Carr has yet to make his NBA debut as he is dealing with a right oblique strain and has been sidelined for the Lakers’ first two games of the season against the Warriors and Clippers. There’s a chance Carr could suit up for the Lakers’ matchup with the Jazz Sunday, but it’s not guaranteed.
The 2026-27 season is an important campaign for the Lakers as its officially the Doncic era, the first without LeBron James. Thus far, it appears the massive roster overhaul has paid off but the Lakers will have to contend in a loaded Western Conference to prove they are a force to be reckoned with.
It’s hard to be too critical of the Lakers after their first two games of the season – home wins over the Warriors on Wednesday and Clippers on Friday.
Luka Doncic recorded a career-high 11 turnovers against the Clippers. NBAE via Getty Images
They won those matchups by a combined 30 points.
Walker Kessler is making the Lakers brain trust look like geniuses for making the investment to acquire the 7-foot-2 center.
Reaves is playing at an All-Star level after securing a four-year, $180 million contract.
Doncic continues to be the focal point of the Lakers’ success.
Austin Reaves has also been a significant contributor to the Lakers’ ball security issues. NBAE via Getty Images
The team’s roster reconstruction is paying off with an abundance of role players stepping up.
But the major early blemish that’s carried over from the preseason: Turnovers.
“We know the turnovers are a problem,” coach JJ Redick said. “We’ll continue to work at it, continue to get better at it.”
The Lakers followed up recording 18 giveaways in their season opener against the Warriors by turning the ball over 21 times against the Clippers, directly leading to 29 points.
Doncic and Reaves were once again the biggest culprits, combining for 17 of the team’s giveaways.
Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick had ideas on how his star players could turn the ball over less. NBAE via Getty Images
“How many did I have?,” Reaves asked after Friday’s game.
Six.
“Oh,” Reaves responded, “it felt like 10.”
That was actually Doncic, who recorded a career-high 11 turnovers – something pointed out to Reaves.
“Y’all didn’t have to say that,” he said. “I asked about me.”
But the Slovenian guard wasn’t shy when it came to acknowledging his role in the Lakers’ turnover struggles .
“We have a lot of room left to improve,” Doncic said. “Obviously, my game was terrible. But we are 2-0. Not playing a great game by me and AR, we have a lot of room left [to grow], so it’s very exciting news, honestly.”
The Lakers’ early turnover woes are, in a way, encouraging because of the results they’re getting despite them.
They’ve scored a combined 252 points through their first two games (127 against the Warriors and 125 against the Clippers).
They shot 56.8% from the field against the Warriors, and 58.2% against the Clippers.
They’ve been living up to the expectations of being an ultra-efficient, high-powered offensive team despite nearly a fifth of their possessions ended in a turnover.
But they aren’t allowing their offensive success so far to take away from the progress they’re hoping to make with taking care of the ball.
They know their ceiling can be significantly higher if they clean up the ball security, especially against teams looking to trap Doncic and Reaves.
But some of the giveaways are also growing pains that come with such a significant roster overhaul.
“The reality is a lot of the turnovers are just the pass in front of them,” Redick said. “Just make the pass in front of you. We’ve talked about it with both those guys. It’s the familiarity. They trust their teammates. They want to be playmakers. It’s building that over the course of the season to familiarity where guys are going to be in their spots. So we’ll just continue to build out our options out of that and we’ll be better.”
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 23: Rui Hachimura #28 of the LA Clippers smiles during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 23, 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
While other players may have had longer tenures, Rui Hachimura’s three-and-a-half years with the Lakers saw him become a fan favorite.
Immediately helping the team to a playoff victory in his first postseason game with the franchise went some way in endearing himself to the fans. But his personality is really what helped fans fall in love with him during his time in purple and gold.
This offseason, Rui was one of the many players not retained by the Lakers. Making matters worse for some fans, he stayed in Los Angeles and joined the crosstown rivals in the Clippers.
“It was incredible,” Austin Reaves said of reuniting with Rui. “He’s one of my favorite teammates I’ve ever had. I made a joke the other day that I didn’t know if he spoke English for the first two weeks [as teammates]. We sat by each other on the plane his first year and I would say hey to him and he would kind of just look at me and nod. Then after that I couldn’t get him to shut up.
“Always in a good mood, happy to be here, put the work in and it’s just good to see him be happy and successful and enjoying his life.”
Rui looked like the same player the Lakers had last season during the contest. He knocked down open threes, connected on mid-range jumpers and finished with 16 points. He also was nearly on the receiving end of some friendly trash talk by Luka, but didn’t take the bait.
“He was just trying to talk trash or whatever, but I don’t care about those kinds of stuff,” Rui said postgame. “Me and him, I had a good time with him in those two years with the Lakers. I’m happy to see him healthy, back on the court. Hope the best for him.
“I missed all those guys, the players, the coaches,” Rui added. “They got some new guys, but the trainers and all that, it was good to see them…It was a great moment with them. I talked some stuff with them, too, so it was a fun time.”
SAN ANTONIO, TX -APRIL 10: Devin Vassell #24 of the San Antonio Spurs drives by Max Christie #00 of the Dallas Mavericks in the second half at Frost Bank Center on April 10, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks finally got a win Friday night, and their reward came less than 24 hours later: Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.
Dallas comes home at 1-1 after beating Indiana 121-105, but the win came with a pretty high cost. Cooper Flagg suffered a left shoulder injury late in the first half and will miss Saturday’s home opener. Dereck Lively II and Santi Aldama are also unavailable, leaving Dallas short-handed for one of the worst possible frontcourt matchups.
San Antonio is 0-2 after losses to Oklahoma City and Houston, but that record shouldn’t make anyone comfortable. Wembanyama scored 25 points and grabbed 13 rebounds Friday against the Rockets, and the Spurs still have plenty of talent to punish a depleted Dallas team.
Both teams are playing the second night of a back-to-back. Let’s scan the FanDuel board for some value.
FanDuel Snapshot: Spurs -12.5 | Mavericks +12.5 | Total 231.5.
Dallas Mavericks +12.5
I understand why San Antonio is favored this heavily. Flagg is out, Dallas is thin up front, and Wembanyama presents a nightmare matchup for a team already missing Lively.
Still, 12.5 points is a lot.
Friday showed Dallas can survive stretches without Flagg if Kyrie Irving looks like himself and P.J. Washington plays with the same physicality he showed against Indiana. Kyrie scored 24 points and hit five threes, while Washington finished with 20 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks.
Dallas also got meaningful production from Max Christie, Naji Marshall and Zaccharie Risacher. That doesn’t mean I trust the Mavericks to win this game, but it gives them enough ways to stay competitive at home.
San Antonio is also on a back-to-back and hasn’t looked dominant in two games. Give me the 12.5 points and hope Kyrie can keep Dallas within striking distance.
Under 231.5
This one mostly comes down to how I expect Dallas to play without Flagg.
The Mavericks lose one of their best transition players and one of the guys most capable of turning a rebound or turnover into immediate offense. Without him, the game should become much more Kyrie-heavy in the half-court, with Washington, Marshall and Christie handling more of the secondary creation.
That probably means a slower and uglier offensive game for Dallas.
San Antonio’s first two games have also finished below this number, with combined totals of 220 against Oklahoma City and 224 against Houston. Dallas has enough defensive issues for Wembanyama and the Spurs to score, but I am less convinced the Mavericks do enough offensively to push this game into the 230s.
Victor Wembanyama over 11.5 rebounds
This is the matchup play.
Wembanyama grabbed 13 rebounds Friday against Houston, and Dallas enters tonight with an extremely thin frontcourt. Lively is out, Gafford played fewer than 15 minutes against Indiana, and Morez Johnson Jr. is a rookie being asked to handle significant center minutes.
Washington can help on the glass, but Dallas simply lacks size.
Wembanyama should have plenty of opportunities on both ends, especially if the Mavericks struggle to shoot without Flagg. His rebounding line sits at 11.5.
Daniel Gafford under 6.5 rebounds
This one is more about role than matchup.
Gafford played only 14:36 against Indiana despite starting. He finished with three rebounds and did not play during the most important stretch of the fourth quarter. Dusty May instead leaned on smaller lineups and gave Morez Johnson Jr. extended minutes at center.
That makes a 6.5 rebound line pretty interesting.
Gafford has averaged 7.6 rebounds across the larger sample attached to tonight’s market, but the recent playing-time trend is the concern. The current prop line is 6.5 rebounds, and one projection has him at just 4.7 tonight.
The obvious counterargument is that Dallas desperately needs size against Wembanyama, which could force May to play Gafford more. But Friday showed that being the starting center does not guarantee anything close to starter minutes in this rotation.
Until May shows he is willing to consistently give Gafford 25-plus minutes, I would rather bet the under than assume the matchup suddenly changes his role.
The card
Mavericks +12.5 because San Antonio still has to prove it can separate by 13 on the road against a Dallas team that showed some fight Friday.
Under 231.5 because losing Flagg should make Dallas slower and more dependent on half-court Kyrie possessions.
Wembanyama over 11.5 rebounds because the Mavericks are extremely thin inside.
And Daniel Gafford under 6.5 rebounds because his playing time and fourth-quarter role are way too uncertain to trust him to pile up boards.
San Antonio is clearly the better team tonight. The question is whether the Spurs are 13 points better on the road, on a back-to-back, while Dallas tries to grind out enough offense without Flagg.
Mavericks fans won’t see their star player in the team’s home opener.
Cooper Flagg was ruled out for Saturday’s game against the Spurs with a left shoulder sprain.
The former No. 1 overall pick will be reevaluated next week, the team announced.
Flagg, the 2025-26 Rookie of the Year, suffered the injury during Friday night’s win over the Pacers, when Indiana forward Aaron Nesmith fouled him hard from behind on a dunk attempt late in the second quarter.
Cooper Flagg (32) is fouled on a drive by Pacers swingman Aarom Nesmith. NBAE via Getty Images
Flagg crashed to the floor and landed awkwardly on his left shoulder, sparking a scrum between the two teams.
Mavericks forward Naji Marshall immediately confronted Nesmith, setting off a brief shoving match.
Nesmith was also assessed a flagrant 1 foul for his contact with Flagg.
“Look, Nesmith is a great guy, a heck of a player. I’ve known him since he was in high school,” Mavericks coach Dusty May said after the game. “Obviously, an unfortunate play. Hopefully, Coop’s fine … He’s in good spirits. We’ll know in the next couple days what’s next.”
Cooper Flagg holds his shoulder after being fouled during the second quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on October 23, 2026. Getty Images
Flagg remained in the game to shoot free throws before heading to the locker room and did not return for the second half.
The injury interrupts a strong start to the 19-year-old’s second season in the NBA.
Flagg went off for 32 points in Wednesday’s season-opening loss to the Rockets, setting an NBA record for the most points scored by a teenager in a season opener.
He was putting together another strong performance Friday before leaving the game, recording 14 points, five rebounds, six assists, three steals and a block in just 17 minutes.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 13: Head coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors throws his arms up in the third quarter of a preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers at T-Mobile Arena on October 13, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Warriors defeated the Lakers 101-89. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Last night’s loss will reverberate for the rest of the season, just from a statistical standpoint. Oh sure, it’s confirming all of our fears, but fandom and emotionalism are one in the same. Most of us already figured that the Golden State Warriors were in their post dynasty era. Their managed decline. Their hospice years. But, that was their most likely win out of their first 6 games, so the situation actually feels worse than lose labels. History doesn’t offer us any hope, except in one weird case.
Now, that post-We Believe team is the meaningful exception on the list. It’s the entire point of this article. No other time has a Warriors team started 0-3 and gone on to have a winning record. Outside of 2007-08’s 48-34 record, only the 2004-2005 edition won over 30 games (34-48).
But these 26-27 Warriors look setup to start quite a bit worse than 0-3, don’t you think? After bricking the home opener and playing short against Phoenix, they’ll go to Denver, then Minnesota, and come back home to host the Lakers. So, yeah. If the situation feels grim, it’s because it is. And 0-6 feels very likely. But it’s not inevitable. Just 63 teams have started a season 0-6 in the history of the league.
Sure, only five of those teams went on to have a winning record (and because the Eastern Conference has always been a bit of a joke, eight have gone on to make the playoffs), but one of those teams — and I can’t stress this enough — was the 2007-2008 Warriors. That team finished 48-34… and missed the playoffs, sure, but I digress!
Of course, Moses Moody and Jimmy Butler are months (and months!) away. In the meantime, the Warriors will be depth-less and because of their best players being older, often short-handed. Thanks to all the roster moves Mike Dunleavy Jr. didn’t (or couldn’t) make this past offseason and what the team hasn’t been able to do the past couple of years will simply point the franchise towards a dead end.
I’d like to think the randomness of sports and life could be a reason to retain a shred of hope, but then I look at the 2007-2008 roster next to this season’s and I can’t help but note that Don Nelson’s team had just two players 30 or older on it: Chris Webber (34, 9 games) and Troy Hudson (31, 9 games). Steve Kerr’s has five. I look back at the list of 63 teams in NBA history to start 0-6 and note that the Warriors appear on it twice more: 1997-98 and the aforementioned 2004-05. It seems improbable they’d get off to such a bad start, but it feels like a certainty.
So, history is against the Warriors.
It doesn’t feel like one of those situations where “it’s only two games into the season” is a meaningful comment. What frustrates me the most about the NBA (besides the officiating) is how set in stone it all is. Sure, some kind souls might’ve projected 43 wins for Golden State this season, but the weighted nature of these slimmer rosters mean that it doesn’t take much for things to go very wrong and there’s not much that can be done to change course in-season. And from there, it’s easy to project how things will go if certain drastic actions aren’t taken.
This Warriors season has started more or less as feared and as plainly predictable given the totality of their circumstances. They can’t be accused of stasis, but their acquisition strategy has turned their tricky situation into a near-impossible one. Steph Curry is unlikely to play like he’s 34 again, and if the team can’t supplement their veteran players with quality youth and depth, then the last few years of Curry’s illustrious career will be as painful as the start to this season. Obviously.
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 20: The sneakers worn by Sam Hauser #30 of the Boston Celtics during the game against the Detroit Pistons on October 20, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
MACAO, CHINA - OCTOBER 11: Dwight Powell #7 of the Dallas Mavericks plays defense during the game against the Houston Rockets as part of 2026 NBA China Games on October 11, 2026 in Macao, China at Venetian Arena. 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 Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Following the re-signing of Mark Williams, the center position felt like one of the few areas where the Phoenix Suns possessed legitimate depth, and with it, a developmental buffer.
You had Williams, an experienced starting center who also carried a lengthy injury history. With him in the starting lineup, third-year center Oso Ighodaro could comfortably slot in behind him on the depth chart. And with Williams likely missing time, whether due to injury or scheduled rest (especially on the second night of back-to-backs), second-year big man Khaman Maluach would also have opportunities to get some reps. There was no need to rush Maluach’s development. The Suns could bring him along on their own timeline, allowing him to grow at a pace they felt was appropriate.
But the news that Williams would miss a significant amount of time following surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder changed that equation. Suddenly, Maluach’s developmental timeline accelerated, and the overall depth of the Phoenix Suns at center took a substantial hit.
Now, one game into the regular season, that depth is already being tested. Per Suns insider Duane Rankin, Oso Ighodaro will be out Saturday night against the Golden State Warriors with an oblique injury.
Suns coach Jordan Ott said Oso Ighodaro will miss Saturday's game as he was diagnosed with an oblique strain.
When asked if the injury is related to the hip, Ott said he's not a doctor.
Added Luke Kennard (knee) practiced today, trending in right direction. #Suns
Ighodaro exited Wednesday’s season opener against the Portland Trail Blazers before the conclusion of the first half and did not return. With confirmation that he’ll miss Saturday’s game, the question becomes how much additional time he might be sidelined.
Oblique injuries can be particularly difficult to navigate, as is the case with many injuries that affect movement on the basketball court. Look at Orlando’s Paolo Banchero, who suffered an oblique injury early in the 2024–25 season. His initial recovery timeline was six weeks, but he ultimately returned 11 weeks later.
There are three varying grades of oblique injuries:
Severity Grade
Typical Recovery & Absence Timeline
Grade 1 (Mild Strain)
1 to 3 weeks (approx. 11.6 days)
Grade 2 (Moderate Strain)
3 to 6 weeks (or up to 6–8 weeks depending on depth)
Grade 3 (Severe / Full Tear)
6 to 8+ weeks (sometimes requiring surgical evaluation)
We don’t yet know the severity of Ighodaro’s injury, but the circumstances certainly provide cause for concern. If he misses any significant amount of time, the team is in quite a pickle. Right now, the Suns’ center room consists of Khaman Maluach and newly acquired two-way players Duop Reath and Drew Timme. That’s it.
However, following the decision to waive Haywood Highsmith before the start of the regular season, Phoenix has one open roster spot. They could go shopping on the market for assistance, given that they have $4.4 million of flexibility under the second apron (which they are hard-capped at).
Who is out there? Let’s look.
Dwight Powell
I’ll start with 35-year-old Dwight Powell, who brings 13 years of NBA experience, nearly all of it with the Dallas Mavericks. Across 768 career games, primarily in a backup role, Powell has averaged 6.5 points and 4.2 rebounds. He’s not going to stretch the floor, as he’s a career 29.4% three-point shooter, but he did post a career-high 15.1% rebounding percentage last season with Dallas. And the Suns? They could use some of that rebounding. This doesn’t project to be a dominating rebounding team, and quite frankly, you’ll need all of the assistance you can get.
The Mavericks waived Powell this offseason after giving him an Exhibit 10 opportunity to stay with the team as they pivot toward prioritizing youth at center, making him an option who could provide Phoenix with much-needed depth and rebounding off the bench.
His rim protection would be welcomed, as his overall defensive talent is rated in the 83rd percentile by B-Ball Index, with an A- grade.
From Mavs Moneyball’s Ben Zajdel on Dwight Powell last season:
Having a player like Powell around can help. A player who’s seen everything, has a personality that’s uplifting, and is generally a good hang can keep a bad season from turning into a disaster. Things in Dallas could have turned toxic quickly this year, and for the most part, the team was drama-free. Powell was a part of that, and it’s something NBA teams value.
Kelly Olynyk
If you want to talk about players with a high motor who would fit the culture Phoenix is trying to establish, you’d be hard-pressed to find somebody who fits that profile better than Kelly Olynyk. Olyknk has made a career out of being a hustle player, the shot of energy off of the bench that might not put up statistical dominance, but affects those around him with his motor.
His 13-year career has spanned eight franchises, most recently with the San Antonio Spurs, where he appeared in 42 games as a backup last season. Throughout his career, Olynyk has averaged 9.8 points and 5 rebounds, and he can knock down the occasional three-pointer as well, shooting 36.9% from deep on 3 attempts per game.
While his athleticism has begun to decline with age, at 7 feet tall and 240 pounds, Olynyk brings size, experience, and an established work ethic that could serve the Suns well given their current circumstances.
He’s not as analytically effective as Dwight Powell, but he is someone who can assist in crashing the boards (you see a theme here for me? Johnny wants rebounds), especially on the offensive end. If he’s your second-team center, extra opportunities would be appreciated.
Bismack Biyombo
What am I doing here? Just looking at all of the backup bigs the Spurs let go this offseason? Well, yeah. They had a trio of veterans behind Wemby and opted to move on. And since the Suns are in a bind, we could use them.
I’m normally not big on retreads, but when you look at the list of available centers, you’re bound to come across a few former members of the Phoenix Suns. Mason Plumlee is available (another former Spur), as is Drew Eubanks. But if I were picking somebody from that pile, it would be Bismack Biyombo.
We know him from his two seasons in Phoenix, where he appeared in 97 games, starting 17, and averaged 4.9 points and 4.4 rebounds.
We also know he can’t space the floor in any capacity, and his push shot leaves plenty to be desired. But if you need somebody who can come off the bench and provide a physical presence on the glass, even at 6-foot-8, Biyombo is capable of doing exactly that.
After all, he averaged 10.8 rebounds per 36 minutes and possesses a career rebounding percentage of 16.7%. I wouldn’t mind having him back around, knowing that his impact is primarily one-dimensional.
Jonas Valanciunas
The last guy on my list might be the most intriguing, and that’s 15-year veteran big man Jonas Valancuinas. The Big V who has bounced all over the NBA but never into the Valley of the Sun.
If you’re looking for a big body, this is your guy. At 6’11” and 265 pounds, Valanciunas brings a physical presence and a skill set that could help the Suns in several areas. He can knock down a midrange jumper, finish around the basket, and isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty fighting for rebounds.
After all, across 14 NBA seasons, he’s averaged 12.8 points and 9.0 rebounds. His rebounding percentage? 20.7%!
The Suns are a team that certainly lacks size, and Valanciunas provides exactly that. He ranks in the 7th percentile for defensive rebounding talent but in the 94th percentile for offensive rebounding talent.
He’s strictly an interior player at this stage of his career. He can’t defend the perimeter effectively, nor can he stretch the floor offensively. But if rebounding is a priority, which I firmly believe it should be for this team, Valančiūnas is somebody the Suns should absolutely pursue.
Big V is currently playing in the EuroLeague for Zalgiris in the Lithuanian Basketball League, playing in his home country on a two-year, $5.5 million contract.
The Rest
Here’s a list of everybody else who is available on the free agent market:
Tony Bradley
Drew Eubanks
Christian Koloko
Kevin Love
Josh Oduro
Lachlan Olbrich
Mason Plumlee
Olivier Sarr
Oscar Tshiebwe
My guess is that the Suns will ultimately lean on Duop Reath and Drew Timme as they await further clarity on the severity of Oso Ighodaro’s injury. But the flexibility is there if they decide to explore other options. What do you think? Should the Suns stand pat? Or, after just one game into the new season, should they go out and add some much needed flexbility.
Jayson Tatum explained where his relationship with former teammate Jaylen Brown stands.
“I don’t have any animosity or beef or ill will toward him,” Tatum said after the Celtics’ 107-103 win over the Knicks on Friday. “The frustrating part is, since he’s not on the Celtics anymore, the narrative or conversations haven’t been enough about what we accomplished, all the games we won, winning the championship, how we’ve grown together, right?”
Tatum’s comments on his relationship with Brown stem from a social media interaction between the two superstars earlier in the week.
Brown posted a blue hat — a symbol for “cap,” the slang definition of someone telling a lie — in an Instagram comment section to a video of Tatum saying on his YouTube channel that he was “just as much caught off guard as the rest of the world” by Brown’s trade to the 76ers this summer.
Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics takes a shot against Mikal Bridges #25 of the New York Knicks during the Celtics home opener at TD Garden on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, in Boston. Getty Images
Brown and Tatum spent the previous eight seasons together in Boston.
Brown was drafted by the Celtics in 2016, and Tatum was selected a year later in 2017.
The wing duo won a championship together in 2024 against the Mavericks, with Brown earning Finals MVP, and also made it to the NBA Finals in 2022 — along with five conference finals appearances.
The two were able to combine for eight All-Star appearances and five All-NBA selections during their time in Boston.
“This ain’t no f–king Shaq and Kobe,” Tatum said, referring to the issues between Hall of Fame teammates Shaquille O’Neal and the late Kobe Bryant that occurred during their eight years together on the Lakers. “There’s no beef. It’s not about that. It should be more praise. I understand drama gets clicks and views, but I’m not really into that. I’m not blaming everybody for how they feel. Everybody is entitled to their own feelings, and we all go through different things in our lives.”
The first matchup between the two will be on Nov. 10 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Jaylen Brown of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrates during a game against the New York Knicks on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. NBAE via Getty Images
Jayson Tatum was talking about the Jaylen Brown trade and Brown went in the comments and called him a LIAR.
“I’ve seen all these things about ‘Get your popcorn ready when they play’ — like this ain’t no f–king boxing match, it’s basketball,” Tatum said. “I hate the conversation, the narrative around it. There’s not enough communication, and a conversation will solve or put out a lot of fires.”
Tatum’s 36 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in Friday’s win marked his best performance since Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals two years ago against the Knicks.
Jayson Tatum (0) and Paul George (13) of the Boston Celtics box out during a game against the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. NBAE via Getty Images
He scored 42 before rupturing his right Achilles, an injury that forced him to miss most of last season.
With Tatum on the sidelines, Brown carried the Celtics to 56 wins and the second seed in the East.
Tatum returned for the final 16 regular-season contests and played in six games in Boston’s first-round series against Philadelphia, missing Game 7 with a left knee injury.
The Celtics lost the series after building a 3-1 lead.
SAN FRANCISCO — An hour or so after the Warriors’ collapse Friday night, Yaxel Lendeborg stood at his locker and swapped out his white No. 1 jersey for a blue throwback No. 4.
Dug out of his childhood closet by his mom, it was already an appropriate homage for a Michigan man trading in one shade of blue for another. Then, Lendeborg went on to have a game that no Warriors rookie had had since the guy whose name was on the back of that jersey.
“This is the jersey I’ve been wearing since I was a kid on the basketball court,” Lendeborg told reporters in the locker room following Golden State’s 111-108 loss to the Grizzlies. “Chris Webber, Michigan legend. Warrior legend. Had to represent, you know?”
Golden State Warriors’ Yaxel Lendeborg (1) dunks the ball during a game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Chase Center in San Francisco, Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
Lendeborg did more than represent.
Although he got the short end of his first NBA showdown with fellow rookie forward Cameron Boozer, Lendeborg matched the No. 3 overall pick with 13 rebounds and six assists to go with 18 points — the first Warriors rookie since Webber to put up such a line in one game.
Only two Warriors, period, in the past six seasons have stuffed the stat sheet to the degree that Lendeborg did in just his second professional game. Steph Curry went for 23, 13 and 13 back in 2021. And Brandin Podziemski notched 18, 15 and nine this past February.
That’s it.
However, Lendeborg was also responsible for six of the Warriors’ 19 turnovers.
“He’s gonna get better and better,” coach Steve Kerr said. “He just has to get used to the NBA. … He’s putting himself in some risky spots that he won’t be doing a few weeks from now.”
Yaxel Lendeborg (1) of the Golden State Warriors smiles against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, October 23, 2026, at Chase Center in San Francisco. NBAE via Getty ImagesYaxel Lendeborg (1) of the Golden State Warriors and Cameron Boozer (27) of the Memphis Grizzlies battle during a game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
After going back and forth with Luka Doncic in his NBA debut, Lendeborg kept it more lowkey in his first game in front of the home fans. He said this summer that he would have any matchup with Boozer, whose Duke team he beat for the national championship, circled on his calendar.
“I always want to have a good game against anybody in my draft class, try to outperform them. Today I didn’t,” Lendeborg said. “But every game I’m definitely gonna try to take that personally, try to win my matchup and ultimately win the game for the team.
“I didn’t do both today, but I’ll win it next time.”
Boozer operated at will and finished with 25 points, seven more than Lendeborg — one off the difference in their draft positions. His spinning shot in the lane over Podziemski with 20 seconds left gave the Grizzlies their first lead since late in the third quarter, 108-106.
Lendeborg, meanwhile, is still seeking his first NBA win.
“He played a great game today,” Lendeborg said. “It was a fun matchup. Didn’t really get to guard each other much. He took advantage of the matchup when I was on him and did a great job. Props to him.”
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Collin Sexton (10) made an immediate impact for the Lakers with his defense. NBAE via Getty ImagesLakers guard Collin Sexton (10) “invigorated the game with more energy,” as Matisse Thybulle put it after the team’s win over the Clippers on Friday. AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
“I felt like it immediately,” Thybulle said. “He just invigorated the game with more energy.”
Sexton’s first minutes of the season after sitting out the preseason and the regular-season opening win over the Warriors on Wednesday came when he subbed in for Austin Reaves with 3:52 left in the first quarter.
Eleven seconds later, the veteran guard stripped Clippers guard Darius Garland of the ball during his drive into the paint, leading to a steal for the Lakers after Luka Doncic dove on the floor to corral the ball.
“He’s a pest,” Reaves said. “He feeds off the energy, he loves doing the little things and plays the game the right way. He’ll have a big impact [on] what we’re trying to do.”
The former Alabama guard carried that energy into the second quarter.
The Lakers value Collin Sexton’s intensity. NBAE via Getty Images
“He has a really intense way about him that I think will be really good for our group and guys will feed off that,” coach JJ Redick said.
With the Lakers down 44-38 early in the quarter, his perimeter defensive pressure against Kris Dunn forced the Clippers to eat up 10 seconds of the shot clock before Dunn passed the ball to rookie guard Keaton Wagler.
Wagler tried forcing a pass to Brook Lopez on the low block while Ziaire Williams was in front of him, but the ball floated over the 7-foot-1 center’s head and Reaves grabbed the steal.
But the errant Clippers’ possession started with Sexton hounding Dunn even though he didn’t get credited in the box score for the play.
In addition to his three steals, the 6-foot-3 guard also had five points and two assists in 16 minutes.
“Ziaire and I talk about it a lot: That’s what we try to do for them,” Thybulle said. “Even as people who try to do that, to see someone else doing it, it gives us even more energy. It’s just one of those things that when everyone else is doing it, you don’t want to be the guy to not be. It’s almost like when you’re working out in practice and like everyone’s making shots in a row, you don’t want to be the one to miss it and mess it up. Defensively, you can have a similar thing, which is effort and energy.”
Sexton brought an abundance of both in the Lakers’ second win of the season.
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They needed a bastion down low. They listened to Luka Dončić when he said he wanted Walker Kessler. Rob Pelinka gambled everything to get him.
In his first two games?
Kessler is making Doncic look like a skilled scout. And he’s making Pelinka look like a man with good job security.
Los Angeles Lakers center Walker Kessler, left, shoots as LA Clippers center Brook Lopez defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, in Los Angeles. AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
The 7-foot-1 center, whom the Lakers acquired over the summer in a sign-and-trade deal with the Jazz, had 22 points on 10-for-14 shooting, eight rebounds, three assists, six blocked shots and three steals in the Lakers’ 125-117 win over the Clippers on Friday.
He had the highest plus-minus (+18) of anyone on the court.
That followed a 26-point performance on 12-for-12 shooting, nine rebounds, one assist and two blocked shots in his regular-season Laker debut against the Warriors on Wednesday.
This is who the Lakers wanted. This is who they needed. This is who could turn them into contenders.
Everyone knew the Lakers’ offense was going to be incredible behind Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. But last season, the Lakers ranked 20th in defensive efficiency. They desperately needed to improve.
So, the Lakers gave the Jazz two first-round picks and two first-round pick swaps to acquire the 25-year-old Kessler, signing him to a four-year, $130 million deal.
It was a risk.
It meant they wouldn’t have any tradable first-round draft picks for the next seven years. It meant Kessler would make or break this Laker team.
So far, so great.
In his debut against the Warriors, he was the first Laker since Wilt Chamberlain to shoot 12-for-12 in a game. And against the Clippers, he became the eighth Laker to record six blocks and three steals in a game, according to Stathead.
“He’s a fantastic basketball player and I think he’ll continue to get better,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “I mean, that was one of the reasons that we wanted him and he was so appealing to us was because of his age and feeling like the fit with our two stars was really good. And [he’s] someone that can continue to grow and become just a fantastic player in the NBA.”
LA Clippers guard Kris Dunn, left, drives toward the basket as Los Angeles Lakers center Walker Kessler defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, in Los Angeles. AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
Kessler only played in five games last season after suffering a torn left labrum that required surgery. After missing an entire season of his prime, there were a lot of questions.
What’s his ceiling? Is he going to live up to expectations? Was he really worth the enormous price the Lakers paid for him?
Memories are short in the NBA, especially when a player misses 77 games. But Kessler is silencing his doubters.
“Oh, it’s so much fun,” Kessler said of being back on the court. “It’s so much fun. It was definitely a tougher year for me. But God is faithful. And just to be here now, I’m just so thankful. So thankful for this opportunity. So thankful to be healthy. Just very, very thankful.”
The Lakers need Kessler to develop into an All-Defensive-type player. They need him to complete their Big 3 alongside Doncic and Reaves. They need him to be a force.
He’s checking those boxes.
After the score was knotted at 64-64 at halftime, Kessler took over in the third quarter with his defense, helping the Lakers lead by as much as 14 points in the period.
“It just felt like Walker was everywhere in that third,” Redick said. “…There were multiple times [in the game] where it felt like they had a layup and he either came over and blocked the shot or created an altered shot.”
Kessler’s next game will meld his future with his past as the Lakers travel to Utah to face the Jazz.
For Kessler, it’s a return to where he spent the first four seasons of his career.
“I’m so excited to compete against those guys,” he said. “Coach [Will] Hardy does a great job with that franchise and my past teammates are really talented, really competitive. So I think it’s going to be a very competitive game and I’m just excited to go compete.”
But for the Lakers, it’s a reminder of how far they’ve come.
They emptied their treasure trove for Kessler.
And so far, every pick they gave Utah was worth who they got in return.
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Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura were Lakers teammates from 2023-26. NBAE via Getty ImagesLuka Doncic was being jovial with Rui Hachimura throughout Friday. NBAE via Getty Images
Doncic ran onto the court and hugged Hachimura pregame before the Clippers forward could start his routine.
And even when the 2019 first-round draft pick was going through his pregame process, there Doncic was, being jovial with his former teammate as Hachimura greeted his old Lakers coaches.
The playfulness from Doncic’s side continued during the game.
“I don’t like Rui…Nah, it was just great to see him,” Doncic said. “He’s my guy. We had a year and a half together, great friends, so it was really nice to see him.”
The playfulness turned into trash talk when the game started.
“He was just trying to talk trash or whatever,” Hachimura said. “But I don’t care about that stuff. I had a good time with him, two years with the Lakers. I’m happy to see him.”
It was clear Doncic wasn’t the only Laker who was happy to see Hachimura.
Hachimura and Lakers star guard Austin Reaves, who were teammates during the former Gonzaga forward’s entire tenure with the Lakers, also embraced on the court pregame and postgame on Friday.
Clippers forward Rui Hachimura was all smiles during his return to Crypto.com Arena. NBAE via Getty Images
“He’s one of my favorite teammates I’ve ever had,” Reaves said. “I made a joke the other day that I didn’t know if he spoke English for the first two weeks. We sat by each other on the plane his first year and I would say hey to him. He kind of just looked at me and [nodded].
“And then after that I couldn’t get him to shut up. Always in a good mood, happy to be here, puts the work in and it’s just good to see him be happy and successful and enjoying his life.”
Hachimura’s demeanor is why coach JJ Redick said he was “one of my favorite players I’ve ever been around in the NBA.”
“One of my favorite players I’ve ever coached,” he added. “And it’s because of just the consistency of joy and personality that he brings every day.”
And that joy radiated from Hachimura throughout Friday, despite his new team losing to his old team.
He finished with 16 points, six rebounds and two steals in 33 minutes against the Lakers.
“It was amazing, it was a great time with them,” Hachimura said of his time with the Lakers. “This organization, of course I missed them. But it was time to move on. It was special, my four years, four seasons with them. I’m happy with the Clippers right now. I gotta keep going with my career.”
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Welcome to Inside the Suns, a deep-down analysis of the current Phoenix Suns team in which the Fantable — a round table of Bright Siders — give their takes on the Suns’ latest issues and news.
Fantable Questions of the Week
Q1: What stood out to you in the Suns’ first regular season game against the Trail Blazers?
zenzino: Whew! Glad that one is out of the way.
The Suns got pulled under in the Portland wave and never resurfaced.
To call out any specific players for that game is asinine. That level of suck was a total team effort. There were no bright spots. The Blazers threw a ‘welcome home Dame ’ three-point party, and the Suns were the wallflowers.
That being said, we learned nothing from the first game. But the second game will tell us plenty about who they are going to be. Will they bounce back with effort? Will they lock down on defense? Will they hit a shot in the first 6 minutes?
What’s done is done. They still have the same number of losses as the Knicks and the Spurs (as of this writing). The next game is a lot more important than the last one.
Notable: Koa Peat made his NBA debut in the season opener, scored his first points, and got his first tech/fine. Welcome to the NBA.
Ashton: Next question. Pass. I literally asked Rod to strike this question in the game chat to save you all and me the mental anguish of having to relive it. I was denied.
Planet Orange? More like Clockwork Orange. I knew this question was coming, but I felt like I was strapped in a chair, unable to blink or turn away from the train wreck that I saw and is now permanently imprinted into my memories as I watched it from start to finish. Now, let’s get to the positives and negatives.
Positives: Literally none. If I had to call one positive out it was the over-600 post-game chat where we were unified in our negativity, and it was more entertaining than the actual game.
Negatives: Oh, where to start? How much time do you have? Sorry, I have to make an appointment with my sports psychologist.
This team is a work in progress, and that is putting it lightly.
OldAz: I was out of town on business and had been maneuvering all day to find a place to watch the game. As meetings ran long, the game started while I was with some associates at dinner, and I stuck to following the start of the game on my phone. Let’s just say I didn’t have much motivation to find someplace to watch the rest of the game by the time dinner was over.
I guess I did not spend much time paying attention to the other moves around the league this offseason, as I can understand why Portland came out with high energy and excitement. Their backcourt of Ja and a healthy Dame, with Jrue and Scoot coming off the bench! Plus, their best player is still probably Avdija, with some nice pieces along the front line. My impression is that Game 1 is a small sample size and more a product of a really good team centered around defense that is primed to break out this season. As for the Suns, that’s an ugly way to start, but I won’t draw too many conclusions around 1 game.
Rod: Nothing good. At this point, I have no idea as to whether it was one of those games where basically everything just goes wrong or many of us had some very unrealistically high expectations for this team. I mostly believe it was the former, but I’m quite eager for the next game to get a sign as to whether the 1st game was an aberration or the new norm.
There’s a saying from boxing that basically says that everyone has a plan…until they get hit. Well, the Suns got smacked around hard in the 1st quarter in Portland, and everything pretty much fell apart from there on. I can only hope that’s not the new team identity for 2026-27.
Q2: The Suns’ schedule starts off with 9 of their first 12 games at home. What are your thoughts on this?
zenzino: Hopefully, it will help them get off to a good start.
However, I’m not a fan of the easier home schedule to start because, as we’ve seen in the past several seasons, that usually means a really tough schedule down the stretch. Last season in particular, they had a legit shot at the 6th seed, but their last 10 games were mostly away and against some top teams.
Ashton: That Suns fans may actually set decibel level records for booing if they see the same effort that the Suns put against Portland at home against GSW. Heck, they may even set off seismic monitors around the Valley. The conversation may very well trend towards the over/under on how many points the Suns will get beat by. Is it 20 or 30 or even worse? Because what I saw on the road against Portland did not seem like it would translate into a home-court advantage. There is just too much to fix.
Now, granted, I am submitting this on a Friday and keeping the Cardinal Rule of my game emotions in check for at least 24 hours after a loss. I failed. GSW did not exactly look like world-beaters in their loss to the Lakers. Let’s see how that one turns out on Saturday. Maybe my tune will change when it comes to home-court advantage.
OldAz: Those 12 games are a big sample size, so they better get their defense in order quickly. A lot of home games should allow for time to work on their deficiencies with less travel to deal with. Otherwise, things could get ugly fast. There are not many easy opponents in the Western Conference, so not a lot of room for an extended slow start.
Rod: After the Game 1 debacle, all I can think of to say here is, “It can’t hurt.” Perhaps playing in front of the home crowd will give them a little additional motivation to get their act together, and hopefully keep it together, once they get out on lengthy road trips.
In 11 days, the Suns will face off against the Blazers again, but in Phoenix this time. How well they perform in that game is of particular interest to me.
Q3: What is your opinion of the addition of Drew Timme to the Suns on a two-way contract?
zenzino: Like most people, Timme wasn’t high on my name recognition list.
From everything I’ve read and seen since, it looks like he’s a less athletic version of Oso. Connector, team defender, good passer. He has a post-up game but is not quite as good a ball-handler. No outside shot. Not particularly good at rebounding. I didn’t check his free-throw percentage, but I’m just going to assume it’s better than Oso.
Makes me wonder if they knew Oso’s hip was going to be an on-off problem this season. Still no word about that at this writing.
It’s a 2-way contract. There is only possible upside. CG was a 3rd-year 2-way signing, and look how that turned out.
Ashton: I grew up in a small town outside of Spokane, and I love what Mark Few has done to prepare his players for the NBA at the collegiate level. Heck, the University of Arizona took his best assistant for head coach and that has turned out pretty well. I consider Gonzaga my second favorite team in college basketball and probably the last mid-market collegiate titan dynasty in the NIL era.
Now, with that said, the track record of Gonzaga players succeeding in the NBA has been spotty. I could go through the list (also RIP Brandon Clarke), but I won’t. Quite a few of them were hyped in mocks and actual NBA draft selections. Andrew Timme was voted as a consensus All-American at the collegiate level three times and remains Gonzaga leading scorer. His reward? He went undrafted in 2023.
Any Phish fans on the board? My favorite song is “Bouncing Around the Room”. This is Timme’s career in a nutshell because he has bounced around on two-ways, G League, and NBA contracts on multiple teams. Six of them, to be exact, before picking up his seventh team with the Suns.
So, I do not have the answer to this question. I do not think anyone does. But I liked watching him play at Gonzaga, thus my focus on college play. Timme is worth a flyer.
OldAz: Don’t know much about him, but I was never overly enamored with Brea, so I am glad they prioritized more front court help with their remaining two-way spots. In the past couple of years, Gregory has found good value in this pool of players, so hopefully he has done so again.
Rod: I think he’s a good addition, especially in light of Oso’s hip injury. Timme’s listed as a power forward, but he’s spent most of his time on the court playing center over his first two seasons (79%). At 6’9″, he’s a bit small to play at the 5, but he’s pretty much the same size as Reath (but 10 pounds lighter). I expect that’s where he’ll most likely get some court time with the Suns this season if Oso’s hip injury turns into a lingering issue. Unlike Oso, Timme can actually shoot from three (33.3% career, 44.0% last season on limited attempts), although he hasn’t played enough to know just how much you can count on him hitting those frequently. As an emergency backup, I’m happy with adding him to the roster.
Bonus Q: Do you like or dislike Oso Ighodaro’s contract extension?
zenzino: I’m thrilled!
Another team-friendly deal that also makes the player happy. Total win-win.
He played all 82 games last season for a reason. Even when MW was healthy and playing well, more often than not, Oso was out there at the end of the 4th quarter.
Even if a lot of people here don’t think he is all that great, the coaching staff and his teammates have a lot of confidence in him, and they showed it when they locked him up for the next 4 seasons.
Thrilled, I tell you!
Ashton: Wait. A bonus question that suspiciously seems like a Q4. Fantable, we need to unite and unionize against the three-question format turning into four questions or more! What is next, five questions? I checked our Fantable CBA (we don’t have one), and it specifically states that all opinions presented by Fantable are free of charge and allowed to be changed by the editors. Furthermore, any content provided by Fantable can be pilfered by the writers for roundtable and article discussions.
To the question. I liked the contract terms. There was a run on back-up centers (that is what Oso is) at the NBA trade deadline. This will happen again as NIL deals for collegiate centers are at an all-time high, and they will return for the money. The days of drafting a center on the cheap are probably gone. Also, Lakers overpay for center Walker Kessler is looking good, but we will see how it ages. So yes, a good value for Oso.
With that said, I am more than a little concerned about Oso’s hip injuries to start the season. I hope the trainers are not pushing him out while not 100 percent healthy. Yes, the center position is a need for the Suns, but let’s not rush it.
OldAz: I think it was good value and don’t really correlate his contract to the hip injury, as he has been pretty healthy during his career. However, for this season, their lack of depth at center, with his hip injury added on, does not bode well at all. This next week could get rough if that lingers.
Rod: I’ve seen some fans call it an overpay, but I think it’s about right for a quality backup center today. Yes, Oso has some faults/limitations, but so do all backups at every position…or they wouldn’t be backups (with a few rare exceptions).
As always, many thanks to our Fantable members for all their extra effort this week!
Quote of the Week
“This (the loss to Portland) is definitely a wake-up call for us. I’m glad it happened early. Everything went wrong. We have a lot to learn from the tape offensively and defensively.” — Devin Booker
Suns Trivia/History
On October 25, 1975, Phoenix Suns Ring of Honor member Alvan Adams made his NBA debut for the Phoenix Suns in an 89-88 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. He was just 2 assists short of getting a triple-double (14 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists) in his NBA debut. Adams also played a big role in helping the Suns get to their first-ever NBA Finals appearance, where they were defeated 4-2 by the Boston Celtics. Adams was named to the All-NBA Rookie Team, won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award, and was selected to play in the All-Star Game that year.
On October 25, 2013, the Suns traded Shannon Brown, Marcin Gortat, Malcolm Lee and Kendall Marshall to the Washington Wizards for Emeka Okafor and a 2014 1st round draft pick (Tyler Ennis was later selected). Okafor was injured at the time of the trade and never played a single game for the Suns.
On October 29, 1996, in conjunction with the NBA’s 50th anniversary celebration, the list of The 50 Greatest Players in NBA History was announced. It included two former Suns, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal.
On October 30, 1972, new Suns head coach “Butch” van Breda Kolff was fired after coaching just seven games for the Suns (3-4). General Manager Jerry Colangelo took over as head coach for the remainder of the season. The team would go 35-40 for the rest of the season under Colangelo (38-44 overall) and miss the playoffs for a third consecutive season.
On October 30, 2009, Steve Nash dished out 20 assists in a 123-101 win over the Golden State Warriors. Ten days later, he would do it again with 20 assists in a 119-115 win against the Philadelphia 76ers on Nov. 9.
The Week Ahead
Saturday: Phoenix Suns vs Golden State Warriors, 7:00 pm AZ time Monday: Phoenix Suns @ OKC Thunder, 5:00 pm AZ time Friday: Phoenix Suns vs Denver Nuggets, 7:00 pm AZ time
Important Future Dates
Oct. 24 – NBA G League Draft Oct. 26 – NBA G League Training Camps open Oct. 30 – Emirates NBA Cup 2026 Group Play tips off Nov. 6 – NBA G League Tip-Off Tournament begins Dec. 15 – Most players signed to new contracts can be traded Jan. 5 – 10-day contracts may now be signed Jan. 10 – All NBA contracts are guaranteed for the remainder of the season Jan. 15 – All players signed to new contracts can be traded Feb. 11 – Trade Deadline Feb. 19-21 – NBA All-Star 2027 March 1 – Playoff Eligibility Waiver Deadline April 11 – 2026-27 Regular Season ends (All 30 teams play) April 12 – Rosters set for NBA Playoffs 2027 (3 p.m. ET) April 13-16 – SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament April 17 – NBA Playoffs 2026 begin
Austin Reaves nearly had a double-double for the Lakers with 28 points and nine assists. He finished 10-for-13 shooting from the field and 5-for-6 from the free-throw line on the night.
Luka Doncic added 23 points, seven assists, and six rebounds for the Lakers but also turned the ball over 11 times.
The Lakers ran away with the game in the third quarter, outscoring the Clippers 39-26.
Darius Garland nearly matched Reaves’ production, finishing with 26 points and six assists for the Clippers.
The Lakers improve to 2-0 to start the season and will travel to play the Utah Jazz on Sunday. The Clippers fall to 1-1 and will look to rebound against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday.
Walker Kessler continues to have early success
Walker Kessler has not disappointed through his first two games in a Lakers uniform.
The Lakers’ new big man had an efficient night, going 10-for-14 (71%) from the field against the Clippers' defense. He finished with 22 points and eight rebounds in 35 minutes of play. The center also showed up on the other end, coming up with a game-high six blocks.
Kessler was coming off a strong debut with the Lakers, having scored 26 points and collected nine rebounds in 30 minutes of play against the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 21. He went 12-for-12 from the field.
Kessler was responsible for six of the nine total blocks that the Lakers recorded on the evening.
Kessler and Collin Sexton each had three steals while three other players had at least two steals for the team. The Lakers finished with 13 total steals.
Clippers struggle to keep the ball
Garland followed up his strong start to the season with another 25+ point performance but was also responsible for nine of the team’s 26 turnovers.
The Clippers finished the first quarter with a 31-27 lead but had eight of their turnovers come during that period.
The team had allowed just nine total turnovers in the first half against the Sacramento Kings earlier in the week.
Coach Tyronn Lue’s team fell apart in the third quarter after giving up 13 turnovers.
Rui Hachimura’s return spoiled by Lakers
Hachimura returned to Crypto.com Arena for the first time since joining the Clippers this past offseason. Hachimura had 16 points and six rebounds in 33 minutes of play. He shot 5-for-14 from the field.
Hachimura was seen reuniting with his former teammates, such as Doncic, before the game. He was also seen pretending to go back to the Lakers’ locker room as he had for four seasons before joining the Clippers as a free agent.
"It was amazing. It was a great time with them," Hachimura said after the game on Friday. "Of course I missed them, but it was time to move on.
"It was special, my four years, four seasons with them. I'm happy with the Clippers. It's my eighth year; it's a really big year for me. I'm focused on that."
Center Brook Lopez helped lead the Clippers in the first half against the Lakers.
In the first half, Lopez came off the bench for eight minutes and produced 15 points on 6-for-6 shooting and 2-for-2 from the 3-point line for the Clippers. He did go 1-for-2 from the free-throw line. The game was tied at 64.
Lopez finished with 22 points and four rebounds. He went 8-for-9 from the field and 4-for-5 from the free-throw line.
The 38-year-old began his 19th season in the NBA with a double-double off the bench on Wednesday against the Sacramento Kings. He produced 17 points with 10 of his 11 rebounds coming on defense.
