Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg has always been vocal about the love for his mother, Yissel Raposo. Together, they shed tears of joy when his name was called at the No. 11 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft to the Warriors in June.
Lendeborg has been vocal about the sacrifices that his mother made for him and one of his goals was to pay her back. He debuted a new YouTube channel showcasing "behind-the-scenes, life outside of basketball and everything in between" where a video released on Friday, Nov. 6 had a surprise reveal of a recently purchased house for his mother.
"On behalf of everybody that came to show up, welcome home," Lendeborg said to Raposo, moving her from New Jersey to California.
Raposo was speechless as happy tears trickled down her face and she took the keys out of a box Lendeborg handed her and she opened the door as they took a tour of her new home.
Lendeborg said it took him 2 to 3 months to finalize the house. To keep his mom from finding out, he and his sister would often disguise phone conversations around visiting Hawaii; instead, they were talking about how to get their mom to her new house without suspicion.
"There is no gesture big enough to properly say thank you for all the love, sacrifice, and support my mom has poured into me but this moment was pretty special and one I’ll never forget," Lendeborg said in his video description. "She deserves it all. For me, it’s bigger than basketball. It’s about making sure the people who believed in me get to enjoy the blessings too."
Lendeborg has always discussed the bond that he and his mother share and how she's directly responsible for his achievements in basketball and finding early success in the NBA.
"I got here because of her," Lendeborg said in June after getting drafted. "She pushed a dream, forced me to go out there and step into the world and become a man. I had no choice but to go out there and do the best I could. So I vowed every day to be a better man, be a better person and just do the best I can for her."
Sharing the moments of success with his mom means everything to Lendeborg because of the sacrifices that she made for him and his sisters, having to work multiple jobs to ensure they have what they need. Raposo also battled Stage 4 appendix cancer, another thing that fuels Lendeborg.
"She put her whole life on hold for my life and I'm super proud of her for fighting so hard and I'm glad we get to share this moment together," he said in a June interview after being drafted.
Lendeborg has been a bright spot for the Warriors on the court, who are on a six-game winning streak as they face the Orlando Magic in a 5:30 p.m. PT (8:30 p.m. ET) tip-off on Saturday, Nov. 7 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California.
The rookie averages 21.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game through his first 9 games of the 2026–27 NBA season.
SAN FRANCISCO – Throughout the first half and well into the third quarter Saturday night, the Warriors, sloppy as they were, somehow maintained leads that threatened to mock the Orlando Magic and render the fourth quarter irrelevant.
But Orlando, ignoring its sub-mediocre status and Golden State’s six-game win streak, got up and started swinging back in the third quarter, wiping out a double-digit deficit, taking leads and setting up a firefight to the finish.
That’s when the Magic ran into Stephen Curry. He doesn’t lose many firefights, and he made sure the Warriors didn’t lose this one.
With Curry scoring 19 of his game-high 41 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, Yaxel Lendeborg saving his best for last, and getting timely defense down the stretch, the Warriors sweated out a 126-119 victory that pushed their win streak to seven and vaulted them into fifth place in the Western Conference.
“Tonight was good example that we have to we have to tighten up some things,” coach Steve Kerr said. “But I’m thrilled with the grit and the togetherness and the way they fought back that was an amazing response to Orlando’s great second half.”
That amazing response in the fourth quarter and OT was built around Curry, who scored 14 points in the fourth – including the Warriors’ final 12 points of regulation – and put them ahead for good with 1:38 left in OT.
“It’s like a flow state,” Curry said. “But also I was able to understand where the looks were going to come from because they’re a really solid, athletic defensive team. They were blitzing a lot early, so I was trying to be patient. And then it became just try to find a matchup with driving lanes either way and then a lot of hit hand-backs for threes.
“I got to the foul line on crazy closeouts, so I was able to get in the lane. It’s just more being decisive about how to get shots, make or miss or whatever. I think the clarity of exactly how to attack that particular defense tonight down the stretch was at an all-time high.”
Though Lendeborg was marvelous down the stretch, with 16 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, it was Curry who Orlando focused on stopping but could not.
“They have one of the best players in the world on their team,” Magic wing Jamal Cain said. “And they’re capitalizing at crunch time … we gave ourselves a chance to win, but they’ve got No. 30 on the other side.”
Curry’s 41 points came on 13-of-19 shooting from the field, including 5 of 10 from beyond the arc. He added six rebounds and six assists.
“It never gets old,” Draymond Green said of Curry’s heroics. “But he’s so special. He always does something to where it can’t get old. It’s always something different.”
Even as the Warriors rushed to a 14-point lead in the first eight minutes and raised it to 16 at the half, they did as much to lose as win. They gave the wounded Magic 26 points off 19 turnovers. They kept extending a hand to feed Orlando, which in the third quarter started biting it.
Golden State was outscored 37-20 in the third, with its 16-point halftime lead becoming a one-point (78-77) deficit entering the fourth.
“Our third quarter was just chaos,” Kerr said.
“We actually got off to a better start today, and then I started turning the ball over,” Green said. “And once I started turning the ball over, it was just a domino effect. I turned it over two or three times to start the second quarter, and then from that point on we were just kind of throwing the ball all over the place which then allowed them to get rhythm.
“Although it didn’t happen right away – I think we went into the half up (16 points) – but what it did was it gave them hope.”
The Magic sizzled in the third quarter, with 56-percent shooting from the field, including 50 percent from deep, providing 37 points. The Warriors recovered, holding Orlando to 36.1-percent shooting in the fourth quarter and overtime.
“They came out in the third quarter and kicked our butts,” Kerr said. “But we let them off the hook, too, with some of the decision-making, carelessness of the passes. We just stopped executing. And if we want to be really good – and I think we can be – our number one goal is to become a team that can execute under pressure.”
The best lessons for any team are those learned along the road to triumph. The gorgeous beginning led to a reckless middle before Curry, Lendeborg and the defense went to work, making sure the Warriors’ best stuff didn’t go to waste.
BROOKLYN, NY - SEPTEMBER 28: Drake Powell #4 of the Brooklyn Nets poses for a portrait during NBA Media Day at the Brooklyn Nets HSS Training Center on September 28, 2026 in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Development, development, development.
That is the name of the game for the Long Island Nets, who kicked off their season on Friday night against the Greensboro Swarm, the Charlotte Hornets’ affiliate. While Long Island ultimately fell 121-111, there was plenty to take away, especially with some of Brooklyn’s young players in the mix.
With first-round picks Drake Powell and Ben Saraf having played ample minutes alongside rookie Joshua Jefferson and two-way players Grant Nelson and Tyler Bilodeau, let’s take a closer look at their performances from Friday night.
Ben Saraf
Saraf, now in his second year after being drafted in the first round of the 2025 NBA draft, didn’t deliver the shooting performance you’d expect.
The 20-year-old finished with eight points on 3-of-14 shooting, including a rough 1-of-8 outing from beyond the arc. Entering this season, the biggest question surrounding Saraf’s game was if he could find consistency from 3-point range.
Despite those struggles, however, he still managed to impact the game as a facilitator. The 6’6” 20-year-old guard dished out seven assists, which led the team. That’s what makes him interesting. When his shot isn’t falling, he can create chances for his teammates, but that also comes with turnovers, and he committed three in 32 minutes. But a 2.3-to-1 assist ration is seen as a very good number in the NBA.
His passing ability has been known. The next step in his development, though, is developing into at least a respectable scoring threat. The Nets’ backcourt in Brooklyn is a logjam, especially with Nolan Traoré’s strong play to open the season.
For Saraf to get his chance in the NBA this season, he’ll need to be more than a facilitator.
Drake Powell
The only other member of the Flatbush 5 who played on Friday was Powell. Like Saraf, the UNC product had a tough night on offense.
Powell tallied just six points on 2-of-6 shooting in 25 minutes, missing all three deep attempts. Despite the rough night, he managed four rebounds, three assists, a steal, and a block.
Similarly to Saraf’s game, though, that was nothing new. Powell’s defensive potential has been the most promising element of his game, given the length and athleticism he boasts with a 6’6″ frame and a 7-foot wingspan, ideal for a defender. He showed that facet of his profile again vs. Greensboro.
However, his offense remains a work-in-progress, at best. During Summer League, the 22nd pick in 2025 pick struggled mightily with his jump shot, shooting a brutal 1-for-28 from the field, including zero makes on 14 deep attempts.
If he can develop into a reliable catch-and-shoot option while becoming someone who can defend multiple positions at the NBA level, that’s a valuable player. Coming away with a legitimate 3-and-D guy at the 22nd overall pick would be a really nice win for the Nets towards the end of the first round.
The issue, though, is that he is now in Year 2 and doesn’t look particularly close to becoming that type of player. For someone with his defensive tools, even mild offensive improvements would make a big difference.
Obviously the upside is there, but Powell has to start putting the pieces together.
Joshua Jefferson
Perhaps the most exciting part from Friday was simply getting an extended look at Joshua Jefferson. After all, it’s been a long time coming.
He was selected with the 28th pick in June’s draft, a byproduct of the Julius Randle-for-Nic Claxton trade, and played minimally throughout Summer League as thst trade took until the eve of Summer League to be finalized. He couldn’t even practice with his Nets teammates. Then, he missed Brooklyn’s preseason due to a lower back injury.
Given all of that, Friday was the first real look that fans got on the Iowa State product, and he didn’t disappoint, coming away with 15 points, six rebounds, and three assists, shooting 5-of-9 overall and 3-of-7 from three. Not a bad first impression.
Standing at 6’9” and 240 pounds, Jefferson stands out because he is very well-rounded and brings a little bit of everything to the table, hence his solid box score. There’s always a role for someone like that in the NBA, especially with the size that he offers. It’s why the term “point forward” was commonly used to describe him throughout the pre-draft process.
Given the abundance of wings up in Brooklyn, it’s going to be tough for him to crack the NBA rotation right away, but Friday was a strong showing in the first-round rookie’s first legitimate chance.
Tyler Bilodeau
If there was one thing the Nets knew they were getting when they selected Bilodeau with the 43rd overall pick in June’s draft, it was his shooting ability.
Throughout 64 games at UCLA in two seasons, he shot a whopping 43.8% from three-point range. It was on a significant sample size, too, attempting 233 threes as a Bruin. His 46.0% last season was the highest of any player taken in the 2026 Draft.
While it’s just one game, that skill was on full display during Long Island’s opener. The UCLA product finished with 13 points, four rebounds, two assists, and five steals, while shooting 5-of-10 from the field and 3-of-7 from deep.
Beyond the shooting, though, what jumps off the page is his five steals in 25 minutes. With that outing, he became the first Long Island Net in franchise history, dating back to 2016, to log five steals in a G League debut.
That matters because one of the biggest concerns about Bilodeau’s game coming out of college was his defense. So seeing him make such a noticeable impact on that end right away matters…
Tyler Bilodeau grabbed 5 steals in his G League debut last night, setting a Long Island Nets franchise record for most steals in a debut. Fun to see the defensive activity from a generally offensively-tilted guy.
Speaking with NetsDaily at Long Island’s Media Day last week, he emphasized how much he feels his game has already grown since Summer League, adding that defense has been “a big improvement.”
“I feel like I’ve improved so much since Summer League,” the No. 43 pick said. “I think a big improvement of mine has been defensively, trusting myself a little more, and getting used to guarding the perimeter. I didn’t do much of that last year.”
Obviously, Bilodeau’s top trait is shooting, and when he gets his opportunity in Brooklyn, it’ll most likely be because of that calling card. But at 6’8” and 228 pounds, he certainly has the size to blossom into at least a serviceable defender, and Friday was a step in that direction for him.
Grant Nelson
Grant Nelson’s start to the season on Friday is exactly what he needed to get off on the right foot. The 24-year-old finished with 18 points and 13 rebounds, including six offensive boards while shooting 8-of-16 from the field in 27 minutes.
He missed all five attempts from beyond the arc, which isn’t ideal, but it was promising to see strong overall scoring output and activity on the glass as well as a willingness to take the deep shot. The Alabama product also used his size and athleticism on defense, coming away with a block and a steal.
The shots didn’t go his way, especially from deep, but that’s an area of his game Nelson spent a lot of time developing during his rehabilitation after patellar tendinitis cut his season short last year.
“I think it’s extremely important with the direction that the game has been going in,” he told us at Media Day. “I mean, I think it’s just adding another part to my game, being versatile in that way. Most bigs can shoot now. So being able to do that, I think it will definitely help me out in my career.”
At 7’0”, Nelson is fascinating because he offers the exact tools that the Nets could potentially need in Brooklyn. With his athleticism, he brings a little bit of everything, but most notably rim protection ability, which Long Island’s parent club currently lacks.
Proving that he deserves an NBA chance, though, especially on a crowded roster, starts with taking advantage of his chances with Long Island, which Friday was an example of. Now he must build on that.
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Long Island is back in action Saturday night against the Swarm, then faces the College Park Skyhawks, the Hawks affiliate on Tuesday, before their home opener Friday against College Park at the Nassau Coliseum.
Each week, the California Post will power rank the NBA’s 30 teams. Records are as of Saturday morning:
1. Philadelphia 76ers (8-1)
LeBron James is sipping fan’s wine. He’s dancing after making an and-one fadeaway jumper. The 76ers are atop the Eastern Conference, and the face of the league is having fun as he makes a run for his fifth ring. (Last week, 3rd)
2. Los Angeles Lakers (8-2)
Luka Doncic is putting up video game numbers, averaging 40.1 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.7 assists for the Lakers, who are atop the Western Conference. He’s having an early MVP campaign. If he keeps playing this way, the Lakers could be a championship team. (Last week, 9th)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, left, drives to the basket as Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III defends on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, in Los Angeles. AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
3. San Antonio Spurs (7-2)
Victor Wembanyama had a 52-point, 24-rebound, eight-block performance against the Mavericks on Wednesday. When he’s on, he’s unstoppable for the Spurs, who have won seven games in a row. (Last week, 7th)
4. Oklahoma City Thunder (7-2)
They’ve won three games in a row even though they’re without Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren and Cason Wallace because of injuries. This team is ridiculously deep, led by two-time reigning MVP Shai Gilegous-Alexander. (Last week, 6th)
5. Minnesota Timberwolves (7-3)
No Anthony Edwards? No problem. The Timberwolves have won three games in a row even though their superstar has been sidelined after undergoing an arthroscopic right knee debridement procedure on Oct. 29. They beat the Rockets on Wednesday, 117-107. But missing Edwards’ 33.3 points per game is undoubtedly going to be tough. (Last week, 10th)
6. Detroit Pistons (6-2)
The Pistons have the best defensive rating in the NBA (103), and their only losses have been against the 76ers and the reigning champion Knicks. (Last week, 4th)
7. Houston Rockets (7-2)
They have balanced scoring. They’re a good defensive team. Last week, they beat Oklahoma City and Boston before falling to the Timberwolves. (Last week, 1st)
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant shoots as Minnesota Timberwolves forward Joan Beringer defends in Houston, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith
8. Boston Celtics (6-2)
Don’t sleep on this Celtics team. They’re in the top five in both offense and defense, and Jayson Tatum is showing that he can lead a team without Jaylen Brown. (Last week, 5th)
9. Portland Trail Blazers (6-2)
Damian Lillard and Deni Avdija have wasted no time developing chemistry. They already look like one of the most dynamic duos in the league, and they jumped to a 16-point lead over the Lakers on Friday before letting that advantage slip through their fingers in a 124-118 loss. (Last week, 8th)
10. Memphis Grizzlies (6-3)
Ty Jerome went from averaging 19.7 points last season to 27.4 this season. Cameron Boozer is deserving of his early Rookie of the Year buzz. The Grizzlies are surpassing expectations. (Last week, 2nd)
11. Golden State Warriors (6-3)
The Warriors have won six games in a row after dropping their first three contests. Steph Curry is still very much Steph Curry. Yaxel Lendeborg has wildly surpassed expectations. And this team could be dangerous, especially when Jimmy Butler returns from a torn ACL in the next few months. (Last week, 14th)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, right, confers with head coach Steve Kerr in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets in Denver, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. AP Photo/David Zalubowski
12. Cleveland Cavaliers (5-4)
The Cavaliers routed the 76ers on Friday, 119-95, dealing them their first loss of the season. That’s a positive development for a team that has struggled against the stronger teams in the league this season, losing to the Thunder (twice), 76ers (in their season opener) and Hawks. (Last week, 13th)
13. Atlanta Hawks (6-4)
The Hawks are solid offensively and defensively and have won three games in a row. This could be a sleeper team in the East. (Last week, 16th)
14. New York Knicks (4-4)
Yeah, yeah, they’ve had a surprisingly slow start to this season. But they’re the reigning champs and they’re going to figure it out. Jalen Brunson is coming off a 33-point performance (10-for-17 from the field, 5-for-10 from 3), and the Knicks have won two games in a row against the Nets and Bulls. They’re going to be just fine. (Last week, 17th)
15. Denver Nuggets (4-3)
Nikola Jokic is looking a little less Nikola Jokic-esque than usual, averaging his fewest points (23.4) and rebounds (9.7) since 2019-2020, as well as his fewest assists (9.3) since 2023-24. But here’s to betting that turns around real soon. (Last week, 15th)
16. Toronto Raptors (5-4)
Kawhi Leonard (left knee swelling) has begun a return-to-play process after playing in only two games this season. Him being back on the court will change things for this team. (Last week, No. 12th)
17. Dallas Mavericks (5-4)
The Mavericks stunningly lost to the lowly Kings on Monday, 115-110. But they have wins over the Rockets and Thunder this season. Go figure. The Mavericks can be very good on any given night, and Cooper Flagg is just as good as they hoped. (Last week, 11th)
18. Washington Wizards (4-5)
The Wizards lost two games in a row to the Hawks this week. They’re still trying to find their identity. But they have some good pieces in Trae Young and Anthony Davis, if those two can figure things out. (Last week, 18th)
19. Miami Heat (3-6)
Frustrations are brewing for the Heat, who have so much talent in Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo and Klay Thompson — but it’s not translating into wins. They dropped games this week against the Lakers and Warriors, and their defense has looked porous. At least Thompson hit a game-winning 3-pointer against the Clippers with one second left in a 117-116 overtime victory on Wednesday. (Last week, 20th)
20. New Orleans Pelicans (4-5)
The Pelicans won four games in a row before falling to the Timberwolves on Friday, 115-109. After dropping their first four games of the season, they even beat the Grizzlies on Monday in overtime, 135-134. Maybe they’re starting to turn things around? Probably not. (Last week, 25th)
21. Indiana Pacers (3-6)
Players have been in and out of the lineup with injuries, and the Pacers have lost five of their last six games. But with Tyrese Haliburton on the roster, this team can’t be counted out. (Last week, 22nd)
22. Charlotte Hornets (3-7)
The Hornets are on a six-game losing streak, including suffering a 39-point route against the Celtics on Friday, 119-80. (Last week, 19th)
23. Phoenix Suns (2-5)
Dillon Brooks started drama with Draymond Green. Guess there’s some intrigue there. But otherwise, the Suns have fallen off the radar, losing four of their last five games. (Last week, 23rd)
24. Orlando Magic (2-6)
The Magic have wins over a few strong teams: the Knicks and Raptors. But they’ve lost every other contest. (Last week, 21st)
25. Los Angeles Clippers (1-7)
The Clippers have been decimated by injuries and rocked by the Aspiration scandal. We weren’t expecting much from them this season. And there have been no surprises. (Last week, 24th)
26. Brooklyn Nets (2-6)
At least New Yorkers have the Knicks. (Last week, 29th)
27. Utah Jazz (1-8)
The Jazz have the injury bug, they can’t convert from beyond the arc and they’ve faced some of the league’s best opponents to start the season. Unsurprisingly, it hasn’t panned out well for them. (Last week, 26th)
28. Chicago Bulls (1-7)
They have the worst net rating and point differential in franchise history. It’s going to be a long rebuild. (Last week, 27th)
29. Sacramento Kings (1-8)
It’s been a rough season, but, hey, that win over the Mavericks on Monday was unexpected. (Last week, 30th)
30. Milwaukee Bucks (1-8)
Maybe Bucks fans can find a bit of consolation in the fact that Giannis Antetokounmpo is struggling in Miami? (Last week, 28th)
In the Warriors’ 126-119 overtime win over the Orlando Magic on Saturday at Chase Center, Curry went a perfect 4-for-4 on go-ahead shots during the final two minutes of regulation and the extra period. It’s the first time in the tracking era (start of the 1996-97 NBA season) a player has made at least four field goals without a miss under those circumstances in a single game (h/t @automaticnba/X).
And that’s not even the whole story. Curry also made two free throws in the final minute of regulation, with the first also giving Golden State the lead at the time. Additionally, with 2:21 to go in the fourth quarter, Curry made a layup that tied the game at 100.
So, all in all, that’s six different instances down the stretch when Curry made a shot to either tie the game or take the lead.
Steph Curry went 4/4 on shots to take the lead in the final 2 minutes of the 4th Q/OT tonight.
It's the first time in the tracking era that a player has made 4+ such shots on perfect shooting in a single game. pic.twitter.com/qKNWYK6gIZ
Oh, and it’s probably worth mentioning Curry finished with 41 points on 13-of-19 shooting from the field, 5 of 10 from 3-point range and a perfect 10 of 10 from the free-throw line — not to mention six rebounds and six assists.
One more key tidbit, in case you forgot: Steph Curry is 38 years old.
Saturday’s performance was Curry’s 47th game with 40-plus points since he turned 30 years old, as well as his 16th such game since turning 35. He now leads all NBA players in both categories all-time.
Finally, another impressive benchmark for the road.
Curry joined Oscar Robertson and Russell Westbrook as only the third point guard in NBA history to record 25,000 points and 5,000 rebounds in his career (h/t @statmuse/X).
According to Jason Quick of The Athletic, Williams was seen walking down the court after the final buzzer and had the game ball tucked in his arm to give to teammate Jrue Holiday, who surpassed Steve Nash in career scoring and moved into the top 100 NBA scorers of all time.
Jrue Holiday walking on the court during Friday’s loss to the Lakers. AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
Williams said the Lakers official told him, “They had to turn it in to the NBA.”
Quick reported that Williams didn’t realize at the time that he is supposed to return the game ball, and that he should’ve known better and not forgotten the cardinal rule.
“I was taught that as soon as you get the ball, just run into the locker room,” Williams told Quick.
While Williams was unable to bring Holiday the ball, he told Quick that securing the ball didn’t really matter to Holiday and “I don’t think he even knew” that he reached the milestone.
Luka Doncic during Friday’s 124-118 victory against the Portland Trail Blazers. AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
During Redick’s postgame news conference, Doncic’s head suddenly peeped out behind the Lakers’ curtain, where he was seen looking at Redick — who was in the middle of responding to a reporter’s question.
Doncic’s stealthy move paid off. Redick was unaware that he was being watched.
The reaction to Doncic sneaking up on his coach left Lakers fans in laughter on X, as @Gothgirlbabyy wrote, “that peeking behind the curtain is peak sneaky mode, did JJ actually notice or was he too focused .”
Another fan took a screenshot of the encounter and zoomed it in, where Doncic is seen with a blank face looking at his coach while he’s answering the question.
Doncic’s sneaky move came after he put together another statement performance, scoring over 50 points for the second time this season and having his fourth straight game scoring over 40 points.
Doncic is off to a hot start, leading the league with an average of 40.1 points. He also is averaging 7.8 rebounds and 7.7 assists through his first nine games, making him an early MVP candidate.
After the Lakers missed their first 15 3-pointers, Luka Dončić made the toughest one of the night so far with this ¾-court make right before halftime: pic.twitter.com/iLhXHyiw6c
SAN FRANCISCO – Winning six straight games is hard enough. Extending their win streak to seven straight looked like a walk in the park for the Warriors on Saturday night, until it wasn’t.
The Warriors started off extremely strong, just to watch a 16-point lead fade away. Contenders need to rise to the challenge and overcome adversity, and that’s what the Warriors did in a 126-119 overtime win over the Orlando Magic at Chase Center.
Beating the Magic gave the Warriors their first seven-game win streak without Jimmy Butler since January/February of their 2022 NBA championship season.
Steph Curry was incredible in the fourth quarter and overtime, as was rookie Yaxel Lendeborg.
The elder Curry scored a game-high 41 points on 13-of-19 shooting, going 5 of 10 from 3-point range and 10 of 10 at the free-throw line. Lendeborg added 23 points on 9-of-15 shooting and had eight rebounds.
There will be a lot to clean watching the film, but the Warriors will take a gritty win in the end.
Here are three takeaways from the Warriors improving to 7-3 on the season.
Leaning on Curry and Lendeborg
Winning time is where superstars are made. There’s nobody in the building that doubts Curry in the clutch. But every hero needs a co-star alongside him. For Curry, that’s a rookie wearing a cape.
The fourth quarter was won on the backs of a 38-year-old Curry and a 24-year-old Lendeborg in his 10th career game.
In the first three quarters, Lendeborg scored seven points and was a bit of an afterthought. Then in the fourth quarter, Lendeborg utilized his size and skill set to score nine huge points on a perfect 4-of-4 shooting. But this was another Steph Show for everyone to sit back and enjoy his 14 fourth-quarter points.
Between the two, Curry and Lendeborg combined to score 23 points in the fourth quarter on 8-of-9 shooting. Curry was on the bench when overtime began, coming in at the 3:48 mark with the Warriors ahead by two points. He and Lendeborg scored 12 of the Warriors’ 16 points in overtime to claim victory.
Concerning Stats
Winning the margins is a major talking point of Warriors coach Steve Kerr to have success. His team needs to take care of the ball, focus on hitting singles instead of home runs and win the possession battle. The Warriors didn’t execute those key parts of the game against a shorthanded Magic team that seemed to grab every loose ball.
Let’s start with turnovers. As the first quarter crept to a close, the Warriors began to get loose with the ball. And the theme continued in the wrong ways for the home team. By halftime, even with the Warriors enjoying a 16-point lead, they already had given up 10 turnovers for 14 points.
As the Warriors’ lead evaporated in the third quarter, they kept counting turnovers and were up to 14 for 18 points going into the fourth. But the Warriors only had one turnover between the fourth quarter and overtime, giving the ball away a total of 19 times for 26 points.
Another major area of concern was on the offensive glass. The Magic continued to keep possessions alive, and it finally caught up to the Warriors. While the Warriors came down with a lowly three offensive rebounds, the Magic secured a ridiculous 24, which helped lead to 33 second-chance points compared to the Warriors’ two.
Gui’s Rough Return
However he can, Gui Santos wants to help the Warriors win games. He was pushing through a left knee injury that held him back, and finally had to be told to take a seat. Santos missed the previous two games, both Warriors wins, before returning Saturday night.
He was back in the starting lineup, but couldn’t give the Warriors much. At all.
Santos played just 11-plus minutes and didn’t have much of an impact. Playing less than he usually would, Santos had more turnovers (two) than shots made (one). That’s in a game where he has just one rebound and no assists.
Defensively, Santos didn’t have much burst either. It’s clear he’s less than 100 percent, and the Warriors will need a much better version of him soon. Santos finished as a minus-4 with three points and didn’t leave the bench in the fourth quarter or overtime.
CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 6: The sneakers worn by Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics during the game against the Charlotte Hornets during the 2026 Emirates NBA Cup on November 6, 2026 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
DALLAS, TX - NOVEMBER 6: P.J. Washington #25 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots the ball during the game against the Utah Jazz during the 2026 Emirates NBA Cup on November 6, 2026 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks (5-4) took down the Utah Jazz (1-8), 112-100 on Friday night. The victory gets Dallas back on the right track after two-straight losses and gives the Mavs a 2-0 record in Emirates Cup play. Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving struggled a bit in the early going, but locked in down the stretch, while Morez Johnson, Jr. had the best game of his nascent NBA career.
We’re switching it up this time and using a numerical grading system on a 10-point scale to grade the players. Let’s get to the grades!
Kyrie Irving: 5/10
14 PTS / 2 REB / 2 AST / 3 STL / 0 BLK – 28 MIN
Irving was not sharp from the outset and had a difficult shooting night (7-of-20 overall; 0-of-3 from downtown). While that pulled down his grade, his all-out effort and hustle can’t be overlooked. All night, Irving was on the floor lunging for steals, going amongst the trees for a couple of boards and hitting a few key shots in the latter part of the game to keep the Jazz at bay. It was not his best shooting night, but Irving made up for it in other ways, particularly on the defensive end.
Cooper Flagg: 8/10
21 PTS / 10 REB / 7 AST / 3 STL / 1 BLK – 33 MIN
Flagg shook off the massive funk he was in during the prior two games, but it took him until the second half to do so. He was 7-of-16 from the floor, with most of the misses coming in the first half and got completely lost on a couple of defensive sets, but he persisted. When it was all said and done, he nearly put up a triple-double. Three turnovers and 1-of-4 shooting from deep didn’t help his grade, but this is the type of game that reminds you how special he is. He can have a rough half, yet end with a box score that looks great while having a true positive effect on the outcome of the game.
Caleb Martin: N/A
0 PTS / 0 REB / 0 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 11 MIN
We try to show courtesy to all starters by featuring them in our Grades coverage, but Martin simply can’t be graded. He missed a three-point attempt, committed two fouls and that’s about it. He gets saved from an apparent 1/10 grade because he played so few minutes. Martin has been fine this year and contributes in ways that don’t necessarily show in the box score, but one has to wonder if and when Zaccharie Risacher or Naji Marshall will start in his place.
P.J. Washington: 10/10
26 PTS / 6 REB / 1 AST / 1 STL / 1 BLK – 32 MIN
Washington is like a new man this season, especially of late. He has played great ball and looks fully engaged over the past few games. It also appears as though he re-worked his shot in the offseason, to positive effect. Against Utah, Washington was 6-of-10 from downtown and led all players in scoring. If he can be a bit more consistent with this type of play, he will add another dimension to the team on both sides of the ball.
Daniel Gafford: 6/10
7 PTS / 1 REB / 1 AST / 0 STL / 2 BLK – 18 MIN
Gafford had a quirky game. His stat line doesn’t blow you away and his single rebound is somewhat infuriating, however he only played 18 minutes. In that time, he was effective and did what the team needed him to do. His highlight was blocking a three-point attempt, picking up the rejected ball in stride and going in for a monster break-away slam to get the crowd into it.
Walter Clayton, Jr.: 7/10
12 PTS / 4 REB / 2 AST / 2 STL / 0 BLK – 23 MIN
If Clayton stays consistent, he is going to make Masai Ujiri, Mike Schmitz and Dusty May look like geniuses. On a team light on well-known guards, the Mavs front office picked up Clayton at the very start of the season and he’s been great for his role. He shot only 1-of-5 from deep Friday night, but has been on fire from range to this part of the season and still managed to hit 50% of his eight shots overall. He’s a capable player that can spell Irving and seeing him play well is no longer a surprise.
Morez Johnson, Jr.: 10/10
13 PTS / 17 REB / 2 AST / 1 STL / 1 BLK – 24 MIN
Johnson was an absolute beast. Compared to his first three games, Johnson looks like a different person. Whether it was shin splints early on or just acclimating to the NBA game, Johnson has experienced a major growth spurt. He is fouling less, playing better within the system and is much more explosive than he was early on. He was all over the boards, led the team in plus/minus with a +20 and was within the flow of the game throughout. This was a coming out party that was great to witness.
Final Thoughts
Dallas needed a win after getting smacked by the Kings and losing a close one to the Spurs. The Mavs couldn’t sleep on the single-win Jazz (who are probably better than their record) like they did with the Kings. It appears they learned from that experience and played through some struggles to pull away. This also gives them their second Emirates Cup win in as many tries, while boosting their point differential as well.
I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.
When Sam Hauser is busting out the binoculars celebration, you know the Boston Celtics are rolling.
Hauser did that after delivering a fancy one-handed dime to a cutting Derrick White as the Boston Celtics pushed their lead as high as 46 en route to a 119-80 thrashing of the Charlotte Hornets in an NBA Cup Group C battle on Friday night at Spectrum Center.
You won’t need binoculars for this eye-catching number: Hauser has now played a league-best 186 minutes, 37 seconds without a turnover this season.
Hauser has been credited with a total of 204 total passes this season without a single giveaway. On Friday night, he handed out three second-quarter assists as the Celtics piled up a season-high 33 helpers (on just 38 total makes) and padded their Cup differential against the injury-riddled Hornets.
Hauser’s overall stat line doesn’t jump off the page this year: He’s averaging 7.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists over 20.8 minutes per game. He’s shooting 40.8 percent while hoisting 5.4 3-pointers per game (and still holds the NBA record for 3-point rate with 84 percent of his total shot attempts coming beyond the arc).
But his impact is undeniable. The Celtics are outscoring opponents by 19.4 points per 100 possessions in Hauser’s 187 minutes on the court, and that number plummets to a mere +0.8 points per 100 possessions in his 250 minutes on the bench. A +18.6 net differential is the best mark among all Boston players.
In the 111 minutes that Hauser has shared the floor with Jayson Tatum, the Celtics are posting a sizzling 127.8 offensive rating and have outscored opponents by 26.9 points per 100 possessions. A Hauser/Tatum/White trio has posted a +52.8 net rating in 28 total minutes together.
It continues a career-long trend for Hauser of positively impacting winning by simply taking care of the basketball and spacing the floor. Hauser has ranked in the 97th percentile or higher in turnover rate in each of the last three seasons, turning the ball over on just 5.7 percent of possessions last season (35 turnovers in 1,934 minutes).
Hauser is never going to be mistaken for a point guard, but his ability to value the basketball matters when the Celtics want to dominate the possession game. He shoots when he has open looks, is a willing ball-mover when he doesn’t, and good things tend to happen when he’s on the court.
And every now and then he’ll throw a fancy dime worthy of breaking out the binoculars.
With the season being roughly one-tenth of the way through, I figured we could do a check-in on the two of the major offseason acquisitions, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Marcus Smart, who were signed to contracts paying them $3,524,115 and $6,064,00 this season, respectively.
Marcus Smart brings a lot more to the table for the Rockets than what appears in the box score. His defensive abilities, constant energy, and ability to make opposing guards miserable earned him Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2022. He brings another veteran presence to a young Rockets locker room. He will not be expected to score each night, but his ball-handling, shot creation, and the ability to make timely shots will make him a key piece of the Rockets’ rotation.
So far this season, Marcus is averaging 9.8 points, 2.5 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.3 steals while shooting 38.7% from three and 44.2% from the field. The field goal percentage is trending higher than his career average, as it three-point shooting, which is incredibly encouraging. Smart also had a stellar game vs. the Thunder, where he scored 24 points and made 7 three-pointers.
Bogdan Bogdanovic provides the Rockets with a specific set of skills
Houston needs perimeter shooting, and the 38% three-point shooter for his entire NBA career provides that. Bogdanovic can also create off the dribble at the second level of the offense and make shots when the main offensive players are on the bench or under heavy defensive pressure. He can create off the dribble at the second level of the offense and can make shots when the main offensive players are on the bench or under heavy pressure from the defense. This season, Bogdanovic is averaging 5.6 points per game, which does not seem like a lot, but he is shooting a blistering 45.5% from three. Any team can use that.
Bogdanovic is an excellent attacking addition to this year’s sqaud. He can shoot, create off the dribble and space the floor, so he meets many of the Rockets’ needs. However, his health and consistency will determine the effectiveness of this signing.
What is interesting about both of these acquisitions is the varying amounts of impact that each can bring to a game. Smart is brought in for his defense, energy, and leadership. Bogdanovic brings shooting, creation on offense, and floor spacing. Both players bring experience to Houston’s young core and can help ease the transition of some of the young players into more rotation minutes as they continue to grow. They can be of use to players like Reed Sheppard by having veteran players on the team to help support the young players and to allow for more flexibility with lineups.
Ultimately, the value of both of these players will be determined by how they perform in games of consequence. Houston is trying to build a team of players that can help get them past the first round in the postseason, not just a collection of veterans and youngsters. If I had to give a grade for the two signings so far, I would give the Bogdonovic signing an A, and the Marcus Smart signing an A- only because Smart has missed time with an injury already.
Thats all for today! Make sure to let me know what you all think about the signings in the comments, and as always make sure to check back at The Dream Shake for all things Houston Rockets coverage.
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 6: Adou Thiero #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers boxes out during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2026 Emirates NBA Cup on November 6, 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
However, an ill-timed injury halted Thiero’s progress and kept him out of the opening weeks of the regular season. After some patience to allow swelling in his knee to go down, Thiero finally made his season debut in Friday’s win over the Blazers and looked like he hadn’t missed a beat from the preseason.
In only six minutes, Thiero’s impact was felt as he tallied four points, four rebounds and two assists. After the game, head coach JJ Redick was asked about his performance and got rave reviews.
“I thought his first two defensive possessions, he made mistakes and then after that he was awesome,” Redick said. “He literally did everything we asked him to do. He was great on the offensive glass. Even sometimes when we didn’t necessarily get the possession, he was tapping the ball and crashing.
“I thought the read he made out of the short roll, I think they blitzed three times in the first half and two of those were against him. He makes the short roll and he gets the lob. I thought he played a great game and, defensively, he was really good in the second half.”
Thiero came in late in the first quarter in the role previously held by Jarred Vanderbilt and immediately made an impact. Given his leaping ability, Thiero being the ball screener and roll man felt like an obvious fit.
The Blazers immediately tested him as they blitzed Luka Dončić, forcing Thiero to not just be in the right spot in the short roll, but then make a decision. He nailed both aspects, setting up Ziaire Williams for a dunk.
Shortly after, the Blazers opted for a more traditional pick-and-roll coverage. This time, Thiero rolled hard to the rim and caught the lob for an athletic finish.
“He did great,” Walker Kessler said of Thiero. “Obviously, we value Adou a lot. He’s a very physical player. Really talented, athletic player. I mean, that lob he caught is very, very impressive. He had a really good debut for the season.”
Thiero’s athleticism is unparalleled on the roster — and among the elites of the elite in the league as a whole — and offers the Lakers a different dynamic. Thiero as a screener and roller won’t always work as it did on Friday, but his athleticism and activity level will continue to jump off the screen.
The Lakers’ hope now is that he can stay healthy and start to stack positive performances in the regular season.
Welcome back to the Den. The Wolves are ten games in and their record stands at 7-3. Over that time the Wolves sprinted out of the gates, lost Anthony Edwards to dirty knees in need of a cleaning, and have mostly righted the ship. Their losses are on travel back-to-backs and their first game without Edwards where they didn’t even have a chance to practice before tip-off.
This team found something special in their first four games and then had their literal knees cut from them. Through the mire of the early season, as the rest of the league reels from their own injuries, the Wolves are looking for another new identity. An identity that does not include Edwards but prepares for his return.
As you can imagine, there are a lot of questions for this team to answer. Here are some of them.
Note: So much of this is small sample size theater.
1. Can Jonathan Kuminga keep this up?
It’s just flashes. He had similar highs in Golden State before cooling down. There’s no way he can keep this up. Here he goes again driving into traffic to get blocked… huh, nice pass. No no no, don’t shoot tha…SPLASH! Oh my gawd, he got up so high for that rebound.
This short-staged drama has occurred inside my head in nearly every game this year. In good games and bad, Jonathan Kuminga has shown up to do whatever is asked of him.
In every counting stat except points per game, Kuminga is averaging career bests; rebounds (5.7), assists (2.9), steals (1.2) and blocks (1.0). His highest BPM through his first five seasons was 0.1. This season he is at 2.9 and has his career first positive for Offensive Box Plus Minus (0.6).
Head Coach Chris Finch has heaped praise on JK. In Minnesota’s more read and react, flow, style, the Wolves starting power forward is emboldened to make a play when the ball finds him. His cuts aren’t always rewarded but it sends the defense into a panic and opens things up for his teammates. It also puts him in the middle of the floor to grab or poke out offensive rebounds.
I am running out of excuses for why it won’t last. After the first few games, I thought his play would disappear once the initial novelty of the season’s start wore off. It didn’t.
I thought he’d become more shot hungry and ball dominant when Ant went down. He hasn’t.
I thought he’d get worn down having to guard some of the best players in the league night after night. This might happen as the overlong season grinds on, but so far Kuminga seems to get up for the battle.
The hardest question might be coming, “Can the Wolves afford to keep Kuminga?“
2. What is Rudy’s purpose on offense?
The start of the season has seen a dramatic drop in Rudy Gobert’s points per game and his near league-best shooting efficiency. Gobert is averaging his fourth fewest shot attempts, second least points per game, the worst shooting percentage, and worst free throw percentage of his career.
It took one of the smartest basketball minds in Mike Conley over a year to learn how to play with Rudy. LaMelo Ball has had a scant few weeks to build chemistry. Combine that with the geometry of the floor and the defensive attention he is getting due to the sidelined Edwards, and it’s no surprise the lack of consistency.
The Wolves need Rudy to be effective on offense. The book is out on the big man. Good defenses know how to bait Minnesota into thinking Rudy is open and recover quick enough to force a turnover or an errant shot.
Which brings us to the question of how to effectively use Gobert on offense. There is space to use him in the pick n’ roll, but that has rarely been Finch’s play style of choice. He is averaging a career high in offensive rebounds and this is primarily where I want him to find his points.
Finishing those misses just as they bounce off or tipping them out to teammates to try again when defenders are too close to him. Don’t give them a chance to send him to the line.
He is very good at screening his teammates open and should continue to be used as the effective body in the way. This opens up Ball, Ayo Dosunmu, and Bones Hyland to get a screen assist into open triples. But this also pulls Rudy away from the hoop and the offensive boards that are his best offense.
Simple as it sounds his threat to roll is only as effective as his chemistry with his point guard. Until that firms up, he’s on cleanup duty.
3. What is a Ghost Screen?
The Wolves are getting spooky with a lot more ghost screens this season. This gambit, that asks a shooting threat to feint a screen before sprinting to the other side of the point-of-attack (POA) defender, is meant to short circuit a defense. In a fraction of a second, the ghost screener’s defender has to determine if they need to call for a switch if the screen gets set, or to chase after the shooter who has suddenly burst to a preferred place to spot up.
The Wolves are loaded with players who can quickly turn on the jets (I can’t recommend Ayo Dosumnu’s Player’s Tribune piece enough) and make this decision that much harder. Screens are overcome best when a defense is communicating. The threat of a ghost screen shortens that window for effective communication.
If the POA defender thinks a screen is about to be set, they might get ready to hedge for the incoming contact giving the ball handler enough wiggle room to drive. If the chase defender thinks a screen is being set, they might slow up enough to give the ghost screener a chance to find an open look. If a screen is set, the game flows into common pick n’ roll, one of the most tried and true means of creating advantages.
In the clip below, the Wolves use a combination of screens to break Orlando’s zone, a past bugaboo for Minnesota.
Armed with better outside shooting than the past two years, look for the Wolves to continue to haunt perimeter defenders with these scary non-screens.
4. Who else has come back from dirty knees?
Note: Every injury to a player is unique. No timeline to return or level of ability when returning is the same. An Achilles tear for Donte DiVincenzo and his play style is a completely different injury that an Achilles tear for Ariel Hukporti and how he approaches the game, despite hurting the same tendon.
The day after it was announced that Ant would get arthroscopic knee surgery, a friend of mine sent me a grim text. All he could think of was Grant Hill, Brandon Roy, and Penny Hardaway and the possibility that Ant’s career would be sapped from him like it had from those elite athletes.
I immediately texted back “What about DWade, Kobe, CP3?” After a brief internet search here are several NBA players who have undergone arthroscopic knee surgery who had some of their best years after the fact.
Kobe Bryant – Kobe had his first knee surgery in 2003, another in 2006, and another in 2010. In the midst of this string of surgeries he was an All-Star every year (despite the Laker bump, these were earned), won an MVP and was top five in MVP voting in all but one year, and made All-Defensive Teams in every year but one.
Dwyane Wade – DWade (a frequent Ant comp) had his entire left meniscus removed in 2002 while in college and went on to have a Hall of Fame career where he was unwillingly nicknamed Flash for how quick he was despite playing sans knee cartilage.
Chris Paul – Snitch Paul had arthroscopic knee surgery to repair a meniscus tear in 2010 while still with the New Orleans Hornets. As fun as he was on those Hornets teams, the Point God emerged into a force in the years after with the Lob City Clippers, Hardenball Rockets, and even made his first Finals with the Phoenix Suns, 11 years after the surgery.
Jimmy Butler – General Soreness had surgery on his right knee in 2018 while the Wolves were third in the Western Conference. He returned to help break the 14 year playoff drought. Jimmy has since been the driving force to two NBA finalist teams, never winning one. He adds multiple All-Star selection, an All-NBA selection, and an All-Defensive Team honor to his otherwise championship barren trophy case. I’m not bitter.
Jaylen Brown – Mr. Lamb Chops and Gravy had a knee procedure in the summer of 2025 and was back by training camp en route to being an All-Star, All-NBA 2nd Team, and sixth in MVP voting.
This surgery to clean up Ant’s knee will likely diminish Ant’s burst athleticism. He has moved his game to more outside shooting while maintaining a rim presence. If his downhill game is not as quick, it will hurt, but he’s also added a midrange for if the defender goes too far under that leaves him a three level problem for any defense.
Plenty of NBA greats have bounced back, here’s hoping Ant joins this laudable list.
5. What does this rotation look like fully healthy?
Ant is out for roughly two months. Terrance Shannon Jr. has missed two games with a hip contusion. Donte DiVincenzo is recovering from an Achilles tear with every intention of coming back this season.
In their absence the Wolves have slotted Ayo Dosunmu into the starting lineup. Bones Hyland is scoring the ball well. Jaylen Clark is getting into guys jerseys and hitting 41.2% of his threes on 2.1 attempts a game.
All of these players are competing with each other for minutes. While the deeper bench has done yeomen’s work to keep the Wolves head above water, they are not as good as the players whose minutes they are sopping up.
Finch is strict in his rotations. In the last three years, his starting lineups are in the top five for most used lineups in the NBA. If he gets a fully healthy team, Bones and Clark’s minutes will likely disappear all together. Ayo will move back into his sixth man role ready to be whatever his team needs of him.
Donte is the biggest question mark. He started all 82 games last season, but there is not a spot for him in this starting lineup. We also don’t know what he will look like coming back from such a devastating injury.
Sans LaMelo foul trouble giving Bones more minutes in the Raptors game, Finch has only given double digit minutes out to nine players before the injuries started. Joan Beringer’s minutes aren’t going anywhere. Trey Lyles has size, outside shooting, and has shown a predilection for being in the right place at the right time. Unless countering a specific lineup, his minutes stay the same.
Shannon figures to be the first cut in playtime with the Big Ragu’s return unless Finch expands his bench to ten. And yet, there are few players who could elevate TJ’s game better than Donte. An attacking TJ off a Beringer screen with Donte, Ayo, and Trey spreading the floor is tailormade to confound defenses.
On those nights where the injury report is blank, I hope Finch keeps the pedal to the metal with frequent rotations in the vein of Memphis Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo. The Grizz have 13 players averaging double digit minutes and only two players over 30 minutes a game, Cameron Boozer (32.3) and Ty Jerome (30.7).
The NBA season is grueling. We have seen year after year the Wolves struggle as the playoffs wear on. TJ, Bones, and Clark are good players, deserving of minutes that will keep the starters fresh for when they are needed most.
6. How do the Wolves compare to the rest of the league (through 10)?
Look here for the inarguable answers through the first ten games.
The Wolves are presently top five in the league in the following team categories:
Points per Game (5th)
Rebounds Per Game (1st)
Three Pointers Made (2nd)
Net Rating (1st)
Defensive Rating (3rd)
2nd Chance Points (5th)
Pull Up Shooting (5th)
Loose Balls Recovered (2nd)
The Net Rating stat is leaning heavily on Minnesota’s first three blow out wins. That said, they have only lost their games by a combined 17 points thus far. They are hitting plenty of threes. They are defending with energy and diving for loose balls. They don’t treat the game as something that should be handed to them like some legacy Ivy Leaguer applying at his dad’s company. They are battling for the ball and snatching it from less hungry competition.
7. What is the ranking of the Wolves’ ticket package/giveaways this season?
Gone are the days of XL T-Shirts and Howl Towels. The Wolves have overloaded this season with all manner of tchotchke, curio and baseball jersey to lure fans and collectors alike to home games. Most of these do not have an image released but give you just enough information to send your imagination whirring.
There is an entire series of baseball hats with design help from former Wolves vets. For Kevin Garnett’s jersey retirement, Minnesota has five unique pieces of career spanning collectible celebrating the Big Ticket’s accomplishments wearing 21. There are bobbleheads, blankets, and backpacks and way way way too many baseball jerseys. And here they all are, definitively ranked.
8. Why are there so many baseball jersey giveaway nights?
To begin, I know:
There are seven ticket package giveaways featuring a baseball jersey this season. In collaboration with local artists, this is what the Wolves are doing for their Artist’s Series this year. Each jersey, for a sport different than the one it is honoring, celebrates a societal cross-section; Latino Noche, Military Appreciation, Native American Heritage, Pride Night, Asian American and Pacific Islander Night, Black Excellence, and Inspiring Women.
I think the designs are fun. Each one is a variation with pin stripes in a variety of colors. Some of them have designs on the sleeve nodding to the theme of the night. All of them have “Wolves Basketball” on the back. And all of them are baseball jerseys.
I love the Artist’s series. I have purchased at least one shirt each of the last two seasons. I love that a local artist gets to put their stamp on the Wolves design. I love that several of the local artists are BIPOC and women creators. I love that they came in a variety of T-shirts, sweatshirts, and hats.
I just don’t understand the thought process in making seven different baseball jerseys. I don’t know enough about production costs, or textiles, so forgive my potentially ignorant question, but, wouldn’t a jersey with two less sleeves of material be cheaper while closer to the topic at hand? Can they not do basketball jerseys because of some contractual stuff with Nike? WHY!?
All that said, I think the Native American design is my favorite and I might need to get one.
9. Where are we at in the marathon?
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – NOVEMBER 02: LaMelo Ball #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates his three-point basket against the Milwaukee Bucks in the first quarter at Target Center on November 02, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Wolves have played ten games in 17 days. If losing Ant and TJ wasn’t enough, they have not had more than a day between games and twice have played in travel back-to-backs. All marathons are tough. Some like to remind you of that fact in the first few miles.
The giddy win streak to start the season, like those first marathon steps past gathered supporters, can make you feel invincible. Before you know it, you’re running faster than you can sustain and its only mile two.
This is not to say that what we saw in the first three games is unsustainable, but with Ant out, the team is grasping for an identity while still playing fast and loose. LaMelo is trying to play aggressive defense and fouling like crazy.
The race is still young though. The stored ATP that let the Wolves sprint out of the gate may be spent, but they have years of experience and the benefits of youth. In the first full month of the season, they are searching for a pace they can maintain.
The challenge of racing a marathon is knowing the line between speed and overheating. The Wolves need to keep chasing after rebounds and through screens without losing anyone else to injury. If the news of Donte’s return holds true, and Ant and TJ bounce back, they’ll get an injection of energy better than any banana or unsavory gel packet found along the march.
10. Where will the Wolves be at Game 21?
HOUSTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 04: LaMelo Ball #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots the ball against the Houston Rockets during the second half at Toyota Center on November 04, 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 Alex Slitz/Getty Images) | Getty Images
From now until the day after Thanksgiving (no it is not a holiday and you can’t make me recognize it as one) the Wolves take on a mix of the top and bottom of both conferences. They play nine of them at home. Here’s a snap shot of who they got.
The promise that the Utah Jazz were going to try this year has landed on its face due to injury and their inability to defend the point of attack. The Bulls are finally rebuilding. The Nets have five players in their sophomore season and only two of them get playing time despite their abysmal record.
On the challenging side of the opposition, Cooper Flagg looks incredible alongside the returned Kyrie Irving. The Mavericks are a deep squad and can hang around in any game. The Memphis Grizzlies, on the back of Ty Jerome’s electric start and the connective play of rookie Cam Boozer are near the top of the conference.
Portland Trail Blazer’s head coach Micah Nori returns to Minnesota for a home back-to-back. Nori has his team cooking, bolstered by Blazer legend, the renewed Damian Lillard.
The Knicks have started off shaky but can find their championship form on any given night. Finally, the Thunder are a battered and broken team that still boasts seven players that could earn starter’s minutes on most teams in the league.
With the Wolves only having one back to back in this stretch, and three days of rest between game 11 and 12 to rest and practice, I see the Wolves going into the month of December playing at the same pace, 14-6.
He had recently likened Luka Dončić to a supernova. He said you have to pick your poison against him.
So, when asked if he had any superlatives to offer following Dončić’s 53-point, five-rebound, five-assist performance in the Lakers’ 124-118 win over the Trail Blazers on Friday, Redick stumbled.
“Sure,” Redick said. “Sure.”
When a reporter started asking another question, he interjected.
“I’m going to just sit around, we’ll gather one day and come up with more superlatives,” Redick added. “So I’ll have more words ready. But for now, I don’t have any words.”
The hyper-prepared Lakers coach was finally ill-prepared for an assignment.
Redick isn’t the only person who has been left dumbfounded following Dončić’s blazing start to the season in which he’s averaging a league-leading 40.1 points, 7.7 rebounds and 7.6 assists.
In Friday’s game, Dončić passed Michael Jordan (347) for the most points scored in the firstnine games of a season since the NBA-ABA merger with 361 points.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic shoots a free throw during an NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers in Los Angeles, Friday, Nov. 6, 2026. AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
It’s the most points anyone has scored in the modern NBA since Wilt Chamberlain in 1962-63.
“I’m having a lot of fun,” Dončić said. “Obviously playing basketball, it’s a lot of fun for me. It’s more [fun] when you play like this and when you win games. So, it’s been like this my whole life. Basketball was my dream. Playing in the NBA was my dream. Just living my dream.”
The Lakers are living theirs, too.
The 27-year-old face of their franchise is having an MVP-caliber campaign while leading the Lakers to the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference with an 8-2 record.
No one expected the Lakers to be this good.
And no one expected Dončić to soar to the top of the MVP conversation after he hadn’t finished in the top two in voting ever in his career.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, left, drives to the basket against Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, in Los Angeles. AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
But if the first few weeks of the season have made anything clear, it’s that Redick needs to beef up his vocabulary. He needs to get a thesaurus. Dončić is skyrocketing, and he’s carrying the Lakers with him.
There were many incredible moments in the Lakers’ 16-point come-from-behind win over the Trail Blazers in which they stormed back after shooting 4-for-23 from beyond the arc in the first half, including missing all 15 of their initial attempts from that distance.
“Luka can do some things that maybe a handful, if not no one, can do in basketball,” Redick said.
Things only got more fun from there.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, left, shoots over Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, in Los Angeles. AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
There was a little mixup after Dončić notched his 11th 50-point performance in his career, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for 10th-most such games in NBA history.
It all started because Ziaire Williams couldn’t wait to congratulate Dončić.
So much so that Williams decided to interrupt what he thought was Dončić’s walk-off television interview with “NBA on Prime” by approaching him from behind, putting his hands on his shoulders and yelling, “Fifty ball.”
Only, there was a problem.
Austin Reaves was doing the interview. Not Dončić.
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