And he wasn’t afraid to let a reporter know about it after his team’s third straight win to improve to 7-2.
Lakers guard Austin Reaves knows the areas he’s struggling with to start this season. AP Photo/Scott Marshall
The Lakers star guard recorded 21 points, four assists and three rebounds in the victory over his team’s in-state foe.
But the biggest stat that stood out: zero turnovers — something Reaves had done in just one other game so far.
“You got something to say? You can take credit for it,” Reaves quipped postgame to a reporter who brought up Reaves’ struggles with turnovers pregame. “Go ahead. Talking crazy before the game.”
A friendly, lighthearted back-and-forth broke out between Reaves and the reporter, who asked again how many turnovers the 6-foot-5 guard had.
“Zero,” Reaves responded.
Wednesday’s win over the Kings was the second time Lakers star guard Austin Reaves didn’t record a turnover. NBAE via Getty Images
How about the last game?
“A lot,” Reaves said.
It was five, to be exact, with Reaves struggling to take care of the ball during the Lakers’ win over the Heat on Monday.
SACRAMENTO, CA - NOVEMBER 4: Walker Kessler #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on November 4, 2026 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Prior to Wednesday’s fourth quarter, Walker Kessler was sitting on five points, three rebounds and two steals — far lesser production than he’d proven capable of thus far in this season. Then, he exploded for a 10-point, five-rebound, four-block, one-steal final frame to finish with 15 points, eight rebounds, four blocks and one steal. Those are numbers much more in line with the 25-year-old’s early season signature.
Kessler’s counterpart in the middle was Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis. He’s a rugged, brawny big man who’s unafraid to launch elbows and hips into defenders for space down low and also threads passes to teammates for easy scores. Before that fourth-quarter renaissance, Kessler recognized the Lithuanian veteran — who logged 16 points, 17 rebounds (six on the offensive glass), one assist and one steal — was getting the best of him.
“He’s a very, very talented player. Really physical player,” Kessler told reporters after the Los Angeles Lakers’ 116-103 win on Wednesday. “Definitely got my tail kicked a little bit in the first three quarters. But I relied on my teammates and they did a good job of encouraging me … At the end of the day, just trying to win and started to roll my way a little bit.”
While likely past his All-NBA apex at this stage of his career, the 30-year-old Sabonis remains a good player and tough cover. For Kessler to struggle through three quarters but still stay in the fight mentally to bounce back and help fuel a third straight Lakers victory is encouraging. Of course, the white-hot exploits of Luka Dončić, who notched his fourth consecutive 40-point outing, didn’t ding Los Angeles’ win probability either.
Kessler will face another big, strong body Friday night when Donovan Clingan and the West-leading, 6-1 Portland Trail Blazers come to town. It’ll mark both the Lakers’ second meeting of the year with Portland and their second NBA Cup Group Play game. After blowing a big lead to the Golden State Warriors last Friday in their opening NBA Cup matchup of 2026-27, they must win this one to maintain any hope of advancing to the Quarterfinals. Tipoff is schedule for 7 p.m.
SACRAMENTO — Bronny James and Cameron Carr are going to get more playing time for the Lakers – just not the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Lakers assigned Carr and James to their G League affiliate, the Coachella Valley Lakers, for Friday’s season opener against the the Salt Lake City Stars at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert.
Bronny James will get more playing time soon. AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea
Carr hasn’t gotten on the floor much since being the No. 24 pick in June’s NBA draft.
He’s played a combined four minutes, and has only taken one shot, since making his debut in Sunday’s home win over the Raptors after being sidelined for the first six games because of a strained right oblique.
Carr impressed in his first exhibition game with the Lakers, scoring 19 points in their win over the Kings on Oct. 5. He averaged a team-best 18.9 points on 49.4% shooting from the field (37.4% on 3-pointers), 5.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists in his lone season at Baylor in 2025-26.
Cameron Carr has only played four minutes since making his NBA debut. NBAE via Getty Images
“It felt good,” the 21-year-old wing said on Wednesday of his debut. “I want to do something [where] I get to make some contact and do something like a play or something just to get my feet wet, get a feel for it.”
HOUSTON, TX - NOVEMBER 2: The sneakers worn by Tari Eason #17 of the Houston Rockets during the game against the Boston Celtics on November 2, 2026 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
SACRAMENTO — Walker Kessler has been every bit of the rim protector the Lakers hoped he would be when they made the investment they did to acquire him from the Jazz.
And the stats back it up.
Lakers center Walker Kessler (14) has once again been one of the league’s best rim protectors. AP Photo/Bethany Baker
Opponents shoot significantly worse and less near the rim when the 7-foot-2 center is on the floor.
Walker Kessler was surprised when he found out he didn’t rank second in blocked shots per game. Getty Images
“Third? I know [Victor Wembanyama’s] ahead of me,” Kessler said. “Who else is ahead of me?”
Kessler added: “But it’s crazy. I thought I was at least No. 2 That’s crazy.”
Wembanyama, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, was an easy guess considering he leads the league at 4.5 blocked shots per game after blocking eight shots in the Spurs’ win over the Mavericks on Wednesday.
The only other player averaging more blocked shots than Kessler? Bucks big man Myles Turner, who entered Thursday averaging 2.8 blocked shots per game compared with Kessler’s 2.7.
Walker Kessler has blocked the second-most shots so far this season. AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
“Really?” Kessler responded when this information was relayed to him.
Technically, Kessler has blocked more shots this season. He’s recorded 24 blocked shots, while Turner has 22.
But Kessler’s nine games played compared with Turner’s eight gives the Bucks center the edge when it comes to the season-long average.
It’s unlikely either will threaten Wembanyama when it comes to the most blocked shots per game this season. The Spurs 7-4 phenom has led the NBA in the statistical category each season since being the top draft pick in 2023. But the race for No. 2 will be a fun one to monitor.
When you see the video of the play, it didn't look out of the ordinary for an NBA game. Portland's Vit Krejci was trying to get in front of Phoenix's Miles Bridges and draw a foul in transition, they collided, and Krejci went to the ground grabbing his left ankle.
After the game, Trail Blazers coach Micah Nori said Krejci suffered a fracture. After the game, Krejci had his foot in a boot and was on crutches as he left the arena, reports Sean Highkin of the Rose Garden Report.
Nori didn't provide details such as which bone was fractured or whether it is in his lower leg or ankle (the team will likely announce that in the next couple of days). Wherever the fracture is, Krejci almost certainly will miss extended time. How much depends on the bone fractured, the severity and the course of treatment, such as whether it requires surgery.
Portland acquired Krejci at last year's trade deadline and with the team the 6'8" guard averaged 7.2 points averaging 19 minutes a night through the end of last season. However, with the Trail Blazers getting Damian Lillard healthy and adding Ja Morant this season, Krejci's role shrank, and he is averaging 2.7 points per game in 10 minutes a night.
Krejci becomes the third Trail Blazers guard out injured for a considerable stretch, joining Morant (hamstring) and Shaedon Sharp (knee).
Dillon Brooks literally — and physically — went there.
The known NBA antagonist appeared to stick his foot near the back of Damian Lillard’s left Achilles, the same one he tore in the 2025 playoffs and sidelined him for all of the 2025-26 season, leading to a heated confrontation during the Trail Blazers’ 132-119 home win over the Suns on Wednesday.
Lillard got right in Brooks’ face and voiced his apparent displeasure before a referee broke up the mini fracas.
Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks, left, and Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard talk during an NBA game, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, in Phoenix. AP Photo/Rick Scuteri
The scene unfolded after Brooks stepped out of bounds with the ball in the third quarter while being guarded by Lillard, leading to the Suns wing hoisting a jumper that did not count.
Lillard stuck his hand up despite the whistle, and Brooks came down with his right leg extended.
It appeared his foot struck the lower part of Lillard’s left leg, causing the Trail Blazers’ veteran to immediately turn around and start jawing at Brooks.
The Bucks chose to move on from Lillard that offseason in one final attempt to build another championship contender around Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Lillard, 36, returned to the Trail Blazers on a three-year, $42 million deal, although he did not suit up for the team last year while rehabbing.
Dillon Brooks’ foot appears to connect with the back of Damian Lillard’s left leg. @CGBBurner/X
While he’s no longer the elite player of his earlier 11-year Trail Blazers tenure from 2012-23, the guard is averaging 20.1 points across 29.7 minutes per game spanning seven contests.
His production has helped Portland to a surprising 6-1 start, with Lillard tying his season-high with 25 points Wednesday.
For Brooks, this is yet another chapter that only adds to his reputation as one of the NBA’s chief antagonizers and offers more ammunition to those who consider him a dirty player.
He tallied 10 points but a minus-29 rating in the setback.
Oct 21, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; Phoenix Suns center Khaman Maluach (10) grabs a rebound during the first half against Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (23) at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
After yet another double-digit loss on Wednesday night, this time to the Portland Trail Blazers (again), the Phoenix Suns find themselves at 1-5. They are a team desperately searching for an identity. Players are trying to establish defined roles, while the coaching staff continues experimenting with combinations in hopes of finding something that can ultimately translate into success.
When you take a step back and look at the bigger picture as it pertains to the Suns’ future, things begin to look rather grim. Between the significant amount of dead cap money on the books and the fact that Phoenix has surrendered control of its draft assets for the next several seasons, there was one thing we understood entering this year that could help keep the franchise competitive: development.
After all, continuity and development were the two pillars this organization leaned on throughout the summer. The belief was that returning so many familiar faces would provide a foundation for improvement, while the younger players would take meaningful steps forward in their progression. That was the formula. That was the plan. Yet through six games, the continuity has been noticeably absent, and the opportunities for development have been puzzling.
Yes, the organization was forced to adjust its developmental timeline when Mark Williams suffered a shoulder injury in September that required surgery on his left shoulder. Suddenly, the buffer that would have allowed Khaman Maluach to develop behind Williams and Oso Ighodaro in the rotation was gone. The second-year big man out of Duke was now positioned to receive considerably more playing time than the organization likely anticipated entering the season.
While that certainly wasn’t the original plan, there was a potential silver lining. Reluctance to play Maluach could no longer serve as an excuse for limiting his opportunities. The Suns were going to need him out of sheer necessity, and that necessity could provide the very developmental experience this organization had spent the summer emphasizing.
Those opportunities have certainly presented themselves early on this season. Through the first six games of the season, Khaman Maluach has started all six, averaging 7.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.5 steals, and 1.0 blocks in 19.4 minutes per game.
The opportunity to develop has been there, but I’ve noticed a troubling trend recently that has me asking one simple question: What are we doing here? Because winning basketball games certainly isn’t what we’re doing right now, and of the many reasons why that’s the case, the minutes being given to Khaman Maluach aren’t anywhere near my top 10.
In fact, his absence becomes increasingly noticeable on a team that desperately lacks size and has been horrific at consistently securing rebounds. Phoenix ranks 29th in the NBA in rebounds per game at 39.5 and dead last in rebound percentage at 45.3%. Yet despite those struggles, the Suns continue to limit the playing time of one of the few players on the roster capable of providing a legitimate interior presence.
And that brings me to the trend that’s becoming increasingly difficult to understand. In each of the last three games, Khaman Maluach hasn’t played a single minute in the fourth quarter. Against both Denver and Golden State, he was pulled with 7:04 remaining in the third. Against Portland on Wednesday night, his final appearance ended with 6:09 left in the third. Why?
Last night against the Trail Blazers, Jordan Ott followed the same substitution pattern we’ve grown accustomed to seeing early this season. Maluach starts the game before exiting midway through the first quarter. He returns midway through the second, plays roughly five minutes, and then starts the second half. But somewhere around the midway point of the third quarter, Ott pulls him from the game, never to be seen again.
We’ve now witnessed that exact pattern in four of the Suns’ first six games, and for a team supposedly committed to development, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to understand why. So let’s try to figure it out.
Without Khaman Maluach, the Suns are left relying on either small-ball lineups or Oso Ighodaro at the five. And while neither option is inherently problematic, the results have been inconsistent, particularly on the boards.
Last night against Portland, Phoenix was actually holding its own on the glass. Yes, the Suns were trailing by 13 points when Maluach exited with 6:09 remaining in the third quarter, but they were winning the rebounding battle 27-25. Over the final 18:09, however, Portland outrebounded Phoenix by 10 and won the offensive rebounding battle 10-5. By the final buzzer, the Trail Blazers had secured a 47-39 advantage on the glass.
When Khaman Maluach checked out for the final time with 6:09 left in the 3rd, the Suns held a 27–25 rebounding advantage.
Over the final 18:09? Portland outrebounded Phoenix 22–12, including a 10–5 edge on the offensive glass.
It’s important to note that these numbers reflect the team’s performance before and after Maluach’s final substitution, rather than exclusively when he was on or off the court.
The data tells a slightly different story against Golden State. Through the first 28:56, Phoenix had been outrebounded 28-20. But over the final 19:04, after Maluach exited for the final time, the Suns actually outrebounded the Warriors 17-16. Against Denver, Phoenix held a 22-19 rebounding advantage before Maluach’s final substitution, then was outrebounded 21-20 the rest of the way.
So what gives? Why is Maluach being banned from the chat after the two-and-a-half quarters of play? Across these three games, Phoenix was outrebounded 72-69 before Maluach’s final departures and 59-49 afterward. That’s a three-rebound deficit becoming a 10-rebound deficit, despite the latter periods being considerably shorter.
Welp, we’re done here. It’s clear Ott doesn’t know what he’s doing. But wait. As Rafiki once wisely said, “Look harder…”
Rather than evaluating the rebounding numbers based on the point at which Maluach permanently exits the game, let’s examine how Phoenix actually performs on the glass when he’s on the court compared with when he’s sitting on the bench.
Against Portland, Maluach played 15:51, during which the Suns were outrebounded 16-12, with the Trail Blazers collecting three offensive rebounds. During the 32:09 he spent on the bench, Portland still held the advantage, though the margin was considerably smaller, 31-27. Phoenix secured 42.9% of the recorded rebounds with Maluach playing, compared with 46.6% when he was off the floor.
Maluach Status
Team
OREB
DREB
Total
On (15:51)
PHX
1
11
12
POR
3
13
16
Off (32:09)
PHX
13
14
27
POR
13
18
31
Against Golden State, the disparity was even more noticeable. Phoenix was down seven rebounds in the rebounding battle with Maluach on the court and even when he was on the bench. The Suns secured only 36.0% of available rebounds during his minutes, compared with 50.0% when he wasn’t playing.
Maluach Status
Team
OREB
DREB
Total
On (13:18)
PHX
1
8
9
GSW
5
11
16
Off (34:42)
PHX
8
20
28
GSW
7
21
28
And against Denver? Phoenix was even on the glass with Maluach playing and +2 with him on the bench. The Suns collected 50.0% of recorded rebounds when he was on the court and 51.7% when he was off.
Maluach Status
Team
OREB
DREB
Total
On (17:14)
PHX
5
7
12
DEN
5
7
12
Off (30:46)
PHX
10
20
30
DEN
7
21
28
Looking at the three games in which Malauch was pulled early, cumulatively, you find that when Malauch was on the court for 46:23, the team was outbounded by 11. Off the court for 97:37? The team was -2.
Maluach Status
PHX REB
OPP REB
Differential
On Court
33
44
-11
Off Court
85
87
-2
There’s one variable in all of this that we simply don’t have an answer to. We don’t know how Maluach would perform in these fourth quarters if he were actually given the opportunity. We can evaluate what happens during his minutes and compare those numbers with what occurs when he’s on the bench.
The numbers certainly complicate the argument that Maluach’s absence is directly responsible for Phoenix’s rebounding struggles. In these three games, the Suns actually rebounded at a higher percentage when he wasn’t on the floor, although the degree of that advantage varied considerably from game to game. That’s an interesting finding, especially given the eye test against Portland, where the Suns appeared to struggle considerably after his final departure. The full on/off data paints a more nuanced picture.
Khaman Maluach: Season On/Off | https://hoopsjunkie.io/player/khaman-maluach
This is where the conversation becomes particularly interesting, because at what point do you prioritize development over rebounding percentages when a player is on or off the court? Maluach hasn’t looked great to start the season, but he’s certainly been serviceable. And for a team that desperately lacks size, he’s somebody who should probably be seeing a little more playing time at this point.
But in the grand scheme of things, when you’re looking at a three-game sample in which the rebounding differential is minus-nine, I don’t believe that’s enough to justify limiting the opportunities and potential growth of a young center who needs experience to develop. Especially when you consider that Maluach has consistently demonstrated a desire to compete and remain engaged. This isn’t somebody whose struggles stem from a poor attitude or a lack of effort.
He’s a young player learning how to navigate the NBA, and perhaps we’re overanalyzing a handful of fleeting moments rather than allowing him to work through those experiences.
You have to eventually take the training wheels off and let the kid learn, right? Is it too soon? Apparently, the coaching staff believes so.
But at some point, the Suns have to decide what they’re actually trying to accomplish this season. If winning is the priority, the results suggest their current approach isn’t working. And if development is supposed to be the foundation for the future, Maluach needs opportunities to make mistakes, learn from them, and grow. Those objectives don’t have to be mutually exclusive. But keeping the training wheels on while the team continues losing accomplishes very little. Especially when the kid is never given a chance to finish the ride.
LeBron James of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the second half against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan, Nov. 4, 2026. Getty Images
“Isn’t that obvious to you?” Bayless said when Smith posed the question.
“No!” Smith said.
Stephen A. Smith speaking to Skip Bayless on ESPN’s “First Take” show. (X/@FirstTake).
“I believe that Luka Dončić got sick and tired of having to share the stage with a LeBron James who couldn’t live up to being LeBron James anymore, as he hit 40 years of old,” Bayless added.
“Oh my god,” Smith responded while putting his hand over his face.
Skip Bayless arguing with Stephen A. Smith on ESPN’s “First Take” show. (X/@FirstTake).
Bayless then praised Dončić for developing his game and working on his weaknesses over the years, including his physical shape and his defense.
“Now the stage has been cleared of a LeBron James who, I’ve gotta say this, his LA tenure was completely overrated,” Bayless added.
The debate about whether the Lakers are indeed better off without King James will likely continue throughout this season.
But witnessing Bayless and Smith — who worked together on “First Take” for four years until Bayless departed for Fox Sports in 2016 — reignite their rivalry over the LeBron-Lakers debate feels nostalgic for sports fans, regardless of which side of the debate they’re on.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 30: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers smiles during their game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on October 30, 2026 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s like déjà vu all over again: Luka Dončić scored at least 40 points and the Los Angeles Lakers rode a vibrant offensive attack to victory.
For the fifth time in six games, Dončić eclipsed the 40-point barrier during Los Angeles’ 116-103 win over the Sacramento Kings Wednesday night. The one “hiccup” amid this stretch was a 37-point outing against the Golden State Warriors on Friday. Over that span, the Slovenian is averaging 42.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 1.8 steals while shooting 63.3% on 2-pointers, 44.9% beyond the arc (14.8 attempts per game!) and 89.7% at the charity stripe.
He’ll rainbow home deep stepback triples, massage his way into crafty, feathery touch shots, draw tons of fouls and still prime teammates for easy shots with one-of-a-kind passing. Every Lakers game is a spectacle hosted by Dončić — and the supporting cast knows it.
“You can call it a wave, you can call it a tsunami, you can call it whatever you want,” Walker Kessler told reporters on Wednesday following the Lakers’ third straight win. “He’s scoring the ball. If you want to call it a wave, we’re surfing the wave a little bit when he’s making those shots. I mean he’s incredible.”
With 308 points through eight games, Dončić became the first player since Michael Jordan (303 points) in 1988 to tally 300-plus in the first eight games of the season, according to NBA Stats. He also recorded his sixth straight game with at least 35 points, five rebounds and five assists to pass Damian Lillard for the longest such streak in league history.
Each night, he seizes control of the action like few others can. In fact, nobody else around the Association can do it like him right now. He is otherworldly dominant and continues etching his name into more rarified company.
“You felt it like in that second quarter,” head coach JJ Redick said postgame Wednesday. “I thought, again, we were generating good looks and then he comes down and he makes like three shots in a row that there’s five guys in the NBA can make and all of a sudden the tie ball game is a nine-, 10-point lead. The team feeds off that, too, when he has it going like that.”
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — "The guys earned their ice. We haven't really earned our ice many times."
That's how Heat coach Erik Spoelstra described his team's effort in a 117-116 win over the Clippers Wednesday night. As the Heat stumbled out of the gate to a 2-5 start this season, the headlines focused on Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo playing next to each other more than off each other, and on how the offense looked clunky. Spoelstra knew that wasn't the issue, it was the bottom-five defense in the league that was keeping the Heat from finding its identity and winning games.
"You have to make plays defensively, and that's what we've been trying to do is find our identity," Spoelstra said. "The offensive stuff like that's way overblown. You know, going into this game, we have almost a top 10 ranked offense [11th in net rating]. That's ahead of where I thought it would be at this time. But our defense is way behind. That's why we lost games."
For 29 minutes Wednesday night in Los Angeles, from the start of the third quarter through Klay Thompson’s overtime game-winner, the Miami Heat found that identity.
Miami used its length and athleticism to pressure the Clippers' ballhandlers up the court, switched pick-and-rolls more — and more effectively — than they have all season, and played bully ball against a team light on shot creation. Davion Mitchell was ripping the ball away from Darius Garland.
They looked like the team Spoelstra envisioned — a team that played intense, high-energy defense and would get enough offense from its stars. A team with a defense-first, gritty identity and turned that defense into offense.
"I think we turned it up in the second half, majorly," Thompson said. "That ball pressure at half court that Bam, Giannis, Davion, Pella [Larsson], Ryan [Conwell] had was just a game changer."
"One game, does that solve everything? No, but at least now we can see," Spoelstra said. "All right, this is what the plan was the first day of training camp. Everybody wrapped their mind around it, and it just hasn't gone according to plan. But you could see the efforts. The guys earned their ice."
All about the second half
They earned that ice in the second half — the second quarter was more of what had the Heat losing games to start the season. The Clippers went on a 30-4 run to open the frame and dropped a 43-point second quarter on the Heat, with Garland carving them up as LA shot 16-of-22 in the quarter, including hitting 6-of-7 in the paint and 8-of-13 from 3. The Clippers had a 172 offensive rating in the second quarter as they got the shots they wanted — 75% of their first half shots came at the rim or from 3 (and they were hitting those deep balls).
"We gave up 67 points in the first half, and we just really wanted to try to prove to ourselves that we could do something tough," Spoelstra said. "And we opened up the third quarter, had a really good defensive quarter, held them to 20 points, and then did it again, held them to 20 points in the fourth before overtime."
Miami did it for a night, but now comes the hard part: Doing it again. Especially on Thursday night, going up to the Bay Area for a back-to-back against a Warriors team finding their identity and with a pretty good shooter of their own in the backcourt.
"That's our identity. That's what we have to be. Not every other night. We gotta be there every night," Adabayo said of the second-half defensive effort. "We're not scoring, we gotta make sure they don't score either... Being disruptive, we were flying around. That's what it takes... It's gonna be moments when it's uncomfortable. So being able to get out of that comfort zone and then communicate, you see what the potential is."
Miami now has to live up to that defensive potential nightly — but the second half against the Clippers showed them the path.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 04: Michael Porter Jr. #17 and Terance Mann #14 react with Danny Wolf #2 of the Brooklyn Nets 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
The Nets cried Wolf. This time, he was telling the truth.
Despite selecting a historic slew of first-round picks in 2025, the Nets had seen just two of those rookies, Egor Demin and Nolan Traore, crack Jordi Fernández’s rotation through the first seven games.
Injuries mounted alongside Brooklyn’s losses. Entering Wednesday night with a 1-6 record and coming off a deflating loss to the rival Knicks across the river, they were still winless on their home floor. Urgency kicked in.
Noah Clowney suffered a knee injury in the first half and was ruled out for the remainder of the night, joining Demin, Joshua Jefferson, Ben Saraf, and Drake Powell on the inactive list — five rookie-contract players forced to watch from the sidelines (or Long Island).
Enter Danny Wolf.
Before Wednesday, the former 27th pick had logged minutes in just two games. His 27 minutes on the court was less than two-way’s Grant Nelson’s 35.
But by the second half, he anchored a unit that turned a tight game into an uncontested 114–104 victory, finishing with 13 points, five rebounds, and three assists on 4-of-6 shooting — including two 3-pointers and a game-high +17 in just under 19 minutes.
“Obviously in the NBA, there’s going to be times especially early in your career that you might not be in the rotation, and that was the case for me starting the year,” Wolf admitted postgame. “Everyone emphasizes and preaches ‘you got to be ready’ and you hear it over and over… When coach called my name in the second half, I was ready.”
It’s a small sample size, but when Wolf knocks down shots and makes plays as a secondary facilitator, he gives Brooklyn a distinct way to generate offense in transition. That dynamic starts on the glass: the more defensive stops the Nets string together, the more opportunities Wolf has to snag a rebound and push the pace before opposing defenses can set up.
General manager Sean Marks has long shown an appreciation for frontcourt players who can rebound and push — from Trevor Booker to Ben Simmons to Julius Randle. Wolf fits that modern “grab-and-go” archetype, but adds a legit 3-point stroke to the equation.
“The biggest staple of our team, especially our offensive identity, is supposed to be playing fast,” Wolf explained postgame. “We use the terminology ‘pace and space’ and I feel like there’s times with my play style that I can really help us push the ball up the floor, make simple passes, start the break. Momentum is what helps win you a basketball game.”
The evolution of big men has been fun to watch
Just look at Danny Wolf, who stands at 6’10” but has the fluidity and movement of a guard pic.twitter.com/KbEa6sJlPx
The sequence that swung Wednesday night’s game highlighted that approach. Moments after checking in during the third quarter, Wolf snagged a defensive rebound, pushed the pace, and initiated a transition drive that resulted in a Julius Randle AND-1 layup. On the next possession, he trailed the play, spotted up behind the arc, and hit a 24-foot triple to give Brooklyn its first lead of the second half at 61–59, forcing a Charlotte timeout.
To make it work, Fernández sat three-time All-Star Julius Randle down the stretch in favor of the rookie. Crucially, Fernández didn’t deploy Wolf as a standalone center.
Wolf played every single minute alongside a traditional interior anchor — logging 15 minutes and 37 seconds next to Day’Ron Sharpe and 2 minutes and 59 seconds alongside Moritz Wagner.
Protecting Wolf from heavy low-post drop coverage and rim-protection duties allowed him to roam freely and make decisions in the open floor. During Wolf’s 15:37 alongside Sharpe, the Nets outscored Charlotte 46-32 (+14), with Wolf racking up 10 of his 13 points, all five of his rebounds, and two of his three assists.
The framework for utilizing a player with Wolf’s skillset is familiar to Fernández from his time under Michael Malone in Denver.
“I think that you have to be creative with players that are uncommon,” Fernández said in Oct. 2025. “I was very fortunate to work with Nikola [Jokic], and we had to let him show us what he was able to do. Otherwise, if you see him as a traditional player, then you could fail… Nikola showed certain things that were so different for his position and a seven-footer, and that’s why he makes all these plays and plays in situations where no other big man plays.”
It isn’t about becoming the next Jokic, though. Wolf finding his footing in the NBA has required him adjusting from his heavy-usage roles at Yale and Michigan, where his playmaking came from high volume.
“I think that the coaches [at Michigan] didn’t even know what my role was going to be,” Wolf also said in Oct. 2025. “At Yale, I was more of a traditional 5, and then at Michigan, I don’t even know what you would call my position or how I played… In the NBA, it’s about continuing to get better within the confines of the roles your coach wants you to play.”
On Wednesday, that work in progress delivered real results.
Wolf opened the fourth quarter by hitting a 25-foot transition jumper off a pass from Terance Mann. Operating out of the high-post, he delivered a crisp pass to Traore for a driving floater before driving into the lane himself for an And-1 layup. When Charlotte made a late push, Wolf secured a key offensive rebound, drew the foul, and sank both free throws to seal the victory.
Michael Porter Jr. echoed that praise in the locker room.
“I ain’t gonna lie, the difference tonight was Terance Mann and Danny Wolf. They haven’t been in rotation much, they came in ready to play… Danny coming in and contributing right away like that, that takes a lot of readiness and a lot of discipline to not play for so many games, come in the second half, and contribute the way he did. I always thought Danny was a special player, and I’ve said that since he got here.”
During his first Summer League in August 2025, Wolf said he’s a “work in progress.” Now, some of the progress is tangible and helping lead to wins.
For 24 minutes on Wednesday night, the Dallas Mavericks looked like a team with more questions than answers. For the next 24 minutes, though, they looked like a team that had found a winning formula against the reigning Western Conference champs. Despite rallying back from being down 19 points in the second half to take a late three-point lead, the Mavs ultimately came up short in a 112-111 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on the road.
The second consecutive loss dropped Dallas to 4-4 on the season. It’s also the Mavs’ second loss to San Antonio in less than two weeks, after the Spurs rolled to a 122-106 win in Dallas on Oct. 24 with Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving both sidelined.
This one had a different feel, though. Despite Victor Wembanyama going off for 52 points, 24 rebounds and eight blocks, the Mavs still had an opportunity to win the game at the end, but Irving’s last-second shot just wouldn’t drop. As encouraging as it was to see the Mavs not give up and fight back to make it a close game, nobody seemed happy to come away with any moral victories on Wednesday night.
“I feel like it’s a bad thing,” Naji Marshall said when asked what it meant to come back from 19 down. “I feel like we’re kind of telling ourselves and showing ourselves personally what we’re doing wrong. I feel like we’re letting ourselves down. Just practice what we preach. Go out there from the jump and play like [how we did in the second half]. Who knows how the game will turn out?”
Irving also spoke about the Mavs’ uninspiring first half. San Antonio put up 32 points in the first quarter and 36 more in the second, and Dallas spent most of that stretch, in his words, “playing on our heels.”
“We just got back to the identity that we’re trying to build for ourselves, which is, you know, it’s not so much desperation basketball, but it’s just playing to be the hunters,” Irving said. “… They were getting a lot of offensive rebounds, a lot of second chances. … The second half, I feel like we hit them and they had to respond, and that’s what got us back in the game.”
Instead of driving into Wembanyama at the rim, the Mavericks made a big adjustment and started kicking the ball out, re-spacing and letting it fly. Dallas ended up shooting 14-of-37 (37.8 percent) from deep.
“We stopped challenging Wemby at the rim, and started making better decisions with the basketball,” Mavs head coach Dusty May said.
This isn’t the first time the Mavericks have had to dig out of an early hole this season, and they know that’s a problem that needs to be addressed if they want to potentially be a playoff contender this year.
“To start off the game and, you know, give two quarters up, 32 and 36, that’s not where we want to be,” Irving said. “And when you’re giving up that amount of points in the first half, teams are going to be very comfortable and you got to work your way back. … I think we have to start trending in a direction where we’re going into halftime with a lead.”
The good news, though, is that the Mavericks now have proof of what that version of themselves looks like. May and the rest of the guys will now just have to figure out how to make it show up from the opening tip more consistently. Dallas will be in action again on Friday at American Airlines Center against the 1-7 Utah Jazz. The game will tip off at 7 p.m. CT. It will be the Mavs’ second NBA Cup game of the season. They won their first NBA Cup game against the Houston Rockets last week, improving to 1-0 in Group Play.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 30: Jalen Smith #25 of the Chicago Bulls attempts a three point basket against the Boston Celtics during the second half at the TD Garden on October 30, 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 Brian Fluharty/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Houston Rockets are off to their best start since their franchise record-setting 2017-18 season. That season, of course, featured Chris Paul and the Rockets’ second-best player in franchise history, James Harden. The Rockets won a franchise-best 65 games that season, and it was also the last time they made the Western Conference Finals.
The Rockets have gone through a complete overhaul since then and were hoping they could get back to that level or beyond with the hiring of Ime Udoka in 2023. The Rockets have made progress, going from a rebuilding lottery team after Harden was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in 2021 to a playoff team the last two seasons.
Unfortunately for the Rockets, they have plateaued over the last two seasons, bowing out in the first round in both seasons. There were legitimate reasons for that, as the Rockets made the playoffs for the first time in four seasons in 2024, and last season they were without not only Fred VanVleet, who was out all season, but also Kevin Durant, who missed all but one playoff game.
Heading into this season, the Rockets plan to have a full roster for the first time in the Kevin Durant era. VanVleet was ready to start the season, along with Steven Adams, who missed the last four months with a lower-body injury. Those plans lasted one game into the regular season, as Adams went on the injury report with a right soleus (calf) injury. Udoka stated that Adams is not day-to-day but week-to-week.
Clint Capela is the Rockets’ third-string center and filled in for Adams last season after he went down in January, and he filled that role again at the start of this season. Capela is now a two-time Rocket who started his career with the team and played during the Harden era; he had some good games filling in for Adams this season, but the 32-year-old is now also out with an ankle injury.
Even after their loss Wednesday night to the shorthanded Minnesota Timberwolves, the Rockets are still 7-2 and are one of the early favorites to go deep into the playoffs. They have their most versatile team since that 2017-18 team and improved their bench this past offseason. However, the backup center position is the one position the Rockets may need to improve before the trade deadline, and with their assets, they are in a great position to do so.
The Rockets may need to upgrade their backup center position
First off, Adams, when healthy, is one of the best, if not the best, backup centers in the NBA. Since he arrived in Houston, he has catapulted them into the league’s best rebounding team every season he’s been on the roster. When Adams went out with his injury in January of last season, the Rockets’ rebounding dropped noticeably for the rest of the season.
The issue is that Adams’ availability isn’t guaranteed, as he missed several months last season and has played only one game this season. Even before coming to the Rockets, Adams missed the entire 2023-24 season, including the second half with the Rockets after being traded before the deadline.
As mentioned earlier, Capela is a serviceable third center, but he is entering his 14th season and is no longer the lob threat he once was. The Rockets do have another center, Oscar Tshiebwe, who has been good in limited minutes but doesn’t offer what the Rockets lack: an athletic lob threat at center.
The Rockets have the most assets in the 2027 draft, as they can swap picks with the Nets and also have the Phoenix Suns’ first-round pick. Both teams are off to slow starts this season: the Suns are 1-5, and the Nets are 2-6. One quick note: in past seasons, teams that finished in the bottom three in wins had the best odds at a top pick; that is not the case now, as finishing with the worst record gives you only two ping-pong balls, and finishing 4-10 actually gives you better odds.
The Rockets having those two picks is a big deal, and they may use them as part of a bigger trade, but if they continue their current trajectory, they may feel they dont have to swing for the fences and may go for a smaller move, like upgrading their backup center.
As mentioned earlier, the Rockets need a center who is reliable and, more importantly, can run the floor, block shots, and play above the rim or, at the very least, stretch the court. The best move is to hold onto Adams, since he is still the best backup big when he is on the court, and bringing in another center can help the Rockets slowly bring him back.
Some realistic names to consider, even though each comes with its own drawbacks.
Robert Willams
Jalen Smith
Dary’Ron Sharpe
A Quick Synopsis of Each Player’s Pros and Cons
Robert Williams has long been on the trade block. The 6’9 “center is one of the most athletic centers in the league. He would provide the Rockets with a rim-running big who can play above the rim. However, he also suffers from the same injury issues as Adams.
Williams has played only 85 games in the previous three seasons and is the most expensive player on this list at $14 million a year. That would mean you’d likely have to trade Adams, and the best-case scenario would be if you can hold on to him, as he can still have a positive impact, especially in the playoffs.
PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 2: Jalen Smith #25 of the Chicago Bulls shoots the ball during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on November 2, 2026 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Jalen Smith, who currently plays for the Chicago Bulls, is more of a stretch big and a good shot blocker. Smith tied his career-high from the 3-point range, shooting .373. The Rockets haven’t had a center who can stretch the floor in a long time, and Smith could provide exactly that off the bench. Smith is also only making nine millon a season, which is a more manageable trade contract.
The drawback is that Smith is in the last year of his contract. Which means he could walk after this season, especially if he is looking for a starting role next season, which he wouldn’t have in Houston.
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 2: Day'Ron Sharpe #20 of the Brooklyn Nets shoots the ball during the game against the New York Knicks on November 2, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Day’Ron Sharpe is another center who could be on the trade block as the Nets continue to rebuild. Sharpe is the youngest of the three. Sharpe is an offensive rebounding machine who can run the floor and has increased his outside shooting. Sharpe would give the Rockets a young, mobile backup center they haven’t had in many years. Sharpe contract is also manageable at only 10 millon a season for the next two seasons.
Sharpe doesn’t provide Smith’s outside shooting, but he can crash the boards with the best in the NBA and gives you a version of Adams when he is on the court. He’s also under contract for two seasons instead of one like Smith.
As mentioned above, the Rockets may hold onto the picks and see what happens next offseason, or use them for a blockbuster move before the deadline. If they do decide to go one of those routes, backup center is still a position they should look to upgrade this season.
But that final score didn’t stop Kings guard Zach LaVine from taking a shot at Los Angeles’ defense after the game.
“They’ve got some bad defenders on their team, but so do we, so they exploited them,” LaVine said about the Lakers, per an X post from Brenden Nunes.
Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine speaking about the Los Angeles Lakers’ defense. (X/@Brenden NunesNBA).
LaVine, who finished with 21 points on 6-for-14 shooting from the field, also spoke about how Luka Dončić shredded the Kings’ defense, and how the Lakers make it hard when they funnel their offense through Walker Kessler down low.
“It’s just frustrating when you play hard, and you give it your all. No one is gonna be perfect, regardless of how much you try of whatever. But it’s just unfortunate sometimes. But we’re still competing,” he added.
"They've got some bad defenders on their team, but so do we, so they exploited them…"
Zach LaVine on where things went downhill in the Kings' 116-103 loss to the Lakers: pic.twitter.com/g84tiBvacE
But it still didn’t feel like the right time for LaVine to take this shot at Los Angeles, even though he admitted his own squad struggles in the same way.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic reacts during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, in Sacramento, Calif. AP Photo/Scott MarshallZach LaVine of the Sacramento Kings looks on during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. NBAE via Getty Images
The Lakers’ opponents are averaging 113.9 points per game this season, which is No. 17 in the NBA. Sacramento is allowing 123.3 points per game, coming in at No. 28.
Perhaps LaVine should spend more time looking in the mirror.
