LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 9: Norchad Omier #15 of the LA Clippers shoots a free throw during the game against the Sacramento Kings on July 9, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Candice Ward/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed G League standout Norchad Omier to a two-way deal. The organization has released 26-year-old wing Riley Minix in order to do so.
Omier previously had agreed to join the Minnesota Timberwolves but has reportedly changed his mind and plans on signing with the Cavaliers instead.
Update: After agreeing to a two-way deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Norchad Omier has changed his mind and plans to sign a two-way deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers, sources told @hoopshype.
The Timberwolves now have an open two-way spot after waiving Enrique Freeman. https://t.co/EGdVr9TC0q
Cleveland’s developmental league has done a fine job in recent years. Sam Merrill, Craig Porter Jr. and Nae’Qwan Tomlin are recent examples of players who have climbed the ranks to sign standard contracts and play rotational minutes in the NBA.
Omier will look to follow the same path. He joins Cleveland’s other two-way prospects, Ernest Udeh Jr. and Tristan Enaruna.
Minix, who signed a two-way deal with the Cavs in February of this year. The lanky forward never found his outside shot in limited opportunities with Cleveland.
The Cavs have a need for someone like Omier. Now more than ever. Bulky forwards don’t grow on trees, apparently, and the Cavs would be thrilled to have another player rapidly graduate from the G League to the NBA this season.
All of this is easier said than done. Omier is not a polished player and isn’t a threat to shoot from the perimeter. The 6’7” forward shot 20% from deep in 11 games with the Charge last season. But he has the size and athleticism to fill a momentary need for the Cavaliers — who are dealing with various injuries to a roster that already lacked wing depth.
Omier will have an opportunity now to continue proving himself in the G League, with a chance of earning minutes at the NBA level. This is what every prospect in his position is striving for. It’s clear that he likes his chances in Cleveland, considering he backed out of a commitment with Minnesota to be here. The same can be said for the Cavs, who swiftly opened a two-way spot to get him.
The Cavs play two games at home this weekend. First, against the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday. Then, the New York Knicks on Saturday. We’ll see if any of the two-way guys get a chance to play.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 22: LeBron James #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers and Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers react during the third quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena on October 22, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers are dealing with various setbacks, as roughly half of their usual rotation is on the injury report for their game against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Jarrett Allen, who banged knees with OKC’s Jared McCain last night, is questionable to play with a right knee contusion. The Cavs will sorely miss their two-way anchor if he isn’t available. Cleveland leans heavily on Allen to steady the ship on both ends of the floor.
Peyton Watson is also listed as questionable. Watson has missed the previous two games for Cleveland with a hamstring strain. This is the type of injury that you don’t want to rush, as pushing a hamstring too far can be a slippery slope.
Watson is still searching for his ideal role with the Cavs. An injury like this doesn’t make it any easier to navigate a new system.
Tyrese Proctor also picked up an injury in Oklahoma City when he landed on another player’s foot. Proctor is listed as questionable with an ankle sprain for tomorrow, and he had just started to hit his stride after starting in his first game of the season against the Thunder.
That’s the last of the questionables.
Jaylon Tyson will miss his fourth straight game with an ankle injury. The Cavs would love his secondary creation and defensive intensity sooner rather than later. But for now, they’ll have to survive without it.
Nae’Qwan Tomlin (low back stress reaction), Khalifa Diop (G League) and Ernest Udeh Jr. (G League) are also listed as out. Riley Minix, who was previously on a two-way contract with Cleveland, was waived by the team today.
This leaves the Cavs looking paper-thin against a 76ers team that erased the best of them on opening night. It’s not ideal, but that’s life in the NBA.
Cleveland will need big performances from Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, and Evan Mobley — while finding additional support from an unlikely hero off the bench. Perhaps Mario Hezonja or rookie Meleek Thomas can continue their strong stretch of games to provide the help they need. A hot-shooting game from Sam Merrill would also be nice.
James is looking to get an AI sports betting app, which is named Bron AI, to stop using his likeness without authorization, a spokesperson for James confirmed to The California Post.
LeBron James #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the game against the Chicago Bulls on November 2, 2026 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NBAE via Getty ImagesLuka Doncic (77) of the Los Angeles Lakers stands for the national anthem before a game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
An attorney issued a cease-and-desist letter on the 76ers star’s behalf to PlayVision Inc., the sports technology startup that owns Bron AI.
The advertisement for Bron AI that was posted to social media on Wednesday that led to the cease-and-desist shows a person meant to resemble James – wearing a No. 23 basketball jersey with the name “Bron” on it – flipping through the app.
The social media posts amassed over 900,000 views in less than 24 hours before being removed from X/Twitter after Front Office Sports first reported the cease-and-desist.
James, who left the Lakers for the 76ers in free agency this past summer, has an exclusive endorsement deal with Polymarket.
Basketball players Luka Doncic and LeBron James in Lakers jerseys. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Adam Mendelsohn, James’s longtime media advisor, told The Post that Bron AI’s ad is “another example of the decline and lack of originality in sports media.”
“It’s all about cheap clicks and aggregation,” Mendelsohn said in a statement to The Post. “A lot of pundits do it too. I’m sure their intent all along was for us to send a cease and desist in order to play the social media game. You would prefer not to respond but you don’t have a choice in a situation like this.”
Bron AI’s ad featured several athletes, including NBA players Giannis Antetokounmpo, Donovan Mitchell and Dillon Brooks.
A cease-and-desist on behalf of Dončić was also sent to PlayVision Inc., a source close to the Lakers superstar told The Post.
So, not everything is perfect for the Slovenian sharpshooter. Well, on the court it might be.
On the latest injury report that published Thursday, Nov. 5, however, the team confirmed that it was a left hamstring strain, which was the same injury that sidelined him for the season’s first eight games. The Hornets also already declared Knueppel out for their game Friday, Nov. 6 against the Boston Celtics.
The injury took place midway through the first quarter of Charlotte’s game against Brooklyn.
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.
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.
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.
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
“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.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 10: Gui Santos #15 of the Golden State Warriors looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings during a 2026 NBA Preseason game on October 10, 2026 at Chase Center 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Mike Rasay/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
After a slow start to the season, the Golden State Warriors are officially rolling. They’ve won five games in a row — something they didn’t do at any point last year — and have a prime chance to make it six in a row tonight, when they welcome in old friend Klay Thompson and the Miami Heat. The Heat are just 3-5 on the year, and not only are they playing the second game of a back-to-back (while the Dubs are coming off two straight off days), but their game last night went to overtime. So the Warriors should be comfortably favored here, but needless to say, nothing is ever easy against Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, and Erik Spoelstra.
The Warriors, as is the case in almost every game they play, are less healthy than their opponent, though. Here’s the full injury report for both teams.
Warriors
Out — Gui Santos (left knee tendinitis)
Santos will miss his second straight game as the Warriors try to get him healthy. When he has played this year, he hasn’t appeared to be at full health, so it looks like Golden State will give him a chunk of time off to get him fully healthy before reintegrating him into the lineup.
Out — Jimmy Butler III (right ACL repair surgery) Out — Moses Moody (left patellar tendon repair surgery) Out — Kristaps Porziņģis(not with team)
Same old, same old with this trio. Porziņģis may not be getting paid, but he technically still is a member of the roster, and will remain on the injury report for as long as that’s the case.
Heat
Available — Giannis Antetokounmpo (right wrist sprain)
The only player on Miami’s injury report is someone who will be playing, so they’re at full strength. In his first year in South Beach, Antetokounmpo is putting up his usual absurd stats, as he’s averaging 28.3 points, 12.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game.
Enjoy the game, everyone! It tips off at 7:00 p.m. PT on NBA TV and NBC Sports Bay Area.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 19: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors is guarded by Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat at Chase Center on January 19, 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
The Golden State Warriors have reached the halfway point of their six-game homestand as they prepare to host the Miami Heat on Thursday night. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM PT in San Francisco and can be watched on NBA TV and NBC Sports Bay Area.
Golden State extended its winning streak to five games on Monday night with a thrilling 116-113 victory over the Phoenix Suns. Stephen Curry and Draymond Green returned to the lineup after sitting out the first game of the back-to-back for rest, however, Green’s night was cut short after he was ejected early in the third quarter following a scuffle with Suns players Khaman Maluach and Dillon Brooks.
With Green out, the Warriors once again leaned on Curry to carry the offensive load, and the superstar guard delivered. Curry finished with a team-high 34 points, including an explosive 18-point third quarter that helped Golden State secure its fifth consecutive victory. The Warriors also received some much-needed contributions from their supporting cast as Brandin Podziemski added 20 points, while Charles Bassey and rookie Yaxel Lendeborg provided a spark with 19 and 16 points, respectively.
Thursday night’s matchup against Miami brings another familiar face back to Chase Center as Warriors legend Klay Thompson returns to face his former team. After reaching a buyout agreement with the Dallas Mavericks this offseason, Thompson signed a two-year deal with the Heat. The former Splash Brother has settled into his new role in Miami, averaging 14.1 points per game while shooting 42.5% from beyond the arc. He showed this as recently as Wednesday night, knocking down the clutch go-ahead three-pointer with just one second remaining to lift Miami past the Los Angeles Clippers in overtime.
There’s always a little extra energy in the building whenever Thompson returns to the Bay Area, but with Golden State riding a five-game winning streak and Miami coming off a dramatic victory of their own, Thursday’s matchup should have plenty of intensity as both teams look to keep their momentum going.
Klay on playing in Golden State tomorrow:
"Hopefully I can continue to stay afloat because I made a lot of buckets in that building. It's fun to beat up on old friends so that would be awesome to come away with a back to back win" pic.twitter.com/0fYZQ83KYu
DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 4: Adem Bona #30 of the Philadelphia 76ers plays defense 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 Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Sixers have another front court piece miss time this early season, even if its one who’s had struggles this season. Adem Bona is listed as doubtful for the Sixers’ upcoming game in Cleveland with a cervical spine sprain. Bona took a couple of hits to the head in their win over the Detroit Pistons, the last being an inadvertent elbow from Ausar Thompson going up for a rebound. Nick Nurse told reporters in Detroit after the game that it was a neck injury and Bona seemed to be OK.
The Sixers have an injury report for tomorrow's game @ Cleveland:
Nurse also had a brief update on Dominick Barlow, who just visited specialists for his back injury that’s prevented him from playing this season so far. Nurse said it was positive, but the team will wait almost two weeks at the earliest before ramping him up for more on-court activity.
Nick Nurse said Dominick Barlow had a positive visit to the back specialist. There will be another 10-12 day wait before a possible ramp up in on court activity
Jabari Walker would seem to be in line now for the backup five minutes should Bona not be able to go, who has played well this year going back to the preseason when given minutes. The Cavaliers front court will be quite a test for him, even if they are without Jarrett Allen, who suffered a knee injury in their most recent loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Allen is questionable with a right knee contusion and Peyton Watson is questionable with hamstring injury management on Cleveland’s side.
The good news is the entirety of the starting five is not listed on the injury report for the second consecutive game.
ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 31: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns looks for an opening against Tristan da Silva #23 of the Orlando Magic during the first half at the Kia Center on March 31, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. The Magic defeated the Suns 115 to 111. 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 Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Who: Phoenix Suns (1-5) vs. Orlando Magic (2-5)
When: 7:00 pm Arizona Time
Where: Mortgage Matchup Center — Phoenix, Arizona
Watch: Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports
Listen: KMVP 98.7
The Suns are back at it tonight after a loss to the Trail Blazers last night. The homestand continues.
Four straight losses. 1-5. And the Suns just watched Portland drop 43 on them in a single quarter after winning the first one 34-29.
I’ll say it out loud: game 7 of an 82-game season is a must-win. That sounds insane from the outside. It isn’t. Houston and San Antonio come to town right after this, and if Phoenix can’t beat a 2-5 Orlando team missing Paolo Banchero, I have no idea where the next win comes from.
Through six games, nothing on film says this team is better than its record. The ball movement in the first quarter in the last two games showed what the ceiling looks like. NBA games are 48 minutes long; it needs to be there for more than 12 or 15 minutes. If Jordan Ott’s group can’t defend a bottom-10 offense at home, the conversation shifts from “early-season growing pains” to “roster construction problem,” and the lineup experimentation has to start now.
The Suns need to play big, for once. Orlando has size.
Phoenix got out-rebounded by 8 against Portland and let the Blazers shoot 41 free throws. Donovan Clingan put up 24 and 11 inside. Portland was the more physical team, and the Suns settled instead of attacking. That’s a size problem and a mentality problem at the same time.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – OCTOBER 26: Khaman Maluach #10 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the first half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on October 26, 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
Orlando brings real size back. Franz Wagner, Desmond Bane and Wendell Carter Jr. have a 105.9 defensive rating together over 155 minutes, which is elite. But the Magic are running a switch-heavy scheme with a small rookie guard in the starting five, and that’s the mismatch Phoenix should live on.
A long, physical Suns wing on Richardson in the post is a free bucket every time Orlando switches. They need to hunt him relentlessly. The best stretch of the Portland game came when Phoenix went right at Lillard. Orlando hands them the same target. Anthony Black is another guy to watch, as he returns after missing a game.
Bench depth matters more than usual. It’s the second night of a home-home back-to-back. Orlando is fresh from rest and starting a four-game road trip
Key to a Suns Win
Phoenix’s defense has to show up. They are ranked 30th in the NBA in defensive rating at 124.5. The Magic have been held to under 100 points four times this season already. Orlando is 30th in PPG and 23rd in Offensive Rating.
Correcting avoidable and “controllable” mistakes will be key in this one, and every game moving forward for that matter.
5 of the 6 three's the Suns gave up to the Blazers in Q2 last night were definitely avoidable.
Causes being:
• Bad tag positioning/crash leverage bleeding into transition defensive woes • Rim turnovers (compromise ability to get back to the level of the ball in transition… pic.twitter.com/osfER41F6h
The Suns’ defense will be instrumental in turning this entire thing around, but especially this game. A struggling Magic squad could be just what the doctor ordered. But Orlando is thinking the same thing about the Suns’ defense being what they need to get their slumping offense back on track.
Set the tone defensively. Rebound the basketball. Play connected. And most importantly…
Play confident! These stretches can make you second-guess or lose confidence in yourself individually, or as a team. Phoenix needs to do all it can to block out all the noise and get back to focusing on the basics and taking it one game at a time.
Protect your home floor. Get win number two. Build some momentum heading into a tough 2-game stretch against the Rockets and Spurs after this one. The alternative… is not fun to think about.
Prediction
I’ve predicted against them in just about every game thus far, so it’s time to flip the “hope” switch on and speak their second win into existence.
SAN FRANCISCO – The team that had two days of rest looked much more like a team that played into overtime the night before in the early portions of the Warriors’ game against the Miami Heat on Thursday night at Chase Center.
Slowly but surely, the Warriors found a second wind that wasn’t available to the Heat, beating them 120-100. Their first lead of the game came from a Steph Curry layup at the 1:38 mark of the second quarter.
They outscored the Heat by 15 points in the third quarter and maintained the lead in the fourth quarter for a sixth straight win.
Curry continued his reign, scoring a game-high 29 points, with 22 coming after halftime. His running mate, Draymond Green, did a fantastic job defensively and engineering the Warriors’ offense.
Former Warriors Klay Thompson (11 points) and Andrew Wiggins (two) combined for 13 points.
Here are three takeaways from the Warriors’ win to keep rolling.
Splash Brother Showdown
They shot on opposite sides of the court at the same time during their pregame routines and caught up for a moment together at half-court. The moment was just the start to what would be a long night for former longtime teammates Curry and Thompson. As the Heat won the opening tip, Curry went right to Thompson for his defensive matchup.
That was the area Thompson made an immediate impact, too. He played so well on Brandin Podziemski that Steve Kerr had to make a change faster than usual. Thompson even swatted Curry at the rim in the first quarter after getting beat by him on a back cut.
Neither got it going offensively in the first half. Curry scored just seven points on a lowly 2-of-10 shooting, and a three late in the second quarter were Thompson’s only points. Curry splashed a three within the first minute of the third quarter, but also fouled Thompson on a three the next time down.
But the third quarter has been all Curry’s this season, and he continued his tear against his former Splash Brother. Curry scored 14 points and made three 3-pointers in the quarter to help the Warriors secure a 15-point lead going into the fourth.
Curry now is shooting 61.9 percent from three in the third quarter (13 of 21). He added another eight points in the fourth quarter to fall one point shy of his fourth straight 30-point game.
Steph Curry is now shooting 61.9% from 3 in the third quarter this season: 13 of 21
When Green came apart last game and was ejected against the Suns, the Warriors came together to complete a comeback win. There were many more storylines outside of Green going into the game, but he was sure to get up for a game matching up against Giannis Antetokounmpo and Co.
Green dared Antetokounmpo to shoot from deep and was active around the rim, whether it was with the former Milwaukee Bucks superstar, his former Warriors teammate Andrew Wiggins or anybody else. His level of focus was night-and-day different from Monday night.
This was a game where you had to watch closely to understand Green’s impact. Look beyond the box score with him. But some numbers certainly stick out, too.
Antetokounmpo scored 20 points but was a minus-22. Green’s plus-13 was second among Warriors starters, behind just Curry, and his 11 assists were five more than his next closest teammate. The Warriors had a 96.2 defensive rating, and Green is the main reason why.
Sure, Bam Adebayo put him on roller skates in the second quarter, but Al Horford got him back in the third quarter and ultimately had the final laugh in another Warriors win.
Al Horford knocks down a three to put the Warriors up double digits and Chase Center is ROCKING 😤 pic.twitter.com/OHNaXVl8fn
And, that wasn’t even Horford’s best highlight from the game. Or the quarter, for that matter.
Horford, 40, flew in for a two-handed reverse tip-in layup that made him look closer to his jersey number (20) than his age.
The 20-year vet has scored more points this season than he did Thursday night. He’s grabbed more rebounds and made more threes. But in his strategic minutes, he hasn’t meant as much to the Warriors as he did against the Heat, finishing as a game-high plus-21 in a game when he was a perfect 3 of 3 from the field and 2 of 2 from deep.
The Sixers listed backup center Adem Bona as doubtful for their Friday night meeting with the Cavaliers.
Bona’s official listing on the team’s Thursday evening injury report was “cervical spine sprain.”
He played one of his better games so far this season Wednesday in the 8-1 Sixers’ win over the Pistons, slamming in two second-quarter dunks and posting five points, two rebounds, a steal and an assist in 15 minutes.
Bona headed back to the Sixers’ locker room with 8:56 left in the fourth quarter. Sixers head coach Nick Nurse told reporters postgame that the 23-year-old big man had “neck soreness” after taking a hit.
Dominick Barlow (lower back stress reaction) and Ariel Hukporti (right Achilles tendon tear) will remain out for the Sixers in Cleveland. The Sixers beat the 4-4 Cavs in dramatic fashion on Oct. 22, overcoming a 29-point deficit to win a wild home opener. If Bona were to miss Friday’s game, Jabari Walker would be the logical next name in line at center behind Joel Embiid.
Notably, the Sixers included no starters on their injury report.
Tyrese Maxey had an apparent late-game injury concern Wednesday night when he seemed to hurt his right hand on an intentional Detroit foul.
Maxey stayed in despite apparent hand discomfort and went 4-for-4 at the line. pic.twitter.com/YszYE7wCqJ
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 4: Klay Thompson #11 of the Miami Heat leaves the court after a 117-116 win over the Los Angeles Clippers at Intuit Dome on November 4, 2026 in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Melina Pizano/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s a great time for sports fans to be in the Bay Area, Dub Nation! The Valkyries won their first WNBA title on Halloween night at Chase Center and paraded the trophy down the Embarcadero yesterday. Their older siblings the Golden State Warriors have won five straight. And tonight, the building that just hosted a championship celebration hosts the Miami Heat and a quasi homecoming for a guy who earned a few of those parades himself. Wassup, Klay Thompson!
The Warriors remember the last time Miami came to Chase. Jimmy Butler went down with a torn ACL that night, and he’s still out tonight, along with Kristaps Porzingis, Moses Moody and Gui Santos.
Great week in the Bay Area, Valks parade, Warriors 5 game winning streak, and 49ers x Raiders on Sunday
Miami Heat at Golden State Warriors When: November 5th, 2026 | 7:00 PM PT
TV: NBC Sports Bay Area, NBA TV Radio: 95.7 The Game
Yesterday while San Francisco was sweeping violet confetti off the Embarcadero, Klay Thompson was in Inglewood remembering exactly who he is. He dropped 30 on 8-of-17 from deep to cap a 20-point comeback over the Clippers. Down two in overtime, Giannis grabbed a defensive rebound with 3.8 seconds left, Miami called timeout, and on the ensuing inbound Giannis found Klay open in the left corner off a Bam screen for the walk-off three. Per a stat making the rounds, it was the first game-winning three of Klay’s career in the final five seconds of the fourth quarter or OT, regular season and playoffs. Klay’s got four rings, 37 points in a quarter, Game 6 in OKC, and yet the walk-off three was the one trinket missing from the shelf.
Fun fact: this is the first game-winning three Klay Thompson has hit in the final 5 seconds of the 4th quarter or OT in his career, regular season & playoffs. https://t.co/H1y82E4Kkc
The Warriors he’s coming back to look nothing like the team that started 0-3. They’ve since beaten the Nuggets, Timberwolves, Lakers, Clippers and Suns, including the Clippers win with both Steph and Draymond sitting out, and Monday’s win over Phoenix came after trailing by 17.
The South Beach super team rolls out Davion Mitchell, Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. Wiggins also won a title with the Warriors back in 2022 and got into the parade action; he joins Klay on the walk to the familiar arena.
Miami’s journey so far hasn’t been smooth. Miami lost its first four before winning three of the next four, and in that Clippers game everybody not named Klay went 2-of-23 from deep.
Warriors vs Heat tonight is the most obvious Game Of The Year Contender
One team is terrible at stopping 3s, The other has very limited size in the frontcourt
Steph & Klay playing some of their best basketball in years
Through eight games, Miami ranks dead last in the league in opponent threes made (17.1 per game) and opponent three-point percentage (40.5 percent), which is an engraved invitation for a Steph Curry who’s averaging 30 a night. The flip side is a Golden State frontcourt that starts Draymond at center with rookie Yaxel Lendeborg at forward, staring down a two-time MVP and a Bam who just set season highs with 35 points and 10 rebounds. Miami’s been getting nearly 20 points a night at the free throw line, so Lendeborg has to wall up Giannis without fouling. When the Warriors shoot, he has to find Giannis and put a body on him before the Greek Freak can turn a long rebound into a one-man fast break. Then there’s the Steve Kerr and Erik Spoelstra subplot, two guys who drew up gold-medal sets on the same whiteboard in Paris now trying to burn each other’s playbooks.
The schedule does hand Golden State an edge. The Warriors had two days off, while the Heat are on the second night of a back-to-back and their third game in four nights, and Klay’s status is still uncertain. If he plays, Chase will rain love on him during introductions, and then 18,000 people will spend the next two hours praying he left his new walk-off habit in Inglewood.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 30: Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics goes to the basket against Norman Powell #24 of the Chicago Bulls during the first 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
CHARLOTTE — The Celtics could be without Payton Pritchard when they face the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night. Pritchard exited Wednesday’s game against the Milwaukee Buckets in the third quarter due to a right eye abrasian. He was deemed questionable to return, and never did. The Celtics once again listed him as questionable in Thursday’s injury report.
Injury Report for tomorrow at Charlotte:
Payton Pritchard – Right Eye Abrasion – QUESTIONABLE
Joe Mazzulla provided a brief update on the 28-year-old after the Celtics’ 109-102 victory over the Bucks.
“He’s okay,” Mazzulla said. “I don’t know exactly what it is, but he got hit in the eye, hit in the head. Seems to be okay.”
Payton Pritchard has been a key contributor off the bench
Pritchard is averaging 13 points (the third-most on the team) to go along with 3.6 assists and 2.4 rebounds. He’s come off the bench in every game he’s played thus far.
Otherwise, Joe Mazzulla has mixed up starting lineups quite a bit.
The Celtics have started Derrick White, Paul George and Jayson Tatum for every game they’ve been available for this season (George and Tatum have each missed one game in order to rest).
Mitchell Robinson started the first five game of the season, while Neemias Queta started the last three. Jordan Walsh started the first five games of the season, and Hugo Gonzalez started the last three in place of him. Sam Hauser and Baylor Scheierman have each started one game. Eleven players on the roster, a list that also includes Luka Garza, have averaged double-digit minutes per game.
Ahead of Wednesday’s game, Pritchard was listed on the injury report with an unrelated injury, a right shoulder contusion. But, he was upgraded to available before game-time, and tallied 10 points and 5 rebounds in 18 minutes off the bench before his eye injry.
The Celtics are coming off of a win over the Bucks in which Paul George led the way with 25 points and 4 steals, and Derrick White added 24 points and 7 assists. They’re now 6-2 on the season; the Hornets are 3-6.
Celtics-Hornets tips off at 7pm ET on Friday night.
Bronny James is headed east to California's Coachella Valley, as the Lakers have assigned the third-year player to its G League affiliate.
The team announced the move Thursday, and the 22-year-old, along with teammate Cameron Carr, will suit up for the Coachella Valley Lakers, which begin their season on Friday. This follows the Los Angeles Lakers' 116-103 win over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday.
James barely factored into the game, logging a single minute. Early on, he hasn't been able to crack regular minutes this season.
Through nine games, James has had cameos in five contests with averages of 2.4 minutes and 0.8 points per game. His most recent productive effort came against the Heat when he chipped in two points and a block in a single minute of play.
Bronny James has seen his minutes decrease drastically from the previous season, wherein he logged 6.7 minutes per game over 27 games in his rookie campaign and 8.9 minutes per game over 42 games the following season, 2025-2026.
James' father, legendary NBA star LeBron James, is no longer with the Lakers. The 41-year-old is playing for the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year deal with a player option.
For the Lakers, the early returns for the roster have been positive. The team is 7-2 and is atop the Pacific Division thanks to inspired play from star Luka Dončić. With eight players averaging 23 minutes or more per game, it's clear James has less opportunity to crack the rotation.
The Coachella Valley Lakers open play at Acrisure Arena on Friday, Nov. 6 vs. the Salt Lake City Stars. Whether the game is a precursor to a brief stint or a more prolonged development period remains to be seen.
He has resuscitated Curry’s career. He has breathed new life into a flailing dynasty. He has given the Warriors their future franchise star.
Lendeborg was a question mark when the Warriors selected him as the No. 11 pick in the 2026 draft.
Can a jack-of-all-trades turn into a star? Can a 24-year-old surpass expectations or has he already peaked? Can a rookie really be NBA ready?
Lendeborg has emphatically answered those questions.
He’s averaging 21.5 points (50% shooting from the field, 40% from 3), seven rebounds and 3.9 assists for the Warriors, who have won five games in a row.
Golden State Warriors’ Yaxel Lendeborg dribbles against the Phoenix Suns during an NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
The Warriors are good. Curry has a wingman. This is thrilling for anyone who loves basketball.
No one seems to be savoring this more than Curry, whose joy has been on full display amid the Warriors’ unexpected rise.
During his 44-point deluge against the Timberwolves on Oct. 28, Curry flashed a lunge pose after sinking a shot from beyond the arc.
After his jab sent Luka Doncic onto his butt and he swished a 3-pointer against the Lakers on Oct. 30, he did the Edvard Munch celebration, putting his hands on his cheeks and opening his mouth in shock.
And after scoring 34 points against the Suns on Monday, he didn’t hesitate when asked what has changed for the Warriors this season.
“I mean, Yax,” Curry said, flashing a smile.
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry warms up before a game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. London Entertainment
Curry and Lendeborg are the NBA’s second-highest scoring duo (51.5 points per game), behind Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves (61.8). Lendeborg’s success has been a life raft for the Warriors, who are without Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody for the first few months of the season and without Kristaps Porzingis indefinitely.
In many ways, Lendeborg has unlocked Curry. He has made his brilliance count. He has lit a new fire under him.
Curry, who missed 27 straight games because of runner’s knee last season, is averaging 30 points (46.8% shooting from the field, 42.9% from beyond the arc), 4.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.
He just surpassed Michael Jordan (44) for the most 40-point games in NBA history since turning 30, notching his 45th such performance last week.
Curry is playing as though he were a decade younger. And that’s because a guy 14 years younger than him is making all of this meaningful.
It’s funny because this really couldn’t have worked out better for both parties.
Curry, a two-time MVP and four-time champion, is doing what he loves most: winning.
And the outspoken Lendeborg has found a team that needs him to contribute immediately and encourages his bravado, two things that could’ve been problematic with other franchises.
Yaxel Lendeborg #1 of the Golden State Warriors drives to the basket against Jalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns in San Francisco on Nov. 2, 2026. Getty Images
Patience isn’t Lendeborg’s strong suit.
And neither is being politically correct.
The rookie recently raised eyebrows when he stunningly said he lost all respect for Dončić following their trash talk in the season opener. The Warriors didn’t wince.
Instead, Curry, Draymond Green and coach Steve Kerr unapologetically had his back.
Lendeborg landed in the perfect situation. He has a mentor in Green, who’s famous for unabashedly speaking his mind. And he has a franchise behind him with a win-now mentality that needs him to shine.
Lendeborg has found his home. He can flourish here. He needs to flourish here.
As for Curry?
He has found his life preserver.
It’s in the form of a rookie who has made it so that instead of treading water he’s soaring.
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.
