Luka Doncic during Friday’s 124-118 victory against the Portland Trail Blazers. AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
During Redick’s postgame news conference, Doncic’s head suddenly peeped out behind the Lakers’ curtain, where he was seen looking at Redick — who was in the middle of responding to a reporter’s question.
Doncic’s stealthy move paid off. Redick was unaware that he was being watched.
The reaction to Doncic sneaking up on his coach left Lakers fans in laughter on X, as @Gothgirlbabyy wrote, “that peeking behind the curtain is peak sneaky mode, did JJ actually notice or was he too focused .”
Another fan took a screenshot of the encounter and zoomed it in, where Doncic is seen with a blank face looking at his coach while he’s answering the question.
Doncic’s sneaky move came after he put together another statement performance, scoring over 50 points for the second time this season and having his fourth straight game scoring over 40 points.
Doncic is off to a hot start, leading the league with an average of 40.1 points. He also is averaging 7.8 rebounds and 7.7 assists through his first nine games, making him an early MVP candidate.
After the Lakers missed their first 15 3-pointers, Luka Dončić made the toughest one of the night so far with this ¾-court make right before halftime: pic.twitter.com/iLhXHyiw6c
SAN FRANCISCO – Winning six straight games is hard enough. Extending their win streak to seven straight looked like a walk in the park for the Warriors on Saturday night, until it wasn’t.
The Warriors started off extremely strong, just to watch a 16-point lead fade away. Contenders need to rise to the challenge and overcome adversity, and that’s what the Warriors did in a 126-119 overtime win over the Orlando Magic at Chase Center.
Beating the Magic gave the Warriors their first seven-game win streak without Jimmy Butler since January/February of their 2022 NBA championship season.
Steph Curry was incredible in the fourth quarter and overtime, as was rookie Yaxel Lendeborg.
The elder Curry scored a game-high 41 points on 13-of-19 shooting, going 5 of 10 from 3-point range and 10 of 10 at the free-throw line. Lendeborg added 23 points on 9-of-15 shooting and had eight rebounds.
There will be a lot to clean watching the film, but the Warriors will take a gritty win in the end.
Here are three takeaways from the Warriors improving to 7-3 on the season.
Leaning on Curry and Lendeborg
Winning time is where superstars are made. There’s nobody in the building that doubts Curry in the clutch. But every hero needs a co-star alongside him. For Curry, that’s a rookie wearing a cape.
The fourth quarter was won on the backs of a 38-year-old Curry and a 24-year-old Lendeborg in his 10th career game.
In the first three quarters, Lendeborg scored seven points and was a bit of an afterthought. Then in the fourth quarter, Lendeborg utilized his size and skill set to score nine huge points on a perfect 4-of-4 shooting. But this was another Steph Show for everyone to sit back and enjoy his 14 fourth-quarter points.
Between the two, Curry and Lendeborg combined to score 23 points in the fourth quarter on 8-of-9 shooting. Curry was on the bench when overtime began, coming in at the 3:48 mark with the Warriors ahead by two points. He and Lendeborg scored 12 of the Warriors’ 16 points in overtime to claim victory.
Concerning Stats
Winning the margins is a major talking point of Warriors coach Steve Kerr to have success. His team needs to take care of the ball, focus on hitting singles instead of home runs and win the possession battle. The Warriors didn’t execute those key parts of the game against a shorthanded Magic team that seemed to grab every loose ball.
Let’s start with turnovers. As the first quarter crept to a close, the Warriors began to get loose with the ball. And the theme continued in the wrong ways for the home team. By halftime, even with the Warriors enjoying a 16-point lead, they already had given up 10 turnovers for 14 points.
As the Warriors’ lead evaporated in the third quarter, they kept counting turnovers and were up to 14 for 18 points going into the fourth. But the Warriors only had one turnover between the fourth quarter and overtime, giving the ball away a total of 19 times for 26 points.
Another major area of concern was on the offensive glass. The Magic continued to keep possessions alive, and it finally caught up to the Warriors. While the Warriors came down with a lowly three offensive rebounds, the Magic secured a ridiculous 24, which helped lead to 33 second-chance points compared to the Warriors’ two.
Gui’s Rough Return
However he can, Gui Santos wants to help the Warriors win games. He was pushing through a left knee injury that held him back, and finally had to be told to take a seat. Santos missed the previous two games, both Warriors wins, before returning Saturday night.
He was back in the starting lineup, but couldn’t give the Warriors much. At all.
Santos played just 11-plus minutes and didn’t have much of an impact. Playing less than he usually would, Santos had more turnovers (two) than shots made (one). That’s in a game where he has just one rebound and no assists.
Defensively, Santos didn’t have much burst either. It’s clear he’s less than 100 percent, and the Warriors will need a much better version of him soon. Santos finished as a minus-4 with three points and didn’t leave the bench in the fourth quarter or overtime.
CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 6: The sneakers worn by Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics during the game against the Charlotte Hornets during the 2026 Emirates NBA Cup on November 6, 2026 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
DALLAS, TX - NOVEMBER 6: P.J. Washington #25 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots the ball during the game against the Utah Jazz during the 2026 Emirates NBA Cup on November 6, 2026 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks (5-4) took down the Utah Jazz (1-8), 112-100 on Friday night. The victory gets Dallas back on the right track after two-straight losses and gives the Mavs a 2-0 record in Emirates Cup play. Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving struggled a bit in the early going, but locked in down the stretch, while Morez Johnson, Jr. had the best game of his nascent NBA career.
We’re switching it up this time and using a numerical grading system on a 10-point scale to grade the players. Let’s get to the grades!
Kyrie Irving: 5/10
14 PTS / 2 REB / 2 AST / 3 STL / 0 BLK – 28 MIN
Irving was not sharp from the outset and had a difficult shooting night (7-of-20 overall; 0-of-3 from downtown). While that pulled down his grade, his all-out effort and hustle can’t be overlooked. All night, Irving was on the floor lunging for steals, going amongst the trees for a couple of boards and hitting a few key shots in the latter part of the game to keep the Jazz at bay. It was not his best shooting night, but Irving made up for it in other ways, particularly on the defensive end.
Cooper Flagg: 8/10
21 PTS / 10 REB / 7 AST / 3 STL / 1 BLK – 33 MIN
Flagg shook off the massive funk he was in during the prior two games, but it took him until the second half to do so. He was 7-of-16 from the floor, with most of the misses coming in the first half and got completely lost on a couple of defensive sets, but he persisted. When it was all said and done, he nearly put up a triple-double. Three turnovers and 1-of-4 shooting from deep didn’t help his grade, but this is the type of game that reminds you how special he is. He can have a rough half, yet end with a box score that looks great while having a true positive effect on the outcome of the game.
Caleb Martin: N/A
0 PTS / 0 REB / 0 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 11 MIN
We try to show courtesy to all starters by featuring them in our Grades coverage, but Martin simply can’t be graded. He missed a three-point attempt, committed two fouls and that’s about it. He gets saved from an apparent 1/10 grade because he played so few minutes. Martin has been fine this year and contributes in ways that don’t necessarily show in the box score, but one has to wonder if and when Zaccharie Risacher or Naji Marshall will start in his place.
P.J. Washington: 10/10
26 PTS / 6 REB / 1 AST / 1 STL / 1 BLK – 32 MIN
Washington is like a new man this season, especially of late. He has played great ball and looks fully engaged over the past few games. It also appears as though he re-worked his shot in the offseason, to positive effect. Against Utah, Washington was 6-of-10 from downtown and led all players in scoring. If he can be a bit more consistent with this type of play, he will add another dimension to the team on both sides of the ball.
Daniel Gafford: 6/10
7 PTS / 1 REB / 1 AST / 0 STL / 2 BLK – 18 MIN
Gafford had a quirky game. His stat line doesn’t blow you away and his single rebound is somewhat infuriating, however he only played 18 minutes. In that time, he was effective and did what the team needed him to do. His highlight was blocking a three-point attempt, picking up the rejected ball in stride and going in for a monster break-away slam to get the crowd into it.
Walter Clayton, Jr.: 7/10
12 PTS / 4 REB / 2 AST / 2 STL / 0 BLK – 23 MIN
If Clayton stays consistent, he is going to make Masai Ujiri, Mike Schmitz and Dusty May look like geniuses. On a team light on well-known guards, the Mavs front office picked up Clayton at the very start of the season and he’s been great for his role. He shot only 1-of-5 from deep Friday night, but has been on fire from range to this part of the season and still managed to hit 50% of his eight shots overall. He’s a capable player that can spell Irving and seeing him play well is no longer a surprise.
Morez Johnson, Jr.: 10/10
13 PTS / 17 REB / 2 AST / 1 STL / 1 BLK – 24 MIN
Johnson was an absolute beast. Compared to his first three games, Johnson looks like a different person. Whether it was shin splints early on or just acclimating to the NBA game, Johnson has experienced a major growth spurt. He is fouling less, playing better within the system and is much more explosive than he was early on. He was all over the boards, led the team in plus/minus with a +20 and was within the flow of the game throughout. This was a coming out party that was great to witness.
Final Thoughts
Dallas needed a win after getting smacked by the Kings and losing a close one to the Spurs. The Mavs couldn’t sleep on the single-win Jazz (who are probably better than their record) like they did with the Kings. It appears they learned from that experience and played through some struggles to pull away. This also gives them their second Emirates Cup win in as many tries, while boosting their point differential as well.
I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.
When Sam Hauser is busting out the binoculars celebration, you know the Boston Celtics are rolling.
Hauser did that after delivering a fancy one-handed dime to a cutting Derrick White as the Boston Celtics pushed their lead as high as 46 en route to a 119-80 thrashing of the Charlotte Hornets in an NBA Cup Group C battle on Friday night at Spectrum Center.
You won’t need binoculars for this eye-catching number: Hauser has now played a league-best 186 minutes, 37 seconds without a turnover this season.
Hauser has been credited with a total of 204 total passes this season without a single giveaway. On Friday night, he handed out three second-quarter assists as the Celtics piled up a season-high 33 helpers (on just 38 total makes) and padded their Cup differential against the injury-riddled Hornets.
Hauser’s overall stat line doesn’t jump off the page this year: He’s averaging 7.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists over 20.8 minutes per game. He’s shooting 40.8 percent while hoisting 5.4 3-pointers per game (and still holds the NBA record for 3-point rate with 84 percent of his total shot attempts coming beyond the arc).
But his impact is undeniable. The Celtics are outscoring opponents by 19.4 points per 100 possessions in Hauser’s 187 minutes on the court, and that number plummets to a mere +0.8 points per 100 possessions in his 250 minutes on the bench. A +18.6 net differential is the best mark among all Boston players.
In the 111 minutes that Hauser has shared the floor with Jayson Tatum, the Celtics are posting a sizzling 127.8 offensive rating and have outscored opponents by 26.9 points per 100 possessions. A Hauser/Tatum/White trio has posted a +52.8 net rating in 28 total minutes together.
It continues a career-long trend for Hauser of positively impacting winning by simply taking care of the basketball and spacing the floor. Hauser has ranked in the 97th percentile or higher in turnover rate in each of the last three seasons, turning the ball over on just 5.7 percent of possessions last season (35 turnovers in 1,934 minutes).
Hauser is never going to be mistaken for a point guard, but his ability to value the basketball matters when the Celtics want to dominate the possession game. He shoots when he has open looks, is a willing ball-mover when he doesn’t, and good things tend to happen when he’s on the court.
And every now and then he’ll throw a fancy dime worthy of breaking out the binoculars.
With the season being roughly one-tenth of the way through, I figured we could do a check-in on the two of the major offseason acquisitions, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Marcus Smart, who were signed to contracts paying them $3,524,115 and $6,064,00 this season, respectively.
Marcus Smart brings a lot more to the table for the Rockets than what appears in the box score. His defensive abilities, constant energy, and ability to make opposing guards miserable earned him Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2022. He brings another veteran presence to a young Rockets locker room. He will not be expected to score each night, but his ball-handling, shot creation, and the ability to make timely shots will make him a key piece of the Rockets’ rotation.
So far this season, Marcus is averaging 9.8 points, 2.5 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.3 steals while shooting 38.7% from three and 44.2% from the field. The field goal percentage is trending higher than his career average, as it three-point shooting, which is incredibly encouraging. Smart also had a stellar game vs. the Thunder, where he scored 24 points and made 7 three-pointers.
Bogdan Bogdanovic provides the Rockets with a specific set of skills
Houston needs perimeter shooting, and the 38% three-point shooter for his entire NBA career provides that. Bogdanovic can also create off the dribble at the second level of the offense and make shots when the main offensive players are on the bench or under heavy defensive pressure. He can create off the dribble at the second level of the offense and can make shots when the main offensive players are on the bench or under heavy pressure from the defense. This season, Bogdanovic is averaging 5.6 points per game, which does not seem like a lot, but he is shooting a blistering 45.5% from three. Any team can use that.
Bogdanovic is an excellent attacking addition to this year’s sqaud. He can shoot, create off the dribble and space the floor, so he meets many of the Rockets’ needs. However, his health and consistency will determine the effectiveness of this signing.
What is interesting about both of these acquisitions is the varying amounts of impact that each can bring to a game. Smart is brought in for his defense, energy, and leadership. Bogdanovic brings shooting, creation on offense, and floor spacing. Both players bring experience to Houston’s young core and can help ease the transition of some of the young players into more rotation minutes as they continue to grow. They can be of use to players like Reed Sheppard by having veteran players on the team to help support the young players and to allow for more flexibility with lineups.
Ultimately, the value of both of these players will be determined by how they perform in games of consequence. Houston is trying to build a team of players that can help get them past the first round in the postseason, not just a collection of veterans and youngsters. If I had to give a grade for the two signings so far, I would give the Bogdonovic signing an A, and the Marcus Smart signing an A- only because Smart has missed time with an injury already.
Thats all for today! Make sure to let me know what you all think about the signings in the comments, and as always make sure to check back at The Dream Shake for all things Houston Rockets coverage.
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 6: Adou Thiero #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers boxes out during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2026 Emirates NBA Cup on November 6, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
However, an ill-timed injury halted Thiero’s progress and kept him out of the opening weeks of the regular season. After some patience to allow swelling in his knee to go down, Thiero finally made his season debut in Friday’s win over the Blazers and looked like he hadn’t missed a beat from the preseason.
In only six minutes, Thiero’s impact was felt as he tallied four points, four rebounds and two assists. After the game, head coach JJ Redick was asked about his performance and got rave reviews.
“I thought his first two defensive possessions, he made mistakes and then after that he was awesome,” Redick said. “He literally did everything we asked him to do. He was great on the offensive glass. Even sometimes when we didn’t necessarily get the possession, he was tapping the ball and crashing.
“I thought the read he made out of the short roll, I think they blitzed three times in the first half and two of those were against him. He makes the short roll and he gets the lob. I thought he played a great game and, defensively, he was really good in the second half.”
Thiero came in late in the first quarter in the role previously held by Jarred Vanderbilt and immediately made an impact. Given his leaping ability, Thiero being the ball screener and roll man felt like an obvious fit.
The Blazers immediately tested him as they blitzed Luka Dončić, forcing Thiero to not just be in the right spot in the short roll, but then make a decision. He nailed both aspects, setting up Ziaire Williams for a dunk.
Shortly after, the Blazers opted for a more traditional pick-and-roll coverage. This time, Thiero rolled hard to the rim and caught the lob for an athletic finish.
“He did great,” Walker Kessler said of Thiero. “Obviously, we value Adou a lot. He’s a very physical player. Really talented, athletic player. I mean, that lob he caught is very, very impressive. He had a really good debut for the season.”
Thiero’s athleticism is unparalleled on the roster — and among the elites of the elite in the league as a whole — and offers the Lakers a different dynamic. Thiero as a screener and roller won’t always work as it did on Friday, but his athleticism and activity level will continue to jump off the screen.
The Lakers’ hope now is that he can stay healthy and start to stack positive performances in the regular season.
Welcome back to the Den. The Wolves are ten games in and their record stands at 7-3. Over that time the Wolves sprinted out of the gates, lost Anthony Edwards to dirty knees in need of a cleaning, and have mostly righted the ship. Their losses are on travel back-to-backs and their first game without Edwards where they didn’t even have a chance to practice before tip-off.
This team found something special in their first four games and then had their literal knees cut from them. Through the mire of the early season, as the rest of the league reels from their own injuries, the Wolves are looking for another new identity. An identity that does not include Edwards but prepares for his return.
As you can imagine, there are a lot of questions for this team to answer. Here are some of them.
Note: So much of this is small sample size theater.
1. Can Jonathan Kuminga keep this up?
It’s just flashes. He had similar highs in Golden State before cooling down. There’s no way he can keep this up. Here he goes again driving into traffic to get blocked… huh, nice pass. No no no, don’t shoot tha…SPLASH! Oh my gawd, he got up so high for that rebound.
This short-staged drama has occurred inside my head in nearly every game this year. In good games and bad, Jonathan Kuminga has shown up to do whatever is asked of him.
In every counting stat except points per game, Kuminga is averaging career bests; rebounds (5.7), assists (2.9), steals (1.2) and blocks (1.0). His highest BPM through his first five seasons was 0.1. This season he is at 2.9 and has his career first positive for Offensive Box Plus Minus (0.6).
Head Coach Chris Finch has heaped praise on JK. In Minnesota’s more read and react, flow, style, the Wolves starting power forward is emboldened to make a play when the ball finds him. His cuts aren’t always rewarded but it sends the defense into a panic and opens things up for his teammates. It also puts him in the middle of the floor to grab or poke out offensive rebounds.
I am running out of excuses for why it won’t last. After the first few games, I thought his play would disappear once the initial novelty of the season’s start wore off. It didn’t.
I thought he’d become more shot hungry and ball dominant when Ant went down. He hasn’t.
I thought he’d get worn down having to guard some of the best players in the league night after night. This might happen as the overlong season grinds on, but so far Kuminga seems to get up for the battle.
The hardest question might be coming, “Can the Wolves afford to keep Kuminga?“
2. What is Rudy’s purpose on offense?
The start of the season has seen a dramatic drop in Rudy Gobert’s points per game and his near league-best shooting efficiency. Gobert is averaging his fourth fewest shot attempts, second least points per game, the worst shooting percentage, and worst free throw percentage of his career.
It took one of the smartest basketball minds in Mike Conley over a year to learn how to play with Rudy. LaMelo Ball has had a scant few weeks to build chemistry. Combine that with the geometry of the floor and the defensive attention he is getting due to the sidelined Edwards, and it’s no surprise the lack of consistency.
The Wolves need Rudy to be effective on offense. The book is out on the big man. Good defenses know how to bait Minnesota into thinking Rudy is open and recover quick enough to force a turnover or an errant shot.
Which brings us to the question of how to effectively use Gobert on offense. There is space to use him in the pick n’ roll, but that has rarely been Finch’s play style of choice. He is averaging a career high in offensive rebounds and this is primarily where I want him to find his points.
Finishing those misses just as they bounce off or tipping them out to teammates to try again when defenders are too close to him. Don’t give them a chance to send him to the line.
He is very good at screening his teammates open and should continue to be used as the effective body in the way. This opens up Ball, Ayo Dosunmu, and Bones Hyland to get a screen assist into open triples. But this also pulls Rudy away from the hoop and the offensive boards that are his best offense.
Simple as it sounds his threat to roll is only as effective as his chemistry with his point guard. Until that firms up, he’s on cleanup duty.
3. What is a Ghost Screen?
The Wolves are getting spooky with a lot more ghost screens this season. This gambit, that asks a shooting threat to feint a screen before sprinting to the other side of the point-of-attack (POA) defender, is meant to short circuit a defense. In a fraction of a second, the ghost screener’s defender has to determine if they need to call for a switch if the screen gets set, or to chase after the shooter who has suddenly burst to a preferred place to spot up.
The Wolves are loaded with players who can quickly turn on the jets (I can’t recommend Ayo Dosumnu’s Player’s Tribune piece enough) and make this decision that much harder. Screens are overcome best when a defense is communicating. The threat of a ghost screen shortens that window for effective communication.
If the POA defender thinks a screen is about to be set, they might get ready to hedge for the incoming contact giving the ball handler enough wiggle room to drive. If the chase defender thinks a screen is being set, they might slow up enough to give the ghost screener a chance to find an open look. If a screen is set, the game flows into common pick n’ roll, one of the most tried and true means of creating advantages.
In the clip below, the Wolves use a combination of screens to break Orlando’s zone, a past bugaboo for Minnesota.
Armed with better outside shooting than the past two years, look for the Wolves to continue to haunt perimeter defenders with these scary non-screens.
4. Who else has come back from dirty knees?
Note: Every injury to a player is unique. No timeline to return or level of ability when returning is the same. An Achilles tear for Donte DiVincenzo and his play style is a completely different injury that an Achilles tear for Ariel Hukporti and how he approaches the game, despite hurting the same tendon.
The day after it was announced that Ant would get arthroscopic knee surgery, a friend of mine sent me a grim text. All he could think of was Grant Hill, Brandon Roy, and Penny Hardaway and the possibility that Ant’s career would be sapped from him like it had from those elite athletes.
I immediately texted back “What about DWade, Kobe, CP3?” After a brief internet search here are several NBA players who have undergone arthroscopic knee surgery who had some of their best years after the fact.
Kobe Bryant – Kobe had his first knee surgery in 2003, another in 2006, and another in 2010. In the midst of this string of surgeries he was an All-Star every year (despite the Laker bump, these were earned), won an MVP and was top five in MVP voting in all but one year, and made All-Defensive Teams in every year but one.
Dwyane Wade – DWade (a frequent Ant comp) had his entire left meniscus removed in 2002 while in college and went on to have a Hall of Fame career where he was unwillingly nicknamed Flash for how quick he was despite playing sans knee cartilage.
Chris Paul – Snitch Paul had arthroscopic knee surgery to repair a meniscus tear in 2010 while still with the New Orleans Hornets. As fun as he was on those Hornets teams, the Point God emerged into a force in the years after with the Lob City Clippers, Hardenball Rockets, and even made his first Finals with the Phoenix Suns, 11 years after the surgery.
Jimmy Butler – General Soreness had surgery on his right knee in 2018 while the Wolves were third in the Western Conference. He returned to help break the 14 year playoff drought. Jimmy has since been the driving force to two NBA finalist teams, never winning one. He adds multiple All-Star selection, an All-NBA selection, and an All-Defensive Team honor to his otherwise championship barren trophy case. I’m not bitter.
Jaylen Brown – Mr. Lamb Chops and Gravy had a knee procedure in the summer of 2025 and was back by training camp en route to being an All-Star, All-NBA 2nd Team, and sixth in MVP voting.
This surgery to clean up Ant’s knee will likely diminish Ant’s burst athleticism. He has moved his game to more outside shooting while maintaining a rim presence. If his downhill game is not as quick, it will hurt, but he’s also added a midrange for if the defender goes too far under that leaves him a three level problem for any defense.
Plenty of NBA greats have bounced back, here’s hoping Ant joins this laudable list.
5. What does this rotation look like fully healthy?
Ant is out for roughly two months. Terrance Shannon Jr. has missed two games with a hip contusion. Donte DiVincenzo is recovering from an Achilles tear with every intention of coming back this season.
In their absence the Wolves have slotted Ayo Dosunmu into the starting lineup. Bones Hyland is scoring the ball well. Jaylen Clark is getting into guys jerseys and hitting 41.2% of his threes on 2.1 attempts a game.
All of these players are competing with each other for minutes. While the deeper bench has done yeomen’s work to keep the Wolves head above water, they are not as good as the players whose minutes they are sopping up.
Finch is strict in his rotations. In the last three years, his starting lineups are in the top five for most used lineups in the NBA. If he gets a fully healthy team, Bones and Clark’s minutes will likely disappear all together. Ayo will move back into his sixth man role ready to be whatever his team needs of him.
Donte is the biggest question mark. He started all 82 games last season, but there is not a spot for him in this starting lineup. We also don’t know what he will look like coming back from such a devastating injury.
Sans LaMelo foul trouble giving Bones more minutes in the Raptors game, Finch has only given double digit minutes out to nine players before the injuries started. Joan Beringer’s minutes aren’t going anywhere. Trey Lyles has size, outside shooting, and has shown a predilection for being in the right place at the right time. Unless countering a specific lineup, his minutes stay the same.
Shannon figures to be the first cut in playtime with the Big Ragu’s return unless Finch expands his bench to ten. And yet, there are few players who could elevate TJ’s game better than Donte. An attacking TJ off a Beringer screen with Donte, Ayo, and Trey spreading the floor is tailormade to confound defenses.
On those nights where the injury report is blank, I hope Finch keeps the pedal to the metal with frequent rotations in the vein of Memphis Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo. The Grizz have 13 players averaging double digit minutes and only two players over 30 minutes a game, Cameron Boozer (32.3) and Ty Jerome (30.7).
The NBA season is grueling. We have seen year after year the Wolves struggle as the playoffs wear on. TJ, Bones, and Clark are good players, deserving of minutes that will keep the starters fresh for when they are needed most.
6. How do the Wolves compare to the rest of the league (through 10)?
Look here for the inarguable answers through the first ten games.
The Wolves are presently top five in the league in the following team categories:
Points per Game (5th)
Rebounds Per Game (1st)
Three Pointers Made (2nd)
Net Rating (1st)
Defensive Rating (3rd)
2nd Chance Points (5th)
Pull Up Shooting (5th)
Loose Balls Recovered (2nd)
The Net Rating stat is leaning heavily on Minnesota’s first three blow out wins. That said, they have only lost their games by a combined 17 points thus far. They are hitting plenty of threes. They are defending with energy and diving for loose balls. They don’t treat the game as something that should be handed to them like some legacy Ivy Leaguer applying at his dad’s company. They are battling for the ball and snatching it from less hungry competition.
7. What is the ranking of the Wolves’ ticket package/giveaways this season?
Gone are the days of XL T-Shirts and Howl Towels. The Wolves have overloaded this season with all manner of tchotchke, curio and baseball jersey to lure fans and collectors alike to home games. Most of these do not have an image released but give you just enough information to send your imagination whirring.
There is an entire series of baseball hats with design help from former Wolves vets. For Kevin Garnett’s jersey retirement, Minnesota has five unique pieces of career spanning collectible celebrating the Big Ticket’s accomplishments wearing 21. There are bobbleheads, blankets, and backpacks and way way way too many baseball jerseys. And here they all are, definitively ranked.
8. Why are there so many baseball jersey giveaway nights?
To begin, I know:
There are seven ticket package giveaways featuring a baseball jersey this season. In collaboration with local artists, this is what the Wolves are doing for their Artist’s Series this year. Each jersey, for a sport different than the one it is honoring, celebrates a societal cross-section; Latino Noche, Military Appreciation, Native American Heritage, Pride Night, Asian American and Pacific Islander Night, Black Excellence, and Inspiring Women.
I think the designs are fun. Each one is a variation with pin stripes in a variety of colors. Some of them have designs on the sleeve nodding to the theme of the night. All of them have “Wolves Basketball” on the back. And all of them are baseball jerseys.
I love the Artist’s series. I have purchased at least one shirt each of the last two seasons. I love that a local artist gets to put their stamp on the Wolves design. I love that several of the local artists are BIPOC and women creators. I love that they came in a variety of T-shirts, sweatshirts, and hats.
I just don’t understand the thought process in making seven different baseball jerseys. I don’t know enough about production costs, or textiles, so forgive my potentially ignorant question, but, wouldn’t a jersey with two less sleeves of material be cheaper while closer to the topic at hand? Can they not do basketball jerseys because of some contractual stuff with Nike? WHY!?
All that said, I think the Native American design is my favorite and I might need to get one.
9. Where are we at in the marathon?
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – NOVEMBER 02: LaMelo Ball #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates his three-point basket against the Milwaukee Bucks in the first quarter at Target Center on November 02, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Wolves have played ten games in 17 days. If losing Ant and TJ wasn’t enough, they have not had more than a day between games and twice have played in travel back-to-backs. All marathons are tough. Some like to remind you of that fact in the first few miles.
The giddy win streak to start the season, like those first marathon steps past gathered supporters, can make you feel invincible. Before you know it, you’re running faster than you can sustain and its only mile two.
This is not to say that what we saw in the first three games is unsustainable, but with Ant out, the team is grasping for an identity while still playing fast and loose. LaMelo is trying to play aggressive defense and fouling like crazy.
The race is still young though. The stored ATP that let the Wolves sprint out of the gate may be spent, but they have years of experience and the benefits of youth. In the first full month of the season, they are searching for a pace they can maintain.
The challenge of racing a marathon is knowing the line between speed and overheating. The Wolves need to keep chasing after rebounds and through screens without losing anyone else to injury. If the news of Donte’s return holds true, and Ant and TJ bounce back, they’ll get an injection of energy better than any banana or unsavory gel packet found along the march.
10. Where will the Wolves be at Game 21?
HOUSTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 04: LaMelo Ball #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots the ball against the Houston Rockets during the second half at Toyota Center on November 04, 2026 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images) | Getty Images
From now until the day after Thanksgiving (no it is not a holiday and you can’t make me recognize it as one) the Wolves take on a mix of the top and bottom of both conferences. They play nine of them at home. Here’s a snap shot of who they got.
The promise that the Utah Jazz were going to try this year has landed on its face due to injury and their inability to defend the point of attack. The Bulls are finally rebuilding. The Nets have five players in their sophomore season and only two of them get playing time despite their abysmal record.
On the challenging side of the opposition, Cooper Flagg looks incredible alongside the returned Kyrie Irving. The Mavericks are a deep squad and can hang around in any game. The Memphis Grizzlies, on the back of Ty Jerome’s electric start and the connective play of rookie Cam Boozer are near the top of the conference.
Portland Trail Blazer’s head coach Micah Nori returns to Minnesota for a home back-to-back. Nori has his team cooking, bolstered by Blazer legend, the renewed Damian Lillard.
The Knicks have started off shaky but can find their championship form on any given night. Finally, the Thunder are a battered and broken team that still boasts seven players that could earn starter’s minutes on most teams in the league.
With the Wolves only having one back to back in this stretch, and three days of rest between game 11 and 12 to rest and practice, I see the Wolves going into the month of December playing at the same pace, 14-6.
He had recently likened Luka Dončić to a supernova. He said you have to pick your poison against him.
So, when asked if he had any superlatives to offer following Dončić’s 53-point, five-rebound, five-assist performance in the Lakers’ 124-118 win over the Trail Blazers on Friday, Redick stumbled.
“Sure,” Redick said. “Sure.”
When a reporter started asking another question, he interjected.
“I’m going to just sit around, we’ll gather one day and come up with more superlatives,” Redick added. “So I’ll have more words ready. But for now, I don’t have any words.”
The hyper-prepared Lakers coach was finally ill-prepared for an assignment.
Redick isn’t the only person who has been left dumbfounded following Dončić’s blazing start to the season in which he’s averaging a league-leading 40.1 points, 7.7 rebounds and 7.6 assists.
In Friday’s game, Dončić passed Michael Jordan (347) for the most points scored in the firstnine games of a season since the NBA-ABA merger with 361 points.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic shoots a free throw during an NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers in Los Angeles, Friday, Nov. 6, 2026. AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
It’s the most points anyone has scored in the modern NBA since Wilt Chamberlain in 1962-63.
“I’m having a lot of fun,” Dončić said. “Obviously playing basketball, it’s a lot of fun for me. It’s more [fun] when you play like this and when you win games. So, it’s been like this my whole life. Basketball was my dream. Playing in the NBA was my dream. Just living my dream.”
The Lakers are living theirs, too.
The 27-year-old face of their franchise is having an MVP-caliber campaign while leading the Lakers to the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference with an 8-2 record.
No one expected the Lakers to be this good.
And no one expected Dončić to soar to the top of the MVP conversation after he hadn’t finished in the top two in voting ever in his career.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, left, drives to the basket against Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, in Los Angeles. AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
But if the first few weeks of the season have made anything clear, it’s that Redick needs to beef up his vocabulary. He needs to get a thesaurus. Dončić is skyrocketing, and he’s carrying the Lakers with him.
There were many incredible moments in the Lakers’ 16-point come-from-behind win over the Trail Blazers in which they stormed back after shooting 4-for-23 from beyond the arc in the first half, including missing all 15 of their initial attempts from that distance.
“Luka can do some things that maybe a handful, if not no one, can do in basketball,” Redick said.
Things only got more fun from there.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, left, shoots over Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, in Los Angeles. AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
There was a little mixup after Dončić notched his 11th 50-point performance in his career, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for 10th-most such games in NBA history.
It all started because Ziaire Williams couldn’t wait to congratulate Dončić.
So much so that Williams decided to interrupt what he thought was Dončić’s walk-off television interview with “NBA on Prime” by approaching him from behind, putting his hands on his shoulders and yelling, “Fifty ball.”
Only, there was a problem.
Austin Reaves was doing the interview. Not Dončić.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - NOVEMBER 4: Morez Johnson Jr. #14 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots a free throw during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on November 4, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, 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 Dallas Mavericks were in a funk for their past two games, with Kyrie Irving sitting one and Cooper Flagg having arguably the worst two-game stretch of his young career. Emirates Cup action raised the intensity and the Mavs stepped up to the tune of a 112-100 win Friday night.
63-45: Rebound disparity in favor of Dallas
For what felt like the first time in a long time, the Mavs dominated on the boards to the tune of +18 for the night. Dallas knew this was something they needed to work on and they answered the call Friday night. The cherry on top was that rookie Morez Johnson, Jr. led all players 17 boards!
20-5: Mavs’ second chance points advantage
All of those rebounds led to plenty of points for Dallas. They made the most of ending Utah possessions and extending their own possessions, outscoring the Jazz by 15 in second chance points.
31-14: Free throw disparity in favor of Dallas
The Mavericks got themselves to the line early and often, allowing them to keep the game tight in the first half. Utah was more efficient from the line, missing only a single attempt, but Dallas’ 80.6% (25-of-31) was more than enough of an edge, giving the Mavs a +12 advantage from the charity stripe.
9: Number of traveling calls
The game had an inordinate number of traveling calls; nine to be exact. In the flow of the game, it was quite noticeable and somewhat bizarre. The travel-happy referees were equal opportunity penalizers, handing Utah five of the infractions, and Dallas four of their own.
28-6: Mavericks scoring run
Dallas opened up a tight game in the third quarter and early part of the fourth. Reeling off a 28-6 scoring run, Dallas extended a one possession game to a 20-point lead. Utah responded with a couple of three-point makes and a smaller run of their own, but that 28-6 run proved to be the deciding factor in a Mavericks’ win.
The Mavs needed a win to wash away a bit of the stink from the prior two games and they did all the little things to make it happen against the Jazz. Dallas was locked in on the boards, got to the line, and put together a nice run to build a cushion that proved insurmountable for the Jazz.
I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.
PHOENIX, AZ - NOVEMBER 5: Oso Ighodaro #11 of the Phoenix Suns grabs the rebound during the game against the Orlando Magic on November 5, 2026 at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Kate Frese/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Phoenix Suns moved Oso Ighodaro into the starting lineup for Thursday’s win against the Orlando Magic. Many called for a change to the lineup (or multiple changes, which is another article for another day). He is a somewhat polarizing player, with staunch fans and outspoken skeptics. I’ll make a case for this being absolutely the right move for this team, right now.
Khaman Maluach is learning game by game. Working on his body (and hopefully hands) to get stronger. He has an awesome frame and, at 20 years old, is just beginning to learn the nuances of NBA success. He has a mostly high effort level and wants to be good. However, the NBA is littered with players thrust into action before developing properly – and then losing confidence, picking up bad habits. Time on the court in meaningful minutes is needed to progress toward the objective of becoming a solid NBA starting center. The current situation with Mark Williams out well into 2027 allows for consistent 15-20 minute nights. Handing the “starter” keys could put him on a path more closely aligned to former Suns top-10 pick Josh Jackson (sorry to those with draft PTSD here).
Back to Oso. The Phoenix starting lineup needs more connectivity and flow on offense? Check. Struggling horrifically on defense? Check. Per HoopsJunkie.io, Ighodaro’s on/off defensive rating of -17.2 points per 100 possessions ranks EIGHTH in the NBA! This is in spite of being a below-average defensive rebounder (141st in the NBA in DREB%). Keep in mind, he suffered a right oblique strain in the opener and is likely just rounding back into form now. I’ve referenced DARKO several times as a great tool to project overall player value at a moment in time.
Through last season, his projected value was steadily growing. Once fully healthy, it is reasonable to expect that progression to continue. He looks bigger and stronger. His turnovers are down. While the results are not there yet at the free-throw line, he looks smoother (and commentators have noticed the same). With a DARKO of 1.0, compared to a -1.6 for Maluach, the model predicts more positive impact on winning in the present.
Oso and Ryan Dunn, to an even greater extent early this season, are developing players. They show what development can look like for players drafted 40th and 28th, respectively. With his raw talents (drafted 10th) and willingness to work, Maluach’s ultimate success depends on development done the right way. This franchise needs Man Man to get there for the long run – and needs Oso right now to stabilize a starting lineup that was in disarray.
Lakers guard Luka Doncic makes a behind-the-back pass in front of three Portland Trail Blazers at Crypto.com Arena on Friday. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Ten games is too early for most valuable player conversation. Just don’t tell fans at Crypto.com Arena.
“M-V-P! M-V-P!” the Lakers faithful chant at Luka Doncic every time the Lakers guard toes the free-throw line.
After dropping a season-high 53 points during the Lakers’ 124-118 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday, Doncic is averaging 40.1 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.7 assists in a scoring binge for the ages. He’s the fourth Laker to have four consecutive games of 40 or more points. He’s the third to have seven games of 35 or more points.
And he’s doing it efficiently: Doncic’s sky-high shooting percentage dipped to 49.8% after an unusually cold 5-for-15 shooting night from three-point range Friday. He was still 12 for 18 from two-point range.
Here are three takeaways from Friday’s win:
Too early to tell?
Lakers guard Luka Doncic shouts after sinking a three-pointer that gave the Lakers a five-point lead over Portland in the third quarter Friday at Crypto.com Arena. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Walker Kessler just shook his head as he grasped for the right words. There might not be many more left to describe what Doncic is doing.
“He’s my MVP,” the Lakers center said eventually.
Being in the most valuable player conversation isn’t new for Doncic. The two-time scoring champion finished third in MVP voting in 2024 with Dallas. He averaged 33.9 points, 9.2 rebounds and 9.8 assists during the regular season, then led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals.
Each season the do-it-all guard is among the favorites to win the award. But Doncic’s early-season campaign feels different. Not only is Doncic in great shape, Portland coach Micah Nori said before Friday’s game, but Doncic also has the right pieces around him after the Lakers remade their roster to complement the star with floor-spacing shooters, strong perimeter defenders and a rolling center.
“It’s a perfect offensive storm,” Nori said. “He’s the MVP right now. Hands down.”
Lakers coach JJ Redick does not engage in MVP discussion until 50 games in, he said. When told Doncic topped NBA.com’s first MVP ladder Friday, the Lakers coach brushed aside any chance to make a grand proclamation.
In the premature MVP rankings, Doncic was ahead of San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama. The 22-year-old is averaging 29.1 points, 12.6 rebounds, three assists and 4.2 blocks per game.
Doncic’s 53-point outburst eclipsed Wembanyama’s 52 points the star center scored Wednesday for the highest single-game scoring performance this season. But Wembanyama also grabbed 24 rebounds with eight blocks in a historic statline matched only by Wilt Chamberlain.
The French superstar finished second in MVP voting last year and was the first unanimous defensive player of the year in league history. His outsized defensive impact was a significant part of why he entered the season as the betting favorite to win his first MVP.
Doncic, who didn’t get any votes from NBA general managers when asked in a preseason survey who they thought would win the MVP, said he’s determined to step up on defense for his team. He is averaging 1.7 steals per game, which ranks second among Lakers players. His four drawn charges is tied for most in the league.
“He has a pride and he has a hunger,” Lakers forward Sandro Mamukelashvili said of Doncic’s defense. “He has a will to not be labeled as that guy who you can just attack.”
Doncic is challenging Chamberlain’s stats on the offensive end. His 361 points through his first nine games are the most for a player since Chamberlain’s 472 points in 1962-63. No one has averaged 40 points over a season since the legendary center in 1963. The possibility has barely crossed Doncic’s mind.
“As long as we win, I’m good,” Doncic said.
The Lakers are 8-2 with the best record in the Western Conference. They have not started 8-2 since their last championship season.
Welcome back
Lakers forward Adou Thiero drives to the basket between Portland's Scoot Henderson (00) and Jrue Holiday (5) at Crypto.com Arena on Friday. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Adou Thiero had a loud four points, four rebounds and two assists in his long-awaited season debut Friday. The energetic forward missed the first nine games of the season because of swelling in his left knee. He didn’t waste any time reintroducing himself to the team, keeping a loose ball alive on his first offensive possession that led to an offensive rebound and a put-back from Mamukelashvili.
“He literally did everything we asked him to do,” Redick said.
The second-year forward has been hampered by his balky left knee since college, when he missed the end of his junior season after surgery. The procedure delayed the beginning of his rookie season and when he returned, a sprained MCL in his right knee knocked him out for six more weeks.
The injuries prevented Thiero from gaining any traction. This summer, when he had the longest stretch of sustained health during his short professional career, he could finally show teammates and coaches what he could do.
Thiero jumped out of the gym during practices. He smothered teammates while guarding the ball. He brought the same energy to the court Friday when it counted.
“We value Adou a lot,” Kessler said. “He’s a very physical player, really talented, athletic player.”
Defensive backup plan
Lakers forwards Ziaire Williams, left, and Sandro Mamukelashvili double team Portland guard Sidy Cissoko as he attempts a layup at Crypto.com Arena on Friday. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
The Lakers missed their first 15 three-point shots. It felt like a minor miracle they trailed by only seven at halftime.
The most dynamic offense in the league had to rely on its defense. The Lakers forced 24 turnovers and held the Trail Blazers (6-2) to 15 points in the third quarter.
“It’s nice to know when you’re not making shots that you can also rely on your defense to help keep you in the game,” said forward Jake LaRavia, who had seven points, eight rebounds and one steal.
The Lakers rank 21st in defensive rating, giving up 113.6 points per 100 possessions. They are one of the worst rebounding teams in the league, ranking 29th despite outrebounding the Trail Blazers by three. Their defense instead relies on blocks and steals.
The Lakers are tied for third in the NBA with 10.7 steals per game. Matisse Thybulle leads the team with 1.8 steals per game. Austin Reaves had a team-high four steals Friday.
SACRAMENTO, CA - NOVEMBER 6: Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs drives to the basket during the game against the Sacramento Kings during the 2026 Emirates NBA Cup on November 6, 2026 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, 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 Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Before the season and even into the first few games, critics have questioned the San Antonio Spurs’ four-guard starting lineup. However, through 9 games, that lineup has a +25.4 net rating in 95 minutes and has led the Spurs to a 7-2 start. The bench lineups, especially those without Victor Wembanyama, have caused the team issues. That was never more apparent than in San Antonio’s 124-109 thrashing of the Sacramento Kings on Friday night.
Let’s be honest about the Kings for a moment. They are a bad basketball team, perhaps not in talent, but in discipline and execution. They lose people on defense and take errant shots on offense. Yet, multiple times on Friday, they gained back ground with most of San Antonio’s starters off the floor.
Most of San Antonio’s mistakes come from defense, where too often players, especially on the wings, overhelp on a drive or watch the ball, letting the offensive player get an open three or cut to the rim and score over the top of Luke Kornet. San Antonio’s defensive lapses were a big reason the Kings shot 49% from the field and hit 46% from three. That second unit’s defensive issues don’t flip the game against the worst in the league, but against a legitimate, deep team, it could lead to a loss.
The Spurs will take a 15-point win on the road in their first NBA Cup game. But it’s hard to come out of that game feeling overly confident about the performance. San Antonio has won seven games in a row, but over half of those have come against teams under .500. A real test awaits them on Saturday in the red-hot Portland Trail Blazers. The Spurs’ second unit will need to step up its defensive play if they want to compete with another Western Conference leader.
Takeaways:
Devin Vassell is one of the most important players on the Spurs. Vassell is shooting 34.1% from three this season, well below his usual average, which has hurt San Antonio’s offense. When he’s hitting shots, like he did against Sacramento, the offense opens up a ton for the guards and Wembanyama to dominate the paint. Vassell had 19 points, hitting 5 of his 6 threes on Friday. His off-ball defense was solid, too. He did about all you can ask from a glue guy in the starting lineup. San Antonio will need more performances like these moving forward.
The Kings ran one of the weakest zones I’ve seen this season, and it led to a big run from the Spurs in the first half. That said, it made me realize that San Antonio is basically built to bust zone defenses. One, Wembanyama is kind of the ultimate cheat code to beat a zone. He can stretch it out on the perimeter or punish smaller players who get caught helping around the basket in the zone. Then, the Spurs have dynamic playmaking guards who are big and physical and can operate in the middle of the zone, a common weak spot in many zone defenses. Add in a couple of knockdown shooters like Vassell and Champagnie, and it becomes nearly impossible to run zone against San Antonio. The Kings tried, and failed to do so on Friday.
Stephon Castle had a rough defensive night, but made up for it with some of the best playmaking we’ve seen from him this season. He had 19 points, 7 assists, and 1 turnover in the win. One of those assists came on a beautiful inverted pick-and-roll with Wembanyama as the ball handler and Castle as the screener. Castle caught the ball on the short roll, did a 180-degree turn, and fired the ball to a wide-open Vassell for three. It was as close to the Beautiful Game Spurs as San Antonio got on Friday.
Harrison Barnes has earned his spot in the rotation lately, and one could argue he should be getting more minutes than some other bench forward on the roster. He had 13 points on 4-for-7 shooting on Friday against his former team. Offensively, he’s a savvy connective player who can take advantage of a defense that is out of position after one of the Spurs’ guards creates an advantage. He looks more like the Barnes we saw in his first season with San Antonio, rather than last year. He has essentially replaced Carter Bryant in the rotation, and it doesn’t look like he will be giving up that spot any time soon with how he is playing.
I’m interested to see how this team will look once Tobias Harris comes back (hopefully this month?). They desperately need another shot creator and capable defender in that second unit. I know a lot of people want to see him replace Vassell in the starting lineup, but it seems like he could provide even more value as one of the first subs in the game, then playing for a prolonged stretch alongside Kornet and one or two of the guards. The Spurs’ top free-agent acquisition should give them more of the versatility many thought the team would have going into the season.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 06: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots over Darius Acuff Jr. #5 of the Sacramento Kings during the second half at Golden 1 Center on November 06, 2026 in Sacramento, 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. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Coming off a thrilling win against the Dallas Mavericks, the Spurs traveled to Sacramento to take on the Kings in their first NBA Cup game of the season. From the opening tip, the Spurs’ offense showed no rust from Wednesday. They outscored the Kings 38-29 in the first quarter and took a 19-point lead into halftime. Despite a low-scoring third quarter, the lead remained the same as the Kings’ defense had no answer for the Spurs’ hot shooting from three-point range. They shot 50% (15-30) after shooting an abysmal 15% (5-36) against Dallas. The Spurs ultimately won 124-109, and extended their winning streak to seven.
Victor Wembanyama followed up his career-best performance of 52 points, 24 rebounds, and 8 blocks with 30 points (10-for-18 FG, 4-for-6 3PT, 6-for-9 FT), 14 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 assists. Despite Wemby’s Wilt Chamberlain-esque performance this past Wednesday, his three-point shooting was forgettable (1-8 3PT). Wemby quieted the critics who have wanted him to stop shooting threes by shooting a scorching 66% on four-for-six against the Kings.
Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper, and Devin Vassell each dropped 19 points to balance out the Spurs’ offensive attack. All three of them shot efficiently from the field: Castle shot 7 for 13 (54%), Harper shot 5 for 10 (50%), and Vassell shot 6 for 10 (60%), with five for six from three-point range (83%). It was a great sign to see Devin light the nets on fire after going almost scoreless against Dallas. His ability to spread the floor and get to his spots helps the three guards penetrate and kick out to him for an easy three-point laser. In some cases, his range might surprise you.
Dylan continues to be one of the best finishers in the league, and he got most of his buckets with ease against a Kings team with not a lot of defensive resistance. In transition, Dylan made rookie Darius Acuff Jr. look silly with a eurostep into a layup for two.
HIGHLIGHT OF THE NIGHT: Steph not only got his fair share of tough finishes and dimes (seven assists), but he put Dylan Cardwell on a poster. Cardwell had just scored on the other end and celebrated by wiggling his tongue out and slapping the floor in a defensive stance. Wemby and Steph both decided to humble with an AREA 51 lob but with Wemby as the passer. And one!
As stated earlier, the silver and black shot uber-efficiently from three, including down the stretch to close the game out. Harrison Barnes even chipped in 13 points with a pair of threes. This is when the team’s offense is at its best. Swinging the rock around and punishing the defense with open threes and great looks inside.
ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 6: Kingston Flemings #4 of the Atlanta Hawks handles the ball during the game against the Washington Wizards during the 2026 Emirates NBA Cup on November 6, 2026 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 6: Kingston Flemings #4 of the Atlanta Hawks handles the ball during the game against the Washington Wizards during the 2026 Emirates NBA Cup on November 6, 2026 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Hey, a win! The Brooklyn Nets entered Wednesday night’s game against the Charlotte Hornets searching for their first home win of the season. Thankfully for them, it finally came thanks to a big fourth quarter run as Brooklyn came away with a 114-104 victory.
Now, Brooklyn takes that momentum on the road, beginning a four-game trip against an Atlanta team coming off an offensive explosion. The Atlanta Hawks are hoping to go far in the postseason this year and position themselves for a promising future. They helped the cause with a 139-132 victory over the Washington Wizards on Friday night.
Game Info and Details
Matchup: Brooklyn Nets (2-6) vs. Atlanta Hawks (6-4)
Time: 7:30 PM EST
Location: State Farm Arena (Atlanta, GA)
Watch: YES Network, DAZN, NBA League Pass
Listen: WFAN Radio
Nets vs. Hawks Injury Report
Brooklyn Nets
OUT – Egor Demin (right bone bruise)
Questionable – Drake Powell (G-League assignment)
Atlanta Hawks
OUT – Jalen Johnson (left ankle sprain)
OUT – Jock Landale (left hip strain)
OUT – Mouhamed Gueye (left foot fracture)
OUT – Keshon Gilbert (left knee inflammation)
OUT – Asa Newell (left great toe hyperextension)
OUT – Henri Veesaar (right ACL tear)
This night one of a back-to-back for Brooklyn. We’ll see if anything changes before tip-off.
The Game
The Nets are on the first night of a back-to-back and first game of a four game road trip. They’ll head to Dallas for a Sunday evening matchup with the Mavericks.
The Hawks are on the second night of a home back-to-back. They wrap up their brief three game homestand on Monday night against the Los Angeles Lakers. They hope to do something big this spring, but they have their doubters. From Ricky O’Donnell at the mothership:
“This team doesn’t have enough force going to the basket, and the defense isn’t anything special despite generating a lot of takeaways and forcing misses from three. The Hawks look mid as always.“
We shall see.
It takes time to get used to someone in a new role. We’ve spent so much time with Nickeil Alexander-Walker being a solid bench role player that it’s still somewhat surprising to see him operate as a high(er) usage wing as a starter. Alexander-Walker won the Most Improved Player award last year and he’s carried that success over to this year. He’s averaging a career best 22.3 points per game, and most impressively is getting to the line over four times a game. When Johnson returns, we’ll see how the Hawks look to climb the standings.
Nolan Traore keeps stacking good days together. The second year guard had another good game as a starter on Wednesday night and he’s making a great case to remain the starter once Egor returns. Traore can get to the rim and is second on the team in drives per game.
Player to watch: Kingston Flemings
We’ll get to watch a rookie who finally made his way into the starting lineup.
CJ McCollum requested that he come off the bench and the kid gets to start. With the Hawks looking to establish their future, a selfless decision like that from McCollum will go a long way in establishing Flemings as a key player going forward. For Atlanta, finding out what they have in Flemings will go a long way in determining their future. He’s played over 23 minutes in four out of the last five games and with this being night two of the b2b, we’ll see how long Quin Snyder plays him for.
Mikel Brown Jr is not on the injury report, so he’ll play tonight and will more than likely sit tomorrow night in Dallas. The Nets are continuing to build Brown Jr and trust that his growth will lead to an exciting future. The drives are there, but if the three pointers start to become consistent, the sky is the limit for him and the Nets. It’s all about making the most of the opportunities that are available to you.
From the Vault
Last weekend, the Atlanta Dream fell short in Game 7 of the WNBA Finals against the Golden State Valkyries. The last do-or-die game to decide the W Finals was a pretty celebratory occasion around these parts.
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