MILWAUKEE, WI - MARCH 17: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 17, 2026 at Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images). | NBAE via Getty Images
The Milwaukee Bucks host the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight in the final game of the Bucks’ three-game home stand, which saw them notch their first victory of the season against the Pacers before getting blown out by the Rockets. Tonight, Donovan Mitchell and the Cavs roll into town fresh off a road loss in Atlanta, so they’ll be extra hungry. The Cavaliers are 3-2 so far this season, having gone unbeaten at home and winless on the road, a streak they hope ends tonight.
The Task Ahead
Despite being undefeated at home, the Cavaliers’ season has been mixed so far. Their offense is posting 114.1 points per 100 possessions, ranking 10th in the NBA. The defense, however, allows 113.4 points per 100 possessions, ranking 16th. This inability to gel on both ends is partly due to the offseason roster shake-up and, most notably, the need to integrate Peyton Watson. While Watson obviously isn’t solely responsible for the entire team’s misgivings, the Cavs still haven’t got what they paid for. Against Minnesota on Monday, Watson recorded four blocks and three steals in a close OT win over the Timberwolves. Great! He also went 0/5 from three and is shooting just 14.3% from deep this season. In Cleveland’s loss to Atlanta, Watson recorded just four points. This underscores how crucial Watson’s success will be for Cleveland’s success this season.
Therefore, a key matchup in this game will rest on the wings. If Watson can impose his will on Jaime Jaquez Jr. and use his athleticism to close out effectively and defend, the Bucks may find themselves on the wrong end of another blowout. Jaquez, though, has shown some considerable skill this year putting the ball on the ground to create when he needs to—and at his best, can even get elite defenders to bite on his fake-outs—so it will be a battle between IQ and athleticism on the wings. Another factor to watch is how well both teams move the ball. The Cavaliers and Bucks both rank in the bottom-10 in assist percentage this year, so whoever finds their rhythm first can take control early.
Injury Report
Bucks:
Clean injury report.
Rockets:
Nae’Qwan Tomlin: out (low back pain)
Jaylon Tyson: out (ankle sprain)
Meleek Thomas: questionable (ankle inflammation)
Player to Watch
Jarrett Allen is off to yet another highly efficient and effective start to the season. His usage rate is down, but his true shooting and rim protection numbers are up. Allen’s scoring opportunities, however, have decreased this year due to Cleveland’s lack of wing creation. If the Cavs can get more perimeter production from their wings, it would draw defenders out and allow Allen to feast in the paint. Myles Turner, for all of his flaws, has been solid defensively, so if anyone can pressure Allen at the rim, it is him. However, if the Bucks’ bigs are pulled out of the paint to guard on the perimeter, it could spell a big night for Allen down low.
Ryan Rollins has a bounce-back game. I predict Rollins will score above 20 points and shoot above 50% from the field. Plus, I expect at least six assists and a strong defensive performance.
PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 30: Miles Bridges #22 of the Phoenix Suns shoots the ball during the game against the Denver Nuggets during the 2026 Emirates NBA Cup on October 30, 2026 at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Basketball. Finally, we got some basketball on Friday night, and although the Suns walked away with a loss and their NBA Cup hopes are ultimately dashed (oh man!), we can appreciate some functional team progress and a little fight down the stretch.
This wasn’t a game I entered expecting Phoenix to win, despite Denver experiencing its fair share of bumps in the road to begin the season. You could see it on the court, too. This is a Nuggets team that looks a little older, with some wear and tear beginning to show. Ultimately, it turned into a variance game for Denver, as Jamal Murray and Christian Braun went 7-of-9 from beyond the arc.
For the first time this season, it felt like the Suns were functioning and flowing on both ends of the floor. No, it was far from perfect basketball. You don’t surrender 127 points playing perfect basketball. But what we’re looking for early in the season are signs of progress and connectivity, and we finally started to see aspects of both on Friday night.
I’ll get into what I saw in greater depth in another article, as I don’t want to sway any votes in the Bright Side Baller based on how I absorbed the game and my personal observations. But it was nice to experience a night in which the Suns showed some fight, some functionality, and a little intestinal fortitude, even if it ultimately came in a loss.
Bright Side Baller Standings
With all of the talk about point guards and lineups, Jalen Green is the guy who currently leads the BSB standings after his efficient 20-point performance against OKC back on Monday. He beat out Mariah by 10 votes!
Bright Side Baller Nominees
Game 4 against the Nuggets. Here are your nominees:
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 28: LaMelo Ball #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during the game against the Golden State Warriors on October 28, 2026 at Target Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Minnesota Timberwolves find themselves with a 3-2 record through the first five games of the NBA season, including wins over Eastern Conference playoff teams in the Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, and Toronto Raptors, while suffering an overtime loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers and falling short against the Golden State Warriors in their last contest due to a 44-point outburst from Stephen Curry. The Timberwolves are featuring a different look with a new roster featuring LaMelo Ball at point guard after shipping out Julius Randle in the off-season. With the early returns of the new roster still uncertain, the big question is: “Who are the Minnesota Timberwolves?”
It’s been a battle-tested season for the Wolves early. Facing the new-look Heat with Giannis Antetokounmpo to open the season was a performance for the ages, filled with optimism to see how Ball would impact an already dynamic offense. The Wolves did not disappoint as superstar guard Anthony Edwards dropped in a whopping 45 points on 55.2 percent shooting from the floor and a scorching 52.9 percent from beyond the arc on 17 attempts. He complemented that with 10 rebounds and two steals with the team’s second-best plus-minus at +25.
LaMelo Ball helped play spoiler against the Heat as well in his 28 minutes, pouring in an efficient 21 points while hitting five of his 13 attempts from deep alongside six assists to take down the Heat 131-106.
The next two games followed a similar path as the Wolves dominated the Magic on the road in Orlando, defeating them by 22 points, and then crushed the Raptors at home in Minneapolis (albeit without Kawhi) by 23 and handcuffed Scottie Barnes to an abysmal 0-12 shooting night.
They followed those performances with a disappointing overtime loss to the Cavs, largely in part due to a lackluster performance from Rudy Gobert, and a loss to the Golden State Warriors due to a slow start and Curry doing Curry things and Edwards being out due to a lingering right knee injury. The Timberwolves have shown they are capable of high-level offensive outbursts and stifling defensive performances. How have they gotten there?
According to NBA.com, the Wolves have the fourth-best offense in the league on a points-per-game basis, averaging 120.4 over the five contests. This places them behind the Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Lakers, and the Houston Rockets, who are first, second, and third in the league, respectively. They are also posting an offensive rating of 114.8 for the eighth-best mark in the league while shooting 47.3 percent from the floor and 38.4 percent from distance.
A large reason for this top-10 offense has been the dominance from Anthony Edwards, notching 33 points per game on 48.1 percent shooting overall and 40 percent from three on 11.3 attempts per game. TJ Shannon Jr. has also been a positive mark this season as he’s gotten a longer leash, averaging 14.2 points per game on 40 percent from deep, while other staples such as Ayo Dosunmu and Jaden McDaniels have continued to play well and keep building on impressive playoff runs from last season. Newcomer Jonathan Kuminga has also been a bright spot, shooting a blistering 47.6 percent from three on 4.2 attempts per game. They’re all doing this collectively without marksman Donte DiVincenzo as he continues to rehab an Achilles tear he suffered against the Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs last year.
The defense, which is anchored by four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert, is second best in the NBA according to defensive rating, posting a 102.5 mark, right behind the Raptors with a league-best 97.9. This puts together an impressive 12.4 net rating, which is the fourth-best mark in the league. They’re also limiting opponents to 45.3 percent overall and 33.6 percent from three-point range, which positions them in the upper half of the league.
Putting it all together, both through the eye test and the objective numbers, everyone should know who the Timberwolves are: a team that can dominate on both ends of the floor while maintaining both a very high floor and a championship-level ceiling, all while figuring out another roster that was shuffled yet again.
In a small sample size, the Wolves have shown they have what it takes. However, they will need to continue to tread water in a loaded Western Conference as Edwards will be out for at least the next two months after it was announced he underwent a successful right knee arthroscopic surgery to clear out some debris. It will be an interesting stretch without Ant for an extended period of time, and the Wolves will need to cement their identity and playstyle a lot quicker than imagined.
We know who the Wolves are through the first five games, but who will they be without Ant for now, and will they have the same dominance that’s been displayed when he returns?
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - OCTOBER 16: Taylor Jenkins the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks gives instructions to Ryan Rollins #13 against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on October 16, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Roughly two weeks into the NBA season, Milwaukee Bucks fans are liking what they’re seeing, despite the team’s losing record. In fact, fans are more than just happy.
Jenkins jubilation
Overall, 72% of fans are full of praise for Jenkins, citing his boldness, his ability to assign roles, and his ad-lib cooking (that is, his ability to make the best out of what he’s got) as key qualities:
Punitive concerns
Despite the overall positivity, not all Bucks fans are smelling the roses, with 21% only somewhat happy with Jenkins’ rotations, 6% not happy, and 1% thinking they stink. Within these subsections, a prominent concern lingers regarding a certain Gary Trent Jr. and how not playing him might look to Adam Silver and the powers that be amidst the ongoing cap circumvention probe:
Showcasing “talent”
Finally, some sections of the fanbase feel Jenkins must be showcasing Myles Turner. After all, his play hasn’t warranted the starting gig—or all those “empty-calorie” minutes that have come with it:
Yes, after saying and doing all the right things off the court during the offseason, Turner has been bad on it to start the season—and not in the 1987 top-of-the-charts kind of way. For more on that, be sure to catch this week’s Winners & Sinners, coming soon.
With rotation contentment high but wins low, the question thus begs: how long can this relationship coexist? That is, how long will it be until the losing takes its toll? Here’s hoping that becomes a moot point.
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 30: Isaac Okoro #35 of the Chicago Bulls handles the ball during the game against the Boston Celtics during the 2026 Emirates NBA Cup on October 30, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Celtics’ defense is off to a very strong start this season, and they’re finding success from an unfamiliar place.
Against the Bulls, Boston forced 16 turnovers, 10 of which came directly from steals. They currently rank third in both opponent turnovers and deflections per game.
This is something that has hardly been in the team’s DNA in previous seasons. Last year, even with the fourth-best defensive rating in the league, they forced the second-fewest turnovers.
The bulk of their defensive identity revolved around dictating who shot and where the looks came from. It’s a fine strategy, but it has limits. It’s more predictable, and offenses can adjust to a defense that sits back in ways they can’t against a frenetic one.
Against Chicago, they were swarming, scrambling and recovering. Moving on a string, they looked like one connected entity. Six different players registered a steal, with Payton Pritchard, Derrick White and Paul George each recording multiple.
The biggest crowd pop of the night came after back-to-back interceptions turned into scores.
Aggressive nail help has been among the most noticeable playstyle shifts driving this. White, George, and Jayson Tatum were eating up space to lock down driving lanes. They made the Bulls uncomfortable getting downhill, and they weren’t successful capitalizing when the Celtics were in rotation.
The Bulls felt the squeeze from the start. When asked about Josh Giddey’s slow start, Tiago Splitter pointed right at Boston’s pressure.
“They do this trap when you go by the half court and they trap you,” Splitter said. “You just got to be ready. We talked about it before the game.”
Caleb Wilson was a bit more blunt about the first quarter. “I feel like we laid down,” he said. “I don’t know what else to say.”
It’s hard to argue against that. Boston had them in a 19-point hole heading into the second quarter. It was fueled by a deflection or steal on what felt like every other possession.
Pritchard helped set that tone. He came into the night unhappy with his defense through four games, and Joe Mazzulla had challenged him on it.
“I’ve been through some struggles early on this season, and honestly the defensive effort and rebounding has been poor,” Pritchard said. When asked what he had gotten away from, he said it was “being active and being back to being a pest, and creating opportunities for steals and ball pressure.”
He got back to it Friday. Neemias Queta noted that Pritchard “gets up full court defensively,” and Mazzulla said the Bulls game showed “the absolute best version of him.”
Boston has compiled a group of rangy athletes who can cover more ground and shrink the floor as a result. George is a big part of that. Mazzulla listed “his ball pressure, his activity, his deflections” among what George has brought, and Pritchard said George’s defense surprised him.
“I didn’t know how good it was until I’ve seen it up close,” Pritchard said. “He gets his hands on a lot of balls, is in passing lanes, and he wins at the margins.”
George’s ability to zone up between multiple players on the perimeter is giving Boston more variety in the types of coverages they can deploy. He’s helping them become a more versatile and forceful defensive team. One that causes offenses to adjust, settle, or break.
Mazzulla doesn’t view turnovers as something the defense can just take, considering them more as the result of executing the game plan.
“I think forcing a turnover is the same as making a shot,” Mazzulla said. “You can put yourself in a position to force one, but you can’t force the team into doing it if they handle it properly. So we just have to continue to impose our will, executing our defensive scheme, ball pressure.”
That’s also where Friday’s small warning sign came from. Boston forced just three turnovers in the second half, and Chicago chipped away at a big lead. The Bulls fired 53 threes and grabbed 20 offensive rebounds.
“We only forced three turnovers in the second half,” Mazzulla said. “So we’ve got to maintain that ball pressure.”
He also didn’t hide from the rebounding trouble. “We can’t give up 20 offensive rebounds,” he said.
Those two things are connected. With the way they’re pressuring the ball and often getting themselves in rotation, they can be susceptible to rebounding breakdowns if they’re not boxing out. That’s a cost worth paying when it’s producing turnovers. In the second half, Boston was still scrambling but no longer getting rewarded for it.
That’s the trade-off worth watching. The pressure has to be maintained. When it is, Boston can bury a team the way it did in the first quarter.
Five games in, the Celtics have found a new way to win on defense. Continuing to impose their will, as Mazzulla described it, will allow them to really dictate the terms of their matchups. The early signs are very promising.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 23: Cooper Flagg #32 & Kyrie Irving #11 of the Dallas Mavericks look on during the game against the Indiana Pacers on October 23, 2026 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks (4-2) put on a great show and got a 116-111 win over the Houston Rockets (5-1) on Friday night. The victory is the second time in as many games that the Mavericks handed a previously undefeated team their first loss of the season. Led by Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving, the Mavs demonstrated a degree of fun that was difficult to come by last season. This team is proving to be a fun, competitive bunch that is buying into Dusty May’s system and playing for each other.
Let’s get to the grades!
Kyrie Irving: A+
35 PTS / 4 REB / 9 AST / 35 MIN
Irving, in only his fourth played game back from a lengthy injury, looked utterly elite. He drained 12-of-19 shots, including a smoking 5-of-8 from downtown. He led all players in assists (no one on either team closer than three assists of his total) and drained two free throws to ice the game. This is easily his best game since returning and it was coupled with an amazing performance from Cooper Flagg. Those two playing at this level is a scary proposition for the rest of the league.
Max Christie: D
2 PTS / 1 REB / 2 STL / 18 MIN
Irving and Flagg didn’t leave a lot on the table and Christie didn’t get an abundance of minutes, but there was almost nothing positive about his game Friday night. He was the only starter with a negative plus/minus and only hit 1-of-4 shots, missing both of his three-point attempts.
Cooper Flagg: A+
33 PTS / 9 REB / 6 AST / 2 STL / 1 BLK / 39 MIN
Let’s get the negatives out of the way first: Flagg had three turnovers and three fouls. Done. He shot 13-of-19 despite missing all four of his three-point attempts, hit 7-of-10 from the charity stripe and simply could not be denied all night. Particularly in the closing moments, Flagg showed he is a player well beyond his years. He put Dallas up three points after connecting on a free throw earned from an away from the ball foul, setting Irving up to hit two free throws of his own on the next possession to ice the game.
P.J. Washington: B-
3 PTS / 10 REB / 1 AST / 34 MIN
Washington is looking every bit the player he was when he was first traded to Dallas. That means he sometimes has a bad shooting night (1-of-8), yet rather than being a total negative, he remained locked in in other ways. He led the Mavs’ in rebounds as the only player with a double-digit total and affected the game in enough ways that don’t show up in the numbers, that Dusty May gave him a lot of playing time. This wasn’t Washington at his best, but this was him engaged in a way that we didn’t always consistently see last season.
Daniel Gafford: A+
18 PTS / 7 REB / 2 AST / 2 BLK / 29 MIN
Gafford was close to top marks purely from his box score and his 6-of-7 shooting. If there was any doubt, he put it to rest in the final minutes of the game. After contesting a shot and landing on Kevin Durant’s foot and twisting his ankle, Gafford hobbled off the court and into the back. Minutes later, he was impossibly back on the court. Minutes after that, he calmly drilled two free throws to extend the Mavs’ lead to three points. Gafford may have been the last guy on the court Dallas wanted shooting those clutch free throws, but he was the one we got and he delivered in a big way.
Zaccharie Risacher: B+
12 PTS / 6 REB / 3 AST / 3 STL / 1 BLK / 28 MIN
Risacher showed that his hot shooting from last game wasn’t a fluke, connecting on 4-of-9 shots overall. Better still, he hit 3-of-6 from deep. His newfound offense is not coming at the expense of his defensive effort. The “Cyborg” displayed his endless motor yet again, and his long reach netted him a team-high three steals.
Caleb Martin: Gold Star
8 PTS / 25 MIN
We’re giving Martin an honorable mention for Friday night’s performance. He did nothing but score and foul (five) according to the box score, but his 3-of-5 shooting (2-of-3 from beyond the arc) kept the offense flowing when he was in the game. This also gives us the opportunity to recognize how much better he is than last season. Whether that is due to health, Dusty May’s influence, or a combination of both, Martin is proving to be serviceable in a way he wasn’t in recent history, and it’s a welcome sight (and helpful addition) to what the Mavs are trying to accomplish.
Final Thoughts
Flagg and Irving were an insane duo. Combined, they shot 25-of-38 and score 68 points. They also combined for 13 rebounds and 15 assists. It was an unbelievable display – two players dominating within the flow of the game while still getting teammates involved. Gafford was so locked in that he returned to the court mere moments after being helped off it due to an ankle injury, then knocked down two absolutely clutch free throws. This is a fun team that is playing for each other and buying into a selfless team-first approach.
I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.
Feb 16, 2019; Charlotte, NC, USA; Team Lebron forward Kawhi Leonard of the Toronto Raptors (2) speaks during the NBA All-Star Media Day at Bojangles Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
With a rash of injuries plaguing the league early, many key players are out. Whether temporarily or long term, teams have been effected. One of those teams is the Toronto Raptors.
Now, in the second week of league play, Kawhi Leonard has been sidelined from swelling and fluid buildup in his knee.
While there is a lot of sympathy for those who are suffering maladies, there is one who is not. Stephen A. Smith, known for his bluster, went on a tirade earlier this week regarding the former Spurs Defensive Player of the Year.
🤣🤣🤣 I'm sorry but SAS sounds exactly like any spurs fan when you ask them about Kawhi https://t.co/SlaN7mUNvV
“This is the worst superstar in the history of sports,” stated Smith on First Take earlier this week. Though he defended the legitimacy of Leonard’s injuries, the outspoken pundit got worked up to the point of saying there is “no one better than Kawhi Leonard at getting paid without working.”
Last summer, Kawhi Leonard requested a trade to his former Canadian team. After investigations of alleged salary cap circumvention involving the Los Angeles Clippers, Aspiration, and Leonard were finalized, he packed and left for Toronto.
I originally saw this as a repost from The Spurs Way who stated, “🤣🤣🤣 I’m sorry but SAS sounds exactly like any spurs fan when you ask them about Kawhi.”
While Spurs fans have felt the disappointment of Leonard’s actions, few have had the bully pulpit from which to fume.
It’s not the first time Stephen A. has questioned Leonard’s validity as a superstar. It’s not the first time he’s crossed the line. As Charlie Murphy would say, he is a “habitual line stepper.” On social media, many have responded that Stephen A. went too far this time, but then again, pushing the envolpe is part of Smith’s schtick.
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BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 30: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics celebrates during the game against the Chicago Bulls during the 2026 Emirates NBA Cup on October 30, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Is this the year the Celtics take the Cup seriously?
Boston certainly looked interested Friday night, opening their first group-stage game with a 44-point first quarter, a 29-point halftime lead and Payton Pritchard briefly transforming into that cyborg version of himself who keeps showing up in NBC Sports Boston broadcasts.
Then the Bulls started making things interesting. Chicago won the second half 62-47, whittling what had once been a 32-point Celtics lead down to 14 by the final buzzer.
Boston still walked away with a 125-111 win and a 1-0 record in East Group C, though Washington holds the early advantage in point differential. The Celtics gave us plenty to get excited about in the first half, and Joe Mazzulla plenty to get annoyed about in the second.
1. The Celtics want the Cup
Earlier this week inside TD Garden, my Australian brethren Jake and Ben from First to the Floor asked whether the Celtics would take the NBA Cup seriously this year. The first half looked like a defiant “you betcha.”
Boston’s first five baskets came in the paint. The Celtics scored 44 in the first quarter, shot 63 percent in the first half and went into the break up 78-49. Pritchard already had 20 points.
Payton Pritchard in the first half: 20 points on 70% shooting in 15 minutes. Celtics scored 78 as a team. Hoping we see a 150 point outing. pic.twitter.com/nVcNaSbB8S
The Bulls made the game, and the Cup standings, less comfortable after halftime. They won the second half by 15 and cut Boston’s final margin to 14. Washington also won its opener, leaving both teams 1-0 in East Group C, with the Wizards two points ahead on point differential.
Boston led by as many as 32 and won by 14. That’s a heck of a way to start the Cup, but those 18 points that disappeared along the way could come back to haunt them.
2. Paul George was meant to be a Celtic
I keep trying to find a less obvious way to say this, but Paul George looks like he was meant to be a Celtic.
His connection with Tatum looks instant and incredible. Whether Tatum or George starts the action, they seem to know how to turn it into a good look for the other. George can run the offense himself, but he’s just as happy to make the extra pass, cut behind a defender or do the work that makes somebody else’s life easier. You know, Celtic stuff.
Joe Mazzulla on Paul George:
“His impact goes beyond what’s happening on the offensive end. I think his impact in the locker room, his coachability, his open-mindedness, his humility, his willingness to do whatever it takes, taking care of his body to be on the floor for us, his… pic.twitter.com/IDAkB3knDZ
George got his hands on everything and finished with 18 points, six rebounds, eight assists and three steals. That stat line still doesn’t capture how often he seemed to be in the right place. He had a great steal and dunk in the first quarter, and spent the rest of the night making the Bulls think twice about where they pass the ball.
He’s been the biggest pleasant surprise of Boston’s start. I didn’t expect his fit to look this natural this quickly, but I’m thrilled to have been wrong.
3. Tatum is playing like an MVP, and his three is still catching up
Tatum finished with 26 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. He shot 9-for-20 overall and 2-for-7 from three.
A quiet 26 from Jayson Tatum is still a statement 😤☘️
His vision was every bit as impressive as his scoring. He kept finding teammates on cuts, drawing defenders toward him before slipping passes into openings that barely seemed to exist. His three-point shot is still finding its rhythm (only shooting 25% from three on the season), but he’s already getting downhill with ease, and the way he’s seeing the floor makes him that much harder to defend.
One of my favorite Tatum moments came after Mitchell Robinson made a free throw. Tatum went over to give him a fist bump, looking every bit as pleased with Mitch’s one point as he did with any of his own 26. You love to see it.
4. The Celtics made room for something bigger than basketball
More than 100 Boston Children’s Hospital patients and their families were at the game versus the Bulls. The day before, the Celtics announced a gift of more than $200 million to the hospital, the largest in its history. Patients lined the court during the national anthem, and the team wore special shooting shirts signed by four former patients who had visited practice the day before.
The Celtics are hosting a few patients from Boston Children’s Hospital today at practice.
A young fan held up a sign that read, “Boston’s children saved my life.” I don’t know that fan’s story, and the sign can’t tell it. But seeing that sign during the broadcast stuck with me long after it disappeared from the screen.
I spent much of the night watching Boston dominate, calculating Cup math and getting frustrated as the Bulls chipped away at the lead. But that sign was a good reminder to keep some perspective. I’m lucky to spend my evenings watching the Celtics play basketball and writing about something I love, and even luckier for all the things in life that make those evenings possible. Sometimes it’s nice to be reminded of that.
5. Mitch hasn’t looked like the Knicks version yet
If Paul George has been the biggest pleasant surprise of Boston’s start, Mitchell Robinson might be the biggest disappointment. He opened the third quarter with a block and went 4-for-4 from the field, finishing with 11 points. But he had just four rebounds in 19 minutes, and he still looks slower than the Robinson who made life miserable for opponents in New York.
Queta played 20 minutes and finished with 13 points, six rebounds, a steal and a block. The Celtics were plus-16 with him on the floor and minus-3 with Robinson. That’s one game’s plus-minus, not a final ruling, but it matched what I saw: Queta brought more pace and seemed more in sync with the rest of the group.
Robinson has the size Boston will inevitably need at points throughout the season. So far, though, he hasn’t looked comfortable in this version of the Celtics. Maybe that changes with time. For now, Queta looks like the center who better fits the team’s rhythm.
Payton Pritchard, jazz pianist. Norman Powell, reluctant dance partner. No analysis needed, simply enjoy the soulful improvisation of Smooth PP.
7. Hugo got the first young-wing look, but Baylor still has Joe’s trust
Hugo González checked in before Baylor Scheierman against Chicago, which caught my attention after Baylor had gotten the nod in Boston’s earlier games. Maybe Joe wanted Hugo’s defensive energy in that first shift, or maybe he’s still figuring out what he has in his young wings. Either way, it was interesting to see Hugo get the call first.
Baylor wasn’t exactly banished to the bench, though. He played 23 minutes and finished with two points, three rebounds, three assists and a steal. Hugo went scoreless in 15 minutes, adding two rebounds and a steal. Neither lit up the box score, but they can help Boston in different ways. Hugo brings a little chaos defensively, while Baylor has a knack for moving the ball and finding ways to contribute without needing shots.
Baylor Scheierman walked up to Joe Mazzulla, told him to challenge. Looked like Mazzulla asked him something like, 'Are you sure?' and Scheierman just said yes and walked to the bench.
I wouldn’t read too much into one game’s substitution pattern, especially with Joe Mazzulla involved. But it’ll be interesting to see whether Hugo keeps getting that first opportunity or whether the two continue trading places as Joe tinkers with his rotation.
8. Hauser is the kitchen knife you always reach for
Sam Hauser is the knife you grab because you know it works. There might be a newer one in the drawer, maybe with a nicer handle, but when you need to cut something, you reach for Hauser.
He made two threes and finished with six points against Chicago. Neither basket required much fuss. Hauser knows exactly what he’s there to do, and he’s been doing it long enough that the Celtics know what to expect when they put him on the floor.
With Tatum and George drawing so much defensive attention, there’s always going to be a need for someone who can stand in the corner and punish a defense for forgetting about him. Hauser has made a career out of being that guy.
He might not be the flashiest thing in Boston’s kitchen, but there’s a reason Joe keeps reaching for him.
9. The parquet is probably cold and alone in the bowels of TD Garden, and that’s not okay
I kept expecting the Celtics to be in white. They were at home, after all. Instead, Boston was in black, Chicago was in white, and the parquet I associate with the Garden was nowhere to be seen. More than once in the first quarter, I had to remind myself which team I was watching.
I know the Celtics have worn plenty of colors besides white, but this still threw me. The uniforms and the Cup court scrambled my internal compass before I’d even had time to settle in.
Those parquet squares are probably somewhere in the bowels of the Garden right now, cold and scared and wondering what they did wrong. Is that what you want, Adam Silver?
10. The Celtics won while getting crushed on the glass
Chicago grabbed 51 rebounds to Boston’s 41, including 20 offensive rebounds. That is a lot of second chances to hand a team, especially one that was already chipping away at a 32-point lead.
Boston made up ground elsewhere. The Celtics scored 58 points in the paint to Chicago’s 40, had 10 steals to the Bulls’ seven and scored 21 points off turnovers. They shot 51.2 percent from the field; Chicago shot 38 percent.
The win was comfortable by the final score, but the rebounding was anything but. Joe has a pretty clear place to start when he gets to the film.
For all the talk about whether the Celtics would take the NBA Cup seriously, their first 24 minutes offered a pretty convincing answer. There’s plenty to clean up, and those 18 points they let slip away could matter down the road, but Boston has its first Cup win in the books. Now please, someone go check on the parquet and give it a space blanket and a warm glass of milk.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MARCH 17: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts during the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on March 17, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
This has been a difficult start to the season for Milwaukee. They’re a roster in flux after trading away Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat this summer. Now, they’re a team that features some useful players, but not enough to really be considered a playoff contender.
The early season has shown this. Milwaukee has dropped four of their first five games, which includes losses to the Washington Wizards and Chicago Bulls.
We’ll see if Cleveland can take advantage of a reeling opponent on Halloween.
Anything bought from the links helps support Fear the Sword. You can also shop all of Homage’s Cavs gear HERE. The link to the 2016 championship shirt HERE.
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 30: Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics celebrates during the game against the Chicago Bulls during the 2026 Emirates NBA Cup on October 30, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
BOSTON — It took only five minutes for Payton Pritchard to find his rhythm. He needed the next five to answer head coach Joe Mazzulla’s call Friday night against the Bulls to begin Boston’s NBA Cup run.
Pritchard grabbed an offensive rebound by successfully boxing out 6-foot-9 Matas Buzelis before finishing the putback in the second quarter. On the next possession, he knocked down his third 3-pointer of the night, prompting Chicago to call a timeout. Mazzulla was waiting for him on the sideline, greeting Pritchard with a huge hug.
“Joe challenged me,” Pritchard said after Boston’s 125-111 NBA Cup win. “I feel like in the first four games my defensive activity and my rebounding have been poor. Obviously, that’s coming in and out, fluctuating minutes. So challenging me to step up in that area, and I think the hug was for me doing that and him being thankful I’m doing it.”
Mazzulla wanted the scrappy, menacing version of Pritchard to appear on both sides of the floor. He wanted the guard who gives opposing teams headaches offensively and defensively by going the extra mile. In return, Pritchard tapped into his 8-Mile persona.
With legendary rapper 50 Cent seated courtside next to the Tatum family, Pritchard unleashed his inner P-Rabbit against the Bulls, and Mazzulla’s excitement was shared by the rest of the team.
Paul George, Hugo González and Mike Conley were among those who rushed toward Pritchard before Mazzulla could get to him. For the second time this week, Pritchard turned Chicago’s defense into his own personal playground. Only this time, his impact extended well beyond scoring, as he made his presence felt in multiple areas of the floor.
Pritchard is in his seventh season with the Celtics and has already been a vital part of a championship team. He’s brought home a Sixth Man of the Year Award and recently signed a two-year, $44.2 million contract extension before the start of the season. But in Mazzulla’s eyes, there is still plenty of untapped potential within the undersized 6-foot-1 guard.
“I think Payton’s a guy that gets better every year, and I think the sky’s the limit for him,” Mazzulla said. “I think he hasn’t completely tapped into the player that he can become, and that’s just being complete on both ends of the floor and not being defined by one thing. In tonight’s game, you saw the absolute best version of him.”
Usually, Pritchard is perceived as an outside shooting threat — which he is. But to Mazzulla’s point, Friday night was a prime example of what else Pritchard can offer.
Offense is where Pritchard warmed up. He fed Neemias Queta for short-distance floaters, drew contact from Leonard Miller to convert an and-one opportunity, and kept the scoring fluid. On the other side, he recorded two steals and three rebounds, twice forcing the Bulls to take timeouts after crowd-erupting plays.
Pritchard’s versatility is nothing new. He’s proven capable of impacting winning as both a starter and a reserve, finding different ways to contribute regardless of his role. But when playing alongside stars like Jayson Tatum and George, and defensive standouts like Derrick White and González, some of those abilities tend to get overlooked. Other times, Pritchard’s opportunities to showcase his ability to disrupt opposing offenses are limited.
However, that wasn’t the case for the second of two against the Bulls.
Chicago had 99 problems, and Pritchard was the biggest one. He finished with a game-high 30 points on 9-of-17 shooting, and went a perfect 9-for-9 from the charity stripe.
Boston’s brand new bright green, gray, and gold NBA Cup court quickly became Pritchard’s stage. He understood the task Mazzulla bestowed upon him and viewed it as a “privilege” more than anything else.
“Pressure is a privilege,” Pritchard explained. “I’m gonna go through ups and downs, but it’s gonna make me better. And I’m gonna figure out how to be a complete player. I’ll catch my stride in all those areas and just get better and better.
Pritchard added: “I appreciate Joe testing me and challenging me to be better because the team needs me to be better, and that’s what I want. So it’s a good thing.”
With a great degree of responsibility Pritchard is poised to shoulder this season, those opportunities won’t be limited to Boston’s NBA Cup opener. It’s still early in the team’s 2026-27 season, meaning the coaching staff is still figuring out the cast and how to best maximize the group.
“As we continue to grow as a team and he continues to grow as a player, being a complete player on both ends of the floor really helps us take it to a different level,” Mazzulla said. “He’s got more in the tank. He’s a kid that can continue to get better and better. I like pushing him, I like coaching him, and I love him like a brother.”
Oct 30, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward LeBron James (23) looks on during the second quarter against the New York Knicks at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
LeBron James is 41 years old. He’s in his 24th NBA season. He’s also a Philadelphia 76er.
These are facts that feel worth being reminded about on occasion.
James was spectacular Friday night, guiding the Sixers to a 98-95 win over the defending champion New York Knicks at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
“I thought he was really good all the way through tonight,” head coach Nick Nurse said of James. “I thought that he got some downhill stuff, used his size and knocked ’em around a little bit for some layups. I thought he obviously kind of pushed and organized. I thought he was a little quicker to make some decisions to shoot the three ball as well, and then obviously make a couple big plays down the stretch.
“That’s really the best game, just kind of all around. I mean, he’s been good, but that was his best game for sure.”
It was James’ finest performance of the young season. He scored 20 points — his first 20-plus-point game as a Sixer — and recorded nine rebounds and eight assists. He also chipped in a steal and a block as the team’s defense continues to be its strong suit.
With Jaylen Brown out because of left knee tendinopathy, the Sixers were going to need more offense from somewhere. While James had often been deferential over the course of his first four games of the season, he was aggressive in looking for his own shot Friday. He continually got downhill, playing bully ball on several possessions against the Knicks’ wing defenders.
His knack for figuring out what his team needs and providing it is uncanny.
“I’m just trying to get more and more comfortable with what we’re running offensively,” James said, “and I think every game and every week that I’m here, my body will continue to ramp up and ramp up, getting better and better, so that played a part.”
Since we’ve seen it for 24 years, LeBron’s greatness is sort of taken for granted at times, but there are plays and moments that remind you why he’s arguably the greatest player of all time.
His physical prowess is still impressive, with his ability to big-boy guys like OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges. His passing vision remains elite, like on the play he found Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in the opposite corner with an absolute frozen rope, hitting KCP in the shooting pocket.
“Well, I guess the best teacher in life is experience, and I’ve been in really big games,” James said. “So, for me to be able to be a calming factor for our team late game, it’s just the experience that I have.
“If it’s me with the ball, without the ball, being able to put guys in the right position, just trying to talk them through if the other team make a run, come to the sideline, ‘We’re good. Let’s move on to the next play, and let’s figure out how we can be better for this play and the rest of the game.’”
The Sixers are 5-1. They’ve beaten the reigning champs twice already and have been finding ways to win close games.
Are you having fun yet, Philly?
LeBron James sure is.
“I’m having a great time,” he said. “I love what we’re bringing to the table every night. I love our competitive spirit. Guys show up to work. Guys are ready to work hard, and it’s a fun group too. I think I’ve said it before, I’m like a big ass kid, to be completely honest. But these guys are great to be around, and I’m more than happy that I made the decision to come.”
HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 15: Tari Eason #17 of the Houston Rockets drives to the basket during the fourth quarter of the game against Jared McCain #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder at Toyota Center on October 15, 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
First off, Happy Halloween to those that observe. May your weekend be filled with the treats you desire.
Unfortunately for the Houston Rockets, they received a trick in their basket. The Rockets are on a back-to-back while the Oklahoma City Thunder haven’t played since Wednesday.
So this is a matchup between one team with rest against a team without any rest, and both teams are dealing with several injuries (though granted OKC’s situation is more of a longer-term thing).
Give me the Thunder in a game that the media will use to show that “the Thunder are still dangerous” and ignore Houston’s injury and schedule circumstances.
HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 21: Cooper Flagg #32 and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Dallas Mavericks look on during the game on October 21, 2026 at the Toyota Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
In Cooper Flagg’s rookie season, he was asked to do a lot, not least of all to fill in for future Hall of Famer and fellow Brotherhood member Kyrie Irving.
It took him a little while to settle in, but before long, he emerged as the team’s best player. Former coach Jason Kidd forced him to take on a lot, and that’s paying off now.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - OCTOBER 22: Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during pregame against the Denver Nuggets at Paycom Center on October 22, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Joshua Gateley/Getty Images) | Getty Images
24-year-old Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren’s growing injury history in his young NBA career is catching up to him. If you recollect, the Gonzaga Bulldog sat out his entire true rookie campaign in 2022-23 with a Lisfranc ligament tear in his right foot suffered during a Seattle CrawsOver Pro-Am game in August of 2022, while guarding then Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James on a fast break.
Now three games into his 2026-27 season, Holmgren is expected to be out 8-to-10 weeks after undergoing a biological treatment to address a small patellar tendon tear.
Oklahoma City Thunder's Chet Holmgren underwent treatment Friday to address a small patellar tendon tear and is expected to return to play in 8-to-10 weeks.
The 7-1, now 215-pound slenderman put on two pounds during these past summer months. While that may not seem like much to the basic eye, that was a somewhat substantial growth for a player of his stature.
It’s extremely difficult for an athlete like Holmgren to put on any visible weight or muscle mass, a talking point that has been following the former five-star recruit since his high school/AAU days with Minnehaha Academy and Team Sizzle on the Under Armour circuit in the state of Minnesota. The same basketball programs that his fellow Zag brother, Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs, was a part of.
After getting drafted with the 2nd overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft by general manager Sam Presti, Holmgren has still found an enermous amount of success despite all the health setbacks that will undoubetly follow him for the rest of his career. The 2021-22 West Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year has added to his resume a 2025 NBA title and 2026 NBA All-Star appearance most recently. Before that championship run in November of 2024, Holmgren was out for three months with a right iliac wing (pelvis) fracture.
Unfortunately, it’s not just him who has been hit with the injury bug within the Oklahoma City organization at this early point of the NBA calendar year. In the first two weeks alone, two additional starters have gone down for the Thunder.
Guard Jalen Williams – fractured left fibula/dislocated ankle Guard Cason Wallace – torn labrum in his left shoulder
Williams, a lottery pick at No. 12 in the same 2022 NBA Draft from the Santa Clara Broncos, had the most severe of it all. Much too gruesome of an unfortunate live-action fall to share, the absolute worst that can came out of the game of basketball.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X @a_cravalho
SAN FRANCISCO – The lessons came in waves Friday night, and it behooves Yaxel Lendeborg to study them religiously and stash them in a corner of his mind.
The Warriors’ 112-95 rout over the Lakers gave the Warriors a 1-0 record in Emirates NBA Cup Group Play, gave the sellout crowd (18,064) at Chase Center good reason to celebrate and gave Lendeborg a reminder that an ugly personal game can end beautifully for his team.
“Them boys had my back today,” Lendeborg said.
“Them boys” were led by Stephen Curry, who poured in a team-high 31 points, Brandin Podziemski (21 points) and a bench that accumulated 50 points, 25 rebounds, five steals, two blocks and only four turnovers.
That is why, on a night when Lendeborg and his teammates were quickly torched by his first NBA nemesis, Los Angeles star Luka Dončić – whose 21-point first quarter left Golden State facing a 23-point deficit – the Warriors still walked off the floor as winners.
“They all played a great game,” Lendeborg said. “I feel like I was only Debbie Downer on the team. So, I feel like next time when I get into one of these games like this, just try my best to not be that guy like sucking up all the energy.”
This was no ordinary comeback. The Warriors outscored the Lakers by 40 (97-57) over the final three quarters – completing their biggest rally since wiping a 26-point deficit on March 1, 2015, at Boston.
All while Lendeborg looked more like a rookie than he has at any time this season. He was by turns too aggressive or too passive. His ball-handling left him vulnerable, his defense was curious, his offense barely there. He committed three turnovers in the first nine minutes and finished with a team-high five giveaways.
Lendeborg grabbed one rebound in 24 minutes, recorded zero assists and was outscored 37-6 by Dončić. When Yaxel fouled out with 2:45 remaining, after playing 24 minutes, he had grabbed one rebound and recorded zero assists.
“This is the rookie experience,” coach Steve Kerr said. “Seven turnovers the other night in Minneapolis . . . but he had a bunch of scoring opportunities the other night that he took advantage of despite the turnovers. He also had 26 points.
“And tonight the game just didn’t flow for him. It didn’t go his way.”
Yet the Warriors found a way to win their third consecutive game. Lendeborg expressed great relief at the victory and a measure of serenity in knowing this is possible when he falls far short of the standard he has already set for himself.
Asked to identify lessons he can take away from the least productive performance of his first six NBA games, Lendeborg paused for a moment.
“I don’t even know,” he said. “Like, try not to wet the bed as bad as I did.
“Or when you’re having moments like that, try to lean in on your team a little more.”
There were other lessons, too.
Lendeborg absorbed the Luka lesson. Humility is part of the package, and it can apply to any confrontation against an established star.
Lendeborg experienced the resilience lesson. This game was trending toward defeat, and he watched his teammates scrap their way to a 17-point triumph.
“Have your brother’s back, but it’s also his role in it,” Curry said. “We got to win the game, and what that means is just keep making Luka’s life as hard as possible. He’s the leading scorer in the league right now. The way he started that first quarter was ridiculous, and it was going to require everybody to be a little bit more physical, a little bit more connected, and kind of withstand some of his flurries that he had. So, of course, that’s backing Yaxel up, and that’s the collective energy of we need to win this game.”
Another lesson that was placed on Lendeborg’s blackboard is that he can foul out in 24 minutes if he’s unable to get a grip on his game or is too wound up for an individual matchup.
The goal for Lendeborg now is to apply those lessons in upcoming games. They’re going to keep coming, and how he navigates them will determine the speed of his development. He’s well ahead of the general curve, but the learning never ends.
“It’s all about the theme of him learning,” Curry said. “Trial by fire, going through the ups and downs in front of everybody. It’s a tough demand, but I think he’s built for it. And I’m pretty sure he’ll respond extremely well next game.”
