BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 06: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics and Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks shake hands after the Celtics defeat the Mavericks 120-100 at TD Garden on March 06, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images
BOSTON — The Celtics will have their full roster available when they host the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday night. Boston has no players listed on its injury report — that includes Paul George, who missed Wednesday’s win over the Toronto Raptors with an illness on the second night of a back-to-back.
The Celtics have a clean injury report ahead of tomorrow’s game against the Mavericks
George sat out in Toronto just a day removed from a 36-point performance against the Philadelphia 76ers. He has been the Celtics’ second-leading scorer so far this season, averaging 22 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.1 steals per game. He’s also been the team’s most efficient high-volume scorer, shooting 48.8% from the field and 44% from three.
Still, the Celtics survived without him on Wednesday, erasing a 22-point deficit on the second night of a road back-to-back to beat the Raptors 98-93. The win capped a perfect 4-0 road trip and extended Boston’s winning streak to five games. At 10-2, the Celtics lead the Eastern Conference, have won 10 of their last 11 games, and own the league’s best net rating.
Boston has had three days off since returning from Toronto, and now opens a home back-to-back; the Celtics host the Raptors on Sunday and then the Orlando Magic on Monday night.
The Celtics could rest players on Monday against the Magic
Sunday’s clean report doesn’t guarantee the Celtics will be at full strength on both nights. Boston has rested players on back-to-backs before this season: Mitchell Robinson sat the front end in Orlando on Nov. 1, and George sat the second night in Houston the following day.
Jayson Tatum, meanwhile, has played in every back-to-back game so far, though he’s said he’s open to conversations about rest management. He also noted that he doesn’t like sitting out road games, which has factored into his decision to play on the second night of multiple back-to-backs.
“It’s my 10th year, so I understand the balance of wanting to play every game, and rest, and back-to-backs, three-in-fours, five-in-sevens,” Tatum said last week in Charlotte. “It’s always a conversation. We talk about it. We have a plan. I don’t really like sitting out on away games, but we just kind of figure it out as we go.”
The Celtics will begin a four-game West Coast road trip on Wednesday, which includes stops in Denver, Sacramento, San Francisco, and Washington D.C.
The Mavericks are on the second night of a back-to-back
Dallas will arrive in Boston after facing the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night; the Mavericks entered that game at 7-5 after getting blown out by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving were both off Dallas’ injury report for Saturday’s game.
Flagg, the reigning Rookie of the Year, is averaging 24.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game, while Irving is scoring 21.6 points per game. Irving, who returned this season from a torn ACL, sat out the second night of Dallas’ first back-to-back of the season for load management, so it’s possible he misses Sunday’s game, though the Mavericks have yet to list their injury report.
Max Christie (left ankle sprain), Sergio De Larrea (right knee sprain), Tarik Biberović (right heel bursitis), and Dereck Lively II (right foot surgery recovery) were all ruled out ahead of Saturday’s game.
Sunday will be Flagg’s second game at TD Garden. The Newport, Maine native drew plenty of support from the crowd during his Garden debut last March; the Celtics won the game by 20 as Jayson Tatum made his return from his Achilles injury.
Celtics-Mavericks tips off on Sunday night at 6pm ET.
CHICAGO - Since their horrific road trip through the southeastern United States ended, the Chicago Blackhawks have been making all sorts of changes on and off the ice. When they took on the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday, it was assumed that there would be a much better effort.
The Blackhawks ended up winning that match 3-2 in overtime after entering the third period down a goal. There is a lot of time left for them to keep working on their game, but it's not going to happen overnight.
On Saturday, the Winnipeg Jets were in town for a daytime match against the Blackhawks. Winners of 5 straight games following a stretch of 8 losses out of 9, the Jets are a difficult team to predict.
The game's opening period went about as well as the Blackhawks could have hoped. The play was rather even, but the Blackhawks held a 3-0 lead at the first intermission. Their first goal came after Connor Bedard's nice zone entry led to Oliver Moore making a perfect pass to Tyler Bertuzzi, who made a nice move and shot to score.
Their second goal was the result of hard work on the forecheck by Ryan Donato. He allowed the puck to find Teuvo Teravainen, who made a great centering pass for Anton Frondell to tip into the net.
Late in the period, the Blackhawks were given a power play, and they took advantage. Patrick Kane won a puck battle behind the net and then fed Connor Bedard for a one-timer, and he beat Stuart Skinner.
In the second period, the Blackhawks made it 4-0 at 14:44 when Frank Nazar tipped home a Teuvo Teravainen shot on the power play. From there, the Hawks appeared to be in control of the game.
Nothing is certain in the NHL, and Winnipeg planted the seed of doubt before the middle frame was over. Mark Scheifele got the Jets on the board after putting one in the net off a great feed from Josh Morrissey. On that goal, Scheifele became the all-time leading scorer in the history of the Winnipeg Jets with 930 career points.
MARK SCHEIFELE SETS THE FRANCHISE RECORD IN POINTS (again)
While the Blackhawks were announcing the goal and congratulating Scheifele on that accomplishment, he made it 931 by assisting on a goal scored by Kyle Connor. Spencer Knight went to play the puck behind the net, and his stick got caught in the boards. Scheifele took advantage of the situation and fed the puck in front to Connor, who beat Knight back to the net.
The 4-2 lead in favor of Chicago made it back to the locker room for the second intermission. Going into the third period, the Blackhawks knew they were going to get an intense push from the Jets.
Early in the final frame, the Jets found themselves on the power play 20 seconds in. Cole Perfetti scored to get them within 1. At that point, the Blackhawks were in trouble as the Jets came all the way back to make it a hockey game.
With the extra attacker, the Jets found a way to tie the game. It felt like it was coming in the moments leading up to it, and they did. Nobody scored in overtime, and the Jets won in the shootout to complete the comeback.
That will go down as one of Chicago's most disappointing losses of the season, which is saying something for a team that's now 5-13-2. It wasn't the standard meltdown, as some fluky plays led to the Jets getting it tied up, but not closing out a game when they were up 4-0 is a meltdown nonetheless - a step backwards after taking the slightest step forward.
The Chicago Blackhawks will be back at home on Tuesday night. It is their final Centennial Celebration, which will take place against the Toronto Maple Leafs. This game will be played on the 100th anniversary of their first game in franchise history, which was against the Toronto St. Pats on November 17th, 1926.
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MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 13: A generic photo of an NBA Cup basketball before the game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Miami Heat during the 2026 Emirates NBA Cup on November 13, 2026 at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. 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 Dallas Mavericks (7-5) head out on the road for the start of a back-to-back against Eastern Conference teams, first facing the Cleveland Cavaliers (6-7) on Friday night. Dallas is coming off a brutal beating at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Cleveland most recently lost one against the Miami Heat on Friday night. It may well be an ugly and weird game as yesterday’s FAA issues kept the Cavs in Miami until this morning. Here are the main things to know:
WHO: Dallas Mavericks vs Cleveland Cavaliers
WHAT: Start of a road back-to-back
WHERE: Rocket Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
WHEN: 6:30 pm CST
HOW: KFAA
The Dallas Mavericks injury report is a mixed back, but nothing should come as a surprise. Morez Johnson Jr. is available to play despite his shin injury, which is good news. Caleb Martin is available as well, he has a few more weeks with the brace on. Max Christie will miss this game with an ankle sprain. Tarik Biberovic and Sergio De Larrea are still out as well.
The Cavaliers side of the report is embarrassing. We get it, you had to fly in this morning. Boo hoo. These are the players that are out due to “injury management”: Jarrett Allen, James Harden, Sam Merrill, Donovan Mitchell, and Peyton Watson. That’s a third of the team! “Injury management” is code for “we’re mad the game wasn’t rescheduled”. Evan Mobley is out with turf toe.
Dallas should take this one with authority, but they cant afford to take their weakened opponent lightly. Check out the deeper preview from Tyler here, though some of that info is now outdated given the injury report.
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Brandon Buhr suited up for the Abbotsford Canucks for the first time on November 10. The Metro Vancouver native was acquired, along with Jacob Quillan, during the Aatu Räty trade to the Toronto Maple Leafs on October 15. Before making the jump to the AHL, Buhr played six games in the ECHL with the Kalamazoo Wings, where he recorded two goals and two assists.
Buhr made his Abbotsford debut on home ice, where he recorded his first point, which came via an assist. When asked about his thoughts on joining his hometown franchise, Buhr responded with a smile, saying, "It's a dream come true, honestly. I've been a Canucks fan my whole life, so when I found out I was traded here, I was beyond ecstatic."
Even though Abbotsford fought hard to come back and tie the game, the Colorado Eagles won in a shootout. After the game, Buhr said, "Obviously, feel good about the point, but not too great about the result on the scoreboard."
With a few games now under his belt, Buhr has his sights set on joining the Highway 1 Wall. This wall serves as motivation for the players, as it features everyone who has made their way through the organization from the AHL to the NHL. When asked about one day seeing his name on the wall, Buhr said, "That's the ultimate goal. But just gotta stay where my feet are right now and just take it one day at a time."
Buhr seems to fit perfectly in the Canucks locker room. This group stands up for each other, celebrates individual wins, and strives to move the whole team forward. Buhr’s humble demeanour and ambition to help the team as much as he can are two characteristics that should help him thrive in Abbotsford.
"It's a great group of guys. I've had a lot of fun since being here, and hopefully I can stick around."
On November 11, the Canucks celebrated the franchise's 200th win. It was also a special night for Buhr, as he scored his first career AHL goal.
"It was a huge relief. I don't know how to explain the feeling, but it's very lifting.”
Size has always been a big part of Buhr's game. He is listed at 6'2, 204 lbs and uses his body as an advantage in his game. When asked about the physicality in his game, Buhr said, "I get hard on the forecheck, but I also have the ability to score goals, shoot the puck hard, and skate fast."
Buhr now has three points in two games with Abbotsford. As he explained, getting on the scoresheet early has helped him settle into the AHL. "Definitely was a little confidence boost, but I was trying to stick to my same game. You know, just be physical, fast, and when I have a chance, shoot it. But obviously, didn't really need to shoot for that goal today."
As a BC kid, Buhr is enjoying his first few games with the Canucks. What used to be a childhood dream is now his reality. Ultimately, Buhr understands the responsibility of wearing the Abbotsford crest and is focused on doing whatever it takes to represent the organization with pride.
Brandon Buhr of the Abbotsford Canucks (Photo Credit: @abbycanucks on "X")
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.
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MIAMI, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 23: Giannis Antetokounmpo #7 of the Miami Heat drives against John Collins #20 of the Detroit Pistons during the second half at Kaseya Center on October 23, 2026 in Miami, Florida. 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 Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Detroit Pistons face the Giannis-led Miami Heat for the second time this season, but this is not the same Heat team Detroit beat 128-111 in the second game of the season. The Heat can get above .500 with a win after winning six of its past eight games, including the previous three in a row. The Heat are starting to understand how best to play around Giannis Antetokounmpo, especially Bam Adebayo. In the team’s most recent win, Bam and Giannis scored 37 points, and Davion Mitchell was able to support the big two with a 22-point, 17-assist effort.
The Pistons also had Jalen Duren the last time the two teams faced each other, and the big man is still out, and Detroit’s big man is still out recovering from a hamstring injury. Detroit’s big men have been an issue since Duren went down, and that could be an issue when going against both Bam and Giannis. Of course, the Pistons do have Cade Cunningham, and he has vaulted himself into a top-10 player in the NBA. Cunningham is coming off a career-high 52 points and an NBA-first 50-point, 10-assist, zero-turnover game. I’m not sure what he’ll be able to do for an encore, but if the Pistons don’t get decent efforts out of John Collins and Paul Reed, it might not matter.
Game Vitals
When: 8 p.m. ET Where: Kaseya Center, Miami, Florida Watch: TV: NBA TV, TV-20 | Streaming: DAZN-Det Odds: Pistons -3.5
Projected Lineup
Detroit Pistons (8-3)
Cade Cunningham, Daniss Jenkins, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, John Collins
CHICAGO (AP) — Mark Scheifele had a goal and three assists, Kyle Connor scored a goal in regulation and had the deciding shootout goal, and the Winnipeg Jets rallied from a four-goal deficit to beat the Chicago Blackhawks 5-4 on Saturday.
The Jets’ sixth straight win was their second comeback from four goals down this season. They scored four times in 2:07 to beat Montreal 5-4 in overtime on Nov. 3.
Gabriel Vilardi’s shot from the right slot tied the game 4-all with 1:13 left in regulation and goalie Nico Daws pulled for an extra attacker.
Scheifele also scored in the shootout. Daws stopped Roman Kantserov to lock up the victory.
Spencer Knight, who made 27 saves, lost his bid for the Blackhawks’ first shutout since March when Scheifele ripped a 15-foot shot past his glove side with 3:55 to play in the second period to make it 4-1. Scheifele’s goal made him the Jets’ points leader for the second time. He finished the game with 933 points.
Scheifele had held the mark until the original Jets’ records were consolidated before this season, making the late Dale Hawerchuk, who played for the team that eventually moved to Phoenix, the points leader.
Only 1:56 later, Scheifele set up Kyle Connor for his 700th career point to cut the lead to 4-2. In the first minute of the third period, Cole Perfetti’s power-play score brought the Jets within a goal.
Daws made 12 saves in relief for Winnipeg.
The Blackhawks chased Winnipeg starting goalie Stuart Skinner from the crease after 20 minutes, scoring three times on eight shots in the first period. Tyler Bertuzzi, Anton Frondell and Connor Bedard scored the goals. The Blackhawks took a 4-0 lead on Frank Nazar’s tip with 5:16 left in the second and Daws in the net.
Up Next
Winnipeg: Hosts Ottawa on Tuesday night.
Chicago: Hosts Toronto on Tuesday night, on the 100th anniversary of the Blackhawks’ first game.
Sabalenka issues public apology after social media storm
The rise of Mirra Andreeva has seemed inevitable ever since she burst on to the tour as a precocious 15-year-old more than three years ago, but this week, six months after her maiden grand slam triumph at Roland Garros, she has taken another massive step forward in her career. The 19-year-old will attempt to close out the most impressive week of her career by winning one of her most significant titles after thoroughly outplaying Jessica Pegula, the fifth seed, 6-3, 6-4 to reach the championship match of the WTA Finals at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
A year ago, Andreeva surprisingly failed to qualify for the WTA Finals, missing out by a paltry six points after bizarrely deciding not to compete in the final tournament week before the event. The world No 3 has been utterly supreme in her long-awaited debut appearance, bulldozing through elite opposition to reach the final without dropping a set. She has conceded just 18 games in four matches this week, including a 6-4, 6-0 demolition of the No 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka, winning 11 games in succession from 1-4 down.
Lakers coach JJ Redick slaps hand with forward Ziaire Williams as he comes off the court during a timeout. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)
While rocketing toward the top of the league, the Lakers have been far from perfect. That’s good news to them.
“A big thing that we talk with our players about a lot is being able to learn and get better and try to correct things even when you are winning,” coach JJ Redick said.
The Lakers (11-2) have won seven consecutive games entering Sunday’s 1 p.m. PST matinee against the Suns (5-6) in Phoenix.
Using a rare multiple-day break between games to audit their performances, coaches and analytics staffers showed slide presentations to players about both offensive and defensive flaws this week. The lectures left the team with one of the best records in the league feeling as if it was one of the worst, forward Ziaire Williams joked.
Already the top-ranked offense in the league, the Lakers should strive to match that by becoming a top-10 defense, Redick implored his team. Williams is not stopping there.
“Top 10 should be at least like our standard, if not better,” the forward said. “Our half-court defense has been great. Obviously, rebounding has been one of the biggest things for us, cleaning up transition as well. But the potential’s there. We have the size, the length, the athleticism. It’s just about going out there and executing.”
The Lakers, ranked 18th in defensive efficiency, thrive on forcing turnovers and protecting the rim. Their 18.5 turnovers forced per game rank third in the league, and they average an NBA-best 11 steals per game. Center Walker Kessler’s 2.2 blocks per game rank third.
But they can’t finish the strong half-court possessions. The Lakers are ranked 28th in defensive rebounding and 25th in second-chance points given up.
The Lakers staff rewatched every offensive rebound given up this season. Lack of boxing out was the biggest fault. Then there were instances when players stood and watched.
“If I stand and watch and try and outjump someone else, I’m probably not going to get the rebound,” said forward Jake LaRavia, who has been an offensive rebounding revelation since entering the starting lineup, averaging 2.8 offensive rebounds in the last nine games. “So you have to go and be physical and hit bodies, and then just be able to dive on loose balls, finish possessions, it’s really just who’s going to work harder.”
Kessler is averaging 8.1 defensive rebounds during the Lakers’ seven-game winning streak — which is the second-longest in Redick’s coaching tenure — compared to 6.3 during the first six games.
Forward Jarred Vanderbilt, who did not play in the first four games, has made the most of his limited minutes off the bench, grabbing 7.9 defensive rebounds per 36 minutes, the second-best rate on the team among players who have played more than three minutes. Vanderbilt, averaging 3.8 rebounds per game in 11.9 minutes, had 10 rebounds in less than 14 minutes against the Detroit Pistons on Nov. 8.
Transition defense also is sinking the Lakers’ defensive efforts. Opponents are scoring 20.2 points off turnovers per game, which put the Lakers 24th out of 30 teams. Redick blames some of that on the Lakers’ offensive flaws. Although they are the league’s most efficient offense, the Lakers turn the ball over 16.9 times per game, the fifth-most in the NBA.
Lakers guard Luka Doncic shoots over two Bucks during a win Wednesday in Milwaukee. (Aaron Gash / Associated Press)
Luka Doncic, the league’s leading scorer at 38.6 points per game, also averages an NBA-worst five turnovers. Austin Reaves, who is day-to-day because of a left heel bruise suffered Wednesday against Milwaukee, averages 24.7 points and 3.4 turnovers.
Doncic is expected to play Sunday despite tweaking his right ankle late in Wednesday’s win. Reaves didn’t participate in practice Saturday but Collin Sexton was a full participant. The guard wore a thick Band-Aid over his right eyebrow and had bruising around his right eye after bumping heads with Milwaukee’s Ryan Rollins but said he doesn’t expect to wear a mask. He needs only to keep the cut covered to ensure it doesn’t open up again. The rugged guard is familiar with the protocols; Sexton said this was the 11th time in his career that he’s received stitches in his face.
The short break offered an important opportunity for players to rest after a grueling three-game Eastern Conference trip. They now enter a softer stretch in the schedule. After Sunday’s game in Phoenix, the Lakers play their next four at home against three teams — Charlotte, Sacramento and Utah, twice — that have a combined six wins.
Their next game against a team with a winning record isn’t until Nov. 27 at San Antonio. The 11-2 Spurs, who have won 11 consecutive games, are the only team with an active winning streak longer than the Lakers’.
Dominick Barlow decided to finish his post-practice workout Saturday with a windmill dunk.
While Barlow remains out with a “lower back stress reaction” listing on the Sixers’ injury report, it’s one sign that he’s trending up in his rehab process.
“He’s making progress,” Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said. “He was a part of the practice today. It’s kind of a game day type of practice … so it wasn’t super intense, as you might expect. But he was out there doing some stuff. He’s progressing. Just don’t know when he’ll be ready to go, but at least he’s making some progress now.”
Barlow was one of the Sixers’ top role players last season, starting 59 games and contributing in a variety of areas. He averaged 7.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.9 steals in 23.8 minutes per game.
“Size, athleticism, rebounding,” Dean Wade said of the fifth-year forward. “He’s another guy that can switch one through five.”
Whenever the 6-foot-9 Barlow is available for his season debut, the Sixers will welcome him back as another option at center.
With Ariel Hukporti’s preseason Achilles tendon tear and Adem Bona’s cervical spine sprain, the team is light on healthy resources at the five. And Joel Embiid (right foot plantar fascia injury management) will sit Sunday afternoon vs. the Pacers on the first leg of a back-to-back. He’ll presumably return to the lineup when the Sixers visit the Nets on Monday night.
“I think (Barlow) is probably going to have to play more five than we envisioned,” Nurse said, “but Jabari (Walker) is doing that as well. If the situation calls for that, I imagine that’s where he’ll help the most.”
Blue Coats reps for Philon and Edwards
With the Delaware Blue Coats hosting the Maine Red Claws on Friday and Saturday, the Sixers saw an opportunity for two players outside of the regular rotation to log minutes with their G League affiliate.
Rookie guard Labaron Philon Jr. suited up Friday and third-year wing Justin Edwards played both games. Philon posted 20 points, nine rebounds and eight assists in a blowout loss. Edwards shot just 1 for 10 from the floor in the first game, but he scored 23 points on 9-for-17 shooting in Saturday’s win.
Nurse has largely kept a tight rotation early in the season and the 10-3 Sixers haven’t had many lopsided games with ample garbage time. As of Saturday night, the Sixers ranked 29th in the NBA in bench minutes per game.
“My first belief is it’s hard to get better unless you’re playing,” Nurse said. “That kind of trumps everything, in my opinion. Just historically, we’ve had a number of guys that have gone down to those games, respected it … and it’s really helped them in their careers. … It’s been a minute for these guys — both of them — since they’ve had any real court time.
“So that fit into the schedule well. … I think it will also help them to just find some rhythm, find their legs a little bit. We’re going to need everybody at some point, so keep ‘em going.”
VJ Edgecombe was among the crowd Friday night at Chase Fieldhouse.
“They’re my brothers, man,” he said. “Labaron, Justin, (Caleb Love), (Rayan Rupert). I just wanted to show love. … I didn’t have (anything) to do yesterday. … We have that relationship off the court, too. I’m just being supportive and showing them that I care about them.”
Rick Tocchet’s club needed to start coming through in tight games.
On Saturday night, it did.
The Flyers edged the Blue Jackets, 4-3, at Nationwide Arena.
Denver Barkey put up the first multi-goal game of his NHL career. His second marker snapped a 3-3 tie with 8:06 minutes left in the third period.
Trevor Zegras and Matvei Michkov provided the Flyers’ other goals.
All in all, considering some of the drama and tough finishes, the Flyers (6-10-6) had a respectable road trip by picking up at least a point in four of the five games. They went 2-1-2 and it could have been even better.
But on Saturday night, the Flyers overcame an early 2-0 deficit and found a way to win a game decided by one goal. They improved to 2-4-6 in such games.
Tocchet’s club has gone 6-5-4 in its last 15 games.
The Flyers had lost their previous six matchups with Columbus (0-3-3). They’re 1-0-1 against the Blue Jackets (7-11-0) this season and face them two more times.
• Joseph Woll was real solid, converting 28 saves on 31 shots.
He had some timely stops, including one on Damon Severson with three seconds left.
After Columbus struck twice just 4:19 minutes into the game, Woll surrendered just one goal the rest of the way.
Dmitri Voronkov and Matthew Knies handed the Flyers the 2-0 deficit. The Flyers responded with three straight goals to take a 3-2 lead in the second period. Zegras started the Flyers’ comeback with a first-period goal.
After the Flyers went in front, Adam Fantilli tied it back up for the Blue Jackets during the middle frame.
Columbus netminder Jet Greaves stopped 17 of the Flyers’ 21 shots.
Michkov tied the game at 2-2 just 1:19 minutes into the second period with a silky breakaway move. He stripped Fantilli to spring himself the other way.
It was Michkov’s 11th goal of the season. He has 14 points (nine goals, five assists) over the last 14 games.
• Barkey gave the Flyers their first lead, as well. That goal came on the man advantage.
The Flyers’ power play has been significantly better over the last 13 games. It has produced 11 goals.
Owen Tippett gave the Flyers their power play opportunity on Barkey’s goal. He hit Kent Johnson and then drew a roughing penalty on Dante Fabbro by dropping the gloves with the Blue Jackets’ defenseman.
• The Flyers are right back at it Sunday when they return home to face Connor McDavid and the Oilers for the second time in five days (7:30 p.m. ET/NBCSP).
The Winnipeg Jets staged another furious rally from a 4-0 deficit, and the 5-4 victory was aided by the flukiest of fluke goals.
Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Spencer Knight skated behind his net to make a routine play on a dump-in on Saturday, Nov. 14. But he wasn't able to play the puck because his stick got wedged into a small gap in the boards.
Jets forward Mark Scheifele swooped in, grabbed the puck and passed it to Kyle Connor. Knight desperately tried to get to the front of the net, but Connor scored to cut the Blackhawks' lead to 4-2 at 18:01 of the second period.
Knight skated behind the net and pulled out the stick, which was still standing upright, as Jets players celebrated.
"It was stuck and you really don't know what to do," he told reporters after the game. "It was a kind of weird thing. Maybe you can see if they can make it a little tighter of a hole. I don't know."
Jets goal: Kyle Connor scores after Knight's stick got stuck in the boards behind the net... pic.twitter.com/SHRgOvlCrQ
Mark Scheifele sets Winnipeg Jets team scoring record
The play happened while the public address announcer at United Center was acknowledging that Scheifele had become the Jets' all-time leading scorer with his goal earlier in the second period.
The goal gave Scheifele 930 career points with the franchise. The late Dale Hawerchuk had 929 with the Jets during his Hall of Fame career. Scheifele had played junior hockey for Hawerchuk on the Barrie Colts.
"Dale was an incredible human, an incredible mentor, teacher, everything to me," Scheifele told Sportsnet after the game. "Honestly, I'm just so humbled and honored to be in the same stratosphere as Dale is."
The statistics of the first version of the Winnipeg Jets (1980-1996) were recently incorporated into the stats of the current version (2012 to present).
"Dale would be so proud," Hawerchuk's family said in a statement. "He saw something special in Mark from the beginning and cherished his relationship as coach, mentor and friend. We know there is no one Dale would be more honored to see break his points record."
Scheifele would finish the game with a goal and three assists to push his career total to 933 as the Jets forced overtime.
He and Connor scored in the shootout for a 5-4 victory and another major comeback.
"It's a 60-minute game, not a 20-minute game," Knight said of the Blackhawks' blown lead.
Earlier this month, the Jets overcame a 4-0 deficit in the final 2:31 of regulation against the Montreal Canadiens to win 5-4 in overtime. It was the latest 4-0 comeback in league history, according to the NHL.
That Nov. 3 victory ended Winnipeg's nine-game losing streak and the Jets have won six in a row since then.
Each week, the California Post will power rank the NBA’s 30 teams. Records are as of Saturday morning:
1. San Antonio Spurs (11-2)
The reigning Western Conference champions remain the hottest team in the league after blowing out the Steph Curry-less Warriors on Friday night. The Spurs have won 11 games in a row. They’re top three offensively and defensively across the league, all while Victor Wembanyama is playing at an MVP-caliber level. (Last week, 3rd)
Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during a game against the Golden State Warriors in San Antonio, Friday, Nov. 13, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
2. Los Angeles Lakers (11-2)
Luka Dončić may have cooled off from his two-week-long 40-point barrage, but the Slovenian superstar continues to lead the Lakers in exceeding early-season expectations. The Lakers have looked like a potential championship team after seven consecutive wins. And the team received encouraging news regarding Austin Reaves’ heel injury, which the Lakers have classified as a bruise. (Last week, 2nd)
3. Boston Celtics (10-2)
The Celtics made a statement with their midweek blowout victory over the 76ers. They’re elite on both ends of the floor, and Paul George has been an impeccable fit next to Jayson Tatum. (Last week, 8th)
4. Philadelphia 76ers (10-3)
The 76ers’ cracks started to show in their last four games (2-2), suggesting they may not be as good as their 8-1 start. Their offense should click at a higher level once Joel Embiid and LeBron James find their rhythm. (Last week, 1st)
5. Houston Rockets (10-3)
The Rockets have been one of the league’s steadier teams so far, picking up three straight wins over the Nuggets, Warriors and Jazz to remain toward the top of the West. Alperen Şengün is playing at an All-NBA-caliber level. (Last week, 7th)
6. Minnesota Timberwolves (9-3)
The Timberwolves continue to thrive without Anthony Edwards, winning five straight games including a 39-point blowout victory over the Mavericks on Thursday. LaMelo Ball and Ayo Dosunmu leading the offense while Rudy Gobert anchors the defense has been a reliable formula. (Last week, 5th)
7. Portland Trail Blazers (9-3)
Damian Lillard and Deni Avdija continue to be one of the league’s most dynamic duos, leading the Trail Blazers to back-to-back wins over the Thunder this past week. (Last week, 9th)
8. Detroit Pistons (8-3)
After starting the week with a home loss to the Dončić-less Lakers in which he was held in check offensively, Cade Cunningham provided a reminder of why he’s received All-NBA and All-Star honors the last two seasons, dropping a 52-point, 11-assist double-double in Thursday’s double-overtime win over the Wizards. (Last week, 6th)
9. Oklahoma City Thunder (8-5)
Two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has found his rhythm as a scorer (30.5 points per game, second in the league), but the dip in playmaking (4.5 assists — his lowest mark since 2019-20) stands out amid the Thunder’s three-game losing streak in light of Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren and Cason Wallace being sidelined. (Last week, 4th)
10. Denver Nuggets (6-4)
Nikola Jokić is starting to look closer to his typical self while he and Jamal Murray (career-high 26.2 points) continue to carry a significant offensive load. (Last week, 15th)
Los Angeles Lakers’ Luka Dončić smiles during an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, in Milwaukee. AP Photo/Aaron Gash
11. Memphis Grizzlies (8-4)
The Grizzlies were the early-season darlings after starting 6-0. And there’s still plenty to be excited about with Ty Jerome (25.4 points, 5.3 assists) having a career year and Cameron Boozer (15.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists) creating early Rookie of the Year buzz. But the Grizzlies were coming back down to Earth, losing four of five games before a much-needed win over the Pelicans on Friday. (Last week, 10th)
12. Golden State Warriors (8-5)
The Warriors were one of the hottest teams in the league, winning eight straight games, before Steph Curry went down with a torn oblique and suffered back-to-back losses to the Rockets and Spurs. The time without their franchise icon will be a test for the rest of the roster. (Last week, 11th)
13. New York Knicks (6-6)
The defending champions were looking like they were turning a corner on their season, having won four straight games, before back-to-back losses to the Cavaliers and Pacers. They should be fine in the long run, but they need better play from Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart. (Last week, 14th)
14. Atlanta Hawks (7-6)
The Hawks continue to be solid but haven’t shown the ability to compete with the league’s best teams. They’re 0-4 against teams .500 and above and 7-2 against teams below .500. (Last week, 13th)
15. Dallas Mavericks (7-5)
Cooper Flagg continues to shine in his second NBA season, dropping 43 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in Monday’s win over the Pacers. And Kyrie Irving (21.6 points per game) looks like his pre-ACL injury self. (Last week, 17th)
16. Miami Heat (6-6)
The Heat are finding their groove after starting the season 0-4. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo are finding ways to better coexist, combining for 74 points in Friday’s win over the Cavaliers. (Last week, 19th)
17. Cleveland Cavaliers (6-7)
Meleek Thomas (13 points on 49% shooting, 47.3% on 3-pointers) has been a revelation for the Cavaliers, who acquired the guard out of Arkansas with the No. 34 pick in June’s draft. The Cavaliers, who’ve lost five of their last seven games, have needed every bit of Thomas’ contributions in light of James Harden and Peyton Watson having slow starts to the season. (Last week, 12th)
18. Phoenix Suns (5-6)
The Suns have benefited from an easier schedule, picking up wins over the Hornets and Clippers this past week. The home victory over the Rockets and former star forward Kevin Durant last weekend stood out as a potential turning point of the season. (Last week, 23rd)
The Golden State Warriors will have to stay afloat with Stephen Curry sidelined. AP Photo/Ashley Landis
19. Toronto Raptors (5-7)
The Raptors, who’ve lost three straight games, continue to miss Kawhi Leonard, who remains sidelined as he works his way back from left knee swelling. (Last week, 16th)
20. Orlando Magic (5-7)
Franz Wagner has reached another level during the Magic’s three-game winning streak, averaging 34 points, 7.8 assists and 7.5 rebounds over the last week. With Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs still sidelined, the Magic are going as far as Wagner can take them. (Last week, 24th)
21. Indiana Pacers (5-8)
Just when life without Tyrese Haliburton looked like it was going to be filled with doom and gloom, the Pacers picked up back-to-back wins over the Wizards and Knicks to close out the week. Pascal Siakam (22.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists) continues to be a steady presence. (Last week, 21st)
22. Washington Wizards (4-9)
The Wizards have lost six straight as the level of competition picks up with their schedule. The roster, led by Anthony Davis (25.6 points, 10.5 rebounds), has the requisite talent to be better than they have been lately. (Last week, 18th)
23. New Orleans Pelicans (4-9)
The vibes in New Orleans have taken a turn after five straight losses and a trade request from Dejounte Murray. Losing three straight games by a combined 116 points has been a lowlight for any team across the league. (Last week, 20th)
24. Charlotte Hornets (4-8)
The Hornets ended their six-game losing streak by beating the Cavaliers on Monday. But Kon Knueppel being sidelined for at least the next few weeks has tempered any potential excitement for what this season could’ve been for the Hornets. (Last week, 22nd)
25. Los Angeles Clippers (3-8)
The Clippers won two of their three games this past week, including the victory over the Thunder, ending a dreadful stretch of basketball. (Last week, 25th)
26. Brooklyn Nets (3-8)
The Nets made 20 3-pointers in their recent win over the Pelicans, the second time they’ve reached that mark this season. So much of their offensive success is tied to whether they’re making perimeter shots. (Last week, 26th)
27. Utah Jazz (1-12)
The Jazz have the league’s longest active losing streak at 11 consecutive losses. But at least rookie Darryn Peterson is starting to find his groove, averaging 24.4 points over his last five games. (Last week, 27th)
28. Chicago Bulls (2-9)
The overtime win over the Hawks was a pleasant surprise. But Caleb Wilson suffering a fractured hand took away a lot of the minimal excitement surrounding the Bulls for the next few weeks. (Last week, 28th)
29. Sacramento Kings (1-11)
The Kings followed up their first win of the season over the Mavericks with five straight losses. Yuck. (Last week, 29th)
30. Milwaukee Bucks (1-12)
The Bucks continue to understand what life looks like after trading away a franchise icon near the prime of his career a year or two too late. (Last week, 30th)
SAN ANTONIO, TX -NOVEMBER 13: Victor Wembanyamam#1 shares a light moment with Devin Vassell #24 of the San Antonio Spurs during game against Golden State Warriors in the second half of a Emirates Cup game at Frost Bank Center on November 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. 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 Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I was about 12 years old when I realized that there were people in the Dark Ages who had lived amongst the ruins of the Roman Empire.
Once a week in my art class (usually on a Friday) we were given free reign to pursue whatever we wanted, so long as it pertained to either the creation or study of art.
Being a poor visual artist, I tended to opt for study, and would plop myself into a beanbag chair in the corner of the room with a stack of art books.
In the time before the proliferation of google image searches this felt like a revelation, and I spent countless hours pouring through volumes of paintings that I’d otherwise only have seen in a museum.
I can still recall the goosebumpy thrill of stumbling into the deeply shadowed chiaroscuro of El Greco, or the eerie moonlit majesty of John Atkinson Grimshaw.
But it was a piece by the French Romantic painter Hubert Robert, found in a compendium of work contained in the Philadelphia Museum of Art, that so confounded me that I begged my teacher to make me a photocopy of it.
From time to time I would take it out and just stare at it. I couldn’t understand why it had captured me so, but I knew it had something to do with the nature of the situation.
If you’ve seen it, you know that it depicts a towering Roman edifice surrounding a once-ornate bathhouse. It’s clear that the architecture is no longer being maintained. The age is visible. There are stones missing.
And yet, it’s still so majestic. The ruin itself testifies to the grandeur that came before.
The structure is still enormous and strong, and I suspect that one of the first thoughts that anyone has looking at it, is to wonder what it must have looked like at the peak of the empire.
If it were just a painting of those ruins, it would be arresting enough as is.
But it’s the people the really threw me.
Gathered around the edges of the previously opulent pool, are hunched over figures, doing their laundry in the remains of the bathhouse.
I had developed quite a real fondness for the subject of history by the age of twelve, but this was something that had never occurred to me.
People had continued living in Roman ruins.
I suppose some part of my brain had to have registered this, knowing that the Colosseum was still standing, but to me, ruins weren’t a place where people lived.
Sure, if they were important enough, maybe someone would build a museum, and people would come to visit them, but the thought of anyone actually living there was astonishing.
But people had in fact done that. It’s all over the historical record. They did their best to maintain the plumbing and the roads, and the structures, and just stayed where they were.
Crusaders patched and fortified them. Some people carried on as if the Western Empire still existed, awiating a return to glory that never came.
Last night I felt that familiar feeling washing over me any time I saw Warriors fans in the crowd, as the Spurs punctured any illusions of a lingering Golden State greatness.
It’s one thing to witness the fall of an empire. It’s another thing altogether to keep living there.
For a moment (and in spite of Draymond Green’s flagrant antics), I felt a wave of pity wash over me. It quickly turned to empathy with the realization that I too had been there.
Thirty points down at the half, with an all-too-clear vision of the future in front of them, these people were still holding on to a return to glory. Maybe not in this game, but to the season as a whole.
Steph Curry turns 39 in March. Draymond Green hasn’t been an offensive plus in years. Jimmy Butler is still to return from an ACL injury at an age where recovery is negligible.
Promising rookie Yaxel Lendeborg was learning hard lessons about facing the defense of true contenders (he went 1-13), and probably won’t be up to speed in the way that aging squad needs as they approach their 40’s.
There’s no young Kawhi Leonard to tie everything together. The sun is setting. Has, realistically, already set.
There are still people doing their laundry in the ruins.
And who am I to blame them? If not for the arrival of a certain French sensation, I’d probably be right there with them.
But it does speak to the difference in approaches from the two franchises.
Pursuing longevity, the Popovich/Duncan-era Spurs almost never cashed in all their chips for an all-or-nothing swing at a title. They kept building as they went. And when the end of their run was well and truly visible, they looked at what they had left and tried to repurpose it in a productive way.
It’s not terribly dissimilar from what some of those old Roman communities did.
Recognizing the end for what it was, the citizens of cities like Avneches, Aosta, and Split began to build their own structures within the confines of the old city walls, utilizing some of the remaining architecture as ready-made stone quarries for their rebuilding efforts, while retaining the meticulously laid-out street grids of their predecessors.
There seems to be this idea circulating around the NBA that a rebuild must tear everything down to the absolute studs. That nothing should remain of the previous era. No notion. No mentality. No prolonged eye on the future.
But that’s not how the Celtics or Lakers did it. And it’s not how the Spurs have done it, either.
Sometimes it’s okay to acknowledge the wisdom of a previous era, while knowing that it’s time to turn the page. Not everything needs to be abandoned. There are some points of expertise that endure throughout the ages.
But you can’t just live in the ruins, either, hoping for a lottery ticket to cure all ills, or a glorious return to form.
These Spurs aren’t the Spurs of old, and that’s important to acknowledge.
They’re building something of their own now, but they’re doing so within the thoughtfully constructed confines of a previous glory, and the result is something that feels both new and familiar.
Something as fresh as it is reminiscent. Something as aspirational as it is nostalgic.
You can’t just do your laundry in the halls of a fallen kingdom. That’s how you end up losing your shirt.
Takeaways
I have to say, Harrison Barnes has looked surprisingly spry so far this season. I assumed he would function as emergency depth when he was re-signed, but he look more like the early-season version of himself from last season, before a slump that allowed Julian Champagnie to work his way into the starting lineup. While he’s certainly not a starter anymore, he’s savvy and sharp-shooting enough to serve as the hot hand on nights where Carter Bryant is missing shots and assignment. That probably raises some questions about Bryant at the same time, but it really underscores just how much functional depth the Spurs have right now.
It’s also been great seeing Luke Kornet find more of rhythm with the bench unit, after a somewhat concerning opening slate. There’s no way the Spurs win in such a landslide without him stifling their 2nd unit, and that was his 3rd out of the last 4 games with a positive plus/minus, putting him back into the positive in Defensive Wins Shares and Defensive Box Plus/Minus for the season. I still have concerns about the postseason, but it’s nice to see the trend reverse as the Spurs have badly needed it to.
And while I’m not sure that Stephon Castle’s outstanding performance is indicative of how the rest of the season is going to go for him, it was an absolute blast of adrenaline to see him shoot the lights out against the Warriors specifically, especially after seeming hesitant over the past stretch of games, with the additional pain of his shot not falling. Still, you can really see why the Spurs are committed to turning him into an off-ball threat, because when that shot is falling, you become almost impossible to handle. Kudos to Mitch for having the good sense to ride the hot hand on a night when Wemby was getting a lot of defensive attention, but it also felt like this would have been a blowout even if Wemby had ridden the pine after the 1st quarter. If this was Castle finding his shot and his confidence, they really might keep trucking on at a 68-win pace. That quite literally changes everything, and bring into question whether or not rotations should even be altered all that much once Tobias Harris makes his debut, barring situational need.
Also, I’d just like to note that Keldon Johnson has really become such a patient jack-of-all for the team. It really doesn’t matter who you put him with, he’s going to find the point of need and do his best to fill it. There have been night where his scoring isn’t needed/prioritized, and he just spent his time crashing the boards and giving it his all on defense, and nights where he comes alive on the offensive end when a particularly juicy matchup presents itself, or the team just needs more points. I’m not sure how the Spurs are going to re-sign him with their eyes on the cap and a whole host of contract balancing issues to come, but I’d love to see them do it. He’s not a perfect player by any means, but he’s really become a perfect Spur.
Colorado is going through an early-season avalanche of injuries, as the Avs will see both Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar sit out for a period of time.
The Avalanche (11-6-3, 25 points) stars will be sidelined for multiple weeks with lower-body injuries, coach Jared Bednar told reporters Saturday.
MacKinnon will miss at least a month, while Makar will be out for two weeks. Both players got hurt Thursday night in a 4-3 loss to the Ottawa Senators (12-6-2, 26 points).
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8), left, shoots on goal as Detroit Red Wings right wing Alex DeBrincat (93) defends Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, in Denver. AP Photo/RJ Sangosti
MacKinnon, the Avalanche’s leader in points (30) and assists (20), left with just over eight minutes remaining in the loss after a check from Senators defenseman Artem Zub in the hip area. MacKinnon was seen grabbing his right side as he headed off the ice.
Makar, who appeared to suffer a noncontact injury while stopping in Colorado’s offensive end, left the game not long before MacKinnon’s exit.
The injuries are a significant blow to Colorado, which relies heavily on them for offense. MacKinnon and Makar are both on the top power-play unit, which has scored 10 goals in the past 10 games.
“Probably the most important is the 5-on-5 offense that they create,” Bednar told reporters, per NHL.com. “We can be playing an OK game, chances equal, tight game, and those guys, like the top players do, will find a way to make a play that’s a difference-maker for you. Whether it’s Cale or ‘Mac,’ or both of them combined, they generally win us a lot of hockey games because of that.”
Colorado’s injury woes seem to continue from last season, when they were eliminated in the 2026 Western Conference Finals in a 4-0 sweep by the Vegas Golden Knights, which saw Makar sidelined for most of the series.
Nathan MacKinnon #29 of the Colorado Avalanche skates the puck against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026, in Ottawa, Ontario. Getty Images
Colorado is already without defenseman Josh Manson, who is on long-term injured reserve with an ankle injury.
The Avalanche rattled off six more wins after opening the season 5-4-1 and are third in the Central Division heading into Saturday.
Colorado knows it won’t be easy to replace MacKinnon and Makar.
“When I think about those two guys, it’s like every matchup, they take it on, now someone else has to be able to step up and do that,” Bednar said. “And then you are losing the depth down the lineup as you kind of do that because everyone is elevated.”
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 2: Joel Embiid #21 and LeBron James #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers talk during the game against the Chicago Bulls on November 2, 2026 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It looks like we are back to the normal back-to-back staggering. The Sixers released their injury report for their upcoming contest against the Indiana Pacers, and have ruled out Joel Embiid with plantar fasciitis management in his right foot. LeBron James, who missed the most recent game against the Toronto Raptors, is not listed and will be good to go.
Nick Nurse said that the only reason James missed that win against the Raptors was the team’s long term load management, so nothing to be concerned about there. The Sixers will get a little bit more rest than your typical home-road back-to-back. They play the Pacers at 1 p.m. on Sunday before heading up to Brooklyn to take on the Nets Monday. Perhaps there’s a chance LeBron plays in both, but Embiid being ruled out for one of them suggests not.
The Sixers have an injury report for tomorrow's game vs. Indiana:
Joel Embiid – foot management – OUT
Dominick Barlow – back – OUT
Adem Bona – neck – out
LeBron James not listed. This is the front end of a back-to-back.
With Embiid out, LeBron may log a lot of minutes at center again. Adem Bona also remains out with the cervical spine sprain he suffered back in Detroit, as well as Dominick Barlow, who the team says they do not have a timeline for his return.
For Indiana, they’ll obviously be without Tyrese Haliburton who’s missed a significant amount of time with a hamstring strain. Ben Sheppard and Johnny Furphy are also on the shelf with knee injuries. T.J. McConnell is listed as probable with a hamstring strain and Aaron Nesmith is questionable with a hand sprain. Both played their cup win over the New York Knicks last Friday.
