Oklahoma City's Jalen Williams had to be taken off the court on a stretcher Sunday night following a nasty fall, which looked to me on the replay like his knee bent awkwardly under his full weight, although some reports out of the arena suggested it was more of an ankle injury. Either way, it looked like it could end his season three games in.
"Those are tough, man. We're not doing great," Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said from the podium postgame.
"He just loves playing. He loves the competition. That's who he is," an emotional Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said. "I have no doubt he'll be back better than before."
The injury occurred with 1:14 left in the game, when Williams made an aggressive drive to the rim and was met there by Derrick Jones Jr. in front and Kris Dunn in back. Williams went down at an angle, about to land on his back, but his left leg curled back under him and then was bent at an angle knees don't bend. Dunn was called for a foul on the play.
Williams stayed on the ground for several minutes, with teammates around him, and the entire arena fell silent. Williams was lifted onto a stretcher, and as he was taken out of the arena, some in the crowd started chanting "J-Dub" and he gave two thumbs up.
Williams played in just 33 games last season, largely due to a hamstring injury, and was incredibly limited in the playoffs. His return to health — averaging 16.5 points a game so far this season — was one of the reasons the Thunder were considered a title favorite.
The Thunder did get the win, 108-101, but nobody in Oklahoma City is celebrating. Everyone's thoughts are with J-Dub.
Williams' injury occurred after an awkward landing under the basket with 1:14 left in the fourth quarter. The Thunder earned a 108-101 victory over the Clippers.
A team official was seen coming over to place a towel over Williams’ leg as he was quickly attended to by an athletic trainer. The tone immediately changed in the arena as members of both teams began to turn away, while Thunder players could be seen getting emotional over the scene.
The crowd was heard chanting "JDub" before the 25-year-old All-Star was carted off the court on a stretcher. He was seen giving two thumbs up to the fans in the arena.
Williams won a championship with the Thunder in 2025 and was named to the All-NBA third team and the All-Defensive second team for the 2024-25 season.
"I just feel bad for him," Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said while fighting tears in his postgame interview. "... We just got to hold the fort down until he comes back."
Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored a game-high 34 points and added six rebounds and five assists, was among those visibly shaken on the court at the sight of Williams' injury.
Williams went up for a dunk at the 1:15 mark in the fourth quarter and was fouled by Clippers Kris Dunn, who came in hard from behind while Derrick Jones Jr. was guarding Williams underneath.
Dunn was called for a personal foul that was upgraded to a flagrant 1 after an official review. Gilgeous-Alexander made both free throws.
OH NO 💔
Jalen Williams suffers a serious lower-leg injury after an awkward landing.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault was asked for the status of injured players on Sunday night, including Williams. Daigneault stated that Williams' injury "speaks for itself."
“Those are tough, man," Daigneault said when talking about the feeling in the locker room. "We’re not doing great.”
Thunder guard Cason Wallace (left shoulder soreness) and forward Jaylin Williams (right wrist soreness) also suffered injuries in the contest. Both players left the game in the first quarter and did not return.
Mark Daigneault on Jalen Williams: “Those are tough, man. We’re not doing great.” pic.twitter.com/3yOwhmNkAz
The coach thanked the fans for their support of Williams and chanting his name after the injury.
“I think anybody that's in the arena can empathize with that," Daigneault said. "So appreciate our fans for doing so.”
Daigneault stated that the team will come together on Monday, Oct. 26 as a team to be there for one another as they continue to process the tough situation.
Williams was limited to just 33 regular-season games and five playoff appearances during the 2025-26 season as he recovered from two wrist surgeries and suffered multiple hamstring strains.
Williams has dealt with lower body injuries throughout his career, including ankle injuries in 2024 and hip injuries in early 2025. He also had a previous wrist injury in 2023.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 25: OG Anunoby #8 of the New York Knicks confronts Wendell Carter Jr. #34 of the Orlando Magic after committing a flagrant foul during the first quarter of the game at Madison Square Garden on October 25, 2026 in New York City. 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 Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The world champion Knicks (0-3) hosted the Magic (1-2) at Madison Square Garden. The victory seemed almost assured, given that Orlando was playing without their star, Paolo Banchero, and the champs were feeling—let’s not say desperate, but certainly eager to notch one in the win column. Their terrible shooting from the lines—the three-point arc and free-throw line—let the guests stay close all night, and faulty fourth quarter defense sank our heroes, 111-102.
As with most stories, this one started differently than it ended. Making half their shots, the Knicks dropped ten unanswered points to start the game while the Disney’s missed their first eight attempts from the field. Frustrations boiled over when OG Anunoby plowed over screening Wendell Carter, Jr. After the barking teams were separated, Anunoby received a flagrant-one foul. That started a run, with four points by Anthony Black to halve the lead. This was Black’s season debut, after missing time due to injury.
Temperatures rising after OG Anunoby collided with Wendell Carter Jr! 🍿
Coach Mike Brown was determined to deploy all of his offensive weapons. Karl-Anthony Towns facilitated the offense to start the game, Jalen Brunson took the reins on the next possession, and then OG Anunoby had a chance to penetrate with the ball, kicking out to Josh Hart on the far side. They tried that last play a seccond time to lesser effect, but it smacked of a one that they intend to make a fixture of their repertoire.
Towns sat at the midway mark after fouling Franz Wagner on a screen. Andre Drummond (4 PTS, 3 RBS, 7 MIN) relieved him. The Knicks misfired repeatedly from deep, but stayed ahead by dominating in the paint and on fast breaks. With the Magic stumbling and bumbling, the homers went up by 12 before finishing the quarter, 28-21.
KAT was at it again to start the second, laying out Jamal Cain on a screen for another foul. Love the player, hate the goofs. That brought Drummond back out. Reunited with the Magic, veteran Nikola Vučević laced a triple and led a comeback to tie the game. Tyler Kolek saw extended time because Jose Alvarado sat out with a sprained ankle. Kolek played hard, if not necessarily well.
Orlando’s Jalen Suggs took a rebound coast-to-coast, dribbling past four defenders for a waltz to the cup. With such whimsical resistance, we understood why James Wiseman got the call two minutes later. Luckily, the Floridians were too sloppy to make serious headway against New York’s general mediocrity, and back-to-back buckets by Mikal Bridges and Landry Shamet helped preserve the advantage.
Once or twice in the half, Josh Hart secured a rebound and rifled it long to a racing teammate for an advantage at the other end. His usual receiver, BFF Brunson, scored to give the hosts a seven-point lead deep in the period. That sequence is a crowd pleaser and, with Jalen’s ability to finish at the rim, almost guaranteed points. Meanwhile, Wiseman played well in his limited appearance, with a board, a block, and defensive intensity in the paint. Could there be a little Mitchell Robinson in that fella? If you squint?
You’d expect the team with a 28-12 advantage in the paint, twice as many offensive rebounds (8-4), and half their opponent’s turnovers (10-5) would have quite a lead by halftime, but the world champs were only up 52-48 at intermission. Orlando’s deep shooting (42%) was much better than New York’s (25%), to the tune of about 18 points. The Knicks’ offense stalled in the second quarter, making just nine of 29 shots after shooting 52% in the first. Extra possessions kept them afloat, but a better team would have really given them the bootheel. Through the half, Black led all scorers with 12. KAT had 11.
Out of the break, our heroes were led by Brunson and Towns, riding nine unanswered points to a 10-point lead. Towns blocked Wagner at the rim, and Orlando shot themselves in the sneaker with consecutive turnovers by Carter and Richardson, plus an offensive foul and technical for Carter. However, the game swung again on two bad passes by Towns, a charge by Hart, and two blanks by Bridges.
We figured Desmond Bane might receive more touches after halftime. The walking muscle helped keep Orlando within reach, assisting Jase Richardson’s (no relation) opening three and Carter’s jumper before adding a pull-up jumper and his own three. That three followed a Towns turnover and capped a quick 6–0 response that trimmed New York’s lead to four. He also committed a turnover and fouled Anunoby for two free throws, finishing his stint with five points and two assists. Tristan Da Silva shot fireballs off the bench, contributing a quick eight points, and Black’s trey brought Orlando within one. Kolek steadied the Knicks with assists on a Towns layup and Hart’s three, restoring a 75-69 cushion. But Vooch’s hook at the buzzer brought the score to 75-71 as we steered into the fourth.
Tristan da Silva has a team-high 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting and 5-of-8 from deep.
Towns, Anunoby, and Kolek synergized in the final frame, with the two starters passing the 20-point mark and Kolek dishing nine dimes (and no turnovers). After Kolek fouled Wagner at the hoop, Brunson replaced him with about eight minutes left. Meanwhile, Anunoby scored five-straight points, but Wiseman fouled Wagner, too, giving the German two freebies that completed an 11-point swing. Franz had 15 points and counting in the fourth alone, and the Disneys took their first lead of the night.
Hart answered at the other end. During an important stretch in the middle of the period, Mike Brown went with Brunson, Shamet, Bridges, Hart, and Wiseman. Drummond had yet to see the court in the second half. Read into that what you will. At the same time, the Knicks were shooting a woeful 8-of-33 after Hart missed two more threes.
Needing an offensive injection, Brown sent Towns back in, and he attacked the rim against the Magic’s smaller frontcourt. Bane delivered the bigger shot, however: a 26-footer that put his squad up 94-91 with under five remaining. Jalen Brunson missed his sixth attempt from deep, Black made one for a six-point lead, and what should have been a routine win looked anything but with three minutes left.
After a timeout, Brunson and Wagner traded buckets, then Cap threw the ball away. Suggs charged the basket at the other end and popped something in his knee. He was helped to the locker room. Prayers up for him.
Brunson missed a pair of free throws, Anunoby missed two, as well, and the hosts trailed by 10 with 1:21 left. Cap scored seven points in the final minute, but Orlando made their free throws and New York couldn’t catch up. Ballgame.
Up Next
Mo’s in the lab, perfecting a recap. Detroit visits NYC on Tuesday. Rest up, Knickerbockers.
The Knicks (0-3) continued their slow start to the new season with a 111-102 loss to the Orlando Magic (1-2).
Here are the takeaways...
-- The Magic were missing star forward Paolo Banchero, having just been ruled out for the next four-to-six weeks with a high ankle sprain. Orlando's first-year head coach Sean Sweeney started second-year swingman Jase Richardson in Paolo's place.
-- The Knicks jumped out to an 8-0 lead thanks in part to threes knocked down by OG Anunoby and Josh Hart. Even after a Magic timeout, the Knicks kept pouring it on, with Hart making life miserable for free-shooting Orlando guard Desmond Bane. Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. tried to jolt some life into his team with some physical play, and got into it with Hart and Anunoby, the latter of whom picked up a flagrant one foul by running through Carter's screen. Carter's two made free throws were the first Magic points of the night, which came with 7:17 left in the first quarter, and guard Anthony Black splashed a triple to complete the five-point play to the dismay of Knicks head coach Mike Brown. The Knicks held the Magic to 30 percent from the field in the first quarter, leading 28-21 entering the second.
-- Both offenses kicked it into gear in the second quarter. The Knicks bench -- namely Tyler Kolek, Landry Shamet, and Andre Drummond -- picked on Orlando's backup center Nikola Vučević, while the Magic's motion offense made it rain from behind the arc. New York had a noticeable pep in their step when Hart returned to the floor, generating some turnovers and protecting their lead with fastbreak points. While the Knicks were lockdown in the halfcourt with superb rotations and physicality, their transition defense was slow to react throughout the first half, and Bane heated up to cut the Knicks' lead to just four by halftime, 52-48.
-- The Knicks had really struggled in the third quarter during their first two games of the season, both of them losses. Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson asserted their will on the third quarter in their third game of this new season to ensure the early trend didn't continue. The star duo got to the rim for a combined 19 points in the quarter as the Knicks extended their lead to 10 points at one stage. But the Magic battled back thanks to some sustained shooting heroics fromBlackand forward Tristan Da Silva, who made a delayed season debut due to injury. The quarter ended with the Knicks still yet to relinquish their lead, up 75-71.
-- Orlando's best player, Franz Wagner, took control early in the fourth to give the Magic their first lead of the game, 87-86, converting on a three-point play. Brown called timeout midway through the quarter with the Knicks trailing by two. Towns tied the game up, 91-91, beating the shot clock with a thunderous baseline slam. Bane responded by rattling home a three to retake the lead for the Magic. Shortly afterward, Brunson implored the Knicks to challenge a loose-ball foul he committed on Wagner, and the call was overturned. Bane split a pair of free throws to make it a two-possession game, Brunson missed his sixth three without a make, and Black promptly swished his fifth three of the game to put New York down seven points with under four minutes remaining. Brunson and Wagner traded layups as the clock ticked down. Jalen Suggs was carried to the locker room with a right knee injury after an awkward layup attempt. The Knicks remained trailing by multiple possessions until the final buzzer.
-- The Knicks shot 17 for 24 (70.8 percent) from the free throw line and an abysmal 8 for 34 (23.5 percent) from behind the arc. In contrast, The Magic shot 17 for 21 (81 percent) from the charity stripe and 18 for 42 (42.9 percent) from three. In a game that was pretty tight throughout, that made all the difference.
Game MVP: Franz Wagner
21 of Wagner's 23 points came in the final quarter. The lanky forward also added 13 rebounds and nine assists.
Highlights
Spin cycle bucket from Jalen Brunson 😵💫 https://t.co/veshhC2Tzx
Brooklyn Nets center Day'ron Sharpe (20) looks to the basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026.
There’s losing a game, and then there’s playing like a losing team.
There’s getting beat, and then there’s rolling over.
Sunday was the latter.
Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. (17) defends Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
The Nets came back to Brooklyn and got humiliated on their home floor, 136-109 by the Pacers at Barclays Center.
Or more to the point, they humiliated themselves.
“The performance we put up after the first quarter was just unacceptable — 112 points in three quarters, you’re not winning basketball games. So it didn’t feel good on either end of the floor,” said coach Jordi Fernández. “And I’m the first one. We have to help them better.
“[It was] just disconnection, full-on and everything: from the spacing to the plays that we run, to the communication on pick-and-rolls, to multiple efforts, to being disappointed with a mistake and dropping your shoulders. All those things are losing things, and now we did not look like a winning team out there.”
Whether it was tired legs on the tail end of a back-to-back, the fact is the bottom fell out defensively for the Nets, who fell to 0-3 and play Tuesday in Boston.
Yes, the offense did go missing, shooting 41 percent overall and 13-for-39 from 3-point range. Julius Randle, Michael Porter Jr. and Egor Dëmin combined for just 23 points on 7-for-27 shooting (1-for-11 from deep) to finish a combined minus-50.
Brooklyn Nets center Day’ron Sharpe (20) looks to the basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
But the defense was even worse.
The Nets allowed 57 percent shooting and 21-for-43 from 3-point range. And while the first quarter was competitive, the rest was capitulation.
The Nets allowed 112 points on 60 percent shooting and 18-for-32 from long range over the final 36 minutes.
“They had a little run at the end of the third or the beginning of the third, and then it felt like we just rolled over as a team. We came back from 20-some [Saturday], made it a game. I think we should stay in the fight,” said Porter, who had 10 points on 4-for-13 shooting. “Whether we hit adversity or not, as a team we’ve got to be resilient, top to bottom and just keep fighting, keep plugging away.”
There was nowhere near enough fighting and precious little plugging away.
Just a bunch of Indiana highlights … and Nets lowlights.
There was Porter getting blocked at the rim by backup Jay Huff.
And after a turnover by Randle (10 points, 2-for-8 shooting), Pascal Siakam got the ball upcourt to Tyrese Haliburton so the Pacers star could bounce it off the floor to himself for a disrespectful breakaway dunk.
That left the Nets down 83-68 in the third with the Pacers laughing on the bench.
Haliburton finished with 24 points and 10 assists for a plus-29. Siakam finished with 21.
Tyrese Haliburton (0) of the Indiana Pacers handles the ball during a game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
Dëmin had just three points for the Nets in 1-for-6 shooting. He was a minus-20.
Moritz Wagner’s 3 had the Nets up 51-49 with 2:45 left in the half, but they surrendered a 16-5 run the rest of the way to go into the locker room down by nine.
They were still down 88-74 midway through the third on Nolan Traore’s free throw, but promptly conceded a dozen straight.
Obi Toppin’s layup capped the blitz to make it 100-74 with 3:19 left in the period. The Nets trailed by 26, and unlike the night before — when they cut a 22-point fourth-quarter deficit in Cleveland down to just two — there was no comeback.
“The biggest [problem] is our communication. We’re just not all on the same page,” said Randle. “We’ve got to find a way to communicate better, respect communication amongst each other. If a guy calls something, we’ve got to honor the call.
“But whatever it is, we’ve just got to communicate on that end because we do a lot of switching. So if we’re going to do a little switching, we’ve got to be communicating, and guys have got to know what the other guy’s doing. We’ve got to be on a string. We haven’t been so far.”
NEW YORK (AP) — Tyrese Haliburton had 24 points, 10 assists and an All-Star Game-worthy dunk as the Indiana Pacers hammered the Brooklyn Nets 136-109 on Sunday night.
The Pacers shot 58 percent (49 for 85) from the field, including 49 percent (21 for 43) from three-point distance.
Haliburton shot 8 for 13 from the field, Pascal Siakam added 21 points and Obi Toppin chipped in 16 off the bench.
Reserve guard Nolan Traore had 17 points for Brooklyn, which has lost its first three games of the season.
Indiana trailed by two points at the end of the first quarter before outscoring the Nets 41-30 in the second period to take a 65-56 lead at the break. The Pacers shot 58 percent from the field and 42 percent beyond the three-point line in the first half.
The Pacers continued their good rhythm in the third quarter by blitzing the Nets 37-24 for a 98-74 advantage heading into the final period.
Haliburton, who missed last season while recovering from a torn right Achilles tendon, provided the highlight of the third quarter.
With 7:17 remaining, Julius Randle lost control of the ball at the top of the arc and Aaron Nesmith dove for it before Siakam picked it up and found a wide-open Haliburton, who bounced the ball to himself in front of the free throw line and threw down a two-handed dunk that drew the approval of his teammates.
Ivica Zubac was removed from the game after he sprained his left ankle with 4:57 left in the first quarter after he stepped on Kelly Oubre’s foot while chasing down a rebound.
Up next
Pacers: Visit the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night.
BROOKLYN, NY - OCTOBER 25: Nolan Traore #10 of the Brooklyn Nets handles the ball during the game against the Indiana Pacers on October 25, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Brooklyn Nets are still looking for a defensive identity, offensive consistency, and of course, their first win of the season. The Indiana Pacers had no interest in aiding the search Sunday evening.
Brooklyn started with the same five again tonight. Held out for back injury maintenance, Mikel Brown Jr. wasn’t even an option.
The Net defense was a mixed bag in the first. The team did well getting into the Pacer passing lanes, coming away with seven steals in the period. While Keon Ellis was the lead bandit out there today, coming away with four, Josh Minott had a pair as well. He got first half minutes for a second straight game after riding bench for the entirety of the season opener.
However, Brooklyn’s tendency to throw two at the ball paired with Indiana’s collective ability to move the rock also brought trouble.
“Obviously we have to guard better one on one, but also we have to be focused on the details,” Nolan Traoré said. “Like, I mean, they were not doing anything crazy that we didn’t see, so we just have to be better. We can be way better than that.”
While Brooklyn’s defense, particularly around the rim, hasn’t been anything to rave about so far this year, this wasn’t the afternoon to be critical of Mo Wagner and Day’Ron Sharpe. The bigs essentially carried the Nets in the game’s first 15 minutes, combing for 16 points while shooting 6-8 from the field. Wagner was a +9 in his first stint off the bench.
Michael Porter Jr. and Julius Randle had a combined two points on 1-6 shooting during that stretch. So, yeah, they needed that.
Brooklyn still led by a few at the start of and early into the second, but Indiana never let them separate and eventually caught them midway through the frame. They had little success distancing themselves on the scoreboard until the half’s final two and a half minutes, where Indiana hit a flurry of threes to carve out a nine point advantage.
At that point, Randle and Porter Jr. had mustered a combined 12 points, but were still shooting 2-14 from the field. Mo Wagner led Brooklyn with 13 points, going 5-7 inside and 2-2 outside the arc. Ellis and Sharpe each had nine.
But those triples for Indiana turned out to be the first few drips of a flood soon to break through. The Pacers opened up the second half shooting 4-6 from deep to give themselves a 16-point lead. Getting down the floor in a hurry after Brooklyn’s misses, they had an easy time finding space for their shooters with the Nets often looking a step or two behind. They finished with 25 fast break points to Brooklyn’s 18.
And, this time, Mo Wagner couldn’t save them. After Brooklyn’s bench unit checked in, the Pacers inflated their lead to 26 points with 3:19 to go in the third. The Nets also stopped turning Indiana over, only to start giving away possessions themselves, committing five turnovers in the third. They shot 8-23 from the field and 1-8 from deep during the period too.
Those are a lot of negative figures, and they translated onto the scoreboard all too smoothly, with the Nets quickly going down 26 with with 3:19 to play. That’s also when Danny Wolf checked in for his first minutes of the season. Drake Powell got his shortly after as well, followed by Ben Saraf.
Before you knew it, we were once again left with little more than a joint team practice for the young guys to develop, as a legitimate game felt out of reach.
“The performance that we put on after the first quarter was just unacceptable,” Fernández said. “112 points in three quarters — you’re not winning basketball games.”
In the consolation contest, Traoré led the way, tallying with 17 points and five assists while shooting 6-11 from the field and 2-3 from three. He finished as Brooklyn’s leading scorer. Powell and Wolf both played the entire fourth quarter but offered little to write about. Wolf made two threes. Powell did not score but assisted on two baskets.
Joshua Jefferson did get his first NBA minutes, but not points. He came in for the affair’s final three minutes, missing his lone shot attempt, a three from the corner.
With none of the starters playing in the fourth, Porter Jr. finished with 10 points while shooting 4-13 from the field and 0-5 from deep. Randle also had 10 points along with seven rebound and seven assists. Egor Dëmin struggled as well. The pendulum appeared to swing back the other way today after his redemptive game against Cleveland. Dëmin added just three points while shooting 1-6 from the field and committing three turnovers.
Back-to-backs are always going to be tough, as will getting wins against expected playoff teams for this young Nets squad. However, in a season where it finally felt like winning could be on the table, you can’t help but feel disappointed with an 0-3 start.
The search continues.
Final: Indiana Pacers 136, Brooklyn Nets 109
Milestone Watch
Keon Ellis recorded four steals in the first half tonight against Indiana, which tied his career high for steals in a half (fourth time). It is the seventh time that a Net has had 4+ STL in the first half of a game since Shaun Livingston had five on 2/3/14 vs. PHI.
Injury Update
Jordi Fernández confirmed pregame that nothing new has changed or come up with Mikel Brown Jr.’s back. He was held out today purely for precautionary reasons. Fernández said that he’d be “ready to go” next time out. Speaking of…
Next Up
The Nets will play their first inter-divisional game on Tuesday night in Boston. It’ll be the latter half of a back-to-back sequence for the Celtics, so Brooklyn might have a better shot to pull off an upset than the matchup alone indicates. The Nets have lost 11 of their last 12 to the boys from bean town.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - OCTOBER 25: Darryn Peterson #22 of the Utah Jazz and Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on during the game on October 25, 2026 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Jazz went into this game coming off their first win a few days before against the New Orleans Pelicans, marking a 1-1 record, and this Sunday evening they welcomed the 2-0 Lakers to Salt Lake City. The 2-0 Lakers were headlined by former Jazzman Walker Kessler, who’s impressed through his first two games, getting high praise from some of the game’s all-time greats like Shaquille O’Neal, who called Kessler the best big in the game on ESPN’s “Inside the NBA.” All that being said, it’s safe to say the stage was set for a standout event.
Going into the game, the Jazz started out flaming hot, winning the first quarter 47-29, capped off by a buzzer-beating bank three from Lauri Markkanen that extended the lead to 18. Ace Bailey was the standout. In just 8 minutes of first-quarter play, Bailey put up 15 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the field, with 7 rebounds and a block. Five of those rebounds were offensive, and several of them led to easy bunnies for Bailey.
Keyonte George must’ve thought it was Thanksgiving time, not Halloween, with the way he was distributing the ball with glee in the first quarter. He finished the game with 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 10 assists, falling just short of a triple-double, with 7 of those 10 assists coming in the first fourth of the game.
The Jazz were just dominant in the first quarter, showing flashes of what this team can eventually be capable of once they grow older. Unfortunately, the team is young, and the first quarter was an anomaly in this game.
Instantly, from the second quarter, the Lakers were able to relax and pick on the Jazz. Austin Reaves gave the Jazz some problems. Wings like Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams were often found wide open, and they capitalized.
Kessler, in his return to Utah, struggled. He found himself in foul trouble, only playing 28 minutes and posting just 2 points with 7 rebounds. He wasn’t why the Jazz lost this game. That being said, for both sides, I personally don’t think the Jazz win this game if they have Kessler. They lost this game because they instantly allowed the Lakers back into the game after a dominant first quarter.
Still, going into halftime, the Jazz found themselves down 3 against a supposed “contender” in the NBA.
Considering I’m almost 400 words in here, it’s pretty crazy I haven’t mentioned this guy you might’ve heard of. Luka Dončić, standing 6’8” out of Ljubljana, Slovenia, was quite successful tonight throughout the game. And while you might think making dorky faces after drilling tough shots is what he’s best at… it’s actually his flopping that takes the cake!
All jokes aside, Dončić did whatever he wanted to tonight. He ended the game with 52 points on 52.6% shooting, with 10 assists and 8 rebounds. Not a bad night for one of the 2026-27 MVP favorites.
And while the Jazz were only down 3 going into the fourth, and even held a lead late in the 4th quarter, when it was money time, Dončić hit shot after shot, putting the young Jazz to sleep with a final score of 132-123.
It wasn’t a lost-cause game; it was a learning experience. A recurring theme I expect this season, especially for players like rookie Darryn Peterson, who probably won’t look to reminisce on this game anytime soon. He still showed flashes of being an All-NBA scorer, hitting shots most 19-year-olds can only fathom hitting on professional grown men.
And I want to make it clear, it’ll be very difficult for you to find a bigger Peterson enthusiast than me, but he needs work on the defensive end. The Lakers were targeting him, and they found some success. The efficiency I’m not worried about; that’ll happen in time. What I am slightly irked by is the way Peterson is being utilized through 3 games. I don’t know if it’s Will Hardy babying him a little or if Peterson simply isn’t taking the initiative to go get the buckets we all know he can get. At the end of the day, it’s probably not that serious, as Bailey faced the same issues as a rookie last year at the beginning of the season.
The Jazz fell short of a win, but they showed flashes of something we’ve wanted for a long time. They’ll have a quick turnaround as they have a rematch with the Memphis Grizzlies tomorrow at the Delta Center.
Dalton Knecht was drafted No. 17 overall in 2024 by the Lakers, with whom he spent the first two seasons of his NBA career.
Dalton Knecht will have to resuscitate his career in the G League.
Head coach Mike Brown said he wants the Knicks’ new acquisition to get game reps rather than just “sit.” That means, barring injuries or unexpected events, the former first-round pick will be hooping with Westchester when the G League season starts next month.
“We want him to play as much as he can,” Brown said. “So he’s gonna play some games with Westchester. If we need him to play games with us, we’ll do that. I’d rather him play than be around us too much and sit.”
Dalton Knecht was drafted No. 17 overall in 2024 by the Lakers, with whom he spent the first two seasons of his NBA career. Getty Images
A tall two-guard, Knecht signed a two-way contract with the Knicks on Friday night and joined the team for Sunday night’s game against the Magic at the Garden. He was available because the Lakers cut Knecht after just two seasons, despite picking him 17th overall and watching him get named to the 2025 Rising Stars Challenge.
Knecht’s career plummeted after the Lakers acquired Luka Dončić via trade. His playing time and production diminished, and the Lakers quickly tried to deal Knecht to the Hornets for Mark Williams. When Williams failed his physical, Knecht had to return to the Lakers for sparse playing time.
“I don’t think nothing changed. I think the team just got changed and that was it,” Knecht said Sunday when asked why his career took a downturn after the hot rookie start. “Still loved my time that I was there. No hard feelings; on to better things.”
The Knicks are taking a low-risk chance that Knecht can rediscover the game that made him the 17th overall pick in 2024 — and the rookie who once scored 27 points and 37 points in consecutive wins with the Lakers.
“We’ll take it day by day to see how quickly he picks up on the offense and the defense,” Brown said. “And, and then, if there’s a need to throw him out there [with the senior Knicks], I won’t hesitate to throw him out there.”
Dalton Knecht is joining the Knicks on a two-way deal, and is expected to report to Westchester. NBAE via Getty Images
The Knicks thought enough of Knecht to waive Kevin McCullar Jr., who was their second-round draft pick from 2024. McCullar had some moments with the Knicks in his two seasons but mostly was injured and inactive.
“[McCullar has] been here three seasons as a two-way player, so we have a pretty good feel for him,” Brown said. “He has a good feel for us, and this is about getting to know a guy like Dalton Knecht at this point of the year. It’s something that we need to take a look at. So it wasn’t anything that Kevin didn’t do. He was great, and he is an NBA player, and I think he’s gonna get a shot down the road.”
The Knicks already have reserves Miles McBride, Landry Shamet, and Jordan Clarkson in the backcourt. Like Knecht, they’re all 3-point shooters.
McBride was coming off his best regular-season game in months, when he dropped 20 points in Friday’s loss to the Celtics while hitting 6 of 8 from beyond the arc. He also finished the game because starter Mikal Bridges was benched amid a hesitant offense and shooting struggles.
“[McBride] played great. He’s one of the reasons we were still in the game,” Jalen Brunson said. “Without him doing what he was doing, it might’ve been a worse outcome. He came in ready to go and helped us.”
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - OCTOBER 30: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder handles the ball in front of Bub Carrington #7 of the Washington Wizards during the first half at Paycom Center on October 30, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Joshua Gateley/Getty Images) | Getty Images Wizards wing Bilal Coulibaly scored 15 points in the first quarter of the team’s loss to the Charlotte Hornets. | NBAE via Getty Images
Game Info
When: Monday, October 26th at 7:00 p.m. ET
How to watch: Monumental Sports Network, League Pass
Where: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
Injury Report
Wizards: AJ Dybansta – Out (Ankle), Jamir Watkins – Out (Knee), Tristan Vukcevic – Out (Hip)
Hornets: Kon Knueppel – Out (Hamstring), Coby White – Out (Calf), Grant Williams – Out (Hamstring), Kylan Boswell – Out (Knee)
Pregame notes
After picking up a win in the Windy City, the Wizards hit the road again for a matchup against their Southeast Division foe, the Charlotte Hornets.
Like the Wizards, the Hornets are off to a 2-1 start. They have done that without the services of their talented 2nd year star Kon Knueppel and guard Coby White, who were big contributors down the stretch last season for the Hornets. Despite missing both of those players, Hornets has managed to get off to a good start, led by one of their new acquisitions, Naz Reid.
This edition of the Hornets will be vastly different without LaMelo Ball, who was part of the trade for the team to acquire Reid. Charlotte plays at a much slower pace than the Wizards’ last two opponents. Wizards seemed to struggle a bit defensively with teams that have pushed the pace against them. Let’s see if Charlotte tries to exploit that weakness more.
On the Wizards’ side, the team will look to sharpen defensively as they have not put a consistent defensive showing in any of the three games so far. The team will once again be without #1 draft pick, AJ Dybansta, so they will have to continue to try to figure out their identity on both ends without what is expected to be one of the key pieces to their team this season.
This game is, once again, another opportunity for the Wizards to test how far along they are in the Eastern Conference pecking order.
Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket during a game against the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
Doncic scored 52 points on 17-of-30 shooting, hitting a trio of 3-pointers late in the game’s precarious moments.
“Anybody that overreacts to him not making shots in the first two games, it’s the first two games,” Austin Reaves said. “That’s the same player who’s capable of doing amazing things on the court. It was a matter of time before he did what he did.”
Doncic’s first stepback 3 of the fourth tied the game at 116 with just over four minutes left.
The second and third 3s put the Lakers up by five and six, respectively, putting the Lakers in full control.
By the time Doncic was at the free throw line with 12.5 seconds left to ice the game, “M-V-P” chants filled the Jazz’ home arena.
He waved goodbye to Jazz fans in the crowd after assisting Reaves on a 3-pointer to put the Lakers up, 130-123, with 34 seconds left, while Reaves shushed the crowd.
“When he’s in the flow state,” coach JJ Redick said, “he gets into like showman mode, he’s on stage performing, and that’s always – it’s always really fun to watch.”
Los Angeles Lakers forward/guard Luka Dončić looks to shoot as Utah Jazz forward Ace Bailey defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, in Salt Lake City. AP Photo/Bethany Baker
Doncic recorded 13 points of his scoring total in the fourth, with all of his fourth-quarter points coming in the final 4:06 of the game.
He shot 8-of-18 on 3s, and 10 of 11 on free throws, to go with 10 assists and 8 rebounds for a near triple-double.
Reaves added 29 points on 7-of-12 shooting and 4 assists, with 11 points of his scoring total coming in the final quarter.
Ziaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle both scored 11 points, while Collin Sexton scored 13 points off of the bench in 20 minutes.
Walker Kessler struggled in his first game against his former team, finishing with more fouls (4) than points (2 on 1-of-2 shooting) after a hot start to the season.
The Lakers got off to a slow start, with Redick acknowledging during his halftime interview that his team wasn’t ready to play.
Los Angeles Lakers forward/guard Luka Donāić looks to pass the ball as Utah Jazz forward/center Lauri Markkanen blocks during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, in Salt Lake City. AP Photo/Bethany Baker
The Jazz won the opening quarter by 18 points, taking a 47-29 lead going into the second quarter after dominating multiple areas of the game.
They had six offensive rebounds, with Ace Bailey having five of them, and 16 second-chance points in the first. The Jazz scored 24 points in the paint and went 5-of-10 on 3s in the opening frame, with the Lakers struggling to contain the Jazz.
After being a brilliant third quarter team in the first two games, the Lakers didn’t wait until halftime to flip the game back in their favor.
They outscored the Jazz 45-24 in the second, with Reaves doing the heavy lifting, scoring 15 points to get the Lakers back in the game.
Doncic closed out the quarter by stripping Bailey on his drive to the rim before hitting a pull-up 3, giving the Lakers a 74-71 lead going into halftime after trailing by 18 earlier in the quarter.
The Lakers beat the Jazz despite being being dominated on the board, with the Jazz grabbing 19 offensive rebounds compared to the Lakers’ four, giving them a 32-11 advantage with second-chance points.
But the Lakers’ shooting advantage gave them the edge: They knocked down 20 3s compared to the Jazz’s 10.
Doncic entered Sunday with modest-for-his-standards averages: 25.5 points, 7 assists and 7 rebounds, but shooting 38.5% from the field (35% on 3s).
His slow start to the season came he didn’t play for the Slovenian national team this past offseason, which created the longest stretch of time since he entered the NBA in 2018 that he went without playing an official basketball game.
The lack of offensive rhythm was palpable, and measurable.
“I’m still getting there, honestly,” Doncic said. “This is the first time I didn’t play basketball in six or seven months, which is a long time. So I’m not used to it. I’m still getting there. [Sunday] was a little bit better.”
Luka Doncic has the ball while guarded by Keyonte George in the first half. Doncic scored 52 points against the Jazz. (Bethany Baker / AP)
Luka Doncic raised three fingers toward the Utah crowd. Fans were left counting more than just his points.
Doncic hit three clutch three-pointers late in the fourth quarter and took a momentum-swinging charge to lead the Lakers to a nail-biting 132-123 victory over the Utah Jazz on Sunday at Delta Center. Doncic led the Lakers (3-0) with 52 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds as the team fought back from an 18-point second-quarter deficit.
Guard Austin Reaves hit a dagger three with 34 seconds remaining to give the Lakers a seven-point lead. As Doncic salted the game away, he was serenaded with chants of “MVP!” Reaves finished with 29 points.
Center Walker Kessler was quiet in his return to Salt Lake City. After he joined the Lakers in a massive sign-and-trade deal that cost the Lakers two first-round picks and two first-round pick swaps and a four-year, $130-million contract, Kessler was held to just two points on one-of-two shooting with seven rebounds.
Kessler had averaged 24 points and 8.5 rebounds per game during the Lakers’ first two games and shot a blazing 84.6% from the field while feasting off lob passes from Doncic and Reaves.
Kessler got an unremarkable mixed reception from the crowd with a large number of fans wearing Lakers colors. The Jazz didn’t play a highlight reel during the game to welcome the center back, as many teams often do for a player who returns on an opposing team.
When asked whether Kessler’s return would spark extra motivation for the Jazz, Utah coach Will Hardy dispelled any suggestions of revenge.
“In no way is tonight about Walker,” Hardy said. “Like it’s not a, ‘Oh wow Walker’s here so we better play harder.’ We’re gonna demand the same standard that we did in our last game. Some of the story lines I don’t quite understand. Like we have a lot of love for Walker. He’s somebody that we have a great relationship with and a lot of shared experience.”
The Jazz traded for Kessler after the Memphis Grizzlies picked him 22nd overall in 2022. He emerged as a strong rebounder and rim protector, but the Jazz, still in rebuilding mode, never challenged for a playoff spot. Kessler played in just five games last season after shoulder surgery.
Kessler picked up his fourth foul with 7:38 remaining in the third quarter, stuck on only two points and six rebounds against his former team. The Lakers instead used a starring performance from their backcourt to overcome an 18-point second-quarter deficit.
The Lakers gave up 16 second-chance points on six offensive rebounds during the first quarter, contributing to the early deficit. Reaves was held scoreless during the first quarter, but awoke for 15 points in the second.
Doncic capped the half with a flurry on both ends. He watched a fadeaway jumper circle the entire rim before dropping through for a three-point play, ripped the ball out of Ace Bailey’s arms for a steal then hit a three at the buzzer to put the Lakers up by three at halftime.
The Slovenian superstar was coming off an admittedly “terrible” game in which he had 23 points, seven assists and 11 turnovers in the Lakers’ home win over the Clippers. Lakers coach JJ Redick said Doncic is still finding his rhythm after not playing with the national team over the summer as he typically does.
Doncic made just two of his first eight three-point attempts Sunday. He looked right back in rhythm when he splashed the tying three with 4:06 remaining in the fourth quarter and pushed his palms toward the ground to quiet the crowd.
Oct 25, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) uses a screen by forward Kevon Looney (55) against Utah Jazz guard Svi Mykhailiuk (10) during the first half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
After trailing by 18 points in the first quarter, the Lakers rallied on Sunday afternoon to beat the Jazz in the first road game of the season, 132-123.
Luka Dončić put the team on his back from the second quarter on, exploding for 52 points in the win. Down the stretch, Luka buried a pair of threes and Austin Reaves hit the dagger to give the Lakers the comeback win.
Luka was the first to get on the board for LA with a jump shot. The Jazz then scored eight straight. Luka answered with another midrange jumper.
Ace Bailey countered for Utah with four points. He was cooking for the Jazz, leading the team with six points. Meanwhile, Luka had all six of the Lakers’ points.
Luka has had a strong offensive start, with 6 points on 3-for-5 shooting. The other end of the floor has been rough for LA. Jazz are doing a good job drawing advantageous switches and capitalizing with easy drives and offensive rebounds.
Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams both drained triples, finally putting other Lakers on the board. Utah kept the momentum, though, and opened a 16-point lead with Bailey leading the charge with 13 points.
Los Angeles struggled defensively, which in turn killed any momentum they built on offense. Luka was the only player doing much of anything offensively with 17 points.
At the end of the first, Utah was up by 18.
First quarter: Jazz 47, Lakers 29
Utah has dominated LA on both ends of the floor. LA has struggled to contain the ball, prevent advantageous switches, and box out. Jazz have been quicker, tougher, and more physical. They have 6 offensive rebounds. Luka has 17 points (5-11 FG).
Collin Sexton started the second period with a layup for the Lakers. Brice Sensabaugh responded on the other end with a floater off the glass. Austin Reaves began to heat up, scoring 10 points in the quarter to bring the deficit to 12 for LA.
Utah called a timeout and, out of the break, former Laker Jaxson Hayes converted on an alley-oop dunk.
Reaves’ ridiculous quarter continued as he drained another triple, pushing his point total to 15. Walker Kessler also finally scored, converting on a layup. Sandro Mamukelashvili had stellar production off the bench for Los Angeles, scoring seven points.
By the 3:02 mark, the Lakers had cut the deficit to three.
LA put on a defensive clinic all quarter. On the other end, Luka went on an insane heater to end the half, scoring eight points to give the Lakers a three-point halftime lead.
Jaren Jackson Jr. scored on a layup for the Jazz to start the third period. Thybulle responded with a 3-pointer for Los Angeles. Keyonte George scored four points to halve the deficit.
Thybulle drained his third three of the night for LA and was now in double figures with 11 points. Luka and Reaves combined for a quick eight, but Markkanen scored five to make it a three-point game. The teams exchanged baskets, making it a fun battle.
At the four-minute mark, the Lakers were up three.
Mamu had two great defensive plays, one block and one altered shot. Utah tied the game on three free throws from Jaren, but Luka hit a triple at the end of the third to put LA up by three.
The final frame started with Isaiah Collier converting on a floater. Reaves converted on a jumper on the other end. Utah chipped into the deficit with Darryn Peterson leading the charge with four points.
At the 7:25 mark, Utah jumped ahead by one after George hit a three.
Out of a Lakers timeout, Sexton drained a 3-pointer to put LA back up. The game was a back-and-forth affair, with neither team creating separation. At the 4:17 mark, the Jazz led by three. Luka erased that with a three on the other end.
At the 3:15 mark, LA was up by one, thanks to Luka converting on a pair of free throws.
Reaves was fouled from behind the arc and converted on all three free throws, giving Los Angeles a small cushion. Luka drained two threes, pushing his total to 50 points. The Lakers were up six with 1:12 left.
After a pair of free throws from George, Reaves drained a clutch three with under a minute to go and Luka converted on two free throws to complete the win.
Key Player Stats
Luka finished with 52 points, eight rebounds, 10 assists and two steals. Reaves ended with 29 points on 7-12 shooting. Kessler had a poor offensive game with just two points. He also grabbed seven rebounds.
Thybulle added 11 points. Williams pitched in with 11 points. Sexton had 13 points off the bench. Mamu logged nine points and three rebounds.
The Lakers’ next game will be against the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday at 8:00 PM PT.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: Paul Reed #7 of the Detroit Pistons tries to get by Allen Graves #22 of the Toronto Raptors during the second quarter of a game at Little Caesars Arena on October 16, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Mike Mulholland/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson are both out for the Detroit Pistons tonight as they visit the undefeated Philadelphia 76ers. Joel Embiid will be resting for the Sixers, but this will be a big matchup for the short-handed Pistons. Paul Reed will get the start for Duren, and here is hoping the former Sixer has some BBall Paul magic ready for his former team. It will also be a chance to see how much appetite JB Bickerstaff has for a Reed backup — is he going to go with the 3-point shooting of the undersized John Collins or is he going to go with the beefy, more limited Tolu Smith?
Game Vitals
When: 7:30 p.m. ET Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Watch: TV: TV20 Detroit | Streaming: DAZN-Detroit Odds: Pistons +1.5
Projected Lineups
Detroit Pistons (2-0)
Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Isaiah Joe, John Collins, Paul Reed
Philadelphia 76ers (3-0)
Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown, LeBron James, Adem Bona
The Lakers held a slim lead entering the fourth quarter after Dončić produced 39 points through the first three quarters. The two-time NBA scoring champ finished with 52 points.
Doncic is now tied with 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.
"When he's in the flow state, he gets into the showman mode," Lakers coach JJ Redick said. "He's on stage performing and that's always fun to watch."
Dončić hit a pair of big shots to close out the second and third quarters of the game. He hit a stepback 3-pointer to close out the third period to give the Lakers a 103-100 lead. He finished with eight 3-pointers made, shooting 44.4% from beyond the arc.
"It means everything to me," Doncic said about being able to step up and lift his team on the road.
While Los Angeles trailed by as many as 18 points during the first half, the Lakers took a 3-point lead to the locker room at halftime after Dončić poured in his 25 points.
Dončić created an opportunity for the Lakers to jump ahead, stealing the ball from second-year player Ace Bailey under the Jazz basket and walking it down the court.
The Slovenian star created space with a move that made Bailey slip before Dončić hit the 3-point shot.
Luka Doncic adds name to Lakers' record books
Dončić added his name to the franchise record books, becoming the fastest Laker to score 3,000 points. The six-time All-NBA selection reached the feat in 95 games, beating out George Mikan (106) and Abdul-Jabbar (109).
Doncic's performance was his third 50-point game for Los Angeles, passing Wilt Chamberlain, Anthony Davis and Shaquille O’Neal, who all had two 50-point games for the Lakers. Doncic is tied with LeBron James for fifth-most in Lakers' history.
The six-time All-Star's double-double performance also made him the first Laker since 1963 to record at least 50 points and 10 assists in a game. He joins Elgin Baylor and Jerry West as the only players in the team's history to accomplish the feat.
