The team announced Friday, Oct. 30 that All-Star center Chet Holmgren will miss at least two months with a small patellar tendon tear in his right knee. The Thunder said Holmgren underwent a “biological treatment” to repair the issue and said he was expected to make a full recovery and would miss 8-to-10 weeks.
This is just the latest injury concern for Oklahoma City, which now has three of its five starters out for an indefinite period. Forward Jalen Williams suffered a broken and dislocated ankle just three games into the season, and guard Cason Wallace suffered a torn labrum in his left shoulder. The Thunder also announced Friday that Wallace underwent his surgery in Los Angeles and would be reevaluated before the end of the regular season.
Additionally, backup guard Alex Caruso is nursing a sprained ankle.
Holmgren, the runner-up last season to San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyam for Defensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-Defensive selection, is a key part of Oklahoma City’s operation.
Now a third Oklahoma City starter is going to miss time with a significant injury.
Thunder big man Chet Holmgren underwent a "biological treatment today to address a small patellar tendon tear," the Thunder announced Friday night. He will be out 8-10 weeks, according to the team, which would put his return in the first couple of weeks of 2027.
If you're asking what a "biological treatment" is, a league source suggested it's platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, often used around the NBA (and in all professional sports). It helps Holmgren avoid the more invasive surgery to repair the problem.
The Thunder say Holmgren "experienced mild discomfort" in his right knee after the Thunder beat the Suns on Oct. 25. After some treatment and tests, and in consultation with doctors, the team and Holmgren came up with this plan.
Holmgren is the third Thunder starter — and key defensive player — to go down with a significant injury. Jalen Williams suffered a dislocated left ankle and a fractured fibula from an ugly fall last Sunday against the Clippers. In that same game, Cason Wallace suffered a torn labrum in his left shoulder. The Thunder gave an update on Wallace Friday, saying he will be re-evaluated prior to the end of the 2026-27 regular season.
This is a tough situation for a Thunder team that had to trade away a chunk of its depth — Lu Dort, Aaron Wiggins, Isaiah Joe — this past offseason for financial reasons. With Holmgren out, more will fall on Isaiah Hartenstein, Kenrich Williams (who may become a starter) as well as rookie Aday Mara and veteran Jaylin Williams.
To help with their wing depth with Williams out, the Thunder signed Ochai Agbaji to a contract on Friday.
Yaxel Lendeborg wears a Michael Myers costume ahead of a second round matchup against Luka Doncic.
Halloween is a day away, and Yaxel Lendeborg is all into the spirit of the holiday, just before his heavily anticipated matchup against Luka Doncic.
Lendeborg was seen arriving at the Chase Center on Friday Night dressed up as Michael Myers from the classic horror franchise, “Halloween.”
Lendeborg is just over a week into his NBA career and had the attention of everyone following his debut when he was seen trash-talking Doncic on the Lakers’ court at Crypto.com Arena.
The trash-talking continued into postgame, as he told Evan Webeck of The California Post, that he “lost all respect” for Doncic.
“Had a lot of respect for him, just watching him. …I’d see him kill people all the time,” Lendeborg said.
Yaxel Lendeborg being guarded by Luka Doncic in the NBA season opener. Getty Images
After the game was over, he was asked about what it was like playing in the NBA for the first time, to which he said “A lot of flopping, a lot of foul baiting, a lot of praying to the ref.”
Warriors’ Draymond Green encouraging rookie forward Yaxel Lendeborg during an NBA game. NBAE via Getty Images
“You f—ing go talk to somebody. You talk until you can’t f—ing talk no more. And if he busts your a— guess what? You play him again three more times,” Green said following the Warriors season opener. “You go back at his a— again.”
Green went on to disagree with any notion that “the rookie learned his lesson.” by saying, “What’d he learn? The next time you see him, go at his a— again.”
Warriors’ Steve Kerr says Kristaps Porzingis trade caught the team “off-guard.” Getty Images
“We were in communication with him over the summer, and it seemed like everything was in a good place right up until training camp,” Kerr said to Grausz.
“Obviously things went south. Since the start of camp, when he was not here and we had to move forward, I haven’t given it a whole lot of thought to be honest, because we’re busy. We have to take every single day and get our team ready for the next game.”
Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters
Kerr told Grausz that despite the Warriors being in the full swing of the early NBA season, he will occasionally check in with Porzingis to see how he’s doing, but is committed to working with the guys who are already with the team.
Warriors’ Steve Kerr says he is committed toward’s the team’s younger players. AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin
“I like our young bigs, Graham [Ike] and Charles [Bassey],” Kerr said. “We’re excited about playing those guys, and the opportunity that they’re going to receive, but everything else is not my jurisdiction. That’s Mike’s [Dunleavy] and the front office’s, and I just come to practice, and I look forward to coaching the guys every day. We’re competing and seeing what we can put together.”
During the offseason, the Warriors gave Porzingis a two-year, $40 million contract extension to help be a building piece towards helping Steph Curry win his fifth NBA title.
But according to one former champion, Doncic might not ever be the guy to bring an NBA title to a team.
Channing Frye appeared on his podcast, “Road Trippin’ Show,” and said, “I love Luka. I just don’t think the way he plays basketball is going to win a championship.”
Channing Frye says Luka Doncic WILL NOT win a championship:
“I love Luka. I just don’t think the way he plays basketball is going to win a championship. I think Luka is a lot like James Harden. Both of those guys are amazing but their usage rate is not equating to championships.… pic.twitter.com/A5J0ZEsMr3
“I think Luka is a lot like James Harden. Both of those guys are amazing, but their usage rate is not equating to championships. Who plays like that?” Frye said.
Which is also a criticism Harden has faced through his 18-year career.
Coming into Friday, the Lakers are 4-1 and are tied for second with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Channing Frye heavily criticizes Luka Doncic and says he will never win an NBA championship. Getty ImagesLuka Doncic being embraced by his teammates after scoring 50 points against the Jazz on Sunday. NBAE via Getty Images
Doncic has played in four games this season and has already scored over 40 points in his last two games, including Sunday when he put together a 52-point performance, which has him already viewed as an early MVP candidate.
Doncic shot 44% from the three-point and 56.7% from the field. He was nearly perfect in free throws, going 10 for 11 from the line.
While Frye believes the Lakers superstar will never win a title, Doncic has already played in an NBA Finals when he was with the Dallas Mavericks in 2024.
Dallas ended up dropping the series 4-1 to the Boston Celtics, but Doncic showed up when the lights got brightest.
That series, he averaged 29.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 2.6 steals.
The problem was, the rest of his team didn’t.
Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic during the Lakers vs Trail Blazers game last week. Getty Images
Reaves has looked like his usual self this season, averaging 24.4 points with 3.4 rebounds and 5.4 assists.
Kessler has looked worth the four draft picks the Lakers gave up to acquire him, as he is second in the NBA for blocks [2.4], with 8.2 rebounds. 14.8 points per game.
AUSTIN, TX - OCTOBER 23: Dylan Harper #2, Stephon Castle #5, and Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs high five during the game against the Houston Rockets on October 23, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin, 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 (Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Spurs are 3-2 and have shown flashes of greatness but have not been consistent. Is there anything to worry about?
Marilyn Dubinski: No worries at all. They’re a young squad who entered the season under entirely different circumstances than they ever had before, fresh off a Finals appearance with much less rest and a combination of confidence and pressure to do more, whereas in the past, they had been waiting for 2-3 more months for this moment and were more eager to prove something. They have now learned how differently they are viewed and will be played, and it’s just a matter of adjusting and getting it right. I’m not really concerned about anything (beyond how much longer the Spurs can avoid the league’s injury curse), but I am curious to see how Tobias Harris’ eventual return will shake things up.
Mark Barrington: Absolutely not. The NBA season is way too long and every game before the new year is basically there for teams to work on their sets and develop players. If I’m worried at all, it’s because the Spurs aren’t taking advantage of that and are playing short rotations way too early in the season. Give Tarris Reed some run. You’re going to need him in June.
Jeje Gomez: Had they not made the Finals last season and retained every rotation player, I would be a little concerned, but the context makes all the difference. The Spurs are trying something new with their starting lineup, but could simply revert back to what worked last season and would likely look better instantly, just on synergy alone. There are no rotation players, except maybe Kornet, who are declining due to age. Eventually, either the new lineups will work, or the coaching staff will go back to the old ones and everything will be fine.
It’s extremely early, but what do you think about the three-guard lineup so far?
Dubinski: It’s interesting; the numbers say it’s been pretty decent, but that doesn’t relieve concerns about it just yet. So far, Castle has been hitting his threes to keep the offense more balanced, and they aren’t being punished on defense as long as Wemby is out there, but how sustainable is it? I feel like playing it alongside Vassell just adds to the lack of size, but then again, if they decide to start Harris, I don’t want Vassell to be benched, because he has proven (like he did last year) to be the perfect relief valve for this offense. Finally, perhaps the biggest question is also if the bench production is suffering with all three starting, even if their minutes are staggered and one of them is always out there. Vassell being the one to eventually move to the bench wouldn’t solve that.
Barrington: It’s a little clunky, but it’s less than 10 games in. Give it time to develop. I don’t think it’s going to work long term, not because three guard lineups are intrinsically bad, but because in order to make it work, you need guards that can hit outside shots to create space, and none of the trio of Fox, Castle, and Harper are great outside shooters. Castle is shooting pretty well from three so far this season, but it’s a small sample size, and I don’t have a lot of confidence that that is sustainable. I think it’s going to be moot by mid-season, because I think that Tobias Harris will eventually get into the starting lineup, and that will push one of the three guards to the bench.
Gomez: I think it has the issues everyone paying attention predicted it would have. When the three guards are out there together, the Spurs get diminishing returns because all three are better on the ball and there’s just one of those. They are not great shooters, and Castle in particular is being used to hide centers and is being dared to shoot wide-open looks. Nothing too surprising. There are enough good moments that suggest it can work given time, so there’s no need to change anything yet, but I expect the coaching staff to eventually send one of them to the bench to streamline lineups.
Tobias Harris is reportedly getting closer to returning to action. What role do you expect him to have, and whose minutes do you think will go down to make room for him?
Dubinski: Carter Bryant and Harrison Barnes have been averaging 8 mpg apiece, so most of that is probably gone (although I imagine Bryant will continue to his chances each game). Right now six players (the starters plus Julian Champagnie) are averaging 28-32 mpg, plus 22 for Keldon Johnson, and the only other player in double figures is Kornet at 14 minutes. I imagine it will be by committee that Harris gets his minutes, and we’ll just see a larger rotation with the minutes more spread out.
Barrington: Please, dear God, don’t let it be Devin Vassell. He’s been the second-best player on the team so far in the season.
What I think is going to happen is that all of the starters’ minutes will go down. Mitch Johnson has been playing playoff-style short rotations for most of the young season, and that’s not sustainable for 82 games. But I’m worried that there won’t be time for players like Carter Bryant and Tarris Reed to develop. I get that the coaches are trying to get the starters to develop rhythm in a new system, but hopefully, we’ll see more games where 10 or 11 players all get significant time on the court.
Gomez: I wouldn’t be surprised if the coaching staff experiments with his role early on. He’ll likely come off the bench initially, because that’s how the Spurs have been dealing with guys returning from injury, but I wouldn’t be shocked if he finds himself in the starting lineup at one point. Ideally, I think his best role would be as a secondary bench scorer next to one of the guards, but I won’t blame Mitch Johnson for trying a few things out before deciding what he wants the team’s main offseason addition to do. As for whose minutes he’ll take, I imagine Carter Bryant’s (a stint in Austin would probably be better for his development than minimal minutes with the big team) and Harrison Barnes’ mostly, but having another quality player available should help reduce the playing time of other guys who might need more rest.
The Miami Heat unveiled the new face on the bronze statue Friday, Oct. 30, sharing photos on social media. The work was done over the last few days behind a plywood box so nobody outside the Kaseya Center – the Heat's home arena where the statue stands – saw it until it was finished.
Only the head changed
The rest of the 8-foot statue still shows March 9, 2009. That night Wade scored 48 points, hitting a 3-pointer at the buzzer to beat the Chicago Bulls 130-127 in double overtime, before jumping onto a courtside table to tell the crowd whose house it was.
The Rotblatt Amrany Studio sculptors said they spent about 800 hours on the original, and Wade was involved the whole way. At the Oct. 27, 2024, unveiling, he called it "one of the best statues that's been created because of that it represents for us and for me." He said it was never meant to be an exact copy of his face. It was "the artistic version of a moment that happened."
The memes kept coming anyway.
"When you know everything that went into creating something, it's easy to defend the work," Wade wrote Friday. "It also belongs to Miami."
He said the Heat "listened and had honest conversations with everyone involved," before they agreed to redo the head. He also made a point of not blaming the artists.
"It's about being willing to listen," he wrote.
(Below, a meme after the original Wade sculpture was unveiled in 2024)
Sculptors Omri Amrany and Oscar Leon told The Athletic that seeing the piece at full scale in its permanent spot showed them where the portrait could be stronger. Their studio also made the Michael Jordan statue in Chicago and Kobe Bryant's statue in Los Angles.
Wade was the first Heat player to get one.
He's the franchise's all-time leading scorer and won three championships in Miami. He made 13 All-Star teams. The Heat retired his No. 3 jersey in 2020, and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023.
The Heat closed their post Friday with Wade's last line. So did he.
"Because it may be my likeness, but it will always be our house."
Lakers owner Mark Walter and venture capitalist Josh Kushner have agreed on all remaining terms of the $12.5 billion sale, sources confirmed to the California Post.
Kushner told Walter he has raised the money to complete the deal, according to sources.
Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter has finalized the sale of the Los Angeles Lakers. MLB Photos via Getty Images
Walter and Kushner met at Walter’s home in Florida, according to sources, where the outstanding terms were agreed upon.
Once the agreement of the sale is officially signed, the transaction will need approval from the NBA’s Board of Governors.
Any NBA ownership sale requires approval from at least three-quarters of the Board of Governors.
And the process for an ownership sale to be approved and official takes time.
Mark Walter’s sale of the Lakers was officially agreed on with Josh Kushner. Getty Images
The Board of Governors approved the sale of the Lakers from the Buss family to Walter on Oct. 30, 2025, 4 ½ months after Walter agreed to buy the franchise.
The Trail Blazers sale to an ownership group led by Tom Dundon wasn’t approved until March 30 after Dundon agreed to buy the franchise in mid-August of last year, 7 ½ months after the original agreement.
And it took five months for the Celtics sale to an ownership group led by Bill Chisholm to be approved by the Board of Governors.
Kushner’s previous experience as an NBA owner could expedite the process. He became a minority owner of the Grizzlies in 2019 before selling his share to become a minority owner of the Heat in May 2025.
Meanwhile, there’s unresolved drama between Lakers’ governor Jeanie Buss and her five siblings who make up the Buss Family Trust — Johnny, Jim, Janie, Joey and Jesse — after they voted to sell the family’s 17.8% ownership stake of the Lakers to Kushner and Iger.
Buss is attempting the block the sale and filed a petition in Los Angeles Superior Court in late August.
To remain the Lakers’ governor, Jeanie or the Buss family would need to maintain control of at least 15% of the franchise, per NBA rules.
Jeanie and the Buss siblings have a hearing scheduled for Dec. 8.
The agreement between Kushner and Walter won’t be impacted by the Buss legal battle.
Now that the Warriors have won two straight games after starting the season 0-3, rookie Yaxel Lendeborg is officially winning on and off the court.
Lendeborg (averaging 22.6 points, 9.2 rebounds and four assists through five games) has been dating Tacarra Shyann for over a year, as the couple met right before his final season at Michigan.
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, right, talks with forward Yaxel Lendeborg during an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, in Phoenix. AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin
Shyann seems to be soaking up her newfound attention from being an NBA WAG, as he made an Instagram post on Wednesday in which she was posing in a racy red dress.
“covergirl,” the post was captioned.
Yaxel Lendeborg’s girlfriend, Tacarra Shyann, posing for a photo in a red dress. (Instagram/@tacarra.shyann).
The top comment on Shyann’s photo is from Lendeborg, who posted a GIF of Roddy Piper’s character from the 1988 movie “They Live.”
In the clip, Piper is taking off his sunglasses as if he’s reacting in disbelief to what he sees. Therefore, Lendeborg is essentially saying that he can’t believe his eyes over his girlfriend’s photo.
Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg’s comment on his girlfriend Tacarra Shyann’s Instagram post. (Instagram/@tacarra.shyann).
Shyann admitted back in June that Lendeborg initially slid in her DMs, which is how they met and started dating.
The couple is still clearly going strong, and Lendeborg’s impressive performances for the Warriors suggest that Shyann will go to a lot of Warriors games in the years to come.
Oct 21, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Sergio de Larrea (55) wears a debut patch on his jersey and defends against Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) during the game at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Houston Rockets vs. Dallas Mavericks
October 30th, 2026
Location: American Airlines Center — Dallas, Texas
Time: 7:00 PM CST
TV: Space City Home Network
Radio:KBME Sports Talk 790 / KLTN 102.9 (en español)
Probable starting lineups
Rockets: Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Kevin Durant, Tari Eason
Mavericks: Kyrie Irving, Max Christie, Cooper Flagg, PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford
Can the Rockets stay undefeated? Tune in tonight and come chat with us at TDS on on the SB Nation App!
Lendeborg spoke with Luca Evans of the San Francisco Chronicle and told him he is “going to stay true to myself” when asked about potentially taking media training.
“I’m not doing that, man. I’m going to stay true to myself and be honest. I’ve seen plenty of interviews where people are talking and it’s like, ‘Man, I don’t want to watch this,’ you know what I mean? And it’s not like I’m click-baiting or click-farming or whatever the heck people are saying. But it’s like, that’s honestly how I feel.”
Warriors’ Yaxel Lendeborg refuses to get media trained. NBAE via Getty Images
Lendeborg continued, “I’m not gonna lie about it. I’ve never been a liar. So, just tell the truth.”
After Lendeborg finished playing his first NBA game against the Lakers last week, he told the California Post’s Evan Webeck and other reporters that he “lost all respect” for Luka Doncic.
Lendeborg claimed that during the Warriors’ 127-105 loss, Doncic was “flopping, a lot of foul baiting, a lot of praying to the ref.”
Yaxel Lendeborg guarding Luka Doncic during his NBA debut. NBAE via Getty Images
This isn’t the first time Lendeborg has made some questionable comments as well.
After he was selected with the 11th pick in the NBA draft last summer, Lendeborg told reporters that he grew up hating Warriors icon Steph Curry.
During the 2010s, Lendeborg grew up as a Cavaliers fan and was a “big Kyrie [Irving] guy.”
His early teenage years saw Irving’s Cavaliers face off against Curry’s Warriors four times in the NBA Finals (2014-2018), which included Golden State winning three of those matchups.
Warriors’ Yaxel Lendeborg scores 26 points during Wednesday’s game against the Timberwolves. NBAE via Getty Images
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MARCH 07: Daniss Jenkins #24 of the Detroit Pistons passes around Michael Porter Jr. #17 of the Brooklyn Nets during the second half at Little Caesars Arena on March 07, 2026 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. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Detroit Pistons have run quite a gauntlet to start the season, playing Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Miami Heat, the title-seeking Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers, the defending champion New York Knicks, and the frisky Charlotte Hornets. Today, they play one of the only two winless teams in the NBA in the Brooklyn Nets. I’m not saying the Pistons can’t lose — every team in the NBA is capable of beating every other team in the NBA on any given night. But hopefully, tonight is the kind of game where the Pistons find plenty of time for rookie Ebuka Okorie, and it is because there is plenty of garbage time in the fourth quarter, and that garbage time is because the Pistons are way ahead. It’s also technically the start of NBA Cup play, which, I guess, matters to some people for some reason.
Game Vitals
When: 7:30 p.m. ET Where: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York Watch: TV: TV20 Detroit | Streaming: DAZN-Det Odds: Pistons -7.5
Projected Lineups
Detroit Pistons (4-1)
Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, John Collins, Jalen Duren
Brooklyn Nets (0-4)
Mikel Brown Jr, Nolan Traore, Michael Porter Jr, Julius Randle, Day’Ron Sharpe
They didn’t get Giannis Antetokounmpo. They didn’t get LeBron James. Their offseason was widely viewed as underwhelming.
But Lendeborg has surpassed expectations and is helping prop the window open for Steph Curry and Draymond Green to play meaningful basketball this season.
Golden State Warriors forward Yaxel Lendeborg (1) dunks against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center in Minneapolis, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Warriors chose to draft Lendeborg with the No. 11 pick because they needed someone who could contribute right away. He had just carried Michigan to an NCAA championship. They hoped the 24-year-old would be NBA-ready.
Their gamble paid off.
Lendeborg is averaging 22 points on 47.5% shooting, 9.2 rebounds, four assists and one steal for the Warriors, who have won two games in a row to improve to 2-3 before Friday night’s game against the Lakers.
The 6-foot-9 forward is the first player since Shaquille O’Neal to average at least 20 points and nine rebounds in his first five games.
He joined Patrick Ewing, David Robinson and O’Neal as the only players in the draft lottery era to have at least 85 points and 35 rebounds in their first four games.
“The Golden State Warriors [have] found the next face of the franchise,” Draymond Green recently said on his podcast, “The Draymond Green Show.”
With Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody sidelined for the first few months of the season because of injuries and Kristaps Porzingis out indefinitely because of an undisclosed health-related issue, the Warriors have desperately needed Lendeborg.
He has answered the call with an early Rookie of the Year campaign, giving Curry a reliable second scorer.
When Butler returns, the Warriors could be a formidable team. If they can make the playoffs, a lineup of Curry, Green, Lendeborg and Butler could make some noise.
Lendeborg is skilled. He’s unafraid, so much so that he’s willing to trash talk Luka Doncic and then say that he “lost all respect for him” because of his “whining.” And he’s meeting the moment.
Yaxel Lendeborg #1 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center in Minneapolis, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
It’s a giant sigh of relief for Curry, who’s turning 39 this season and wants to play competitive basketball after carrying the Warriors to four championships over eight years from 2015-2022 before they failed to advance past the second round of the playoffs the last four seasons.
Lendeborg is quickly making a name for himself.
And he’s making things interesting for Curry, who scored 44 points, including a 19-point second quarter, to carry the Warriors to a 119-114 win over the Timberwolves on Wednesday.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, right, confers with head coach Steve Kerr during an NBA basketball game in Denver, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. AP Photo/David Zalubowski
Lendeborg wants to help make those stunning performances matter.
He wants to make sure the league’s modern-day dynasty remains relevant.
He wants to be Curry’s wingman, especially after witnessing his magic in person for the first time.
“I caught myself shaking my head like, wow, a couple times,” Lendeborg told reporters Wednesday. “But once he got out the game, it’s like this is my opportunity to help him out. Help his [greatness] be worthwhile.”
HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 21: Morez Johnson Jr. #14 of the Dallas Mavericks plays defense during the game against the Houston Rockets 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 Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks (3-2) host the Houston Rockets (5-0) in the first game of NBA Cup Group Play on Friday night. The Dallas Mavericks are coming off a dominating win on Wednesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Rockets are undefeated through five games, most recently dismantling the Milwaukee Bucks by over 30 points. This is the first game of Group Play for the NBA Cup. Here is what else you need to know!
WHO: Dallas Mavericks vs Houston Rockets
WHAT: NBA Cup Group Play!
WHERE: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
WHEN: 7:00 pm CST
HOW: KFAA and League Pass
As of the 3pm CST injury report, Dallas will be without what’s become the regular group of guys. Santi Aldama and Tarik Biberovic are listed as doubtful, which all but rules them out. It is a positive change from the usual “out”, but they still won’t play. Sergio De Larrea will miss the game with his knee sprain. Naji Marshall is questionable after missing the last two games due to illness.
For the Rockets, Steven Adams and Reed Shepard will miss this game due to injury. Alperen Sengun and Marcus Smart are both listed as questionable for this game.
It’s difficult for me to give an assessment here on what might happen. Houston is the better team, one of the last two undefeated teams in the league, but Dallas has been punchy since losing to the Rockets in game one. Adams being out gives Dallas a better chance, but the Mavericks must play better defense on Kevin Durant. If Durant has an off game and Flagg and Kyrie play well, Dallas has a very good chance. Either way, this team has become must watch TV.
Since you’re here checking out this post, it’s for one of two reasons.
Injury report news
Discussion and comment thread
If you’re part of the former, please consider signing up for an account. You get way fewer ads, and you can comment! If you’re part of the latter group: GO GET THE APP. I’m serious. The app has some real-time features specifically for game threads like this one and you can comment and get notified really, really easily. It’s part of what’s keeping this whole series of sites going. So go do it for us and in doing so, you’ll see why the experience is simply better.
Consider joining me on Pod Maverick live after the game on YouTube; I will be going live tonight, and I need y’all to join and participate!
Ja Morant is expected to miss at least one month due to his latest injury.
Ja Morant’s first season with the Trail Blazers is already on hold.
Add him to the list.
The two-time All-Star suffered a Grade 2 left hamstring strain during Thursday’s 124-103 loss to his former team, the Grizzlies, on Thursday and will be re-evaluated in four weeks, the Blazers confirmed.
Morant, 27, sustained the injury midway through the fourth quarter as the game began to get away from Portland. He was seen grabbing at the back of his left leg mid-action.
Ja Morant finished with 14 points against his former team in Thursday’s game. Getty Images
He exited with 7:46 remaining and was examined on the bench before being ruled out.
An MRI subsequently confirmed the injury, which will likely hold him out of action for at least another month.
Morant finished with 14 points, three assists and went 2-for-5 from 3-point range in 23 minutes.
Morant’s latest setback follows several injury-plagued seasons that contributed to Memphis trading him to Portland — along with the fact that he’s due about $97 million over this and next season.
He underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in January 2024 after tearing his labrum. He subsequently dealt with hip, ankle and other injuries before a left elbow sprain ended his 2025-26 season.
Morant appeared in just 79 games across his final three seasons in Memphis, a total also affected by suspensions due to his off-court conduct.
His availability, declining production, expensive contract and previous off-court issues complicated the Grizzlies’ efforts to trade him, and reportedly, there wasn’t much of a robust market available prior to the 2026 trade deadline, nor this past offseason.
Morant signed a five-year, $197 million extension in 2022 and received NBA suspensions of eight and 25 games in 2023 following separate incidents involving firearms displayed on social media.
Ja Morant is expected to miss at least one month due to his latest injury. NBAE via Getty Images
He averaged 19.5 points and 8.1 assists in 20 games last season. The assists matched a career high, but the scoring was his lowest since the 2020-21 season, Morant’s second year in the NBA.
Through four games with Portland, Morant averaged 15.8 points and 5.5 assists while shooting 42.9 percent from 3-point range, which would be a career-best tally if it stands.
His injury adds to a growing list of significant absences barely a week into the NBA season.
Thunder All-Star Jalen Williams suffered a fractured fibula and dislocated ankle that will sideline him for at least most of the NBA regular season, while teammate Cason Wallace is expected to miss several months with a torn shoulder labrum.
Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards underwent arthroscopic knee surgery and is expected to miss approximately two months.
