PHOENIX, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 10: Devin Booker #15 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball against Kris Dunn #8 of the LA Clippers during the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center on November 10, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There are three guarantees in life. Death, taxes, and Devin Booker trade rumors, and we’ve got another rumor today. Amid an underwhelming 4-6 start for the Phoenix Suns that saw Booker have one of the worst games of his career, talks about the franchise’s all-time leading scorer’s future once again arose, and NBA Insider Mike Scotto put a nip in the bud about him going anywhere.
"He still wants to be a Sun for life"@MikeAScotto tells @iamBenLyons what the future might hold for Devin Booker in Phoenix
With stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard getting traded from the organizations that they spent the first decade-plus with, many start to question players in similar spots’ futures, especially when they don’t appear to be title contenders like the Suns don’t project to be anytime soon.
But the Suns or Booker have left no tea leaves to indicate a split is on the rise. In fact, they’ve stayed loyal to each other.
Signing an extension last offseason, Booker and the organization have expressed their admiration and commitment towards each other numerous times, and team owner Mat Ishbia has been on record multiple times in 2026 saying he’s staying in Phoenix.
Mat Ishbia SHUTS DOWN someone asking if he’d trade Devin Booker to the Detroit Pistons 🗣️
Suns owner Mat Ishbia: “I’ll ride into a fire with Devin Booker, and I’ll do it proudly… Devin Booker is not getting traded. Devin Booker is our franchise player. We’re going to win a championship here with Devin Booker. I’m excited to do it and be next to him when we do that.” pic.twitter.com/CtyNXnLehp
Leading the team in scoring and assists, Booker’s efficiency and scoring are up since the start of November, and the team has won three of their last four, including their first win over the Houston Rockets in nearly 1400 days, but if the team doesn’t climb up the standings amid a wounded Western Conference and heightened expectations after a surprising playoff berth a season ago, the noise will get noisier about the star’s long-term future.
MILWAUKEE, WI - NOVEMBER 11: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a free throw during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on November 11, 2026 at Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images). | NBAE via Getty Images
During the third quarter, Reaves went up for a dunk and landed awkwardly. After trying to run it out for a few minutes, Reaves eventually asked for a sub and went to the locker room. He was eventually ruled out for the game.
Update from the Lakers: Austin Reaves won't return tonight with a left heel injury.
Austin Reaves subbed himself out and limped back to the locker room with team personnel. He motioned to the bench for a sub during this play: pic.twitter.com/TH1MttlcWR
After the game, head coach JJ Redick shared a minor update, noting that X-rays were negative and they’d get imaging on his heel Thursday. Redick also said that there was no worry of an Achilles injury.
JJ Redick says x-rays were negative on Austin Reaves’ heel. He’ll get imaging tomorrow.
The Lakers will be off until Sunday when they take on the Suns and it’s a break that couldn’t come at a better time. Not only did Reaves leave with an injury in the second half, but both Collin Sexton and Luka Dončić did too, though with more minor ailments.
Sexton took a blow to the face and received sutures. Luka twisted his ankle on the foot of Kyle Kuzma while shooting a 3-pointer. He stayed in the game to shoot the free throw before leaving.
Redick did not seem particularly concerned about any of the injuries and said Austin was the typical Austin postgame, so early signs are positive. Fortunately, the Lakers now have their longest break so far this season to rest and heal back up.
Sale was spectacular once again this past season across 27 starts, posting a superb 2.16 ERA, 2.29 FIP and 2.82 xFIP over the course of 162.2 innings. The veteran lefty struck out 200 hitters and only walked 31, trailing only Jacob Misiorowski in strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Sale also closed out Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Round in heroic fashion at Truist Park as the Braves advanced past the Phillies to move on to the NLDS.
In three seasons with the Braves, Sale has been named to the All-MLB First Team twice. What was a risky buy-low on Sale and his health in December 2023 has turned out magnificently for the Braves and Alex Anthopoulos as the future Hall of Famer has been arguably the best pitcher in the sport across the last three seasons on a per-inning basis.
CALGARY, Alberta (AP) — Mika Zibanejad scored twice in the second period, Joonas Korpisalo made 29 saves and the New York Rangers beat the Calgary Flames 3-1 on Wednesday night for their fourth victory in five games.
Tye Kartye, into an empty net, also scored for New York (11-8-1).
Adam Klapka scored for Calgary (8-10-1). Devin Cooley stopped 21 shots.
Zibanejad opened the scoring 59 seconds into the second period.
Halfway through the second, Zibanejad fired a one-timer on a power play past Cooley after being setup on a cross-ice pass from Pavel Dorofeyev.
Glenn Gawdin, who broke into the NHL with the Flames, made his New York debut at fourth-line center. It was his 14th NHL game and first since March 6, 2024.
CALGARY, Alberta — Mika Zibanejad scored one of the biggest goals of his hockey career inside the Scotiabank Saddledome.
There were other notable moments here that followed, like the time he recorded a natural hat trick in 2 minutes, 38 seconds to set a franchise record for the fastest hat trick in Senators history in February 2016.
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But the golden goal he scored at 18 years old in overtime for Sweden in the 2012 World Junior Championship to end his country’s 31-year gold medal drought at the tournament was a defining moment of his career.
So to say farewell to the rinky-dink barn in its last season as home to the Flames, Zibanejad did what he does best in this building and scored twice in a 3-1 win.
“Yeah, I don’t mind [playing here],” No. 93 said with a smile. “It’s too bad that they’re moving.”
The Blueshirts have desperately needed more 5-on-5 production from their top two centers.
Mika Zibanejad (center) celebrates with teammates Marcus Pettersson (right) and Braden Schneider after scoring one of his two second-period goals during the Rangers’ 3-1 win over the Flames on Nov. 11, 2026, in Calgary, Alberta. Getty Images
Zibanejad (1) and captain J.T. Miller (3) entered Wednesday’s game combining for approximately 11 percent of the Rangers’ total 5-on-5 goals (35).
The two are also key pieces of the power play, which went 0-for-5 in Edmonton and hasn’t quite found a groove yet.
Joonas Korpisalo, who had 30 saves, stops a shot by Matvei Gridin during the first period of the Rangers’ win over the Flames. Getty Images
The 33-year-old Zibanejad registered his first multigoal game of the season and his 43rd as a Ranger to tie Andy Bathgate for the fifth most in franchise history Wednesday night.
Intentionally banking the puck off Flames goalie Devin Cooley off the rush, Zibanejad put the Rangers up 1-0 less than a minute into the second period. The Swedish center then blasted a one-timer from his sweet spot in the left circle on the Rangers power play just over 10 minutes later.
The power-play goal was his second of the season and first since Game 2. It also tied Zibanejad with Daniel Sedin for the second-most power-play goals (138) in NHL history among Swedish players.
Plus, with two goals in the second period, Zibanejad tied Steve Vickers for the second-most multigoal periods in Rangers history (26).
Mika Zibanejad takes a shot during the Rangers’ win over the Flames. NHLI via Getty Images
“He’s so important to our team,” head coach Mike Sullivan said of Zibanejad. “He drives offense in so many ways. He drives his line. He drives offense on the power play. He just impacts the game in so many different ways. Obviously, when he’s scoring goals, it’s good for him, it’s good for us.”
Rangers goalie Joonas Korpisalo, appearing in his second game of the season, made the standout play of a scoreless opening 20 minutes. Quite frankly, it was the play of the game.
Zayne Parekh was showing off some wizardry with the puck, dangling Glenn Gawdin in his Rangers debut before skating around all the traffic in the zone.
As the 20-year-old Calgary defenseman attempted to score on a wraparound, Korpisalo purposely dropped his stick and stretched his whole body across the crease to get his blocker glove in front of the puck.
It was one of just three high-danger chances for the Flames through the first period, but the Rangers only had four of their own, according to Natural Stat Trick.
Alexis Lafreniere and Joonas Korpisalo of the New York Rangers celebrate a win over the Calgary Flames in Calgary, Alberta, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026. Getty Images
Korpisalo ultimately stopped 29 of the 30 shots he faced in his second victory of the season.
“That was a heck of a play by him,” Korpisalo said of Parekh, who was a menace with the puck more than once throughout the night. “He got me swimming. It’s just straight desperation. Dropped my stick to get my leverage, get my blocker there and I got lucky.”
NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 11: Julius Randle #30 of the Brooklyn Nets shoots a three point basket during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on November 11, 2026 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
After their hardest hitting loss of the season, the Big Easy was the perfect place for the Brooklyn Nets to go next on their road trip. The Nets obliterated the New Orleans Pelicans this evening at the Smoothie King Center. Few wins have been more necessary, and even fewer more deserved.
However, the contest wasn’t advertised as the breakaway layup it turned into.
The Pelicans were at home, and with a Zion Williamson coming off three days of rest. Meanwhile, Brooklyn’s young guards had just taken a spin on the injury carousel. Before the game, the Nets announced that Egor Dëmin, who hasn’t played in two weeks due to a bone bruise, would return tonight. However, the team also said that Nolan Traoré, who hadn’t missed a game yet, would sit with right calf soreness. They also ruled out Mikel Brown Jr. due to an illness.
So, ball-handling was at a premium in the bayou. Dëmin and Danny Wolf made up the starting back court, with usual suspects Michael Porter Jr., Julius Randle, and Day’Ron Sharpe filling in behind them. Call it big ball. Indeed, it may have the first starting line-up ever featuring five players 6’9” or taller.
With the aforementioned injuries, Jordi Fernández didn’t have many choices when putting together his starting five, but still made the right ones. With the Pelicans giving up more opponent points in the paint than anyone so far this year, beginning with the jumbo lineup made sense, and it showed on the court, with the Nets outscoring New Orleans 24-10 inside during the first period. The most they had in an opening frame all season before that was 18.
Mo Wagner scores in isolation on Jordan Poole. Shook him hard with the spin move. pic.twitter.com/zWOdqj0jeD
Evidenced by the above, Brooklyn’s reserves got in on the action all the same. Noah Clowney, fresh off a game where he fouled out in just over seven minutes of play, knew he had to take advantage and acted accordingly, putting up six points with a block and a steal in the opening period. Wagner also added seven points, Wolf had five, and Porter Jr. led with nine. The Nets also led after one, up 39-25, giving them their largest advantage after a first quarter since April 2024.
Effective and easy-to-follow, Brooklyn had no reason to abandon its game plan in the subsequent period. The Nets got eight of their first 11 points in the second inside, and after MPJ topped that off with a three from the top of the key, Brooklyn had gone up by 17 with 7:29 to go in the second.
Holding it down from deep while everyone else went to work inside, that wasn’t even Porter Jr.’ best hit from downtown. With a little under four to go in the first, he also dethroned Derik Queen with this diagonal step-back…
And, knowing full well how harmful poor paint defense can be, the Nets were careful not to give up what their opponents had so frivolously surrendered. Sharpe was especially quick tonight fading back to provide extra defense around the rim, even as Zion Williamson continued to try and rummage his way in. New Orleans scored only twice inside in the second.
Saddiq Bey did threaten Brooklyn with another ugly end to a quarter. Hustling down after a Porter Jr. turnover offered up spacing in transition, Bey netted a triple that quickly brought it back to an 11 point game with roughly two and a half minutes left in the half.
The Nets didn’t take it lightly. They responded with a 13-7 jolt that involved two threes from Terance Mann, one as a direct response to Bey’s and another just before the horn. Brooklyn ended up going into the half up 83-66. It was the most points the Nets had scored a first half since putting up 91 on the Golden State Warriors in 2022. It’s the third most points they’ve ever put up in a first half in team history.
Another look at Terance Mann's buzzer beater. Big response from him hitting the triple after Bey cut it to 11 with about two and a half to go in the period as well. pic.twitter.com/pXN2N9i865
By that point, Brooklyn’s paint scoring advantage had swelled 40-24. They also carried a +9 advantage on the boards, along with five rejections.
So, after a period of complete interior dominance, that meant one thing one: it was time for Day’Ron Sharpe to begin shooting threes. No, I’m not kidding. And no, it didn’t cost them the game. In fact, it had an opposite effect.
The Brooklyn big man hit two triples in the third’s opening five minutes to give his team’s lead a quick buff once play resumed. Sharpe also dished one to Egor Dëmin, who was only starting to find his groove at that point, but more on that later.
The Nets weren’t just scoring from inside anymore. They were scoring from everywhere, and the Pelicans couldn’t do so from anywhere, everywhere, all at once. Not before long, the home team had a look on their face Brooklyn knows all too well: one of discouragement. They stopped boxing out, closing out, and just seemed like they wanted out. The Pelicans only put up 15 points in the period.
And the Nets? Like Bill Murray in the mid 2000s, they were eager to play a new, more serious role. After Noah Clowney scooped and slammed a missed three from Mann, Brooklyn earned their largest lead of the game, going up 104-77 with about three and a half left in the third.
“He impacted the game,” Fernández said of Clowney, who he said had things to “figure out” after the Dallas game. “You have size in him. He can guard multiple positions. He’s switchable. He’s been rebounding very well. And the efficiency, the taking good shots to get to the free throw line. Very happy with him, and we just got to keep taking positive steps here.”
In the fourth, it got to a point where you almost wanted the Nets to cut it out, irrationally afraid they were burning through all their makes before the end of the road trip. Keon Ellis and Wagner added back-to-back threes to begin the final frame, getting the team to a 16-34 mark from deep by that point. They’d finish 20-41 from beyond the arc.
The Nets have long used fourth quarter blowouts to give their young players real game reps. Tonight, they got to do so from the other side of the scoreboard. Not long after the Ellis and Wagner threes, Dëmin added his own pair of triples, looking more comfortable on the floor than he has all season. The Nets seemed to run a number of the actions they normally reserve for MPJ, asking him to duck and dive around screens off ball before rising up for a catch-and-shoot three. Like his mentor, he did so each time with confidence…
Egor drains back-to-back threes to extend the Nets' lead to 37. He's up to 18 points on 5/8 from the field and 4/6 from three. pic.twitter.com/pxkgZQIpst
Coming in like Mariano Rivera in a game where the Yankees were already up seven or eight runs, Dëmin added 12 points in the fourth to bring his total for the game to 22 on 5-of-8 shooting from the field and 4-of-6 shooting from deep.
“What impressed me? Nothing,” Dëmin said of the team’s overall performance. “I think that’s what we’re working on every day, and it’s not a surprise for me how you we could sustain the energy and effort throughout the whole game, which we really need to do from night to night. Obviously it’s hard to do, but it’s nothing new about what we’re trying to accomplish every single game.”
Porter Jr. also finished with 22 points while shooting 7-of-14 from the field and 4-10 from three. He also dished three assists, grabbed a steal, and garnered six rebounds. Randle had 17 points, five assists, and four rebounds after shooting 6-of-16 from the field. Sharpe had 15 points, five assists, four rebounds, and four blocks, shooting 5-of-6 from the field and 2-of-3 from deep.
Off the bench, both Wagner and Clowney had 16 points each. Wagner added four assists while shooting 6-of=8 from the field. Clowney shot 5-of-7 from the field and 2-of-3 from three, also grabbing two steals, a block, and three rebounds. Ellis had 11 points, four rebounds, three assists, and a steal. Wolf reached 10 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks.
“We’ve been practicing very well and working very well, and it’s good to see that you play how you practice,” Fernández said. “So, happy for the group, proud of the guys. I mean, you see everybody. Mike was composed the whole time and talked to his teammates. Julius is +38 in 29 minutes. Egor huge minutes. Mo scoring. Terrence two huge winning plays. Everybody was a big part of the win.”
“Just getting into our actions, getting organized, and just having some structure,” Randle added. “We were all on the same page, and we’ve been working at it, so it’s good to see.”
It sure is.
Final: Brooklyn Nets 145, New Orleans Pelicans 111
Milestone Watch
Day’Ron Sharpe scored 15 points with four rebounds, five assists and a career-high-tying four blocks tonight in New Orleans. It is his fourth consecutive game with at least five assists, which establishes a franchise-record streak of games with 5+ AST by a center.
Julius Randle recorded a +38 plus/minus tonight in New Orleans, which tied Stephon Marbury (4/16/99 at Seattle) as the highest plus/minus by a Net in a road game in franchise history. It tied the seventh-highest in any game by a Net.
Danny Wolf recorded a career-high 11 rebounds tonight in New Orleans to go with 10 points, four assists and two blocks. It is his second double-double of the season and fourth of his career.
Six Nets scored 15+ PTS tonight at NOP: Porter Jr., Randle, Sharpe, Dëmin, Wagner and Clowney. It ties the franchise record (15th instance) and is their second such game of the season (10/27 at BOS). This is the fourth season in franchise history with multiple such games.
Brooklyn’s 83 first-half points tonight vs. New Orleans were the team’s most in a first half since scoring 91 on 12/21/2022 vs. Golden State. Their 39 points in the first quarter tonight at New Orleans were their most in an opening frame this season and second most in the last two seasons, trailing only their 46 points on 2/7/26 vs. Washington.
Bonus Reading
This morning, veteran NBA writer James Herbert published a story for The Ringer on our very own Net Income. In it, you can hear from Pooch, Lucas, Sean Marks, and the countless others who’ve gotten close with the man behind Nets Daily over the years. I encourage all of you to check it out, and throw James a follow, who is as talented of a story teller as you’ll find.
Next Up
Brooklyn concludes its roadtrip on Saturday evening with a bout against the Memphis Grizzlies in Grind City. At the time of writing, the Grizz are 7-3. Isn’t it cool when the lottery decides to bless you instead flip you upside down, tar and feather you? This one tips off at 8:00 p.m. EST.
Austin Reaves drives to the basket against Milwaukee's Ryan Rollins in the first half. (Aaron Gash / Associated Press)
The Lakers won their seventh straight game. They could lose something bigger.
Star guard Austin Reaves left Wednesday’s 123-112 win over the Milwaukee Bucks with a left heel injury and did not return.
Reaves, who scored 18 points with five assists and three steals, landed awkwardly on a blocked dunk attempt during the third quarter but stayed in the game despite appearing to be in discomfort on the bench during an ensuing timeout. He remained in the game for three minutes before appearing to aggravate the injury on a drive toward the basket. He asked to sub himself out on the next possession.
Reaves’ initial X-rays were negative, Lakers coach JJ Redick said, and the guard, averaging a career-best 23.5 points on 50.8% shooting, will undergo further imaging. Initial tests have ruled out any potential Achilles injury, Redick said.
The Lakers finished their first extended trip of the season unscathed in the standings, improving to 11-2 and still the best record in the league, but had to limp across the finish line Wednesday after injuries struck.
Guard Collin Sexton received an eyebrow’s worth of stitches over his right eye after knocking heads with Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins with 6:51 remaining in the fourth quarter. Sexton’s sudden departure forced Luka Doncic to re-enter a 20-point game.
Two-and-a-half minutes later, Doncic turned his ankle while getting fouled by Kyle Kuzma on a long two-point jumper.
Doncic, who led the Lakers with 32 points, five assists, five rebounds and three steals, grabbed at his right ankle immediately. Lakers staff members tended to him while Kuzma’s foul was reviewed for a potential flagrant, but Doncic stayed in the game to shoot the free throw. He got subbed out right after.
Doncic said after the game he felt fine. Now he just has to wait for news on his backcourt running mate.
“We just gotta have next-man-up mentality,” Doncic said of the potential of playing without Reaves. “Obviously we lose a very, very good player. Hopefully ... it’s nothing. We gotta have next-man-up mentality.”
Reaves just signed a maximum contract extension this summer and was off to a career year. He is the 15th-leading scorer in the NBA, and he and Doncic (38.6 points per game) form the highest-scoring pair of teammates in the league. Reaves is also averaging 3.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists while shooting a career-best 41.3% from three-point range.
Reaves, who played almost an entire game on what turned into a Grade 2 oblique strain suffered last April against Oklahoma City, had missed the Lakers’ previous game against the Atlanta Hawks because of illness.
Guard Quentin Grimes missed his second consecutive game Wednesday with a sprained finger on his right hand. Grimes was questionable for Wednesday’s game, but still had swelling, Redick said, which could have affected the right-handed guard’s shooting.
Forward Sandro Mamukelashvili delivered for the shorthanded Lakers both nights, scoring 23 points of the bench for the second consecutive game Wednesday. The Georgian forward went 11 for 35 from three-point range during the first 11 games of the season and suddenly found his shooting stroke with consecutive five-of-eight nights against the Hawks and Bucks.
Mamukelashvili helped lift the Lakers through a five-day stretch that Redick said felt more like three weeks. Last Friday, the Lakers played the Portland Trail Blazers at home in an NBA Cup game and have since climbed to the top of the NBA standings, won two games against teams in the top half of the Eastern Conference and watched both of their star guards leave a game with injuries.
“We’re all ready to go home,” said center Walker Kessler, who had 10 points and 11 rebounds for his seventh double-double in eight games. “I’ll just say that.”
Battered and bruised from a tiring rip, the Lakers return home for a brief respite. The Lakers will have multiple days of rest before their next game Sunday at Phoenix. They don’t face a team with a winning record until Nov. 27. The road game in San Antonio figures to be a marquee showdown between Western Conference title contenders.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - NOVEMBER 11: Luka Dončić #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball against Kyle Kuzma #18 of the Milwaukee Bucks in the first quarter at Fiserv Forum on November 11, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Lakers used a big run in the third quarter to blow out the Bucks on Wednesday, 123-112.
LA led for most of the game, but the Bucks remained feisty for much of the contest. It wasn’t until the third quarter when the Lakers blew the game open and fully took control.
Milwaukee showed how woeful they are, turning the ball over 19 times, leading to 28 points. LA’s bench was strong again, scoring 55 points.
The concern coming out of the game was a variety of injuries. Austin Reaves left in the third quarter with a heel injury and Collin Sexton took a blow to the face. Luka Dončić twisted his ankle after a hard closeout and left the game after shooting the subsequent free throw.
Brayden Burries gave the Bucks an early lead, but Luka and Austin started to cook, scoring a combined 14 points to put Los Angeles ahead. The Lakers were on a 12-0 scoring run.
Luka continued his dominant play and, as we are used to seeing every game, was already in double figures with 14 points.
Kyle Kuzma and Tyler Herro added 12 points to help keep Milwaukee close. The Lakers were up six with 3:27 left.
LA allowed Jaime Jacquez Jr. to start heating up. He scored eight points that cut Los Angeles’ lead down to two at the end of the first.
First quarter: Lakers 30, Bucks 28
Luka has 16 points on 5-9 FGs. Austin Reaves has 7 points. Some solid bench minutes from Mamu, Vando and Ziaire. The Lakers have been shaky on the defensive glass (6 offensive rebounds for MIL) and in transition. Bucks generating some good…
Walker Kessler got on the board early in the second period with a layup for LA. Sandro Mamukelashvili picked up right where he left off last game, providing an excellent spark off the bench with five points. Collin Sexton also pitched in with four points.
The Bucks were sticking around, though, cutting a 10-point Lakers lead to four, led by Jacquez Jr and Herro.
Milwaukee was playing scrappy and keeping pace with LA. The Bucks were shooting 50% from the field and Los Angeles was at 42%.
The Lakers offense woke back up as they went on a quick 7-0 run on the shoulders of Sexton and Luka.
Milwaukee was on a three-minute scoring drought until Herro scored. It seemed the Bucks were inching closer again, but Mamu and Reaves combined for nine points to help give the purple and gold an 11-point lead at halftime.
Reaves drained a triple to start the third period for Los Angeles. Luka also knocked down one of his own. Burries scored on a triple for the Bucks. LA kept their double-digit lead, despite shooting 3-9 in the quarter.
Los Angeles then blew the game open, extending its lead to 17 as Thybulle and Kessler combined for five points.
The concerning moment came in the middle of the middle of the quarter when Austin suffered his heel injury on his landing after attempting a dunk. He left shortly after and did not return.
The rest of the quarter was Mamu continuing his incredible play off the bench, pushing his point total to 21 for the night. Luka ended the third by converting on a three-point play that gave the purple and gold a 21-point lead.
LA maintained their big lead well into the final frame. Mamu, Kessler, Williams and Sexton each contributed offensively. Herro and Jacquez hadn’t scored a field goal, but converted on six free throws.
Sexton suffered his injury in the final frame, taking a shot to the face while on defense and being forced to leave with an apparent cut.
At the 5:30 mark, Los Angeles was up 22.
Luka had scored six points before being subbed out after appearing to injure his ankle. The Lakers then subbed in their bench at the 4:25 mark.
Key Player Stats
Luka finished with 32 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals. Reaves ended with 18 points and five assists before leaving with an injury. Kessler logged 10 points with 11 rebounds and three assists.
Mamu pitched in with 23 points off the bench. Sexton had 10 points. Thybulle scored eight points with five rebounds. Ziaire Williams and Jarred Vanderbilt combined for 13 points and six assists.
The Lakers’ next game will be against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday at 1:00 PM PT.
Austin Reaves exited the game in the third quarter and did not return with a left heel injury. Collin Sexton later went into the locker room himself after taking a headbutt in the fourth, and then Luka Dončić appeared to roll his right ankle with just over four minutes to go.
Dončić hit a stepback 3 (later overturned to a long 2-pointer) over Kyle Kuzma, but his ankle twisted as soon as it landed on the ground and sent the two-time scoring champion crashing to the floor, where he grabbed at his leg and scooted over to the scorer's table to take a minute.
Dončić was able to get up and walk around, and made a free throw to convert the and-1 before head coach JJ Redick mass subbed the entire lineup with the Lakers up 24 points at the 4:25 mark. He finished the game with 32 points, five rebounds and five assists, continuing his red-hot start to the season.
Luka Doncic appeared to injure his ankle on this and-one bucket after a foul by Kyle Kuzma.
Redick told reporters postgame that he believes Dončić appears to be fine. Dončić echoed those sentiments after the game.
"I'm good, obviously it's painful a little bit but I'll be fine," Dončić said.
He wouldn't have even been in the game at that point, Redick added, had Sexton not bumped his head. Sexton received stitches in his temple area and X-Rays on Reaves came back negative, though he will undergo further testing on Thursday.
They'll all have more time to recover than they've been used to; the Lakers have three days off for the first time this season before finishing their four-game road trip on Sunday against the Phoenix Suns.
"It does feel long, I got to be honest with you," Redick told reporters. "It's three games in four nights, and we played Portland on Friday in the Cup game at home, and that feels like it was three weeks ago."
CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 11: De'Aaron Fox #4 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots a free throw during the game against the Chicago Bulls on November 11, 2026 at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Bulls were ready to start tonight’s game, and they took advantage of the Spurs lackadaisical defense in the first half to lead by as much as 22 points late in the second quarter. The Spurs made a little surge just before the half to cut the lead to 14, and came out in the second half en fuego after what had to be a torrid tongue lashing from Coach Mitch Johnson. The Bulls lost Caleb Wilson in the second half and their shooting fell to Earth after the unreal first half marksmanship, and the Spurs pulled out a tough win to finish out their four game road trip undefeated and win their 10th game in a row. Victor Wembanyama was great as usual, but they got some good contributions for De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper, and some nice bench contributions from Keldon Johnson and Carter Bryant.
They return to the Frost Bank Center on Friday to face the Golden State Warriors in a battle to take control of their group and make a step toward the knockout rounds and a possible trip to the Hinkle Field House for the Cup finals.
Observations:
I like the road black uniforms. The visiting team wearing light colored jerseys is an abomination.
Jalen Smith hit his first two three-point shots which was unexpected, but Fox matched him by hitting a pair. De’Aaron had 11 of the Spurs’ first 19, and Smith had 10 or the Bulls’ first 17.
The Bulls didn’t know that they were supposed to be an easy out and took a 13 point lead late in the first quarter as they got to all of the loose balls and played sharper than the visitors, leading 41-29 after the first quarter, shooting an impossibly hot 85%. The Spurs’ slow rotations on defense definitely helped that stat to happen.
The Bulls run continued into the second quarter as they extended the lead to 18. The Spurs came back in the second quarter with better offense, but it was blunted a bit by the Bulls continuing to shoot bullseye after bullseye. The Spurs couldn’t get rebounds, because if there are no missed shot, it reduces your opportunities for a carom.
The Silver and Black got up off the canvas a little towards the end of the second quarter, cutting the Chicago lead to 14 and trailing 56 to 70 at the half. A missed triple from Harper could have cut it to 11 at the buzzer, but it missed.
There’s this whole narrative about ‘TRAP’2 games, but I don’t think that’s fair to a team like the Bulls who put in the work and put together one of their best efforts of the season, in the first half at least. The Spurs are expected to win, but they should also know that wherever they go, they are going to see a team’s best effort, and there are no games that you can take for granted.
The Spurs started off the second half on fire, scoring the first seven to cut the home lead in half in the first two minutes, leading to an early Splitter timeout. It didn’t help, as the Spurs tied up the game four minutes into the quarter.
Josh Giddey made a business decision at least twice when he was defending a fast break, just ducking out of the way as the Spurs had the numerical advantage.
Missed free throws are getting to be a problem for San Antonio, and it could cost them some games later in the season if they don’t clean it up.
Caleb Wilson had to leave in the second half with an apparent hand injury, really bad news for Chicago.
The Spurs led 90-89 after three quarters, getting all the way back from the first half deficit, but still not creating a comfortable margin.
The Spurs had a quick 11-2 start to the fourth quarter, getting their first double digit lead of the game 101-91 with just under 10 minutes left in the game.
Keldon Johnson had himself a game tonight. He only scored 10 points, but he was key in the third quarter comeback as his energy brought the Spurs back into the game.
Carter Bryant had one of his better games of the season, making some key plays in the fourth quarter to ice the win.
The Spurs put in their garbage time squad a little early and the Bulls made it slightly interesting as time ran out but were always two scores away from tying it up as the Spurs won 124-119.
Perhaps Mitch Johnson lit the match.
Insert Admiral Ackbar GIF here.
The Spurs are headed back home tonight and will play the Golden State Warriors on Friday night in their second NBA Cup game of the season. The Warriors are enjoying a bit of a renaissance lately, with the ageless Steph Curry being joined by super rookie Yaxel Lendeborg, and they should be the toughest test for the Silver and Black since the first two games of the season against OKC and Houston. The winner of Friday’s contest will take sole possession of first place in West Group C, since all of the other teams will have at least one loss, which gives them an inside track to winning the group and advancing to the knockout rounds in December. The players are on record of wanting to get the prestige and extra money of a Cup championship this season after losing in the NBA Cup finals to an upstart team called the Knicks, and a win on Friday would be a big step in the right direction.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 11: Andrew Nembhard #2 of the Indiana Pacers handles the ball during the game against the Washington Wizards on November 11, 2026 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by A.J. Mast/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Washington Wizards continued their slide Wednesday in a 114-101 loss to the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Wednesday. Despite having an overwhelming talent advantage on paper, the Wizards looked inferior to a Pacers team that knew how to execute even without Tyrese Haliburton on the floor.
The Wizards started the game positively enough, with a renewed focus on crashing the glass. They won the rebounding battle 16-11 in the first quarter and had 6 offensive boards, leading to 8 second-chance points.
Anthony Davis had six points in the period, while AJ Dybantsa showed a little sauce with a sweet reverse in transition. Washington trailed 26-25 after one.
Tre Johnson had the hot hand before halftime. He scored 8 of his 13 first-half points in the opening minutes of the second quarter to give the Wizards a 37-31 edge.
But Washington quite literally gave that lead away to close out the half. Dybantsa and Kyshawn George combined for 7 early turnovers, including a trio of live-ball miscues in the final minutes that led to easy Indiana points. The visiting Wizards trailed 55-50 at the break.
Trae Young was virtually a non-factor in the first half. He had just 3 points and 2 assists, and didn’t even take a shot in the second quarter. Johnson led the way with 13 off the bench.
The Pacers tried to pull away in the third quarter. A Pascal Siakam triple gave Indiana a 69-59 lead midway through the period. Anthony Davis responded with a personal 7-0 run, which keyed an 18-8 Wizards spurt to end the third. The two teams were tied at 77 entering the fourth.
The Wizards were simply outclassed in the final 12 minutes. The Pacers started the fourth quarter on a 14-0 run that mercifully ended with a Dybantsa dunk at the 8:45 mark. Indiana’s veterans generated open looks seemingly at will while also pummeling Washington inside on Siakam drives and Ivica Zubac post-ups.
The difference in offensive execution between the two teams was stark in Wednesday’s game. The Pacers tallied 29 assists even without Haliburton on the floor. Andrew Nembhard nearly had more assists (10) than the entire Wizards team (12). The small silver lining is that Washington won the rebounding battle 58-52.
George led the Wizards with 25 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists on 9-of-20 shooting. However, his 6 turnovers made it hard to feel good about his performance. Dybantsa scored 13 points on a 6-of-15 clip and missed all four of his three-point attempts. Davis had another 20-10 night, while Young had an unimpactful 15 points and 4 assists.
The Wizards get right back on the court tomorrow for the second night of a back-to-back against the Detroit Pistons at Capital One Arena.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JUNE 16: Cole Carrigg #16 of the Colorado Rockies makes a jumping catch into the ivy in a game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on June 16, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois.(Photo by Kyle Cooper/Colorado Rockies/Getty Images)
On Sunday, we gave you a list of the best defensive play of 2026 and asked you to provide others that stuck out to you. As this is a Rockies site, we will be voting on Rockies plays, but an Honorable Mention goes to Colorado Springs Northsider’s nomination of the Colton Cowser walk-off home run robbery in August (that was definitely the play of the year at Coors Field).
So without further ado, here are your Top 5 (in chronological order):
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 09: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors holds his hand after being fouled in the second quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at Chase Center on November 09, 2026 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Golden State Warriors have dealt with their fair share of injuries early in the 2026-27 season, and it hasn’t stopped them from winning. But there’s one injury they can’t afford to have, and unfortunately, they got a scare on that front on Wednesday.
Just a few minutes into their game against Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets — a game that kicks off a five-game road trip — Warriors superstar Steph Curry started to look a little uncomfortable, and was seen grabbing at his side and hip area. About halfway through the quarter he left the game, and headed straight to the locker room with trainer Drew Yoder, while visibly in discomfort.
Curry took a few hard falls and collisions in the opening minutes of the game before exiting.
At the start of the second quarter, the Warriors announced that Curry had been ruled out for the rest of the game with a right abdominal soreness. His status going forward is not yet known.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 11: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks battles for the ball with James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during their game at Madison Square Garden on November 11, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Grades are based on our usual expectations for each player.
Player of the game
James Harden
32 points, 4 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 steals
Harden delivered his best half of the season by ripping off 17 points on 3-of-5 three-point shooting in the opening quarters. The Cavs have missed this production from their starting point guard. But if he can generate clean offense like this on a consistent basis, then there’s a real runway for them moving forward.
The Cavs’ offense was steady all night in large part due to Harden’s isolation scoring. Few players have been able to create one-on-one like Harden, and even at 37 years old, he’s proven he can still turn up the heat and take over games.
Grade: A+
Grades
Donovan Mitchell
23 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists
Last week, after the Cavs lost to New York, Mitchell told me he feels he’s taken strides as a playmaker. That manifested itself tonight in a way that’s bigger than his 6 assists.
Mitchell showed maturity in the fourth quarter. After scoring steadily throughout the game, he allowed the Knicks to take him off the board by trapping him. By accepting the double team and then passing the ball to one of his release valves, the Cavs were able to consistently create advantages at the end of the game.
Allen made the most of his opportunities tonight. He shot 4-of-7 from the floor and hammered (literally) the nail in the coffin with his and-one dunk.
More importantly, Allen gobbled 14 boards and helped the Cavs win 40-34 on the glass.
Grade: A-
Evan Mobley
10 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block
This was a quiet night from Mobley. In some ways, his lack of aggression, particularly when drawing a mismatch against a smaller defender, was frustrating.
That said, I do think there’s value in pointing out that the flow of this game never channeled his direction. This was a perimeter-oriented game with Mitchell, Harden, Proctor, and Thomas attempting 52 shots (out of 85 total attempts from the team).
I wish Mobley were capable of dictating that flow for himself more often. But I’m starting to wonder if we all need to just accept that as something that doesn’t come included.
His grade skews positive for his mostly impactful defensive effort.
Grade: C+
Peyton Watson
7 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 blocks
Watson did not find his shot at any point tonight. He finished 2-for-12 from the field. However, he made a gigantic impact on defense, swatting multiple three-point attempts and blocking Deuce McBride in transition to help Cleveland close the door.
The Cavs still need to figure out where he fits offensively, but the vision for his defense is coming into focus.
Hezonja couldn’t hang tonight as New York’s off-ball movement left him stuck in the mud. He’s too slow for either of the Knicks’ wings, and Karl-Anthony Towns isn’t your usual five. This will be a difficult matchup for Hezonja to establish himself.
Grade: F
Jaylon Tyson
3 points, 0 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block
Tyson played his first game since October after missing the previous six with an ankle injury. There’s not much to take from this, other than Tyson needs to find his jumper and become a more helpful defender. All of this could come as he gets his feet back under him.
Grade: D+
Tyrese Proctor
15 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist
Proctor was everything the Cavs needed tonight. He had it going offensively (6-for-12 shooting) and was one of their best perimeter defenders. He stayed attached on screens and kept the Knicks from getting loose away from the ball. This was the best game of his young career and another sign that the Cavs have a nose for finding talent on the margins.
Grade: A
Meleek Thomas
14 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals
Thomas nailed a half-spin fallaway jumper during his first stint of this game. The type of stuff that only an immensely confident rookie could pull off. But that confidence has made Thomas a difference-maker for Cleveland, and his ability to create for himself was a big help tonight.
The Golden State Warriors are already down one of their stars. Now they await word on their biggest one.
Twelve-time All-Star guard Stephen Curry, the greatest shooter of all-time, walked off the floor Wednesday, Nov. 11 during a game against the Houston Rockets, clearly grimacing. Curry, who appeared to be favoring his right side, then walked to the locker room, with a trainer following. The Warriors announced minutes into the second quarter that Curry would not return for the rest of the game with right abdominal soreness.
The sequence took place just 5:35 into the game. Curry had scored 3 points on 1-of-3 shooting by that point. Curry did not return to the floor for the rest of the first quarter, and he was not back at the bench area to start the second period.
Curry did have a collision with Rockets forward Amen Thompson earlier in the game, when Curry had driven to the hoop on an attempted layup. Then, Curry had been fighting off a screen against Rockets center Alperen Şengün. As soon as that sequence ended, Curry once again grabbed his side.
Finally, just moments before he left the game, Curry curled around a screen and put up a 3-point shot. As soon as he landed and stepped backwards, he grabbed at his right side, near his hip.
Curry has been in the midst of a renaissance and has been elevating the play of the Warriors, who entered the night 8-3, which was tied for the third best record in the Western Conference.
Curry has been averaging 30.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game across nine appearances so far this season. He’s converting 3-pointers at a blistering 45.7%, which would mark a career-high. His scoring total ranks second in the NBA, behind only Luka Dončić’s historic 39.3 points per game, for all players with at least five games played.
Steph Curry goes straight to the locker room @NBCSWarriors
There’s something clearly wrong with his right side. Looks like oblique area. He’s visibly angry about it pic.twitter.com/V0VK2GJMlL
The Warriors were already without Jimmy Butler, who has missed the start of the season as he rehabs the torn anterior cruciate ligament he suffered in January 2026.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr said after the game that Curry said he "tweaked something in his abdominal area," which Curry told his longtime coach he had never done before.
Kerr said Curry left the arena to get an MRI.
"Concern is high but I have no idea the extent of the injury," Kerr said.
This is stating the obvious, but it will depend on the severity.
While Curry was in clear discomfort when he left the floor, he did try to tough it out for a few possessions. That alone is not enough of an indicator to provide a tangible assessment, but it could hint to the degree of severity.
Either way, abdominal or oblique injuries can be complicated. Because they are part of the core muscles, many basic athletic movements can become painful.
They can also take time to heal, especially if there’s a muscle tear. Magic forward Paolo Banchero, for example, missed 34 games during the 2024-25 season with a torn oblique. If it ends up being a strain, however, any Curry absence would undoubtedly be far shorter.
Regardless, if Curry is forced to miss time, the Warriors will face the impossible problem of making up for the loss of a player who’s irreplaceable.
Curry is playing at an MVP-caliber level, and Golden State simply does not have any options who come close. Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg has been sensational in his first month in the NBA, and surely he will be forced to take on more offensive responsibility. Same goes for starting guard Brandin Podziemski, though to a lesser extent.
What the Warriors won’t be able to replace is Curry’s perimeter shooting and the way that opens up space on the floor. Curry is the best off-ball player in the NBA and tirelessly bounds around the floor, looking for small gaps. Those alone are enough for him to get shots off.
And, considering he entered the night making field goals at 50.3% and 3-pointers at 45.7%, that efficiency will be sorely missed.
The Warriors haven’t issued an update on Jimmy Butler’s status, but if Curry is forced to miss extended time, that could potentially put some pressure on Butler to lead the team as soon as he returns, should the timing coincide.
Either way, if Curry misses extended time, it’s tough to see Golden State remaining as competitive as it has been to start the season.
In nine games, Curry is shooting 50.3% from the field and is averaging 30.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. A two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, Curry’s scoring this season represents a significant jump from his career average of 24.9 points per game.
This story will be updated when we have more information.
