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Warriors' Draymond Green had NSFW diss for Victor Wembanyama before viral dunk originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Draymond Green is not one to back down from a fight.

Even when his opponent has just about every physical advantage possible over him.

The Warriors forward discussed on the latest episode of his podcast, “The Draymond Green Show,” Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama’s viral poster dunk on him in Golden State’s 109-108 win over San Antonio on Friday and what he said to the 7-foot-4 big man on the possession before.

“I must tell you, right before the dunk I blocked his shot,” Green said. “When I blocked his shot, I looked at him like, I gave him a crazy look like ‘Yeah, motherf–ker …’ and he was like ‘What? Huh? You too small.’ So I walked up to him like ‘You little, motherf–ker, you’re too little.’ He’s like, ‘I’m too little? Alright.’ “

Yes, Green called Wembanyama, of all people, “little.”

Wembanyama responded with a vicious lob dunk over Green on the following possession, which did not count because Green was called for a foul on the play.

WEMBY POSTERED DRAYMOND AND GOT IN HIS FACE 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/YKgnKPjFVi

— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) November 15, 2025

This pic of Wemby and Draymond Green 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/tiBwKZs3Cv

— Novo (@NovoHeat) November 15, 2025

The 6-foot-6 Green really stood no chance against Wembanyama on the play, and as it unfolded, time seemed to move in slow motion for the veteran forward as the Spurs star came crashing down over him.

“By the way, just so we’re clear, that whole conversation happened walking from one block to the other block and then we start fighting for position,” Green added. “And from there, everything else just happened in slow motion. I’m fighting for the position; he’s fighting for the position. I don’t want to pick up a foul — because the whistle was … a whole other issue — I go fight for the position, he goes and fights for the position and he does this spin, and when he spins, he’s still in place.

“He took one step and he’s in front of the rim catching a lob with the left. I thought I could get the lob when I saw it go up, I had no chance of getting it. I thought Jimmy [Butler] could get the lob from the backside; he had no chance of getting it. The only person who had a chance to get the lob was the guy who caught the lob, Wemby.”

Green admitted that he was happy the refs called a foul on him, because had the dunk counted and Wembanyama screamed in his face, as he did, he believes Golden State might not have been able to overcome San Antonio’s momentum at that point in the game.

“So that was a fun ass moment, I love to see guys respond and not back down,” Green added.

“Respect earned. I think the young fella, obviously we all know how special he is, but I think the thing I’m most impressed about is his work ethic and I know his work ethic is insane because I know how much better he’s gotten.”

There is no doubt that Green has the utmost respect for the young star, despite their heated moments on the court, and even believes Wembanyama could sweep all three major NBA awards this season.

However, on Wednesday and Friday, Green and the Warriors got the better of Wembanyama and the Spurs in back-to-back games.

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Keegan Murray reportedly could make season debut during Kings' current road trip originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Keegan Murray could make his 2025-26 NBA season debut soon.

The young Kings forward was assigned to the Stockton Kings on Monday and cleared for 5-on-5 contact basketball. Murray plans to join Sacramento in Oklahoma City amid its current five-game road trip, per The Sacramento Bee’s Jason Anderson, and “there is hope” he will play before the Kings return home.

Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray has been cleared for 5-on-5 contact basketball and assigned to the G League Stockton Kings for practice today. Murray plans to join the NBA club in Oklahoma City and there is hope he will make his season debut during the current road trip.

— Jason Anderson (@JandersonSacBee) November 17, 2025

Murray tore the UCL in his left thumb during a preseason game against the Portland Trail Blazers in October and underwent surgery a few days later.

The former No. 4 overall pick signed a five-year, $140 million extension with the Kings before the start of the season. Murray has averaged 13.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 233 regular-season games for Sacramento.

Sacramento surely misses the two-way wing’s services, as the team has been off to a widely underwhelming start to the season.

The Kings are 3-11 on the season (14th in the Western Conference) and trying to snap out of a current six-game losing streak. Still ahead, the Kings will face the Thunder in Oklahoma City, Grizzlies in Memphis and Nuggets in Denver before returning to Sacramento on Nov. 24.

Murray’s return, whenever that might be, should help with that goal of turning things around.

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Lakers' LeBron James won't play in 2028 Olympics; Warriors' Steph Curry unlikely originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

It appears we have seen Steph Curry and LeBron James playing together on the court in meaningful games for the final time.

After the two superstars and longtime rivals joined forces to help secure a gold medal for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, both were asked by James’ co-host, Steve Nash, on the latest episode of the “Mind The Game” podcast if they intend to participate again at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

“You already know my answer,” James told Nash. “Don’t even ask. I will be watching from Cabo.”

“It is the opposite answer of what I told him last year,” Curry said. “It was like, God willing, I still have the choice and the physical option to be like, I could actually impact the team. Never say never, but I highly doubt it. Love to be a part of the movement.”

James will be 43 years old and Curry will be 40 at the time of the 2028 Olympics, and it’s fair to assume that both could be retired by then.

Team USA’s gold medal win in Paris last summer was so special, because the league’s iconic elder statesmen, like Curry, James and Kevin Durant, all joined forces to create a super team with other NBA stars that rivaled, and perhaps exceeded, the talent of the famous 1992 “Dream Team.”

Their heroics last summer, specifically Curry’s, made for some of the most memorable moments in basketball history, and James doesn’t believe it could get much better in 2028.

“We can’t top what we just did,” James added. “How are we going to top those last two games?”

Without James, Curry, and perhaps Durant, who also will be 40 in the Summer of 2028, it appears Team USA will need new leadership at the next Olympics as it looks to secure another gold medal.

Lakers' LeBron James won't play in 2028 Olympics; Warriors' Steph Curry unlikely originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

It appears we have seen Steph Curry and LeBron James playing together on the court in meaningful games for the final time.

After the two superstars and longtime rivals joined forces to help secure a gold medal for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, both were asked by James’ co-host, Steve Nash, on the latest episode of the “Mind The Game” podcast if they intend to participate again at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

“You already know my answer,” James told Nash. “Don’t even ask. I will be watching from Cabo.”

“It is the opposite answer of what I told him last year,” Curry said. “It was like, God willing, I still have the choice and the physical option to be like, I could actually impact the team. Never say never, but I highly doubt it. Love to be a part of the movement.”

James will be 43 years old and Curry will be 40 at the time of the 2028 Olympics, and it’s fair to assume that both could be retired by then.

Team USA’s gold medal win in Paris last summer was so special, because the league’s iconic elder statesmen, like Curry, James and Kevin Durant, all joined forces to create a super team with other NBA stars that rivaled, and perhaps exceeded, the talent of the famous 1992 “Dream Team.”

Their heroics last summer, specifically Curry’s, made for some of the most memorable moments in basketball history, and James doesn’t believe it could get much better in 2028.

“We can’t top what we just did,” James added. “How are we going to top those last two games?”

Without James, Curry, and perhaps Durant, who also will be 40 in the Summer of 2028, it appears Team USA will need new leadership at the next Olympics as it looks to secure another gold medal.

Steve Kerr reveals whether Moses Moody has solidified role as Warriors starter originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Warriors have been rolling since Moses Moody was reinserted into the starting lineup, an adjustment that likely won’t change anytime soon.

Since suffering a blowout road loss to the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder last week that resulted in several team meetings, Warriors coach Steve Kerr changed some things around and plugged Moody into the first five, alongside Steph Curry, Will Richard, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green.

Since then, the Warriors have won three games in a row, and Moody is averaging 18.3 points on 48.6-percent shooting from the field and 50 percent from 3-point range, with 3.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 steals in 30 minutes.

On 95.7 The Game’s “Willard & Dibs” on Monday, Kerr was asked if he believes Moody has solidified a spot in his starting lineup going forward.

“Well, he started the last 30 games last year. One of the reasons we liked him in that role is because we had lost [Andrew Wiggins] in the trade for Jimmy and Moses was the best-suited guy to guard the ball,” Kerr explained. “He’s doing a great job of that. So he’s a really good fit next to Steph, Jimmy and Dray. He guards the ball and he’s very efficient offensively. He doesn’t turn it over and knocks down shots.

“I never want to say for sure that everything is set in stone because things happen and combinations change and all that stuff, but I don’t foresee Moses coming out of the lineup, I would say that.”

Moody is coming off a career game in which he erupted for 32 points with seven 3s in the first quarter of Golden State’s 124-106 win against the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday.

The 23-year-old underwent right thumb surgery to repair a torn UCL that affected him during the NBA playoffs last season.

That offseason surgery — combined with inspiration from former teammate Klay Thompson — led Moody to make a slight tweak with his shot. So far, that adjustment has made all the difference as Moody is shooting 45 percent from beyond the arc on 6.6 attempts per game this season.

Now that the Warriors have figured out a lineup that’s proven to work thus far, Moody’s role appears to be solidified at least for now.

Why fix something that isn’t broken, right?

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NBA issues warning to Warriors' Draymond Green after viral encounter with fan: Report originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Draymond Green received a slap on the wrist for his encounter with a fan in the Golden State Warriors’ 124-106 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday at Smoothie King Center.

With 2:02 remaining in the second quarter, Green was seen interacting with a fan sitting courtside, who the Warriors forward later revealed was taunting him by repeatedly referring to him as Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese after he failed to tip in a missed layup several times, among other things.

Draymond had a bizarre interaction with a fan sitting courtside 😮 pic.twitter.com/TVHDhBeZ9F

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) November 17, 2025

Well, the NBA did not approve of Green’s heated interaction with the fan, and issued him a warning, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Tuesday, citing a source.

The NBA has issued a warning to Golden State's Draymond Green for his interaction with a vocal fan in New Orleans on Sunday night, source tells ESPN. No fine. The fan was chanting "Angel Reese" toward Green, who responded face-to-face as taunts continued.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 18, 2025

The fan was not ejected from Sunday’s game, but similarly to Green, was issued a warning by arena security.

In the end, both sides were warned, and it’s safe to assume that when Golden State returns to New Orleans on Feb. 24, everyone will be on their best behavior.

Right?

Steve Kerr reveals De'Anthony Melton is ‘not very close' to Warriors return originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Warriors continue to take a cautious approach with De’Anthony Melton’s ACL injury recovery.

Steve Kerr recently revealed the veteran guard still has a way to go before returning to the court for Golden State and making his season debut.

“Melton is with us on the trip and really putting in the work, starting to scrimmage and that kind of stuff,” Kerr said Tuesday on 95.7 The Game’s “Willard & Dibs.” “But he’s not very close because, as you know, he missed all of last year pretty much. So he needs to really do a lot of on-court scrimmaging and rhythm work.

“The good news is he’s getting healthier and stronger every day, and he’s definitely going to play a part of the season coming up. We just don’t have an exact date yet.”

Melton signed with Golden State during the 2024 offseason and suffered a season-ending ACL injury just six games into the 2024-25 season. He later was traded to the Brooklyn Nets before returning to the Warriors this past offseason.

In six games (two starts), Melton averaged 10.3 points on 40.7-percent shooting from the field and 37.1 percent from 3-point range, with 3.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.2 steals in 20.2 minutes.

In the two contests Melton started, he dramatically helped elevate the offense alongside Curry, averaging 16.5 points on 47.8 percent shooting from the field and 50 percent from distance, with 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals in 26.5 minutes.

The Warriors were 4-2 with Melton in their lineup.

Golden State has had an up-and-down start to the early portion of the 2025-26 season and sits in seventh place in the Western Conference with a 9-6 record.

While the Warriors are eager to get Melton back into the mix, it’s clear they’ll be as patient as possible with his return.

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Lakers' LeBron James won't play in 2028 Olympics; Warriors' Steph Curry unlikely originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

It appears we have seen Steph Curry and LeBron James playing together on the court in meaningful games for the final time.

After the two superstars and longtime rivals joined forces to help secure a gold medal for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, both were asked by James’ co-host, Steve Nash, on the latest episode of the “Mind The Game” podcast if they intend to participate again at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

“You already know my answer,” James told Nash. “Don’t even ask. I will be watching from Cabo.”

“It is the opposite answer of what I told him last year,” Curry said. “It was like, God willing, I still have the choice and the physical option to be like, I could actually impact the team. Never say never, but I highly doubt it. Love to be a part of the movement.”

James will be 43 years old and Curry will be 40 at the time of the 2028 Olympics, and it’s fair to assume that both could be retired by then.

Team USA’s gold medal win in Paris last summer was so special, because the league’s iconic elder statesmen, like Curry, James and Kevin Durant, all joined forces to create a super team with other NBA stars that rivaled, and perhaps exceeded, the talent of the famous 1992 “Dream Team.”

Their heroics last summer, specifically Curry’s, made for some of the most memorable moments in basketball history, and James doesn’t believe it could get much better in 2028.

“We can’t top what we just did,” James added. “How are we going to top those last two games?”

Without James, Curry, and perhaps Durant, who also will be 40 in the Summer of 2028, it appears Team USA will need new leadership at the next Olympics as it looks to secure another gold medal.

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It’s been nine and a half months since the trade that rocked the sports world was broken via a Shams Charania tweet. It was such a shock that the majority of his followers assumed he’d been hacked. Fresh off of a trip to the NBA finals, the young Slovenian superstar Luka Dončić was shipped off in the middle of the night to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, and the NBA as we know it was changed for ever. The fallout from one of the most shocking trades in sports history is still evolving: disgraced Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison, who spearheaded the transaction, was let go by the team last week, in a move Mavericks fans have been loudly clamoring for since news broke that their homegrown franchise player was being abruptly cast out to sea. But on the other side of the coin was a mixed blessing and a new beginning: Dončić, who had imagined spending his entire career in Dallas like his mentor Dirk Nowitzki, suddenly found himself recast as the face of the NBA’s most famous franchise under the bright lights of Hollywood. And, as it turns out, the future is now.

While Dončić’s breakup with the Mavericks was both very public and very messy (the Mavs were not shy about vocalizing their reasoning for the move, and painting the 26-year-old in an unflattering light in the process), the silver linings showed themselves quickly. Dončić might not have considered himself suited for the Los Angeles spotlight, but with his flair for the dramatic and a feel for the sport’s theater, playing for such a high-profile franchise has proved an unexpectedly good fit. And it couldn’t have worked out better for the Lakers: the team had been staring at an uncertain future, with the retirement of 40-year-old LeBron James looming, and Davis’s injury history creating a cloud of doubt around his ability to be the No 1 option in the eventual aftermath. Enter Luka stage right: a ticket to franchise salvation, equipped with the newfound motivation that can only be borne from being publicly and mercilessly dragged through the mud.

Of course, James’s retirement has been far less imminent than anyone anticipated; his unprecedented longevity and level of play continue to shatter records and defy logic. So instead of a passing of the torch, the months after Dončić’s arrival looked more like a torch collaboration. But James’s bout with sciatica this summer, which has sidelined him for the first month of the season and caused him to miss the first opening night of his 23-year career, brought about a dress rehearsal for the post-LeBron Lakers era. The roster remains a bit clunky, but Dončić is beginning to lean into his newfound leadership role – and those around him are convinced he’s the man for the job. And not only because his 34.4 points per game lead the NBA by a wide margin. The Lakers are 10–4, fourth in the Western Conference behind only Oklahoma City, Denver and Houston, and the prospect of life after LeBron suddenly looks, well, not so scary after all.

Dončić has always been special, and the brightest minds in the NBA have recognized it from the start. When the Miami Heat visited Los Angeles in early November, I asked Erik Spoelstra what he believes sets Dončić apart. “Just an incredible competitive spirit,” he told me. “I remember the first time I saw him play – I’ll never forget it. I went to watch Goran Dragić at EuroBasket, so I stopped by their training camp. Luka was 18, and everyone in the gym was stunned by how cerebral his game already was. He could make all the rotations, all the reads, just pick you apart. His fundamentals, his footwork, his skill level – all elite. But more than anything, even then, he could rise to the level of competition. That’s what all the great ones do: competition brings out something most players can’t reach.”

“Quiet” was the word Lakers guard Marcus Smart used to describe Dončić’s leadership style in the early days of the season, shortly after the former Defensive Player of the Year had logged his first few games with his new team. “He leads by example,” Smart said. But something is starting to shift for Dončić, whose career-long approach to leadership has largely been, as Smart suggests, to be brilliant without saying much.

There’s a newfound maturity and commitment in Dončić’s approach this year, even if he still shows more youthful exuberance than almost anyone in the league. It became apparent as early as the summer, when rumblings spread that he’d undertaken a drastic overhaul of his diet – followed soon after by a striking Men’s Health feature revealing a noticeably leaner, more sculpted Dončić. The transformation (and the PR push around it) was almost certainly fueled by the Mavericks’ smear campaign in the wake of Dončić’s exit, which sought to question everything from his work ethic to his relationship with alcohol.

Off the court, Dončić is soft-spoken and even-keeled, happiest laying low with his wife, his baby daughter and his video games. On the court he’s a demon: one of the league’s fiercest competitors, a player who seems to take genuine delight in tormenting opponents. For all his gifts, that almost manic competitiveness may be his defining trait. And seeing it up close makes something obvious: there was never a version of reality in which being cast off the way he was in February led to anything other than this, the moment he turned into the Terminator.

Dončić acknowledges that his approach has shifted. He’s been noticeably more vocal this season, and when asked whether that’s intentional, he doesn’t hesitate. “Definitely [more vocal], just trying to help the guys,” he says. But he credits the change partly to improved chemistry, stressing that he still wants leadership to feel shared. “I think leadership shouldn’t be just one player – it should be more players, and I think we have that. Everyone talks a lot. It feels like everyone is on the same page.”

Those around him have noticed the growth. Lakers head coach JJ Redick says he’s seen a real shift from last season: “I think he’s letting his teammates in right now,” he says. Austin Reaves – the Lakers guard who has developed an easy, teasing rapport with Dončić in the months since his arrival – sees it too, and isn’t surprised it took some time. “It’s human nature when things like last year happen. Nobody ever thought that was gonna happen … I’m sure he was in a state of shock,” Reaves says. “Having to move, move his family – it was tough. But now I think he’s just getting comfortable, having a good time.”

When James returns to make his season debut, which could happen as soon as Tuesday night against the Utah Jazz, the soft opening of the Lakers’ Luka Era will come to a temporary close. But the forward momentum won’t halt: the progress Dončić has made with the keys to the franchise in hand are palpable, and likely here to stay. He knows the future is his, and he seems more comfortable with that fact than ever.

NBA reportedly issues Warriors' Draymond Green warning after viral fan encounter originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Draymond Green received a slap on the wrist for his encounter with a fan in the Golden State Warriors’ 124-106 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday at Smoothie King Center.

With 2:02 remaining in the second quarter, Green was seen interacting with a fan sitting courtside, who the Warriors forward later revealed was taunting him by repeatedly referring to him as Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese after he failed to tip in a missed layup several times, among other things.

Draymond had a bizarre interaction with a fan sitting courtside 😮 pic.twitter.com/TVHDhBeZ9F

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) November 17, 2025

Well, the NBA did not approve of Green’s heated interaction with the fan, and issued him a warning, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Tuesday, citing a source.

The NBA has issued a warning to Golden State's Draymond Green for his interaction with a vocal fan in New Orleans on Sunday night, source tells ESPN. No fine. The fan was chanting "Angel Reese" toward Green, who responded face-to-face as taunts continued.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 18, 2025

The fan was not ejected from Sunday’s game, but similarly to Green, was issued a warning by arena security.

In the end, both sides were warned, and it’s safe to assume that when Golden State returns to New Orleans on Feb. 24, everyone will be on their best behavior.

Right?

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The Knicks lost to the Miami Heat, 115-113, on Monday night despite an exciting comeback late in the fourth quarter and are still in search of their first road win this season.

Here are the key takeaways...

-- Without starters OG Anunoby and Jalen Brunson, New York went with a starting five of Landry Shamet, Miles McBride, Mikal Bridges, Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson. That unit struggled to get things going offensively from the jump as the Knicks managed to score just 20 points in the opening quarter. 

In fact, only McBride, Bridges and Josh Hart were able to hit a shot in the first 12 minutes in which New York shot 3-for-9 from deep and 7-for-21 overall. But thanks to an equally poor offensive showing from Miami (25 points on 9-for-25 from the field), the Knicks trailed the Heat by only five points heading to the second quarter.

-- New York changed its tune in the first few minutes of the second quarter and took the lead on a 7-0 run with Jordan Clarkson and Shamet getting in on the action. Things went back and forth from there as both teams exchanged buckets which lead to multiple ties and lead changes. 

The Knicks' last lead in the quarter came on Hart's two-pointer with 2:33 left in the half that gave his team a 46-44 advantage. From there, the Heat went on an 11-5 run, including Davion Mitchell's 25-foot three-pointer with less than 10 seconds remaining, to enter halftime with a four-point lead.

-- Out of the break, Towns took over offensively for New York, which needed someone to step up without two of its starters. Towns scored eight of the team's first 10 points of the second half, making his presence felt underneath the rim. Along with Towns were Robinson, Bridges and Hart, who all scored their points inside the paint.

-- Amazingly, the Knicks scored 31 points in the third quarter without making a single three-pointer after they finished the quarter 0-for-5 from deep. As for Miami, it went 4-for-7 from beyond the arc, but the team missed multiple mid-range shots to allow New York to climb back with its patient but effective offensive approach.

-- Down one headed to the fourth quarter, the Knicks took multiple leads in the first few minutes. They even hit a three-pointer when McBride drilled a deep one to untie the game with 10:44 left in the game. It would be the only triple made by either team for nearly eight minutes as both offenses leaned on attacking the rim.

-- During that time, the Heat went on a 14-3 run to take the lead and separate themselves by 10 points with 3:10 to play. However, McBride would hit two threes to cut Miami's lead to four points and after Towns drilled two free throws with 1:10 left the Knicks were down by just two points. 

After a Norman Powell two-pointer upped the Heat's lead back to four, Towns buried one from deep to make it a one-point game with 22.4 seconds left. New York immediately fouled on Miami's next possession and had a chance to tie or take the lead on its next possession after Mitchell made one of two free throws. 

-- It appeared as though the Knicks did tie it after Kel'el Ware was called for goaltending on Towns' two-point shot with 13.2 seconds remaining, but after a ref-initiated review the goaltending call was overturned. New York had another chance to tie it or win the game, but McBride missed a shot from four feet out and the game was over.

-- McBride finished with a game-high 25 points on 10-for-23 shooting (5-for-12 from deep), but came up short on the biggest shot of the night.

-- The Knicks are now 0-4 away from MSG this season.

Game MVP: Kel'el Ware

Not only did his controversial block (one of three on the night) at the end serve as the game-winning play, he also had a double-double (16 points, 14 rebounds).

Highlights

Deuce getting it going early pic.twitter.com/VEg5TGZiCr

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) November 18, 2025

Clarkson finds Mikal pic.twitter.com/Y3byVMIPSv

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) November 18, 2025

Mikal with the steal and the slam! pic.twitter.com/9Ek0lFqGRM

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) November 18, 2025

What's next

The Knicks continue their road trip with a bout against the Mavericks in Dallas on Wednesday night. Tipoff is set for 9:30 p.m.

LeBron James said his lungs felt like those of a “newborn baby” and his voice was “already gone” after his first Lakers practice Monday as he moved a step closer toward making his season debut after being sidelined by sciatica.

The Lakers listed James as questionable for Tuesday night against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena, and he sounded as if he was close to playing in his NBA-record 23rd season.

"We got a long time,” said James as he wiped sweat from his face while speaking to reporters. “I mean, we've been taking literally one minute, one hour, one step at a time throughout this whole process. So, see how I feel this afternoon, see how I feel tonight. When I wake up in the morning. ... We'll probably have [a] shootaround [Tuesday]. So, just gotta see how the body responds over the next 24 hours-plus."

LeBron James on how he’s feeling: “My lungs feel like a newborn baby.”

Says he’s trying to get his conditioning back up and his voice is already shot from yelling at practice, but he was happy to be back. pic.twitter.com/rl6WMAuYmw

— Thuc Nhi Nguyen (@thucnhi21) November 17, 2025

James, who will turn 41 next month, was asked how long it took him to become pain-free.

“I wouldn’t take it that far,” James said. “Like I said, if you ever had it, you go about it and you wake up one day and you hope that when you step down from the bed that you don’t feel it. You go to bed at night, and you hope that when you’re in the bed that you don’t feel it. So I’ve been doing pretty good with it as of late. There’s a lot of exercises and a lot of mobility things and a lot of things you can do to help it. So I’m just keeping a positive mindset.”

Lakers coach JJ Redick said it was like having a new player in practice with James on the court.

Read more:Plaschke: LeBron James is 'maybe' retiring? This is going to be fun

James agreed, saying, “Definitely feels new, for sure.”

The Lakers have four days off after Tuesday's game against Utah — including three practice days — before playing the Jazz in Salt Lake City on Sunday.

"One day back, barking out calls and assignments and stuff, getting my voice working again," said James about his first day at practice. "Be a lot of tea and rest tonight."

James, the NBA's all-time leading scorer (42,184 points), admitted he had to mentally adjust to missing the start of a season for the first time in his career.

"It sucks. It definitely sucks,” James said. “Never in my life since I started playing the game of basketball have I ever not started the season — in my life. It's been a mind test, but I'm built for it and it's been putting in the work, both mentally and physically trying to get myself ready to rejoin the team.

"It's just been kind of the same revolving door. Just repetition, repetition, repetition; rehabbing, rehabbing, rehabbing. Just trying to get back where I can feel like myself again. It's great to be out here today."

He's back.

LeBron James getting up shots at the end of Lakers practice. pic.twitter.com/lOdu78y8x4

— Thuc Nhi Nguyen (@thucnhi21) November 17, 2025

James said this wasn’t the first time in his career that he had sciatica.

“I had it two years ago,” he said. “You had it, then you know what the hell it’s about. If you ain’t never had it and people are making jokes about it, I pray you never get it. It’s not fun.”

James practiced with the Lakers’ G League team, the South Bay Lakers, twice last week, getting in some five-on-five work.

"It was great,” James said. “I got cleared to play some five-on-five for the first time since ... hurting my MCL versus Minnesota. And that was the blessing."

The Lakers have gone 10-4 without James. Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves have led the way as one of the most potent two-way tandems in the early part of the NBA season.

Read more:‘I don’t know’: Lakers’ LeBron James unsure when it comes to future

Doncic leads the NBA in scoring (34.4 points per game) and Reaves is ninth (28.3). Doncic is fifth in assists (8.9) and Reaves is seventh (8.2).

James, who is 50 games away from breaking Robert Parish’s all-time record of most games played in NBA history (1,611), knows he'll have to adjust things when he returns.

“I have to work my way back into it,” James said. “The guys have been going on road trips, shootarounds, flights. So it’s kind of like a kid going to a new school again. Got to learn the guys and everything. So they got some great chemistry. Feeling my way back in and do it organically. It shouldn’t be hard. But it’s definitely a feel-out process.”

Etc.

Redick said all 14 players practiced for the first time this season and that Rui Hachimura (left call soreness) and Marcus Smart (viral illness) will be available to play against the Jazz after sitting out against Milwaukee on Saturday.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.