SAN ANTONIO, TX - NOVEMBER 4: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on November 4, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, 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 (Photos by Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Victor Wembanyama scored a career-high 52 points, and the San Antonio Spurs needed every single one of them in a close game against the rival Dallas Mavericks. Despite blowing a 19-point lead, the Spurs were able to hold on in the fourth quarter to win 112-11.
Wembanyama dominated the game in every aspect. He added 24 points and 8 blocks to his 52 points. In the end, it was his final free throw (after missing four straight previous free throws) that won San Antonio the game.
Shortly after that free throw, Kyrie Irving had a chance to win the game, but missed a mid-range jump shot while guarded heavily by De’Aaron Fox. Irving led the charge for the Mavericks, scoring 29 points on 9-for-27 shooting from the field. Dallas got a spark off the bench from Naji Marshall, who went off in the second half for 22 points.
The win extends the Spurs’ winning streak to 6 games. Next, they’ll head to Sacramento for a rematch with the Kings on Friday.
Observations
The Spurs dominated the paint, outscoring the Mavs 62-40 in the paint and outrebounding Dallas 61-50. Both teams were hammering the offensive glass, as San Antonio grabbed 22 offensive boards, and Dallas had 18 offensive rebounds.
San Antonio needed to dominate the paint because they had one of the worst shooting nights they’ve had in a while. The Spurs shot just 39% from the field and went 5-for-36 from three, hitting just 14% of their deep shots.
There was a night-and-day difference when Wembanyama was on the court and when he was off it. He was +23 in the win, and Luke Kornet, the backup center, was -22 in his 14 minutes. That may be more indicative of how good Wembanyama was, but the team struggled mightily with the bench unit in the game.
Fox should get a lot of credit for his defense in that final possession against Irving. He kept pace with one of the shiftiest guards in the league and got a great contest on his mid-range jump shot.
It wasn’t Stephon Castle’s best shooting night, as he had 17 points on 6-of-20 shooting from the field. However, he responded late in the game, scoring back-to-back baskets when the Spurs needed them.
Dylan Harper’s athleticism was on full display on his way to 21 points. He had some incredible finishes over and around the Mavericks’ defenders, including a huge alley-oop dunk in the first half.
San Antonio’s offense has looked its best when it’s forcing switches in the pick-and-roll. When small guards get onto Wembanyama, the Spurs’ guards have gotten so good at finding him for lobs or easy post-up buckets. That was on full display against the Mavs.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 04: LaMelo Ball #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots the ball against the Houston Rockets during the second half at Toyota Center on November 04, 2026 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. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images) | Getty Images
10,000ft Overview
As soon as the game tipped off, one thing was very clear: This was a completely different level of basketball compared to Monday night’s game. Unique matchups (LaMelo Ball on Jabari Smith!), shot-making, and game plan discipline meant that the first half was full of back-and-forth, high-quality hoops.
Ayo Dosunmu was such a blue tsunami in transition that even Steve Kornaki had to pause what he was doing and just say, “Wow”.
Dosunmu went a perfect 6/6 at the rim on his way to twelve first-half points. On the other side of the floor, Jonathan Kuminga was fantastic on Amen Thompson, playing a brand of athletic and physical basketball that the Wolves haven’t been able to do before against Thompson.
The physicality was of note, as he did get a flagrant one after Sengun’s face invaded his personal space. Ultimately, it may have been worth it for the repeated over-the-top crowd reaction to the replay, which was genuinely funny.
And finally, the first half story wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Jaylen Clark, the certified stuff doer. He had two steals, two offensive rebounds, and a drawn offensive foul. Luckily for the Rockets, the Wolves decided they wanted to keep the game close by shooting free throws with their opposite hands, hitting on just 5/10 as the teams went into halftime tied.
The good basketball continued into the second half, though the third quarter did leave me with a pressing existential question like: “What exactly is a moving screen?” and “Why don’t defensive players just run into the screener and fall down every time?”
Outside of that Marcus Smart-inspired existential crisis, both teams essentially played each other even as they headed into the final quarter with the Rockets up two.
As you can see, the start of the fourth quarter was something!
LaMelo Ball committed three fouls in about 30 seconds and put the Rockets in the bonus. But then goes out and totally redeems himself with eight straight points, part of his twelve-point fourth-quarter effort. The back-and-forth affair continued until Jonathan Kuminga drained two huge threes, which, paired with dive-on-the-floor defense and excellent ball movement on offense, would be enough to push the Wolves over the top for the 117-107 victory in Houston.
Two Stats that defined the game:
53%: Timberwolves Free Throw Precentage
Let’s just get this one out of the way. If the Wolves had lost this game, this would have been the lament in Timberwolves land. They went 10-for-19 from the line, and missing free throws has absolutely been an epidemic for this team. It didn’t cost them the game tonight, but they have way too many good shooters for these 1-2 trips to the line.
+14: Points Off Turnover Advantage for the Wolves
Hello defense! From the get-go, I loved the way the Wolves matched up with the Rockets by putting Ayo on Van Fleet, McDaniels on KD, Kuminga on Amen Thompson (more on this soon), and letting LaMelo guard Jabari Smith Jr, a matchup that would force them out of a lot of their offensive sets if they wanted to take advantage of it. This all led to eighteen turnovers for the Rockets and forced them into hitting a lot of tough shots all night.
Award Ceremony
HOUSTON, TX – NOVEMBER 4: LaMelo Ball #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots the ball during the game against the Houston Rockets on November 4, 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
The Big Ticket Award: LaMelo Ball
Just when we are all ready to be mad at you for three fouls in thirty seconds, you go out there and totally redeem yourself! LaMelo takes home this award for being fantastic in the fourth quarter. He had the perfect balance of finding his own shot, creating offense for others, and forcing Houston to bring double teams that he broke, and helped lead the Wolves to their first clutch-time victory of the season.
The seven turnovers are a reminder it wasn’t perfect, but his +15 team high with 20 points, six assists, and four – count ‘em, four – stocks show a player that filled the stat sheet and played winning basketball.
The Straight to Jail Award: Jonathan Kuminga
One of the most encouraging aspects of the first nine games of the season for the Wolves has been Jonathan Kuminga’s defense. It’s one of those things that, if it stays at this level, could be a difference maker come April. In past seasons, Amen Thompson’s elite athleticism has been a matchup issue for the Wolves, but Kuminga was all over him tonight, forcing a 3-for-9 night from the field with three turnovers and a team-worst -11.
The And I Helped! Award: Ayo Dosunmo, Bones Hyland, Jaylen Clark
Too many good games tonight to not single out more than three players in the awards segment. If not for LaMelo’s big fourth quarter, the Big Ticket was Ayo’s. He was relentless in attacking downhill when he got the matchup he wanted, had a 6-0 AST/TO ratio, and was our main source of offense for most of the first half.
Bones Hyland is just a bucket. Scoring 19 points in just 16 minutes is a needed injection of life into an offense that is missing its high-volume scorer.
Already mentioned it earlier, but it deserves to be said again: Jaylen Clark is a certified stuff doer. He finishes the night with 10 points on 4/6 shooting (including two of three from deep!), three rebounds, two steals, and a drawn offensive foul. But the biggest sign of encouragement? He played 25 minutes!
Clearly, Chris Finch loved what he saw.
Empty the Notebook
Rudy Gobert had one of his better defensive games against Sengun, but my goodness he needs to finish better. It is not a good sign that my confidence needle in his ability to finish a contested layup has moved into the tossup range with his ability to make a three
Another solid outing from Joan Beringer! By my count, he’s now stacked four-to-give good performances in a row
Trey Lyles is the last player hasn’t been mentioned, but he was also solid too! He’s becoming a very valuable role player that knows what he does best and stays in that zone.
Game Highlights
Up Next
The second game in the group play round of the NBA Cup! On Friday, November 6th, the Minnesota Timberwolves will travel to New Orleans to take on the Pelicans. The game tips off at 7:00 PM CT on DAZN-MIN and KARE 11.
Call Charles Barkley unimpressed with the brouhaha in one of the NBA’s marquee games on Wednesday night.
The 76ers’ Joel Embiid and the Pistons’ Tolu Smith III got into it under the basket with 1:25 left to play in the first half in Detroit. The two big men were battling hard for position in the paint as Philly’s Jaylen Brown drove to the basket.
Brown was fouled, but Embiid jumped to collect the missed shot.
Tolu Smith (35) and Joel Embiid (21) scuffle during the 76ers’ 112-1016 win over the Pistons on Nov. 4, 2026 in Detroit. AP Photo/Paul Sancya
Smith then decided to knock the ball out of Embiid’s hands, and it sparked a light shoving match before their respective teammates and coaches came onto the court to pull them apart and keep things from escalating.
The action did little for the “Inside the NBA” crew after Shaquille O’Neal joked he’d “Call the cops” on them. Barkley quickly shot back, feeling the “police presence” O’Neal was calling for wasn’t needed in this case.
Kenny Smith saw an opening to rag on his colleague a bit and took it.
“Stop telling us about your love life,” Smith replied.
Javonte Green (31) separates Tolu Smith (35) and Joel Embiid (21) scuffle during the 76ers’ win over the Pistons. AP Photo/Paul Sancya
Barkley, Smith and O’Neal played a much more physical era of basketball than today’s game, so it’s understandable why that fight was underwhelming to them.
Embiid, who was given a technical foul for initiating the altercation, was involved in another odd incident earlier in the game when he faked a shot and it appeared his leg hit Cade Cunningham low as he passed the ball.
The veteran Embiid had a monster game in the 112-106 win that moved the SIxers to 8-1, scoring 26 points and grabbing 15 rebounds.
Tolu Smith (35) and Joel Embiid (21) scuffle during the 76ers’ win over the Pistons. AP Photo/Paul Sancya
Brown had 30 points, and LeBron James chipped in 13 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. The new-look 76ers have the most wins in the NBA.
It was Tyler Kolek, not Jose Alvarado, who was the first point guard off the bench to replace Jalen Brunson during the second quarter of the Knicks’ 135-105 rout of the Bulls on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.
Kolek played six minutes in that second quarter as the Knicks increased their lead from 22 points to 29.
And Kolek — not Alvarado — returned in the third quarter as well. Alvarado did not play until garbage time in the fourth quarter.
Kolek filled in well when Alvarado missed four games due to a sprained ankle.
But coach Mike Brown, before Alvarado returned Monday against the Nets, said that he would remain the backup point guard and not be punished in the rotation for being injured.
Now, though, the pendulum has swung back to Kolek.
Tyler Kolek, who had five assists in 11 minutes off the bench, drives past Leonard Miller during the Knicks’ 135-105 blowout win over the Bulls on Nov. 4, 2026 at Madison Square Garden. AP
“I said this before, every position coming off the bench is a competition, all the time,” Brown said. “Nobody’s minutes are set in stone. … Jose had the first opportunity in our last game. And then I gave Tyler an opportunity in the second half [against the Nets] and Tyler played well. So I’m gonna go with Tyler. And if I think I need to make a change because Tyler’s not getting it done in my eyes, then I’ll go back to Jose.”
Kolek did not score — and did not attempt a shot — Wednesday but had five assists and no turnovers. Alvarado missed all four shots he took and had two turnovers.
“Both those guys helped us win at a high level [last year],” Brown said. “Tyler helped us win the NBA Cup against San Antonio in Vegas. And Jose helped us win the Finals. So either one of those guys, we feel, can help us in a lot of good ways at any time so they just have to both stay ready.”
A 30-point shellacking paved the way for Dalton Knecht to make his Knicks debut.
With Josh Hart missing Wednesday’s game due to right ankle soreness, Knecht was called up from the Westchester Knicks and recorded 10 points and seven rebounds in 16 minutes against the Bulls. A second-quarter putback dunk and third-quarter chase-down block drew loud reactions from the MSG crowd.
“He’s a scorer. He’s not just a shooter. A lot of people think he’s a shooter because he’s white,” Brown joked. “I said it for you, I hope I don’t get in trouble. He can go get it.”
Knecht had been playing in the G-League since the Knicks signed him to a two-way deal last month.
Brown said he is “not concerned” when asked about Hart’s injury outlook.
Hart missed the team’s preseason finale against the Raptors due to right ankle soreness and missed time last year due to the same issue.
DENVER, COLORADO - NOVEMBER 4: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets drives around Collin Murray-Boyles #30 of the Toronto Raptors in the first half at Ball Arena on November 4, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Tyler Schank/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Toronto Raptors continue an up-and-down start to the season without Kawhi Leonard after losing 128-109 to the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday.
With the loss, Toronto falls to 4-4 on the season and 2-4 without Leonard.
Here are four takeaways from the game:
Signs of life from three
Toronto is a poor three-point shooting team. Entering the contest, the Raptors averaged 31.5 per cent from beyond the arc, which ranks 27th in the NBA.
While the perimeter shooting couldn’t sustain itself (Toronto finished at 35 per cent), the opening quarter featured a Raptors team that felt dangerous from three. Toronto went an impressive 6-for-12 from the arc. For context, the Raptors averaged 11.5 triples per game.
The opening 12 minutes were a breath of fresh air, especially after the team’s abysmal 8-for-29 performance against the Los Angeles Clippers. This season, the league average from three is currently at 34.8 per cent. Toronto has shot better than 34.8 per cent three times in eight games.
Unfortunately, the Raptors shot 6-for-22 the rest of the way.
Quick start, uneventful finish
It should be made clear: tonight’s loss was not on Immanuel Quickley.
But it was pointed out on the TSN broadcast that Quickley needs to have a consistent impact through all four quarters. Quickley was brilliant in the opening 12 minutes, finishing with 10 points and six assists while shooting 50 per cent from three. He also added two steals.
By the end of the game, Quickly finished with 13 points and seven assists. The point guard also shot 25 per cent from the perimeter and didn’t record another steal.
The Joker’s wild
While we suggested that the Raptors could overwhelm Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets, specifically by leveraging their strengths on the offensive glass, it turns out that the game goes well beyond the battle of the boards. The future Hall of Famer finished with 30 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists while pummelling the Raptors into submission.
Jokic emerged from halftime ready to shift into another gear. While in the Denver air, Toronto didn’t stand a chance. Jokic had already safely recorded his triple-double by the end of the third quarter. In the same period, he tied the entire Raptors team in points with 15.
Referencing the Colorado air might also be doing Jokic a disservice. The big man was ultimately responsible for 26 of the Nuggets’ 33 points in the first quarter.
What happens when the breaks aren’t there?
The Nuggets had limited the Raptors to seven fast-break points with just over three minutes remaining in the third quarter. Stopping Toronto in transition was likely a focal point for Denver head coach David Adelman and his staff. The Raptors entered the game second in transition points at 19.7 per game.
For the Raptors to salvage their four-game road trip, they’ll need to either get back to what they do best on the breaks or find ways to score in the half-court. Their next opponent, the Milwaukee Bucks, is 11th in fastbreak points allowed per game at 13.3
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - NOVEMBER 4: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks to pass the ball 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
It was another day in the office for the reigning back-to-back MVP. SGA got to his spots on the floor, no matter how many defenders they threw his way. This allowed him to score over 40 points for the second time this week against the Cavs.
There was simply nothing Cleveland could do to slow down Gilgeous-Alexander, or really, even make it challenging.
Second star: Ajay Mitchell
23 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists
Ajay Mitchell provided timely baskets whenever it seemed like the Cavs were getting any kind of momentum. He served as the offensive engine when SGA was off the court, and as the counterpunch when he was.
Mitchell’s stat line is a little deceiving. He was an incredibly efficient scorer, but he didn’t make a constant impact throughout all four quarters.
The Cavs needed something to wake them up in the first half, but Mitchell couldn’t do it. He was a non-factor, as he had just six points in a half the Cavs only had 44.
Something flipped in the second half, particularly down the stretch. Mitchell put up 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting with four assists in the final frame alone. Unfortunately for Cleveland, that all came after the game was effectively decided.
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Thomas looked like a rookie for one of the first times this season. He struggled to make an impact on the scoreboard and was picked on defensively — particularly by the reigning MVP when he got an opportunity to do so. This led to Thomas fouling out in just 18 minutes.
Cavaliers who deserve shoutouts
Mario Hezonja
12 points on 5-for-10 shooting, 8 rebounds
The Cavs need someone to provide tertiary ball-handling, rebounding, and who thinks the game at a high level. Hezonja has consistently supplied that and did so again in Oklahoma City.
I’m not sure why Hezonja doesn’t get more minutes than he does, or see the floor in closing situations — especially in a game Jarrett Allen left with an injury. In this one, head coach Kenny Atkinson went with Tyrese Proctor (until he left with an injury) and then with Craig Porter Jr. Having a third guard makes sense for a team that struggles with ball pressure, but can’t Hezonja help with that in addition to supplying extra rebounding and shooting? I just don’t get it.
Tyrese Proctor
11 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal
Proctor performed well in his second career start. He provided some off-ball shooting and held his own defensively. That’s what you want to see from a second-year player who’s thrown into the starting lineup.
Tristan Enaruna
4 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
An injury to Allen forced Enaruna into his first-ever rotation minutes, and he performed admirably. His size and energy on the defensive end were much needed on an evening the Cavs were severely lacking wing defenders due to injuries — even if he wasn’t necessarily perfect on that end.
The offensive numbers weren’t necessarily impressive. Enaruna went just 2-for-7 from the field, which included going 0-for-3 from distance. However, a couple of those threes went halfway down before popping back out.
Getting serviceable minutes from two-way players is more necessary than ever. Pace, offensive rebounding, and where defenders are picking up their offensive assignments are higher than ever. This has created more injuries. Throw in the second-apron restrictions, and it’s almost a necessity for teams to have two-way players (whose salaries don’t count against the cap) that can provide fill-in rotation minutes when needed.
This performance doesn’t mean Enaruna will be a mainstay in the rotation or anything like that, but it did show that he can provide playable minutes when called upon.
Mitchell was awesome down the stretch, it just came too little too late.
Quote of the day
“Dissapointed in our first quarter. Three quarers [were] really solid play, and you have one quarter where you’re not up to par. Like I said, the turnoves, the live-ball turnovers, they just get the other team going, and you know, it kind of snow balls.”
– Kenny Atkinson
The Cavs have struggled to stop the bleeding so far this year. There’s been one quarter, or extended stretch of play in each of their losses where they let go of the rope. That happened in the first quarter here, when they were beaten 37-20. Cleveland outscored Oklahoma City for each of the next three quarters, but that doesn’t matter much when you have a start like this.
Stat of the game
Only 20 of Cleveland’s 93 shots came at the rim (16th percentile).
The Cavs’ three-point volume and accuracy allowed them to have a slightly above league-average offensive output in this game. However, it’s nearly impossible to have a truly effective offense if you aren’t getting to the rim well. If you aren’t getting to the basket, you likely aren’t getting to the line either, which was an issue for the Cavs.
My takeaway from this game: The Cavs need the James Harden we saw in the second and third quarters
This game turned around when Harden did. There was a stretch from the end of the second quarter to the start of the third where Harden looked like the best version of himself for one of the few times this season.
Harden was up to his old tricks during that run. He was able to establish the three-point shot midway through the second quarter, which opened up the rest of his game. The threat of that shot caused defenders to bite too hard on step-backs and made them a step slow when he drove inside. This allowed Harden to be an effective playmaker at all three levels, which isn’t something he’s been able to do on command so far this campaign. He scored or assisted on 16 points during the Cavs’ 18-3 run at the start of the third quarter that allowed Cleveland to make this a moderately competitive game.
The Cavs’ success this year hinges on Harden’s, which is why things have been so rocky at the start. Harden has posted his career-worst free-throw rate and has struggled to hit anything inside 14 feet. This has handicapped his effectiveness and left him mostly an outside shooter.
Cleveland desperately needs the version of Harden we got a glimpse of here if they want to succeed against high-level teams. Or at the very least, they need that iteration if they’re going to be this isolation-heavy with both guards.
The entire offense is predicated on the guards drawing extra defenders to them. If they can do that, the kick-out threes open up, as do windows to get their bigs involved. Conversely, when they aren’t getting inside, the ball and player movement can stagnate. This leads to turnovers and settling for contested jump shots — as we’ve seen during Cleveland’s worst stretches.
The Knicks broke out of their early-game slump in historic fashion.
They erupted for 84 points in the first half of their 135-105 rout of the Bulls on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden. It tied a franchise record set on Nov. 18, 1988, against the 76ers.
Jalen Brunson celebrates after hitting a 3-pointer during the Knicks’ 135-105 blowout win over the Bulls on Nov. 4, 2026 at Madison Square Garden. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
The 84 points were also the most the Knicks have ever scored in any half at the current Madison Square Garden.
“I really liked how we started out,” coach Mike Brown said. “Spacing the floor well, touching the paint, and then re-spacing too. Our re-spacing was really quick and really decisive. We had some great, great looks early on. And everybody played well offensively.
“Our pace was pretty good, it’s something we’ve been talking about. Our offensive rebounding, for shooting a high percentage, was pretty good. Just a lot of good things.”
Entering Wednesday, the Knicks were averaging just 51.6 points in first halves — the third-worst mark in the NBA and better than only the Bucks and Nets. They were shooting a paltry 39.2 percent from the field in first halves — worst in the NBA.
OG Anunoby goes up for a layup during the Knicks’ win over the Bulls. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
It led to constant deficits they had to fight back from.
But they shot 62.5 percent (25-for-40) from the field and 50 percent (10-for-20) from 3-point range during Wednesday’s first half and led by 32 at the break.
Jalen Brunson had 26 of those 84 first-half points, going a red-hot 8-for-11 from the field and 4-for-6 from 3-point range. OG Anunoby added 18 first-half points.
“Obviously, making 3s, but I think making our two-pointers are really important as well,” Brunson said. “… When you have it going, it feels good. Just trying to play off that and use your gravity to make plays. I feel like it really started on the defensive side of the ball, we were able to get stops and get out in transition.”
It also helped that the Knicks took a staggering 26 free throws in the first half — making 24 of them. Anunoby was 11-for-12 from the line in the first half, relentlessly attacking the rim.
The Bulls took just six first-half free throws, making five.
The historic start allowed for plenty of late-game rest at a time the Knicks have talked about dealing with physical fatigue given their short offseason. All five starters sat the entire fourth quarter.
A nice luxury thanks to an electric start.
“It was a really good half,” Brown said, “in terms of doing what we believe we should be doing offensively as our staples. Everybody was really good in those areas.”
PHOENIX, AZ - NOVEMBER 4: Jalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns passes the ball during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on November 4, 2026 at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Phoenix Suns began their seven-game homestand by hosting the team that obliterated them on opening night. And while the final 132-119 score wasn’t nearly as embarrassing as that initial beatdown, the result was another decisive victory for Portland, which improved to 6-1 on the season and a perfect 5-0 on the road. Meanwhile, the Suns dropped to 1-5.
Devin Booker put together a solid performance, scoring 33 points, with much of his damage coming at the free-throw line, where he went a perfect 13-of-13. However, he finished with only two assists against two turnovers and struggled from beyond the arc, shooting 2-of-8. Jalen Green added 22 points, 12 of which came in the fourth quarter, although he also shot 2-of-8 from deep. Miles Bridges contributed 18 points and seven rebounds, while Dillon Brooks finished with 15 points and six rebounds.
For Portland, Donovan Clingan dominated the interior, recording 24 points and 10 rebounds on an efficient 9-of-12 shooting. Damian Lillard added 25 points, while Deni Avdija chipped in 21.
It was one of those nights when all the little things added up, and unfortunately for Phoenix, they added up to another loss. Portland won the battle in the paint, outscoring Phoenix 56-46. The Blazers controlled the second-chance points battle 17-11, dominated fast-break scoring 19-9, and received a significant advantage from their bench, which outscored the Suns’ reserves 42-25. Then there was the three-point shooting. Portland connected on 14 threes at a 35.9% clip, while Phoenix managed only 10 makes on 27.8% shooting.
Across the board, the Blazers consistently found ways to win the margins that matter. When you lose that many battles within a game, it’s awfully difficult to win the war.
Game Flow
First Half
It was a much more stable start to the game than when these teams first met on October 21. If you recall, and I’m sure you do, the Suns trailed 21–0 in that one. This time around, it took only a minute for Devin Booker to knock down an 18-foot jumper and get the scoring started for Phoenix.
The first challenge of the evening came with 8:56 remaining in the opening quarter, when Deni Avdija appeared to charge into Dillon Brooks, but a blocking foul was called on Brooks. The Suns successfully challenged the call, negating what would have been Brooks’ second foul early in the game.
Phoenix looked considerably more connected on both ends of the floor throughout the first half of the opening quarter. Outside of Khaman Maluach, every starter had scored at least four points within the first six minutes, a welcome sight for a team that has struggled to find any semblance of offensive consistency.
Defensively, there were still some issues navigating the pick-and-roll, particularly with Donovan Clingan finding opportunities to score on the interior. But outside of those breakdowns, the Suns looked much more connected, communicating and rotating with a level of cohesion that had been noticeably absent in their previous meeting with Portland.
Phoenix put together a 9–2 run after the second unit entered the game, overcoming an initially choppy stretch marked by careless turnovers. Their effort on the glass was clearly a point of emphasis, and they were executing well, outrebounding Portland 13–10 in the opening quarter.
Booker came out on a heater, shooting 4-of-6 from the field for 12 first-quarter points, which is always an encouraging sign. Dillon Brooks added eight points, two rebounds, and a steal as the Suns shot 56.5% from the field while holding the Blazers to 3-of-11 from beyond the arc. The result was a 34–29 Phoenix lead heading into the second quarter.
The Trail Blazers opened the second quarter on an 11-5 run, fueled once again by Donovan Clingan, who continued attacking the interior and creating mismatches for Phoenix. Damian Lillard did his part as well, helping Portland put together an 8-0 run that further shifted the momentum.
By the midway point of the quarter, the pressure Portland was putting on Phoenix had become increasingly difficult to overcome. The Blazers were shooting 8-of-9 from the field while simultaneously drawing multiple fouls on the Suns. The offensive avalanche Phoenix had managed to avoid in the first quarter finally arrived in the second.
Portland outscored Phoenix 43-25 in the quarter, shooting 14-of-19 from the field, a ridiculous 74%, while connecting on 6-of-11 attempts from beyond the arc.
Phoenix shot 1-of-7 from deep and had 5 turnovers to the Blazers 0. Defensively, however, they reverted to the same troubling habits we’ve seen throughout the early portion of the season, collapsing into the paint whenever Portland attacked and leaving shooters wide open on the perimeter. And the Blazers made them pay. Jrue Holiday went 3-of-4 from beyond the arc for nine points in the quarter, Lillard added nine of his own, and Clingan chipped in eight.
Meanwhile, Booker scored seven points in the period, bringing his total to 19 at halftime. Phoenix continued to hold the advantage on the glass, but that becomes a moot point when the opposing team seemingly can’t miss a shot. After experiencing an entire game’s worth of shooting variance in the season opener against Portland, the Suns were treated to a quarter’s worth this time around.
Portland had its outlier game against Phoenix in the season opener. Now it’s delivered an outlier quarter.
43 points on 73.7% shooting.
6-of-11 from three. 8-of-8 from two. 9-of-13 from the line.
The Suns opened the third quarter with an offensive push, outscoring Portland 12–6 behind eight points from Devin Booker, who went 2-of-2 from the field, including a three-pointer, and 3-of-3 from the free-throw line. Portland was considerably sloppier than it had been in the second quarter, committing three turnovers as Phoenix trimmed its deficit to seven points.
In what has become a nightly tradition, Dillon Brooks found himself in a shouting match, this time with Damian Lillard, following a turnover in which Brooks stepped out of bounds in transition while attempting a three-pointer. No technicals were assessed during the exchange, but the drama wasn’t finished. On Portland’s ensuing possession, Brooks attempted to box out Donovan Clingan, who grabbed him by the jersey and pulled him to the floor. Officials reviewed the play for a potential hostile act, ultimately assessing Clingan a technical foul.
Donovan Clingan assessed a technical foul for pulling Dillon Brooks to the floor by his jersey. pic.twitter.com/N4vvq1a6I8
Jrue Holiday continued to be a menace, as the Suns repeatedly left him wide open on the perimeter, and he continued to make them pay, knocking down another pair of threes in the third quarter.
Moments later, Deni Avdija found himself under review for a potential hostile act after appearing to deliver a flying knee to Dillon Brooks’ groin area. Officials ultimately ruled the contact incidental.
All those whistles started to become an issue in the third quarter, as Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, and Jalen Green each found themselves with four fouls and four and a half minutes still remaining in the period.
Booker eventually headed to the locker room after driving to the basket and taking a shot to the head from Robert Williams. What made the sequence particularly frustrating was the inconsistency of the officiating. After spending much of the quarter calling every ticky-tack bit of contact imaginable, the officials somehow swallowed their whistles when Booker got smacked in the head. No foul. Nothing.
The lengthy third quarter mercifully came to an end, with the Suns getting outscored 32-26. Chalk up seven more fouls against Phoenix, which struggled offensively, shooting 7-of-20 from the field and a miserable 3-of-12 from two-point range. And the rebounding? That became a problem once again, as Portland dominated the glass 13–6 while scoring 18 of its 32 points in the paint.
Booker continued to lead the charge for Phoenix, pouring in 14 points in the quarter, but he finished the period in the locker room after taking that shot to the head. The Suns trailed 104-85 entering the fourth.
Devin Booker returned with 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and the Suns trailing by 18 points.
With Robert Williams on the floor, Phoenix simply didn’t have anyone capable of matching his size and physicality. Duop Reath was getting absolutely destroyed on the interior, as Williams grabbed four offensive rebounds in the first two minutes of the quarter alone.
We also saw Jalen Green become considerably more aggressive in the fourth, attacking the basket with a level of purpose that had been missing earlier in the game. After scoring 12 points through the first three quarters, Green shifted into attack mode, repeatedly getting downhill and creating opportunities at the free-throw line. And this time, he actually made his free throws. Miles Bridges was more engaged in the fourth quarter as well, although much like Green’s performance, it felt like too little, too late.
Phoenix kept its offense humming, and there were moments when it felt like the Suns were on the verge of making a meaningful dent in Portland’s lead. One sustained run could have put them within striking distance with a couple of minutes remaining. But every time Phoenix threatened to make things interesting, Portland had an answer. There was always a response. Always a reaction to the action.
With 2:51 remaining, Devin Booker fouled out for the second consecutive game, and at that point, the Suns emptied their bench. Ball game.
Up Next
We are right back here tomorrow night as the Suns host the Orlando Magic, who are currently 2-5 and last played in a loss against the Wizards. We shall see you then!
Bronny James getting ready during team warmups for the Lakers. AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea
James has since spent most of the season on the Lakers bench, playing in four games and averaging 2.8 minutes, and has scored only one point this season.
The rest of his career hasn’t fared much better as he’s averaging 2.6 points in an average of 7.8 minutes.
Bronny James on the court during Monday’s game against the Heat. NBAE via Getty Images
“Some kid that worked their butt off that really feels like they could have made the NBA, lost their job to that,” Brown said. “The only reason why everybody’s okay with it is because of his father.”
Brown went on to say what he’s seen from James is a shame.
“Call it hate, call it whatever you want. To me, it’s a shame,” Brown said.
Los Angeles Lakers’ Bronny James during the National Anthem. NBAE via Getty Images
“I won’t make that mistake again,” Lakers head coach JJ Redick said after the game to Khobi Price of The California Post. “I’ll leave the guys in. You gotta play to the final buzzer, and if guys are not ready to play, then I just won’t put them in.”
Wednesday’s game was the perfect chance for head coach Mike Brown to have Dalton Knecht make his Knicks debut.
After being waived by the Los Angeles Lakers, New York signed Knecht to a two-way contract nearly two weeks ago and the 25-year-old had been playing with the Westchester Knicks in the NBA G League to learn the team’s systems and get consistent playing time.
With the Knicks facing the 1-6 Chicago Bulls at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night, the team decided to make Knecht active to possibly get him into the game. So when the small forward checked in for Andre Drummond with 3:20 left in the second quarter and New York up 70-39, he was ready.
“I wasn’t surprised, I just came in ready to go,” Knecht said after the game. “The coaches said you’re active so that just means be ready.”
Knecht got off to a great start less than a minute into his Knicks debut by following a three-point miss by Landry Shamet, grabbing the offensive rebound and slamming it home for a putback dunk that got the MSG crowd buzzing.
“It was great. Honestly I didn’t hear much just because I’m so locked in, but it was good,” Knecht said about his nifty play. “Pretty much my first play was a putback dunk so it’s cool, it’s great.”
Along with his high-flying highlight, Knecht had 10 points on 4-for-6 from the field, including two threes, and grabbed seven boards in just 16 minutes. He also had an assist and a block, looking good and reminding everybody why he was the 17th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
“I think I just go out there and impact the game on all three levels,” Knecht said. “And I just wanna show on the other side of the ball, getting the ball pressure and stuff like that and going in and grabbing defensive rebounds.”
It’s hard to glean too much from Knecht’s performance with it coming in a blowout against the hapless Bulls, but it’s still good to see the talent is there. After all, in his rookie season, Knecht averaged 9.1 points and 2.8 rebounds in 19.2 minutes per game before taking a step back last season.
It’s unclear how Brown plans to utilize Knecht this season, but as he gets more comfortable with his new team and teammates, he could be a good option for a team always looking for bench depth.
Regardless, Knecht is staying ready to make the most out of his fresh start.
“Be ready so you don’t have to get ready,” he said. “Just watching on the bench and talking to my teammates is really helpful and it was easy to get in there and play confident. All the guys out there gave me a good look.”
NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 4: Keyonte George #3 of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on November 4, 2026 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
In the darkest, inner circle of the inferno, the Jazz had fallen into, all Jazz fans wanted was a sign of life that this team was still alive and kicking.
Missing Jusuf Nurkic and Jaren Jackson Jr. with an uncertain timetable, a 1-7 start would be detrimental. They’ve battled against top dogs like the Spurs, Blazers and Grizzlies, meaning this was one of the few chances to bounce back as the worst team in the West. Utah had already taken down the Pelicans in their home opener, marking their first and only win on the season.
New Orleans had been on their own soul-searching journey in their 2026-27 campaign. They lost their first four games on the calendar, three of them coming up short in the clutch. But now, their record stands at 3-4; they handed Memphis their first loss of the year while taking down the Mavs and Kings on the side.
But unfortunately, that well-sought victory was not today. It was certainly the most alive the Jazz have looked all week, but ultimately they still fell into the same lapses that have plagued them all season. The Pelicans stole this one out of the Jazz’s hands, 120-113.
The pace was all over the place in the first quarter. There was even a 2-minute scoring drought for both teams midway through the early going, an early indicator that Utah was going to start yet another game ice-cold from the floor. There are times when you just have to sigh at the Jazz’s attempt to run an offense — using traditional big men as playmaking hubs, force-feeding players when they don’t have the hot hand, and just the lack of team synergy that leads to a possession ending with a shot-chuck at the buzzer. Fortunately, at the hand of Keyonte George, the Jazz answered back to erase an 8-point deficit. They switched away from the three-point line to score 18 of their first 20 points inside the paint.
Nice action to start the game for the Jazz, getting Markkanen free going towards the rim pic.twitter.com/HIZA6OFhcA
Then, it was Saddiq Bey’s second quarter. He scored eight consecutive points for New Orleans to give the Pelicans a crescive 9-point lead. Utah missed seven consecutive shots to open up that quarter. It was another ugly one; the lackadaisical passes destroyed any rhythm the Jazz could build. Really, one of the bigger silver linings was holding Zion scoreless in the first half. 2-20 from three. 3-8 from the charity stripe. 13 turnovers. A big energy shift was needed.
And a shift it was. The dynamic went nearly completely in Utah’s favor, turning around what was a tight deficit into a 10-point advantage. George jumpstarted the engine of the offense, pushing his game total to 29. Led by Mo Bamba’s intimidating presence off the bench, the Jazz dominated he glass. Utah out-rebounded New Orleans 38 to 31 up until that point, dropping the Pelicans’ second-chance points to 5 in the third quarter.
19 points (!!) and 3 assists for Keyonte George in the third quarter alone.
But I’d be lying if I said the Jazz could sit back and ride out a confident double-digit victory. New Orleans instantly opened on a 16-2 run to erase Utah’s advantage. Hardy called a timeout about three possessions too late, fuelling the fire for the Pelicans. The two teams battled neck and neck over the next few minutes. A Keyonte floater. Zion free throws. Keyonte and-1. Derik Queen drive. Jaxson Hayes two. The Jazz held a nailbiting 102-102 lead with the final play, then:
KEYONTE GEORGE ALMOST HAD THE GAME-WINNER FOR UTAH 🤯
The cruel joke played on the Jazz was that George let go of the ball 0.1 seconds too late. We’re headed to OT.
That seemed to light a fire in him, as Keyonte nailed the first two buckets in the overtime period off tough three-point looks. The Pelicans responded with six unanswered points; the Jazz stood no chance against the physicality of Zion and Bey. There were some serious moments in this stretch that questioned whether Will Hardy’s job was on the line (which seems to be the consensus).
The Jazz are firmly positioned in their last spot in the Western Conference, falling well into the lottery delegation zone; their pick was traded to the Grizzlies in the Jackson Jr. trade. While the losses are looming, the competetive nature of the fourth quarter is a fight we needed. Whether the rest will come is still under debate.
Keyonte George: A one man army
It was a rough two-game stretch for Keyonte, resulting in consecutive blowouts, but he had success tonight by dealing most of his damage inside, using his speed to attack the paint and finish with contact at the rim. He was highly disruptive on the defensive end too, chipping in four steals and an unexpected block.
It’s nearly an undeniable fact that Keyonte has had to be ‘the man’ nearly every single night among his peers’ shooting droughts. He’s taken a noticable leap forward as a lead scorer and a focal point of the offense when others have missed time with injury. He looks much more confident creating his own shot and initiating the offense compared to last year.
To float in the Western Conference, this team desperately needs a second initiator/scorer. Wins won’t come off Keyonte alone.
The Jazz came up short in OT, but Keyonte George put on a SHOW 🍿
There was no other way to describe Ace on the scoring end in this one other than an unfortunate shooting night. While he played relatively well inside the arc, he spent all game searching for his rhythm from deep, having missed all 8 of his 9 of his three-point attempts. He got the looks he wanted, but couldn’t take advantage. Ace finished with 15 points, 5 boards and a block on 6-for-14 shooting.
Though it’s not all doom and gloom. Beyond the box score, Ace’s physical presence showed in his off-ball activity. The team used him frequently to absorb switches on the perimeter and cut off driving angles for the monster of muscle, otherwise known as Zion Williamson.
A point of growth in his game has been managing his eagerness to jump at ball fakes. Tonight, he displayed a more grounded, disciplined stance and relied on his standing reach to contest shots without overcommitting. The motor is awesome to watch, no matter how he’s playing on the other end of the floor.
DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 4: LeBron James #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket 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
Bell Ringer Standings: Tyrese Maxey – 3.5 VJ Edgecombe – 1 Joel Embiid – 1 LeBron James – 1 Anfernee Simons – 1 Jaylen Brown – 0.5
The Philadelphia 76ers are 8-1 to start the season after defeating the Detroit Pistons on the road Wednesday night 112-106.
The Sixers took an early advantage in this one and quickly built a lead into the double-digits thanks to the scoring of Jaylen Brown and the playmaking of LeBron James. Though they wavered at times and let the Pistons inch dangerously close toward the end, the Sixers were able to hold on to secure the win in dramatic fashion. Always gotta make it interesting.
If you’re looking for a full game recap, you can find that here! The bottom line is that the Sixers get revenge on the Pistons for their lone loss of the season so far and are now 8-1. Their road trip continues on Friday night with a visit to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
<p>(Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)</p><br> | NBAE via Getty Images
I’ve been writing in recent Bell Ringers how Jaylen Brown has a way of scoring an absolute ton of points without you ever even noticing he’s slowly adding them up. Tonight, it was a bit more noticeable.
Brown led the floor after one with 10 points on 4-for-6 field goal shooting thanks in part to a buzzer-beating long triple to end the frame. He continued to pile it on in the second, putting up another 13 points in the second. At halftime, he comfortably led the floor with 23 points shooting 8-for-14 from the floor and 3-for-5 from long range.
It felt like no matter who the Pistons had on him in isolation, Brown was able to dance his way to just enough space to pull up and nail a jumper. There are times the offensive scheme of “one guy in iso, everyone else stands still” really doesn’t work for the Sixers… but tonight it worked pretty damn well with Brown. He dropped 30 points tonight, his highest mark as a Sixer — all in addition to his usual stellar defense and aggressive rebounding.
He ended up 11-for-19 from the floor and 3-for-5 from three-point range. Brown finished with 30 points, seven rebounds, one assist, a steal and an absolutely massive block on a Cade Cunningham three attempt with under a minute to play and the Pistons trailing by just four.
The first 30-bomb from Jaylen Brown as a member of the Sixers! What a powerhouse night from Brown, on both ends of the floor… all capped off with a crucial block late to help secure the win.
<p>(Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)</p><br> | NBAE via Getty Images
It feels weird writing things like this about LeBron James, because they almost seem obvious. Like, of course LeBron James can take over games, that’s kind of what he’s done for over 20 years now, right? But as someone who is watching him truly night in and night out for the first time in their life, it’s just incredible to watch how effortlessly he seems to do it. Tonight, early in the second frame, LeBron locked in and started absolutely carving up the Pistons defense with precisely perfect passes. He assisted three buckets, scored another two field goals himself and came up with a block down the other end all in the first five minutes of the period, helping the Sixers push their lead to double-digits. He had a similar sort of quick takeover sequence in the fourth, but LeBron just overall was impacting every moment he was on the floor tonight.
The King finished tonight with 13 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, a steal and a block. Still not that first triple-double as a Sixer… but inching ever closer.
Side note fun fact: LeBron James’ second field goal of the night was his 16,000th of his career. He is the first player to ever reach that mark in the NBA.
I'll be honest, it was another night of me just being in awe at times of LeBron James' impact. It was felt on both ends of the floor tonight, but his command of the offense is just something to behold.
Joel Embiid: 26 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal
(Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The shots weren’t all falling from the floor for Joel Embiid early on so he started his night getting going by getting to the foul line and by working the two-man game with LeBron James to get some easier buckets. After one, Embiid already had eight points and five rebounds, even with some of the struggles.
That was the key with Embiid tonight. It wasn’t his best game especially early on. It was far from perfect — I thought he was a bit lackadaisical with the ball at times and settled for some bad jumpers when he didn’t need to. And yet, he still has so much to contribute even with all of those factors being present. He can hit some incredibly difficult buckets through contact in the paint for and-1 opportunities or make excellent passes to cutting teammates to set them up for easy points. He can set screens that create a ton of space for them. He can still pull in a ton of boards (on both ends) and put up some solid defense. He can knock down crucial free throws at the end of a close game. Embiid can still do a hell of a lot with a mixed bag night.
Embiid finished the night with 26 points, 15 boards (four offensive), two assists and a steal.
Victor Wembanyama continues to do things never seen on a basketball court.
The Spurs phenom absolutely torched San Antonio’s in-state rivals, the Dallas Mavericks, Wednesday, Nov. 4 in a 112-111 victory, setting a new career high in points and rebounds and nearly recording a triple-double with blocks.
Wembanyama’s historic night started in the first half. Overall, the Spurs dropped 68 points, but Wembanyama recorded 42.6% of those all by himself. He was also dominant on the glass; while the Mavericks scooped up 31 boards in the first half, Wembanyama collected nearly half of that.
“Dominant,” Spurs guard Dylan Harper said of Wembanyama. “When he plays like that, you see the result.”
Wembanyama was an absolute force down low. All seven of his converted field goals in the first half came within the restricted area. He also made all 15 of his free throw attempts in the half.
How dominant was he? Wembanyama became the first player since 1997-98 to reach at least 25 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocks in a half.
The Spurs took a 68-51 lead into intermission.
His stellar play continued, especially as the Mavericks closed their deficit. Wembanyama did struggle from deep and only hit one of his 3-point tries, but he was pivotal down the stretch, getting to the paint and drawing contact.
By the end of the night, Wembanyama became only the second player since blocks began to be tracked in 1974 to record at least 50 points, 20 rebounds and 5 blocks.
“I can do more,” Wembanyama told reporters after the game. “I can do more if my shots were falling. This was the worst 3-point shooting of my career.”
So far this season, Knicks star point guard Jalen Brunson hasn't looked like the MVP-caliber player fans saw in the NBA Finals this past summer.
But one week after helping New York erase a 19-point deficit in Chicago, Brunson seemingly officially found his groove Wednesday night against the Bulls. However, instead of showing up as basketball's best closer as he so often does, he hit the ground running early, racking up 22 points in 12-straight first-frame minutes and outscoring the entire Bulls roster by one.
He played just 17 more minutes across the remaining three quarters of the game but continued to find his way to the basket, increasing his total to a season-best 33 points. No other player tallied more than 18 (Karl-Anthony Towns). He hit five of his 10 three-point attempts, eight of his nine foul shots, and 10 of his 17 from the field.
"It's part of the game," he said of his effort. "Obviously, when you have it going, it feels good. Just trying to play off that and use your gravity to make plays."
Odds are, the reigning NBA Finals MVP would have kept scoring had he been given more time on the floor. At the rate he was going, he may have hit 80 points.
"Our analytics guys [chart] how guys play in two-minute increments," head coach Mike Brown explained after the game. "Some guys, after six minutes, their three-point field-goal percentage drops. They also can track their movement — how quickly they're still moving out on the floor, if that slows down or not. Jalen's just seems to go up every two minutes."
But Brown said his desire to protect Brunson's health significantly outweighs his curiosity regarding just how much Brunson could produce if he were left unrestrained. In fact, he said, keeping Brunson in the game just for the sake of it never even crossed his mind.
"He's about as durable as anybody I've been around. He's mentally tough, physically tough, and he can push himself to go," Brown said. "... But at the end of the day, it's going to impact him, in my opinion, come playoff time, so I have to be conscious of not going to the well too much, especially at this point in the season."
When asked if he would ever request to keep playing in a game like tonight, Brunson was hesitant.
"Possibly, but it has to be the right moment, right time," he said. "I don't want to say no because you never know when you're in this situation, but I just want to respect the game as much as possible."
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 4: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks drives to the basket during the game against the Chicago Bulls on November 4, 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
After 21 years at our Binghamton mansion, we’re moving. That means Mrs. Russell has countless extra chores for your intrepid blogger, including the retrieval of a loveseat in a sketchy neighborhood just before tip-off of tonight’s game between the Knicks (4-4) and the Bulls (1-7). Planning to watch the game after delivering the furniture to the new mansion (we are fabulously wealthy), I tried to ignore the alerts blowing up my phone. An impossible task. My eye caught “Jalen Brunson is on track to score 76 points” and “84 ties a franchise first-half record,” and all the surprise of tonight’s blowout was spoiled.
What did I see when I finally returned home? Brunson blazin’, OG Anunoby gorging at the free-throw line, KAT recording his eighth straight double-double, a very promising Dalton Knecht debut (10 PTS, 7 RBS, 16 MIN), solid minutes from Diawara, and a 44-point lead with 43% shooting from deep. We’ll need to burn sage around that loveseat to rid the stench of resentment. Final score: 135-105.
Landry Shamet started in place of Josh Hart (sore ankle) and scored the team’s first four points. From there, the Knicks went straight into high gear, turning a 6-6 tie into a 17-8 lead by attacking the paint and shooting with stunning efficiency. Who was the commander of the first-quarter onslaught? Captain Jalen Brunson, scoring his first 14 points on seven shots and finishing the frame with 22. That wasn’t his highest first-quarter total—he dropped 23 on Milwaukee in January 2025. Nonetheless, stunning. Cap had all but six of the Knicks’ first 19 points. Not to be kept in the corner, OG Anunoby contributed seven, including four from the stripe.
Mohamed Diawara checked in around the middle of the quarter, and this time he looked good! The sophomore delivered some of his best minutes yet this season, with a three and a block on Wilson’s layup. Fellow bench buddy Jordan Clarkson added five points, including a sweet transition three (dimed by Brunson). In a flash, the lead reached 22. Karl-Anthony Towns contributed just two points, starting slowly for his second straight game, but he helped in other ways, notching four boards, a steal, and an assist.
What’s your camp: “I Stand with Mikal” or “Mikal’s Got Me Sweating”? The struggling wing did little in the first quarter to calm our nerves about his recent play. He scored no points but dished two dimes and grabbed two boards.
For Chicago, Normal Norman Powell managed four points, while Tre Jones added four off the bench. Chicago got little from its young players, though. Rookie Caleb Wilson must’ve been star-struck in his MSG debut, missing all four of his shots, and Matas Bazookas went scoreless. At the break, the Knicks were sitting on a comfortable 43-21.
Q2: More of the same. Our heroes outscored Chicago 10-5 over the first three minutes to extend their lead to 53-26. The unrelenting Anunoby was still in beast mode, scoring six points and forcing two Josh Giddey turnovers. New York’s 3&D specialist scored 11 points in the quarter to reach 18 by halftime, while his three steals helped keep Chicago twitching and glitching.
With Brunson resting, Tyler Kolek ran the offense effectively, collecting four assists with sweet setups for Bridges, Clarkson, and Shamet. What a wonderful security blanket a skilled playmaker off the bench is. With Kolek dishing, Bridges racked up seven points. Diawara got into the action, too, scoring his first points of the season and finishing with seven first-half points.
Chicago managed a paltry little run early in the period, but New York responded with a 9-4 run that pushed its lead to 62-36—and eventually 78-41 with 1:47 left. Brunson added four points after returning, reaching 26 by halftime, while Towns remained quiet, adding just three more points in the second. You can count on KAT to crash the glass, though, and he did so for two more rebounds, giving him six at halftime. And newest ’Bocker Dalton Knecht made a fine first impression with a putback dunk and a step-back three-pointer for five points.
Chicago’s Josh Giddey had a particularly rough quarter, committing three turnovers in the opening three minutes, although he recovered to finish the half with seven points and four assists. Bahzelis finally got going late, scoring all six of his first-half points in the final 1:06, including a three-pointer with six seconds remaining. Yee-awn. Wilson managed five points in the quarter, while Powell added just two, and Chicago found itself bereft of consistent scoring threats or prayers for winning this contest. Halftime score: 84-52. That tied New York’s franchise record for first-half points.
The Knicks had scorched the nets with 63% shooting from the floor and 50% from deep. The Bulls had shot 40% and a grotesque 19% from deep (5-of-26). The good guys also won the rebounding battle, 23-17, despite surrendering eight offensive rebounds, and committed just five turnovers to Chicago’s eight. Weirdly, the Bulls actually outscored the Knicks in the paint, 30-26, and attempted 13 more shots, yet trailed by 32 at halftime. Math was not my strong subject, but that doesn’t compute. Anyhoo, on to the second half!
Yet again, KAT pepped it up at halftime and came out firing. He drilled consecutive three-pointers in the opening minute as the home team goosed its lead to 36. Towns scored 12 points in the first five minutes of the quarter, including a putback layup, and reached another double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds before heading to the bench.
Brunson added seven points, including a pull-up three, to reach 33 and call it a night.
The Bulls continued to fumble and bumble. Wilson missed his first three shots of the quarter and committed another turnover. Boozelis scored six points in the period, but the Bulls couldn’t make much headway against New York’s enormous lead. Meanwhile, Deuce McBride provided a spark off the Knicks’ bench, picking off passes from Norman Powell and Wilson before hitting a transition three-pointer that extended New York’s lead to 42. McBride later converted a four-point play, giving him seven points in the quarter, while Mohamed Diawara contributed another blocked shot and continued to provide promising minutes on both ends. Brother, imagine if the Knicks could play Chicago every night. . . .
Tre Jones was Chicago’s most productive player late in the quarter, scoring eight points over the final 2:19, including a three-pointer and three free throws. His unit closed the period on a 12-2 run (the Knicks got a little sloppy), but New York still ended the quarter up 113-79.
Hey! Check out this Knecht kid, blocking Buddy Hield’s layup attempt in the closing seconds. It’s gonna be fun to watch him go on heaters in Westchester.
With the Knicks leading by 34 entering the fourth, the reserves got the run of the joint. Andre Drummond opened the quarter with an alley-oop, while Clarkson and Knecht knocked down threes. James Wiseman made the most of his 10 minutes, finishing with eight points, eight rebounds, and three blocks, including rejections of Giddey, Bewzelis, and Patrick Williams. More of that, please! Pacôme Dadiet added four points. The Bulls briefly cut the deficit to 32, but Wiseman answered with a putback dunk and Knecht followed with a jumper. New York’s offense slowed with the end-of-bench guys on the floor, and Chicago won the quarter 26-22, but who’s complaining?
Up Next
Mo’s knitting a cozy recap to keep you warm. New York travels to Cleveland for a clash with the Cavs. Safe travels, Knickerbockers.
