Fans watch as Clippers guard Keaton Wagler grabs the basketball during a win over the Kings Wednesday at Intuit Dome. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Associated Press)
Starting over has to start somewhere, and so the Clippers got on with it Wednesday.
Not with superstars or championship aspirations. But with the promise of free parking, a jersey trade-in and a basketball team that is, at least, better than the Sacramento Kings, who they beat 121-96 in both teams’ season opener. Coach Tyronn Lue dedicated the win to suspended team owner Steve Ballmer: “Just want to say thank you for everything. We’re still fighting for him.”
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue directs his players during a win over the Sacramento Kings Wednesday at Intuit Dome. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Associated Press)
Wednesday’s fan appreciation stuff was a swell gesture, as a start. But it wasn’t nearly far-reaching enough.
Not for embattled Clippers supporters who have stuck with the team through thick and thin, sickness and health, in spite of Donald Sterling, the former cheap, racist owner and now Ballmer, the wealthy, over-invested one whose salary cap circumvention cost his team its first-round picks in the 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032, and 2033 NBA drafts.
To fans, that was the most consequential part of the historic punishment dealt by the NBA, which commissioned a year-long investigation that determined the Clippers committed audacious levels of salary cap circumvention.
The league also fined the team $30 million, suspended team owner Ballmer and president of business operations Gillian Zucker for a year and president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank for six months.
And Leonard? He got a $700,000 slap on the wrist and got traded back to Toronto, where he signed a two-year, $115 million contract extension and on Wednesday, had Raptors coach Darko Rajaković saying he was “super excited for the chance to bring a Hall of Famer back home.”
“That’s one of the most insulting parts of it all, the way [Leonard] was able to walk away scot-free and the fans are left sort of holding the bag,” said San Pedro’s Justin Ratterree, while he tried to dodge raindrops as he waited in line, four hours before tipoff, to trade in his No. 2 Leonard jersey.
Young Clippers fans watch the team play the the Sacramento Kings Wednesday at the Intuit Dome. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Associated Press)
“It’s rough right now. Defending the team this past couple months has been really rough ... and I’ve kind of just given up defending. How can you defend it?”
Even Ballmer stopped doing that, releasing a statement on Sept. 13 that read, in part: “This has been a very difficult time for everybody associated with the Clippers, and for that, I have sincere regrets.
“I want to apologize to our fans, employees, and my fellow NBA team owners for the distraction and distress this matter has caused, for which I accept responsibility as principal owner.
“We are,” he added, “committing to put this chapter behind us.”
Yes, let them try to scrub the memory of Leonard, the intensely skilled and private player who demanded so much of the Clippers when he signed with them as a free agent in 2019. Who made no efforts to popularize the team, missed almost as much time as he worked, and who failed to lead the Clippers to their first championship or anywhere close to it in his seven seasons.
After his trade to Toronto went through on Sept. 23, the Clippers resisted posting the “Thank You, Kawhi” graphic that pro sports teams do when they part ways with a player.
Let them also forget to play a tribute video when Leonard’s Raptors visit Intuit Dome for the only time this season on Nov. 2.
And let the Clippers expand the jersey swap beyond the first 4,000 paying customers at Game 1; there was no official figure available Wednesday night for exactly how many jerseys were traded and how many of them belonged to he-who-must-not-be-named.
The Clippers should keep it going, offer the option all season. Set it up at the Intuit Dome’s Lost and Found — invite fans to exchange the No. 2 jersey of the player whom they lost all respect for a guy they’ve found themselves newly enamored with, likely rookie Keaton Wagler if Wednesday’s exchange was any indication.
Clippers fans also deserve more than having their parking picked up until an hour before gametime, on one rainy workday, on late notice.
They should have their parking at games covered all season — or at least substantially reduced from the typical $70 price that’s already too steep. (The Dodgers didn’t start charging $65 until the National League Championship Series!)
They should do more if they want to continue to draw a crowd to watch a team whose best player is now Darius Garland, whose future is compromised, whose current best-cast scenario — the play-in! — only Clippers fans could love.
Clippers forward Rui Hachimura drives past Kings guard De'andre Hunter and center Domantas Sabonis Wednesday at the Intuit Dome. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Associated Press)
Several fans Wednesday also said they would appreciate improved transparency, including in terms of player injury and availability news.
It’s the least the team can do for these patient people, who will have the type of team that they usually fall hard for, actually — a group of gamers, devoid of divas, punching above their weight.
“All this stuff that’s going on,” Lue said, “you can’t take that out on our players … that’s not their fault, you know?”
It’s not fans’ fault, either. Let’s see the Clippers go above and beyond for them.
The NBA never wastes any time getting back to business. The first day of the season gave us the biggest opening night comeback in league history on Tuesday, and Wednesday’s full slate of games included everything that makes this league such a treat to watch, all the way down to LaMelo Ball getting away with the most obvious travel of all-time in his debut for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Wolves beat the Miami Heat, 131-105, in a nationally televised barnburner as both sides debuted new stars. Ball and the Wolves got the win despite Giannis Antetokounmpo going off for 35 points on 11-of-19 shooting in his first game as a member of the Heat. Ball was solid with 21 points and six assists in his debut, and he helped set up teammate Anthony Edwards for a 45-point scoring outburst.
Everything was going so well for the Wolves that the refs even let Ball take about eight steps on a step-back three-pointer. Did LaMelo just forget he needed to dribble? It sure looks like it, but the refs let him get away with it anyway. Watch the play here:
I usually hate when casual fans harp on uncalled traveling, and then I have to explain the concept of the gather step. Not this time. Ball clearly traveled, but the refs let him do it because the vibes were good, I guess.
The Wolves jacked 50 three-point attempts in their opening night win. Is this team going to great the record for most threes attempted? The 2024-25 Boston Celtics took 48.23 three-point attempts per game, so it’s a high bar to clear. I was very high on the Wolves, ranking them No. 4 overall in my championship rankings coming into the season. This win was encouring for that.
The refs can’t just let players travel like this, because it gives the NBA a bad reputation. This time, the traveling scourges are right. I have no idea how LaMelo got away with this.
Walker Kessler mumbled just loud enough for the press to hear him as the 7'2 big man sank into his seat at the podium following the Los Angeles Lakers' season-opening 127-105 rout over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday, Oct. 21.
The ease with which he answered questions – at one point, he said, "Contrary to my name, I run a lot" – mirrored how effortless he looked on the floor, always seeming to be in just the right place and just the right time to receive a lob from Luka Dončić or Austin Reaves.
At one point early in the third quarter, Kessler was running behind the play as Dončić dribbled into the low post. Draymond Green stepped towards Dončić, freeing Kessler up in the paint with no one near him.
"Luka!" He shouted out.
Next thing Kessler knew, the ball was in his chest.
Dončić had rifled it behind his back past Green and right to Kessler and before the Warriors enforcer had any idea what had happened, Kessler was already coming back down from the rim.
"He's just wicked smart," Kessler said of Dončić. "His basketball IQ is crazy, and I think he recognized I was running the floor. ... He just found me."
And it wasn't just Luka Magic. Kessler finished the night a perfect 12 of 12 from the floor for 26 points, his shot chart entirely in the restricted area. Ten of those were dunks; the most in a game by a Laker since Shaquille O'Neal in 2003.
O'Neal gave Kessler his flowers on-air postgame.
"For so long, the Lakers big men have been historical and dominant," he declared on Inside the NBA. "Walker Kessler is the best big man in the NBA."
A glowing review from Laker royalty, and one that shouldn't be taken lightly.
The spotlight that comes with donning the purple and gold – especially at its glamor position – can be blinding. The weight of following in the legacy of Shaq, Kareem, Wilt and George Mikan has crushed other superstars before. Dwight Howard infamously spurned Kobe Bryant in 2013 for the Houston Rockets. Russell Westbrook became public enemy No. 1 in his own hometown.
Kessler hasn't just shown he can handle the pressure that comes with this job. He somehow looks comfortable in it.
"He understands what this is and the pressures that come with it," head coach JJ Redick said. "I think it was a good opening statement for him."
It hasn't always been that way for the North Carolina and Auburn product.
By his own admission, there were times in his college career that Kessler let pressure get to him. Outside voices dictated his own thoughts and feelings. But as he's gotten older, he's focused more on being grateful for everything that comes his way.
"I'm a big believer in what an opportunity," Kessler said. "God is so good in my life for me to be here. ... It's really hard to focus on the negativity when you actively do that, and so I've been the past couple years really focusing on that."
Wednesday was just game one out of 82. Dončić kept it in perspective, saying he was impressed with his new running mate and how they played off each other. When Luka would drive, Kessler would step up. When he was doubled, Kessler he played in the pocket.
"I think our ceiling is even higher," Dončić said. "But ... he did an amazing job today."
He knows that even if Kessler makes catching lobs look easy, the reality is far from it. But keeping in mind that this was just their first game together, the future – and present – at Crypto.com Arena looks just as bright as the lights that so many before them have shrunken under.
The Golden State Warriors got the chance to see their No. 11 overall selection in the 2026 NBA Draft make his league debut on Wednesday, Oct. 21.
Rookie forward Yaxel Lendeborg got a taste of the NBA and earned his first 'welcome to the league' moment during the season-opening matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers, who defeated the Warriors, 127-105.
Lendeborg played 29 minutes and scored 12 points on 5-for-11 shooting, adding three rebounds, two assists and a steal. However, the main lesson Lendeborg learned of the day is don't mess with Luka Dončić.
The rookie found himself guarding Dončić on multiple possessions during the game. Lendeborg accepted the challenge. He didn't back down, playing physical with the Lakers' All-Star and letting him hear it, too.
That might have been where Lendeborg messed up. Dončić scored 28 points on 7-for-18 from the field and added eight rebounds and seven assists.
The two went at each other, especially in the first half. But Dončić had the last laugh at the end of the second quarter where he banked in a half court shot from about 50 feet to beat the buzzer. Going into the locker room, he had some words for Lendeborg.
LUKA MAGIC ✨Beyond half-court at the buzzer to extend the Lakers' lead against the Warriors 🍿 https://t.co/RiPZVHk7gg
Lendeborg even received a technical foul for his back-and-forth with Dončić. After the game, Lendeborg discussed what happened on the court with him and Dončić.
Lendeborg described his debut as "interesting."
As for Dončić, he said he lost respect for him.
"I had a lot of respect for him," Lendeborg said. "I didn't watch the NBA much. I just watched highlights, seeing him kill people all the time. But then being in there first hand, just watching him whining and complaining, I lost all respect, man. Like, that was awful.
"Like me getting frustrated, it's not about the foul being called, it's about him complaining the entire game. And then you get foul call. Congratulations, bro," Lendeborg added. "And then you talk to me, like you did something great, bro. Come on, now. It kind of threw me off for a little while, 'cause, you know, like I said, I had so much respect for him. Gone."
On Dončić's end, it was business as usual.
"I think everybody knows when somebody starts talking, it (brings out) a different me, so that was it," Dončić said in postgame interview with ESPN.
Later, he told reporters that Lendeborg "was talking crazy" and Dončić wasn't trying to talk back.
"This season I'm not trying to get techs, so it's the first time that that was not a double tech because I didn't say nothing," he added. "So I'm working on it. As you see, I think it worked great."
Warriors support Lendeborg's 1-on-1
Head coach Steve Kerr's message to Lendeborg: "Better days ahead."
"I loved the back and forth," Kerr told reporters. "Yaxel's a competitor. This was a great welcome to the NBA game for him, having to guard Luka, who's as tough to guard as anybody in the world. Having to learn about all the little tricks that exist in the NBA. He probably had three fouls that probably wouldn't be called fouls in any other league in the world, but it's the NBA, and he's got to learn this stuff."
"It's his first game," Kerr added. "He is an unbelievable young guy, and great talent, and it was a frustrating night for him, but a lesson well learned, and he'll get better from here."
For what it's worth, Kerr thought that Dončić and Lendeborg should have received double technical fouls for their back and forth banter. However, it was the rookie that got whistled.
Teammate Draymond Green encouraged him to keep talking and was honest when speaking to reporters about how Lendeborg should approach guarding Dončić for the rest of the season.
"Everyone's going to say 'you should not talk to Luka' and I disagree with that (expletive)," Green said. "1,000%. You (expletive) gonna talk to somebody, you talk until you can't (expletive) talk no more. And if he bust your ass, guess what? You gotta play him again three more times and you go back at his ass again. Then you see him the third time and you go back at his ass again."
Green said you have to earn respect in the league at the end of the day.
"If you start talking to someone, then you got yourself into a battle," Green said. "When I lose respect is when you start talking to someone and you realize 'oh I'm into a battle' and you stop. You keep going. You get all my respect."
Draymond Green on Yaxel Lendeborg going at Luka Doncic: “Everyone will say the rookie learned his lesson. What he learn? The next time he see him, go at his ass again.”Full soundbite https://t.co/jb87fMCjJW
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - FEBRUARY 19: Sam Hauser #30 and Neemias Queta #88 of the Boston Celtics high five during the game against the Golden State Warriors on February 19, 2026 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Boston Celtics trotted out a starting lineup of Derrick White, Jordan Walsh, Jayson Tatum, Paul George, and Mitchell Robinson in the team’s Opening Day loss — but it might not be the team’s best.
In fact, its best might look more like last year’s starting squad, just with Paul George instead of Jaylen Brown.
The Celtics’ most effective lineup of the game featured Derrick White, Sam Hauser, Jayson Tatum, Paul George, and Neemias Queta. It’s a small sample size, obviously, but the team was steamrolling Detroit while these five were on the floor for a 5-minute stretch in the second quarter.
At the point Queta subbed in for Luka Garza halfway through the frame and joined the others, the game was tied 39-39. By the time White and Hauser were subbed out with 1:11 to go in the quarter, Boston had broken ahead with a 18-4 run and taken a 57-43 lead. Unfortunately for the C’s, who eventually choked the lead in the second half and lost, that lineup didn’t see the court for the rest of the game. To be fair to head coach Joe Mazzulla — who was clearly experimenting with different squads throughout the game — only two other lineups saw more time on the floor, led by the starters, who played only 8 minutes together.
Over their short run together, the lineup recorded an absurd 172.7 offensive rating and an equally absurd 36.4 defensive rating, according to NBA.com. That results in a 136.4 net rating — the highest mark of the game for any Celtics lineup. Boston’s second- and third-best lineups finished with net ratings of 60 and 56.7, respectively, but only totaled 5 minutes combined. The starting lineup finished with a 146.7 offensive rating, a 106.3 defensive rating, and a 40.4 net rating. All impressive marks, but nowhere as dominant as the Hauser-Queta lineup.
Apr 12, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Sam Hauser (30) and center Neemias Queta (88) react during a break in the action against the Charlotte Hornets in the second quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
The lineup’s statistical success is completely unsustainable, but its early chemistry makes sense. With four out of five of last year’s starters reprising their roles, the lineup may have the most continuity and rapport of any potential starting five Boston could roll out, especially if George is locked in as a starter when he’s healthy. And slotting him in next to the other four is easy when he is such a perfect fit for Mazzulla-ball.
Talking about Mazzulla Ball, the Hauser-Queta lineup may fit better into the scheme than opening day’s starting lineup, at least in part due to the shooting Hauser brings to the table. The starting lineup against Detroit featured only one elite three-point shooter in Paul George, who shot 39.2% from distance last year and 38.4% over his career. Otherwise, neither White nor Tatum shot better than 33% from three-point range last year and Queta is a non-shooter despite a few long-range attempts this preseason. Walsh shot 38.4% from distance last year, but has yet to shoot at the volume that may be needed for a starting lineup (he shot a career-high 1.8 attempts per game last year, whereas Hauser put up 6.5 per game). If Tatum continues to struggle with his deep shot, Hauser’s level of high-quality volume shooting might be needed to make up for it.
The difference between Hauser and Walsh is pronounced, but the same can’t be said for Queta and Robinson. The 7-footers share a similar skillset and may have some level of interchangeability. While Queta was a part of the Celtics’ most successful opening day lineup, we didn’t get to see Robinson have a chance to run with the same crew, and — despite finishing -8 for the game — he played an important role in the starting lineup’s success. The gap between the two centers’ performances in Tuesday’s game may come down to a difference in rapport with Tatum and the others. Queta’s had years to develop chemistry with his Boston teammates. Give Robinson some time, and he might be just as effective alongside White, Hauser, George, and Tatum.
All in all, it’s a long season, and a one-game sample size means very little. Nevertheless, through one game, the Celtics’ best lineup to hit the court hasn’t been the starters. But, if its level of statistical prosperity balances out into sustainable success, it might just become the starting lineup.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 21: Kevin Durant #7 and Amen Thompson #1 of the Houston Rockets embrace during the second quarter of the game against the Dallas Mavericks 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 Houston Rockets got 30 points apiece from Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr., as they used a massive first half of basketball to build a lead, and then cruised home in the second half to a 128-110 victory over the Dallas Mavericks in the season opener Wednesday night at the Toyota Center.
The Rockets were up 70-38 at the half behind 16 points each from Durant and Smith, and then emptied their bench by the fourth quarter giving Houston their first victory of the year.
Durant finished with 30 points on 10-for-16 shooting, 2-for-4 from deep, with 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 1 block. While Smith’s 30 came on 11-for-17 shooting, 4-for-8 from deep, along with 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal. Durant had 4 turnovers while Smith had 1. Despite Ime Udoka’s preseason promise of less KD minutes, Durant led the team with 37. Is anyone suprised? Ime just can’t help himself, even in a bench-clearing blowout.
The presence of Fred VanVleet added a floor-setter for the Rockets, but he was just 2-for-8 from the floor for 6 points in 30 minutes of action, but he did add 11 assists and 0 turnovers. That didn’t stop KD’s 4 give-ups or the 4 turnovers by Alperen Sengun, so it appears those two can still rack up some turnovers even with FVV back. But Sengun had a solid game despite the turnovers, going for 23 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists on 9-for-15 from the floor and 2-for-2 from deep.
Amen Thompson added 16 points, 10 boards, and 4 assists, while Marcus Smart had 10 points and 2 assists in 26 minutes off of the bench to round out Houston’s double-digit scorers.
Tari Eason was ejected after receiving a flagrant 2. He played just three minutes and scored 2 points. Reed Sheppard struggled with his shot, going just 1-for-6 from the floor with 3 points, 4 assists and 2 steals. We also saw what Ime’s plans are for Reed when his shot isn’t falling, and that was just 16 total minutes for Reed, even in the blowout. Newcomer Bogdan Bogdanovich had 5 points in 13 minutes and hit a three.
Houston shot 16-for-36 as a team from deep, a respectable number, and they shot 53 percent from the floor. They also won the rebound battle against the Mavs at 42-33.
Dallas was led by 32 points from Cooper Flagg, who I think is about to have a monster season. Heads up if you’re into fantasy basketball at all. But the Rockets might have an emerging player of their own. Jabari looked good this preseason and has now carried that over to the start of the regular season. Breakout incoming?
The Rockets will be back in action Friday night against the San Antonio Spurs.
Lakers center Walker Kessler, looking to pass while under pressure from Warriors center Graham Ike, finished with 26 points on 12-for-12 shooting from the field in the season opener on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
He spent the offseason admiring the great Lakers centers that came before him. He pondered how he could possibly continue such a legacy.
Turns out, Walker Kessler makes it look easy.
The new Lakers center scored 26 points on 12-for-12 shooting with nine rebounds, one assist and two blocks in his purple and gold debut to help the Lakers (1-0) to a dominant 125-105 win over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday at Crypto.com Arena.
From admiring Lakers legends, Kessler can now be mentioned in the same breath. His 12 made field goals without a miss were the most by a Laker since Wilt Chamberlain in 1969. His 10 dunks are the most for a Laker since Shaquille O’Neal in 2003.
O’Neal, for one, welcomes the company.
“Walker Kessler is the best big man in the NBA,” O’Neal proclaimed on “Inside the NBA” after the game where he also christened Kessler “Milk Chamberlain” and officially dubbed him a member of the “Big Man Alliance.” “You heard it here. And I’m not playing.”
Kessler deflected his success, crediting the play of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. The dynamic guards who scored 28 and 23 points, respectively, combined for 13 assists. Doncic connected with Kessler on an alley-oop on the game’s first play. He hit him with a behind-the-back pass wrapped around Draymond Green. He looked for Kessler even when the center wasn’t looking back. Kessler admitted one lob went down as just a layup because he didn’t see the pass in time.
“It’s not what I saw,” Kessler said of his sizzling debut. “It’s what Luka and AR [Austin Reaves] and all the other guys saw, throwing me the ball, honestly. Again, I wish I could tell you it was [that] I did something crazy, but I think just being in the right spots and being vertical and just trying to dunk everything. That’s really the biggest thing is having the attitude and mentality to try to dunk everything.”
Doncic, who had 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, understood it was more than just Kessler being 7-foot-2. He praised the center for his activity and how he reacted to the game. When Doncic drove, Kessler knew to step up. When the star point guard got doubled, Kessler expertly played in the pocket.
Kessler did his part. Trailing a play in transition during the third quarter, Kessler saw Doncic methodically probing the lane. Passing the three-point arc, Kessler shouted Doncic’s name. Doncic answered with a no-look, backwards bounce pass.
“He’s just smart,” Kessler said, still stunned from his first competitive game with Doncic. “He’s just wicked smart. His basketball IQ is crazy.”
After playing together for just one half during the preseason, Kessler and Doncic said there would be an acclamation period during the regular season. But from the first lob Kessler caught from the star guard — when the team was playing pick up during a five-day trip in Slovenia this summer — the 25-year-old Atlanta native sensed something special building.
“I could get used to this,” Kessler said with a smile of his first alley-oop connection with Doncic.
The Lakers hope so. They sent two first-round draft picks and two first-round pick swaps to pry Kessler, a restricted free agent, from Utah. The organization was desperate to pair Doncic with a rim-running, lob-catching center to maximize the star guard’s offensive capabilities as he enters the prime of his career. The move was a significant risk. The Lakers now don’t own their first-round draft pick until 2032. They signed Kessler to a four-year, $130-million contract, which places him among the top-10 paid centers this season. The elite group includes NBA champions (Nikola Jokic, Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Davis), defensive players of the year (Victor Wembanyama) and former NBA most valuable players (Joel Embiid).
Kessler, meanwhile, has not even approached the All-Star conversation while toiling with Utah.
Kessler acknowledged the investment the organization made to get him. It motivated him to live up to the expectations of a franchise that exists under a spotlight he’s rarely seen. Just as he’s growing more comfortable with Doncic’s unexpected passes, Kessler is accepting the scrutiny that comes with playing with a team like the Lakers.
Walker Kessler is about to slam home two points off of a lob from Luka Doncic on Wednesday. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)
“I wish I could say I’ve always been comfortable with it, but I haven’t,” Kessler said. “When I was younger, going to college, I definitely let the pressure and kind of let outside voices and stuff kind of dictate how I felt. But I’m a big believer in what an opportunity. … When you count your blessings and give thanks giving, it’s really hard to focus on the negativity when you actively do that.”
Lakers coach JJ Redick praised Kessler’s end-to-end transition running that led to his instant impact. Kessler said running keeps him engaged in the game, so much so that he will sometimes run needlessly, searching for any spark. By the time the Lakers subbed him out with six minutes remaining in the fourth and a 30-point cushion, Kessler looked exhausted. Teammates gave him extra hugs on the bench. Forward Matisse Thybulle massaged Kessler’s shoulders.
After his historic debut, Kessler sat down at a table in front of a room packed with reporters. More than half a dozen TV cameras were lined up at the back of the room.
“Wow. Big crowd,” Kessler said as he picked up the microphone. It was the first time he remembered to hold the microphone at a formal Lakers news conference without being prompted.
And the Slovenian superstar made it clear that whatever the Warriors rookie said was out of bounds.
Yaxel Lendeborg defends Luka Doncic during the Lakers’ 127-105 season-opening win over the Warriors on Oct. 21, 2026 in Los Angeles. NBAE via Getty Images
“He was talking crazy,” Doncic said.
The trash talk started when the Lakers 6-foot-8 guard picked up a shooting foul against Lendeborg late in the second, with Doncic laughing as the No. 11 pick in June’s NBA draft became frustrated with the call.
Luka Doncic drives past Yaxel Lendeborg during the first half of the Lakers’ season-opening blowout victory over the Warriors. Getty Images
Even after Lendeborg subbed out, Doncic kept talking to the 6-foot-9 forward out of Michigan while he was on the bench after knocking down a fadeaway against Will Richard, and once again while Sandro Mamukelashvili was shooting free throws.
Lendeborg picked up a technical foul with 22 seconds left in the first half after he and Doncic, presumably, kept chirping at each other.
“Nobody understands what he says,” Austin Reaves quipped of Doncic. “He’s not speaking English. I didn’t understand anything and barely knew anything was going on. So, I know we need an article to come out and I’m going to start paying people to talk s— to him so gets [into] another gear when people start trying to talk to him.”
The most impressive part of the back-and-forth was Doncic not picking up a technical foul during the whole ordeal after being assessed 16 technical fouls last season.
Luka Doncic and Yaxel Lendeborg look on during a break in the action in the Lakers’ season-opening blowout win over the Warriors. NBAE via Getty Images
“I wasn’t trying to talk back this season,” Doncic said. “I’m trying to not get techs. So it was the first time that [it] was not a double tech, because I didn’t say nothing. So I’m working on it. But as you see, it worked great.”
“It’s a lot better when you’re on his side than the other side, for sure,” Williams said. “I mean, the rookie, he was talking a lot of smack, too. Shout out to him for not backing down. Luka definitely had the better day. At least he didn’t back away from the challenge.”
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 21: Yaxel Lendeborg #1 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers 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
Well, Wednesday sure was a bad day for Bay Area basketball. A should-have-been thrilling doubleheader began with disappointment when the Golden State Valkyries were blown out by the Atlanta Dream in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals, and ended with disappointment when the Golden State Warriors were blown out by the Los Angeles Lakers in their first game of the season.
It can only get better from here … I hope. Maybe I just jinxed things.
With the first game tragically in the books, it’s time to break out the red pen for the first time this season, and dole out some grades. Spoiler alert: they won’t be very good!
As is always the (admittedly strange) rubric around here, grades are based on my expectations for each individual player, with a “B” grade considered the average for that player.
Note: True-shooting percentage (TS) is a scoring efficiency metric that accounts for threes and free throws. Last year, league-average TS was 58.1%.
Statistically, Santos had one of the better games for the Warriors. But it’s hard to get over just how much he was alone on a haunted island every time Luka Dončić attacked him. Mind you, Dončić is one of the greatest scorers to ever live, so having a rough go defending him is not exactly a fatal flaw; if it were, there wouldn’t be enough players to field an NBA team, let alone 30 of them. But this was a particularly uncompetitive matchup, which is part of why Steve Kerr tried so hard to make sure that Santos didn’t end up with that assignment throughout the game.
Good energy and hustle as always, but not a very competitive showing until the white flag was coming out.
Grade: C- Post-game bonus: Tied for the team lead in rebounds
From a strictly basketball standpoint, Lendeborg had a lot to like and a lot to work on in his NBA debut. But from an entertainment standpoint? He already appears to be the savior we’ve been searching for. The No. 11 overall pick was the most entertaining part of an otherwise dreadful game, and if it weren’t for a Steph Curry flurry in the first quarter, the Michigan product might have been the only entertaining part of the game.
He wasted no time getting into it with Dončić. He trash-talked him all night long, and even picked up a technical foul in the second quarter — with an accompanying fine that I have zero doubt will be covered in full by Draymond Green.
Yaxel Lendeborg with great defense on Luka Doncic, causing him to miss, continues with a trash talk and he receives a technical foul (with replays) pic.twitter.com/8jsW1B95WH
I’m not sure the trash-talking worked, as it seemed to light a fire in Dončić, but it was hardly reckless, either. It was the type of mentality the Dubs are sorely missing, especially with Jimmy Butler III sidelined. How do we know it wasn’t reckless trash-talking? Because after the game, Green, Curry, and Kerr all commented on how much they loved it. You’re not going to get those comments — especially from Kerr — if the team sentiment was that Lendeborg was running his mouth detrimentally.
It unfortunately looks like the Warriors might have a rough season, but thanks to their first-round pick, it certainly figures to be an endlessly entertaining one. Thank you for that, Yaxel; you not only will make this season far more fun, but you’ll make my job so much easier.
With the important stuff out of the way, let’s talk about how he played. There were some bumps and bruises along the way, and it was clear that he has an adjustment to make with the size and physicality of the league. Lendeborg had said during the preseason that rebounding was easier in the NBA than in college because pro players don’t try as hard, but in this game it was clear that facing a motivated Walker Kessler in a meaningful contest was a different experience. He only grabbed three rebounds, and there were a few instances where he was caught ball-watching and out of position.
That’s stuff he’ll learn, and there’s still some growth to do within the offensive system, as well. But, critically, I thought he not only stood up to Dončić in the verbal department, but played strong defense against him as well. He didn’t shut him down — no one does — but Lendeborg’s defense was very solid, I thought.
Luka Doncic scored 23 PTS in the first half but Yaxel Lendeborg was the only Warrior to slow him down 😤
According to ESPN's tracking, Doncic scored 2 points on 0-of-4 FG with Lendeborg as his primary defender in the halfcourt in the first half. https://t.co/LifqHA3rA4
And a hot mic suggested that Kerr thought Lendeborg was playing against more than just five players, too (a sentiment he repeated on a normal mic in his post-game presser).
"They call all that sh*t here; they wouldn't call it in any other arena."
All in all, a very successful debut for Yaxel, who looks like he will more than hold his own on both ends of the court, while being wickedly entertaining on and off it.
Grade: A for the defense, the debut, and the trash talk
Draymond dropped some dimes early on, as his playmaking was excellent in the first quarter. As is so often the case with Green, his performance and effort seemed to wax and wane with the team’s competitiveness. Once the game started to slip away, Draymond stopped playing well, and started turning the ball over with less disciplined defense. He was a non-factor scoring.
Grade: D+ Post-game bonus: Led the team in assists, tied for the worst plus/minus on the team
Melton wasn’t supposed to start this game, but was pressed into a different role due to Brandin Podziemski’s sore back. And all we can really say is: heal up, Podz. Melton is better than this — much better than this — but it helps to play the role you’re supposed to play. Hopefully he looks better when he returns to the bench. It wasn’t really that Melton did anything awful in this game, so much as that he played nearly half of the contest and I don’t seem to remember him ever actually being on the court.
The first quarter was absolute vintage Curry. It was a reminder that the Warriors can never be counted out, because they have one of the 10 greatest players to ever step on the hardwood court. Steph had 14 of the Warriors’ first 17 points, which was both a reminder as to how great he is, and a warning about how reliant on him the Dubs are. He finished the first quarter with 16 points, but then only had seven more for the rest of the game (though his minutes were very limited due to the blowout).
He was better than usual and then he was worse than usual. For that, we give him an average grade.
Grade: B Post-game bonus: Led the team in points, tied for the worst plus/minus on the team.
Some good stuff from GPII scoring and keeping the ball alive. As is often the case, his work on the glass was better than the rebounding total suggests. But it wasn’t a very impactful game. Much of his scoring came with the outcome already decided, and he wasn’t able to have his usual defensive impact.
I’m optimistic about Niang’s impact this year, and you could see glimpses of it. He made a handful of winning plays that required either high effort or high IQ, and those didn’t slow down even as the game got out of hand. At the same time, he looked a little bit like it was still the preseason, and let’s be honest: his best skill is his three-point shooting, so when he goes 0-for-4 there, it’s going to be hard to have an impact.
Horford’s role just got a lot larger now that it appears the Warriors’ future doesn’t include Kristaps Porziņģis. Unfortunately, the Warriors are going to need a lot more from Horford than they got on this night. He looked a touch slow and still in preseason rhythm and, like Niang, couldn’t make his jumpers.
I’m not sure if I’d call this a “good” game from Williams, per se, given the lack of efficiency. But my goodness was it an exciting glimpse of what he can bring to this team. You have to go back to Jordan Poole’s tenure to find someone on the team who was that quick with the ball in his hands, and that explosive. It’s simply an element that has been missing from Golden State’s offense for years, and it was exciting seeing it return. Williams was an instant spark plug when he entered the game, breaking down the defense and getting wherever he wanted on the court. He sought out contact, was crafty with the ball, and did a good job playmaking as well.
He brings something the team desperately needs, and that was evident even amidst his shooting struggles.
It seemed like Richard might be on the outside of the rotation looking in after the preseason, but Podziemski’s injury opened up a lot of minutes for the second-year guard, and he certainly made the most of them. To my eye, Richard looked a little larger and more physical than he did as a rookie, and he put that to use by attacking the rim both with and without the ball, and also while attacking rebounds. As is almost always the case with Richard, he played in control, made smart plays, and didn’t make mistakes. A quality opener for him.
Grade: B+ Post-game bonus: Tied for the team lead in rebounds.
Leons, who is on a two-way contract this year, got a steady run to end the game once the outcome was determined. He didn’t do much statistically, but I thought he played really good defense.
Cryer, another two-way contract, also got some good run to close out the game, and he really made the most of it. The sharpshooter impressed last year, and picked up where he left off in his season debut. It’s hard to see Cryer getting playing time early in the year — he needed garbage time to see action in this game, and that was with Podziemski, the starting shooting guard, injured — but he certainly made a strong audition. If he keeps playing like this, it will give Kerr the option to elevate his role should Melton, Payton, or Williams struggle at any point.
I thought we might see Ike earlier in the game. Kerr had been open about how much the undrafted rookie deserved playing time, so with both Porziņģis and Charles Bassey sidelined, I thought the Gonzaga product might get into the game before it was determined.
Instead, Ike had to wait until the start of the fourth quarter, with the team trailing by 34 points, to make his NBA debut. And then he stayed on the court the entirety of the 12 minutes, was arguably the best player on the court for either team during that stretch, and made one hell of a case that he should get more meaningful minutes the next time out (he’ll certainly play this weekend, as the Dubs have a Friday/Saturday back-to-back and Horford will only play in one of those games).
Ike’s offense was smooth, his defense was strong, and he was constantly in the right place. He was physical and athletic, and the game didn’t appear to move too quickly for him. I’m excited to see what he can do the next time out.
Grade: A+ Post-game bonus: Best plus/minus on the team
Wednesday’s inactives: Charles Bassey, Jimmy Butler III, Moses Moody, Brandin Podziemski, Kristaps Porziņģis
With just under six minutes remaining on Wednesday night, Walker Kessler walked toward the Lakers bench, his jersey drenched in sweat, his left knee bloodied and bruised, his work finished.
At that moment more than 18,000 fans inside Crypto.com Arena rose to their collective feet to give the new Lakers big man a standing ovation for his spectacular debut in the purple and gold.
Walker Kessler slams home a dunk during the first half of the Lakers’ 127-105 win over the Warriors on Oct. 21, 2026 in Los Angeles. AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
And somewhere, back at the “Inside the NBA” studios in Atlanta, Shaquille O’Neal was smiling.
The Lakers legend christened Kessler with a hilarious new nickname during ESPN’s postgame coverage: “Milk Chamberlain.”
Considering the company Kessler joined on Wednesday, it couldn’t have been more appropriate.
The 7-foot-2 center became just the second player in Lakers franchise history to make at least 12 field goals without missing, joining Wilt Chamberlain, who scored 34 points on 14-for-14 shooting in 1969.
His 10 dunks were the most by a Laker since O’Neal himself in 2003, according to ESPN, and reportedly established an NBA play-by-play era record.
But the most frightening development for the rest of the Western Conference wasn’t Kessler’s historic stat line. It was how ridiculously easy the Lakers’ new Big Three made everything look.
Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves spent Wednesday treating the rim like a dartboard, tossing alley-oops into Kessler’s general vicinity and watching their new center finish everything in sight.
On one particularly outrageous possession, Doncic wrapped a behind-the-back pass around Draymond Green and delivered it directly into Kessler’s chest beneath the basket. Doncic might as well have put a bow on it.
Shaquille O’Neal makes an appearance at New York Comic Con in the Jacob Javits Convention Center to promote his new comic, Vengeance Unchained, The Legend of Black Ceasar with Archie Comics on Oct. 8, 2026 in New York. ZUMAPRESS.com
“When I was driving he stepped up. When I was doubled he played the pocket,” said Doncic, who finished with 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. “It was a very impressive game from him.”
Kessler added nine rebounds and two blocks, giving the Lakers precisely the interior presence general manager Rob Pelinka envisioned when he surrendered two unprotected first-round picks and two pick swaps to acquire him.
That price looked outrageous this summer. Wednesday, it looked like a bargain.
Even Lakers coach JJ Redick acknowledged the significance of the moment.
Luka Magic was on full display in tonight's action!
A day earlier, Kessler spoke about embracing the pressure of playing for one of basketball’s most storied franchises, but on Wednesday evening he admitted he was nervous.
By night’s end, those nerves had disappeared beneath a thunderous standing ovation.
And now one thing is for certain, the “Snowtime Lakers” era is off to a thunderous start.
Walker Kessler looks on during the Lakers’ blowout win over the Warriors. NBAE via Getty Images
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 21: Collin Sexton #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers arrives to the arena before the game against the Golden State Warriors on October 21, 2026 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
In theory, Collin Sexton is a Laker.
Fans are still waiting for his debut after he was sidelined for the entirety of the preseason. Things seemed to be trending toward Sexton making his debut on Tuesday after he was a full participant in practice on Monday and Tuesday.
Initially, Sexton was listed as questionable for the contest with a calf strain. However, hours before Wednesday’s game, the team downgraded him to out. Head coach JJ Redick spoke to the media pregame and shared more on why Sexton didn’t play.
“No setback,” Redick said. “Collaborative decision with [the] performance [staff]. Everyone [was] involved. I always say this with soft tissue injuries, the athlete has to have confidence and full confidence.”
That last line seems to indicate that perhaps Sexton is not feeling fully healthy enough to return. Perhaps that means there’s still a bit of soreness or perhaps that means he doesn’t feel his conditioning or fitness is up to par after missing so much of the preseason.
However, that’s all speculation. What we know is that, in the past, the Lakers have erred on the side of caution with injuries, particularly with calf strains. It’s an injury that can lead to much worse setbacks, so it’s not necessarily a surprise to see him held out.
Lakers fans are eager to see Sexton’s debut, especially given the state of their backup guards and ballhandlers. But patience will be required before that finally happens.
The most entertaining part of a blowout loss for the Warriors was undoubtedly Lendeborg’s ongoing back-and-forth with the Lakers’ equally loud-mouthed superstar, whom the 24-year-old rookie said he once “had a lot of respect for him, just watching him. … I’d see him kill people all the time.”
Lendeborg finished with 12 points, four personal fouls and one technical in 29 minutes.
Yaxel Lendeborg defends Luka Doncic during the Warriors’ 127-105 loss to the Lakers on Oct. 21, 2026 in Los Angeles. NBAE via Getty Images
He often drew the defensive matchup with Doncic, who went off for a game-high 28 with nine free throws.
But Lendeborg’s biggest takeaway was all the Slovenian’s extracurriculars that came after the whistle.
“Like, me getting frustrated, it’s not about the foul getting called. It’s about him complaining the entire game,” Lendeborg said. “Then you get the foul called — congratulations, bro — and you talk to me like you did something great? That’s just weak. It kind of threw me off for a while. Because like I said, I had so much respect for him. Gone, man.”
Though Doncic only made it to the line nine times, Lendeborg said it felt like 30. Two of his four infractions came while guarding Doncic.
“He probably had three fouls that wouldn’t be called fouls in any other league in the world,” coach Steve Kerr said. “But it’s the NBA. … It was a frustrating night for him, but a lesson well-learned.”
Doncic mostly kept his talking on the court, merely saying afterward that the Warriors rookie was “talking crazy.” Lendeborg, on the other hand, was happy to get into the nitty gritty.
“I was telling him he sucks. ‘You can’t score on me. You talk and you can’t score on me.’ I said it the whole game,” Lendeborg said. “I said a couple cuss words. That’s why I got the technical. But I was letting him know, because he was laughing and talking all this because of one foul call.”
Lendeborg bit on one of Doncic’s pump fakes midway through the first half, and the two were off and running — their mouths, anyway. Doncic pointed and laughed. Lendeborg responded.
At one point, Lendeborg started putting both his hands behind his back when guarding Doncic.
Yaxel Lendeborg (left) and Luka Doncic look on during a break in the action in the Warriors’ loss to the Lakers. NBAE via Getty Images
“I tried my best,” he said. “I still got called.”
The back-and-forth continued for the remainder of the first half, hitting an inflection point after Lendeborg successfully defended Doncic on a step-back 3. He followed him back down the court, yapping all the way, until he was T’d up for the first time in his career.
Doncic returned the favor after banking in a half-court shot at the buzzer going into halftime.
Coach Steve Kerr said it was “kind of ridiculous” that Lendeborg was the only one to draw a technical in the exchange, calling it the “rookie treatment” — but also a “great welcome to the NBA.”
Yaxel Lendeborg looks on during the Warriors’ loss to the Lakers. NBAE via Getty Images
“I loved the back and forth. … They were jawing at each other. I think it was the words Yaxel chose that got him the T,” Kerr said, acknowledging that Doncic “kind of lured him in.”
Lendeborg looked at it differently, despite Doncic’s well-known proclivity for elevating his play when an opponent pokes the bear. The rest of the league will learn he feeds off it, too.
“I feel like it works for me, for sure. On the defensive end I feel like it worked,” Lendeborg said. “I know he has a reputation for that. That’s probably why the half-court shot went in. But I didn’t really see nothing else. I definitely thought that he was gonna do more than that.”
If we learned anything from Lendeborg’s NBA debut, the No. 11 overall pick may be the league’s No. 1 most captivating newcomer, possibly even a spiritual successor to Draymond Green.
Green, of course, loved it.
“Everybody’s gonna be like, ‘Ah, man, he shouldn’t talk to Luka, you should not talk to Luka,’ and I disagree with that s–t one thousand percent,” Green said. “You f–king gonna talk to somebody, you talk until you can’t f–king talk no more. And if he bust your ass, guess what, you play him again three more times and you go back at his ass again. …
“Everybody’s like, ‘Oh, man, the rookie learned his lesson.’ What’d he learn?”
Allow Lendeborg to answer that one.
“I got to see what the NBA’s like, man. A lot of flopping, a lot of foul baiting, a lot of praying to the ref,” Lendeborg said. “Interesting first game, for sure.”
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 21: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball during the game against the Golden State Warriors on October 21, 2026 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
LOS ANGELES — Even the rain that poured over downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday couldn’t have prepared Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg for the storm Luka Dončić wrought upon him in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 127-105 win over the Warriors.
In a game with plenty of highlights for the purple and gold, Luka’s evisceration of the overeager rookie may be what’s remembered most. Lendeborg poked the bear only to be mauled in a second-quarter onslaught, punctuated by a technical foul and a memorable buzzer beater.
“He was talking crazy,” Dončić said of Lendeborg. “I was trying not to talk back this season, not trying to get techs. It was the first time that was not a double tech, because I didn’t say nothing.”
Dončić instead opted to let his game talk. He scored 10 of his 23 first-half points after the chirping began, including a halfcourt heave well before the halftime buzzer sounded. Dončić pointed and smiled at Lendeborg as he regretfully walked to the tunnel.
“Oh yeah, I knew that was going up before it got in my hands,” Dončić added.
LUKA MAGIC ✨
Beyond half-court at the buzzer to extend the Lakers' lead against the Warriors 🍿 pic.twitter.com/RiPZVHk7gg
The Lakers star finished with 28 points and was a team-leading plus-31 in 29 minutes. Lendeborg was a minus-21 with four personal fouls in 28 minutes. Dončić was the eccentric rookie’s defensive assignment in his first NBA game, and, despite the result, he doubled down postgame.
“I had a lot of respect for [Dončić],” Lendeborg said. “Being in there first-hand, just watching all the whining and complaining, I lost all respect, man. That was awful… It kind of threw me off because, like I said, I had so much respect for him. Gone.”
Yaxel Lendeborg on Luka Doncic: “Watching all the whining and complaining, I lost all respect.” pic.twitter.com/X8s5qaKA2n
Lendeborg joins a long list of foes that learned the hard way what happens when they bark at Dončić.
“It was a frustrating night for him, but a lesson well-learned,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said.
This opening-day feud shouldn’t overshadow the teamwide effort the Lakers displayed, though. Dončić’s threes, Walker Kessler’s dunks, Austin Reaves’ elusive isolation buckets were all complemented by Quentin Grimes’ scoring pop off the ball, Ziaire Williams’ dives to the floor, Jake LaRavia hounding after 50-50 balls. (And, yes, Lendeborg’s chirping.)
Los Angeles outscored the Warriors by at least 12 points when each of them was on the floor. LaRavia and his refined jump shot scored 10 points off the bench on 2-of-3 shooting from the perimeter. Grimes added 10 himself, mostly attacking closeouts as an off-ball guard. Williams had nine points and was a plus-12 in 24 minutes.
The Lakers gave up 33 first-quarter points and proceeded to allow just 35 over the next two quarters. Redick said before opening night that he still wanted to learn how the team responded to adversity. Respond they did.
“I thought we did things that a connected defense [would] do,” Redick said. “The thing that I saw a lot — particularly on the court — was, [during] dead balls, timeouts … those guys were on the court talking and problem-solving together.”
It’s game one of 82. Nights won’t always be this high, but the precedent the Lakers set is a promising sign for a team enduring a new era with serious championship aspirations.
Sacramento Kings rookie point guard Darius Acuff Jr. made his NBA debut against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California on Oct. 21.
The Kings dropped their season-opener against the Clippers in a 121-96 loss. As for Acuff, he struggled in his first-ever NBA game.
He wasn't shy about shot attempts, which is something you might want to see from your No. 7 overall pick of the 2026 NBA Draft.
The 19-year-old played 35 minutes in his debut game for the Kings. Here's how performed.
How did Darius Acuff Jr. perform in his NBA debut?
Acuff scored 12 points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals. He also had four turnovers. Acuff didn't have the best shooting night as he struggled to find the bucket. Acuff shot 5-for-24 in his rookie debut, shooting 20.8% from the field.
Darius Acuff stats
Points: 12
Rebounds: 3
Assists: 3
Field goal: 5/24 (20%)
Steals: 3
Kings vs Clippers highlights
Check out the Sacramento Kings vs the Los Angeles Clippers
“Man, I can’t even put it into words, man. It’s great,” Brown said. “At the end of the day, I still wanted to win. That’s the biggest thing when it comes to that stuff. But I was excited to be out there.”
Brown finished with six points, three rebounds and three assists with just one turnover.
Mikel Brown Jr. looks to make a move past Christian Anderson during the fourth quarter of the Nets’ 110-103 season-opening loss to the Hornets on Oct. 21, 2026 at Barclays Center. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
After missing the first three preseason games with a rolled left ankle and not suiting up until the finale, Brown was on a minutes limit.
He logged just 19:48 off the bench, after playing 18 minutes in the preseason finale in Miami.
Brown checked with 3:57 left in the first quarter, and scored his first points on a strong drive into Charlotte center Moussa Diabate for an and-one 1:40 later.
He looked fairly composed and comfortable on the ball, but did get sped up at times and shot just 2-of-8. The rookie guard also tried to posterize Hornets big man Naz Reid.
“Yeah, really just got to slow down, pick my spots better. I’ve been talking to Julius [Randle] about it, just trying to slow down. Everything I want is there. It’s just all about me being patient,” Brown said. “And on the defensive end, just keeping that same mentality of not letting the guards touch the paint. There’s a lot of things that I can clean up. But it’s Game 1. We’re going to get better.”
Egor Dëmin started at point guard, but struggled on his drives. While he did touch the paint, unlike last season’s rookie campaign, he was ineffective when he got there.
Head coach Jordi Fernandez gives Mikel Brown Jr. instructions during the Nets’ season-opening loss to the Hornets. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Brown showed downhill juice, and threw a nice behind-the-back pass to Randle for a 3-pointer.
“He’s going to be great, man. That play was fun,” Randle said. “His vision, I’ve said it from the beginning, but his vision and understanding how to play and make reads off of pick-and-rolls or just make the right play every single time comes really natural to him. So he’s going to be amazing.
“He did great. He did exactly how I’d expect a first-year player to do first game. He was aggressive. I can tell he’s a little sped up at times, but he’s going to continue to get better and better. His future is going to be really, really bright in this league and I put it on myself to try to help him accelerate his growth because he’s going to be a big part of this team and can help us win a lot of games.”
28 PTS
