Will the Suns shock the Rockets?
Game Thread: Suns vs. Rockets
Cavs’ Kenny Atkinson clarifies his infamous quote vs Knicks: ‘they dominated us’
Kenny Atkinson found himself trending for all the wrong reasons during the Cleveland Cavaliers matchup with the New York Knicks in last year’s Eastern Conference Finals.
In case you missed it, here’s what Atkinson told reporters after the Cavs were already trailing the series 0-3.
“I think analytically, I think we’ve won the — I said three out of three [games in the series], we’re two out of three in the expected wins, I don’t know if you guys follow that — the expected score. We’ve won two out of three.”
Yeah… Cavs fans weren’t happy about that.
Jokes have followed Atkinson into the current season. Every loss is followed with a sarcastic rendition of ‘analytically, we actually won.’
Atkinson finally had a chance to clear the air before Cleveland’s rematch with the New York Knicks on Saturday night.
“I answered the question of ‘you’re down 3-o, what hope do you guys have?’ and I wasn’t lying, but in no sense was it like ‘oh, we deserve to be winning’; there was zero thought of that,” said Atkinson.
It’s not easy to give an optimistic spin when your team is trailing 0-3 in a series. Atkinson learned that the hard way.
“I think when you look back on it and take the context of the question, I’m not sure that was taken into account, which was a little bit of a lesson for me,” said Atkinson. “I would just say, there was no coach more complimentary of the Knicks and honest about our performance and how they dominated us.”
The Cavs were winning in some key expected margins during the series. Particularly in the first two games, where it felt like Cleveland was taking quality shots but just weren’t making them. All of that might help you sleep at night — but it doesn’t change the end result. Atkinson understands that.
“As coaches, we have to check our process, like, are we getting the right shots?” said Atkinson. “But it kind of doesn’t matter, right? Because there’s more than that. There is the mental toughness and physical toughness. The flow of the game, how aggressive you are, there’s all these other intangibles that go in with that.”
Could Luka Doncic average 40 points for season? ‘You never know’
The 2026-27 NBA season may still be in its early stages, but Luka Dončić’s historic start is putting his name in the history books.
And while the Lakers still have 72 regular-season games left, the Slovenian superstar is on the trajectory to achieve a feat none of the league’s great scorers have accomplished over the last 64 years.
Not even Michael Jordan.
Or James Harden.
Or Kobe Bryant.
With his season-high 53 points in Friday’s home win over the Trail Blazers, Dončić has scored 361 points through his first nine games of the season, which is the most by a player through their first nine games since Wilt Chamberlain (472 points) in 1962-63. Chamberlain also scored 455 points to open the 1961-62 season.
Chamberlain ended those seasons with scoring averages of 50.4 (1961-62) and 44.8 (1962-63), which are the highest marks in NBA history.
Dončić enters Sunday’s road game against the Pistons, which he’s questionable for because of low back tightness, averaging a league-best 40.1 points.
Chamberlain is the only player in league history to average at least 40 points for a season.
The closest anyone else has gotten was Jordan at 37.1 points in 1986-87. Harden (36.1 in 2018-19), Rick Barry (35.6 in 1966-67) and Bryant (35.4 in 2005-06) are the only other players in league history to average at least 35 points for a season.
Dončić’s career-high scoring average for a season is 33.9 points, which he set in 2023-24 while with the Mavericks. He averaged 33.5 points in 2025-26 in his first full season with the Lakers.
But with the start to the season he’s gotten off to, it begged the question: Could he join Chamberlain as the lone players to average at least 40 points for a season?
“It’s obviously a long season,” Dončić said. “We’re just 10 games in. We got 72 left. But as long as we win, I’m good. Hopefully it continues, but you never know.”
The answer to that question won’t be known until the season is over.
But with Dončić being one of the most prolific scorers in league history, the possibility can’t be ruled out.
Cavs have ‘level of concern’ for Sam Merrill’s injury
CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Cavaliers will be without the services of sharpshooter Sam Merrill in their matchup against the defending champion New York Knicks on Saturday evening. Merrill suffered a right elbow injury that caused him to miss the second half of Friday’s win over the Philadelphia 76ers. As of now, the severity of the injury is unknown.
“I noticed it (the injury) during the game last night, there’s something not right,” head coach Kenny Atkinson said on Saturday. “Of course, Sam said ‘I’m fine, I’m fine,’ and then he wasn’t fine.”
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This has been a difficult start to the season for Merrill. He’s struggled to find his three-point shot as he’s connecting on 32.6% from distance so far. How much of that slump is due to an injured shoulder is unknown. What the Cavs do know now, is that missing Merrill for an extended period would be an issue for the Cavs.
“Of course there’s a level of concern there,” Atkinson said. “He’s the ultimate connector for the Cavs. You know our record without him last year was not good. Him and J.A. (Jarrett Allen), those guys connect the game for us so hopefully it won’t be too long.”
Last season, the Cavs did struggle without Merrill. They were just 15-15 in games he didn’t play last season and 37-15 when he did play.
Saturday’s contest against the Knicks will be the first game Merrill has missed this season. Merrill has averaged 7.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists on .386/.326/.917 shooting splits in nine games.
Wizards at Thunder discussion
The Washington Wizards play the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight at 8 p.m. ET. Watch on Monumental Sports Network. Go Wizards!
Game Discussion Thread: Knicks at Cavaliers, November 7, 2026
The New York Knicks (4-4) visit the Cleveland Cavaliers (5-4) tomorrow at Rocket Arena. The Cavs are playing the second game of a back-to-back, after trouncing the Sixers last night. Josh Hart is out with right ankle soreness for the Knicks. Jarrett Allen is questionable with a knee contusion.
Tip off is at 8 PM EST on MSG. This is your game thread. This is Fear the Sword. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Behave, you magnificent creatures. And go Knicks!
LIVE DISCUSSION: Brooklyn Nets at Atlanta Hawks, 7:30 PM ET
The Nets are coming off one of their best team performances of the season, a 114-104 win over Charlotte on Wednesday. Danny Wolf made the most of his first real rotation opportunity, Nolan Traoré continued to show improvements, and Terance Mann gave Jordi Fernández another option off the bench.
Now, Brooklyn takes that momentum on the road to Atlanta — their first of four away from home.
Game Information
- Who: Brooklyn Nets at Atlanta Hawks
- When: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Where: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
- TV: YES Network, DAZN
- Radio: WFAN
Injury Report:
Brooklyn Nets:
- OUT – Egor Demin (right bone bruise)
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)
Preview
“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.”
💬Discussion
Share your thoughts and react, but please be respectful. NetsDaily prides itself on being a safe space for Nets and basketball fans alike to have healthy conversation. Reach out to Anthony Puccio or Net Income with any issues.
Rockets and Kevin Durant head to Phoenix for a reunion
Houston Rockets vs. Phoenix Suns
November 7, 2026
Location: Mortgage Matchup Center – Phoenix, Arizona
Time: 8:00 PM CST
TV: Space City Home Network
Radio:KBME Sports Talk 790 / KLTN 102.9 (en español)
Probable starting lineups
Rockets: Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun
Suns: Devin Booker, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Miles Bridges, Oso Ighodaro
Kevin Durant, Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks in a reunion tonight! Tune in tonight and come chat with us at TDS on on the SB Nation App!
Luka Doncic's injury update: Will Lakers star play against Detroit
Luka Dončić has been the talk of the NBA following a strong start with the Los Angeles Lakers this season.
Dončić and the Lakers are currently in first place in the Western Conference with an 8-2 record and lead the league in points scored, averaging 122 per game through the first 10 games this season.
Dončić has positioned himself as the leading candidate for MVP early this season. He's averaged 40.1 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.7 assists in nine games played.
The point guard's health will be something to monitor this weekend after appearing on the latest status report.
He was listed as questionable on Saturday, Nov. 7 for the Lakers' game against the Detroit Pistons on Sunday, Nov. 8.
The Pistons have allowed the fewest opponent points per game this season, giving up an average of 101.8 points per game through their first eight games. Detroit is third in the Eastern Conference.
The two-time NBA scoring champion is coming off a 53-point performance in a 124-118 win against the Portland Trail Blazers in NBA Cup action on Friday, Nov. 6.
Luka Dončić injury update
Dončić is listed as questionable with back tightness for the second time this season.
The six-time All-NBA player missed one game this season due to back tightness the day after playing against Portland in late October.
Luka Dončić injury history
Dončić does have a history of back injuries during his career. Before this season, he was most recently listed with a back injury in March 2025. He was also listed with back-related injuries during the 2019, 2021 and 2024 seasons.
Where does Luka Dončić rank among NBA's best?
Dončić enters his third season with the Lakers as the unquestioned star and leader. His accomplishments and achievements are why he was ranked No. 4 on USA TODAY Sports' top 100 player rankings ahead of the 2026-27 season.
When do Lakers play next?
The Lakers will travel to play the Pistons on Sunday, Nov. 8 at 6 p.m. ET. It will be the first game of a back-to-back and the first of four straight road games for the Lakers. Los Angeles has won its last four games.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Luka Doncic's injury update: Will Lakers star play against Detroit
Game Preview #11: Wolves vs Jazz Game Thread
The Minnesota Timberwolves return home to take on a Utah Jazz team in search of a rhythm. Minnesota is riding a three-game win streak and has found their cadence on defense while getting up the court quickly on offense. This marks the start of eight straight games in Minnesota after a grueling first two and a half weeks of the season. Hopefully, the fans at Target Center can match the Wolves’ tempo.
Game Info
- Who:Minnesota Timberwolves (7-3) vs. Utah Jazz (1-8)
- When: Sunday, November 8th at 7:00 PM CT
- Where: Target Center – Minneapolis, MN
- Local TV: DAZN-MN, KJZZ, Jazz+
- Radio: 830 WCCO
Take What’s Given
The promise of this Jazz team has yet to come to fruition. Utah has won only one game and is bad. They are 29th in offensive rating and 23rd in defensive rating. They are a very young team. The starting veterans they do have are injured.
They are sloppy with the basketball and give it away over 17 times a game on average. Meanwhile, the Wolves boast a top-three defense and are top-10 in generating turnovers.
Ayo Dosunmu has been living by his Jet Life mantra. He is also forcing the most steals of his career. When he pokes the ball away or sees any semblance of open floor, he is breaking the sound barrier on the way to the hoop.
The Wolves lost Joan Beringer for the latter half of the game against the New Orleans Pelicans and reportedly suffered a nasal fracture. Trey Lyles did his admirable best to hold down the center spot as Rudy Gobert sat, but he doesn’t offer the same chaotic disruption on the boards.
There is potential for Joan to return against the Jazz wearing a protective mask. Should Beringer miss this game, even with the Jazz front court depleted, the Wolves will struggle to get necessary extra possessions.
Anthony Edwards, Donte DiVincenzo, and TJ Shannon Jr. are all still listed as out.
Continuing to lead the attack with all those absences is LaMelo Ball, who has found his shot and has scored 20 or more points in four of the last five games. He has hit shots from deep and at the rim. In the Wolves’ most recent bout, he turned around and took Zion Williamson to the cup again and again. He has the handle and the threat to score from anywhere, putting any of the Jazz defenders in compromising positions. His production will be key once again.
Off Key
The Jazz starting guards Keyonte George and second-overall-pick Darryn Peterson have yet to discover harmony and sound more like H. John Benjamin’s Jazz Daredevil album than anything you might find on Bourbon St, the Jazz’ original home (and where they should still be if we’re being honest).
Each guard takes turns looking for their own shot when sharing the court, often in the midrange. Seeing this, head coach Will Hardy has turned to splitting up the duo with a mix of starters and bench players.
The Jazz do rebound the ball well, at least on defense. Currently, they are top five in grabbing defensive boards but struggle mightily to recover their own misses. Going against a Wolves team hungry to finish plays or get another chance at a shot, they may find themselves in an early hole.
Minnesota has impressed with their second efforts for offensive rebounds and has managed to maintain the same aggression late into the game when their opponents look tired while the Wolves look ravenous.
In the years since trading Donovan Mitchell to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Rudy Gobert to the Wolves, the Jazz have worked, almost conspiratorially, to lose games and improve their lottery odds. Tanking can lead to selecting a franchise-altering star. It can also lead to a pernicious culture of bad habits, the sort of habits that produce gaudy stats and few wins.
Porous Perimeter
Utah’s guards and wings possess the ability to generate their own shot but offer little resistance on the other side of the ball. When a team does puncture their limited-effort defense, they offer even less resistance at the rim.
Both Jazz center options, former Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jusuf Nurkić, from last year’s team are injured. In their stead are journeymen bigs Jaxson Hayes and Mo Bamba.
Speaking of journeymen, Josh Okogie returns to Minnesota as Utah’s best point-of-attack defender. Alongside him, second-year forward Ace Bailey has held his own on defense as he waits for one of his point guards to include him on offense. If either Okogie or Ace gets pulled into help, Jonathan Kuminga and Jaden McDaniels will feast on open looks.
Prediction
The Timberwolves get out on the fast break and leave the Jazz chasing Minnesota’s tempo. The Target Center becomes more raucous as the home team continues to build their lead. Joan Beringer returns with a Phantom of the Opera mask and makes Mo Bamba look like Less Bamba. Isaiah Evans hits two threes in garbage time to balloon the lead back to 20+.
Our blogging buddies are over at SLC Dunk. Be welcoming to our friends with their own kind of funk!
How to watch Warriors vs. Magic
The Golden State Warriors return to action Saturday night as they host the Orlando Magic. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 PM PT in San Francisco, with the game airing on NBC Sports Bay Area.
Previously with the Warriors:
Golden State extended its winning streak to six games with Thursday night’s 120-100 victory over the Miami Heat. Steph Curry and Draymond Green led the way in a matchup that featured a reunion with former teammate and Warriors legend Klay Thompson. The Curry-Green chemistry was on full display, with Curry scoring a team-high 29 points while Green orchestrated the offense with a season-high 11 assists. As for Thompson, he finished with 11 points on 2-of-7 shooting from the three-point line in his return to the Bay Area.
What to watch for tonight:
The Warriors will look to keep their winning streak alive Saturday night against the Magic. While Curry has understandably drawn much of the attention during Golden State’s recent surge, the team’s bench has also played a key role in its success, providing a consistent scoring boost alongside the starters.
Georges Niang was among the biggest contributors in Thursday’s win, finishing with 13 points on an efficient 5-of-8 shooting from the field. His ability to space the floor, make quick decisions, and capitalize on open looks makes him a natural fit in head coach Steve Kerr’s offensive system.
And with Golden State beginning to find its rhythm on both ends of the floor, Niang and the rest of the second unit will have another opportunity to make their presence felt against an Orlando team that has struggled out of the gate with a 2-6 record and will be playing without All-Star big man Paolo Banchero.
Enjoy the game Dub Nation. GO WARRIORS!!!
Projected Starters
Warriors: Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Will Richard, Yaxel Lendeborg, Draymond Green
Magic: Jase Richardson, Anthony Black, Tristan da Silva, Franz Wagner, Wendell Carter Jr.
How to watch Regular Season Game 10
Who: Golden State Warriors (6 – 3) vs. Orlando Magic (2 – 6)
When: Saturday, November 7th, at 5:30 p.m. PT
Where: Chase Center — San Francisco, California
TV and Streaming: NBC Sports Bay Area
Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg surprises mom with new house in amazing moment
Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg has always been vocal about the love for his mother, Yissel Raposo. Together, they shed tears of joy when his name was called at the No. 11 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft to the Warriors in June.
Lendeborg has been vocal about the sacrifices that his mother made for him and one of his goals was to pay her back. He debuted a new YouTube channel showcasing "behind-the-scenes, life outside of basketball and everything in between" where a video released on Friday, Nov. 6 had a surprise reveal of a recently purchased house for his mother.
"On behalf of everybody that came to show up, welcome home," Lendeborg said to Raposo, moving her from New Jersey to California.
Raposo was speechless as happy tears trickled down her face and she took the keys out of a box Lendeborg handed her and she opened the door as they took a tour of her new home.
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Lendeborg said it took him 2 to 3 months to finalize the house. To keep his mom from finding out, he and his sister would often disguise phone conversations around visiting Hawaii; instead, they were talking about how to get their mom to her new house without suspicion.
"There is no gesture big enough to properly say thank you for all the love, sacrifice, and support my mom has poured into me but this moment was pretty special and one I’ll never forget," Lendeborg said in his video description. "She deserves it all. For me, it’s bigger than basketball. It’s about making sure the people who believed in me get to enjoy the blessings too."
Lendeborg has always discussed the bond that he and his mother share and how she's directly responsible for his achievements in basketball and finding early success in the NBA.
"I got here because of her," Lendeborg said in June after getting drafted. "She pushed a dream, forced me to go out there and step into the world and become a man. I had no choice but to go out there and do the best I could. So I vowed every day to be a better man, be a better person and just do the best I can for her."
Sharing the moments of success with his mom means everything to Lendeborg because of the sacrifices that she made for him and his sisters, having to work multiple jobs to ensure they have what they need. Raposo also battled Stage 4 appendix cancer, another thing that fuels Lendeborg.
"She put her whole life on hold for my life and I'm super proud of her for fighting so hard and I'm glad we get to share this moment together," he said in a June interview after being drafted.
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Lendeborg has been a bright spot for the Warriors on the court, who are on a six-game winning streak as they face the Orlando Magic in a 5:30 p.m. PT (8:30 p.m. ET) tip-off on Saturday, Nov. 7 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California.
The rookie averages 21.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game through his first 9 games of the 2026–27 NBA season.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg surprises mom with new house in amazing moment
Behind Steph Curry's late heroics, Warriors extinguish Magic comeback bid
Behind Steph Curry's late heroics, Warriors extinguish Magic comeback bid originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO – Throughout the first half and well into the third quarter Saturday night, the Warriors, sloppy as they were, somehow maintained leads that threatened to mock the Orlando Magic and render the fourth quarter irrelevant.
But Orlando, ignoring its sub-mediocre status and Golden State’s six-game win streak, got up and started swinging back in the third quarter, wiping out a double-digit deficit, taking leads and setting up a firefight to the finish.
That’s when the Magic ran into Stephen Curry. He doesn’t lose many firefights, and he made sure the Warriors didn’t lose this one.
With Curry scoring 19 of his game-high 41 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, Yaxel Lendeborg saving his best for last, and getting timely defense down the stretch, the Warriors sweated out a 126-119 victory that pushed their win streak to seven and vaulted them into fifth place in the Western Conference.
“Tonight was good example that we have to we have to tighten up some things,” coach Steve Kerr said. “But I’m thrilled with the grit and the togetherness and the way they fought back that was an amazing response to Orlando’s great second half.”
That amazing response in the fourth quarter and OT was built around Curry, who scored 14 points in the fourth – including the Warriors’ final 12 points of regulation – and put them ahead for good with 1:38 left in OT.
“It’s like a flow state,” Curry said. “But also I was able to understand where the looks were going to come from because they’re a really solid, athletic defensive team. They were blitzing a lot early, so I was trying to be patient. And then it became just try to find a matchup with driving lanes either way and then a lot of hit hand-backs for threes.
“I got to the foul line on crazy closeouts, so I was able to get in the lane. It’s just more being decisive about how to get shots, make or miss or whatever. I think the clarity of exactly how to attack that particular defense tonight down the stretch was at an all-time high.”
Though Lendeborg was marvelous down the stretch, with 16 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, it was Curry who Orlando focused on stopping but could not.
“They have one of the best players in the world on their team,” Magic wing Jamal Cain said. “And they’re capitalizing at crunch time … we gave ourselves a chance to win, but they’ve got No. 30 on the other side.”
Curry’s 41 points came on 13-of-19 shooting from the field, including 5 of 10 from beyond the arc. He added six rebounds and six assists.
“It never gets old,” Draymond Green said of Curry’s heroics. “But he’s so special. He always does something to where it can’t get old. It’s always something different.”
Even as the Warriors rushed to a 14-point lead in the first eight minutes and raised it to 16 at the half, they did as much to lose as win. They gave the wounded Magic 26 points off 19 turnovers. They kept extending a hand to feed Orlando, which in the third quarter started biting it.
Golden State was outscored 37-20 in the third, with its 16-point halftime lead becoming a one-point (78-77) deficit entering the fourth.
“Our third quarter was just chaos,” Kerr said.
“We actually got off to a better start today, and then I started turning the ball over,” Green said. “And once I started turning the ball over, it was just a domino effect. I turned it over two or three times to start the second quarter, and then from that point on we were just kind of throwing the ball all over the place which then allowed them to get rhythm.
“Although it didn’t happen right away – I think we went into the half up (16 points) – but what it did was it gave them hope.”
The Magic sizzled in the third quarter, with 56-percent shooting from the field, including 50 percent from deep, providing 37 points. The Warriors recovered, holding Orlando to 36.1-percent shooting in the fourth quarter and overtime.
“They came out in the third quarter and kicked our butts,” Kerr said. “But we let them off the hook, too, with some of the decision-making, carelessness of the passes. We just stopped executing. And if we want to be really good – and I think we can be – our number one goal is to become a team that can execute under pressure.”
The best lessons for any team are those learned along the road to triumph. The gorgeous beginning led to a reckless middle before Curry, Lendeborg and the defense went to work, making sure the Warriors’ best stuff didn’t go to waste.
TAKEAWAYS: What stood out from Nets young players in G League opener?
Development, development, development.
That is the name of the game for the Long Island Nets, who kicked off their season on Friday night against the Greensboro Swarm, the Charlotte Hornets’ affiliate. While Long Island ultimately fell 121-111, there was plenty to take away, especially with some of Brooklyn’s young players in the mix.
With first-round picks Drake Powell and Ben Saraf having played ample minutes alongside rookie Joshua Jefferson and two-way players Grant Nelson and Tyler Bilodeau, let’s take a closer look at their performances from Friday night.
Ben Saraf
Saraf, now in his second year after being drafted in the first round of the 2025 NBA draft, didn’t deliver the shooting performance you’d expect.
The 20-year-old finished with eight points on 3-of-14 shooting, including a rough 1-of-8 outing from beyond the arc. Entering this season, the biggest question surrounding Saraf’s game was if he could find consistency from 3-point range.
Despite those struggles, however, he still managed to impact the game as a facilitator. The 6’6” 20-year-old guard dished out seven assists, which led the team. That’s what makes him interesting. When his shot isn’t falling, he can create chances for his teammates, but that also comes with turnovers, and he committed three in 32 minutes. But a 2.3-to-1 assist ration is seen as a very good number in the NBA.
His passing ability has been known. The next step in his development, though, is developing into at least a respectable scoring threat. The Nets’ backcourt in Brooklyn is a logjam, especially with Nolan Traoré’s strong play to open the season.
For Saraf to get his chance in the NBA this season, he’ll need to be more than a facilitator.
Drake Powell
The only other member of the Flatbush 5 who played on Friday was Powell. Like Saraf, the UNC product had a tough night on offense.
Powell tallied just six points on 2-of-6 shooting in 25 minutes, missing all three deep attempts. Despite the rough night, he managed four rebounds, three assists, a steal, and a block.
Similarly to Saraf’s game, though, that was nothing new. Powell’s defensive potential has been the most promising element of his game, given the length and athleticism he boasts with a 6’6″ frame and a 7-foot wingspan, ideal for a defender. He showed that facet of his profile again vs. Greensboro.
However, his offense remains a work-in-progress, at best. During Summer League, the 22nd pick in 2025 pick struggled mightily with his jump shot, shooting a brutal 1-for-28 from the field, including zero makes on 14 deep attempts.
If he can develop into a reliable catch-and-shoot option while becoming someone who can defend multiple positions at the NBA level, that’s a valuable player. Coming away with a legitimate 3-and-D guy at the 22nd overall pick would be a really nice win for the Nets towards the end of the first round.
The issue, though, is that he is now in Year 2 and doesn’t look particularly close to becoming that type of player. For someone with his defensive tools, even mild offensive improvements would make a big difference.
Obviously the upside is there, but Powell has to start putting the pieces together.
Joshua Jefferson
Perhaps the most exciting part from Friday was simply getting an extended look at Joshua Jefferson. After all, it’s been a long time coming.
He was selected with the 28th pick in June’s draft, a byproduct of the Julius Randle-for-Nic Claxton trade, and played minimally throughout Summer League as thst trade took until the eve of Summer League to be finalized. He couldn’t even practice with his Nets teammates. Then, he missed Brooklyn’s preseason due to a lower back injury.
Given all of that, Friday was the first real look that fans got on the Iowa State product, and he didn’t disappoint, coming away with 15 points, six rebounds, and three assists, shooting 5-of-9 overall and 3-of-7 from three. Not a bad first impression.
Standing at 6’9” and 240 pounds, Jefferson stands out because he is very well-rounded and brings a little bit of everything to the table, hence his solid box score. There’s always a role for someone like that in the NBA, especially with the size that he offers. It’s why the term “point forward” was commonly used to describe him throughout the pre-draft process.
Given the abundance of wings up in Brooklyn, it’s going to be tough for him to crack the NBA rotation right away, but Friday was a strong showing in the first-round rookie’s first legitimate chance.
Tyler Bilodeau
If there was one thing the Nets knew they were getting when they selected Bilodeau with the 43rd overall pick in June’s draft, it was his shooting ability.
Throughout 64 games at UCLA in two seasons, he shot a whopping 43.8% from three-point range. It was on a significant sample size, too, attempting 233 threes as a Bruin. His 46.0% last season was the highest of any player taken in the 2026 Draft.
While it’s just one game, that skill was on full display during Long Island’s opener. The UCLA product finished with 13 points, four rebounds, two assists, and five steals, while shooting 5-of-10 from the field and 3-of-7 from deep.
Beyond the shooting, though, what jumps off the page is his five steals in 25 minutes. With that outing, he became the first Long Island Net in franchise history, dating back to 2016, to log five steals in a G League debut.
That matters because one of the biggest concerns about Bilodeau’s game coming out of college was his defense. So seeing him make such a noticeable impact on that end right away matters…
Speaking with NetsDaily at Long Island’s Media Day last week, he emphasized how much he feels his game has already grown since Summer League, adding that defense has been “a big improvement.”
“I feel like I’ve improved so much since Summer League,” the No. 43 pick said. “I think a big improvement of mine has been defensively, trusting myself a little more, and getting used to guarding the perimeter. I didn’t do much of that last year.”
Obviously, Bilodeau’s top trait is shooting, and when he gets his opportunity in Brooklyn, it’ll most likely be because of that calling card. But at 6’8” and 228 pounds, he certainly has the size to blossom into at least a serviceable defender, and Friday was a step in that direction for him.
Grant Nelson
Grant Nelson’s start to the season on Friday is exactly what he needed to get off on the right foot. The 24-year-old finished with 18 points and 13 rebounds, including six offensive boards while shooting 8-of-16 from the field in 27 minutes.
He missed all five attempts from beyond the arc, which isn’t ideal, but it was promising to see strong overall scoring output and activity on the glass as well as a willingness to take the deep shot. The Alabama product also used his size and athleticism on defense, coming away with a block and a steal.
The shots didn’t go his way, especially from deep, but that’s an area of his game Nelson spent a lot of time developing during his rehabilitation after patellar tendinitis cut his season short last year.
“I think it’s extremely important with the direction that the game has been going in,” he told us at Media Day. “I mean, I think it’s just adding another part to my game, being versatile in that way. Most bigs can shoot now. So being able to do that, I think it will definitely help me out in my career.”
At 7’0”, Nelson is fascinating because he offers the exact tools that the Nets could potentially need in Brooklyn. With his athleticism, he brings a little bit of everything, but most notably rim protection ability, which Long Island’s parent club currently lacks.
Proving that he deserves an NBA chance, though, especially on a crowded roster, starts with taking advantage of his chances with Long Island, which Friday was an example of. Now he must build on that.
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Long Island is back in action Saturday night against the Swarm, then faces the College Park Skyhawks, the Hawks affiliate on Tuesday, before their home opener Friday against College Park at the Nassau Coliseum.
Luka Doncic, Lakers surge in Post’s NBA Power Rankings
Each week, the California Post will power rank the NBA’s 30 teams. Records are as of Saturday morning:
1. Philadelphia 76ers (8-1)
LeBron James is sipping fan’s wine. He’s dancing after making an and-one fadeaway jumper. The 76ers are atop the Eastern Conference, and the face of the league is having fun as he makes a run for his fifth ring. (Last week, 3rd)
2. Los Angeles Lakers (8-2)
Luka Doncic is putting up video game numbers, averaging 40.1 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.7 assists for the Lakers, who are atop the Western Conference. He’s having an early MVP campaign. If he keeps playing this way, the Lakers could be a championship team. (Last week, 9th)
3. San Antonio Spurs (7-2)
Victor Wembanyama had a 52-point, 24-rebound, eight-block performance against the Mavericks on Wednesday. When he’s on, he’s unstoppable for the Spurs, who have won seven games in a row. (Last week, 7th)
4. Oklahoma City Thunder (7-2)
They’ve won three games in a row even though they’re without Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren and Cason Wallace because of injuries. This team is ridiculously deep, led by two-time reigning MVP Shai Gilegous-Alexander. (Last week, 6th)
5. Minnesota Timberwolves (7-3)
No Anthony Edwards? No problem. The Timberwolves have won three games in a row even though their superstar has been sidelined after undergoing an arthroscopic right knee debridement procedure on Oct. 29. They beat the Rockets on Wednesday, 117-107. But missing Edwards’ 33.3 points per game is undoubtedly going to be tough. (Last week, 10th)
6. Detroit Pistons (6-2)
The Pistons have the best defensive rating in the NBA (103), and their only losses have been against the 76ers and the reigning champion Knicks. (Last week, 4th)
7. Houston Rockets (7-2)
They have balanced scoring. They’re a good defensive team. Last week, they beat Oklahoma City and Boston before falling to the Timberwolves. (Last week, 1st)
8. Boston Celtics (6-2)
Don’t sleep on this Celtics team. They’re in the top five in both offense and defense, and Jayson Tatum is showing that he can lead a team without Jaylen Brown. (Last week, 5th)
9. Portland Trail Blazers (6-2)
Damian Lillard and Deni Avdija have wasted no time developing chemistry. They already look like one of the most dynamic duos in the league, and they jumped to a 16-point lead over the Lakers on Friday before letting that advantage slip through their fingers in a 124-118 loss. (Last week, 8th)
10. Memphis Grizzlies (6-3)
Ty Jerome went from averaging 19.7 points last season to 27.4 this season. Cameron Boozer is deserving of his early Rookie of the Year buzz. The Grizzlies are surpassing expectations. (Last week, 2nd)
11. Golden State Warriors (6-3)
The Warriors have won six games in a row after dropping their first three contests. Steph Curry is still very much Steph Curry. Yaxel Lendeborg has wildly surpassed expectations. And this team could be dangerous, especially when Jimmy Butler returns from a torn ACL in the next few months. (Last week, 14th)
12. Cleveland Cavaliers (5-4)
The Cavaliers routed the 76ers on Friday, 119-95, dealing them their first loss of the season. That’s a positive development for a team that has struggled against the stronger teams in the league this season, losing to the Thunder (twice), 76ers (in their season opener) and Hawks. (Last week, 13th)
13. Atlanta Hawks (6-4)
The Hawks are solid offensively and defensively and have won three games in a row. This could be a sleeper team in the East. (Last week, 16th)
14. New York Knicks (4-4)
Yeah, yeah, they’ve had a surprisingly slow start to this season. But they’re the reigning champs and they’re going to figure it out. Jalen Brunson is coming off a 33-point performance (10-for-17 from the field, 5-for-10 from 3), and the Knicks have won two games in a row against the Nets and Bulls. They’re going to be just fine. (Last week, 17th)
15. Denver Nuggets (4-3)
Nikola Jokic is looking a little less Nikola Jokic-esque than usual, averaging his fewest points (23.4) and rebounds (9.7) since 2019-2020, as well as his fewest assists (9.3) since 2023-24. But here’s to betting that turns around real soon. (Last week, 15th)
16. Toronto Raptors (5-4)
Kawhi Leonard (left knee swelling) has begun a return-to-play process after playing in only two games this season. Him being back on the court will change things for this team. (Last week, No. 12th)
17. Dallas Mavericks (5-4)
The Mavericks stunningly lost to the lowly Kings on Monday, 115-110. But they have wins over the Rockets and Thunder this season. Go figure. The Mavericks can be very good on any given night, and Cooper Flagg is just as good as they hoped. (Last week, 11th)
18. Washington Wizards (4-5)
The Wizards lost two games in a row to the Hawks this week. They’re still trying to find their identity. But they have some good pieces in Trae Young and Anthony Davis, if those two can figure things out. (Last week, 18th)
19. Miami Heat (3-6)
Frustrations are brewing for the Heat, who have so much talent in Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo and Klay Thompson — but it’s not translating into wins. They dropped games this week against the Lakers and Warriors, and their defense has looked porous. At least Thompson hit a game-winning 3-pointer against the Clippers with one second left in a 117-116 overtime victory on Wednesday. (Last week, 20th)
20. New Orleans Pelicans (4-5)
The Pelicans won four games in a row before falling to the Timberwolves on Friday, 115-109. After dropping their first four games of the season, they even beat the Grizzlies on Monday in overtime, 135-134. Maybe they’re starting to turn things around? Probably not. (Last week, 25th)
21. Indiana Pacers (3-6)
Players have been in and out of the lineup with injuries, and the Pacers have lost five of their last six games. But with Tyrese Haliburton on the roster, this team can’t be counted out. (Last week, 22nd)
22. Charlotte Hornets (3-7)
The Hornets are on a six-game losing streak, including suffering a 39-point route against the Celtics on Friday, 119-80. (Last week, 19th)
23. Phoenix Suns (2-5)
Dillon Brooks started drama with Draymond Green. Guess there’s some intrigue there. But otherwise, the Suns have fallen off the radar, losing four of their last five games. (Last week, 23rd)
24. Orlando Magic (2-6)
The Magic have wins over a few strong teams: the Knicks and Raptors. But they’ve lost every other contest. (Last week, 21st)
25. Los Angeles Clippers (1-7)
The Clippers have been decimated by injuries and rocked by the Aspiration scandal. We weren’t expecting much from them this season. And there have been no surprises. (Last week, 24th)
26. Brooklyn Nets (2-6)
At least New Yorkers have the Knicks. (Last week, 29th)
27. Utah Jazz (1-8)
The Jazz have the injury bug, they can’t convert from beyond the arc and they’ve faced some of the league’s best opponents to start the season. Unsurprisingly, it hasn’t panned out well for them. (Last week, 26th)
28. Chicago Bulls (1-7)
They have the worst net rating and point differential in franchise history. It’s going to be a long rebuild. (Last week, 27th)
29. Sacramento Kings (1-8)
It’s been a rough season, but, hey, that win over the Mavericks on Monday was unexpected. (Last week, 30th)
30. Milwaukee Bucks (1-8)
Maybe Bucks fans can find a bit of consolation in the fact that Giannis Antetokounmpo is struggling in Miami? (Last week, 28th)