CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 11: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots a free throw during the game against the Orlando Magic during a 2026 NBA Preseason game on October 11, 2026 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
CLEVELAND — The difference between good players and all-time great players often comes down to things that we on the outside don’t see. Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden is an all-time great player. He’s revolutionized how the sport is played, was a perennial MVP candidate in his prime, and has consistently played at an All-Star level for a decade and a half.
Those who’ve been around Harden the longest aren’t surprised that he’s been able to keep up this level of play.
“There’s a reason he’s been doing this as long as he’s been doing it,” Washington Wizards coach Brian Keefe said of Harden. “You don’t do that without being diligent about how you go about your work every day.”
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Keefe and Harden go way back. Keefe was on the staff with the Oklahoma City Thunder when they drafted Harden in 2009, and was with him until he was eventually traded to the Houston Rockets. Then, Keefe was with him again as an assistant when Harden was with the Brooklyn Nets.
Anyone who’s developed a reputation for a prolific nightlife — as Harden has — is often assumed to not be dedicated to their craft. That stereotype isn’t true with Harden. Anyone who’s been around him will tell you that he’s one of the hardest workers they know.
“He would come back early in his career, when we had him in Oklahoma, he would come back at night and just shoot and get some extra run in,” Keefe said. “This is not an accident why these guys are good players, and there was no accident why James has become a consistent player for all these years.”
That hard work has gone along with someone who sees and processes the game at a high level. There’s no stat or one thing that shows a player thinks the game well, but it has allowed them to continue being effective into his 18th season.
“He was always such a high IQ basketball player, and he was like that from the very beginning,” Keefe said. “He just saw the game so well. I think that’s what has always stood out to me about him is his ability to see all the angles, see all the passes. That was there from the very beginning.”
The Cavs are hoping that the high IQ and the work that he puts in will allow Harden to continue to play at a high level for at least the next three seasons. The guaranteed three-year, $97 million deal shows that they believe that he will, and that he has the capability to get the most out of Cleveland’s front court of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.
Time will catch up to Harden eventually, as it does with every single athlete, but Harden has done his best to stave off Father Time as much as possible. And there’s one main reason behind that.
“You don’t do that without putting the work in,” Keefe said. “He was like that since day one.”
CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 26: Head coach Kenny Atkinson of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts during the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Rocket Arena on October 26, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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
The injury bug is here, and it’s hungrier than ever. Roughly 15% of the league was on tonight’s injury report, with everyone from stars to role players going down.
79 players have been listed on the INJURY REPORT for today's NBA games 🤕
That's approximately 15% of the whole league 🏥
With the rise in injury count over the past few seasons, is it time for the NBA to consider shortening the season?
Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson shared his explanation for why the NBA has been hit with this recent wave:
“We as coaches are asking a lot about it,” said Atkinson. “Intensity is raised, there’s no doubt about it, there’s been tactical shifts, pressure on defense is up a lot, the average distance of pick-up, no one’s talking about the offensive rebounding… when you go to the boards, there’s contact, so there’s an exertion there.”
In this week alone, All-Stars such as Jalen Williams and Anthony Edwards have gone out with long-term injuries. Other standout names like Kawhi Leonard and Tyrese Haliburton are out with indefinite timelines. Some of these are freak injuries, while others seem emblematic of a larger trend across the NBA.
“Imagine bringing the ball up with no pressure, versus now you have a guy picking you up at the free throw line, and he turns you eight times; imagine the physical [toll], and then do that over time and multiply it,” said Atkinson.
Teams have become more aggressive than ever. The possession game is everything, and forcing turnovers begins in the backcourt. Attacking the offensive glass gets you another advantage. Going 110% on every play is the difference between winning and losing throughout 82 games.
“You have accelerations and decelerations, closeouts are longer, people shooting deeper,” said Atkinson. “So we’re aware of the physical toll, but it’s very complex because you got to keep up with the intensity of the other team… they’re going at you.”
It’s increasingly difficult to keep up in a league that is demanding an unsustainable pace. Atkinson believes the key is knowing when and where to apply pressure.
“It’s up to the coaches to figure out what is the right dose,” said Atkinson. “You can’t ask for everything; that’s my personal view.”
Reeling it in comes with a cost. The right opponent can run you off the floor if you aren’t ready to match their intensity. But in viewing this as a marathon instead of a sprint, the Cavs are at least taking advantage of the one thing they can control.
Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg is stuffing the stat sheet early in his NBA career, joining elite company in the process.
With 26 points and eight rebounds in Wednesday’s win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, Lendeborg joins Victor Wembanyama as the only rookies since 1993 to tally 100 or more points and 40 or more rebounds in their first five career games, per SportRadar.
The Warriors rookie now has 112 points and 44 rebounds through five games. Wembanyama tallied 103 and 40 rebounds through the same mark.
Previously, Orlando Magic center Shaquille O’Neal had a whopping 129 points and 82 rebounds through his first five career games in the 1992-93 NBA season.
On Monday, Lendeborg led the Warriors to their first win of the season over the Denver Nuggets, notching a game-high 31 points and 12 rebounds.
Lendeborg now has scored 25 or more points in three consecutive games. Steph Curry was the last Warriors rookie to achieve the feat, doing so in five consecutive games (April 4 – April 11, 2010), per SportRadar.
The only Warriors rookie to reach that feat in their first five games is Wilt Chamberlain, who scored 25 or more points in each of his first 10 games.
After notching their first two wins of the season on a three-game road trip, the Warriors return home Friday to host the Los Angeles Lakers in their first NBA Cup matchup of the 2026-27 season.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 16: AJ Dybantsa #4 of the Washington Wizards dunks during the first half of a preseason game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on October 16, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
CLEVELAND — AJ Dybantsa, the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft, will make his NBA debut against the Cleveland Cavaliers after missing the first four games with a sprained left ankle.
Brian Keefe said Dybantsa will be on a minutes restriction. He wouldn’t reveal the exact minutes allocation. The 19-year-old forward hasn’t played since he injured his ankle on Oct. 16.
“I’m just excited for him to be on the court,” Brian Keefe said pregame. “This is his first game. I just want him to enjoy it. It’s obviously a great milestone for him and his family. So just excited for him.”
The Wizards are coming off a frustrating loss to a depleted Charlotte Hornets squad that dominated the glass. Washington must improve its rebounding effort against a Cavaliers team that features Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen down low.
With Justin Champagnie sidelined with a fractured right foot, Keefe mentioned Washington’s deep roster as something it’ll lean on.
“We got a deep roster. Different guys will step up,” Keefe said. “Not going to reveal the rotation, but this is what the NBA is about. Guys will get opportunities, and our guys are prepared to step in.”
Injury Report
WAS: Tre Johnson (right achilles soreness), Justin Champagnie (foot fracture), Tristan Vukcevic (hip impingement) and Jamir Watkins (ACL tear) are OUT.
CLE: Khalifa Diop (G League), Nae’Quan Tomlin (back) and Ernest Udeh Jr. (G League) are OUT.
Johnson felt some discomfort in his achilles during his pregame warmup, which is why he’s out tonight, Bullets Forever has learned.
Damian Lillard had been in this situation many times before.
With 43.1 seconds remaining and the Trail Blazers up, 132-129, his teammates wanted the ball in his hands. It was Dame Time. It was the type of moment he lives for.
But this shot meant something different.
Lillard had missed all of last season after suffering a torn Achilles tendon in Game 4 of the Bucks’ first-round playoff series against the Pacers in April 2025. A few months later, he was stunningly waived by Milwaukee. It was the lowest point in his career.
Through all of that, Lillard learned something about himself.
“That I am who I think I am,” Lillard told the California Post in an exclusive interview. “Not as far as status, but the way that I operate, how I answer the call. I rise to whatever comes my way. It just showed me that’s really who I am.”
So, when Deni Avdija passed the ball to Lillard, he didn’t hesitate.
He made a pump-fake, shaking Matisse Thybulle. He then stepped behind the 3-point line and fired a 25-foot jumper. The ball swished through the net, sealing a 136-129 win over the Lakers on Tuesday.
The 36-year-old Lillard’s resilience was deeply tested over the last few years.
After requesting a trade from the Trail Blazers, where he spent the first 11 years of his career, he had hoped to land in Miami. But he was unexpectedly dealt to Milwaukee in September 2023.
Lillard was shocked but decided to shake off the disappointment and embrace playing alongside two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo on a Bucks team that had championship aspirations.
But things didn’t go as planned.
Portland Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard shoots a free throw during an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
The injury-riddled Bucks never got past the first round of the playoffs. Antetokounmpo and Lillard only played in four games together over two postseasons.
Lillard’s final game with the Bucks was disastrous. Midway through the first quarter of Game 4 against the Pacers on April 27, 2025, he fell to the floor, grabbing his left lower leg and ankle. It was obvious he had suffered a torn Achilles tendon, an injury infamous for altering stars’ careers.
That’s a scary prospect for any athlete, especially one of the NBA’s top-75 players, who’s a nine-time All-Star and is widely considered one of the best point guards of all time.
When asked if he were worried he’d return as a lesser version of himself, Lillard didn’t hesitate.
“Never a moment I thought that,” Lillard told The Post.
Portland Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard (0) shoots a 3-point basket during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. NBAE via Getty Images
For Lillard, things got worse before they got better. He was cut by the Bucks three months later with two years and $113 million left on his contract. He had suffered one of the most dreaded injuries in the NBA and was without a team.
He had no idea what was next. Would need to wait until he was healthy to workout for teams? Would someone come knocking before then? The uncertainty of it all was dizzying.
But everything came full circle for Lillard. After 2 ½ weeks as a free agent, he re-signed with the Trail Blazers. Lillard was going home. And the franchise was getting back its superstar.
Through everything, Lillard never lost faith in himself.
And so far this season, he has proven himself right.
He’s averaging 21.7 points on 45.2% shooting from the field and a career-high 42.9% from beyond the arc for the Trail Blazers (3-0).
“Pretty much every time he shoots, I think it’s good,” Ja Morant said Tuesday. “I’m pretty much bracing for a celebration every time he shoots. But in the fourth quarter, I’m for sure doing it.”
Things are working out for Lillard.
Damian Lillard (0) of the Portland Trail Blazers and Luka Doncic (77) of the Los Angeles Lakers hug after a game at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
His team is already turning heads this season.
The Trail Blazers added Morant over the summer to a roster that includes Lillard, two-time champion Jrue Holiday, reigning All-Star Avdija, Scoot Henderson, Donovan Clingan and Toumani Camara.
If things keep trending in this direction, Lillard could eventually have a shot at winning his first championship. He’s healthy. He’s with his three children, whom he deeply missed while he was in Milwaukee. He’s happy. And he’s looking like himself on the court.
So, when Dame Time struck Tuesday, it was as though no time had passed.
Muscle memory took over.
And all of the angst of the last year seemed like nothing but a distant nightmare, reminding him of how far he has come.
“It’s not like I was looking forward to a Dame Time moment,” Lillard told The Post. “I’m prepared. I’m prepared to do what I’ve got to do. I just want to keep building. I know those moments are going to come. I know those opportunities are going to come. It’s just a matter of me being ready for it.”
The Sixers emerged victorious from a back-and-forth battle with the Pacers on Wednesday night.
They overcame a fourth-quarter deficit to notch a 114-109 road win and improve to 4-1 on the season. Indiana fell to 2-3.
The Sixers had four players reach the 20-point mark in Tyrese Maxey (27), Joel Embiid (21), Jaylen Brown (20) and Anfernee Simons (20).
LeBron James added 13 points and 10 assists.
Pacers star Pascal Siakam posted 26 points and 11 rebounds. Andrew Nembhard had 18 points and 14 assists.
The Sixers were down Dominick Barlow (lower back stress reaction), Jabari Walker (left knee soreness), Tacko Fall (left quadriceps strain) and Ariel Hukporti (right Achilles tendon tear).
The Pacers’ absences included Tyrese Haliburton (left hamstring tightness/soreness), Ivica Zubac (left ankle sprain) and T.J. McConnell (right hamstring strain).
The Sixers will return home to face the Knicks on Friday night. Here are observations on their comeback win over the Pacers:
The team’s offense did not have an especially crisp start on Wednesday. The Sixers committed seven turnovers in the first quarter. Kelly Oubre Jr. drew an early offensive foul against Maxey, getting a whistle for off-arm contact that displeased his former teammate.
Every Sixer got on the scoreboard in the first four minutes besides VJ Edgecombe, who returned after sitting out the Sixers’ loss Sunday to the Pistons with an abdominal contusion. Embiid’s efficient scoring was an early bright spot. He moved to 3 for 3 from the floor with a smooth fadeaway jumper and looked very comfortable against a shorthanded Pacers center group that featured Jay Huff and Larry Nance Jr.
However, he subbed out after being called for his second foul with 3:21 left in the first quarter. Backup big man Adem Bona also picked up two first-quarter fouls, which led to Dean Wade and James sharing a frontcourt to begin the second period.
Simons breaks out of brief slump
The Sixers missed their first five three-point tries. Simons knocked down their first long-range shot late in the first quarter and followed it up with another triple on the Sixers’ next possession to put his team up 22-17.
He added two more three-balls in the second quarter and finished the game 6 for 10 from deep. After missing the preseason with a hamstring injury and faring well in the Sixers’ opening-night win over the Knicks, Simons had gone just 2 for 13 beyond the arc over his past three games. When he’s on, the 27-year-old combo guard is a serious shooting weapon.
Speaking after the Sixers’ practice Tuesday, Simons didn’t sound concerned at all about his jumper.
“For the most part, I think they’ve been good (looks),” he said. “You can see now how not playing in the preseason has held me back a little bit. … I think it will come with time.”
A Sixer not named Simons finally made a three late in the second quarter when Brown drained a corner jumper. Edgecombe connected from extremely long range to wrap up the first half, sinking a half-court buzzer-beater to give the Sixers a 62-52 lead.
Sixers raise their game in the fourth
The Pacers were vastly superior to the Sixers at the start of the third quarter. Indiana opened the second half with a 17-0 run.
The Sixers dealt with a few unfortunate bounces and ice-cold shooting. Their offensive woes bled into diminished defensive energy. Remarkably, the Sixers had zero points in the third quarter until a James three with 6:05 to go.
The Sixers trailed by 13 points entering the fourth quarter but soon wiped out that deficit. They defended hard, attacked the basket and created a comeback surge.
Simons and James drilled threes and Embiid converted an and-one lefty layup. A pair of Maxey free throws gave the Sixers a 96-94 edge.
The game stayed close in the final minutes. Embiid canned a key turnaround jumper to push the Sixers’ lead to 103-100 and Maxey then snagged a sneak-attack steal.
Maxey took over the game down the stretch. He nailed a clutch step-back three and then buried a catch-and-shoot jumper that essentially sealed the Sixers’ win.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - FEBRUARY 20: Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat goes to the basket against Onyeka Okongwu #17 of the Atlanta Hawks during the second quarter at State Farm Arena on February 20, 2026 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. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Atlanta Hawks (2-2) are hoping to not be the first victim of Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Miami Heat (0-4) in this home matchup.
Starting lineup:
G CJ McCollum
G Nickeil Alexander-Walker
F Dyson Daniels
F Jalen Johnson
C Onyeka Okongwu
Please join in the comments below as you follow along.
Where, When, and How to Watch and Listen
Location: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
Start Time: 7:00 PM EDT
TV: Peachtree TV (WPCH), Atlanta News First (WANF)
Radio: Sports Radio 92.9 the Game (WZGC-FM)
Streaming:Amazon Prime, NBA League Pass (out of market), Youtube TV (NBA League Pass out of market)
From the outside looking in, the Warriors’ 119-114 win Wednesday night at Target Center was billed more so as Yaxel Lendeborg vs. Jonathan Kuminga than Golden State vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves.
On the one hand, there’s Lendeborg, a 24-year-old playing the role of co-star alongside Steph Curry as a rookie. On the other hand, there’s Kuminga, who’s on his third team in his sixth NBA season, is a week younger than Lendeborg and never was on the type of timeline his counterpart now is for the Warriors.
The two matched up against one another much of the game and had different levels of success. Lendeborg scored 26 points, and his nine rebounds were tied with Draymond Green and Joan Beringer for a game high. But his seven turnovers were a game high, too.
When Kuminga played his first game against the Warriors last season as a member of the Atlanta Hawks, he scored just two points on a lowly 1-of-9 shooting. Kuminga in his second contest against the Warriors, and first in a Timberwolves jersey, scored a team-high 20 points.
Neither was the real story of the night. Curry was for the umpteenth time of his historic career.
His signature Curry Flurry occurred in the third quarter Monday night in Denver when he scored 17 points in eight minutes against the Nuggets. It came a quarter earlier two nights later. Curry in the second quarter against the Timberwolves dropped 19 points in just under nine minutes, going 6 of 10 from the field and 5 of 7 behind the 3-point line.
What made his fingers turning to flames even more impressive was that this stretch came after Curry missed his first four threes and scored only four points in the first quarter. He missed his first 3-point attempt of the second quarter, and then made four straight shots – including three 3-pointers – in about 100 seconds of play.
“The first three threes I shot, all of them felt good,” Curry said to Bonta Hill, Chris Mullin and Festus Ezeli on “Warriors Postgame Live.” “I got my feet underneath me, and all you need to do is see one go in. Shooters know that. I kept finding good looks. Got one from deep. It’s just staying in it, staying next-shot mentality. It’s what I pride myself on as well. You got to have a short memory as a shooter, and thankfully got it going.”
A 23-point first half was followed by a 21-point second half for Curry to give him a season-high 44 points. Curry let it fly from long distance and made six threes on 16 attempts. He was 11 of 27 overall, but in unique and unusual fashion, Curry kept getting to the free-throw line.
Curry took 16 free throws and made all 16, giving him his most free throws in a single game without a miss. He’s now a perfect 39 of 39 on free throws this season, and the Warriors are 5-0 all time when Curry shoots at least 16 of them. Speaking of history, Curry set another milestone in Minnesota.
At 38 years old, Curry now has 15 40-point games after turning 35, tying him with LeBron James for the most in NBA history. Michael Jordan is next on the list with 12.
“It’s a blessing, man,” Curry said of his latest feat. “I got reminded today how fortunate I am to still be playing this game at the level that I expect, and when you have nights like these where the body’s feeling good, the ball starts to go in, all the joy comes back and all the work that you put in.
“It’s an incredible list, and the longevity is something that I’m trying to pride myself on, and it’s going well right now.”
What Curry did to the Timberwolves was a reminder of what could have been, and what is still possible with him in a Warriors jersey.
It was a reminder of May 6, 2025, the date that Curry sustained a strained hamstring on this exact court in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals after torching the Timberwolves for 13 points in just under 13 minutes.
The Warriors always have felt they would have won the series with a healthy Curry, and then who knows what happens after that. Facing the Oklahoma City Thunder would have been a daunting task, but OKC needed seven games to beat a hobbled Denver Nuggets team in the semifinals, and seven to beat the Indiana Pacers in the NBA Finals, in which Tyrese Haliburton went down with a torn Achilles in the first quarter of Game 7.
Playing the what-if game is a waste, and the Warriors have moved on. But watch how Curry was moving and scoring on the Timberwolves defense, and take a look around the league.
The Warriors won this game without Jimmy Butler, Moses Moody, Gui Santos and Kristaps Porziņģis. Their opponent, the Timberwolves, didn’t have their best player in Anthony Edwards, and they won’t for up to two months.
The Thunder now are without Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace for the foreseeable future. Jaren Jackson Jr. is out for six to eight weeks for the rejuvenated Utah Jazz, the Nuggets look like a mess, and the Western Conference all the sudden isn’t the gauntlet everyone has become accustomed to.
In the East, Haliburton is hurt again, Kawhi Leonard is back on the Toronto Raptors but is out with swelling in his knee, and the Orlando Magic are down two of their top players because of injuries to Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs.
The NBA season is in its second week, and the landscape already is turning upside down. For the Warriors, their timeline is being expedited by the emergence of Lendeborg, and Curry continues to make all possibilities feel plausible.
There’s what could have been, and in Year 18, Curry just reminded everyone what could still be as long as he’s a Warrior.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 14: Lawson Lovering #34 of the Memphis Grizzlies plays defense during the game against the Golden State Warriors on July 14, 2026 at the Cox Pavillion in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Mike Kirschbaum/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
In need of center depth after an underwhelming start from Kevon Looney, the Lakers have gone the route of a two-way signing for potential help.
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Lakers have agreed to a two-way contract with Lawson Lovering, a big man who spent last season with the Grizzlies, splitting time with the parent club and their G League affiliate.
To free up a two-way roster spot, the team is waiving AK Okereke.
Just In: The Los Angeles Lakers and Lawson Lovering have agreed to a two-way deal, agent Drew Kelso of @OneMotiveSports told @hoopshype. The 7-foot center averaged 7.0 points and 7.5 rebounds in two games with the Memphis Grizzlies last season. pic.twitter.com/SlxuL6oKo0
The Lakers have added C Lawson Lovering on a two-way deal and are waiving AK Okereke. Team desperately needed another C in the building. @MikeAScotto was first on this
Lovering played just two NBA games with the Grizzlies, the better of which being an 11-point, 11-rebound showing in a late-February win over the Jazz. That came while on a 10-day contract which the Grizzlies did not re-up after it expired.
In 30 games with the Memphis Hustle, Lovering averaged 7.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 59.2% from the field. He did not take a three and was 25-61 (41%) at the free throw line.
Lovering signed a training camp deal with the Grizzlies before being waived. The Lakers swooped him up before he could rejoin their G League roster.
Okereke was always the likeliest of the Lakers’ two-way signings to be cut. A project player, he didn’t flash nearly as much in Summer League or during limited preseason minutes. Lovering also has the makings of being a project player, but he also fills more of a need.
While the Lakers need a backup center, the trade market likely won’t offer a solution in the near future. Signing him doesn’t mean he’ll automatically play, but it wouldn’t be a surprise for the team to try something.
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 27: Walker Kessler #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on October 27, 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
After a stingy showing to open the year against the Golden State Warriors last week, the Los Angeles Lakers have increasingly struggled defensively and reached an early season nadir Tuesday night when they allowed 136 points to the Portland Trail Blazers, good for a 132.0 defensive rating (fourth percentile among all 2026-27 performances, per Cleaning the Glass).
Following the team’s dismal performance, its interior anchor, Walker Kessler, held himself accountable and didn’t think he set the tone necessary for everyone else.
“I got to personally be a lot better on the defensive side. I pride myself on kind of being the leader on the defense and I didn’t perform tonight,” Kessler told reporters. “But we’ll figure it out … It’s a good learning point because our offense looks good. Scoring almost 130 points is pretty efficient, but we shouldn’t have lost scoring 130. Giving up almost 140 is not acceptable.”
While Kessler occasionally struggled with his pick-and-roll positioning and rotations against Portland’s dynamic attack (No. 1 in offensive rating thus far!), plenty of other Lakers labored in their efforts to contain the ball on the perimeter or properly execute help responsibilities. More often than not, the Blazers broke through the initial line of defense and thrust Los Angeles into rotation for open 3s or finishes inside.
Head coach JJ Redick recognized these issues and believes it’s something everyone involved can learn from to be better.
“We just got broken down a lot. I thought the game plan discipline, [know your personnel] discipline wasn’t where it needs to be,” Redick said postgame. “I think sometimes, early in the season, these are good learning lessons that we can all apply both as coaches and as players. How can we teach the scheme better?”
Although the back-to-back nature of Wednesday’s game may complicate things, the Clippers’ 20th-ranked offense shouldn’t present as grueling of a test for the Lakers. Regardless, this matchup is still a chance to bounce back and rectify some of Tuesday’s recurring problems that ultimately sunk them in their first loss of the season. Tip off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 24: Justin Champagnie #9 of the Washington Wizards celebrates against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at the United Center on October 24, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Daniel Bartel/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Washington Wizards wing Justin Champagnie underwent surgery to repair a fracture in his right foot, The Athletic’s Joshua Robbins reported Wednesday.
Wizards wing Justin Champagnie underwent surgery today to repair a fracture in his right foot, @TheAthleticNBA has learned. The Wizards are hoping that Champagnie will be able to return by the All-Star break. Champagnie suffered the injury during Monday's game in Charlotte.
The Wizards hope Champagnie will return by the All-Star break, according to Robbins. The All-Star break is scheduled for Feb. 19-24, 2027.
Pacers forward Obi Toppin fractured his right foot on Oct. 31 last season. He underwent surgery and returned on Feb. 26. Former Lakers forward Maxi Kleber fractured his foot on Jan. 25, 2025, and returned April 30, 2025 — 95 days after suffering his injury.
Champagnie injured his foot late in the first quarter of Monday’s 110-103 loss to the Charlotte Hornets. He attempted to play through it, but the injury overruled that determination. The 6-foot-7 wing intentionally fouled to stop the game and hobbled to the Wizards bench, where Khris Middleton and a team staffer helped him to the locker room.
“[Justin] is going to recover, and whatever he’s going through, we’re going to be right there with him, and he’s going to be right there with us throughout his recovery,” Trae Young said. “We’re going to make sure he’s right. We’ll hold down the fort while he’s gone.”
The Wizards quickly ruled him out with a right foot injury. Champagnie was one of Washington’s best players through the first three games.
Washington was a +36 with him on the floor and a -30 with him off. through the first three games He tallied 11 points and 14 rebounds and was a +18 in the team’s win over the Bulls.
Oct 26, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (15) stands on the court during the second half of a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
You know what sucks about NBA scheduling? And stop me if you’ve heard me complain about NBA scheduling before… The Suns played Monday night, and they don’t play again until Friday against the Denver Nuggets. By the time that date finally rolls around, the Suns will be the only team in the league with only 3 games played. Would’ve been nice to have a Wednesday game tonight, wouldn’t it? But instead, we’ll get some weird, wonky stretch of five games in seven nights later in the season to make up for it.
Because of all that time off, combined with the fact that Devin Booker scored only three points on 1-of-7 shooting against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday, we’re left sitting around overanalyzing his performance. Questioning his body language at the end of the game. We’re so bored, we’re hitting up our local trade machines to pass the time. That can be a dangerous thing…
I could never cover football for this exact reason. You get one game a week, then you have to wait an entire week for another, leaving you to sit there and stew over everything that went wrong the previous Sunday. Seeing as I’ve spent the past couple of days doing exactly that, watching Booker footage over and over again, I figured it was time to put my thoughts together on the debacle.
I’ll start by acknowledging one simple fact. I don’t believe I’m somebody who coddles our superstar, primarily because, in my opinion, he hasn’t been a superstar over the past few seasons. That’s not a knock on Devin Booker, personally or professionally. It’s the reality of where he currently stands within the NBA landscape. We’re talking about a player who hasn’t won a playoff game since 2023 and failed to make an All-NBA team since 2023-24. I don’t think I’m going out on a limb by suggesting that Devin Booker isn’t currently among the league’s premier players.
That’s not to say he doesn’t possess the ability to be one, because we’ve seen what he’s capable of throughout his career. He has a unique skill set, is an elite midrange scorer, and can pour in points with the best of them. We literally just witnessed this, as evidenced by his 43-point performance against the Golden State Warriors last Saturday. But consistency is what defines superstardom. It’s the ability to rise above the competition at every turn, or, in the case of Monday night’s game against Oklahoma City, to rise above three defenders at once.
“I’ve got to look at it back,” Booker stated after Monday’s loss when asked how he’ll evaluate his performance. “Shoot over three people?”
"I've got to look at it back. Shoot over three people?"
Devin Booker after 3-point effort (1-of-7 FG) in Suns loss tonight at OKC after scoring 43 points in Saturday's win over Golden State.
"I don't know. We'll see. Like I said, be more creative and finding spots where I get… pic.twitter.com/iGzex8x4wM
Yeah, based on that footage, I see why all the body-language doctors out there are writing prescriptions.
It’s troubling to see Booker go 1-of-7 against the Thunder, especially when you consider that two games earlier against the Portland Trail Blazers, he didn’t attempt a single three-pointer. While the Suns were getting their asses handed to them, their best (and highest compensated) player didn’t attempt a shot from beyond the arc, the very shot that could have helped his team get back into the game. That still befuddles me.
When you combine those performances with his postgame body language while sitting on the bench looking visibly distraught, and the fact that he didn’t appear willing to force the issue offensively, it catches your attention.
Devin Booker looked defeated sitting alone on the bench during a Phoenix Suns timeout 👀
I don’t care what opposing defenses are doing to Anthony Edwards, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, or Jalen Brunson. Those guys are going to get their shots up regardless of what the opposition throws at them. If they see a triple team coming, they’re going to find a way to get that shot off before the triple team arrives.
In the same breath, I can understand what Booker was attempting to do against Oklahoma City. This is a team that historically, and especially as we witnessed in last year’s postseason, has done an excellent job of game planning to get the ball out of his hands. Their entire objective is to force the rest of the Suns to beat them, and when you consider that Phoenix has surrounded one of the best midrange talents in the game with a roster lacking reliable spot-up three-point shooters, that objective becomes even easier to accomplish. We miss you, Grayson.
When you watch this compilation from Kellan Olson, you can see Booker fighting to get open, finding his spots, and creating opportunities. But it’s the defense imposing its will rather than Booker imposing his.
To aid the discourse and help you form your own conclusions off the basketball, here is every half-court possession from last night when Devin Booker got a ball screen. pic.twitter.com/4n0ZGNlXa5
So what does he do instead? He goes into Point Book mode, recognizing that Oklahoma City is selling out to take him out of the game and relying on his teammates to pick up the slack. To his credit, he finished with seven assists and zero turnovers.
And much like trying to break down the 2-3 zone, something the Suns were unsuccessful in doing Monday night, the solution requires his teammates to start knocking down shots. If they do, the defense has to adjust, opening up opportunities for Booker to operate. But his teammates didn’t. Booker ended the game with a team-high 13 potential assists.
Dillon Brooks, Miles Bridges, and Jalen Green combined to shoot 6-of-23 from beyond the arc, a miserable 26%. Sure, they combined for 56 points, but they did so on 43.2% shooting on 44 shot attempts. Scoring continues to be a struggle for this Suns team, especially when opposing defenses can dictate where the ball goes and who gets to shoot it.
By the end of the game, Booker’s body language appeared to be that of somebody who was exhausted and frustrated with the outcome, his own performance included. At least that’s my interpretation. You’re out there battling an opponent that eliminated you from the playoffs the year before, and they’re successfully taking you out of your game, forcing you away from your preferred spots and making every possession a struggle. And when you look around for somebody to help alleviate that pressure, nobody is efficiently stepping up.
Look at the notes Barstool’s Sam Vecenie had on Miles Bridges and Jalen Green following this game:
I hate everything about what this Phoenix team has done to its starting lineup. They were without Mark Williams and Oso Ighodaro tonight, so Maluach had to start. But really, the problem here is that Jalen Green and Miles Bridges are the antithesis of what made this team fun last year. They were so selfless and played for one another on defense last season. They moved the ball quicker and made better decisions. This group doesn’t do that with the starters. Coming into tonight, Phoenix’s starters had a negative-35.5 net rating and tonight might make that slightly better, but not much better. They got their ass kicked.
Green’s stat line looks about as good as it could. He had 20 points, four assists, four rebounds, only one turnover and shot 8 for 13 from the field. I wouldn’t say that he played poorly, but I didn’t love his game. I counted at least five possessions where he brought the ball up the court and shot the ball without passing, one of which was a pretty egregious one at the start of the second half where Phoenix clearly set up a Spain/stack action with Maluach and Booker, and Green just rejected the screen, drove to the rim, overpenetrated, and got stripped by McCain. Midway through the first, he had another no-pass possession where he settled for a contested midrange shot with 15 seconds left on the shot clock without trying to create anything for his teammates. When Green keeps it simple, attacking driving lanes when they come available as a slasher with his athleticism, taking open catch-and-shoot 3s, and cuts to the rim, he’s an effective player. He can attack mismatches well. The problem is when he tries to isolate or play in ball-screens against high-level defenses or defenders. He also doesn’t process it quickly enough and holds the ball too long upon catching it, allowing rotating defenses to catch up while he surveys. I don’t think he’s a fit with Devin Booker in the starting lineup.
Bridges was even worse largely because he can’t defend anyone. He gets caught in no-man’s land in help way to often. He can’t move his feet quickly enough on defense to deal with guards in switches. He ends up having to play too passively and is too far off of them, allowing them to get space and time to shoot. He also isn’t a good enough shooter to take advantage of when he’s open. He’s made 33 percent from 3 over his last four years, and only has one year in his career over 35 percent despite taking six per game over the last six years. He did a nice job moving without the ball, particularly in some moments where OKC was in zone coverage. Again, he had 17 points, eight rebounds and four assists. The box score looks great. He did not play well.
My real issue with everything Phoenix is doing here with this group is that none of it is in service of accentuating Devin Booker or the scheme Jordan Ott found success with last season. Gillespie makes life easier for Booker by spacing the court, being an aggressive point-of-attack defender, and making good decisions. Goodwin and Brooks take really tough matchups on defense and are physical. Ighodaro was out tonight, but he moves the ball quickly. But Green and Bridges just have not looked like a fit at all. Maybe it gets better as the season continues, but their careers to this point would not suggest it.
Um. Yikes?
If I’m Devin Booker, I’m frustrated too. You’re a star in your prime, hoping that the organization is doing everything it can to build a competitive team around you. Not by trying to buy a championship by surrounding you with Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, but by finding a way to construct a roster around you while navigating a difficult dead cap situation. And so far, it doesn’t look good. The connectivity doesn’t exist, the chemistry is flawed, and the schemes aren’t working.
I can understand the blanket statements from the fan base expressing frustration that Booker should be able to rise above everything happening around him. He’s the $57 million man, and scoring three points is unacceptable. I understand exactly where you’re coming from because, on the surface, I concur. But when I dig a little deeper, I see a player who wants some help around him. Defenders who actually defend. Rebounders who actually rebound. Shooters who actually shoot. Is that too much to ask?
Devin Booker had the body language of somebody who recognizes that the road ahead is going to be long and difficult, and that the only way this team can remain competitive is if he goes out there and scores 43 points every night. That’s something a younger player might embrace, but on Friday, Booker turns 30. And sure, that’s what the contract is for. I get it. But that doesn’t make things any easier when the roster that’s been constructed around you, albeit incredibly early in the season, has been an utter catastrophe thus far.
Booker deserves criticism for Monday night. Three points from your franchise player is unacceptable, regardless of the circumstances. But expecting him to overcome every deficiency around him isn’t a sustainable formula for winning basketball. The Suns need to find ways to make his life easier, and that responsibility belongs to the players, the coaching staff, and the front office. Booker needs to be better. So does everybody around him. Because if this is what turning 30 looks like in Phoenix, it’s going to be a long damn season.
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 27, 2026: Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) gathers his game plan during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Crypto.com Arena on October 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
The Lakers’ first back-to-back of the season will be without Luka Dončić.
After falling to the Blazers on Tuesday, the Lakers released their injury report hours before Wednesday’s game against the Clippers with Luka included on it. The superstar will be out with back tightness, the first game he’ll miss in the young season.
Ziaire Williams will also be out with left foot soreness. Adou Thiero and Cameron Carr both remain out.
Lakers say that Luka Dončić (back tightness) and Ziaire Williams (left foot soreness) won’t play in the second half of the back-to-back vs. Clippers.
Luka did miss time during the preseason, but it was never for any actual injury. Back tightness is a vague enough term to not raise too many concerns, at least not yet. For now, it mainly just seems like an opportunity to get him some rest.
Tuesday’s game against Portland was the start of five games in seven nights, so it’s not a surprise that the team is finding some rest for Luka. It also wouldn’t be a surprise if Austin gets the same treatment during the span, too.
A source says the Lakers are being cautious with Dončić and the back tightness as the team plays Game 2 in a stretch where the Lakers play five times in seven days. No longterm worry about his health at this time. https://t.co/HaLAZsL4zD
For Williams, a foot injury did limit him during the preseason, though it’s not clear if this is the same foot. Again, this early in the season and given the context, it’s fair to assume this is management and rest.
Carr did have an optimistic update on his status from head coach JJ Redick prior to Tuesday’s game. He took part in practice with Coachella Valley, which Redick said was an “important step” toward returning. He was assigned to Coachella Valley again on Wednesday afternoon, which is encouraging as well.
There has been no further updates about Thiero after Redick said he would be shut down for a couple of days in the opening week of the season.
Dončić led the Lakers in scoring in a 136-129 home loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday, Oct. 27.
The point guard nearly produced a double-double with 41 points, nine assists and five rebounds in 39 minutes played against Portland.
It followed his 52-point game against the Utah Jazz on Sunday, Oct. 25. Dončić scored 39 points through the first three quarters of play before tying Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with 10 career 50-point games, which is the 11th most in NBA history. The Lakers guard passed Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo, who each have nine.
Dončić added his name to the franchise record books, becoming the fastest player to score 3,000 points in a Lakers uniform. The six-time All-NBA selection accomplished the feat in 95 games, beating out George Mikan (106) and Abdul-Jabbar (109).
Luka Dončić injury update
Dončić has been ruled out with back tightness.
He was not listed on Monday's injury report ahead of the game against Portland.
Coach JJ Redick is expected to talk to the media before tonight's game against the Clippers and may provide an update.
Luka Dončić injury history
Doncic does have a history of back injuries during his career. He most recently was 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's top 100 player rankings ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Luka Doncic (back tightness) and Ziaire Williams (left foot soreness) are out against the Clippers on Wednesday in the second night of a back-to-back following the Lakers’ 136-129 loss to the Trail Blazers on Tuesday.
Damian Lillard (0) of the Portland Trail Blazers and Luka Doncic (77) of the Los Angeles Lakers hug after a game at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
Doncic is leading the league in scoring with 36 points a game. He had a 41-point, five-rebound, nine-assist performance against the Trail Blazers in the Lakers’ first loss this season on Tuesday, following finishing with 52 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists in the Lakers’ 132-123 win over the Jazz on Sunday.
Luka Doncic (77) of the Los Angeles Lakers smiles during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. NBAE via Getty ImagesZiaire Williams (11) of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket during a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
The Lakers will also be without Cameron Carr (right oblique strain) and Adou Thiero (left knee injury management).
The Clippers will be without Bradley Beal (right knee management), Rui Hachimura (left quad soreness), Brandon Ingram (right heel surgery), Jordan Miller (left rotator cuff surgery), Yanic Konan Niederhauser (right lisfranc surgery) and Max Strus (right plantar fascia partial tear).
