NEW YORK (AP) — Egor Demin scored 17 points, Noah Clowney added 16 and the Brooklyn Nets matched the franchise record for margin of victory, never trailing in a 127-82 romp over the short-handed Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday night.
The 45-point victory tied the team record set Jan. 9, 1993, against Washington while the team was playing in New Jersey. The Nets have won four of six after opening 3-13. At home, they have won three of four after starting 0-9.
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Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. gets Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner (3) up in the air while he drives to the basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
Brooklyn Nets forward Danny Wolf (2) drives to the basket past Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
Brooklyn Nets guard Tyrese Martin (13) celebrates a three-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins and Brooklyn Nets guard Terance Mann (14) battle for a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. gets Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner (3) up in the air while he drives to the basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
Brooklyn coach Jordi Fernandez missed the game due to an illness. Assistant coach Steve Hetzel directed the team.
Gary Trent Jr. scored 20 points and Kyle Kuzma added 13 for the struggling Bucks They have lost three of four since star Giannis Antetokounmpo strained his right calf in the opening minutes of a win over Detroit on Dec. 3.
Brooklyn led 65-46 at halftime on 56.5% shooting, and had a 24-11 run in the third quarter to make it 94-65.
Bucks: Host Toronto on Thursday night.
Nets: Host Miami on Thursday night.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. gets Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner (3) up in the air while he drives to the basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
Brooklyn Nets forward Danny Wolf (2) drives to the basket past Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
Brooklyn Nets guard Tyrese Martin (13) celebrates a three-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins and Brooklyn Nets guard Terance Mann (14) battle for a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. gets Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner (3) up in the air while he drives to the basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes tore the ACL in his left knee while trying to keep the Kansas City Chiefs' postseason hopes alive in the waning seconds of a 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, and the team said the star quarterback was considering surgical options.
It's the most significant injury of a superlative nine-year career for Mahomes, a two-time MVP who has led the Chiefs to three Super Bowl titles and reached the AFC championship game in each of his seven previous seasons as Kansas City's starter.
This year, the Chiefs won't even make the playoffs, and Mahomes won't be back on the field until sometime in 2026.
“Don’t know why this had to happen,” Mahomes posted on social media before the diagnosis was announced. “And not going to lie it’s hurts. But all we can do now is Trust in God and attack every single day over and over again. Thank you Chiefs kingdom for always supporting me and for everyone who has reached out and sent prayers. I Will be back stronger than ever.”
The Chiefs had just crossed midfield with less than two minutes to go when Mahomes scrambled toward the Kansas City sideline, then tried to get rid of the ball. He was spun to the ground upon release by Chargers defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand, and he immediately grabbed at his left knee while trainers converged on him.
Mahomes was eventually helped to the blue injury tent on the sideline, but he only stayed there for a few moments. He soon emerged with staff members on either side of him, limping toward the locker room with a white towel draped over his head.
“He will get an MRI tomorrow or this evening,” coach Andy Reid said, “whenever we can.”
Gardner Minshew entered the game and completed three straight passes to give the Chiefs a chance. But he was picked off by Derwin James on a jump ball intended for Travis Kelce with 14 seconds remaining, sealing the Chargers' season sweep of Kansas City.
“I hate the situation. I hate that I couldn’t deliver the win and keep our hopes alive,” Minshew said.
The loss, along with wins by Jacksonville, Buffalo and Houston, eliminated the defending AFC champs from playoff contention.
“It’s very frustrating, man. It’s been hard to watch for Pat, a dude that puts so much into it,” Minshew said. “I’ve never seen someone give so much of themselves to the team. I have confidence in him and his ability to come back better than ever.”
The injury to Mahomes, who threw for just 189 yards with an interception, was merely the latest — and perhaps most severe — in a series of setbacks that had turned what had been one of the NFL's best offenses for the better part of a decade into a shadow of itself.
Kansas City started the game with left tackle Josh Simmons on injured reserve with a fractured wrist, backup Wanya Morris out with a knee injury, right tackle Trey Smith inactive with an ankle injury and right tackle Jawaan Taylor dealing with a triceps injury.
Backup right tackle Jaylon Moore hurt his knee during the game, too, leaving journeyman Esa Pole and Chukwuebuka Godrick — an international pathway player who had never appeared in an NFL game — to protect Mahomes down the stretch.
The Chiefs also were missing Marquise Brown, who was inactive while dealing with a family matter, and fellow wide receiver Tyquan Thornton, who was crushed by Chargers cornerback Tony Jefferson after a 20-yard catch and was evaluated for a concussion.
Another receiver, Xavier Worthy, missed part of the game while clearing the concussion protocol.
It hasn't just been the Chiefs' offense where the injuries have mounted.
They began the game without Trent McDuffie, who was inactive with a knee injury. Then in a span of three straight plays, they lost linebacker Nick Bolton, defensive tackle Chris Jones and cornerback Jaylen Watson, though each of them eventually returned.
“We have a lot of guys who are very resilient in our locker room,” Jones said. “We all knew what was at stake. We all wanted to be part of this game. We were looking forward to it. Unfortunately, we didn't get the outcome we hoped for, but everyone battled.”
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) gets rid of the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, right, throws the ball away under pressure from Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Khalil Mack (52) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is pushed out of bounds by Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Khalil Mack, left, during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is checked on after being injured during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1) is checked on after being injured during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
