The Christmas Day game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics averaged 5 million viewers, representing an 18% decline from last year's window. Despite the decline, it was the most watched game of the season thus far. 

At least four out of the five games saw a decline from last year, with figures not available for the Warriors-Nuggets matchup.

The opening game between the Bucks and Knicks averaged 2.49 million viewers, down 39% from the Sixers-Knicks last year.

The Mavs-Suns game was down 42% with 1.47 million viewers, with the Sixers-Heat down 73% with 1.3 million viewers.

All three NFL games on Monday averaged more than 27 million viewers. 

Former Milwaukee Bucks owner and U.S. senator from Wisconsin Herb Kohl passed away on Wednesday at 88 years old.

Kohl purchased the Bucks in 1985 for $18 million to keep the team from leaving the city.

"Through his purchase of the team, Senator Kohl ensured that the Bucks would stay in Milwaukee and remain an important pillar of the community.

"There was never any doubt about his extraordinary commitment to the franchise and city that he loved, and his vision and unparalleled financial contribution towards a new arena in Milwaukee will forever be remembered," said Adam Silver in a statement.

Kohl, who contributed $100 million to building Fiserv Forum, sold the team in 2014. 

The Milwaukee Bucks hired Trevor Gleeson as an assistant on Adrian Griffin's staff, sources told Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Gleeson replaces Terry Stotts, who left during the preseason, on the bench.

Gleeson lead the Perth Wildcats of Australia's NBL to five championships.

"We were in a little bit short-handed, one of the staffs with the least amount of coaches so we thought it would be beneficial to bring someone on," said Griffin.

The Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks have a "healthy level of admiration" for PJ Tucker, sources told Marc Stein of Substack.

Tucker, who was traded to the Clippers as part of the James Harden deal, has not played since November 27.

Tucker is making $11 million this season and has one more guaranteed year. 

Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo have been named the NBA's Players of the Week for Week 8.

Doncic averaged 36.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 11.5 assists as the Dallas Mavericks went 3-1.

Antetokounmpo averaged 36.0 points, 12.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists as the Milwaukee Bucks went 4-0.

The Milwaukee Bucks' 140-126 win over the Indiana Pacers ended in what Rick Carlisle described as a "fracas" over the game ball.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, who finished with a franchise-record 64 points, attempted to retrieve the game ball outside of the Pacers' locker room.

Carlisle stated that the Pacers took the game ball to commemorate Oscar Tshiebwe scoring his first official points in the NBA.

Carlisle added that several Bucks players came into the Pacers' tunnel before a scuffle ensued. Pacers GM Chad Buchanan was elbowed in the ribs during the incident, according to Carlisle.

"Unfortunate situation. We don't need the official game ball. There's two game balls there, we could've taken the other one. But it didn't need to escalate to that. Really just unfortunate," said Carlisle.

Antetokounmpo said that he was looking to give the game ball to Damian Lillard, who made his 2,451st career 3-pointer to pass Kyle Korver for fifth all-time in NBA history.

"I understand, when you score your first point in the NBA you want to have the ball or whatever the case may be. But at the end of the day you're talking about the guy that just skipped Kyle Korver in the all-time list. In my opinion, we should all stop what we're doing and appreciate greatness," said Antetokounmpo.

Bobby Portis "passionately" challenged Adrian Griffin and his Milwaukee Bucks teammates following their loss to the Indiana Pacers in the In-Season Tournament, sources told Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report.

The Bucks lost the game 128-119 and were outscored 37-25 in the fourth quarter.

Griffin reportedly emphasized winning the rebound battle after the game. Portis interjected by pointing out the importance for Griffin to structure the offense down the stretch of games.

Griffin acknowledged he could be more aggressive with his play-calling. Portis then added that it was up to the players to execute as well as Griffin to give the offense direction.

The Pacers outrebounded the Bucks 51-46 in the game. 

The NBA is hosting its first In-Season Tournament semifinals and finals in Las Vegas with the games played on a neutral court at T-Mobile Arena.

The get-in price for the 2:00 PM local time game between the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks is $20 as of 8:00 AM local time, according to Vivid Seats. 

The evening game between the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans, which begins at 6:00 PM PST has a get-in price of $71.