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Just three games into the regular season and our Suns community is in disarray already. An ugly start to the season has us jumping to benching Jalen Green, trading for a point guard, and Chris Haynes is reporting on the “growing frustration” inside the locker room. It was good that the Suns had three entire days in between games before playing the Nuggets because they had a lot to clean up in practice this week; however, I am ready to watch Suns basketball again.
Much has been made about the poor start offensively and the issues the Suns are having, but it is defensively that the Suns have to turn around quickly to have a shot at winning games this season. The Suns are last in defensive rating very early into the season, and the identity this team had last season has not shown itself once. That is the biggest storyline going into this game: will the Suns’ gritty defensive identity show up in game one of the NBA Cup group play on Friday night?
The entire NBA has a Nikola Jokic problem, but the Phoenix Suns really had a Jokic problem. In three games last season, Jokic was 21-of-31 from the field and had 42 total assists combined in three wins against the Suns. Here are his stat lines in those three wins:
23 points, 17 rebounds, 17 assists
26 points, 9 rebounds, 10 assists, and 7-of-7 from the field
14 points, 14 rebounds, 15 assists
And let’s not forget the 30-20-20 performance against the Suns in the 2024-25 season either. He is the best, or at least one of the best, players in the league and has completely diced up the Suns in recent memory. It is going to be a big test for Khaman Maluach and, hopefully, Oso Ighodaro at the Suns’ center position. If Ighodaro does not play, how the Suns defend Jokic without Maluach will be where this game is decided. Ideally, the Suns can let Maluach defend Jokic on an island and not send any help to limit his effectiveness as a playmaker. It will be the biggest test in Maluach’s young career, and there will be both good and bad flashes from the Suns sophomore.
The good news is that, like the Suns, the Nuggets have started slow and have yet to hit their stride on either end of the court. They are surprisingly behind the Suns in offensive rating to begin the season and are only shooting 32.8% from 3 so far. If the Suns can at least handle Jokic and force the ball out of his hands, they might have a chance to keep this Nuggets offense from getting back on track for another night. If former Sun Cam Johnson does play for the Nuggets, that is an added element of shooting they have not had so far this season.
Key to a Suns Win
To win this game, the Suns have to keep Jokic and the Nuggets from dominating in the paint and on the glass on both ends. Jokic will likely still get close to a triple-double because that is just who he is. But if the Suns can rebound the ball defensively and continue to pursue offensive rebounds, it will allow them to play with pace, and the concerns about the offense will at least die down for a night. The Suns should score in transition and at the rim against a Nuggets team that, while extremely long, is not super athletic or defensively minded.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 19: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts while playing the Cleveland Cavaliers during the third quarter of the Emirates NBA Cup at TD Garden on November 19, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Winslow Townson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The NBA Cup tips off this Friday and the Celtics get their group play started with the second home game against the Chicago Bulls.
Boston’s NBA Cup schedule is:
vs Chicago, 10/30 at 7:30pm/EST at TD Garden
at Charlotte, 11/6 at 7:00pm/EST at Spectrum Center
at Washington, 11/24 at 8:00pm/EST at Capital One Arena, that game is on NBC
vs Atlanta, 11/26 at 8:00pm/EST at TD Garden
It is a pretty light group for the Celtics and one they should be favored to win. In fact, I will be upset if they don’t.
With that said, they still need to play the games and all 4 of the teams Boston will play presents challenges.
Bulls
We saw Chicago on Monday and they aren’t a very good team. However, they can be a dangerous team.
Nic Claxton has yet to debut for the Bulls, he is likely to miss this game as well. Norman Powell was Chicago’s other big veteran addition, he had 20 points in the Celtics 134-99 win over the Bulls on Monday.
It starts with rookie Caleb Wilson, who had 17 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists on Monday night. The athleticism is what jumps off the screen early in Wilson’s career and I am excited to see how his shot comes along.
To this point, the Bulls rank 27th in offense and 29th in defense, according to NBA.com.
One thing Boston will need to do in this one is limit the turnovers. They had 25 in Monday’s win and they will likely lose this game if they turn it over that many times again.
Hornets
The Hornets made some big changes this summer sending LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges out the door. They added Naz Reid, Royce O’Neale and Grayson Allen in those trades while acquiring former Celtic Dennis Schroder in a deal with the Cavaliers.
The Hornets have been missing Coby White and Kon Knueppel to start the season so Brandon Miller has needed to play a big role, 24.3 points per game this season. His efficiency is down but the Hornets are winning games. They are 3-1 on the season.
Charlotte ranks 30th in offense and 11th in defense, though the offensive numbers will improve once they get Knueppel and White back, neither player has a timetable to return.
The Celtics will need to control the glass in this game as the Hornets are 6th in offensive rebounding percentage and 2nd in defensive rebounding percentage in the early part of the season according to Cleaning the Glass.
Wizards
The Wizards are a far better team than they were last year but it is still a flawed group.
Anthony Davis and Trae Young were brought in at the deadline last year and Massachusetts native AJ Dybantsa was selected with the first pick in the draft, he made in NBA debut on Wednesday night after missing the first four games of the season with a left ankle sprain.
Ranking 12th in offense and 21st in defense Washington has been up and down to start the season.
Keeping Washington off the foul line will be a key for the Celtics, to this point Washington has the 6th highest free throw rate in the NBA in the young season.
Hawks
The Hawks added Lu Dort, Aaron Wiggins, Dorian Finney-Smith and Kingston Flemmings this offseason.
Atlanta was the only team to beat the Knicks twice in a single series in the playoffs last year. This is a good team to start the season. A 2-2 start is hampered by 2 games against the undefeated Houston Rockets. Atlanta is led by Jalen Johnson who was an All-Star and made the All-NBA third team last season.
So far this season, the Hawks rank 7th in offense and 14th in defense. They have shown to be the Celtics stiffest competition in this group, though any team can win it due to the small sample size.
Turnovers will be the key to this game. The Hawks have been a low turnover team ranking 5th in turnover percentage while turning teams over a lot on the other end, ranking 2nd in the NBA in that category.
I would pick the Celtics to win this group. They have shown to be a very good team early in this season and, outside of Atlanta, don’t have the stiffest competition. However, Boston has been prone to frustrating group play losses in the cup, losing to Brooklyn last year and these Atlanta Hawks in 2024.
I am the type of sicko who does genuinely want to win this tournament so it is up to the Celtics to take care of their business and win this group, or even advance as a wild card, and get to the knockout stage of the NBA Cup.
Ja Morant will miss at least a month due to a left hamstring strain, the team announced Friday.
Trail Blazers guard Ja Morant sustained a left hamstring injury during last night’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Imaging revealed a grade two left hamstring strain.
While he will be re-evaluated in a month, he could well be back not long after Thanksgiving.
Ja Morant Injury Update: The Blazers say Ja has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 hamstring strain. A G2 strain is also known as a partial or incomplete tear. Since 2005-06, the average time lost for an in-season G2 hamstring strain in the NBA is 34.7 days (~14 games).
Thursday night was Morant's return to Memphis, but it ended early when he asked out of the game in the fourth quarter and was grabbing the back of his leg. He returned to the bench before the game ended, but he had a huge wrap on his left leg.
Expect Jrue Holiday to move into the starting five. This puts more on the plate of Scoot Henderson, who started the season coming off the bench and hadn't looked sharp, averaging 7.5 points per game on 34.4% shooting. The Trail Blazers now need more out of him.
Morant looked good to start the season, as close to his vintage self as we have seen in a long time. He is averaging 16.3 points and 6.3 assists per game while shooting 58.8% overall and 44.4% from beyond the arc. He had a more mature game, where he could still snake his way to the paint and get good shots, but relied more on floaters in the paint than just banking on his athleticism and driving into the teeth of larger defenders at the rim.
"I feel like a lot of people think like I'm just supposed to score 25 or score 30 every time, and I'm really a point guard. You know what I'm saying?" Morant said after the Trail Blazers beat the Lakers earlier this week. "So coming into it, I know I could make their jobs easier, release some pressure on them. Obviously, adding Dame back as well takes a lot of pressure from Deni having to handle a lot. We can get him, you know, way easier looks, and you know, vice versa. I don't have to handle. Dame don't have to handle. We still can get in a lot of stuff to get the job done."
It was working beautifully, but it is now on hold for at least a month.
Just last week, the Knicks opened their 2026-27 season with a loss to this new-look 76ers squad that includes Lebron James and Jaylen Brown (who is listed as a game-time decision tonight).
After dropping their first three games of the season, the Knicks come into tonight’s tilt on a two-game winning streak following victories against Detroit and Chicago.
The Sixers are 4-1 after losing to the Pistons earlier this week.
After these two games in quick succession, the Knicks and Sixers won’t meet again until Feb. 11.
Knicks vs. 76ers start time tonight (Oct. 30)
Knicks vs. 76ers will tip off at 7:30 p.m. ET.
How to watch Knicks vs. 76ers for free
Tonight’s Knicks vs. 76ers matchup streams exclusively on Prime Video nationwide, so you’ll have to be an Amazon Prime subscriber to watch the game.
If you aren’t a Prime Video subscriber yet, you can get started with a 30-day Amazon Prime free trial, including Prime perks like the Prime Video streaming service, free two-day shipping, exclusive deals, and more. After the free trial, Amazon Prime costs $14.99/month or $139/year.
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All 18- to 24-year-olds, regardless of student status, are eligible for a discounted Prime for Young Adults membership as well, with age verification. After a six-month free trial, you’ll pay 50% off the standard Prime monthly price of $14.99/month — just $7.49/month — for up to six yearsand get all the perks.
NBA on Prime: 2026-27 Knicks schedule
The Knicks have 9 more scheduled NBA on Prime games for the 2026-27 season, not including any potential NBA Cup knockout games.
This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping, Page Six, and Decider.com. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on every streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. When she’s not writing about (or watching) TV, movies, and sports, she’s also keeping up on the underrated perfume dupes at Bath & Body Works and testing headphones. Prior to joining Decider and The New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews.
"Trail Blazers guard Ja Morant sustained a left hamstring injury during last night’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Imaging revealed a grade two left hamstring strain. Morant will be re-evaluated in four weeks," the team said in a statement.
Morant, who was traded from the Grizzlies to the Trail Blazers in the offseason, was injured Thursday, Oct. 29 during the fourth quarter of Portland's 124-103 loss in his first game against his former team.
Other NBA players who are going to miss time after injuries include Anthony Edwards - knee, Jalen Williams - fractured fibula, Cason Wallace - torn labrum, Ben Simmons - torn Achilles, Ben Sheppard - torn meniscus, Jaren Jackson Jr - torn MCL, Ariel Hukporti - ruptured Achilles, Brandon Ingram - partial Achilles tear, Max Strus - partial plantar fascia tear, Paolo Banchero - high ankle sprain, and Jalen Duren - hamstring strain.
Morant spent the first seven seasons of his NBA career with the Grizzlies and had 14 points and three assists in 23 minutes before leaving the game.
The two-time All-Star has averaged 16.3 points and 6.3 assists in nearly 27 minutes a game in the first four games this season.
Until Kawhi Leonard returns, Ja’Kobe Walter is a player that can be streamed with confidence. Over the last two games as a starter, Walter has averaged 18.0 points, 1.5 steals and 4.0 triples per game. The most recent timeline update for Leonard has him returning in late November, which may be the best case scenario. Walter should start until then.
There is long-term value here, but this weekend is also a favorable one for him. Toronto plays Orlando on Friday and the Lakers on Sunday, and the Raptors are currently fourth in the NBA in pace. More possessions means more stats.
Walter struggled during his rookie season but showcased real growth in year two and seems to have taken another step forward this year, despite the small sample size. His floor-spacing ability is valuable to this team with how it’s currently constructed, so he should play a large reserve role, even when Leonard returns.
The 12 teams that play two games this weekend include the Celtics, Nets, Hornets, Warriors, Rockets, Pacers, Clippers, Lakers, Timberwolves, Magic, 76ers and Raptors. If you’re looking to maximize your games played, prioritize picking up players from those teams.
Kon Knueppel (hamstring) is getting close to returning, so this could be the last weekend to stream Allen confidently. Allen has hit at least two three-pointers in every game this season, has scored at least 20 points twice and was even able to contribute two steals and two blocks in Charlotte’s last game. 49.5 percent of the Hornets’ field goal attempts this season have come from beyond the arc, which makes Allen a great fit. He’ll continue to be a reliable reserve for them all year, though when Knueppel returns, his minutes and shot attempts will likely be suppressed compared to his role now.
Keon Ellis, G, Brooklyn Nets
Egor Demin (leg) is set to miss a few games, which could allow Ellis to return to the starting lineup. In three starts this season, Ellis has averaged 2.7 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.3 triples per game. He’s not a high-volume scorer, though he has been able to get hot from deep in previous seasons. However, with how this roster is constructed, that won’t happen often. Ellis may have some streaming appeal at times this season, but Demin and Mikel Brown Jr. will be the priority when healthy, which will prevent Ellis from being a long-term play.
Terrence Shannon Jr., G/F, Minnesota Timberwolves
With Anthony Edwards (knee) set to miss north of two months, Ayo Dosunmu has replaced him in the starting unit, which has allowed Shannon to fill in as the team’s sixth man. Shannon has scored in double figures in every game this season and played a season-high 27 minutes in Minnesota’s last game, the first without Edwards. Shannon has also consistently knocked down shots from beyond the arc, averaging 2.2 triples per game this year. He should be a fringe option for a couple months until Edwards returns.
Tristan da Silva, F, Orlando Magic
He hasn’t been starting even with both Paolo Banchero (ankle) and Jalen Suggs (knee) sidelined, but da Silva continues to be productive and play big minutes. He has averaged 19.5 points and 4.5 triples per game over Orlando’s last two, which lines up with when Banchero went down. He has been on fire this year, which extends back to the preseason. The short-term value over the next few weeks should be appealing, and Orlando has two games this weekend.
With Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) set to miss two weeks, the Pacers will be looking for everyone to step up on offense. Nesmith had 18 points in their last game and has scored in double figures in all but one game this year, which is when he had nine points in 20 minutes in the season opener. He played 27 minutes in their last game, which was a new season high for them. They had been careful with his minutes since he’s been managing his own hamstring injury, but he’s back to seeing a normal workload.
Tari Eason, F, Houston Rockets
Eason made his first start of the season on Wednesday with Alperen Sengun sidelined with a back injury. Sengun is questionable to play on Friday, but even if Eason doesn’t start, he’s been productive enough to be worth streaming in. He has averaged 1.2 steals and 1.4 blocks per game this season, and if you don’t factor in the season-opener (since he was ejected after playing just three minutes), he has played 30.2 minutes per game. Could this be the Eason breakout we’ve been waiting for? It’s worth taking a chance on him, especially with two games on the docket this weekend.
Brook Lopez, C, LA Clippers
Outside of their last game, Lopez has been fantastic all season. Through the first three games of the year, Lopez averaged 18.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 2.0 triples per game. With two games scheduled this weekend, Lopez is worth taking a chance on, even if he continues to come off the bench. His production likely won’t be consistent enough to be worth keeping around all year, but he’s a high-upside option for short stretches.
Sandro Mamukelashvili, C, Los Angeles Lakers
It was a slow start to the year for Mamu, but he’s starting to get things going. It appears head coach J.J. Redick finally realized when he has in Mamu. Over the last two games, Mamu has averaged 15 points, six rebounds, one steal, one block and 1.5 triples per game. When he gets the opportunity, Mamu has been a fantasy stud in the past. Hopefully this trend will continue for him.
Jay Huff, C, Indiana Pacers
Huff has been the starting center with Ivica Zubac (ankle) sidelined, and while he hasn’t been great, the opportunity is too great to pass up. This is one of the riskier plays, but a starting center for two games with a history of productive fantasy lines, specifically as a shot blocker, is worth taking a chance on. As soon as Zubac is back, Huff should be dropped to the waiver wire.
Joshua Kushner, founder of Thrive Capital, during the Allen & Co. Media and Technology Conference in Sun Valley, Idaho, US, on Friday, July 10, 2026. The event brings together many of the biggest names in AI, media and technology. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images | Bloomberg via Getty Images
When Josh Kushner and Bob Iger agreed in principle to buy the Lakers from Mark Walter for $12.5 billion, they still had a lot of work to do.
For starters, they, obviously, did not have $12.5 billion simply lying around ready to transfer over to Walter. As is common practice in the modern world of franchise ownership, Iger and Kushner — and mainly the latter — would need to go around and add minority investors to reach that $12.5 billion figure.
Naturally, that’s going to all go on behind the scenes. But notorious Celtics fan Bill Simmons seemed to have pulled the curtain back on some potential drama in his latest podcast episode on Friday when he encouraged people to aggregate that Kushner was struggling to find the money to buy the Lakers.
“The Lakers’ guy doesn’t have the money yet. That $12.5 billion he has to pay to Mark Walter? He’s still searching for five, six billion of it and doesn’t have it yet … Here’s the other thing. Guess who’s not putting in really any money. Bob Iger. He’s putting in the minimum. The minimum is like $63 million. That’s what he’s putting in. So Kushner has to find all this other money but this is a lot of money and the deadline is coming and I think they’re using the Buss family as scapegoats for why the deal’s dragging along. But he can’t find the other money. He needs to find like four, five billion-dollar guys that will come in and buy whatever percentage of the team.”
Well, it turns out that’s likely not true. Shocker.
While Simmons does still have sources around the league that are more often right than wrong, his green-tinted glasses got in the way on this one. Also on Friday, Ben Horney of Front Office Sports reported that Kushner are offering up stakes in the Lakers starting at $25o million and, more specifically, they’re not having any trouble finding takers.
The idea that Kushner is having trouble raising money for the deal is not true, one source tells FOS. There has been massive demand to get in on the Lakers deal, according to two sources, although it’s not clear who has expressed interest in buying in. The transaction could be completed within the next few months, one source says. Once the deal closes, Kushner will be majority owner, while Iger will be a minority owner and will oversee day-to-day operations of the team, the same source says.
And if you needed more reporting from a Lakers source, Dan Woike of The Athletic backed up Horney’s reporting that Kushner has plenty of interested parties.
There’s a note in here that I can confirm. According to multiple sources with knowledge, not authorized to speak publicly, there aren’t issues “finding money” for the $12.5 billion sale. https://t.co/ENaHFCLNlL
Who could have guessed that the most valuable and popular franchise in the NBA, and one of the most in the world, is not having any problems getting people to buy in.
The Sixers downgraded Jaylen Brown’s status to out Friday night before their NBA Cup game vs. the Knicks at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Initially listed as questionable, Brown was ruled out approximately two hours ahead of tip-off. The official designation for Brown’s injury was “left (knee) patellar tendinopathy.”
The other Sixers sidelined by injury were Dominick Barlow, Jabari Walker, Ariel Hukporti and Tacko Fall. Friday’s game is the first of a back-to-back set; the Sixers will hit the road and play the Hornets on Saturday.
“He reported soreness after the game in Indy,” Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said pregame Friday. “He wasn’t able to go through shootaround today and was ruled out.”
Nurse was asked about Brown and Walker each having the same “left patellar tendinopathy” listing.
“I think it’s certainly different for each of them,” he said. “I think it’s a timetable of treatment, pain management and getting them feeling better. Hopefully, they’ll both be back soon.”
Brown’s durability and reliability were significant aspects that drew the Sixers to trade for him in the summer. The 30-year-old forward played 71 games last year in an All-NBA season and averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 34.4 minutes per contest.
Nurse indicated Dean Wade would likely step into Brown’s starting lineup spot.
“I think we probably are going to do something like start Dean in place of him,” he said, “just because it feels like that will be better matchups once the subs start coming. We’ll be in a better flow for that.”
AUSTIN, TX - OCTOBER 23: Amen Thompson #1 of the Houston Rockets blocks the shot of Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs on October 23, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photos by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
We’re now a week and a half into the NBA season. Most teams have played four to five games. One team, the Atlanta Hawks, has played six.
Only the Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies, both 5-0, remain undefeated. Only the Sacramento Kings (0-5) and Brooklyn Nets (0-4) are still winless. A wave of injuries — some short-term, some long-term — swept over the league to try and spoil some early-season excitement.
Here are a handful of the best stories from the past week as well as key news you may have missed.
Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during a game against the Portland Trail Blazers in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. Getty Images
Max Kellerman did not mince words about this during a recent episode of his “Game Over Podcast” with Rich Paul.
“Do you know why Luka Dončić complains to the refs on every offensive possession? It’s very obvious: Because if you’re complaining to the refs, you don’t have to run back down the floor on defense! And that’s the No. 1 reason he’s a bad defensive player. It’s No. 1,” Kellerman said.
Max Kellerman speaks during the announcement for the Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua fight at The British Airways Arc in London, England, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. Getty Images for Netflix
“Beyond not moving his feet, and everything. It’s 5-on-4 on the other end of the floor because he thinks he’s being slick, complaining as though everyone can’t see!” Kellerman, who was wearing a Knicks jersey while making these comments, continued.
“No, you’re just being lazy! Get up and run your a– back on defense,” he added.
And while the Slovenian superstar often has a fair case, his gripe often bleeding into playing defense does Los Angeles harm.
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during a game against the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
Perhaps Dončić can prove Kellerman wrong when the Lakers take on the Warriors on Friday night.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 27: The shoes of Mitchell Robinson #4 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter at TD Garden on October 27, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 28: Jarred Vanderbilt #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers battles Baba Miller #18 of the LA Clippers for position during the second half of a game at Intuit Dome on October 28, 2026 in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In advance of Wednesday night’s game against the Clippers, I openly told anyone who would listen, “if Jarred Vanderbilt doesn’t play tonight, he might not ever play this season.”
Not only were the Lakers on the second night of a back-to-back, but both Luka Dončić and Ziaire Williams were then held out as precautionary measures with minor nicks and bruises, to go along with Adou Thiero and Cameron Carr remaining out.
That’s four players, two of them starters and three of them forwards, who contribute defensively by defending up and down the lineup to best aid in whatever defensive approach head coach JJ Redick is trying to execute on that given night. Surely, if Vando were to ever find time in the rotation, this would be the night.
And, to my joy — I’ve been advocating that Vanderbilt get a serious look in the rotation since before training camp started — it was indeed the night. With 3:26 remaining in the first quarter, Vanderbilt subbed in for Walker Kessler, sliding into the front court next to Sandro Mamukelashvili and flanking a three-guard lineup of Austin Reaves, Colin Sexton, and Quentin Grimes.
When Vanderbilt entered the game, the Clippers had just taken a 19-14 lead and were in the midst of a 12-2 run. Over the remainder of the quarter, the Lakers stabilized and outscored their crosstown counterparts to carry a 25-22 margin into the second frame.
Over the remainder of his shift, Vanderbilt’s fingerprints were all over the place. On one of his first possessions, he helped create a particularly chaotic sequence, fighting for an offensive rebound that ultimately got tipped away, hustling into a scrum for the loose ball and then helping to punch the ball up so Austin could recover the ball. However, Austin then threw the ball away for a turnover, so Vando pressured up on the ball-handler to tip the ball out of bounds and allow the Lakers to set their defense.
Then, in the second quarter, he had several good sequences defending Brook Lopez, once fighting extremely hard to front the post and deny an entry pass, and later defending him in isolation and sticking with him on a drive to help force an airball and eventual turnover.
Later in the quarter he also showed good activity stepping up to contest a shot at the rim, helped drop down on the defensive glass and mostly executed his within the team’s defensive scheme to pressure when on the ball, show help when needed, and just play hard and be active.
After the game, Redick said that Vanderbilt “is always going to play hard” and noted that because of that he will impact the game with his energy. That’s both good to hear and not entirely satisfying considering his +22 was second-best on the team while the player he’d replaced in the rotation was consistently part of lineups that were being outscored by a point a minute in the team’s four previous games.
That said, before the game, when Redick was pressed on the possibility of Vanderbilt getting some minutes at center, he had a longer explanation that implied we could see it that night but might also speak to why his minutes were non-existent until now.
“My conversations with Vando last year were a lot about putting him in a position to succeed and wanting to play him less at the five,” Redick said. “We had to the second half of Luka’s first season with us post-trade just because we didn’t really have anyone outside of Jaxson who could really play it. He did that by necessity and I think he’s better suited, obviously, to be more of a wing, a forward, be out on the perimeter defensively. But there’s going to be moments where he’s going to, by necessity, have to play some five.”
As is often the case, Redick’s explanation is both reasonable and makes sense. Seeking out situations for every player to be successful is the job of the coach and Redick deserves some credit for correctly recognizing that Vando does his best work hounding primary shot creators on the perimeter and not necessarily playing center. That said, when Redick also says that there will be moments where, ‘by necessity, Vando will need to play some center,’ I think he also needs to recognize now is one of those times.
I’m not going to use this space to crap all over Kevon Looney or point out all the ways he’s struggled from training camp and the preseason into the regular season. Instead, I think it’s better to simply point out that Looney is not a great stylistic fit for this version of the Lakers. His lack of foot speed and general challenges playing with pace on either side of the ball stick out like a sore thumb in most every lineup he’s played in.
And while his strength-based game and general know-how can promote success as an isolation post-up defender, when setting screens, or when walling off and pinning in players when he goes to the offensive glass, those situations are too limited and siloed within the larger construct of the game to be impactful over the course of a full shift.
What’s happened, then, is Looney ends up playing a handful of minutes in the first half, which go poorly overall, and then he does not return in the second half.
And while it was only one game and a specific matchup that was favorable for him in a lot of ways, Vando’s experience was completely different and felt like night and day in comparison to what we’ve seen with Looney to this point.
Not only did the Lakers win the minutes he played, but because his speed and activity were effective against a Clippers team that was trying to turn up the pressure and play faster themselves, Vando settled in nicely and ended up playing multiple shifts in each half. By the time the game was over, I think it was fair to say that his pairing with Mamu proved a bigger positive than the Kessler-based minutes simply because Vando and Mamu’s collective speed and quickness were better for this matchup.
Moving forward, even if the stylistic symbiosis may not work as much in Vando’s favor, I actually don’t think that should matter nor really impact the decision to play him. Because, bigger picture, he’s simply a better fit for how the Lakers want to play than the current alternative on the roster.
Maybe that changes when Thiero is back healthy. But until then, or until the Lakers make a move for a different archetype of backup center than Looney, Vanderbilt is the best solution.
Ultimately, then, Vando should play. And if JJ is thinking about his past priors or clinging onto the quote I cited above about Vando’s best role not being at center, I think he should revisit something he said earlier in the preseason, but in reference to a different player — Dalton Knecht. When JJ was asked about Knecht falling out of the rotation and what led to him being so far removed from consideration for playing time to the point he would later be waived outright, Redick laid it out simply:
“I think the biggest thing is the team changed. The team changed. The needs changed. The fit changed.”
I would argue the same is true for Vando, but in a positive way.
This is no longer a team that just traded for Luka and needs him to play small-ball center while playing with lineups where there aren’t a lot of other defensive options on the wing. It’s also not last year, when not only did the team play a more methodical style and not nearly as fast, but with non-spacing bigs like Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes holding down the center minutes, there just wasn’t a lasting role for Vando that could endure against most matchups.
No, this group not only has a spacing and playmaking forward/center in Mamu who is the perfect sort of partner for him offensively, but it also has rangier and athletic defensive playmakers on the wing who pair with and supplement Vando’s game in ways where everyone can elevate each other. Again, this may not work as well every night as it did against the Clippers. And against some opponents, it might not work at all.
But a one-game proof of concept is already more than what the alternative has shown. And, if for no other reason, that means this option should continue to get chances.
It’s especially unfortunate when the person getting duped does so on a public forum and for something that was best left said in private.
This is what happened to five-time NBA champion Ron Harper.
An AI-generated UCLA volleyball player responding to a question about her favorite position. (X/@itslolamelone).
The father of Spurs star Dylan Harper and Celtics guard Ron Harper Jr. fell victim to an AI-generated video of a woman appearing to be a UCLA volleyball player.
In the video, the AI woman, who goes by Lola Melone, was asked, “What’s your favorite position?”
Former Chicago Bulls player Ron Harper points from his seat during a game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 13, 2024. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“Reverse cowgirl,” the AI woman responded, before being told that the question was about volleyball positions, not sex positions.
The clip went viral and caught Harper’s attention, who responded, “You said it…”.
Despite numerous comments telling Harper that he fell for an AI video, his comment (which now has over 820,000 views) is still up on X nearly 16 hours later.
Harper won three of his five championships with the Bulls dynasty in the 1990s, then won his final two with the Lakers in 2000 and 2001.
Ron Harper falls for an AI-generated video of a volleyball player on Twitter/X. pic.twitter.com/qIB5fgvoct
We’re one step closer to getting Kam Williams back on the court for Kentucky Basketball.
With the regular season only four days away, Mark Pope spoke with the media and provided an overall positive update on the junior wing.
“For him, it’s day-to-day. We’re operating under such extreme caution that it’s going to be when he’s ready,” said Pope of Williams. “I don’t expect to see him touch the floor on Tuesday. That’s for sure. And then we’ll kind of go day by day.
“We’re in a little bit of terrain where anytime you have a Jones fracture, and you have a setback like you did, you just have to operate with extreme caution. That’s the space we’re operating in. So, we’re going to require every light to be green before we put him on the court for a game.”
Williams will bring an immediate impact once he hits the floor in the blue and white. Pope believes Williams will be a piece they can add to the team without adjustments and will bring a boost right away. “As this team grows, at some point Kam’s going to jump in and he’s going to give us another huge boost.”
We won’t see the 6-foot-7 forward in the season opener, but optimism continues to grow every day that we’ll get to see him pretty soon.
Following the Manhattan opener, Kentucky will host James Madison in Rupp Arena three days later; could that be Williams’ season debut? The game after that will be the following Tuesday, November 10, against the Kansas Jayhawks in Chicago, Illinois. That game under the bright lights would be quite the first game back, but it feels like one of those games may line up for Williams’ return to the hardwood.
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - OCTOBER 25: Rudy Gobert #27 and LaMelo Ball #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves look on against the Toronto Raptors in the second quarter during the home opener at Target Center on October 25, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Raptors 117-94. 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
On Friday night, the Minnesota Timberwolves have a chance to right the ship. This is not a sentence I ever thought I’d be typing after such a promising 3-0 start to the 2026-27 season.
Now sitting at 3-2, the Wolves welcome the Los Angeles Clippers to the Target Center for Minnesota’s second consecutive home game and Western Conference matchup of the season. Wednesday’s matchup against the Golden State Warriors did not go as planned, though there were some signs of life in the second half that will ideally give the team some hope in the early throes of Anthony Edwards’ absence.
This is, of course, not to say that there are not issues for the Wolves to clean up. The increasingly fraught temperament of the fanbase could use a decisive victory over a far-inferior team to boost morale after two consecutive close losses. The pressure of the much-esteemed NBA Cup aside, the Clippers could be exactly what the doctor ordered.
Friday will be my first game in the Target Center this season. Here are a few things I’m going to be looking out for.
C’mon, Do Something (Rudy Gobert)
I can think of a few clips that summarize Rudy Gobert’s performance over the last few games, but none seem more apropos than Nathan Fielder’s line: “I hope you’re hungry…for nothing.”
While he’s not known for his offense, Gobert is routinely among the league’s leaders in field goal percentage. Just last season he led the league by shooting 68.2% from the floor. That makes his zero for 13 shooting over the last two games all the more appalling.
It’s not like Rudy has had close misses, either. He’s throwing up layups that don’t even hit the rim. He’s launching three-pointers like he’s Karl-Anthony Towns. I excused his game against the Cleveland Cavaliers because he contributed a whopping 20 rebounds, but on Wednesday against the Warriors, he was a complete nonfactor. It feels like Gobert is beginning to lose the plot, and he needs to turn it around quickly if the Timberwolves are going to have a chance to stay afloat.
The only proven rim protection that Los Angeles offers comes in the well-aged body of Brook Lopez. Gobert is no spring chicken himself, though if there were ever a game for him to assert himself offensively it would be this one.
I’d mentioned in my last recap following the Cavaliers that backup center Joan Beringer was making a case for more minutes and that they would likely come at the expense of Trey Lyles as the season drags on. If Gobert does not contribute positively, expect the noise surrounding his playing time to grow.
LaMelo needs to Ball
I write a lighthearted headline for this section, but I maintain a serious point: LaMelo Ball needs to be better.
Ball, like Gobert, started this season hot but has cooled off over the last two games. The highlight plays are less enchanting when they do not contribute to winning. While Ball is racking up close to his usual assist numbers (6.6 per game), he’s currently averaging a career high in turnovers (3.8, also in the 2023-24 season) and a career low in points (13.4).
I’ll stop short of saying the trade naysayers were right – there is a lot of season left. Ball was not brought to the Timberwolves to be the guy, but with the void of Edwards hovering over the roster like a Halloween spectre Ball has to be the guy. It’s not like Minnesota doesn’t have other guys that can put the ball in the hoop, but Ball is the orchestrator of this team. With Ant out, the team will go as he goes. This is his time to prove something.
If Ball wants to rewrite his career narrative of not being a winning player, he has the next two months to produce wins and helm a team culture that showcases itself as sustainable and positive. There can’t be more arguments with Gobert on the sideline. There cannot be more silly turnovers in clutch situations. Ball has to become a more efficient scorer and limit his turnovers; he has to play like the veteran he is.
Against the Clippers, former Wolves legend Kris Dunn is likely to give Ball fits. Dunn plays a physical and aggressive defensive game, and if Ball lets that pressure get to him he may be in for another poor performance. The onus will be on Ball to remain composure and take care of the basketball.
Freedom and flair are inherently woven into Ball’s playstyle. If he can find more of a balance between the qualities that make him great and ones that are more up-to-par with the professional game, he will lead the Wolves to success over the next two months.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – OCTOBER 25: Rudy Gobert #27 and LaMelo Ball #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves look on against the Toronto Raptors in the second quarter during the home opener at Target Center on October 25, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Raptors 117-94. 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
Live Up to the Hype
Multiple things have been working against Minnesota over the last two games: Ball and Gobert have executed poorly, the free-throw shooting has been abysmal, and the team looks like it hasn’t been able to close out clutch games.
Perhaps lost in the discourse about the two game losing streak (Edwards injury news aside) is that the Timberwolves have already played a ton of games this year. After Wednesday night’s matchup against the Warriors concluded, the Wolves had played five games in just seven days. That’s a busy start to a fresh season that has seen plenty of injuries accrue league-wide. It is fair to speculate that fatigue may have been playing a role in the recent performances.
With still legitimate championship aspirations, Minnesota cannot afford to have sluggish and tired halves like the first half of the game against Golden State. Fatigue can be an explanation, though it cannot be an excuse. With as deep as the Wolves bench is supposed to be, Chris Finch needs to be more attentive to rotating guys through the lineup in order to keep players fresh. This two-game homestand will do wonders for the team’s rest, though the results need to be shown in the win column.
As previously mentioned, there were signs of life in the second half against the Warriors. Finch deployed Jaylen Clark to stop the nuclear performance of Stephen Curry to great success (+8 in just seven minutes of play). Beringer had another efficient game with seven points (three for three shooting) and 10 rebounds in just 19 minutes of play. Bones Hyland had an efficient night scoring the basketball with 13 points (four for seven from the field, three for six 3P) in just 16 minutes of play. Hell, even Trey Lyles finished the game at a +7 across his 21 minutes. It’s not all doom and gloom.
For a Timberwolves team that is braggadocious about depth and roster flexibility, they have two months to prove that they can live up to this billing. They’ve gotten some tough losses out of the way.
As Calvin’s (from Calvin & Hobbes) dad would say, these losses build character. Now it’s time to put that character to work.
