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The Miami Heat know a thing or two about dynamic duos.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo each scored 37 points in a 133-121 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, Nov. 13. Antetokounmpo added nine rebounds and Adebayo notched 14 boards for a double-double in the NBA Cup matchup at the Kaseya Center.

According to the NBA, the two stars join LeBron James and Dwyane Wade as the only other duo in franchise history to score more than 35 points each in the same game.

James and Wade did so twice after James joined Wade on the Heat via "The Decision" in 2010. On March 14, 2012, Wade scored 36 points and James added 35 in a loss to the Chicago Bulls. They also reached the mark on Feb. 26, 2013 when James had 40 points and Wade tossed in 39 in a double-overtime win over the Sacramento Kings. The two won back-to-back championships in 2012 and 2013.

On Friday, Davion Mitchell added 22 points and 17 assists for Miami in the winning effort. Mitchell's 17 assists matched his career high.

DAVION MITCHELL TIED HIS CAREER-HIGH WITH 17 ASSISTS 🤯

🏀 22 PTS
🏀 17 AST
🏀 @MiamiHEAT East Group B win pic.twitter.com/skrptzMyxQ

— NBA (@NBA) November 14, 2026

Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 25 points, seven assists and four rebounds.

This is Antetokounmpo's first season in Miami after a blockbuster trade with the Milwaukee Bucks that included Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kasparas Jakučionis. The No. 15 overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft spent his entire career up to this point with the Bucks and decided he wanted a fresh start. He won two league MVPs, was named an All-Star 10 times and won the 2021 NBA Finals in Milwaukee, when he was named Finals MVP.

He will face his former team for the first time on Nov. 18 when the Heat host "A Night in Vice City" to promote the highly-anticipated "Grand Theft Auto 6" video game.

Antetokounmpo is averaging 27.7 points, 12.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game this season. Adebayo, who is in his 10th NBA season, all with the Heat, is posting 17.8 points, 8.4 boards, 3.3 assists and a career-high 2.2 steals per outing so far this year. In March, he scored 83 points in a game, the second-most in NBA history.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Giannis, Bam join LeBron, Wade in exclusive Miami Heat club

Facing a front line of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo is a tall task for any team — especially one without the services of Evan Mobley (toe). The Miami Heat’s ability to attack the depleted frontcourt led to a 133-121 loss for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Three stars of the game

First star: Giannis Antetokounmpo

37 points on 15-of-20 shooting, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block

Typically, the Cavs use Jarrett Allen as the primary defender on Giannis, with Mobley shading in his direction to provide help at the rim. Without Mobley, Allen was left on an island guarding Giannis without much help behind him. Allen fought hard, but he could only do so much.

The Heat have struggled as a team this season, but those issues haven’t come at the expense of Giannis’s individual numbers. He’s still been playing at a superstar level.

Second star: Bam Adebayo

37 points on 13-0f-19 shooting, 14 rebounds, 3 assists

Peyton Watson drew the primary assignment on Adebayo with Mobley sidelined. Watson needed to help on Giannis drives and was giving up considerable strength in his individual matchup with Adebayo. These two factors allowed Adebayo to get whatever he wanted inside, as evidenced by shooting 9-of- 12 in the paint.

Third star: Donovan Mitchell

25 points on 9-of-21 shooting, 7 assists, 4 rebounds

This was a good game from a process perspective. Mitchell got rid of the ball when traps came his way, and trusted his teammates when he needed to. Miami’s defense was collapsing inside on any dribble penetration, leaving room for outside shots. Mitchell took advantage of this, going 8-for-17 on jump shots. The issue came on drives and floaters inside, where he was just 1-for-4.

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Dud of the game

Peyton Watson

4 points on 2-of-10 shooting, 4 rebounds, 2 assists

This was a tough matchup for Watson. He was asked to guard a player he had no business defending due to injuries and, unsurprisingly, struggled. The issue was that he couldn’t take advantage of Miami’s propensity to shrink the floor on the other end.

Watson’s frustrations from the outside continued in Miami. He went 0-for-5 from three on a night when the Cavs desperately needed some additional floor spacing.

The process hasn’t been an issue for Watson. He’s taking the right shots and doing some encouraging things on the defensive end, but the results just haven’t consistently been there.

Cavalier who deserves a shoutout

Tyrese Proctor

22 points on 7-of-9 shooting, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal

Proctor has been coming into his own over the past week. At the start of the season, he seemed hesitant to put the ball on the floor and attack as a scorer when given opportunities. That has gradually shifted in recent games, culminating in an impressive offensive performance in Miami.

On Friday, Proctor was hunting for his outside shot. He didn’t hesitate when the ball swung to him on the perimeter. That’s the confidence the Cavs need from someone who should get plenty of open looks given the attention the starting guards draw.

The version of Proctor we’ve seen over the past few games is indeed a rotation player. At this point, the question is whether he can still maintain that confidence in all aspects of his offensive game when he isn’t shooting as well as he has recently.

Play of the game

Quote of the day

“Bam and Giannis kind of had their way with us.”

– Kenny Atkinson on what went wrong in this game

You’re just not winning a game like this when Miami’s front court combines for 74 points.

Stat of the game

The Miami Heat were in the 98th percentile for offensive rating this tgame (137.1).

Miami dominated inside. They retrieved 34.8% of their missed shots (73rd percentile), had a free-throw rate of 33 (85th percentile), and scored 56 points in the paint. Controlling the paint and forcing your way to the free-throw line is still the most effective way to generate a great offense.

As easy as it would be to blame the Cavs for these issues, sometimes you just have to tip your cap to the other team. Miami had the personnel to take advantage of Cleveland’s injuries, and they did.

Main takeaway from this game: The Cavs’ supporting players are altering their identity

Zach Lowe made a good point on his most recent pod that I believe is worth expounding on: The Cavs have slowly been evolving their identity.

Cleveland found out in their 2025 series with the Indiana Pacers that they need more well-rounded players who can pass, dribble, and shoot.

Their initial effort in identifying those supporting pieces didn’t necessarily work out (Lonzo Ball), but their recent attempts have been much more encouraging. Guys like Peyton Watson, Mario Hezonja, Meleek Thomas, and Tyrese Proctor can fill multiple roles on the court and are more than just specialists. Jaylon Tyson also fits that box, although he was drafted before the Pacers series. This archetype stands in stark contrast with previous supporting players like Dean Wade, Georges Niang, De’Andre Hunter, and Keon Ellis, who were more specialized in one particular skill.

Quietly, the Cavs have shifted from a team with specialists around their core players to one where their core is insulated with more well-rounded skill sets.

It made sense to put specialists around the Cavs in 2023. That team desperately needed more shooting around the original core four after Mitchell’s first season in Cleveland. It’s nearly impossible to win playoff series if you can’t spread the floor in any meaningful way. Prioritizing shooting allowed them to advance in the playoffs in subsequent years, but if they intend to take the next step, they needed to diversify their rotation players.

Early injuries to Sam Merrill and Nae’Qwan Tomlin have given some of the newer supporting players more room to shine, and they’ve taken advantage of it. Against the New York Knicks, it was Thomas and Proctor who carried them through some of those bench lineups, and it was Watson who made the game-saving block. Here, it was Proctor who provided consistent scoring, Thomas (12 points) who supplied some shot-making at the end of the third to get them back into the game, and Tyson (16 points) who filled in well as a starter.

The Cavs are still figuring some things out, and are far from a finished product. But if you wanted something positive to hang your hat on early in the season, it’s the fact that the supporting pieces have the potential to change how this team plays.

Stars still matter. The Cavs will have a tough time winning playoff series this spring if Mitchell or Harden lay an egg. But the emergence of some of these supporting pieces has the potential to change what is asked of the stars during close postseason games. Maybe Thomas can carry some of the scoring load for stretches in the second and third quarters. Maybe Watson’s ability to recover defensively alters how the two-big front line operates defensively and further insulates the guards. Maybe Proctor can help bring the ball up against the press, alleviating that burden from the stars.

The Cavs didn’t get the win on Friday. Trying to defend a Giannis-led team without Mobley is a tall task. Results notwithstanding, we’ve seen some encouraging steps forward from some of the supporting cast the last week or so. That could make a huge difference if the stars can get healthy and more in sync than they have been.

The Miami Heat probably salivated when they saw the injury report and noted the lack of bigs on the Cleveland Cavaliers’ roster. Evan Mobley was announced out on Thursday with a toe injury. Early on, it looked as if they would be able to survive his absence on Friday night. However, as the game progressed in Miami, the issues only compounded.

Despite a decent scoring night from James Harden (20 points) and Donovan Mitchell (25 points), the Cavaliers’ offense was too dependent on outside shooting. The Cavaliers were relying heavily on one big man on the floor throughout the game. Against most teams, this might be a fine approach. However, the Heat boast a lineup with Bam Adebayo and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Heat’s All-Star duo gave the Cavaliers fits all night, running downhill and providing a huge problem that they just didn’t have the personnel to stop. The Cavs were constantly having their smaller wings and guards tossed into switches that would see them in mismatches that resulted in good looks for both Giannis and Bam.

The Cavaliers, without Mobley’s defensive presence, were not up to the task. Bam (37 points on 13-for-19 shooting) and Giannis (37 points on 15-for-20 shooting) heavily contributed to the Heat’s 54 points in the paint. The Cavaliers were not able to generate nearly enough offense inside to match Miami’s output, scoring 40 points in the paint by comparison.

There were some bright spots for the Cavaliers. Tyrese Proctor (22 points), Meleek Thomas (12 points), and Jaylon Tyson (16 points) all contributed with timely buckets and reliable shooting on a night where the Cavaliers were playing catch-up for the whole second half.

A loss like this stings. It felt like they were generating positive momentum and turning the page from the early season struggles after their big win against the New York Knicks. However, losing Mobley and facing an imposing frontcourt like Miami’s halted any forward progress.

The Cavaliers look to turn the page when they face the Dallas Mavericks Saturday night in Cleveland.

The Atlanta Hawks were in action on Friday night to face the Chicago Bulls in an NBA Cup game. The Hawks came in 1-0 in group play, defeating the Washington Wizards, while the Bulls are 0-1 after losing to the Boston Celtics two weeks ago.

The Bulls are coming in with some big injury news, as Caleb Wilson is set to miss several weeks after having hand surgery. The good news for them is that Normal Powell returned to the lineup after dealing with an injury. For the Hawks, Kingston Flemings was available after being listed as questionable with a lumbar spasm.

Jalen Johnson got things rolling for the Hawks to start the game.

Outside of Johnson and Dyson Daniels, the other Hawks’ starters couldn’t find much offense in the quarter, and that came with several rough turnovers. As for the Bulls, they were efficient, which led to them taking an early double digit lead.

The bench was able to come in and put some points on the board, and of course, it was Aaron Wiggins who led the group.

The Hawks were able to cut into their deficit just a little, but it was obvious that Powell was going to be a problem in this one, finishing the quarter with 10 points. Going into the second, the Hawks trailed 33-24.

The Bulls extended their lead to start the second, but CJ McCollum tried to combat it with an easy floater in the lane.

Unfortunately, that didn’t last for long, as the Bulls continued their hot shooting from the 3-point line, and they extended their lead to as large as 18 points.

The Hawks were able to once again cut into the deficit, and they did it by pushing the pace and getting out in transition. It’s how Johnson got this easy dunk.

Johnson crashed the board hard in the first half as well, which led to him getting this and-one opportunity.

The Bulls came back down to earth late in the quarter, and it allowed the Hawks to get their deficit down to single digits once again. Going into halftime, the Hawks trailed 60-53.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker found some life on both sides of the ball to start the quarter, turning defense into offense.

The Hawks followed his lead, and they were able to get several more stops to keep cutting into their deficit. The ball was moving better in the second half as well without many turnovers. Alexander-Walker found Johnson for this easy layup.

It was more defense turning into offense for the Hawks, and this time it was Lu Dort who joined the fun.

Later on, Dort extended his range beyond the 3-point line to get the Hawks within one point.

It was more of Dort down the stretch of the game, as he got another steal to tie the game.

The Hawks weren’t able to take the lead in the quarter, but they did trail 84-83 going into the fourth.

As much as it felt like the Hawks had life to start the fourth, the Bulls went on an 11-2 run to bring their lead back to double digits. That forced the Hawks to have to fight back again. Johnson took over for the Hawks, willing his way to the paint for easy looks.

McCollum got it going for the Hawks as well, and he was able to tie the game.

It felt like every time the Hawks were in striking distance, the Bulls would hit a big shot, and that’s what they did, going on a 7-0 run. That didn’t bother the Hawks, more specifically Johnson, who once again put his imprint on the game. He found Okongwu for this 3-pointer, the got some points of his own in transition to tie the game.

With less than a minute remaining, the Hawks got a good shot from Alexander-Walker in transition, but he missed. That gave the Bulls an opportunity to take the lead, but they also missed on their chance.

With 4.0 seconds, the Hawks got another good look, but Wiggins fumbled the ball, and it went out of bounds. That gave the Bulls another chance, but they didn’t capitalize, and the game went to overtime.

The Hawks were able to attack first, but that was all they had as Powell took over for the Bulls. Unfortunately, the Hawks couldn’t match their energy, and they walked out with a loss.

Johnson finished the game with 27 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, McCollum finished with 20 points, an Alexander-Walker finished with 16 points.

The Hawks will be back in action on Sunday against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Daltong called it. “I’m sure Indiana will look like an all star team tonight.” The Hoosiers may have entered the game 4–8 overall and 1–4 at home, but even while weathering the absence of Tyrese Haliburton, they have another gear available to them. For instance, on Veterans Day, when they ripped open the fourth quarter with 14 unanswered points. Or tonight, when they outscored the Knicks (6–6) by 13 early in the final frame and held on for a 106–104 win.

Tonight’s tilt at Gainbridge Fieldhouse was another Group B game in the NBA Cup tourney. The Knicks were favored because they’re the more talented team on paper, but their effort showed up too late to steal the win. They were simply out-hustled for most of the game. In the positive column, Karl-Anthony Towns registered his twelfth straight double-double (23 PTS, 15 RBS), breaking Willis Reed’s franchise record for consecutive double-doubles to start a season. And Mikal Bridges took 12 shots! For 18 points! On the less positive side, Josh Hart went scoreless on four shots, the Knicks lost the paint by 20 and second-chance points by nine, and yet again they attempted double-digit fewer free throws than their opponent (IND 18-of-25, NYK 10-of-13).

Shield your eyes from all this yellow . . . looks a little like a filthy urinal.

The game started inelegantly, with Andrew Nembhard (12 PTS, 4-14 FG, 6 AST, 6 TO) taking the opening tip in for an easy layup. At the other end, Hart thought KAT was going to cut. Instead, KAT crowded Jalen Brunson (33 PTS, 11-22 FG, 11 AST, +8) along the arc, and Nembhard deflected Hart’s pass out of bounds. That kind of confusion is predictable this early in the season, especially with Hart having missed a few games already. So is KAT’s ability to steamroll Ivica Zubac (12 PTS, 13 RBS) for snacks at the cup.

OG Anunoby (11 PTS, 4-13 FG, +8) laced an early triple when Hart noticed that Pascal Siakam (19 PTS, 5-13 FG) was napping in transition. OG and Pascal have a history, and they made each other’s jobs difficult for most of the night. (After that three, OG would make one of his next seven attempts.)

The Knicks took control with a 9–0 run that turned a 9–9 tie into an 18–9 lead. Towns scored seven of those nine and finished the quarter with 12 points and three rebounds. The oft-maligned Bridges chipped in six points and a steal (welcome back!), and Hart had four boards and three dimes. Brunson scored just two points but set up three baskets before picking up his second foul, an offensive foul, and heading to the bench.

Jay Huff brought Indiana back with eight quick points off the bench, including two threes and an alley-oop from that pest T.J. McConnell. Miles McBride answered with a longball, but the Knicks went more than three minutes without scoring after that. Deuce missed his next three attempts, Shamet bricked a couple, and Huff blocked Andre Drummond at the rim. Indiana went on a 15–5 run, taking a 24–23 lead on an OAKAAKUYOAK Obi Toppin bank shot. Towns returned and restored the lead with a driving and-one. The good guys were up 27–26 at the horn.

If you enjoyed the stanky shooting and one-and-dones of the first quarter, the Knicks cordially invited you to more of the same in the second. OG tied it at 31 on another Towns-as-hub laser, then Indy rattled off a 13–4 run. Toppin laced a three and finished a fast break, while Zubac elbowed his way to three O-boards on one possession before putting it in. No Diawara tonight, but Pacôme Dadiet made a brief (as in one minute) appearance in the second.

Yet again, free throws were the biggest bugaboo. In their last game, the Knicks shot 14 fewer free throws than Cleveland. In tonight’s second quarter, Indiana went 13-of-17 while New York shot . . . 1-of-2. Call the vet! These zebras have rabies!

Brunson scored half of the team’s 22 second-quarter points. Towns grabbed six rebounds but scored just two points, and Josh Hart, Landry Shamet, and Miles McBride all fired blanks. Aaron Nesmith scored six straight, the last on a technical free throw after Mike Brown drew a tech, to stretch Indiana’s lead to 14. Brunson hit a turnaround and fed Tyler Kolek for a late three to regain some ground. Indy led 58–49 at the break.

Through the first half, our heroes were dishing the ball fine, with seven more assists than the Hoosiers. Rebounds and points in the paint were basically a dead heat. The voodoo was in the fouls. The Knicks had committed twice as many as the Pacers (14–7). And somehow Rick Carlisle found it necessary to complain about the calls.

On to the third. Cap was cooking, with 16 points and four dimes. The Knicks needed it all and then some. Brunson led an 8–0 run that brought New York within five, but the comeback stalled before they could get back to black. Kelly Oubre Jr. and Nesmith each scored seven in the period, Zubac added six points and five boards, and the hosts were up by 14 again.

From there, the Knicks closed on a 15–2 run to get within a point. McBride hit two bombs, Shamet added one, and Drummond grabbed three defensive boards and a steal. Deuce and Anunoby both missed chances to take the lead in the final eight seconds, so the Knicks went into the fourth trailing 85–84.

From there, two scenarios were possible. Either the Champs would maintain their momentum and turn back those pesky Pacers, or Indy would do what they did against the Wiz on Wednesday and go on some crazy run. ’Twas the latter, fans. After Anunoby tied it at 87, the hosts answered with a 15–2 run. Nembhard scored six points in the quarter, Oubre added five points and two steals, and Zubac finished with nine offensive boards. The Knicks kept fumbling and bumbling the ball away. This time Captain Clutch couldn’t save them either, managing only four points in the fourth after scoring 16 in the third.

Behold the bumbling and fumbling of which I wrote:

New York still had a shot to tie it in the final minute. Brunson’s layup with 26 seconds left cut the deficit to four, and after Siakam missed both free throws, Bridges (!) hit a pull-up to make it 106–104. Anunoby picked off Siakam’s pass with three seconds left, but Towns missed a 15-foot turnaround and the Pacers held on. Ballgame.

If you’re feeling testy after another loss, so is Jose Alvarado. Evidently, he and Quenton Jackson have prior history of physical scrapes (including an altercation when Alvarado was still with the Pelicans). Jackson not only taunted Jalen Brunson tonight, but in the third quarter he jawed at Rick Brunson, too. Jose might be out of the rotation, but the big dawg is always ready to defend his captain!

Up Next

Up to Toronto our heroes go to play the Raps on Sunday. This is your recap, chaps. Safe travels, Knickerbockers.

After getting completely debacled on Thursday in a near 40-point loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Dallas Mavericks (7-5) hit the road once more to continue their weekend road trip. This time, Dallas visits the Cleveland Cavaliers. Dallas, having won three contests in a row prior to their loss to Minnesota, looks to regain momentum against one of the East’s best. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers are in action Friday night in NBA Cup play against the Miami Heat.

For various reasons, there’s a lot that is up in the air before this contest. Before the game tips off, here are a few things to know.

Ground stop

Well, if you’ve been hiding under a rock on Friday, first I’d say congratulations and I’m jealous. But afterwards, I’d inform you that air travel is quite the issue at the moment! For what it’s worth, according to the Dallas Morning News, the Mavericks have arrived in Cleveland and have no issue playing Saturday night. However, the home team is in Miami Friday night for an NBA Cup bout against the Heat. And, well, flying on Friday night is seemingly impossible! So, if Cleveland isn’t able to get back home until midday Saturday, you wonder if they’d push tipoff back a bit to accommodate. However, Dallas plays in Boston on Sunday evening, so there’s not much wiggle room. We’ll see how the league handles a very abnormal situation.

Flight delayed

On the basketball side of things, the Mavericks got absolutely demolished on Thursday evening in Minnesota. Even without Anthony Edwards, Minnesota is a better team than Dallas. But getting smoked like that? That was a really disheartening result. Dallas should be a prideful bunch, as Flagg, Irving and the leaders for this group are not known to be losers, but it will be in desperate need against a very good Cavs team on Saturday night.

Rescheduling

How does Dallas get back on track? The defense needs to rebound from what it was on Thursday. The Mavericks were bombarded from three point range against the Wolves, but also seemingly allowed wide open lanes to the rim at the same time. From the end of the first quarter onward, the Mavericks had absolutely no interest whatsoever in defending, well, anything. It starts at the top with Cooper Flagg, who simply has to be better on the defensive end for this team to have a chance. From there, everyone else needs to fall in line and take a little pride in what they’re doing. If the defense holds up, the offense will get that many more chances to push the pace and run.

How to watch

KFAA Channel 29 or your Mavs TV app will have you covered locally for this one. Outside of Dallas, NBA League Pass will have the broadcast. On the radio side, 105.3 The Fan will have you covered. Tipoff is scheduled for just after 6:30 p.m. CT from the Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.

Maybe not the start the Golden State Warriors hoped for in their first game without Steph Curry, but probably the one that was most likely.

The San Antonio Spurs raced out on a team record 18-0 run to begin Friday's NBA Cup Group C game, the Dubs' worst start in the play-by-play era. Golden State was held scoreless over the first six minutes until a Gui Santos layup finally got them on the board. Their previous worst start came on Jan. 28, 2005 against the Seattle SuperSonics.

The Spurs' big run out the gates was sparked by Stephon Castle, who leads the game with 13 points, two assists and a rebound and is a perfect 3-of-3 from long range. Victor Wembanyama has four points, three rebounds and three assists as San Antonio has built a 38-15 lead through the first quarter.

LJ Cryer was able to muster some offense for Golden State with two 3s to get a quick six points off the bench. The Spurs are looking for their 11th straight win.

The Spurs kept rolling and went on to a 123-85 win.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Spurs ambush Warriors in first quarter of first game since Steph Curry injury

The Milwaukee Bucks fall to 0/2 in the NBA Cup and 1-12 overall, losing to the Orlando Magic 107-99 in a game that was at least competitive. Jaime Jaquez Jr. led the Bucks yet again with 22 points off the bench on 8/15 shooting and 5/7 from three. Franz Wagner starred for the Magic, dropping a near triple-double of 35 points, 12 assists, and nine rebounds (at one point it was a triple-double, but they apparently retracted a rebound).

NBA.com Box Score

Game Recap

With Ousmane Dieng getting the surprise start, the Bucks began slowly, with Myles Turner turning the ball over twice in the first two possessions and the team going 1/5 from the field and 1/4 from the charity stripe as the Magic led 12-4 at the seven-minute mark. Milwaukee responded, however, with a 10-3 run, thanks in large part to Kel’el Ware, who impacted early with a put-back slam and a corner triple. We even got treated to first-quarter Gary Trent Jr. minutes, but his elite defence couldn’t stop Franz Wagner, who carved up the visitors in the pick-and-roll as the Magic took a 23-15 lead into the first major break.

Wagner continued to kill the Bucks early in the second, nailing two threes to extend Orlando’s lead to 13 just over two minutes in as Milwaukee’s shooting woes continued. Thankfully, a select few Bucks were shooting well, including Myles Turner, who nailed his third three of the night to cut the deficit to 10 with seven minutes to play. After starting 0/5, Tyler Herro began to cook as the second wore on, hitting a three, a floater, and a few free throws as the Bucks inched closer, down 34-28 halfway through the period. Unfortunately, the Magic closed on an 18-8 run as their balanced attack dominated the Bucks on both ends, leading 52-36 at the half.

Coach Jenkins started Nate Ament in Dieng’s place to start the third, and the rookie paid that faith off, opening the quarter with a corner three after going 1/6 in the first half. In general, the Bucks looked much more fluid on offence, but they couldn’t get stops as Desmond Bane punished them twice from deep to give his side a 65-45 edge four minutes in. The visitors wouldn’t give in, though; they knuckled down on defence, which allowed them to play more in transition and go on a 10-0 run. That said, the Bucks had major free throw issues, making just 7/15 (!) midway through the third. That’s when Bane really started to cook, knocking in a three plus the foul, then another three on the next possession as the margin blew back out to 16. Jaime Jaquez Jr. was huge to close the quarter, though, nailing multiple bombs and a mid-range shot to keep the Bucks within shouting distance, down 84-72 after three.

It was a frantic start to the fourth, with Milwaukee giving up plenty of open looks but the Magic failing to hit any; as a result, the visitors kept their deficit around 10 as they lived at the line. The Magic’s lead stayed around that margin for the next four minutes as the Bucks’ parade to the charity stripe continued (though they kept missing when they got there). In fact, Milwaukee didn’t hit a field goal for over six minutes, but remarkably, they remained (somewhat) in the game. In the end, though, Wagner was too much, leading his side to their first home victory of the season.

Stat That Stood Out

The Bucks were atrocious from the free throw line, making just 18 of 31 attempts in a game they lost by eight. Kyle Kuzma shot a staggering 7/15 on his own!

Obscene Overreaction

I physically cannot watch Kuzma-ball anymore, man. It’s buyout time (even though I get that he has no incentive to want that).

As precious seconds ticked off the clock late in Thursday night’s matchup between the Phoenix Suns and Charlotte Hornets, it was abundantly clear that Charlotte was attempting to intentionally foul Devin Booker. And Booker? He was ready and willing to accept that foul.

Unfortunately, head official Scott Foster apparently had his attention elsewhere, despite the action unfolding approximately five feet in front of him. Perhaps he was looking into the front row, spotted Steve Nash, and began reminiscing about the good old days when he and his fellow officials allowed opponents to assault the two-time MVP with little consequence. Maybe he noticed Brandon Rafi sitting courtside and started thinking about calling Rafi Rafi the next time he needs a lawyer. Whatever was occupying his attention, it certainly wasn’t the intentional foul taking place directly in front of him.

Booker responded with that familiar piercing stare, the one we’ve seen countless times when he’s wondering how an official could possibly miss something so obvious. But there was still a basketball game to finish, and with Sion James approaching to provide a double team, Booker decided to take matters into his own hands. He dribbled left, rose up, and buried a 28-footer that effectively sealed the victory for Phoenix.

No whistle? No problem. Sometimes the best response to questionable officiating is to make the officials irrelevant. And in that moment, Devin Booker did exactly that.

That moment encapsulated just how great Devin Booker has been to begin this season, with the exception of his three-point performance against Oklahoma City. For a team navigating a discombobulated, duplicative roster that is ultimately going to go as far as Booker can carry it, the Suns’ franchise cornerstone has been delivering. Nowhere has that been more evident than in the clutch.

Booker scored nine points in clutch time against Charlotte, continuing an impressive stretch of late-game execution. Through four clutch appearances this season, he’s shooting 66.7% from the field, 50% from beyond the arc, and has a +8 plus/minus. Those are encouraging numbers for a player whose late-game efficiency became a legitimate concern last season.

What impressed me most against the Hornets wasn’t necessarily the scoring. It was his decision-making. Every time Charlotte attempted to throw a double team his way, Booker recognized what was happening and responded decisively and appropriately. On one possession, he drove away from the pressure, penetrated the defense, and kicked the ball to Jordan Goodwin in the left corner for an open three-point opportunity. Goodwin missed the shot, but the process was exactly what you wanted to see. On another possession, Booker beat the double team himself and converted. He wasn’t forcing the issue. He was reading the defense, understanding what was available, and making the appropriate decision.

We are currently witnessing what can only be described as a Devin Booker heater. Over his last 7 games, he’s averaging 27.4 points on 49/40/95 splits.

Quite honestly, the Suns desperately need it because the rest of the starting lineup is struggling mightily. Perhaps it’s the lack of continuity and limited playing time together. Maybe it’s the absence of clearly defined roles, with players still attempting to understand where they fit within an offense that features overlapping skill sets. Whatever the explanation, the production from Phoenix’s starters has been inconsistent and inefficient.

Booker has accounted for 35.1% of all points scored by the Suns’ starting lineup this season. Think about that. More than one out of every three points produced by the starters has come from a single player. Meanwhile, the starters not named Devin Booker have combined to shoot 52-of-154 from beyond the arc, a pedestrian 33.8%. In the clutch, everyone without ‘Booker’ written on their back has combined to make 20% of their threes and 30% of their shots.

While the shooting inefficiencies that plagued Booker last season generated plenty of concern, those issues haven’t carried over into the early portion of this campaign. Against Charlotte, he connected on 4-of-8 attempts from deep, continuing to provide the offensive production and efficiency that Phoenix needs from its best player. He’s up to 25.5 points this season, doing so on 50/38/94 splits, adding 5.0 assists, and 1.2 steals.

Until the rest of the starting five figures out who they are, what their responsibilities should be, and how they can contribute more effectively on both ends of the floor, the Suns are going to need Booker to keep this heater going. Because if he has an ordinary night, there’s a pretty good chance Phoenix is going to lose. That’s an unfortunate reality, but it’s where this organization finds itself.

Devin Booker is in the prime of his career. This should be the period when the franchise has a clear understanding of what works alongside him, what complements his strengths, and how to construct a roster that maximizes his abilities. The organization has had plenty of time to figure that out.

Instead, we’ve watched Phoenix spend much of his prime fumbling through roster construction, repeatedly acquiring players with overlapping skill sets and similar positional responsibilities. Rather than consistently surrounding Booker with complementary pieces, the organization has continued placing additional weight on his shoulders, asking him to compensate for deficiencies that should have been addressed through better roster construction. Thankfully, at least through the opening weeks of this season, Booker appears more than willing to accept that responsibility.

But how long can he sustain it? How long can a team reasonably expect one player to account for more than a third of its starting lineup’s scoring while simultaneously serving as its primary offensive organizer and late-game closer? At some point, the supporting cast has to establish its identity and begin providing consistent production.

I’ve been quick to remind people that Devin Booker is the $57 million man whenever his performances fall short of expectations. When you’re earning that kind of money, there’s a certain level of production, leadership, and accountability that comes with the paycheck. And right now? He’s earning every damn dollar.

You earn that money by delivering in the clutch, which Booker has done. You earn it by becoming the stabilizing force that prevents an inconsistent team from completely unraveling. Check that too, as the team sits at 5-6. You earn it by showing up night after night, accepting the responsibility of carrying an offense while your teammates are still trying to figure out their roles, their responsibilities, and perhaps why they’re being asked to occupy spaces already filled by somebody else. That’s what Devin Booker has been doing.

And while I certainly hope the rest of the roster begins providing him with the support he deserves, there’s something worth appreciating about watching a player embrace that burden and continue delivering. Because for all the questions surrounding the Phoenix Suns right now, Devin Booker is providing the most important answer. He’s playing like the $57 million man.

We’ve spent plenty of time questioning Booker’s late-game execution, his decision-making, and whether he can consistently elevate a flawed roster. Right now, he’s answering those questions with his play. The Suns still have plenty to figure out, and Booker can’t be expected to carry them indefinitely. But for the moment, he’s reminding everyone why he’s the face of this franchise. And why, when the game is on the line, you probably shouldn’t leave him open from 28 feet.