Over the past few years, the Celtics have seen a lot of guards come and go. Marcus Smart, Malcolm Brogdon, Jrue Holiday and Anfernee Simons have all come in and eventually been shipped out.
In that timespan, both Derrick White and Payton Pritchard have remained in green. Pritchard, a 2020 draft pick, and White, acquired at the 2022 trade deadline, have been the guards Boston has chosen to lead them going forward.
However, to start this season, neither of them are playing very well.
Neither White nor Pritchard have gotten off to the starts Boston was looking for. White has averaged 11.1 points and 4.9 assists, shooting 44% from the field and 32% from three while Pritchard has averaged 13.4 points and 3.4 assists, shooting 40% from the field and 31% from three.
Unfortunately, Boston doesn’t have a ton of depth at the point guard spot. Baylor Scheierman is much more of a 2-guard or a wing than a point guard and Mike Conley is 40-years-old.
CLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 08: Devin Carter #99 celebrates with Mike Conley #45 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter of a preseason game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena on October 08, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Celtics defeated the Cavaliers 124-113. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Devin Carter is another option, but he has yet to play this season due to mononucleosis and could have a role when he returns. With that said, he is a two-way guard who hasn’t had a good start to his NBA career so we shouldn’t be putting too much stock in him.
Boston needs the improved play to come from White and Pritchard. Those are the guys they have invested in.
For Pritchard, he needs to be more aggressive. Joe Mazzulla should be starting him, but that is a different conversation. Regardless, the Celtics need Payton to be a big scorer for them, in whatever role he is in. So far this season, Pritchard is averaging 10.3 shots per game, below both his 2024-25 and 2025-26 averages. If you remove the two games against the Bulls, Pritchard is averaging 7.8 shots per game, along with just 7.2 points.
That cannot happen on this team. In an ideal world, Pritchard is the Celtics number 2 offensive option behind Jayson Tatum, to take pressure off of White and Paul George. He isn’t going to be that without being aggressive.
Derrick White has always been more of a defensive player than offensive player, and so far this season, the Celtics have been a worse defensive team with him out there. According to databallr, Boston is 4.8 points better in 131 minutes with White on the bench than they are in the 210 minutes White has been on the court. It’s a small sample size, but I’m not too concerned.
I am worried about is his three-point shot though. Since the start of last season, D-White’s three-point shot has fallen off of a cliff. In the three seasons prior to last year, he shot 39% from three in the regular season. Since the start of last season, White has shot 33% from beyond the arc. He needs to make more threes than he has over the past year plus.
White and Pritchard are too talented and too good to play this poorly all season. Water typically finds its level with this stuff and I expect it to do the same here. If they don’t start playing better, however, it will be very hard for the Celtics to accomplish anything real in April and May.
Hype surrounded the 2026 NBA Draft class, and many top prospects are living up to the noise two weeks into their careers. Some of these names have been known throughout their high school days and college, but the pros is a whole new level of a leap. This isn’t summer league anymore, it’s the real deal.
Every rookie goes through a learning curve. There will be highs and there will be lows. These special talents also are bringing exciting levels of optimism for their teams and finding themselves all over highlight reels.
Who has stood out most? And where does Warriors No. 11 pick Yaxel Lendeborg fit in our first edition of Rookie Watch? Let’s take a look.
All stats are current through Nov. 3.
5. Darryn Peterson, G, Utah Jazz
Stats: 7 G, 13.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.3 apg, 1.3 spg
The No. 1 pick, AJ Dybantsa, isn’t listed since he only has played three games. Peterson, the No. 2 pick, hasn’t exactly dominated to begin his career. But he’s starting to string together some solid games.
Peterson in his last game had three steals and three blocked shots, and has five straight games with at least one steal – including two three-steal games. After two single-digit games in his first three games, Peterson in his last four games is averaging 15.5 points while shooting 44 percent from three (11 of 25).
4. Darius Acuff Jr., PG, Sacramento Kings
Stats: 7 G, 26.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 6.3 apg
There’s no doubt Acuff will go out and get his. Acuff leads all rookies in points and assists per game. He looks like a mixture of Stephon Marbury and Steve Francis and already has three 30-point games, five 20-point games and is averaging 7.4 assists over his last five games.
But his stats are devoid of wins and efficiency. Acuff scored 25 points on 21 shots to give the Kings their first win after losing their first six games. He leads the league in shots per game (23.6) and is shooting just 40.6 percent from the field and 31.3 percent from 3-point range.
It’s hard to be a minus-45 in 32-plus minutes, yet that’s what Wilson did in his NBA debut. He was a minus-20 in his most previous game and the Bulls are an ugly 1-6. His talent also is undeniable.
Wilson ranks second in points per game and third in rebounds per game, all while having the most steals (14) and second-most blocks (nine) among rookies.
2. Cameron Boozer, PF, Memphis Grizzlies
Stats: 7 G, 17.7 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 5.6 apg
Boozer is much more a 1B than in second place here. Maybe he’s even a 1A-minus. Regardless, this debate comes down to Boozer and the talk of the town in the Bay Area.
Like Wilson, Boozer didn’t have a great debut, except he was a plus-32 in a win. Boozer has been a plus-45 on the season for the upstart Grizzlies and has a 2.9 box plus/minus. He was great against the Warriors in his second career game (25 points, 13 points and six assists), but he did have six turnovers and has three high-turnover games.
As a polished 19-year-old, Boozer is fifth in points per game for rookies, first in rebounds per game and second in assists per game. He’s shooting just 38.5 percent, but has a 37.2 3-point percentage.
1. Yaxel Lendeborg, F, Golden State Warriors
Stats: 8 G, 21.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 3.9 apg,
The rapid emergence of Lendeborg has completely shifted the Warriors’ outlook on the season. They came into the 2026-27 campaign with their backs against the wall already being down Jimmy Butler, Moses Moody and Kristaps Porziņģis. Lendeborg already has erased many of those sour feelings and brought a renewed sense of joy to the Warriors’ fanbase.
Combining his size, skill and feel for the game, Lendeborg has been a force offensively. He had one 30-point night in 112 games between UAB and Michigan and already dropped two of them in his first seven NBA games. Steph Curry has his co-star again, and he just happens to be a rookie. The Warriors’ rookie record books are becoming a revolving door of Curry, Lendeborg, Rick Barry and Wilt Chamberlain.
Lendeborg has a chance to be the Warriors’ first Rookie of the Year since Chris Webber in 1993-94. The last three rookies to average 20 points and seven rebounds in a season were Victor Wembanyama, Luka Dončić and Joel Embiid, and Lendeborg would be the highest scorer among the four of them.
Used as the Warriors’ second scoring option, and often even their first, Lendeborg is shooting 50 percent from the field and 40 percent from deep on more than six 3-point attempts per game. Lendeborg ranks third among rookies in points per game, second in rebounds per game and fifth in assists per game, plus he also has the third-most steals, and the most free throw attempts and makes.
After taking care of business at home, the Lakers (6-2) head to Sacramento where they will take on the Kings (1-6) for the first time this season. Both teams enter this matchup coming off wins.
Start time and TV schedule
Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Sacramento Kings
When: 7 p.m. PT, Nov. 4
Where: Golden 1 Center
Watch: Spectrum Sportsnet
The Lakers responded to their worst loss of the young season by stringing together two straight victories, which wasn’t an easy task considering that it happened in back-to-back games. Led by Luka Dončić, who is just scorching hot right now, Los Angeles stands at 6-2.
Simply put: if the Lakers continue to perform and win at this rate, there’s little doubt they can secure a top-four spot in the Western Conference, health permitting. A big part of their success in finishing among the West’s top four over the last couple of seasons has been their ability to take care of business against teams lower in the standings.
Enter the Kings, who have had a tough start to their season. Sacramento has won only one of their first seven games. They’re 22nd in the league in points per game and are ranked 25th in offensive rating. The team is led by veterans Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis, but so far it’s their rookie Darius Acuff Jr. who’s stealing the limelight. Acuff Jr. is averaging 26.1 points per game, so he’ll certainly be high on LA’s scouting report.
That said, there’s really no excuse for the Lakers to lose this game. They should be better in every facet and, while it’s tougher to beat opponents on their home floor, Los Angeles’ firepower should be enough to propel them to a win. Ideally, it’s the type of victory that won’t see Dončić play more than 36 minutes and that sees contributions across the board.
Maybe this is the perfect time for some of the role players to break out. Perhaps it’s an opportunity for Quentin Grimes and Colin Sexton to regain his shooting rhythm or maybe a monster-like game for Walker Kessler, who held up very well against Giannis Antetokounmpo in the win against the Miami Heat.
Jake LaRavia — who has been playing really well to begin the season — should be able to continue making his presence felt while Sandro Mamukelashvili and Jarred Vanderbilt will be given the opportunity to do so. And how about a proper debut for rookie Cameron Carr? It would be nice to see him go up against Acuff Jr.
We’ll see who comes up big for both teams as Pacific Division teams battle it out on Wednesday.
Notes and Updates
Aside from having the 25th best offensive rating in the league, the Kings also don’t rebound the ball well (27th), just like the Lakers.
For the Lakers’ injury report, only Adou Thiero (left knee injury management) is listed as out.
As for the Kings, Keegan Murray (left ankle capsulitis), Maxime Raynaud (right patella subluxation) and Ben Simmons (right achilles tendon repair) are out. Precious Achiuwa (left ankle soreness) is probable.
CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 28: Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks drives to the basket during the game against the Chicago Bulls on October 28, 2026 at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
One of the most dreaded speeches a head basketball coach has to make is the one where he talks up an obviously overmatched opponent. He knows the other squad will have plenty of trouble hanging with his ball club even on a good night. On a regular night, his troops would trash the opposition worse than the Globetrotters ever did the Washington Generals. Yet he also knows that complacency can ruin the best game plan and that arrogance has led many teams down the road to hell. Luckily for Mike Brown, he has recent history on his side for his pep talk about the Chicago Bulls.
Those very ballers nearly pulled off the upset against your world champions Knicks last week. Although it came on a second night of a back-to-back and in the not-so-friendly confines of the United Center, the warning should still resonate with the Bockers before they host one of the league’s worst teams. Even if you could argue there isn’t anybody worse than Thiago Splitter’s young group so far this year.
Sitting at the bottom of the league at 1–6, the Bulls have already lost games by 19, 35, and 43 points and sport the worst point differential in the NBA. Yes, even the Sacramento Acuffs have Chicago beat in that regard. While the offense at times actually looks serviceable, the defense has been nothing short of abysmal. They allow 128.8 points per contest, and games against them regularly turn into a shootaround for the opposition. Defending downtown has been especially tough, with teams nailing almost 40 percent of their long-range shots against Chicago. Yes, they’ve faced some stiff competition, but come on.
Bulls come to MSG on a 5-game losing streak
People in the Windy City are fairly relaxed, though. With a new coach and a young star in the fold, 2026–27 was always going to be a rebuilding year, one they sorely needed after what felt like a decade of drowning in mediocrity. Caleb Wilson, the fourth overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, has been as good as advertised early on and finally gives Chicago fans something to look forward to. The former UNC highflyer is hardly efficient yet, makes plenty of rookie mistakes, and at times doesn’t really know what this basketball thing is that he’s doing out there. But man, does his game look promising.
NBA Finals Game 1 Player Correspondent Caleb Wilson reacts to Jalen Brunson’s clutch jumper in crunch time 🤯
Wilson is an ultra-modern combo forward with world-class athleticism and a good, determined head on his shoulders. He plays extremely hard, looks to be enjoying himself a ton out there, and seems to possess a drive you usually find only in the cream of the NBA’s crop. If he adds a few pounds and works on his jumper, it’s easy to see the 20-year-old becoming the centerpiece of whatever the Bulls envision for their future.
The same can’t be said for Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis, also two promising young players who have struggled under new head coach Thiago Splitter. Giddey’s scoring has dropped from 17 points per game last season to just nine this year, and he’s shooting south of 37 percent from the field. Rumor has it a wrist injury is hampering the Australian, and it might be a problem all year.
Plenty of young Bulls are struggling
Buzelis’ excuse is that he’s struggled out of the gate before. But even with a world of athletic talent and plenty of promise, he sometimes looks like one of those players who will never really put it all together. It’s still way too early to give up on a 22-year-old as gifted as the former G League Ignite hooper. At some point, though, those gifts have to show up night in and night out on the NBA hardwood, well after the layup line.
Chicago’s most accomplished veteran, Norman Powell, should help in that regard, but how much he can do is debatable. He probably hasn’t even unpacked his suitcase yet, and he’ll most likely be shipped out to a wannabe contender by the trade deadline. Is someone like that really going to change your culture? Powell has played very good ball for years, but can he be the guy who turns things around in Chicago? Your guess is as good as mine.
Even if Powell is exactly the vet presence Bulls ownership envisions, Splitter is still fighting an uphill battle. The roster is extremely young and short on inside brawn (sorry, Stix Smith, Zach Collins, and Nic “I can’t lose to the Knicks” Claxton), reliable outside shooting, and any sort of cohesiveness. The losses should pile up pretty quickly. The Knicks should help their former rivals along and get back to .500 in this one. Anything else would be unacceptable.
But I’m sure Mike Brown will remind his team of that in his pregame speech.
Game Details
Who: New York Knicks (3-4) vs Chicago Bulls (1-6) Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2026 Time: 7:30 PM ET Place: Madison Square Garden, NYC TV: MSG Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 25: Jaden McDaniels #3 of the Minnesota Timberwolves passes against Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets in the first quarter at Target Center on March 25, 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
Last season, the three matchups between the Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves ended in a combined score of 350-351. None of the three were blowouts, as the largest margin of victory was Houston’s lone win in the series (by 5 points).
The two losses were different levels of devastating, though. Both came towards the end of the season and basically tanked any chance Houston had of holding home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. It turned out that not having those first two games in Houston really hurt since the Los Angeles Lakers rode the crowd to 326 TS%* over those first two games (*all stats are approximate but seriously the Lakers couldn’t miss in Games 1 and 2).
The first loss was the one where Houston held a 13-point lead in overtime. It was easily one of the most impressive first two minutes of an overtime period I’ve ever seen. Then it was followed by the most devastating three-minute stretch in overtime, as Minny closed on a furious 15-0 run to win. It was yet another in a long list of late-game collapses for that Houston squad.
The T-Wolves come in without Anthony Edwards, who is recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery, but there was enough success early for proof-of-concept in the Ant-LaMelo Ball pairing. It definitely looks like they can work together, and the further ascension of Jaden McDaniels gives them enough cover for the two months waiting for Ant’s return.
The Wolves also have this generation’s Thaddeus Young in veteran Rockets killer Jonathan Kuminga. He’s playing well this season so I expect another career night out of him against a team he always shows up to play.
He’s managed to produce a fast start for the Lakers and has positioned himself as an early candidate for MVP.
Dončić produced a double-double in a 138-117 victory over the Miami Heat at Crypto.com Arena on Nov. 2. He finished with 42 points, 13 assists and seven rebounds.
The point guard did receive a technical foul with 1:12 left in the second quarter. He was initially called for the technical foul for clapping in the direction of an official as he was disputing a "no-call."
It would've been his second technical foul of the season, but it was officially rescinded by the NBA on Tuesday. He will not have to pay the $2,000 fine.
“This season,” Dončić told reporters on Oct. 21. “I’m trying to not get techs.”
Jalen Brunson’s field goal percentage (39.3 percent), 3-point percentage (33.3 percent) and free-throw percentage (73.2 percent) are all significantly down from last year. In fact, the field goal and 3-point percentage would represent the worst of his career, while the free-throw percentage would be second worst.
There isn’t some deep-lying issue or explanation, though. Brunson believes it’s actually quite simple.
“Missing shots,” Brunson said after practice Tuesday, “I normally make.”
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson reacts after making a 3-point shot against the Brooklyn Nets on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. JASON SZENES FOR NEW YORK POST
Brunson’s shooting was always a worry after he underwent surgery to fix a tendon issue in his left wrist during the offseason. He spoke before the season about how it disrupted his normal offseason workouts and caused him to take way fewer shots than he normally does.
It is certainly understandable that there is early-season rust. But, true to his character, he refused to use that excuse.
“Not at all,” Brunson said when asked how much the surgery has affected his early-season form.
The numbers reflect Brunson’s sentiment.
His shot diet, in terms of the percentage of pullups vs. catch-and-shoot and shot distance, is similar to last season’s. As are the percentages of open shots vs. tightly covered shots. This is not a case of worse shot quality leading to worse results.
There is one area in which there has been a big drop, though. He is struggling in what is usually his specialty.
Brunson’s efficiency at the end of the shot clock is way down. He is shooting just 26.7 percent with between 7 and 4 seconds left on the shot clock and 35.7 percent with under four seconds left. Last year, he was at 48.8 percent with between 7 and 4 seconds left on the shot clock and 46.6 percent under four seconds left. Brunson bailing the Knicks out with tough shots late in possessions is usually a staple of their offense and something that demoralizes opposing defenses.
It’s been part of a larger trend with the Knicks and their sluggish offense to start the year. As a team, they are shooting 30.4 percent from 7-to-4 seconds left in the shot clock and 26.5 percent under four seconds left. Those are the second-worst and worst marks in the NBA, respectively.
So often, as Brunson goes, the Knicks go. This is a clear example.
“He’s taking the same shots as in the past,” coach Mike Brown said Tuesday. “In my opinion, he’s just missing shots. He’s taking the right shots. I think all our guys are, for the most part, taking the right shots. Right now, they’re not going in. And that can be for this reason, that reason, I don’t know, and I’m not going to try to overanalyze it. As long as they keep taking the right shots, keep working on the shots, I think eventually they’re gonna fall sooner than later.”
Brown has coached some of the league’s best-ever scorers, including LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Stephen Curry. He has seen this before.
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) shoots a three-pointer against the Brooklyn Nets at Madison Square Garden in New York, Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. Jason Szenes for NY Post
And he knows that usually, these ruts don’t last too long.
“It happens,” Brown said. “It happens to the best of them because everybody is definitely human and every human has their ups and their downs when it comes to shooting. That’s why we have to keep embracing the little things, because they’re not gonna always fall.”
It’s rare to see Brunson struggling the way he has to start this year.
But if he’s taking the same shots as normal, it should be expected that the results will soon return to normal.
Luka Doncic’s technical foul with 1:12 remaining in the second quarter against the Heat on Monday has been rescinded following league review.
After Doncic’s postgame news conference following the Lakers’ 138-117 win, Doncic said he wanted to answer more questions — until a reporter asked him why he got the technical.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) drives past Miami Heat guard Klay Thompson during an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, in Los Angeles. AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea
His eyes bulged, he stood up and he walked out of the room as reporters laughed.
Following the league rescinding the technical, Doncic now only has one on the season.
He’s averaging a league-leading 38.3 points, eight rebounds and 8.1 assists for the Lakers, who are in fourth place in the Western Conference at 6-2.
Luka Doncic (77) of the Los Angeles Lakers defends Giannis Antetokounmpo (7) of the Miami Heat in Los Angeles, Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
“Obviously he’s one of the best scorers to ever play this game, if not the best,” said Antetokounmpo, who had 30 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists, one steal and two blocked shots. “Not right now. Of all time. I feel like some people are scared to say that. But it’s got to be out there. He’s also an elite passer.”
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - OCTOBER 31: Darryn Peterson #22 of the Utah Jazz in action during the first half of a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Delta Center on October 31, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Goodlett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
This has not gone as well as we had hoped. Seven games into the season, and all that the “winning time” Utah Jazz are bringing to show and tell is a solitary one-point win against a subpar New Orleans team and a head bowed in shame. It was a depressing show-and-tell presentation for this premature Jazz team.
But growing pains are part of the deal. Winning in the NBA isn’t as simple as a change in mindset; it’s a change in identity. A fundamental shift in the direction of a franchise will take time to set, especially one as drastic as going from hunting the number-one overall lottery odds to walking the thorn-riddled path toward the Western Conference playoffs.
Just as Michael Scott learned that it takes much more than shouting in the office to declare bankruptcy, Utah is learning firsthand that flipping the “winning” switch is much harder than simply making a declaration. The Jazz wanted and expected to win many more basketball games this season; they clearly still have some growing up to do before they can reach that switch.
Still, it wasn’t ridiculous to expect more from this team by now. They traded for Jaren Jackson Jr., one of the best front-court defenders in basketball and a multiple-time All-Star, to pair alongside Utah’s in-house All-Star, Lauri Markkanen. They drafted Darryn Peterson, a player touted as one of the best guard prospects in recent memory and a future star. They re-signed Keyonte George, rewarding him for his steady growth and remarkable leadership.
But 1-6 is 1-6, and the Utah Jazz are way off course at this larval moment in the 2026-27 season. Not all is lost, but much needs evaluation and careful reconsideration. So let’s play a game that I like to call “Doom and Gloom”. The rules are simple: I’ll share an opinion that I’ve thought myself or heard from others about Utah’s unsettling beginning and determine whether said opinion is “Doom”, a bad omen and an imminent issue, or “Gloom”, an overreaction that, while based in reality, doesn’t tell the whole story.
SAN ANTONIO, TX – NOVEMBER 2: Ace Bailey #19 of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on November 2, 2026 at 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 (Photo by Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Evaluating the Biggest Overreactions to the Utah Jazz’s Awful Opening
The Jazz are one of the worst teams in the NBA: Gloom
No, the Utah Jazz are not winning basketball games. Yes, that is a massive problem, and a legitimate cause for concern for a team whose goal is to win basketball games.
But this problem, as with all others, deserves some context before it stirs up panic.
The biggest factor, I believe, is the Jazz’s strength of competition. According to ESPN’s RPI, the Jazz are tied at number-one for the hardest schedule in the entire NBA. They’ve faced the reigning Western Conference champions, San Antonio, twice while the Spurs were at full strength. Who could have foreseen the Memphis Grizzlies, who Utah faced twice, starting the season at 6-1? In fact, all the teams that beat the Jazz at this point of the season are a collective 22-6.
Despite the majority of this Jazz core having played together for years, this is a team still discovering itself. Give them time.
Injuries are going to sink the Jazz’s playoff chances: Gloom
Injury luck has not flipped in Utah’s favor early — five big men have been injured at some point in the season — but to blame their shortcomings on injuries is disingenuous.
Jusuf Nurkic hasn’t been available since the first game of the preseason, Jaxon Hayes went down with an injury against Los Angeles, and then Markkanen and JJJ went down in the same half against Memphis. Markkanen and Hayes returned quickly, but shortly thereafter Mo Bamba — who has been unironically excellent — rolled his ankle in San Antonio.
That’s bad luck, and Utah will obviously underperform without their best players on the court. But playoff-caliber teams regroup and find ways to win while shorthanded. If the Jazz can’t win while JJJ recovers from his MCL injury, their playoff chances were slim from the start.
Utah’s young core is a disappointment: Semi-Doom
Alright, it’s time for some therapeutic pessimism. On the topic of Utah’s young players, I have to be painfully honest: Utah’s tanking-fueled draft yield has been tragic.
Let’s look at the Jazz’s body of work in terms of draft picks. Of their four lottery picks, only two are still on Utah’s roster. First to leave was Taylor Hendricks, who spends his days at the end of Memphis’ bench and doesn’t appear likely to sign an extension at the end of the season. It’s a similar story for Cody Williams, who, despite generating plenty of preseason static in Minnesota, has appeared in five games and scored zero points.
Utah traded up to pick Florida star Walter Clayton Jr. last year, and he’s already on his third NBA team.
As for the draftees still on Utah’s roster, Isaiah Collier’s team option was just declined, and Kyle Filipowski hardly sees the court even as injuries pile up in Will Hardy’s frontcourt rotation.
Sensabaugh’s minutes have been uneven, but he’s filled his role well and had the trust of his head coach to replace Darryn Peterson in the lineup when their first clash with San Antonio entered overtime. Still, his status with the team is uncertain as he approaches the final year of his contract.
That list doesn’t inspire much optimism, but it isn’t all bad in terms of the youth of Utah.
Keyonte George has been excellent this year, with the exception of a stinker against San Antonio. Ace Bailey is a revelation, making winning plays with and without the basketball, playing stellar defense, and becoming an offensive rebound magnet. And Darryn Peterson, despite looking uneven out of the gate (more on this later), has still shown flashes of what makes him such an enticing prospect.
Semi-Doom is a bit of a cop-out, I’ll admit. But there’s still reason to believe in Utah’s young core, even if the majority of their swings have inarguably whiffed.
The team has bad body language: Doom
Even worse than seeing Utah lose five consecutive games is seeing how the team has responded to adversity.
Without a rallying cry or an increased sense of urgency, this team is full of players with no experience winning at an NBA level. They haven’t been able to hit that next gear, and the team mopes on the court, on the sideline, and in timeouts.
This is all about perception, so I might be out of line, but winners turn losing streaks into winning streaks. Utah is giving its fanbase little reason to expect a turnaround because they don’t appear to expect one themselves.
Darryn Peterson is off to a slow start: Gloom
Being a guard in the NBA is incredibly difficult, and development isn’t linear.
What we’re seeing in Peterson isn’t a lack of basketball talent, ability, or confidence. In fact, he’s displayed all three of those qualities in droves in his young career. Instead, we’re observing the metamorphosis of a college star into an NBA-level player. Darryn Peterson joins a Utah Jazz team where he is the fourth offensive option behind Markkanen, George, and Jackson Jr. Finding his place in the rotation and getting accustomed to his new circumstances was bound to bring growing pains.
The biggest concern has been his lack of athletic burst and top-end speed, keeping him away from the basket. Instead, he’s sustained himself on a diet of floaters and mid-range jumpers, while getting comfortable with a quick-trigger three-point shot.
For every poetic dribble combo leading into a buttery-smooth jumper, Peterson is due for a forced off-balance fling. He’s playing in the big leagues, which means the competition is bigger, stronger, and faster than he’s ever faced.
And I’m still highly encouraged by what he’s displayed to this point. The jumper looks slick, comfortable, and will find its target with greater consistency over time. Keyonte was a sub-40% shooter from the field as a rookie; he shot 45.6% in his third year.
The offense isn’t clicking: Doom
Alright, I’ll wave the red flag for this one. Utah’s offense has been abhorrent this season, and we can’t blame tanking on their ratings anymore.
Currently possessing the 29th-ranked offense in the entire NBA, the Jazz have scored under 100 points in their last two games. Lauri Markkanen played in both of those games and has performed well beneath his standard. At just 16.5 points per game, the player who has been Utah’s offensive pillar and averaged over 26 points per game a season ago is shooting below 40% from the field.
Against San Antonio on Monday, Markkanen and Peterson were the only Jazz players to score in double digits.
The absence of Jusuf Nurkic has been devastating to Will Hardy’s offensive game plan. Heavily reliant on ball screens and passing from the center position, Jaxon Hayes simply isn’t the playmaker this system requires to succeed. Nor are Mo Bamba or Tony Bradley.
Having to adjust on the fly, the Jazz offense has been clunky, ineffective, and overly dependent on self-creation to pose any real threat. Either one player’s injury has truly been that catastrophic to Utah’s offensive integrity, or Will Hardy is struggling to conjure up an alternative play style. Either way, none of this is good.
Calvin Barrett is the Associate Editor for SLC Dunk and a Utah Jazz columnist for the Standard-Examiner. Originally from Springville, Utah, he currently writes from his desk in Japan.
DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 24: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs plays defense during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on October 24, 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 Cooper Neill/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks (4-3) no doubt have a bad taste in their mouths after Monday’s 115-100 loss to the bottom-dwelling Sacramento Kings. And despite the San Antonio Spurs’ own stumbling start to the 2026-27 season, a trip to the Frost Bank Center may not be the easiest palate cleanser to swallow.
After back-to-back losses to start the year, San Antonio (5-2) has found its stride in five straight wins as all-universe life form Victor Wembanyama has started to heat up, scoring 36 and 43 points in back-to-back games last week. He only had to play 24 minutes in the Spurs’ 119-97 win over the Utah Jazz on Monday, which means he’s been resting up for the matchup against the Mavericks since sometime in the third quarter, close to a full 48 hours before Wednesday’s tip. The Spurs host the rival Mavs at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
Here are three giant obstacles the Mavs will have to climb in order to get a win against last year’s NBA Finalists from the Western Conference.
Without Flagg, who was nursing a shoulder injury, and with Kyrie Irving sitting out suffering from “injury management” on the second night of the first back-to-back set of the season, the young Spaniard Sergio de Larrea took the reins for the Mavericks and turned heads for 21 points on 9-of-15 shooting (3-of-4 from 3-point range) in just his third-ever NBA game. The undermanned Dallas bunch kept it close for three quarters before San Antonio put the Mavs away late behind a balanced effort that saw Wembanyama score a game-high 23 points and Dylan Harper add 22 more.
There’s nothing figurative about the next tall hurdle the Mavs will have to get over (or through) if they want to get an ever-elusive win in San Antonio. They’ll have to contain Wembanyama.
His 23 points, seven rebounds and four blocked shots in the teams’ first meeting is a pretty good reference point. In that one, it wasn’t really Wemby who overwhelmed the Mavs as much as it was the trio of swingmen in De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper, who got anything they wanted against Dallas “swinging door” defense.
Daniel Gafford will no doubt be instrumental in Dallas’ effort to rein Wembanyama in on Wednesday. He’s strung together two really good games, is averaging 1.9 blocked shots of his own so far this season and has pulled down seven or more rebounds in five of the team’s first seven outings — the last five, actually. He’s been much more effective and efficient than he was last season, when he was hampered by nagging injuries throughout the year. He’s been an important cog while the Mavs wait on the rest of the tall tall trees, in Dereck Lively II and Santi Aldama, to get healthy.
Aldama is close, inching ever closer to making his Mavericks debut, as his progress on the injury report suggests. He has been upgraded to questionable for Wednesday’s game as of Tuesday night. But for now, the tall task of limiting Wembanyama falls primarily on the shoulders of Gafford, who stands at least six inches shorter than the Frenchman.
Let’s see how many bodies the Mavericks throw in Wemby’s direction on Wednesday.
Friday’s win over the Rockets is just the latest evidence. The Mavericks don’t have another player on the roster who can do the things that Irving can do — namely, dribble the basketball. He’ll be the best-rested guest in the West, so there are no excuses, either.
In order for the Mavs to have a big night, it starts with a big night from the point guard position. Look for Irving ot log at least as many minutes (35) as he did against Houston and for the Mavericks to make this one a nail-biter down the stretch because of his disruption.
How to watch
The Mavericks and the Spurs will tip off on Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. The game will be televised on ESPN, which means tip-off probably won’t be until about 8:50 in reality. You can catch the stream on MavsTV, and the radio broadcast will be on KRLD 105.3 The Fan.
New York Knicks guard Jordan Clarkson (00) celebrates a 3-point basket against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center in Chicago on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. Getty Images
“That’s a great compliment,” Clarkson said after practice Tuesday. “Especially, he’s been around a lot of guys and a lot of players, been on great teams. But for me, I’m just here to try to support the group. And we’re here for one goal — and that’s to win.
“That’s the reason he’s a great coach, he’s been doing an amazing job bringing this group together and all of us buying into what he believes in and getting us group of men to go out there and compete all on one accord is a tough job and he [did] a great job of that last year. We’re starting this journey again, he’s doing it again.”
Clarkson, after a DNP against the Pistons on Oct. 27, has thrived the past three games, part of a theme of Knicks bench players stepping up while the starters struggle. Clarkson’s ability to go stretches out of the rotation and not miss a beat when he’s called upon is something Brown has raved about.
“You have a veteran that’s been there, done that, and he’s willing to accept the role that most guys wouldn’t accept,” Brown said. “If he’s willing to accept it, which is what he did last year, and still try to uplift everybody and connect everybody while he’s going through what he’s going through, that’s the ultimate team player.”
New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown reacts during the second quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Madison Square Garden in New York, Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Josh Hart is listed as questionable for Wednesday’s game against the Bulls at Madison Square Garden due to right ankle soreness.
He missed the team’s preseason finale against the Raptors due to right ankle soreness and missed time last year due to a sprained right ankle.
Kawhi Leonard is headed back to Toronto. Getting back on the court is the next step.
The Raptors announced Tuesday, Nov. 3 that Leonard, 35, has completed treatment for swelling in his left knee and will begin the return-to-play process in Toronto. The team will update his progress in one week.
Leonard has missed five consecutive games. He felt something in the knee during pregame warmups Oct. 25 and was scratched from a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. An MRI showed no structural damage.
Coach Darko Rajakovic said Oct. 29 that Leonard was getting his treatment outside of Toronto. At the time, NBA insider Chris Haynes reported Leonard would miss at least three to four weeks. The Raptors didn't say Tuesday whether that window has changed.
This left knee problem is new.
Leonard already has injury history with the right knee. Leonard tore the ACL in his right knee in the 2021 NBA playoffs and the meniscus in the 2023 playoffs – both with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Leonard played in the Raptors' first two games, both wins. He averaged 19.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 steals but shot just 32.4% from the field. Last season, he played 65 games for the Clippers and averaged 27.9 points.
The Raptors (4-3) are 2-3 without him. The next update is due Nov. 10.
Jordi Fernández sat inside the visitors news conference room at Madison Square Garden and looked at the paper boxscore in front of him following the Nets’ 103-90 loss Monday to the reigning champs.
“I mean, you hold a team to 103 points in the NBA, you should be able to win a lot of games,” Fernández said.
Even if tanking is in Brooklyn’s rearview mirror, its offense remains stuck in the past.
In Fernández’s first season, Cam Thomas — who is no longer in the NBA — was the leading scorer on a 26-win team that ranked 28th in scoring (105.1) and offensive rating. Last season’s 20-win squad — featuring Michael Porter Jr. and a collection of underwhelming young role players — finished last in the league in scoring (105.9) and offensive rating.
Brooklyn Nets forward Julius Randle (30) drives to the basket against New York Knicks center Andre Drummond (0) on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, in New York. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
This season, the Nets received a much-needed infusion of talent — two-time All-NBA selection Julius Randle and No. 6 overall pick Mikel Brown Jr., along with Mo Wagner and Keon Ellis — but the team has struggled to develop offensive chemistry.
Through seven games, the Nets (1-6) rank 29th in scoring (105.6), 28th in offensive rating, 29th in assist to turnover ratio (1.21), 28th in turnover percentage (18.3) and 28th in field goal percentage (41.7).
Entering Wednesday’s game against the Hornets (3-5) — which may see second-year star Kon Knueppel make his season debut — Brooklyn is averaging 94 points over its past three games. In Monday’s loss to the Knicks, the Nets scored a season-low 90 points, allowing a late lead to evaporate as they shot 3-for-16 with five turnovers, while scoring 11 points in the fourth quarter.
“I think it’s more about us not being organized, and then if you have empty possessions, you don’t run anything for anybody, like nobody’s in the right spot,” Fernández said. “You don’t touch the paint. You don’t move. You don’t reverse the ball, and you get either no shots or terrible shots. … Everybody’s got to do their jobs because whether we call a play or not, you got to run to your spots, and we didn’t do it enough times, and that’s the frustrating thing. When we do it, we get good results. When we don’t do it, we get bad results.
Brooklyn Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez watches his team during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. AP Photo/Frank Franklin II
“We still gotta run more and find those easy ones. We’re not there yet, but I think we’re gonna keep working, keep watching it, and then we’ll see good results. … The things that we didn’t do as well in the fourth, I’m going to take responsibility and help them.”
There is only so much a coach can do.
Randle is averaging a career-high 4.1 turnovers per game and shooting 41.5 percent from the field, well down from his career mark (47.2). Brown is shooting under 30 percent from the field in the first five games of his career. And the point guard spot has been split by a pair of 20-year-olds (Egor Dëmin, Nolan Traore).
Mikel Brown Jr. (0) of the Brooklyn Nets drives to the basket against the New York Knicks on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. NBAE via Getty Images
There has been bad spacing, poor ball movement and constant confusion. There is plenty of blame to go around.
“Just gotta remain disciplined,” Randle said. “We know what we need to do … you can’t just put it on one person. It’s a team game. It’s five players out there, so we got to be better at communicating, understanding the moment, what’s going on. It’s all five of us. We all got to be better out there.”
TORONTO, CANADA - OCTOBER 21: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors reacts against the Chicago Bulls in the second half at Scotiabank Arena on October 21, 2026 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Cole Burston/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Toronto Raptors superstar Kawhi Leonard has officially “completed treatment to address left knee swelling,” according to the team on Tuesday.
Leonard has missed the last five games due to his latest injury. Toronto is 2-3 during that stretch.
In his last season with the Los Angeles Clippers, Leonard played 65 games, the most he’s logged since the 2023-24 season, during which he played in 68 games. The last time Leonard appeared in at least 60 games in back-to-back seasons was during 2016-17 with the San Antonio Spurs.
In two games this season, Leonard is averaging 19.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 steals while shooting 32.4 per cent from the field.
During his 2019 championship season in Toronto, Leonard’s longest absence occurred when he missed four straight games due to load management. The Raptors recorded a 3-1 record during this time.
The last time Leonard dealt with a serious injury was when he missed the first 34 games of the 2024-25 campaign with the Clippers. At the time, he was dealing with chronic inflammation in his right knee.
The Washington Wizards just climbed to the top of the Southeast Division standings! This has not happened in quite awhile! They now host their Southeast Division rival, the Atlanta Hawks for a battle of the No. 1 ranking in the Division.
Game info
When: : Wednesday, Nov. 4, 7 p.m. ET
Where: Capital One Arena, Washington, DC
How to watch: Monumental Sports Network
How to listen: The Team 980 AM, 106.7-2 FM
Injury Report
Wizards: Reece Beekman, Anthony Gill, Alex Sarr, Tristan Vukcevic, Justin Champagnie, Jamir Watkins (Out)
Hawks: Jalen Johnson (Day-to-Day), Jock Landale, Mouhamed Gueye, Henri Veesaar (Out)
Pregame notes
Washington heads the Southeast Division! — This is a real testament to how the Wizards have turned things around. Yes, I know we are only seven games in the season. But, still, let us Wizards fans be excited about something!
The Hawks look for an identity — The Hawks have changed things dramatically. For instance, they traded their franchise guy, Trae Young, to the Wizards last season. And they are anxious to show that was the right move. What a better occasion to do so than when playing the Wizards? Especially as the Wizards just beat in impressive fashion both the Magic and the Hornets.
