LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 21: Walker Kessler #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Golden State Warriors on October 21, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Making his Los Angeles Lakers debut Wednesday night, Walker Kessler put on absolute show inside Crypto.com Arena for his new team and fanbase with 26 points on 12-of-12 shooting, nine rebounds, two blocks and one assist in 30 minutes. His sparkling effort helped Los Angeles rout the Golden State Warriors, 127-105, to kick off their season with a win.
Kessler’s perfect shooting night placed him alongside a couple of historic Lakers big men. His 12-of-12 outing was the second-best shooting performance in franchise history behind a 14-of-14 game from Wilt Chamberlain…
Walker Kessler checks out 12/12 from the field, the second-best shooting game in Lakers history behind a 14/14 performance from Wilt Chamberlain.
Despite the excellent debut, Kessler admitted to some pre-game jitters but thoroughly enjoyed his first regular-season appearance in a Lakers uniform and was glad to emerge victorious.
““Yeah, I would say it [lived up to expectations]. It was awesome,” he told reporters postgame. “Got the win, which was the most important thing. I definitely was a little nervous going to the game, but just so thankful and so grateful for how it went.”
Among Kessler’s 12 made field goals, five came courtesy of Luka Dončić, who’s been involved in the NBA’s last two double-digit dunk games, a testament to his wondrous playmaking aptitude.
With Dončić and Kessler on the floor together, the Lakers scored 56 points in 18 minutes, good for a hilariously stellar 151.4 offensive rating (small-sample theater is fun!), according to NBA.com.
“Very impressive game for him. I think he was 12-12, which is very impressive,” Dončić said. “But just the way he saw, when I was driving, he stepped up. When I was doubled, he played in the pocket. So a very impressive game for him.”
Head coach JJ Redick has previously talked about the expectations any notable Lakers big man may experience, especially ahead of their franchise debut. He’s made clear the support system around Kessler to guide him through any worries and was pleased with his center’s first performance of 2026-27.
“Whether he had played for the last year and a half or not, I think it’s a big deal when it’s your first game as a Laker,” Redick said. “We’ve had conversations. He understands what this is and the pressures that come with it. I think it was a good opening statement for him.”
(060408 Boston, MA )Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce and Sam Cassell laughed as the Boston Celtics prepared for game 1 of the NBA Finals at a practice at TD Banknorth Garden on Wednesday, June 4, 2008. Staff Photo by Matthew West. (Photo by Matthew West/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images) | MediaNews Group via Getty Images
But as bad as Tuesday’s loss was, it’s just the start.
“There are bigger adversities in life than losing a game. I’m excited for the challenges and the opportunity,” Joe Mazzulla said at practice on Thursday.
“It was a challenge losing that [game], but it’s how you respond to that. It may or may not happen again, but it’s who you become. You have to learn. As I told the team, I don’t want us to feel a certain type of way after a win or after a loss — it’s all the same. You have to be able to process possessions in a game, so it’s really more about the consistency of the approach, not the feeling of the result. We just have to maintain the consistency of the approach and the process and continue to go through that.”
With a chance to knock off the defending champion Knicks tomorrow night in their home opener, it’s a quick turnaround for a team looking to turn the page quickly. After a 4-0 successful preseason that seemed to legitimize Mazzulla’s approach, the trade for George, the free agent signings of Mitchell Robinson and Mike Conley Jr., and the development of the Celtics’ growing young core, the team will now have a four-game homestand to settle into the regular season and they don’t seem bothered by the hiccup.
“I don’t think it’s concerning. It’s the first game of 82,” Sam Hauser said. “There’s definitely going to be kinks that we have to work out. Obviously we ran into a few things in the last game, but I don’t think we’re concerned. We showed flashes of being really really good and showed flashes of where we need to improve. That’s the battle you go through each and every season.”
During training camp, Mazzulla stressed that it’s going to take 10-20 games to see what the team can lean on in terms of their strengths, what needs to be improved, and what the trend lines of the league are going to be. The Pistons, the East’s #1 seed last season, provided a good early test that Mazzulla liked “38 of 48 minutes” of. The key — as it is every year around this time — is being able to do for all 48, night in, night out.
“Last game was a perfect game because it was the epitome of momentum and opportunities and turning points and ebbs and flows,” Mazzulla said.
He noted that the team generated good shots during their worst stretches against the Pistons, but poor transition defense, fouling three-point shooters, and giving up and-1s off offensive rebounds ultimately allowed Detroit to steamroll them down the stretch. It’s all a learning process in the road to consistency.
Mazzulla on Pierce's presence around the Celtics: "The door is open for any Celtic."
“The way we want to play, the freedom, the ability to just read the game — it just takes time understanding what each guy likes. We had some really good moments of that, and throughout that process, there will be some janky moments, but we just continue to grow through it, We’re further along than I anticipated from that standpoint,” Mazzulla reiterated.
And how’s this for consistency: 26,864 points over 15 regular seasons and a decade’s worth of playoffs. That’s second all-time for the franchise. That’s The Truth. That’s Paul Pierce.
The Finals MVP and second all-time leading scorer visited today’s practice at the Auerbach Center.
“It makes you want to carry on the Celtics tradition, the legacy when you’ve got them around,” Hauser said of having The Captain back in the building.
While the one-year deal reaffirmed the team’s commitment to the four-time champion, it raised questions about Green’s future with the team, and in the NBA, beyond the 2026-27 season.
Green reiterated in an interview with CNBC’s Alex Sherman that he wants to spend his entire career with the Warriors but also stated that this will not be the final season of his career.
“I would love to retire a Golden State Warrior; however, I also would love to play basketball next year,” Green said. “So if that’s not here, I’m not going to retire. But in saying that, I would love for that to be here.
“It’s such a rare thing to be on one team for your entire career, and if I can accomplish that feat, I would love to do it.”
Green’s love for the franchise is clear, but he also acknowledged that he doesn’t have the “luxury that Steph Curry has” of a guaranteed future spot on the Warriors roster if that is what he desires.
He understands that the franchise has a business decision to make next offseason regarding roster construction.
“Number one, I understand the business,” Green explained. “I do know that this is a business and the organization is going to make the best decision from a business standpoint. If I fit into that equation: great. If I don’t: great.
“But I’m extremely grateful for the journey that I’ve been on here, and I’m going to enjoy this year like it’s my last, even if it isn’t.”
The possibility that it is his last year with Golden State is not something he ignores.
“I think I’d be crazy to not think that that’s a possibility,” Green said. “In saying that, I don’t approach every day like this is my last year here. But to say that that’s not a possibility; I’d be fooling myself.”
Above all else, Green is content with playing a key part of the Warriors since the beginning of his career in 2012.
“If 14-and-a-half years ago you handed me a sheet of paper that said ‘Hey, not only are you going to player 15 years in the NBA, but you’re going to play 15 years with one team?’ I would have taken that sheet of paper so fast – sign me up as fast as you can,” Green said. “So, I’m not going to get to year 15 in this place and have any ill-will or any ill-feelings towards this maybe [being] my last year.”
Green is clearly appreciative of his time as a Warrior. And even if the powers that be decide that this is his last year with the franchise, it does not appear that it will be his last year playing basketball.
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 20: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during the game against the New York Knicks on October 20, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Whenever there are star-laden rosters rolled out in the NBA, skeptics of said rosters often have the same critiques.
“There’s only one ball.”
“Too many egos.”
“Good luck getting that guy to take a back seat to anyone.”
The NBA has long been powered by its stars and while it seems as if the narrative in recent years has changed, particularly with a team like New York winning an NBA championship last season primarily due to its stellar depth, top-end talent will always garner a lot of conversation in the NBA. The Sixers have a ton of it. It was fair to question how quickly all of the talent would mesh and come together, but if the season opener at Madison Square Garden was an indication, chemistry isn’t going to be a problem for this season’s Philadelphia 76ers.
Every Sixer in the starting lineup, besides VJ Edgecombe who attempted the fewest number of field goals amongst the five, had at least five assists in the 106-100 victory over New York. The Sixers committed fewer turnovers than a Knicks team that was returning the bulk of its roster that won last season’s title. Philadelphia also had 24 fastbreak points to 16 for the Knicks. These are all statistical categories that indicate a strong degree of togetherness and selflessness on the court.
On Tuesday night, the Sixers did not look like a team that was still trying to figure out how to put the puzzle pieces together. They also did not beat the Knicks due to a hot shooting night that could just be chalked up to randomness. Philly shot just 28% from the three-point line in the win. They did so with two high-profile new starters in the lineup in LeBron James and Jaylen Brown. They closed out a close game on the road against an opponent that’s owned them in recent seasons including two of the last three postseasons. So if they can do all of that in their first game together against the reigning champions, maybe it’s easy to see why there was so much hype around this team.
Inevitably, there are going to be overtures, if they haven’t started already, from fans about coach Nick Nurse’s overreliance on the starting five. Every starter played at least 33 minutes in the opener. There are another 81 regular season games to go plus what the franchise hopes is a deep playoff run. Managing minutes is not a novel concept for Nurse, but how good will he be at it this season? It’s a fair question.
Will Mike Gansey be able to find a backup center to Joel Embiid after losing Ariel Hukporti for the year before the season started? Finding some consistent outside shooting from the wing also figures to be the easiest way to get James some rest throughout the marathon that is the regular season.
Surely, there are still things the Sixers will have to figure out during the season as they’re not going to waltz to an NBA championship. But playing into June was on everyone’s minds before this season started and the victory on Tuesday night in New York showed us why. Chemistry and cohesion are usually things that only get better as the season goes on and if that’s the case for this group, we might be in for a very special next 6-8 months, Sixers fans.
It was right in front of the official — who should have been focused on Ball's feet, making sure he was behind the arc. To the credit of the official NBA referees account, they owned that this was a missed call.
For everyone asking, “how is this legal?” It’s not! He gathers with his right foot on the floor and would be permitted two steps by rule (left-right). He takes four steps after gathering the ball and travels. https://t.co/dSitGeRNSD
Don't let this take away from Ball's impressive Timberwolves debut: 21 points and six assists in 28 minutes, and he was +18. It also helped that Anthony Edwards was on a heater. But that absolutely was a travel.
Draymond Green is in the midst of a Hall of Fame career and is set to play a big role for the Warriors this season. But nothing lasts forever, and it is almost time for him to think about his post-basketball life.
Green could have an option once he retires, as he has said in the past that he would like to eventually become NBA commissioner, a position currently held by Adam Silver.
Speaking to CNBC Sport’s Alex Sherman, Green was asked what he would change as commissioner and his answer suggested that the league’s current state isn’t working.
“The salary structure,” Green told Sherman. “Ultimately, the salary structure has changed a lot of teams. I think it’s changed the NBA. We’ve always heard the word parity thrown around. Over the last six years, there’s been six different champions. That hasn’t had the benefit of having dynasties. All fans love to see dynasties; even the fans that hate to see dynasties, they really tune in for the dynasties and we’re not getting that anymore due to salary structure.
“That’s what I would change because ultimately, it’s a reason why Michael Jordan dominated for a period, the Spurs dominated for a period, LeBron dominated for a period. [The Golden State Warriors] dominated for a period. Now, it’s all over the place, and I don’t love that. As a basketball fan, I don’t love that.”
The Warriors’ dynastic run began during the 2014-15 season and netted four NBA championships through the 2021-22 season. During that time, NBA competition wasn’t as strong, with the Warriors dominating the Western Conference by a large margin.
Sherman noted that Silver recently told him that the NBA has data stating fans want parity. But when it was suggested the commissioner could be twisting the data, Green defended Silver while also emphasizing that basketball fans don’t love parity.
“I never think he’s twisting the data,” Green told Sherman. “When speaking of Commissioner Silver, I think he’s the best commissioner out there when you’re talking about all the major sports leagues. I don’t think he’s necessarily twisting the data. But, as you and I both know, data isn’t everybody’s opinion. It’s a subset of people, and then we take that and say, oh well, if you divide that by this many people, then that’s what you get.
“Or you add that in this amount of people, that’s what you get. I don’t think he’s twisting the data, but I will tell you as a basketball fan, and I’m always around a lot of basketball fans, I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s loved.”
Green is not ready to retire yet and is focused on playing at a high level this season so he can help Golden State achieve its goals. But when he retires, don’t be surprised if he starts impacting the game of basketball in other ways.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 21: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Dallas Mavericks speaks with Cooper Flagg #32 during the second quarter of the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on October 21, 2026 in Houston, Texas. 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 Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks’ 2026-27 season got off to a rocky start on Wednesday night, as they got blown out by Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets, 128-110. After only trailing 32-26 when the first quarter ended, the Mavs proceeded to get outscored 38-12 in the second quarter, which ended up being the deciding factor in the game. Dallas outscored Houston 72-58 in the second half, but it was already too late.
It was a little bit of a mixed bag when it came to the performances of the Mavs’ two stars, 19-year-old Cooper Flagg and 34-year-old Kyrie Irving, who was playing his first real NBA game in nearly 600 days following an ACL injury. Flagg finished with a game-high 32 points (10-17 FG, 11-13 FT), five rebounds, two assists, three steals and one block in 33 minutes of action. He poured in 23 of his 32 points in the second half alone. Irving finished with 15 points (6-9 FG), four rebounds, two assists and one steal. Both Flagg and Irving had four turnovers each.
Following the loss, Mavs head coach Dusty May gave his thoughts on how his two stars played in their first real game together.
“I thought he was setting us up,” May said of Flagg’s second-half scoring. “In the first half I thought he was being very intentional with getting his teammates shots, and then, in the second half, we did a better job of getting some off-ball movement. We played a little bit faster, and then obviously if you’re not taking the ball out of the net, you can get it up and attack quickly. I thought that was the biggest difference. We just — our pace got a lot better in the second half.”
Getting to the free-throw line was something Dallas struggled with in the preseason, so Flagg’s ability to get to the stripe 13 times and convert 11 of them was a welcome sight for May.
“That’s been a point of emphasis, and that’s one thing, when we evaluated ourselves after four [preseason] games, getting to the line wasn’t something we did well,” May said. “We thought [Flagg] was the best way to capitalize in the paint. I thought he was strong. I thought he made good decisions. When we start knocking down some open shots, his assist numbers will increase.”
Irving was efficient on Wednesday night, but the problem was that his shots were limited. That obviously wasn’t by May’s design, but it’s what the Rockets’ defense forced the Mavs into.
“He’s obviously the focal point,” May said of Irving being limited to nine field-goal attempts by Houston’s defense. “They put two on the ball. I thought he made the right plays, the right decisions. There [are] going to be puzzles we’re going to have to figure out. Playing four-on-three with our other guys — we’ve got to do a better job and find some solutions.
“But I thought there in the second half, he showed a real — his true character — in being a leader when things weren’t going well, I thought he set a great example. Our bench was phenomenal. They were cheering for each other. We’re worried about getting better, especially starting with a couple games on the road like we are. We’re focused on getting better, and I was proud of the way the guys stayed connected and stayed fighting until the end. That showed some character.”
The Mavs now shift their attention to another road test against the Indiana Pacers on Friday night before opening up at home against the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday night. The Pacers started their season off 1-0 with a 123-120 win over the New Orleans Pelicans after star point guard Tyrese Haliburton made his return from an achilles injury he suffered in the 2025 NBA Finals.
“[We have to] learn from what we did well,” May said. “I thought we made some strides in areas we’ve struggled in. But just look at the film. The lowest-hanging fruit — what can we fix in a 48-hour period, so we’re not out here chasing every rabbit, but focus on a couple of things so we can just trust it a little bit more. From everybody, we’ll fix that area. … These extra possessions, they steamroll on you, so if we just clean up a few things, I think we’ll make a significant jump.”
CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 11: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates after scoring during the second quarter of a preseason game against the Orlando Magic at Rocket Arena on October 11, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers took a risk when they traded for Donovan Mitchell in 2022. They made a gamble that the assets they unloaded, which included multiple first-round picks that spanned seven years, would ultimately never be missed.
It looks like they’re winning that bet.
“I don’t ever want to wear another uniform,” Mitchell said in a Cleveland.com exclusive with Chris Fedor. “I dream of myself being here forever and hopefully having 45 in the rafters one day.”
Mitchell has not only led the franchise to some of their most successful seasons, but he’s signed an extension that keeps him in Cleveland through the 2029-30 NBA season — past the date of the final draft pick that is owed to the Utah Jazz.
There was a time when it was unclear if the Cavs would retain Mitchell for more than a single season. Or if they’d reach an agreement on even one contract extension. But now we are two extensions deep with a franchise star who has fully committed to the city he’s in.
Mitchell has averaged 26.7 points and 5.3 assists in four seasons with the Cavaliers. He’s been an All-Star in each season and was named to an All-NBA team in three of the four.
Entering his fifth year in Cleveland, Mitchell has made it clear that this is where he wants to be. The franchise has doubled and tripled down on their own commitment to him. Trading for James Harden last season and shuffling the starting lineup to add a 3-and-D wing in Peyton Watson. It’s all built around competing now while Mitchell’s window is open.
The Cavs haven’t had many players of Mitchell’s caliber represent the city, let alone retire in Cleveland. There’s something to be said for a star embracing his new home — even if this is all easier said than done. A lot can change between now and the end of Mitchell’s career, but a verbal commitment like this shouldn’t be taken for granted.
LOS ANGELES — It says something about how Steve Kerr and the Warriors feel about Yaxel Lendeborg that, in the season opener, they started him and gave him the Luka Doncic defensive assignment.
Lesson No. 1 for the rookie: Don't trash-talk Doncic. As the Slovenian himself said in his ESPN walk-off interview, "Everybody knows when somebody starts talking, you got a different me." Not only did Lendeborg pick up a technical, but also when he really got in Doncic's face, the Lakers went on a 13-4 run sparked by Doncic. And this happened.
That didn't stop Lendeborg from continuing his beef with Doncic after the game.
"I had a lot of respect for him, you know, just watching," Lendeborg said postgame. "I didn't really watch the NBA much, I just watched highlights, seeing him kill people all the time. But then, being in there firsthand, just watching all the whining and complaining, I lost all respect, man. Like, that was awful. Me getting frustrated, it's not about the foul call being called, it's about him complaining the entire game. And then you get the foul call, congratulations, bro, and then you talk to me like you did something great, bro. Come on. That's just weak.
"So, it kind of threw me off for a little while because, like I said, I had so much respect for him. Gone, man. Gone."
Those comments came after Doncic spoke, and this is all Doncic said about it and the technical foul on Lendeborg.
"I mean, he was talking crazy," Doncic said. "But you know I wasn't trying to talk back. This season, not trying to get techs. So it's the first time that that was not a double tech because I didn't say nothing. So I'm working on it."
Some quick thoughts on all this:
• Never change, Lendeborg. Don't go through Raymond Ritter's media training. Speak your mind.
• There are a lot of fans around the league who agree with Lendeborg about Doncic.
• It's tough to talk trash when your team is getting trashed. The Lakers pulled away in the second quarter when Doncic got hot — and Curry got cold, the Warriors are banged up and have no offensive creators to speak of outside of him — and that came when Lendeborg fired up Doncic.
• Lendeborg did a respectable job on Doncic, who shot just 1-of-5 when the rookie was the closest defender challenging the shot. The problem was that when the Warriors' defense focused and collapsed on Doncic, he found Walker Kessler rolling to the rim for one of his 10 dunks on the night.
• Lendeborg, 24, speaks for a generation of fans when he said, "I didn't really watch the NBA much, I just watched highlights." There are many, many who consume all their NBA info through social media clips and people on social media talking about the game. Nothing wrong with that, except the NBA's entire financial model is based on you tuning in to watch games. It's about television revenue (and ratings were up last season). It's a problem for Adam Silver and the league (and other sports leagues as well).
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 20: Mitchell Robinson #4 of the Boston Celtics shoots the ball during the game against the Detroit Pistons on October 20, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
BOSTON — Mitchell Robinson didn’t mince words at Celtics practice Thursday morning, less than 48 hours after his lackluster Celtics debut.
In the Celtics’ 121-113 loss to the Detroit Pistons, Robinson tallied 4 points, 2 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 turnovers in 18 minutes. The normally prolific rebounder couldn’t make his impact on the glass, grabbing just 3 boards, only 1 of which came on the offensive end.
“It’s obviously just my fault,” Robinson said. “I got to accept that, and obviously be better from here on out. It’s straightforward — my fault.”
Robinson pointed to his lack of defensive impact as one of the main issues with his performance.
“We didn’t keep our foot on the gas, and it starts with me,” he said. “I’m one of the best defensive bigs in this league, and I didn’t show it that night. I got to take ownership of that; I gotta be better.”
The 28-year-old did go down with a twisted ankle in the second quarter of Tuesday’s game, but returned shortly after. On Thursday, he said the ankle injury didn’t factor into his performance.
Looks like Mitchell Robinson hurt his ankle – he’s hobbling off the floor in pain pic.twitter.com/gOHLh1XKka
“You tweak an ankle, you’re going to feel it a little bit here and there, but shit happens,” Robinson said. “I just felt like I was playing like trash the whole time anyways. I mean, shit.”
Robinson isn’t worried about putting points on the board. But his interior presence and rebounding got him a 3-year, $47 million contract, and he prioritizes those on any given night.
“Once I feel good about that after the game, for me, that’s when I know I did pretty good,” he said. “I really don’t care about stat lines, scoring; we got that over here already. It’s like — what can I do to help my team?”
Joe Mazzulla spoke with Robinson after the game
Mitchell Robinson said last week that Joe Mazzulla has been hard on him since he arrived in Boston.
“He’s getting on my ass a lot,” he said. “Which, you know, I need that. But he gets on my ass.”
But after Robinson’s frustrating game, Mazzula reached out in an encouraging fashion.
“Joe’s a great guy,” Robinson said. “He talked me through a lot of things, especially that night. He sent me text messages and stuff like that, and I appreciate it, but I didn’t even respond to the last text. But I was still stuck in my head about it. Like, I played like ass.”
Mazzulla said he recognizes Robinson’s importance and expects him to keep acclimating over time.
“It’s game one, obviously, and again, for us, he’s a very important piece to what we do, and so the standard is a little bit higher, and the expectation is a little bit higher,” Mazzulla said. “So I think it just comes with time, understanding that every play, you’re at the nucleus of what we’re trying to accomplish on both ends of the floor, and it’s a great compliment that all three of those bigs share. And some of that just comes with time — just the offensive reads, the offensive chemistry, the offensive execution, but also the defensive reads and the defensive reactions that we have to have. I appreciate that he’s in that space, and I think he’s taking on the responsibility and knowing how important that position is.”
Robinson said last week he’s enjoying his more involved role, even though there’s been an acclimation period.
“I’m in a lot of actions on the offensive side,” Robinson said. “Over there, I was just like, set one screen, roll, and they’ll be going on the other side, and then maybe come back. But like, this one, I’m in like every action. I’m setting the flare, pin down, ball screen, whatever. Like I’m just always actively moving.”
Mitchell Robinson will face his old Knicks teammates on Friday
On Friday, Robinson will face the New York Knicks, the team he spent his first 8 years with. The Knicks also come off an opening-day loss, a 106-100 defeat to the Philadelphia 76ers.
But though Robinson is excited to put Tuesday behind him, he said he doesn’t have extra emotion or motivation specifically because of the Knicks match-up.
“It doesn’t really matter that I’m playing my former team,” he said. “It’s more so just trying to bounce back from what happened two nights ago. At the end of the day, it’s basketball; it’s a business. And, you got to play the team just like you play any other team.”
But the clip that’s getting the most attention is Dončić’s postgame exchange with ESPN’s Malika Andrews.
Andrews interviewed Dončić after the Lakers beat the Warriors and the two were all smiles.
Luka Doncic is interviewed by Malika Andrews after the Lakers game against the Warriors at Chase Center in San Francisco, California, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
This prompted one fan to produce an edited video of the two speaking together with romantic music playing in the background.
The clip has now gone viral, with the original post tallying over four million views reposted across countless other accounts.
Luka Doncic had to leave the interview because because Malika Andrews gave him a… pic.twitter.com/gw3fHyZeoR
Andrews interviewed Dončić after the Lakers’ beat the Warriors, clearly displaying crackling chemistry. NBAE via Getty ImagesLakers fans care more about what Dončić does on the court than what is going on in his personal life. NBAE via Getty Images
Dončić got off to a hot start Wednesday, which he’ll be keen to continue when the Lakers face the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night.
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Following the win, Kessler’s overall performance against the Warriors — scoring 26 points on perfect 12-for-12 shooting from the field — earned high praise from Shaq himself.
Walker Kessler tallied 10 dunks during the Lakers’ 127–105 win over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night. NBAE via Getty Images
“For so long, the Lakers’ big men have been historical and dominant. Walker Kessler is the best big man in the NBA. You heard it here first,” O’Neal said from the ESPN studio.
Kessler’s fiancée, former Miss America winner Abbie Stockard, reposted it to her own Instagram story Thursday.Kessler’s 10 dunks were the most a Lakers player has produced in a game since Shaquille O’Neal back in 2003. Vonecia Carswell/ShutterstockStockard, who was Miss America 2025, recently finished nursing school in Alabama. JASON SZENES/ NY POST
It might be premature for Shaq to call Kessler the league’s “best big man,” given he has only played one game in the purple and gold.
But Shaq knows dominance down low better than anyone else, and his sentiment about Kessler bodes well for the Lakers’ upcoming campaign.
Beauty queen Stockard recently finished nursing school in Alabama, so it’s unclear whether she’s currently with Kessler in Los Angeles as he embarks on his debut season with the Lakers.
Regardless, whatever mutual support Kessler and Stockard have going on at home is translating to success on the basketball court.
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Yaxel Lendeborg, there are a few things you have to learn.
Never take a charge from LeBron James. Never challenge Victor Wembanyama at the rim. And never trash-talk Luka Dončić.
The last sin is the worst. The consequences are worse than a bruise. Or a swatted shot. Dončić punishes his perpetrators over and over again, leaving them mortified and stammering after games.
Or at least, that’s how this usually goes.
Lendeborg committed the last sin in the Lakers’ 127-105 win over the Warriors in their season opener on Wednesday. The Warriors’ rookie ran his mouth. The Slovenian superstar ran him over. No biggie. We’ve seen this play out so many times before.
But what happened next was rare. The rookie didn’t show remorse. Instead he doubled down.
Here’s how it all happened.
Things heated up after the rookie fouled Dončić on a pump fake with the Lakers up, 53-48, and less than 3 minutes left in the second quarter. Dončić made two free throws. Lendeborg went to the bench.
Doncic then made a 15-foot jumper and pointed at Lendeborg. Warriors coach Steve Kerr put him back in the game.
They continued trash-talking each other. Lendeborg was assessed a technical foul with 22.2 seconds left. Dončić then made a 49-foot shot with 1.4 seconds remaining and approached Lendeborg, chirping at him.
Yaxel Lendeborg on Luka: "I had a lot of respect for him. But being in it firsthand and seeing all the whining and complaining, I lost all respect."
Yaxel Lendeborg (1) of the Golden State Warriors plays defense on Luka Doncic (77) of the Los Angeles Lakers during a game at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
Dončić did what he does. He feeds off of perceived disrespect. It fueled a 13-4 run for the Lakers in which Doncic scored 10 points.
He finished with 28 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and three steals in 30 minutes and the highest plus-minus (+31) of anyone on the court in the Lakers’ 22-point rout. He had more than twice as many points as Lendeborg (12).
Lendeborg poked the bear, like many have before. (Just ask Matas Buzelis, who unleashed a 51-point performance from Doncic last March after chirping at him. His lesson? “Probably not to talk to him,” Buzelis said after the Bulls’ 142-130 loss to the Lakers.)
But that’s where the script changes.
Lendeborg didn’t drop the bear-poking stick. Instead he picked it up and started beating the mammal over the head with it.
“I had a lot of respect for him…seeing him kill people all the time,” Lendeborg said. “But then being in there firsthand and just watching all the whining and complaining, I lost all respect, man. That was awful.
“Me getting frustrated it’s not about the foul being called. It’s about him complaining the entire game. And then you get the foul call, congratulations bro. And then you talk to me like you did something great, bro? Come on, dog. That’s just weak. It kind of threw me off for a little while because, like I said, I had so much respect for him. Gone, man. Gone.”
Golden State Warriors’ Yaxel Lendeborg looks on during an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
Cue the eerie music.
The Lakers play the Warriors again in a little over a week on October 30. This could get ugly for Lendeborg. Don’t be surprised if Doncic, who led the league in scoring last season with 33.5 points per game, erupts for twice that number.
Lendeborg just fed Dončić his version of basketball mana. He just gave him a performance-enhancing drug. He poured fuel over the fire.
“I think everybody knows when somebody starts talking, you get a different me,” Doncic said in his walk-off interview with ESPN.
And that was before Lendeborg sounded off in his postgame interview.
Golden State Warriors’ Yaxel Lendeborg (1) plays defense during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
He had more to say, too.
“I was telling him he sucks,” Lendeborg continued when asked what he told Doncic. “He can’t score on me. You talk and you can’t score on me. I said it the whole game. I said a couple of cuss words, obviously, that’s why I got the technical and all that. But I was letting him know because he was laughing and talking and all this because of that one call. His only bucket on me was a banker from half court.
“I know it’s a team sport. What did he have? He had 28 on us as a team. Me, I took my matchup personally. Tried not to get called on the fouls. Tried my best. I was thinking about playing him with my hands behind my back to see if that worked. Probably still would’ve gotten a foul called.”
You can almost imagine Dončić sitting at home and listening to this while rubbing his hands together.
Lendeborg’s teammates had his back, defending the team’s No. 11 draft pick whom Draymond Green recently called “the next face of the franchise” on his podcast, “The Draymond Green Show.”
Said Green: “Everybody’s going to be like, oh man, he shouldn’t talk to Luka, you shouldn’t talk to Luka. And I disagree with that s—t 1,000%. If you’re going to go talk to somebody, you talk until you can’t f—king talk no more. And if he busts your ass, guess what? You play him again three more times and you go back at his ass again.”
Added Steph Curry: “He set the table for himself to have to show up — and I like that.”
Well, this is going to be fun.
In his first game of his NBA career, Lendeborg put a target on his back. And he did it against one of the top-four players in the league.
The 24-year-old has moxie. He’s not lacking in confidence. He’s not afraid of anyone.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 21: Al Horford #20 of the Golden State Warriors battles Sandro Mamukelashvili #54 of the Los Angeles Lakers for position during the second half of a game at Crypto.com Arena on October 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, 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 Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The start of the regular season brought with it lots to be happy about in Tuesday’s rout of the Warriors. The new Big 3 had huge nights and gave the Lakers a great opening to the season.
Prior to all that, we asked for questions and you guys delivered, as always. Obviously, some of this will come with a caveat of it coming before that opening game, but all of it still applies.
So, let’s dive into what you want to talk about.
JJ claims he has a roster that fits together now and is deep….does that mean he will refrain from playing Luka and Austin 45 minutes a game? — Reality Check 1617
I continue to say this sentiment is overblown, but I also acknowledge, and I think JJ would, too, that he couldn’t rely on his bench as much this year. By all accounts, that should change.
Again, he even said as much in his media availability at the start of the season. We’ll have to see if the action meet the words, but, on paper, this is a deeper team that should mean everyone plays fewer minutes, particularly the stars.
The fact they went nine deep on Tuesday with Collin Sexton and Adou Thiero injured further drives home that belief, though. When at full health — which will likely happen rarely this season — this team could go 10 or 11 deep. That should allow them lots of rest for lots of guys, stars included.
How much should we be worried about our scouting, player development, and drafting departments? I know we’ve been hiring and changing since the ownership changes, but how much can we count on this fresh start and new personnel being a new direction? — Johnny Tuttle
I don’t think worried is the word I would use, but excited. It’s no secret the Lakers have been well behind the curve when it comes to scouting. That fact is laid bare in the team whiffing on Jalen Hood-Schifino and Dalton Knecht back-to-back years.
Beefing up those areas should address a clear weakness in the franchise. Think about how many positions the Lakers have filled this year that just didn’t exist prior. There are not just more knowledgeable voices in the mix, but ones with decades of experience, too.
For so long, the Lakers kept such a small inner circle in the front office. Seeing that expand to include more smart voices is a very, very welcome change.
What is the back story on the trade of Ayton? On the surface, it made and makes little sense to have traded a guy who, yeah, was ‘meh’ as a starter but would have been well above average as a back-up. Lakers got back relatively little and since then have been searching for a backup center…when they had just traded a good one.
So:
-is it that they had another trade lined up for a back up center but it fell through?
-is it that Ayton was a locker room cancer who they just wanted to be rid of whatever his skills?
-is it that they think Looney is a better fit?
-is it…just a miscalculation? — scooter
I think this is one of those situations where things are better on better than they are in practice.
On paper, the Lakers had an underwhelming starting center who was still talented on an affordable contract. After acquiring their starting center, Ayton made sense as the backup where so much wasn’t riding on his shoulders.
In practice, and with a bit of reading between the lines, Ayton was…a lot. While we laughed at the idea of the training staff giving him Crunk Juice to motivate him, the amount of massaging of his personality, so to speak, only for him not to really show up when needed was probably grating.
Sure, in a backup role, responsibilities and expectations change. But I just think the Lakers were ready to be out of the Ayton business. And the fact that they could get draft capital back for him was all the more reason to be done.
I think their calculation was that going into the season looking for a backup center with some extra draft capital was better than another season of the Ayton experience.
As I understand, the first that the Lakers can trade Bronny is December 15th. Am I correct on that? As such, shouldn’t they stick him in the G League where he can actually rack up stat lines and possibly increase his trade value? — OCLakerFan1968
The Lakers play the Sixers twice this season. The first game is on December 25th in LA. What are the chances that the Lakers’ marketing department capitalizes on the historic nature of Father versus Son and have Bronny start? — Crap
After a very poor preseason, it’s fair to be low on Bronny. Even if he was dealing with an injury that predated training camp, that feels like the kind of story you put out to save face after the fact.
I’ve had some questions about how the Lakers are developing Bronny, or what they’re developing him into. He’s always felt like more of an Avery Bradley type as a small off-ball guard with a focus on defense and shooting. But a lot of his reps have come as an on-ball point guard type, which doesn’t make as much sense.
Regardless of what his role should be, it’s pretty clear now that the scouting report says to pressure Bronny and he can’t deal with it. And until that changes, he’s probably not going to get any consistent minutes.
Having said that, there’s zero value in putting him back in the G League. He’s already shown he’s a great G League player. No team is going to trade for him because he had a couple of good G League games. It’s sink-or-swim time for Bronny in the big leagues.
At some point, you have to find out what you have and the Lakers are going to do that this season. If it doesn’t work, then they decline his option for next year and cut bait.
As for the latter point, I know it was at least partly written in jest, but I don’t imagine head coach JJ Redick has much interest in sentimental stuff with LeBron James anymore.
What is our biggest positional with this current roster?
Backup PG – We saw how thin we are if any of Luka/AR/Sexton are resting injuries Backup PF – I guess we are calling Williams and Mamu our PFs? Backup C – Does ANYONE have faith in both Kessler’s health and Looney actually being productive? — Kilgary
I think the answer is pretty clearly the backup center spot, and I think the Lakers know that. That’s been the most persistent rumor since this summer. Trades tend not to happen until that Dec. 15 date when most of the league becomes trade-eligible, so I don’t imagine this is something the team will be able to fix for some time.
The backup PG position isn’t as bad when Collin Sexton returns. You have four capable ballhandlers. And for the backup power forward, the dearth of wings on the roster are going to man that spot and I don’t think this team will have a “traditional” four.
The NBA announced in the off season that the officials would crack down (point of emphasis) on the off-arm push-offs frequently used by players like Harden, and SGA. Was any data released from the pre-season games on whether the officials were calling this violation more frequently than before (knowing that the calls might be fewer if players were policing themselves)? — Coops Knee Highs
There hasn’t been and I don’t expect there will be. In the past, the league has never really done something like this when it comes to its points of emphasis. Things could change this year, but that would be a new development.
(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The inaugural possession of the Philadelphia 76ers’ season opener against the New York Knicks, a 106-100 Sixers win to spoil some of New York’s banner-raising delight, helped convey just how different life may be for each of Philadelphia’s four All-Stars this year, particularly its point guard, Tyrese Maxey.
After shuffling up the floor, Maxey delivered the ball to his backcourt mate, VJ Edgecombe, and veered into a bludgeoning back-screen as LeBron James took the baton and initiated the action himself. With the entirety of Philadelphia’s star-laden starting five in transit, New York could not properly traverse the commotion. Worried about James motoring downhill, OG Anunoby was tardy switching onto Maxey, who rainbowed home the catch-and-shoot triple for three of his game-high 28 points.
Tuesday night, Maxey hoisted five catch-and-shoot threes to compose 26.3% of his total field goals. Last season, he averaged just 3.4 per game to compose 15.9% of his total field goals, per NBA.com. Although Maxey netted only one of these attempts — he made 41.8% of them a year ago — his quality of looks throughout the contest was significantly better than the past three seasons and signaled a splendid scoring campaign ahead.
With James and Jaylen Brown now flanking Maxey, Edgecombe and Joel Embiid, the Sixers are swimming in the deep end of star power, scoring outlets and championship expectations. They are all eyeing a deep playoff run that culminates in a title. Step one of their journey began Tuesday with an impressive victory inside the reigning champs’ palace.
There’s plenty to glean from that performance, most of it positive, as should be the case after defeating a team as daunting and as healthy as the Knicks. So, what did game one teach us about the Sixers? Where do they currently stand? Where can they go? And what hurdles might they need to overcome along the way?
The stage is set for Tyrese Maxey to be his best self
Maxey’s uptick in spoonfed threes underscored how much easier and reshaped his scoring load should be this season. While he’s a tremendous player and offensive cog, on-ball creation, especially from a standstill, is not his ideal deployment. Yet the past three seasons — with scant surrounding perimeter creation and Embiid toggling in and out of the lineup — consistently stretched him too thin as he garnered usage for which he’s unqualified.
Philadelphia’s revamped roster will alleviate that burden and let him boogie as one of the league’s foremost off-ball scorers. Maxey is now free to zip around screens, catch the ball on the move, knife through tilted defenses and leverage his speed and shooting without his size and limited vision disrupting those efforts as often.
Since 2023-24, Maxey’s rate of assisted makes has been 43%, 37% and 45%, according to Cleaning the Glass. Tuesday, 67% of his field goals were assisted, including 71% of his 2-pointers. The latter number there is the starkest shift; last year, only 37.8% of his 2s were assisted, per NBA.com. Maxey seems likely to enjoy far more opportunities this season being coaxed downhill with help from others rather than being burdened with the task himself. That’s a major windfall for his game.
He is still the focal point of the offense (his 26.6% usage rate narrowly trailed Embiid’s 27.4%) but the means to reach those ends are more favorable. He went 7-of-10 inside the arc and drew nine free throws. Even if he won’t shoot 70% on 2s moving forward, he will shoot better than 22% (2-of-9) from deep. Those extremes offset one another. With reps like these, Maxey is primed for a titanic scoring season:
The Sixers are lethal when they run. How often will they?
Beyond his vast off-ball scoring exploits in the half-court, Maxey’s sterling offensive signature stems in part from his transition prowess. Year after year, Philadelphia is a considerably more efficient open-floor team when he’s on the court. With James and Brown joining him and Edgecombe, a quartet of transition tycoons now don Sixers red, white and blue.
Ideally, they’ll tap into that and produce as many easy buckets as possible. When they did hit the runway Tuesday, they thrived. According to Cleaning the Glass, they averaged 1.8 points per transition possession. But their fast-break frequency was only 10% (league average was 15.4% last season).
Now, the Knicks were well-organized setting up their defense to discourage early offense chances, which is a hallmark of this group’s resistance. They’ve ranked seventh or better in opponent transition rate every season since 2023-24. But I’m fascinated to monitor how often the Sixers mash the accelerator — they’ve sat outside the top 10 in transition frequency every year since 2021-22 — because the chemistry among Maxey, Brown and James was evident. When those dudes had opportunities, they were prompt and cohesive seizing them.
Most opponents the Sixers face this year will not be as talented or connected as New York’s. Teams will have lapses in judgment or let tired legs prevail, so Philadelphia can successfully dial up the tempo. But if the Sixers keep defending like they did Tuesday, the stops will pile up, especially against less dangerous offenses than the Knicks’, and they’ll enjoy plenty of running and gunning, if they so choose.
Philadelphia held New York to a 98.0 defensive rating and 24-of-61 shooting (39.3%) inside the arc. That defensive rating would’ve been its seventh-best mark across the entire 2025-26 season and fourth-best against all playoff opponents.
The Sixers were led by a domineering rim protection performance from Embiid, who looked quite nimble and comfortable in space. Cycling through drop coverage, trapping and hedging, he disrupted ball-handlers and still bothered big men when they received passes. He recorded three blocks, a feat he accomplished only five times combined in 2024-25 and 2025-26, including the playoffs. New York took 25.4% of its shots at the rim when he was on the floor and 41.9% of them when he sat, per databallr.
Embiid operating like a premier interior anchor drastically elevates Philadelphia’s defensive ceiling. As Brunson probed inside the arc, Embiid allowed the Sixers’ help defenders to continually stay home (no lob threat was a boon, too) and suppress the Knicks’ 3-point volume. Just 33.3% of their field goals came beyond the arc, which would’ve tied for their ninth-lowest rate of 2025-26.
Helping punctuate Embiid’s retrograde defensive showing was Brown, who did not serve as Brunson’s primary defender but wielded his size and discipline to frustrate the 2026 Finals MVP during his cameos.
While Embiid roamed off of Josh Hart much of the second half, James assumed the Karl-Anthony Towns assignment to reel in Towns as a shooter, driver and playmaker. James touts the strength and foot speed to tightly close out on Towns without worries of being steamrolled to the rim and was diligent about interfering with his passing windows. As a result, Towns tallied one assist to four turnovers, repeatedly struggling to find beneficial space against his weathered counterpart.
LeBron did a good job last night of disrupting KAT's passing windows. He's got the strength and foot speed to tightly close out on him without fear of being bowled through downhill and really made it tough for KAT to create quality looks as a playmaker or scorer: pic.twitter.com/dmGRaLBrG3
Embiid, Brown and James may have spearheaded Philadelphia’s suffocating defense but the supporting cast of Maxey (three steals, three blocks), Edgecombe (one steal) and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (one block) all contributed to harmonic execution.
The Sixers seamlessly switched off-ball actions — Brown, James, Maxey, Caldwell-Pope and Edgecombe all have some matchup versatility — communicated punctually to prevent mismatches, rotated to blot out lucrative openings and applied necessary physicality to divert the Knicks from traveling where they pleased.
The James-Embiid frontline was scrutinized much of the offseason as it pertained to Philadelphia’s defensive possibilities. One game against one opponent — whose style is plainly out there to scout since it hardly altered the roster — does not extinguish all concerns.
But it would be hard for them to start a season more encouragingly than they did. The perimeter quartet bouncing around, talking, pointing and effectively navigating screens ensured it would result in a shiny outcome. Sustained attention to detail and movement skills like those from the entire rotation will quell many of the worries that surrounded Philadelphia over the summer.
Jaylen Brown, fitting in
After the gaudiest season of his career as he filled in for the injured Jayson Tatum to lead the Boston Celtics offensively, many (including me) wondered how Brown may assimilate to a star-infused Sixers roster that wouldn’t require such towering, centralized usage.
In his debut Tuesday night, Brown (19 points on 7-of-14 shooting, eight rebounds, six assists, one steal, one block) reverted back to his early NBA days when he wasn’t an All-NBA wing and saw many of his chances as a cutter, quick-hitting driver and off-ball attacker/shooter.
His 50 touches ranked fourth on the Sixers, down from 66.1 per game last year, and six of his seven field goals were assisted (85.7%, up from 36% last year). The lone unassisted bucket was a slaloming transition score. His imprint occurred organically and as a backseat to Maxey, Embiid and James.
Even Brown’s seven misfires were within the construct of the offense and never felt overbearing. He missed a corner three off a sideline-out-of-bounds set, couldn’t convert a rhythmic turnaround inside over the diminutive Jose Alvarado, was bested by a Deuce McBride strip/block in early offense, walked Landry Shamet under the rim before having a layup roll out, caught a grenade late in a disjointed possession, clanked an open pull-up jumper over Shamet and left a spot-up three short.
Although Brown was traded in a one-for-one deal involving Paul George, James’ acquisition meant he was truly replacing Kelly Oubre Jr. in the starting unit. During Oubre’s three seasons as a Sixer, opposing defenses, including the Knicks, routinely ignored him on the weak-side to muck up happenings elsewhere, confident he didn’t brandish the offensive arsenal to truly punish that gambit.
With Brown in his stead, New York’s helpers felt more conflicted, unsure of whether to abandon a highly talented scorer like Brown or let other highly talented scorers like Embiid and Maxey run amok. His mere existence granted fellow All-Stars single coverage inside and they capitalized; Philadelphia’s rim frequency was 35.3% with him on the floor and 4.5%(!!) without him, per databallr.
A singular game does not immediately dissolve all questions about Brown’s fit and offensive duties. But it does capture how naturally he can embrace a valuable, amended role to complement his new running mates when facing the caliber of team the Sixers expect to see this spring.
This whole experiment is still a work in progress
Despite the win and a dogged defensive game, there is considerable room to improve. The Sixers’ 106 points yielded a 103.0 offensive rating. Sure, shooting 27.5% (11-of-40) beyond the arc hurt. But they didn’t compensate with pristine interior scoring, making 26-of-49 (53.1%) of their 2-pointers.
Embiid didn’t seem entirely comfortable with his perimeter-based deployment, attempting seven triples (two were late-clock heaves), and rarely rolled to the free-throw line, his most potent area on the floor. That’s not a new development and I imagine his decade-long series of lower-body injuries has him cautious to play in a crowd as often nowadays. New York often sat on those potential rolls as well, which likely influenced his decision to hover around the arc.
Yet he and Philadelphia are a much more fluid, lethal attack when he’s confronting defenders at the nail rather than almost exclusively sitting beyond the 3-point line as a “spacer” (defenses don’t worry about him there), handoff hub and screener.
He’s a notoriously slow starter offensively (four points, 1-of-9 shooting in the 2025-26 season opener; 2-of-11 in his 2024-25 debut) and migrated toward the midrange as last year progressed, so it’s totally plausible that occurs again. The Sixers should hope it does to reach their tantalizing offensive ceiling.
James set a handful of empty-corner ball-screens for Maxey and hardly rolled with vigor out of them either. It stagnated the offense at times and left potential profits on the table. According to Synergy, he’s ranked in the 24th percentile (2025-26, 1.00 points per possession) and 21st percentile (2024-25, 0.98 PPP) the past two seasons as a roller, so such usage hasn’t entirely suited him lately; space was, however, there to attack and he did not.
I understand he takes a bit of time to ramp up each year but his explosion, both vertically and horizontally, is greatly diminished from his prime (duh). I thought that subdued his aggression and am curious whether those habits evolve over the season to better elevate the offense. Theoretically, he and Maxey should kill on those empty-corner actions.
The Sixers’ peak is contingent on their front-court recording more inspiring ball-screen reps than these and being more commanding interior presences than totaling 27 points on 7-of-28 shooting (41.7% true shooting).
Game one speed bumps for a bunch of players still navigating how to best interact with each other on the court is not reason for panic, let alone against such a high-level defense. Embiid will be a much more imposing force offensively in six weeks than he is today. James will better understand where he’s optimized as a half-court cog by Christmas than he does today. But they are nonetheless areas to address as Philadelphia builds toward title contention and discovers itself offensively.
And hey, doing so while 1-0 with a nifty win like that in your backpocket ain’t too shabby.
