OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - NOVEMBER 4: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers attempts a shot in front of Jared McCain #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Paycom Center on November 4, 2026 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
Grades are based on our usual expectations for each player.
Player of the game
James Harden
19 points, 6 assists, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks
The Cavaliers would have had no pulse in their contest with the Thunder if not for Harden. It felt like even when the Cavs were down by double digits in the second and third quarter that Harden was the only one really trying to assemble an offense.
Harden might not have been the most efficient player on the floor. He was, however, the true spark keeping the Cavaliers within arm’s reach. In a loss where the bulk of the team was struggling to match the Thunder’s energy on the floor, Harden met the task.
Grade: B+
Grades
Evan Mobley
16 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks
Without Jarrett Allen for most of the game, you would have figured that Mobley would become an even bigger focus on offense. However, Mobley was not up to the task tonight. If Mobley did not have an open lane, it felt like he would vanish on offense.
While he ended up putting up a respectable stat line, those who watched the game would note how invisible he felt at times.
Grade:C+
Donovan Mitchell
27 points, 3 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 turnovers
It is strange to put a player who scored the bulk of the team’s fourth-quarter points not as the player of the game; however, it felt like it took until the last few minutes of the game for Mitchell to emerge as even a factor in the contest.
Mitchell put on an absolute clinic in the last five minutes, scoring 17 of his 27 points to get the Cavaliers back within single digits. While appreciated to try and lead one last push, it felt like if this type of aggression was there earlier on the Cavaliers wouldn’t have faced such a tough deficit to overcome.
Grade: B
Meleek Thomas
9 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal
This was arguably the most disappointing outing for the young rookie. Thomas was able to put the ball in the hoop, however, this felt like the most desperate shot volume of his young career.
The shots seemed rushed, or even like Thomas was trying to shoot himself into a groove. Games like this happen, and Thomas was still a shot of energy in the lineups he was placed into.
Grade: C
Jarrett Allen
0 points, 1 rebound, 7 minutes
Jarrett was essentially a non-factor in this contest as he suffered a lower leg injury. This injury took place when he went knee-to-knee during a standard pick. Allen was able to walk off the floor under his own power. Head coach Kenny Atkinson didn’t have an update on the severity of the injury post-game.
Grade: Incomplete
Mario Hezonja
12 points, 8 rebounds
Hezonja was one of the few players who were providing a spark for the Cavaliers against the Thunder. His perimeter defense and being engaged off-ball allowed him to score 12 points in a variety of ways. As Hezonja continues to put up quality minutes, one would hope this would allow him to see minutes with the core four.
Grade: A
Sam Merrill
10 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist
On a night where Merrill didn’t go nuclear from the arc, this was probably the closest you would get to a good outing from the sharpshooter. He was an active presence on the glass, keeping his value on the floor going even if the elite volume and percentage were not there tonight.
Grade: B-
Tyrese Proctor
11 points, 1 rebound
Proctor got the starting nod tonight with Jaylon Tyson and Peyton Watson out and was…fine? Proctor shot the ball well enough, he just was not dynamic enough otherwise to feel like additive to the starting five. It’s nice not to worry about whether his shots will fall, but there is not much else to really gain for Proctor in the starting lineup.
Grade: C+
Thomas Bryant
8 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists
This could be a me problem. I really did not enjoy my Thomas Bryant experience tonight. It felt like the bulk of his possessions were him hoisting up shots from beyond the arc.
They are tolerable when they fall. When they don’t, they feel like the most painful offensive possessions the Cavaliers can muster.
Grade: F
Tristan Enaruna
4 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist
Enaruna got some serious run tonight and put up mixed results on the floor. It felt like a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency type of nomination, and there certainly were growing pains in the outing. Enaruna flashed some good on-the-ball decision-making while also being composed with the ball in his hands.
Where Enaruna struggled was from the perimeter. Never seen so many in-and-out threes in one game as he had tonight.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 04: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons drives around Vj Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half at Little Caesars Arena on November 04, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Detroit Pistons (6-2) fall short in the battle between the top teams in the Eastern Conference. The Philadelphia 76ers (8-1) outlasted Detroit 112-106. Philly got up by as many as 18 points, but Detroit never truly went away. The 76ers’ stardom showed its head tonight.
After holding Jaylen Brown to 16 points in the first meeting of the season, he surpassed that in the first half this time around. Brown poured in 30 points for the game while converting on 11 of his 19 shots. He rained in spot-up 3s, as it was tough to stick with him with the way Philly forced Detroit into scramble mode throughout the ballgame. Brown had a clutch block on Cade, and his presence was felt on both sides of the ball.
This is not 2023 Joel Embiid, but he’s still a force. Embiid still draws double teams and can get any big in foul trouble. He and Tolu Smith got into a dust-up that injected some life into Detroit, but Philly found a way to withstand every Detroit storm.
Duncan Robinson went on a few personal runs that seemed to turn the tide in Detroit’s favor. The sharpshooter went for 27 points and buried an unconscious seven triples. Robinson’s ability to look past the hands in his face to shoot the rock will pay dividends all season. It didn’t work out tonight, but Robinson is off to a different type of start as a sniper.
Cade Cunningham tried to put on his cape and emptied the clip. He couldn’t find it from deep but got good looks. He went for 26 points, 11 assists, and seven boards. He got to the charity stripe and nailed every attempt (7-7). Cade had another LeBron-like chasedown block — this time in LeBron’s presence.
At this point, those are truly Cade-like chasedowns, and Brown’s missed layup here shows Cade’s reputation as a chasedown artist is evident.
VJ Edgecombe had a fast break sequence where he u-turned it because Cade was on the hunt again. Special defender.
Ausar Thompson’s special stuff came on the boards as he snagged 17 rebounds tonight. From the opening possession, he was pogo-sticking down low to help Paul Reed and John Collins in the paint. AT chipped in 11 points, and his shot from the line continues to look better. He was 3-for-4 tonight; you’ll take the small improvements wherever you can.
John Collins had his best offensive game in a few games. He was getting behind the defense, throwing down head-top slams. His ability to be a paint finisher and hit threes is why he’s here. He only shot one 3 tonight. The Pistons need more.
Collins should look better when Duren comes back, in theory. Duren has rim-gravity that forces defenses to account for one of the best finishers in basketball. This was the first game where I thought Detroit missed Duren badly. From a talent perspective, Detroit was outgunned tonight.
LeBron James controlled the tempo in spurts of the game. He was playing like that OG at the Y who’s keeping up with the youngins on pure know-how. LeBron draws two to the ball, Embiid does, Brown does, and Tyrese Maxey does. There’s a lot of star power over there, and this is a team Detroit could see in the long run.
The Pistons did not have their sharpest defensive night, and Philly still only cracked 112. It was just one of the games. Detroit shifts their focus to another superstar in Luka Dončić. He and the Los Angeles Lakers travel to Detroit on Sunday as the Pistons take on their first Western Conference team of the season.
NEW YORK (AP) — Michael Porter Jr. had 26 points and 10 rebounds and Julius Randle added 22 points as the Brooklyn Nets won their second game of the season, 114-104, over the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night.
The Nets (2-6), who had lost six of their first seven games, rallied from a seven-point halftime deficit in the final periods. Brooklyn’s other victory this season came Sunday at Indiana.
Mikel Brown Jr. scored 18 points, Nolan Traore had 16 and Danny Wolf 13 for Brooklyn, which shot 51 percent from the field overall and 38 percent from long distance.
Naz Reid scored 28 points on 11-for-18 shooting from the field and Grayson Allen added 22 points for the Hornets, who lost their fifth straight game after opening the season 3-1.
Brandon Miller and Sion James scored 10 points apiece for Charlotte (3-6).
Hornets forward Kon Knueppel, who was making his season debut after being sidelined with a hamstring strain, exited in the first quarter due to soreness in his left leg and did not return. He played six minutes and scored three points on 3-for-3 shooting from the line. Knueppel led the NBA in three-pointers last season and was runner-up for NBA rookie of the year.
Up next
Hornets: Host the Boston Celtics on Friday.
Nets: At Atlanta on Saturday in the first of a four-game trip.
This time the Nets held their poise and held on for a comfortable 114-104 victory over visiting Charlotte.
Michael Porter Jr. (left) and Julius Randle high-five during the Nets’ 114-104 win over the Hornets on Nov. 4, 2026 at Barclays Center. NBAE via Getty Images
It was payback for a humbling season-opening loss against these same Hornets. And after a win in Indiana — and taking a lead into the fourth quarter on the road at the reigning NBA champion Knicks — there are signs of the Nets making strides.
“We were in the same position a couple nights ago in New York and fell apart in the fourth,” Michael Porter Jr. said. “So, that’s what good teams do, growing teams do, is they learn from their failure and try to not do that same thing again. So I was proud of everybody.”
Porter had 26 points and 10 rebounds, taking over late. Julius Randle scored 22 while they got solid play from the young point guard tandem of starter Nolan Traore (16 points, three steals, plus-13) and rookie Mikel Brown Jr. (career-high 18 points, four assists).
But most auspicious was the Nets’ fourth quarter offense. After imploding two nights earlier — when they coughed up a 25-5 run to open the final period, and shot 3-of-16 with seven turnovers — this time they looked like a cohesive unit.
The Nets (2-6) outscored the Hornets 34-24 in the fourth, shooting 51.2 percent and 6-of-11 from deep. And Porter — who had been scoreless in the fourth against the Knicks — had 13 points on 4-of-4 from behind the arc.
“Fourth quarter is winning time,” Porter said. “You can play a good three quarters of basketball; the fourth quarter’s a completely different game. You have to be more intentional with your cuts, your setups, the speed in which you play, your defensive intensity.
Mikel Brown Jr. celebrates after hitting a 3-pointer during the Nets’ win over the Hornets. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
“In the fourth quarter, you’ve got to be better at communicating; you’ve got to be more disciplined; be more alert. Offensively, we were a lot more connected, and we had a lot of intention and speed with how we played. That’s what it takes in the fourth quarter in a close game. So if we can build off of that, that’ll be great.”
The Nets’ defense was stout from the start, forcing six straight misses and a turnover to open the game.
A Randle 3-pointer gave the Nets a 40-37 edge with 5:42 left in the half.
They surrendered it to an extended 20-7 Hornets run, falling behind by 10 on a Grayson Allen 3-pointer with a minute left in the first half.
The Nets were still down 59-50 a minute into the second.
But they promptly reeled off 11 unanswered to take the momentum and the lead.
Danny Wolf (right) celebrates with Terance Mann during the second half of the Nets’ win over the Hornets. Getty Images
Jordi Fernández switched up his rotation, partly because of need. With Noah Clowney forced out by right knee soreness, Fernández went to second-year forward Danny Wolf, and also replaced 6-8, 235 pound Chaney Johnson with guard Terance Mann. The extra ballhandling paid dividends.
Wolf (12 points, plus-17) capped the run on a 3-pointer off a Randle feed, giving the Nets a 61-59 edge.
Even after they coughed it up to fall behind 78-72, they seized it back with a 17-5 run that spanned the third and fourth quarters. Randle found Brown for a 3 that put the Nets ahead 89-83.
“We just came together in the fourth quarter, and we understood the assignment,” Brown said. “This has been the theme of we haven’t been finishing games and now we finished it.”
This time — unlike two nights earlier in the Garden — they held their poise. And held on for the victory.
“It shows that we definitely went back to the film. … [The coaches] told us how to win a game and we went out there and executed it,” Mann said. “This game could’ve very likely went how the game in the Garden went. We were in the same situation and we flipped the script.”
BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 4: Baylor Scheierman #55 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on November 4, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Despite being down by 21 at halftime, the Milwaukee Bucks were able to battle back and outscore the Boston Celtics in the second half, 61-47, but ultimately fell short and could not secure their first road win of the year, losing 109-102. Tyler Herro led all Bucks scorers with 25 points, while Paul George led the Cs with 25 as well.
The game began with the Bucks scoring just five points—all from Jaime Jaquez Jr.—in the first four minutes while turning it over three times. The most optimistic fans (me) could watch and think, “Once they settle in, these shots will fall,” but nothing was further from the truth. After Myles Turner hit his first three to make it 12-8, the Bucks didn’t score for almost six minutes as the Celtics went on a 15-0 run; Nate Ament ended the drought with a corner three. I mean, Brayden Burries secured a couple of nice offensive rebounds, but it was otherwise a quarter to forget. The visitors looked out of sync and lacked any identity, down 28-14 after one.
The second quarter started at a much better pace, with Milwaukee going mostly blow for blow to keep the deficit at 14 through the first half of the quarter. Once Boston’s starting lineup was back on the floor, though, they took the pace over again, and the Bucks looked handcuffed. By the end of the second quarter, the Bucks had committed 10 turnovers for 12 Celtics points, and the Bucks were lucky it wasn’t more. Milwaukee was also totally ineffective in transition, with a points-per-possession of -7.4; ironically, their transition play has been one of their few strengths this year, but over two quarters, they couldn’t find any rhythm there. Milwaukee also didn’t attack the rim, with just five total shot attempts at the rim, converting only one. The lone silver lining in the first half was Myles Turner, who was really having a game: nine points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block. Still, the Bucks were down 62-41 at the half.
The second half started with a much faster pace, with a 12-5 run pulling the Bucks back within 14 and forcing Boston to take a timeout. Most of the scoring and pace came from Jaquez, who stormed out of the locker room and put up eight points in the first few minutes. The pace continued, led mostly by Herro, and at one point the Bucks made eight straight buckets from the field, including a sick Burries dunk that forced another Boston timeout with the visitors down nine, 74-65. Milwaukee looked like a totally refreshed team, crashing the boards and moving the ball exceptionally well, all while finally protecting the ball (only one turnover for the quarter). Milwaukee shot a white-hot 14/21 in the third, down 87-79 entering the final frame.
The Bucks kept fighting to start the fourth, largely thanks to Nate Ament. Ament looked impressive, playing incredibly effectively off-ball and helping his teammates find opportunities to score, while also hitting some big-time shots himself; he hit a triple from the top of the key and then a layup to tie it up at 91. Burries subbed in at the six-minute mark and helped recapture the lead with a sweet 14-foot floater as the game turned into a sludge fest, with the lead changing on what felt like every possession. Make no mistake, the Bucks had multiple chances to take the game, but could not execute when it mattered, unlike the Celtics. Boston was just way better at making the crucial play, converting just enough of their opportunities to stave off the Bucks’ comeback.
Stat That Stood Out
Four: the number of turnovers the Bucks committed in the whole second half. Milwaukee looked like a different team, and their ability to move the ball efficiently in the second half was the biggest reason.
Obscene Overreaction
I’ve seen enough: Start Nate Ament at the four. I made a similar call in the preseason after Dieng had a solid outing, so this is becoming something of a habit for me, but Ament played with infectious energy tonight that helped keep the Bucks in it despite being down 21 at halftime. On the flip side: Kyle Kuzma is arguably more responsible for the last two losses than anyone else. Low effort, high turnovers, and not good enough at anything to justify starting him or closing games. Let Ament start and let him get battle-tested now.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - NOVEMBER 4: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on November 4, 2026 at Paycom Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
A 17-point first-quarter deficit was too much to overcome as the Cleveland Cavaliers fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder 124 to 116, dropping to .500 with a record of 4-4.
The Cavs made a brief comeback at the start of the third quarter with an 18-3 run spanning the end of the first half and the start of the second, but could never break through. They made things interesting late with a flurry of threes, but it was too late. James Harden, who finished with 19 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists, had 10 points in the third quarter to help bring Cleveland within striking distance, but the Thunder seemingly made a play right when they needed it.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dominated with 42 points, four rebounds, and eight assists. Ajay Mitchell had 23 points and seven rebounds in his expanded role in the wake of key injuries to Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams.
The Cavs were without Peyton Watson (hamstring) and Jaylon Tyson (ankle), which led to a surprise start for Tyrese Proctor. The former Duke Blue Devil contributed 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting, but limped off the court late in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury.
Donovan Mitchell tried to will the Cavs to a shocker, drilling three huge threes with just a few minutes remaining, but to no avail. Mitchell finished with 27 points and six assists, though he was on pace for another pedestrian offensive showing before catching fire in the fourth quarter.
Evan Mobley had 16 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks, and early bright spot Mario Hezonja provided 12 points and eight rebounds off the bench. Facing a big deficit and no spark, head coach Kenny Atkinson went deep off the bench to former Cleveland State forward Tristan Enaruna in the second quarter. Some new blood helped, but the Cavs could not fully dig themselves out of the first-quarter hole.
Center Jarrett Allen suffered a knee injury in the first half and was quickly deemed doubtful to return. Allen ended up with just one rebound in seven minutes of action. Hezonja started the second half in Allen’s absence.
The shorthanded Thunder were relentless, building a big lead and then holding the Cavs at arm’s length the rest of the way. They had a very sloppy end to the second quarter that allowed Cleveland to crack the door open, and then came out of the half just as flat. The Cavs managed to get within seven, but never closer until late in the game.
If you only judged by the first 15 minutes of game time, the Cavs looked like a team ready to get on the flight home. But there were some good things late in the game that should give them some confidence heading into a Friday night NBA Cup showdown with LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers. Tip-off is at 7:30 at Rocket Arena.
This is a gut punch for the Hornets and their fans: Less than six minutes into his season debut, guard Kon Knueppel aggravated the left hamstring injury that had sidelined him through training camp. He went back to the locker room immediately and did not return due to what the team called "soreness in his left leg."
The Charlotte Hornets say Kon Knueppel will not return to tonight's game due to "soreness in his left leg," likely the same injury that kept him out for the first 8 games of the season. pic.twitter.com/c2yMZ01DpO
Knueppel strained his left hamstring during off-season workouts and missed all of training camp plus the first eight games of the season because of it. He made his season debut against Brooklyn Wednesday but didn't even get to the six-minute mark before checking himself out of the game in clear pain.
Knueppel finished second in Rookie of the Year voting last season, playing in 81 games and averaging 18.5 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, and he led the NBA in total 3-pointers made. This summer, when the Hornets traded LaMelo Ball to Minnesota, it was a bet on Knueppel and Brandon Miller, believing they could build something better and more sustainable around the duo. That only works if Knueppel is on the court.
The Hornets also got Coby White back from a calf strain on Monday, providing much-needed shot creation.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 04: Danny Wolf #2 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts with Terance Mann #14 during the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at Barclays Center on November 04, 2026 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Nets won 114-104. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images) | Getty Images
One of the few silver linings to the Brooklyn Nets’ 1-6 start was the supposedly easier stretch of opponents awaiting them after it. As Jayson Tatum game-winners, injuries, and second half collapses have all hacked away at early season morale, that was the only thing left to hold onto.
Like a jagged ledge in a damp cave, it was a ballsy thing to reach for. After all, the Hornets had beaten Brooklyn badly at home just two weeks ago.
Well, you know what they say. Audentes fortuna iuvat.
Brooklyn began this one with a starting five featuring Nolan Traoré, Chaney Johnson, Michael Porter Jr., Julius Randle, and Day’Ron Sharpe for a fourth straight game. Their first minutes brought mixed results. Day’Ron Sharpe picked up his first foul of the contest just six seconds into it, and then his second with us less than two minutes deep. That gave us a premature introduction to Mo Wagner.
But even if you discount the foul trouble, Brooklyn’s early defense looked flimsy. Either due to slow rotations or off offensive rebounds, the Nets gave up warm-up threes for Charlotte during pre-game shoot around sessions.
Luckily for Brooklyn, even in those shoot around sessions, nobody makes ‘em all. Charlotte missed all of ‘em, beginning the game 0-7 from downtown. The Nets, benefitting from another assertive start at the other end from Nolan Traoré and more efficient one from Julius Randle, led until the 3:47 mark of the first. The Hornets went ahead on a four point play, after Naz Reid hit a three as Wagner got caught with his elbow in Grayson Allen’s chest, which warranted a flagrant foul penalty. Don’t you hate when that happens?
Had Mikel Brown Jr. not come in and convert an and-one finish and then a step-back three in Moussa Diabaté’s face in back-to-back possessions, the Nets might’ve been down double digits after the opening frame. Instead, they trailed by just three.
Mikel Brown Jr. with a smooth step back triple on Diabaté.
He's got eight points, an assist, and a steal on 3-4 shooting with just six minutes of run so far. pic.twitter.com/al7tee2RSW
MBJ kept the showing going in the subsequent quarter, hitting a turnaround jumper, dropping two assists, and taking a charge at the defensive end all within the span of three minutes. One of the dimes, a no-look, behind the back dish while soaring through the air. If you can’t even conceptualize what that would look like, I don’t blame you…
At the break, Brown Jr. had nine points, three assists, a steal, and a block in 13 minutes. He would finish with a career-high 18 points on 6-11 shooting along with three assists. For Brooklyn, he trailed only Randle at the halfway point, who had 14 points, three boards, and an assists. Michael Porter Jr. got hot late in the second, adding nine points and 3-8 shooting.
However, the Hornets maintained a seven point lead going into the break, even with three extra turnovers and after shooting 41% from the field against a Brooklyn defense that’d begun playing with an extra layer of physicality. As the Nets did better to shoot and take care of the ball better, Charlotte manufactured a seven extra points at the free throw line.
Apparently running New York’s playbook from Monday night, the Hornets also hit an abundance of corner threes down the stretch of the second. Grayson Allen, who led the Hornets with 20 points at the break, got two of his five made threes in the half from that areas.
During the break, the Nets announced that Noah Clowney would sit out the remainder of the game with right knee soreness. Chaney Johnson still started the third with the original group, but that gave us our first non-garbage time minutes of the season for Danny Wolf, who came in for Johnson less than three minutes deep in the frame.
The new lineup quickly made a case for itself as a mainstay in Jordi Fernández’s rotation. Capped off by a triple from Wolf himself, that group went on an 11-0 run in three minutes, giving the Nets a lead for the first time since the 5:42 point of the second.
Confident three from Danny Wolf. Lazy defense from Charlotte.
Jordi put Wolf in with the starters (Traoré, Porter Jr, Randle, and Sharpe) and that group was a +11 in three minutes of play. pic.twitter.com/KNEt3wPQor
“Danny coming in, you know, and contributing right away like that, that takes a lot of a lot of readiness and a lot of discipline to not play for so many games and come in in the second half and to contribute the way he did,” Porter Jr. said. “I mean, I always thought Danny was a special player, and I’ve said that since he got here. I think he can do so many things at the basketball court, and I’m really happy that he got the opportunity.”
“Obviously in the NBA, there’s gonna be times, especially early in your career, that you might not be in the rotation, and that was the case when we started the year,” Wolf said. “Everyone emphasizes and preaches that you have to be ready, and you hear it over and over, just make sure you’re doing all your work and doing all of the things to make sure that when your name gets called, you’re ready. And I tried taking advantage of all the time I had, and when the first called my name in the second half, I was ready, and I was looking for that opportunity and tried to do anything I could to help the team win.”
The latter half of the third period then gave us some fun back-and-forth action as neither team managed to separate by more than a bucket or two. We even got a surprise cameo from Terance Mann, who’s either played early or not at all so far this year, coming in with around three and a half to go in the frame. Like the quarter before, Brown Jr. also finished it scoring with a three he carved up for himself in isolation, which things 80-80 entering the fourth.
There, Brooklyn began the scoring with triples from Randle, Wolf, and Brown Jr. to extend a six point lead.
A few moments after his triple, Brown Jr. turned it over trying to sneak an interior feed in for Sharpe, and then left his assignment trying to steal the ball back, leading to an open dunk for Charlotte and a Fernández timeout. The shot-making was there, but so were the headaches, as they often are with the league’s younger teams.
To win, the Nets would need proceed with one of those things and ditch other latter. Michael Porter Jr. got them off to a solid start in the right direction.
After Fernández’s timeout, MPJ got in on the action with three of his own makes from deep across Brooklyn’s next five possessions. He didn’t do anything fancy to get them — and didn’t need to — just ducking hard around screens and rising up to fire without hesitation. That was enough anything to keep it a multi-possession lead even as Reid put in nine points in the period’s first five minutes.
“I just told the guys like at the beginning of fourth quarter, like let’s be a team that learns from our mistakes, tries to not make the same mistake twice,” Porter Jr. said. “We were in the same position a couple nights ago in New York and fell apart in the fourth quarter. So I mean, that’s what good teams do, rowing teams do, is they learn from their failure and they try to not do that same thing again. So I was proud of everybody.”
The Nets went up 10 with 3:49 to go after Sharpe got up for a rejection that sprung Wolf on the break, who finished and-one through a back-pedaling Sion James. That rejection might as well have been an assist for Sharpe, but he got eight of those tonight anyway — a career high to go along with his six points and five rebounds.
“I think the biggest staple of our team, especially our offensive identity, is you’re supposed to be playing fast,” Wolf said. “We use the terminology ‘pace and space,’ and I feel like there’s times when we do it great, and I think there’s times with my play style that I can really help us push the ball up the floor, make simple passes, to start the break. I think you get those, and you get momentum, and momentum is what helps win a basketball game.”
Without Kon Knueppel, who exited due to left leg soreness, and Brandon Miller shooting 1-12 from the field, the Hornets had no choice but to settle for Naz Reid isolation possessions. And the Nets, conscious by that point of the Charlotte’s intention to hunt switches with their big man, were ahead, shading and dropping in defense in a timely fashion to limit their opponent’s scoring.
Of course, Miller hit his first three of the game after a timeout a few sequences, but Traoré just kept on driving, and scoring, adding six points in the fourth. Fernández also won a big challenge to give Porter Jr. free throws that extended the lead to 12 with under two to go when we otherwise would have been Charlotte ball. He also rolled the dice closing with a lineup featuring Traoré, Mann, Porter Jr., Wolf, and Sharpe, as Randle only logged three fourth period minutes. Fernández credited the three-time All-Star for being “selfless” postgame.
“I called him in to sub in, and then they took it to 10 or 11, and Julius the one just like letting them roll,” Fernández said. “So you see, every single instance of great things that have to happen in the game, and even a bit of being Julius, who is and how important it is for us, I think that that was huge.”
Randle still finished with 22 points, four assists, and three rebounds while shooting 7-13 from the field. Porter Jr. led with 26 points while shooting 8-17 from the field. He also grabbed 10 boards. After Brown Jr., Traoré came next with 16 points on 7-11 shooting along with two assists and three steals. Wolf added 12 points, dished out three assists, and grabbed five boards while shooting 4-6 from the field.
That closing group also looked nothing like the uncoordinated and out of place team we saw last time out, running the clock down like a methodical NFL offense.
With all the active players logging minutes, almost all of them making an impact at one point or another, and Fernández pressing all the right buttons along the way, it was as good of a team effort as you’ve seen from this group in some time. It also got the Nets their first home win of the season.
Final: Brooklyn Nets 114, Charlotte Hornets 104
Milestone Watch
Day’Ron Sharpe had recorded a career-high eight assists in tonight’s game vs. Charlotte.
Rookie Mikel Brown Jr. had a career-best 18 points on 3-5 3PT with four assists off the bench.
Michael Porter Jr. led Brooklyn with 26 points and 10 rebounds in tonight’s win vs. Charlotte for his second double-double of the season. It was his 26th career game with 25+ PTS and 10+ REB after a career-high eight such games last season.
Injury Report
As mentioned, the Nets announced at halftime that Noah Clowney would be out for the remainder of the game with right knee soreness. We’ll provide updates on him as they’re made available.
Next Up
Brooklyn begins its first legitimate road trip of the season next with a trip down south to face the Atlanta Hawks. At the time of writing, Atlanta is 4-4 with wins over the Pacers, Cavaliers, Hornets, and Magic, and losses against the Pelicans, Heat, and two to the Rockets.
The Nets have lost five straight to the Hawks. Their last win came in March 2025 in a game where Keon Johnson, Tyrese Martin, and Jalen Wilson started. This next one tips off on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. EST.
Brunson dropped 22 of his 33 points in the first quarter of a 135-105 Bull-dozing Wednesday night at MSG, an emphatic victory that will, at least temporarily, quiet the criticisms of New York’s sputtering offense to start their title defense.
“That was as close to a 48-minute game as our group has had yet,” coach Mike Brown said.
The Knicks (4-4), winners of four of their last five games, tied a 38-year-old franchise record with 84 points in the first half, shooting 63 percent before the break — including 50 percent from beyond the arc.
The game was essentially sealed in the second quarter with New York’s 37-point advantage.
Jalen Brunson, who scored a game-high 33 points, drives to the basket after getting a pick by Karl-Anthony Towns during the Knicks’ 135-105 win over the Bulls on Nov. 4, 2026 at Madison Square Garden. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“It was a really good half, in terms of doing what we believe, what we should be doing offensively as our staples,” Brown said. “Everybody was really good in those areas.”
Brunson shot 10-for-17 as the Knicks won his 28 minutes by 33 points.
“When you have it going, it feels good,” Brunson said. “And then just trying to play off that and using my gravity to get teammates involved.”
Brunson entered the evening shooting under 40 percent but had no problems hitting his attempts Wednesday.
OG Anunoby, who scored 18 points, slams home a dunk during the Knicks’ win over the Bulls. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“He’s obviously missed some shots but he took the same shots tonight that he’s been taking,” Brown said. “And, we felt we’ve gotten some good shots in previous games that just haven’t gone down.
“But the good part about it is, they went down tonight, and we defended. A great game by him as well as everybody else.”
Karl-Anthony Towns added 17 points and 12 rebounds. OG Anunoby had 18 points with three steals and 11 converted free throws.
Karl-Anthony Towns shoots over Jalen Smith during the Knicks’ blowout win over the Bulls. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
The Knicks lived at the foul line, going 30-for-37, as the refs operated as if they were paid by the whistle. The teams combined for 65 free throws.
All the Knicks starters were pulled for extended garbage time, which was the entire fourth quarter.
The landslide victory followed the Knicks’ much closer win in Chicago about a week prior, when Brunson went off for 38 points. He must enjoy the matchup against the Bulls (1-7), who were a defensive calamity Wednesday and projected as one of the NBA’s worst this season.
Before the onslaught, the Knicks were in a scoring rut, falling to 21st in the NBA in offensive rating — a position unbecoming of reigning champs.
Josh Hart, who sat out Wednesday’s victory with ankle soreness, said the team hadn’t yet recovered from a short and celebratory offseason.
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) reacts after hitting a 3-point shot against the Chicago Bulls at Madison Square Garden in New York, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“I think it’s a tough spot. It’s kinda like a little conundrum because obviously we played into mid-June. Then in the summer, obviously you’re working out, you’re doing that, but you also are enjoying the fruits of the labor of winning in terms of going to brand [appearances]. Off the court, it’s kind of booming for you,” said Hart, who was replaced in the lineup by Landry Shamet (seven points, 24 minutes). “So, you’re doing all of that, so that takes a little bit of a wear on you. And then you get into it. So, sometimes the body has to kinda catch up.”
The Knicks looked all caught up Wednesday. Next up is a little tougher matchup: at Cleveland (4-4) on Saturday.
The Charlotte Hornets were eagerly awaiting the regular season debut of second-year star and Rookie of the Year runner-up Kon Knueppel.
It lasted fewer than six minutes.
The Hornets ruled Knueppel out for the remainder of their game Wednesday, Nov. 4 against the Brooklyn Nets with left leg soreness. This is particularly concerning because Knueppel had been sidelined with a left hamstring strain.
After the game, Hornets coach Charles Lee told the local broadcast that he did not have an update on Knueppel and said he would be evaluated once the team returned to Charlotte later Wednesday.
Although there didn’t appear to be a specific play in which Knueppel got hurt, he exited shortly after he dribbled the ball off his foot. During the play, Knueppel tried to dribble the ball behind his back but it caromed off his right leg, forcing him to take a small step as he tried to recover it. Immediately after the play, Knueppel limped but tried to stay in the game before quickly heading to the bench. He eventually went into the locker room and did not return.
The Charlotte Hornets say Kon Knueppel will not return to tonight's game due to "soreness in his left leg," likely the same injury that kept him out for the first 8 games of the season. 🤕 pic.twitter.com/c2yMZ01DpO
Knueppel scored 3 points, all from free throws, missed his only shot attempt, a 3-pointer, and committed 2 turnovers in 5:51 on the floor against the Nets. He did not record any other statistic.
“Hopefully I can contribute in a capacity similar to last year, and with all the offseason work that I put in, even more,” Knueppel told the Hornets broadcast in a pregame interview. “It might take me a little bit to get to that full capability, but tonight I’ll be ready to go and help us get a win.”
Last season, his first in the NBA after the Hornets selected him with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Knueppel recorded 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. He converted 3-pointers at a 42.5% clip and lost out to his college teammate at Duke, Cooper Flagg, for the Rookie of the Year honor.
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 4: Kyshawn George #18 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on November 4, 2026 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Washington Wizards’ 120-105 loss to the Atlanta Hawks at Capital One Arena on Wednesday followed a script similar to the team’s first three defeats this season. The home team was outshot from long range and gave up far too many offensive rebounds.
Anthony Davis got off to a hot start, scoring 6 of the Wizards’ first 8 points. He tweaked his ankle just over a minute into the contest after landing on AJ Dybantsa’s foot on a closeout. But Davis still finished with 10 points through the first 12 minutes.
Despite Washington seemingly playing well, Atlanta stayed ahead with the three-ball. The Hawks hit 8 three-pointers in the first quarter alone to take a 37-32 lead after one.
Dybantsa had a tough night offensively. He looked out of control at times and failed to get a veteran whistle on some of his drives. He took his frustrations out on the rim with a two-handed jam in the second quarter.
A triple from old friend CJ McCollum gave the Hawks a 16-point lead with 2:13 to play. The Wizards closed the half on a 9-0 run to cut the deficit to 68-61. Davis led all scorers with 18 points, along with 6 rebounds and 2 blocks at the break.
Kyshawn George ran point whenever Young was off the floor. He evidently picked up a few things from the All-Star point guard, as he repeatedly found Davis and Deandre Ayton for easy baskets around the rim.
The defense was much improved in the third quarter, but it was the offense that lagged behind. Washington finally built up some momentum late when Trae hit a step-back three that got the team within four points of Atlanta.
Will Riley missed a clean look at a three on the following possession that would have gotten the Wizards to within one. The Hawks made it hurt as another old friend, Corey Kispert, connected on a four-point play on the other end.
George had a huge fourth quarter. He came alive with 12 points in the period but did not have much support from his Wizards teammates as the Hawks pulled away for the 15-point victory.
The Hawks more than tripled (19) the Wizards (6) in three-point makes. Atlanta already had Washington’s three-point total midway through the first quarter. The Wizards also gave up 19 offensive rebounds as Dyson Daniels and Onyeka Okongwu combined to grab 33 boards.
Davis powered through his ankle injury to tally 26 points and 10 rebounds. George flashed more of his star potential with 25 points on 10-of-14 shooting, on top of his 7 assists.
Dybantsa and Tre Johnson both struggled from the field in this one. The No. 1 overall pick had his first poor outing offensively, with 9 points on a 4-of-12 clip. He also badly missed on 3 of his 4 free-throw attempts. Johnson looked rattled after his first few misses. He continued to force his shots through garbage time, making just 1 of his 9 attempts.
The Wizards get an immediate chance to avenge the loss when they head to Atlanta to face the Hawks on Friday for their second NBA Cup game.
The Knicks took advantage of a floundering Chicago Bulls defense -- ranked 29th of 30 in the league -- Wednesday night, winning their third-straight game and their fourth in the last five with a final score of 135-105.
Here are the takeaways...
-- New York came out of the gate fast, stunning a young Bulls team into a state of near paralysis. Chicago surrendered 10 points off of turnovers through the first 13 minutes of play, while the Knicks, who have struggled in transition so far this season, let up none across the same span. The Bulls also faltered from beyond the arc, missing 20-straight threes in the middle stretch of the first half. Led by Jalen Brunson's 26 first-half points, New York went into the break with a dominating 32-point lead (84-53).
-- After struggling to find the basket through the first few games of the season -- and missing his first three of Wednesday's game --Brunson looked back to peak form in the first quarter, scoring a staggering 22 points in 11 first-quarter minutes. Collectively, the Bulls only scored 21 in the opening frame.
Even with significantly decreased minutes in the back half of the contest, Brunson continued to produce, finishing the night with 33 points, two rebounds, and four assists.
-- The Knicks went 24-for-26 from the charity stripe in the first half. OG Anunoby contributed nearly half of those points.
He drew 10 free throws in the first 14 minutes of play -- marking the second-straight game in which he earned eight attempts -- and landed every one for 10 of his 18 first-half points. A third personal foul with 8:48 left in the opening half stifled his run as he sat for the next five minutes, and while he drew two more foul shots before the half wound down, he only hit one. Still, his 11 made free throws tied a career-best mark for most in the first half.
-- Karl-Anthony Towns finished the game with his eighth-consecutive double-double (17 points, 12 rebounds), completing the set less than halfway through the third despite only recording one shot from the field by the end of the first half. He opened the third quarter with two back-to-back threes and only turned up the heat from there.
Toward the end of the second frame, Towns jumped up to shoot a three but was met by Chicago forward Zach Collins, who knocked the ball out of Towns' hand. On his way down, Collins stepped on Towns' toe and knocked him over, triggering a review for a flagrant foul. However, because Collins' foot landed on top of Towns' rather than below, the move was ruled as a common foul instead, and Towns earned three free throws. He made all three.
-- With Josh Hart sidelined due to ankle soreness, Landry Shamet joined New York's starting five for the first time this season. The shooting guard more than earned the right Monday, lifting the Knicks to a win against the Brooklyn Nets with a game-leading 22 points.
Right off the bat, Shamet landed two buckets, scoring the Knicks' first four points. His production slowed down after that, but he finished with seven points, two rebounds, two assists, and a plus-21 rating.
-- For the second game in a row -- and third in the last week -- New York's bench combined for 40-plus points (53 on Wednesday). This time, Jordan Clarkson and Dalton Knecht led the way.
In his first game as a Knick,Knecht scored 10 points in 13 minutes played. His first points came from a tip-in dunk on a Shamet miss. His second -- a 25-foot step-back jump shot -- put the Knicks at 84 first-half points, tying the franchise record for most points scored in the opening 24 minutes of a game. He also added seven rebounds and an assist.
Clarkson, who also scored 10, went 4-for-9 from the field and 2-for-2 from three.
Mohammed Diawara, who first subbed in for Anunoby with five minutes left in the first, collected three points, one rebound, and one block in three first-quarter minutes. He finished with eight points, tied with James Wiseman for second-most on the bench.
Late in the third, Miles McBride leapt up for a 24-foot jumper from deep at the play clock buzzer before he was knocked over, drawing a foul and turning the sequence into a four-point play. He finished with seven points.
-- All 14 available Knicks made an appearance. Everyone except Jose Alvarado and Pacome Dadiet played 11 minutes or more. They each played nine.
Game MVP: Jalen Brunson
The star point guard finished 10-for-17 from the field, 5-for-10 from three-point range, and 8-for-9 from the free throw line en route to a season-best 33-point performance. No other Knick surpassed 18 points.
Highlights
Landry Shamet throws it down! https://t.co/yH6DtNqjku
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 04: Baylor Scheierman #55 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket against Kyle Kuzma #18 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the second quarter at TD Garden on November 04, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Celtics led the Bucks by as many as 22 points on Wednesday night before the Bucks made a big comeback and briefly took the lead in the fourth. Thankfully for Boston, Paul George and Derrick White saved the day as the Celtics held on with a 109-102 win.
Jayson Tatum did not play in this game for the Celtics and Boston started Derrick White, Sam Hauser, Paul George, Hugo Gonzalez and Neemias Queta. Devin Carter was still out with mono as well. Meanwhile, the Bucks started Tyler Herro, Brayden Burries, Kyle Kuzma, Jaine Jacquez Jr. and Myles Turner and were only missing two-way player Kam Jones.
The Celtics got off to a quick start, going up 19-8 mid way through the first quarter. After Sam Hauser hit the first two shots of the game, Paul George scored 7 of the next 13 Celtics points.
The Celtics led after the first quarter 28-14. Paul George led the way with 10 points and 3 steals while playing the entire quarter. Mitchell Robinson also had 6 rebounds off of the bench.
Boston got off to a good start in the 2nd quarter as Payton Pritchard had a few baskets. It was good to see Payton Pritchard be aggressive on his first shot as well. However, a pair of Bucks threes leading to a 6-2 run lead to Joe Mazzulla calling his mandatory timeout.
The offense picked up in the 2nd quarter, as Boston led 62-41 at the half. Luka Garza led the way with 11 points and 5 rebounds while Derrick White had 9 points, 4 assists and 3 rebounds.
It was good to see the Celtics three point shooting get going, they were 10/17 in the first half after being 30% in their last 4 games, according to the NBC Sports Boston broadcast.
Boston came out flat in the 2nd half and Milwaukee took advantage. The Bucks went on a 12-5 run to open the 3rd quarter and Joe Mazzulla called a timeout. Jamie Jaquez Jr. had 5 points and Tyler Herro had 4 points during the run for Milwaukee.
The Bucks made 10 of their first 12 shots in the quarter and cut the Celtics led to 7. Back-to-back key Baylor Scheierman threes grew Boston’s lead back to 13 as Milwaukee called timeout.
Payton Pritchard left the game with an right eye abrasion and he did not return to the game.
It was Tyler Herro’s quarter, he had 17 points on 6/8 from the field and 2/2 from three in the 3rd quarter.
The Celtics did lead the Bucks at the end of three but what was a 21-point game at halftime was just an 8-point lead entering the fourth. Paul George’s 16 points, 4 assists and 2 steals led the way for Boston.
The Bucks opened the fourth quarter on a 10-4 run and forced Joe Mazzulla to call another timeout.
Milwaukee took their first lead with 6:50 to go in the game but Boston fought back and took a 3 point lead as Taylor Jenkins called timeout.
The Celtics struggled score as they missed Tatum and Pritchard a lot. It felt like Paul George was their only source of offense late in the game.
George then stepped up to the line with under 4 minutes left and missed both free throws in a tie game.
The Celtics were able to go on a 7-0 run thank to 5 points from Derrick White to take a 104-97 lead, which Tyler Herro cut to 104-99 with two made free throws.
Paul George hit a clutch 3 to put the Celtics up 8, Ryan Rollins hit a 3 and the Bucks had a few looks to cut the Celtics lead to 2 with just over 30 seconds to go but they missed both.
Two Derrick White free throws iced it and the Celtics hung on, 109-102. George’s 25 points and White’s 24 points led the way for the Celtics.
Boston shot 41% from the field and 41% from three while Milwaukee shot 41% from the field and 40% from three. The Celtics next game is an NBA Cup game in Charlotte at 7 pm EST on Friday night.
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr compares Steph Curry to Michael Jordan.
From being a part of one of the greatest basketball teams ever in the 1990s as a player with the Bulls to coaching one of the greatest basketball dynasties in the 2010s with the Warriors, Steve Kerr knows what greatness looks like.
The Warriors coach appeared on ESPN’s “NBA Tip-off” and told longtime host Ernie Johnson how coaching Steph Curry at age 38 reminds him of playing alongside Michael Jordan.
Steve Kerr on coaching Steph Curry at 38 years old:
"Honestly, it really does remind me of what it was like to play with Michael Jordan back in the day. Every single night you just are amazed and you marvel at what he’s capable of doing no matter what the defense does, but also… pic.twitter.com/EA7IUBZZ9n
Steve Kerr reveals watching Steph Curry during late stages of career reminds him of Michael Jordan. AP Photo/David Zalubowski
“Honestly, it really does remind me of what it was like to play with Michael Jordan back in the day,” Kerr said. “Every single night you just are amazed, and you marvel at what he’s capable of doing no matter what the defense does but also just the longevity of it.”
“To see night after night, defenses doing everything possible to slow Steph down like they did with Michael, and yet the love for the game, the competitiveness, the passion, the desire to put on a show for the fans — there’s such great comparisons to be made there,” Kerr said.
Steve Kerr says watching Steph Curry during the late stages of his career reminds him of Michael Jordan. NBAE via Getty Images
Kerr added, “You get to experience the thrill of seeing them do their thing night in and night out, and it never gets old.”
Kerr has won nine NBA titles, five as a player and four as a coach. Jordan won six NBA crowns as a player.
DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 4: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Philadelphia 76ers dunks the ball during the game against the Detroit Pistons on November 4, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It could have been easier, but the Sixers have defeated the Detroit Pistons for the first time since November of 2024, knocking them off 112-106 Wednesday night.
Jaylen Brown set a new season-high 30 points shooting 11-of-19 from the floor, and his biggest play was blocking Cade Cunningham’s three-point attempt with 38 seconds remaining. LeBron James came close to his first triple-double as a Sixer, putting up 13 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists on 5-of-10 shooting.
Tyrese Maxey had his worst shooting performance of the season, put up 17 of his 19 in the second half going 5-of-16 from the floor along with seven assists. Not playing on a minutes restriction this time, Joel Embiid shot 8-of-18 for 26 points and 14 rebounds.
Cunningham led the Pistons with 26, who were once again without Jalen Durn who remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, as well as Isaiah Joe who injured his hip when these two teams last met on Oct. 25.
Here are some thoughts at the buzzer.
First Quarter
It was tough sledding early for Embiid and Maxey, each missing their first three field goals of the night despite some good looks. Embiid missed his 12th straight three-pointer dating back four games now, but he was able to help the offense flow in spite of that. He found a cutting Brown for the first points of the game and got his first field goal on a backdoor cut on his own.
Paul Reed had quite a start against his old club. He stayed in front of Maxey on a drive and blocked his layup attempt, and made his first two shots of the night attempting some fancy footwork. Getting one slam called back for a travel didn’t sway his confidence in trying to spin around Embiid.
Jaylen Brown and Paul Reed with a pair of DIZZYING buckets 😵💫
LeBron settled in as he began to run the offense more after the Sixers’ first subs. After finding Embiid on that cut, he got aggressive with their pick-and-roll, getting each of them to the free throw line during this stretch. A steal caused by Dean Wade ending in a Dean Wade layup capped off a 10-0 Sixers run.
Brown and Maxey finished the quarter strong as the Sixers flipped the stagger with a couple minutes to go. Maxey’s scoop layup were only his first points of the night, but Brown was good in all nine of his minutes. He got the basket off the dribble for an and-1 then became the latest Sixer to hit an end-of-quarter heave, putting the Sixers up eight after one.
They went right back to Brown on their first possession of the quarter and he got right to his spot in the midrange for another jumper. LeBron got an assist for that, but his impressive dimes came on his consecutive assists to Adem Bona. He waited just long enough for Reed to slide over for a quick bounce bass on the first, and the second was a left-handed laser from half court to reward Bona for getting down the floor ahead of the defense.
Looking like another night I can't shut up about LeBron James' passing ability! pic.twitter.com/8dNYX0lpAw
Cunningham started this game 2-of-8 from the floor. He also got hit in the midsection in the first quarter. Detroit’s offense struggled as their head of the snake did and the Sixers were able to take advantage. James got to the basket a couple more times, becoming the first player in history to reach 16,000 career field goals in the process. Brown drilled two more threes to cap off his heater. After intercepting a pass he had a wide open layup to himself but smoked it after an uneasy takeoff. Brown said the other day he’s waiting for a bit more burst to come back so hopefully this is just a blip on the radar.
A couple of turnovers to follow up that layup helped the game slowly swing the Pistons’ way for the first time. After a cutting layup, Duncan Robinson drilled his third and Detroit’s fourth three of the night. Maxey checked back into the game to get the offense back up and running but was subbed right back out after picking up his third foul of the night in just 10 seconds.
Embiid put back a missed layup and drew a foul in the process to end a 9-0 Sixers run, but picked up a technical foul after really getting into with reserve center Tolu Smith. It just seemed like an odd escalation from typical dead ball shooting from both parties.
That foul occurred when Brown was due for two at the line, drilling both to help offset the technical. After forcing a turnover Embiid got himself to the line getting Smith to bite on a rip through. Brown got to the line one more time and split a pair to give the Sixers a 14-point lead at halftime.
Third Quarter
The Sixers gave Cunningham too much space as he dribbled around a screen, helping him step into an open three to start the half. He also read an Embiid outlet very well for a pick-six moments later. Edgecombe had answered with a pull-up jumper and a cutting dunk, but as Cunningham started to draw doubles, the Sixers left John Collins wide open for lobs, prompting a timeout from Nick Nurse.
Nurse went back to his hot hand coming out of the timeout and Brown drilled a contested turnaround midrange jumper. LeBron drilled a three off the catch, as did Maxey for just his second field goal of the night on the following possession. Cunningham responded by getting to the line, then taking advantage of a collapsed defense to find Robinson for another three.
As he has all year, Edgecombe was doing a great job filling the lanes and was rewarded with plenty of open dunks for doing so. He also swooped in to grab a missed Embiid layup for a big putback basket. A couple possessions later he grabbed a big rebound on the defensive end and took the ball to the hoop to help the Sixers withstand Robinson’s heater.
Maxey checked back in and hit a sidestep three, a much welcomed sight after his first half. Despite the Pistons getting a pair of free throws on the ensuing possession the Sixers got up the floor quickly and found Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in the corner for a three. Brown split another pair at the line and hit another midrange J to set a new season-high for this young season. Despite some good ball pressure that led to a turnover, Edgecombe wasn’t able to finish a fastbreak layup, keeping the Sixers at a 16-point lead.
Fourth Quarter
Once again the Sixers started their quarter going to Brown and once again he was able to rise up and knock one down inside the arc. With Embiid having played 24 minutes and Jabari Walker at the scorer’s table it wasn’t clear if Embiid’s night was over, and Detroit was picking up momentum going to the basket. After four possessions ended in three layups, Nurse called a timeout and put Embiid back in the game. Bona didn’t just sub out but went to the locker room after taking a hit to the head during his shift.
Kevin Huerter drilled a three coming out of that timeout continuing the pursuit, but Embiid was able to knockdown a jumper to settle things down. Maxey drove his way to the line and LeBron was able to find KCP near the hoop for a basket. They surrendered a fast break that led to another Pistons three, but Reed picking up his fifth foul of the night for a thin Detroit backcourt and Maxey being left alone for another three on the left wing put the Sixers in a good spot with four and a half to go.
After missing a three badly at the end of the shotclock, Maxey appeared to make up for it running out after a miss, but he smoked the fast break layup as well. Brown fouled Robinson attempting a three on the following possession for a big swing.
Robinson made two of the three after a timeout. The Sixers went to the Maxey/Embiid two-man game and a pocket pass set the big fella up for a much needed midrange jumper, but they couldn’t keep Robinson down for too long as he buried another three coming off a screen. LeBron had Edgecombe set up for a rolling layup down the lane but Edgecombe fumbled the pass, giving up another easy open basket at the rim for Philadelphia.
Capping off a messy night of officiating, Cunningham got a pair at the line on a play he either should have had an and-1 or the foul be on the floor. Regardless, he cut the lead to six. LeBron followed it with a poor jumper behind the block that didn’t go and Cunningham got right back to the basket to cut it to a four-point game.
The Sixers dribbled out their next possession and the ball swung to Embiid behind the perimeter with the shotclock winding down, but he was unable to bust out of his long range slump. It was fitting that Brown made the biggest play of the night, blocking Cunningham’s pull-up three-point attempt on the next trip down the floor. It set the Sixers up to win the game from the free throw line and summed up in one play why the Sixers beat the Pistons for the first time in their last eight tries.
The Sixers were able to win the game at the line, but they might have picked up a considerable bump or bruise to worry about. As he was trying to avoid turning the ball over, Maxey came up favoring his right hand as Detroit was fouling him. He’s dealt with finger injuries on that hand in each of the last two seasons. Maxey was at least able to hit four straight free throws to help the Sixers pull out the win.
