Grizzlies' guard Ja Morant will miss two weeks with a strained calf

The Memphis Grizzlies announced Monday that All-Star point guard Ja Morant will be sidelined for the next two weeks with a Grade 1 calf strain.

Morant suffered the injury in the first quarter of Saturday night's road game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He had scored seven points in six minutes before being subbed out of the game at the 6:01 mark with Memphis up 18-14 and not re-entering. The team will re-evaluate him in two weeks to determine how quickly he can return to the court.

The injury is another roadblock in what has been a tough start to the season for Morant and the Grizzlies.

Memphis is sitting at 4-10 on the season and has been without forward Brandon Clarke, guard Ty Jerome, guard Scotty Pippen Jr., and center Zach Edey for the entirety of the season up until this weekend. Edey returned for the first time this season in that same Cavaliers game in which Morant got hurt. Morant himself also missed one game with an ankle injury and was suspended for one game for conduct detrimental to the teamafter a loss to the Lakers on Halloween.

On one hand, this injury is another misstep in a season that is seeing the two-time All-Star post career lows in field goal percentage (35.9%), three-point shooting percentage (16.7%), effective field goal rate (38.5%), three-pointers made per game (0.8), and rebounds (3.0). He's also posting the lowest scoring mark since his rookie season at just 17.9 points per game.

However, on the other hand, this continues a concerning injury track record for the 26-year-old. He has never played 70 games or more in any of his six NBA seasons coming into this year. Last year, he was limited to 50 games, and the year before that, he played in just nine, in part due to a suspension for gun-related gestures and off-field behavior.

Despite Memphis insisting that they have no interest in trading Morant, the suspension and mounting injuries may force it to behave otherwise. Of course, a mounting injury toll for a player in the third year of a five-year, $197.2 million contract also could dampen any value on the trade market.

For now, the Grizzlies will move forward without Morant for the next two weeks. That should mean additional playing time for Vince Williams Jr., who started for Morant when he was forced to sit last week against the Celtics with an ankle injury. Williams had 12 points, five rebounds, and two assists in that game, and the 25-year-old is averaging 8.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists on 39.7% from the field in 19.3 minutes per game this season. We should also see a minutes increase for Cam Spencer off the bench and perhaps more of a scoring burden placed on starting shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and starting small forward Cedric Coward, who has been a lone bright spot for the Grizzlies in his rookie season.

We'll get out first look at how the Grizzlies approach these next two weeks without Morant when they face off against the Spurs on Tuesday at 8 pm ET on NBC and Peacock.

Draymond Green criticizes Pelicans fan using Angel Reese's name to insult him

Draymond Green criticizes Pelicans fan using Angel Reese's name to insult him originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Draymond Green isn’t here for any Chi Barbie slander.

After the Warriors star’s odd courtside confrontation during Golden State’s 124-106 win over New Orleans on Sunday at Smoothie King Center, Green revealed on his podcast that the mouthy Pelicans fan repeatedly referred to him as Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese.

While Green admitted he chuckled about the taunt at first after failing to tip in a missed layup several times, he ultimately took issue with the fan using a prominent WNBA player’s name as a diss.

“By the way, to use Angel Reese’s name as a negative connotation, I really don’t like that for a young queen,” Green said on Monday’s episode of “The Draymond Green Show.” “Because she’s done what she’s done to become who she is, and so I really don’t like that in itself.”

Reese entered the WNBA in 2024 as a NCAA champion out of LSU with countless collegiate accolades to her name, earning All-Star honors in her first two professional seasons while leading the league in rebounds both years.

Green added that the fan hurled other “filler” insults at him as well, and he had to shut it down.

“I am Draymond Green, but make no mistake about it, you’re not going to continue to just call me a woman name and add other fillers to where your message, your underlying message, is becoming more and more clear,” Green continued. “And so I said something to him, you know, Hey, man, relax, like, like, watch yourself. Now you’re getting real disrespectful.”

The fan minded his own business after Green got involved and arena security issued him a warning.

And hopefully, said fan hears Green’s message about using a woman’s name to tear someone down.

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Player banned by the NCAA for his role in a sports betting scheme acknowledges he point-shaved

One of the college basketball players banned by the NCAA for participating in sports-betting operations has acknowledged his role in a gambling scheme. Former University of New Orleans guard Dae Dae Hunter said on ABC’s “Good Morning America” that he participated in point-shaving. “I did go out there and not do my best: basically shooting the ball and not actually trying to make it,” Hunter said on the show, which aired Monday.

Paul George expected to make season debut for 76ers Monday night vs. Clippers

After missing all of training camp and the first dozen games of the season following offseason knee surgery, Paul George is expected to make his return to the court Monday night when the 76ers host the Clippers.

George is officially listed as questionable, however, he is expected to take the court, reports Shams Charania of ESPN. George has been working out on the court for a month and looked good in post-practice work, according to reports, but the 76ers were cautious with the return of the 35-year-old.

George played 41 games in his first season with Philadelphia, largely due to a knee issue, which is why he underwent arthroscopic surgery this past summer. Last season, the six-time All-NBA player averaged 16.2 points and 5.3 rebounds per game when he did play. However, the season before, in Los Angeles, he was an All-Star, averaging 22.6 points per game and shooting 41.3% from 3-point range.

While George is set to return, the 76ers are listing Joel Embiid, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Adem Bona as out. The Clippers will be without Kawhi Leonard, Bradley Beal (out for the season), and Derrick Jones Jr. against the 76ers.

2025-26 NBA MVP ladder, race: Odds, power rankings, frontrunners including Jokic vs Gilgeous-Alexander

For the first time all season, there is a new favorite for MVP! Nikola Jokic has overtaken Shai Gilgeous-Alexander after scoring 32, 35, 55, and 27 points over his last four games. However, Jokic isn't my No. 1 for MVP.

Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & team props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!

Vaughn Dalzell‘s Week 5 MVP Rankings

Oklahoma City Thunder Primary Logo
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder (+225)
Points Per Game: 32.6 (3rd)
Assists Per Game: 6.6 (16th)
Rebounds Per Game: 5.1 RPG (T-92nd)

Despite not being the favorite at DraftKings, I still rank Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the top dog in the MVP race. SGA has played 30 or fewer minutes in four of his last five games and seven of the past nine games. Despite playing fewer minutes due to blowing out opponents, SGA has scored 30 or more points in eight of those nine games.

Oklahoma City has the best record in the NBA at 13-1 with a two-point loss as the only blemish. The Thunder are on their second five-game winning streak and play three consecutive opponents that are below .500, so I think there is some value on SGA at +225 to win MVP. His odds will likely go below +200 over the next week and when Jalen Williams comes back, Oklahoma City and SGA can be even better.

Denver Nuggets Primary Logo
2. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets (+200)
Points Per Game: 28.7 (7th)
Rebounds Per Game: 13.0 (1st)
Assists Per Game: 10.9 (1st)

The newest odds leader is on fire in November. Nikola Jokic has torn through the last seven opponents for a 7-0 record as he's averaged 34.6 points, 12.0 rebounds, 11.0 assists, and 33.7 minutes per game. Jokic lit up the scoreboard for 55 points in a win over the Clippers, which vaulted Jokic into the top spot for MVP odds.

In November, Jokic is shooting 71.4% from the field, 54.5% from three, and 88% from the free-throw line. In October, Jokic was hitting 59.1% of his field goal attempts, 23.8% of his threes, and 86.4% of his free-throws. Clearly, Jokic has found his shooting form and while the triple-doubles have slowed up (3 in last 10 games), he is dominating on every level.

Los Angeles Lakers Primary Logo
3. Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers (+400)
Points Per Game: 34.4 (1st)
Assists Per Game: 8.9 (19th)
Rebounds Per Game: 8.9 (5th)

Luka Doncic is coming off another monster night of 41 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists against the Bucks (119-95 win). The Lakers are 10-4 and won eight of the past 10 games as one of the hottest teams in the NBA. Doncic leads the NBA in scoring at 34.4 points per game, along with top 15 ranks in rebounds (8.9) and assists (8.9).

Doncic has six double-doubles and one triple-double of the season over the second-most minutes per game oh his career (37.1). If Doncic can exceed his career-high minutes pee game of 37.5, there is an avenue to MVP, especially if he leads the league in scoring.

San Antonio Spurs Primary Logo
4. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs (+750)
Points Per Game: 26.2 (14th)
Rebounds Per Game: 12.9 (2nd)
Blocks Per Game: 3.6 (1st)

Victor Wembanyama moves back up a spot for me after erupting for 38, 31, and 26 points over the last three games. In that span, Wemby recorded two double-doubles, and one triple-double to extend his double-double streak to four games.

Wemby posted a 31-point triple-double with 15 rebounds, and 10 assists in a loss to the Warriors. That was his first triple-double of the season and his ninth double-double on the year as the Spurs fell to 9-4 with two consecutive losses to the Warriors. Five of the Spurs next six opponents have winning records, so San Antonio will be put to the test since six of their nine wins have come against teams .500 or below.

Milwaukee Bucks Primary Logo
5. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks (+900)
Points Per Game: 32.6 (2nd)
Rebounds Per Game: 11.3 (6th)
Assists Per Game: 7.1 (13th)

The Giannis Antetokounmpo MVP chatter has started to cool off a bit as his odds have decreased each of the past two weeks, but that's because Milwaukee is 5-5 over the last 10 games. After a 4-1 start, the Bucks have alternated wins and losses over the past 10 games, failing to put together a winning streak or losing streak in that span.

At 8-6, there is no need for urgency, but with the next opponents on the schedule all likely playoff or play-in teams: Cleveland, Philadelphia, Detroit, Portland, Miami, and New York — that time to panic may come sooner than later for the Bucks.

Stock Up

Houston Rockets Primary Logo
Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets (+8000)
Points Per Game: 23.0 (23rd)
Rebounds Per Game: 10.3 (9th)
Assists Per Game: 7.4 (12th)

Last week it was Cade Cunningham (+3500) who was the biggest riser, the week prior was Tyrese Maxey (+5000) — this week it is Alperen Sengun.

Cunningham and Maxey still have the same odds, while Sengun moved from +15000 to +8000, nearly cutting his odds in half. Sengun has double-doubled in four consecutive games and seven out of the past eight to go along with 20 or more points in six of those games.

The Rockets are 9-1 in the past 10 games, and that is likely the largest reason to why Sengun's odds are on the move. Another would just be his stellar play putting up baby-Jokic numbers of 23.0 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 7.4 assists, ranking top 25 across the board. Sengun is playing over five more minutes per game this season and it's resulting in his assists jumping from 4.9 to 7.4 and points from 19.1 to 23.0 over 12 games.

Stock Down

Minnesota Timberwolves Primary Logo
Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves (+10000)
Points Per Game: 27.3
Rebounds Per Game: 4.6
Assists Per Game: 3.7

Anthony Edwards came back and played six games for Minnesota posting a 4-2 record. Yet, his odds moved from +8000 to +10000 mostly because the four wins came against Utah and Sacramento — two teams combined for 8-19 record.

The two losses came against the Nuggets and Knicks, and he combined for 41 points in those games, so I agree with the movement. In wins this season, Edwards averages 33.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists, but in losses, his points drastically drop to 24.0 points, while posting similar assists (5.3) and rebounding (4.7) numbers. Minnesota will need more consistency from Edwards night in and night out if they want to be a top-four seed and if he wants MVP votes.

Follow my plays for the season on X @VmoneySports, Instagram @VmoneySports_ and Action App @vaughndalzell.

Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & team props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!

How to Watch the NBA on NBC and Peacock

Peacock NBA Monday will stream up to three Monday night games each week throughout the regular season. Coast 2 Coast Tuesday presents doubleheaders on Tuesday nights throughout the regular season on NBC and Peacock. On most Tuesdays, an 8 p.m. ET game will be on NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones, and an 8 p.m. PT game on NBC stations in the Pacific and often Mountain time zones. Check local listings each week. Both games will stream live nationwide on Peacock. NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball across NBC and Peacock on Feb. 1, 2026. For a full schedule of the NBA on NBC and Peacock, click here.

Bucks at Cavaliers predictions: odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets for November 17

The Cleveland Cavaliers (9-5) and Milwaukee Bucks (8-6) meet on Peacock at 7 PM ET for a battle between two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference.

Cleveland won the first meeting at home, 118-113, and will look to repeat that success once again at Rocket Arena. After winning four straight games and reaching a 7-3 record, Cleveland has gone 2-2 in the past four games.

The Cavaliers are in the third game of a six-game home stand, while Milwaukee is playing a sandwich spot contest coming off two straight at home and has three more at home following this contest.

Milwaukee has exceeded expectations at 8-6 behind the MVP play of Giannis Antetokounmpo, but the Bucks have struggled by alternating wins and losses over the last 10 games, failing to put together a winning streak or losing streak.

Let’s dive into tonight’s matchup and find a potential sweat or two! We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff. Odds courtesy of DraftKings recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

After 24 years, the NBA is back on NBC and Peacock, combining the nostalgia of an iconic era with the innovative future of basketball coverage. The NBA on NBC YouTube channel delivers fans must-see highlights, analysis, and exclusive and unique content.

Game Details and How to watch the Bucks vs. Cavaliers live

  • Date: Monday, November 17, 2025
  • Time: 7 PM EST
  • Site: Rocket Arena
  • City: Cleveland, OH
  • Network/Streaming: Peacock

Rotoworld has you covered with all the latest NBA Player News for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Game odds for the Bucks at the Cavaliers

The latest odds as of Monday courtesy of DraftKings:

  • Moneyline: Cavaliers (-298), Bucks (+240)
  • Spread: Cavaliers -7.5
  • Total: 235.5

That gives the Cavaliers an implied team point total of 121.5 and the Bucks 113.5.

Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!

Expected Starting Lineups for the Bucks and the Cavaliers

Bucks

PG Ryan Rollins

SG AJ Green

SF Kyle Kuzma

PF Giannis Antetokounmpo

C Myles Turner

Cavaliers

PG Donovan Mitchell

SG Sam Merrill

SF Deandre Hunter

PF Evan Mobley

C Jarrett Allen

Injuries for the Bucks and the Cavaliers

Bucks

F Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) is PROBABLE for Monday's game

Cavaliers

G Darius Garland (toe) is OUT for Monday's matchup
G Jaylon Tyson (concussion) is OUT for Monday's matchup

Important stats, trends and insights ahead of Bucks at Cavaliers on Monday.

  • Milwaukee is 7-7 ATS and 4-2 ATS as an underdog
  • Milwaukee is 2-1 ATS as a road underdog and 1-2 on the ML
  • The Bucks are 4-2 to the Over as a underdog and 2-1 to the Under as a road underdog
  • The Bucks are 8-6 to the Over overall
  • The Cavaliers are 8-6 to the Over overall
  • The Cavaliers are 7-6 to the Over as a favorite and 4-3 to the Under as a home favorite
  • Cleveland is 4-10 ATS, ranking tied third-worst
  • Cleveland is 1-6 ATS as a home favorite, ranking sixth-worst

Rotoworld Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans the Bucks to cover and Donovan Mitchell to go Over his points prop:

“Milwaukee covered the first meeting of the season between the two teams, but Cleveland won 118-113. This time, the spread is 7.5 in favor of Cleveland and without Darius Garland, there may be some value there. Milwaukee has exceeded expectations as Giannis Antetokounmpo has played like an MVP, while Cleveland may still be rated as a top-five team in the NBA, but playing like a 8-12 rated squad. I would lean Bucks in picking a side here.

Donovan Mitchell scored 24 points in the first meeting going Under his player prop and with Garland out again for this meeting, I would lean the Over this time around. Mitchell has been on fire averaging over 32 points per game in November and scored 28 or more points in four straight games and six out of seven this month."

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Bucks & Cavaliers game:

  • Moneyline: Cavaliers ML (low confidence)
  • Spread: Cavaliers -7.5 (medium confidence)
  • Total: Under 235.5 (low confidence)

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)

- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)

- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)

- Trysta Krick (@Trysta_Krick)

How to watch Milwaukee Bucks vs Cleveland Cavaliers: TV/live stream info, preview for tonight's game

The Milwaukee Bucks go head-to-head with the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight on Peacock. Live coverage begins at 6:30 PM. See below for additional information on how to watch tonight's Bucks vs Cavaliers game and follow all of the NBA action on NBC and Peacock. Peacock will feature 100 regular-season games throughout the course of the 2025-2026 season.

Tonight's game marks the second of four regular-season meetings between the two teams. Cleveland won the last match-up 118-113 on October 26.

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RELATED:Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire - Derik Queen a must-add with new role

Milwaukee Bucks:

The Bucks are coming off a 119-95 loss to the Lakers on Saturday night. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way for Milwaukee with 32 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists. The two-time MVP has scored at least 30 points in nine of his twelve games played this season. With 32.6 points per game, he is currently second in the league in scoring behind Luka Doncic.

AJ Green added 15 points and 3 rebounds, while Gary Trent Jr. chipped in 13 off the bench on Saturday.

Cleveland Cavaliers:

The Cavaliers defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 108-100 on Saturday. Donovan Mitchell came up big in the win, scoring 30 points — 14 of them came in the fourth quarter. He also had five rebounds and five assists. The six-time All-Star guard is on pace for the best season of his career; he's averaging 30.4 points per game while shooting 49.8% from the field.

Evan Mobley also had a strong performance in Saturday's win, finishing with 22 points, 13 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 4 assists. He is also on pace for career highs in scoring (19.2 ppg), assists (4.2 apg), and steals (1.3 spg).

Milwaukee and Cleveland have been two of the best teams in the Eastern Conference over the last four seasons. Cleveland remains the favorite to win the Eastern Conference, while the Bucks are an outside contender in the East.

How to watch Milwaukee Bucks vs Cleveland Cavaliers:

  • When: Tonight, Monday, November 17
  • Where: Rocket Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
  • Time: 7:00 PM ET
  • Live Stream:Peacock

How to watch the NBA on NBC and Peacock:

Peacock NBA Monday will stream up to three Monday night games each week throughout the regular season. Coast 2 Coast Tuesday presents doubleheaders on Tuesday nights throughout the regular season on NBC and Peacock. On most Tuesdays, an 8 p.m. ET game will be on NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones, and an 8 p.m. PT game on NBC stations in the Pacific and often Mountain time zones.

Check local listings each week. Both games will stream live nationwide on Peacock. NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball across NBC and Peacock on Feb. 1, 2026. For a full schedule of the NBA on NBC and Peacock, click here.

How to sign up for Peacock:

Sign up here to watch all of our LIVE sports, sports shows, documentaries, classic matches, and more. You'll also get tons of hit movies and TV shows, Originals, news, 24/7 channels, and current NBC & Bravo hits—Peacock is here for whatever you’re in the mood for.

NBA on NBC 2025-26 Schedule

Click here to see the full list of NBA games that will air on NBC and Peacock this season.

What devices does Peacock support?

You can enjoy Peacock on a variety of devices. View the full list of supported devices here.

Jonathan Kuminga ruled out vs. Magic, will miss third straight game with injury

Jonathan Kuminga ruled out vs. Magic, will miss third straight game with injury originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga has been ruled out for Tuesday’s game against the Orlando Magic at Kia Center due to bilateral patellar tendonitis.  

It will be Kuminga’s third consecutive missed game due to the injury. 

Kuminga, 23, missed the second half of Golden State’s win over the San Antonio Spurs last Wednesday due to knee soreness. The Warriors don’t expect Kuminga to miss an extended period of time, but the team is being cautious. 

Golden State is 3-1 on its current road trip with a back-to-back remaining against the Magic on Tuesday and ending against the Miami Heat on Wednesday. 

The fifth-year forward is averaging 13.8 points per game, the third-highest average on the team. 

Kuminga started in 12 of his 13 games played during the 2025-26 NBA season. He was moved to the bench as coach Steve Kerr made a lineup change amid a 2-5 skid. 

The Warriors look to keep a three-game winning streak alive against the Magic while Kuminga sits out. 

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NBA Phone Request Dials Up Betting Probe but May Not Reveal Much

NBA teams are now turning over phones to attorneys investigating the league’s sports betting controversy. While this may seem dramatic, this is a standard move in sports league probes that does not necessarily signal a broader or escalating scandal.

As first reported by The Athletic, the NBA’s outside law firm, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, has requested access to cell phones, phone records and other materials belonging to team employees. One of those teams is the Los Angeles Lakers; Damon Jones, whom the Justice Department has charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, served as a shooting coach to LeBron James and unofficial assistant to the team. He reportedly had “special access” to Lakers information, which Jones is alleged to have sold as part of an illegal betting operation.

The league’s investigation follows charges by the Justice Department against Jones, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups. The charges involve separate conspiracies: Rozier is accused of sharing insider information and manipulating his play to advance prop bets, while Billups allegedly participated in a Mafia-linked scheme to rig poker games. Jones was allegedly involved in both conspiracies.

The NBA says that teams’ employees are complying with requests in the probe.

“The NBA engaged an independent law firm to investigate the allegations in the indictment once it was made public,” a league spokesman told Sportico. “As is standard in these kinds of investigations, a number of individuals and organizations were asked to preserve documents and records. Everyone has been fully cooperative.”

A sports league demanding phone data and other electronic evidence highlights the different roles at play. Federal prosecutors want to prove that more than 30 defendants across two cases committed crimes. NBA investigators are focused on determining whether Jones, Rozier and/or Billups—and potentially others—broke NBA rules and, if so, how they did so and what lessons can be learned.

Even if Jones, Rozier and Billups are ultimately acquitted of criminal charges, they could still have violated NBA rules. From that lens, the request for phones is an employment matter for Billups and Jones, and a labor issue for Rozier, who is an active player.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver’s role is also notable. He has not just the authority, but the duty, to investigate. Article 24 of the league constitution states that the commissioner has “the responsibility for the general supervision and direction of all business and affairs of the League and shall have all such other powers as may be necessary or appropriate to fulfill this responsibility.”

Betting conspiracies threaten the integrity of the league and its relationships with fans, business partners and the public.

Employment by a team in a league of independently owned franchises has unique features. Employees do not work for the league itself. However, league operating documents, employment contracts and employee handbooks obligate team personnel to preserve and share evidence relevant to league investigations. Failure to cooperate can result in termination or suspension.

Sports leagues have routinely used this framework to conduct investigations and gather evidence.

For example, MLB obtained phone records and text messages from Houston Astros employees during its electronic sign-stealing probe. In her investigation into allegations of abuse and sexual misconduct in women’s pro soccer, former Deputy U.S. Attorney General Sally Yates reviewed numerous texts, calls and emails. When the NFL investigated the New England Patriots in Deflategate, the league’s report relied on text messages from Patriots locker room assistants. The NFL also gathered texts and other evidence in its investigation of then-Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott, who was accused of domestic violence. The NBA’s ongoing inquiry into whether the Los Angeles Clippers circumvented the salary cap through a sponsor’s payment to Kawhi Leonard similarly involves evidence collection.

Sometimes league investigations aren’t public matters, especially when investigations find no wrongdoing. Like most businesses, leagues prefer to handle controversies internally.

While leagues can use contractual agreements to require cooperation, their authority is limited by the scope of those contracts. Despite their wealth and scale, leagues like the NFL and NBA are mere private entities, not government bodies.

Unlike government entities, the NBA lacks subpoena power. It cannot threaten a team employee or player with contempt of court or criminal charges for refusing to provide testimony or share evidence. Nor can the NBA compel people outside the league to cooperate, and those who choose to speak usually do so without being under oath. As a result, witnesses may knowingly lie to league investigators and conceal facts. By contrast, federal prosecutors can threaten witnesses with criminal charges if they fail to play ball or lie.

Not only do leagues lack governmental powers, but they must adhere to legal constraints. The NBA’s collective bargaining agreement and the league’s relationship with the NBPA include confidentiality provisions. Privacy laws and norms further limit how leagues can investigate players’ communications and off-court activities.

While the NBA’s steps in this investigation are typical thus far, it’s possible the collection of phone evidence could uncover more evidence of wrongdoing. 

You never know what’s on a phone.

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Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Derik Queen a must-add with new role

Another week of NBA action is in the books, and just like that, we’re heading into Week 5 of the 2025-26 campaign. Detroit continues to separate from the pack, Oklahoma City sits atop a competitive Western Conference, and things have gone from bad to worse in Dallas, Sacramento and Indiana.

New and lingering injuries, overlooked options and strong performances have given us another group of worthwhile pickups heading into Week 5, including seven first or second-year players and a pair of guys featured in last week’s column.

→ Watch the NBA on Peacock on Monday night, as the Milwaukee Bucks take on the Cavaliers in Cleveland. The action gets underway at 7 p.m. ET!

NBA: Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron, Zion Williamson and Josh Giddey are among the players whose availabilities and team schedules will impact fantasy basketball in Week 5.

Priority Adds

1. Derik Queen
2. Reed Sheppard
3. Kon Knueppel
4. Dillon Brooks
5. Tristan da Silva
6. Jaden McDaniels
7. Ajay Mitchell
8. Ace Bailey
9. Andre Drummond
10. Zach Edey
11. Bogdan Bogdanovic
12. Tim Hardaway Jr.

Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota Timberwolves (47 percent rostered)

McDaniels is shockingly available in 53% of Yahoo! leagues, but that will surely change soon. The Wolves’ two-way glue guy is averaging career highs in points, assists, blocks, three-pointers, FG% and FT% this season. Over his last 10 games, he’s averaging 19.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.1 blocks and 1.8 triples with ridiculous 60/60/90 shooting splits. His efficiency and scoring may slow down, but he’s attempting a career-high 12.6 shots while logging nearly 32 minutes per game, and his defensive contributions have been stellar.

Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets (44 percent rostered)

Knueppel was the featured pickup in last week’s Waiver Wire column, and he paid off for fantasy managers who added him. In four Week 4 appearances, the rookie averaged 18.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 2.8 triples. The highlight of the week was his 32-point eruption in Friday’s OT loss to the Bucks. The future is bright, and opportunities will be plentiful.

Ajay Mitchell, Oklahoma City Thunder (41 percent rostered)

Mitchell is stuffing the stat sheet for the Thunder, and that should continue whether he’s in the starting lineup or coming off the bench. He’s providing sixth-round value over the first month of the season, and he averaged a 15/4/3 line last week with 1.7 steals, 0.7 blocks and 1.3 three-pointers.

Reed Sheppard, Houston Rockets (39 percent rostered)

Sheppard is having a phenomenal second season, making the most of the increased opportunities he’s received with Fred VanVleet out for the season. For as great as he’s been on the season as a whole, Sheppard has been even better as of late, averaging 15.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.3 steals and 3.3 triples. With Tari Eason (hip) out for at least the next four weeks, expect Sheppard to stay heavily involved on offense and get his fill of minutes off the bench.

Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies (37 percent rostered)

Edey made his season debut in Saturday’s loss to Cleveland, providing 13 points, seven rebounds, two steals and two blocks across 25 minutes of action. His playing time could trend up as he gets back to game speed, but for now, his minutes are enough to provide a sturdy fantasy floor.

Dillon Brooks, Phoenix Suns (37 percent rostered)

It’s tough to ignore a guy who’s scored at least 16 points in five straight while chipping in 2.4 triples and 1.6 steals. Brooks is on a heater heading into Week 5 having scored 32+ points in back-to-back contests. He detonated for a 34/6/1 line with three steals and three triples on Sunday and will look to keep that momentum moving forward in his upcoming three-game week.

Ace Bailey, Utah Jazz (32 percent rostered)

Bailey joined Utah’s starting five and made an immediate impact. Across his first three starts, he averaged 17 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.7 steals and 2.7 triples across 28.7 minutes per game. He finished with at least 20 points in two straight before a miserable showing on Sunday. The Jazz won a thrilling matchup in OT against the Bulls, but Bailey fouled out after only 10 minutes. Chalk it up to an off night and take advantage of this buy-low opportunity by adding him.

Derik Queen, New Orleans Pelicans (25 percent rostered)

Queen was picking up steam heading into Sunday’s matchup with the Warriors. In six games prior, he averaged 13.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.5 steals. His stellar play and change at head coach led him to make his first start of the season, and Queen finished with 9/7/6 and two blocked shots across 25 minutes in Sunday’s blowout loss to the Warriors. Queen’s move to the first unit is highly beneficial for his fantasy outlook moving forward, and he needs to be added in all formats.

Andre Drummond, Philadelphia 76ers (21 percent rostered)

Joel Embiid continues to miss time with a knee injury, and with Adem Bona (ankle) set to miss at least three games, Drummond should be in line to continue a productive run. Over his last three (all starts), Drummond has averaged 14.3 points, 12 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.7 blocks and a surprising 1.3 triples.

Bogdan Bogdanovic, Los Angeles Clippers (15 percent rostered)

Double Bogie has seen a big uptick in playing time, logging 37 minutes on Friday and 35 on Sunday. He posted a monster 21/3/3/4 line with five triples on Friday before falling back to earth with an 11/4/3 line, including one triple and no defensive stats on Sunday. Despite Sunday’s muted line, Bogdanovic should be in line for big minutes in the wake of Bradley Beal’s season-ending injury and Kawhi Leonard’s prolonged absence.

Tristan da Silva, Orlando Magic (11 percent rostered)

Da Silva is enjoying a productive 2025-26 campaign, logging career highs in points (11.5), rebounds (3.7) and triples (2.0). Paolo Banchero’s absence due to a groin injury allowed da Silva to join the first unit, and he posted a 22/9/1 line with a block and five triples on Friday. He started a second straight game on Sunday and posted 13 points, six rebounds, two assists, three steals, a blocked shot and two triples across 40 minutes. It’s unclear when Banchero will be back, and until he returns, da Silva will be worth rostering in standard fantasy leagues.

Tim Hardaway Jr., Orlando Magic (8 percent rostered)

Christian Braun (ankle) will be out for at least four weeks, and THJ should replace him in the starting five until he returns. Hardaway Jr. drew his first start of the season on Saturday, delivering a 23/3/1 line with a block and five triples across 29 minutes. He’s better in points leagues than in category leagues, but he should offer enough to be viable in the latter as well.

Others to consider: Quentin Grimes (41%), Saddiq Bey (20%), T.J. McConnell (15%), Collin Gillespie (14%), Noah Clowney (13%), Vit Krejci (11%), Daniss Jenkins (9%), Jarace Walker (6%)

Analyzing four early-season Knicks trends during 2025-26 NBA season

The first 12 games of a new season have been eventful for the Knicks

A new head coach, a high octane offense, and some strategic tweaks have taken up headlines so far. 

An increase in three-point attempts and a test of the team’s depth are just a couple of the topics whirling around the team. 

Let’s analyze four early-season trends...

Three-ball threat

NBA games have become a math equation. Three is better than two. And as the three-pointer has become more valuable to teams, finding ways to generate clean looks is paramount to building a quality offense. 

One of the largest transformations for the Knicks under Mike Brown has been the team’s shot profile. Last season, the Knicks ranked 28th in three-point attempt rate. Through 12 games, the Knicks are fifth in the same category. After a cold start, New York has found the range, shooting 40.8 percent from three during its seven-game homestand. 

Transforming the team’s shot profile was a priority. New York has greatly reduced midrange attempts in exchange for the bevy of trifectas, which includes clean catch-and-shoot corner three-pointers, which is a result of Brown’s focus on ball and man movement. Jalen Brunson’s catch-and-shoot attempts from long distance have increased, giving him easier opportunities to score. It should help in the long run.

Depth producing mixed results

One of New York’s priorities in the offseason was addressing a thin bench. After adding Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele in free agency, the hope was that the Knicks had enough depth to keep the starters fresh throughout the regular season. 

So far, the bench has produced. The Knicks are tied for 16th in reserve scoring, up from last in 2024-25. And as we saw in Friday night’s 140-132 win against the Miami Heat, the bench can be potent. New York’s reserves notched 75 points in that one.

But under the hood is a concern. A large share of the bench points are coming from Clarkson, Josh Hart, Miles McBride and Landry Shamet. Those four players are all listed at 6-foot-4 or under. Can the Knicks survive relying on smaller players to eat up many of the reserve minutes?

Nov 5, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Miles McBride (2) controls the ball against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jaylen Clark (22) during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden.
Nov 5, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Miles McBride (2) controls the ball against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jaylen Clark (22) during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. / Brad Penner-Imagn Images

The 6-foot-8 Yabusele is off to a disappointing start. A cold preseason and early-season shooting stretch from the Frenchman has forced Brown to use him less. It was notable that with OG Anunoby leaving Friday's game due to a hamstring injury, Yabusele was still an afterthought, seeing the floor for only six minutes.

Injuries to both Brunson and Anunoby in the past week should test the Knicks’ depth over the next several games, and may open up minutes for Yabusele and some of New York’s younger players like Ariel Hukporti or Tyler Kolek.

Defense plus and minus

Overall, the defense has been uneven, ranking 16th in the league. Keeping opponents out of the paint has been a priority. New York is fifth in opponent points in the paint allowed per 100 possessions. The Knicks have also limited teams when it comes to second chance and transition scoring opportunities.

The defense has been aggressive on the perimeter, playing in the gaps to prevent opponent drives. But one concern from the strategy is that it is conceding too many three-point attempts.

It’s a lot to ask New York’s perimeter defenders to have to smother drives and then retreat back to open three-point shooters. New York is 25th in three-point attempts per 100 possessions allowed and clubs are shooting a crisp 39.3 percent against them.

Possession game

The Knicks’ offense has been elite, ranked third in offensive efficiency. Great outside shooting is a factor, but another piece of the puzzle is getting up more shots. New York has attempted 105 more field goals than its opponents. Offensive rebounding and a low turnover rate are the reasons for the chasm.

The Knicks are sixth in offensive rebound rate, rebounding 34.1 percent of their errant shots. They will be in the top 10 on the offensive glass for the fifth consecutive season if the stat holds. At the center of New York’s effort on the boards is Mitchell Robinson. The center would lead the NBA in offensive rebounds per game and offensive rebound rate if he played enough games.

Under Brown, New York’s perimeter players are also contributing. Clarkson had four offensive rebounds on Friday. Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns collected four apiece in a Tuesday night victory against the Memphis Grizzlies. On the turnover front, the Knicks have the fourth-lowest turnover rate in the league. This is happening despite rising to 12th in assist rate.