford.

Though he was delighted to get a deal over the line, Klopp knows it might not be until January 7, against Wolves in the FA Cup, that he can call on the 23-year-old.

"There might be a chance for him against Brentford but not really, I think," Klopp said in a press conference on Thursday ahead of Liverpool's Premier League meeting with Leicester City.

"January 1 is a bank holiday, all the papers that need to be signed will have to be signed on the second by lunchtime, so I'm not too positive on that.

"We will not rush it, so he will probably be ready for Wolves."

Gakpo had a fine World Cup, scoring three times for the Netherlands, as he took his club form onto the international stage.

Since the start of the 2021-22 season, no player registered more goal involvements in the Eredivisie than Gakpo's 46 (21 goals, 25 assists). In fact, no other player in Europe's top 10 leagues has tallied both 20+ goals and 20+ assists over the same period.

"He's a really, really good player, so the package was very interesting," said Klopp.

"The potential he has and the quality he has shown already, in Holland and with the national team as well, makes him a really interesting player and that's why we were very interested to get him in.

"I'm really happy that we could do it, it's big for us and it's big for him as well. He's delighted about joining us, it's a great day."

Gakpo's arrival at Anfield comes amid speculation over Roberto Firmino's future at the club, as he edges towards the end of his deal, but Klopp's desire to keep the Brazil international has not waned.

"Not for me. We have talked with Bobby, from my point of view I definitely want him to stay. It has no impact [for me]," he said.

"You'd have to ask him but from my point of view, no."

Stefanos Tsitsipas opened his United Cup campaign with a comeback victory over Grigor Dimitrov in Perth.

ATP world number four Tsitsipas is one of the headline names in action at the event, which is acting as a warm-up tournament for the Australian Open.

After going a set down to his Bulgarian opponent in his first game of the inaugural tournament, Tsitsipas hit back with a strong second set before holding his nerve in a tense tie-break in the decider, securing a 4-6 6-2 7-6 (7-4) win.

Tsitsipas's team-mate Despina Papamichail continued Greece's strong start, also coming from a set down to beat Isabella Shinikova 3-6 6-4 6-1.

Great Britain opened with a pair of victories, Cameron Norrie and Katie Swan earning straight sets triumphs over their Australian counterparts in Sydney.

Norrie, who was initially set to play Nick Kyrgios prior to the Wimbledon finalist's withdrawal due to an ankle injury, eased to a 6-3 6-3 victory over Alex De Minaur, while Swan defeated Zoe Hives. 

The United States are also taking a 100 per cent record into day two of the tournament, after Taylor Fritz and Madison Keys overcame Jiri Lehecka and Marie Bouzkova respectively, while France pair Arthur Rinderknech and Alize Cornet got off to winning starts against Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo and Maria Lourdes Carle.

In Brisbane, Swiss hope Belinda Bencic secured a 7-6 (7-0) triumph over Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan and Beatriz Haddad Maia, the Brazilian world number 15, dispatched Italy's Martina Trevisan 6-2 6-0.