La La Anthony filed for divorce from NBA star Carmelo Anthony back in 2021, citing irreconcilable differences. (Evan Agostini / Invision / Associated Press)
Carmelo Anthony and La La Anthony (née Vázquez) reportedly have reached a settlement agreement after almost a decade-long split.
Although terms of the separation are confidential, there was a pending judgment of divorce that needed approval from the New York County Supreme Court as of Wednesday, according to People.
Once the former MTV VJ and the NBA star receive the official imprint from a judge, they’ll be newly minted singles.
La La filed for divorce from the NBA star back in 2021, citing irreconcilable differences, according to TMZ, which first reported on the settlement Wednesday.
The couple began dating in 2003 after being introduced through a mutual friend, DJ Clue. They became engaged on Christmas Day 2004 and three years later welcomed their son, Kiyan Anthony, now a 19-year-old sophomore at Syracuse University, where he is playing college basketball.
The two tied the knot in July 2010 in a New York ceremony with hundreds of guests, among them sports and entertainment stars including LeBron James, Spike Lee, Serena Williams, Ciara, Kim Kardashian and Ludacris, The Times reported.
Although the Anthonys reconciled in late 2018, they ultimately called it quits in July 2019, according to People.
La La was already using a divorce label despite it not yet being official.
In a 2022 episode of Alex Cooper’s “Call Her Daddy” podcast, La La opened up about her split from Carmelo, saying that there were still difficult moments, especially regarding the co-parenting of Kiyan.
“I learned how strong I am,” she said when asked about what she’d learned from the divorce. “You just find yourself getting stronger and stronger. What do they say? Like you don’t know how strong you are until being strong is your only option.”
La La also shared that the demise of their marriage began around the time that Carmelo was traded from the Denver Nuggets to the New York Knicks in 2011.
At the time of the 2022 interview, she shared that her perspective on love had changed. “I just don’t know if it’s in the cards for me,” she said on the podcast.
However, in a more recent October interview on “The Jennifer Hudson Show,” she revealed she was “open” to dating and that this was her “season of being open” for someone who is confident and adventurous.
As for the NBA Hall of Famer, he was rumored to be dating Racquel Smith, the widow of former NFL defensive end Will Smith. The two were seen together in June.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 04: Keyonte George #3 of the Utah Jazz is defended by Derik Queen #22 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half of the game at Smoothie King Center on November 04, 2026 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. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks (4-4) will meet the Utah Jazz (1-7) 7:00pm CST Friday at American Airlines Center in the the group stage of the in-season NBA Cup tournament. Dallas enters this contest on a two-game slide after their comeback attempt Wednesday against San Antonio came up short, 112-111. After a challenging stretch of the schedule to begin the season, the Mavericks face their second opponent this week to bring a record with fewer than two wins into the AAC; Monday the Sacramento Kings improved to 1-6 against a Mavericks team without Kyrie Irving, 115-100. The Jazz arrive having dropped six straight after the Pelicans prevailed Wednesday in overtime, 120-113. The Mavericks and Jazz share a common opponent this week, as Jazz fell Monday to the Spurs, 119-97.
Change of plans
The Jazz organization’s goals remain more focused on developing their young core than immediate playoff contention, but in dealing for forward Jaren Jackson Jr. last spring, CEO Danny Ainge moved beyond the rebuilding phase of angling for draft position with a trade that greatly bolstered the team’s chances (and expectations) of winning now. Jackson’s departure against the Grizzlies Oct. 26 with a torn MCL means that the team will turn to the stockpile of talent amassed in recent drafts, like forward Ace Bailey, guard Darryn Peterson, and point guard Keyonte George.
All three of those players seem to have bright futures, but it is Lewisville’s George who has emerged as the most NBA-ready player as of this writing. The big guard hit some big shots against New Orleans Wednesday, icing a jumper that seemed to have won it before replays revealed that the ball left his hands a split second late, then knocking down the first six points of overtime coming off high screens from center Lauri Markkanen. Though the Jazz got blown out by the Spurs Monday, the previous matchup of these teams Oct. 28, a 117-111 OT Spurs win, provided some insight as to how this Jazz team can be dangerous. Playing in their first game since the Jackson injury, George keyed a Utah comeback with a drive and layup that tied it in the final minute, and guard Brice Sensabaugh made the three that set up George’s heroics, plus another three in overtime.
For the second time in a week the Mavericks face an electric scoring guard from the 2026 draft class. Sacramento’s Darius Acuff’s 10 of 21 performance against Dallas Monday improved his season shooting percentage to .406. Utah’s Peterson, shooting 34% on the season, has shown flashes of his handle and shot creating ability, but at times has looked like a rookie trying to find his role in the offense.
Lonely up top
Markkanen, the Jazz’ other veteran big man who appears ready to win now, has been tested in Jackson’s absence, chasing a 2-11 three-point shooting performance against Portland with an excellent 4-7 effort from deep against the Spurs. After disappearing for much of the second half against the Pelicans, Markkanen emerged in the final two minutes of regulation to drill a three that brought the Jazz to within one and a pair of foul shots that pushed them in front a possession later. Shouldering the load as Utah’s primary frontcourt threat (starting center Jusuf Nurkic is out with a toe injury) has exposed Markkanen’s strengths and flaws alike. Wednesday the Jazz produced their second 40-point quarter of the season in the third, as Markkanen and reserve center Mohamed Bamba pushed and stretched a small Pelicans lineup around the floor and the Jazz attacked the rim relentlessly. But when New Orleans went big late, Zion Williamson, Derik Queen, and Saddiq Bey all got the shots they needed against Markkanen.
Some of the Mavericks’ most effective stretches against the Spurs came with PJ Washington Jr., Morez Johnson Jr., and Caleb Martin taking turns as the biggest Mavs on the floor, as Dallas’ small lineup cut into the Spurs’ lead even after Victor Webanyama re-entered the game. If coach Dusty May employs a similar strategy against Utah, Markkanen and Bamba will have to cover a lot of ground to keep up.
The group thing
Friday’s game will be the Mavericks’ second of the group stage of the in-season tournament and the Jazz’ first. Dallas beat Houston Friday, 116-111, to notch a 1-0 record in the group stage and a +5 point differential. Dallas trails Denver for first place in West group A, as the Nuggets’ +7 point differential after their 127-120 win against Phoenix Friday gave them the tiebreaker.
Familiar faces
Mavericks guard Walter Clayton Jr. appeared in 45 games for the Jazz last season with averages of 6.8 points and 5.5 assists before being included in the Feb. 3 trade with Memphis that brought Jaren Jackson Jr. to Utah. Jazz guard Josh Green, a Maverick fan favorite from 2020-24, comes off the bench for 3.0 points per game, and is still making things happen with hard cuts and hustle plays.
How to watch
Friday’s game will be shown on MAVSTV+ and KFAA Channel 29. Radio broadcast is 105.3fm KRLD (English) and 99.1fm KFZO (español).
HOUSTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 04: Bones Hyland #8 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts to a three point basket against the Houston Rockets during the first 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
Fresh off of a tough win against a talented Houston Rockets squad, the Minnesota Timberwolves take on Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night.
After starting the year 0-4, the Pelicans have ripped off four straight wins to claw back to .500. Sprinkled into that winning streak are some impressive victories over the surging Memphis Grizzlies (handing them their only loss on the season thus far) and the Atlanta Hawks. New Orleans is not a squad that is projected to climb the Western Conference standings or necessarily strike fear in the hearts of opponents, though they are still a team with enough competitive and ascending players to keep opponents honest.
Considering the still shorthanded state of the Wolves, they may have their hands full with a healthy-for-now Pelicans team. The win over the Rockets was thoroughly impressive, though Chris Finch and company will need to remain focused if they are to come out of this game with a victory.
Here are a few things I am looking out for against New Orleans:
Beware of the Wolves Killers
You know the guys – the dudes who love to turn up and have career games against the Wolves no matter what state their team is in. Most teams in the NBA have at least one Wolf Killer. The Pelicans have a few.
Perhaps most obvious of these players is Zion Williamson, who averages a whopping 28.5 points per game against Minnesota, nearly five points higher than his career average of 23.8. When healthy, Williamson is one of the premier tickets in the league and can score at will against nearly anyone. Jonathan Kuminga and Rudy Gobert will have their hands full with Zion, who will seek to outmuscle and overpower anyone that Finch decides to throw at him.
Saddiq Bey is another player that ramps up his production against the Timberwolves. A career 14.8 ppg scorer, his number increases to 19.5 for his career against Minnesota. As a member of the Pelicans, Bey’s average jumps up to 24 ppg versus the Wolves. The guy just flat out doesn’t like us.
As the Pelicans have other surging young players contributing to their recent run of success, this matchup may be more difficult than initially expected. Derik Queen has looked to be a solid NBA big man and Jeremiah Fears has been becoming a more well-rounded player. If Minnesota’s defenders can keep the Wolf Killers from transforming into much better versions of themselves, the game is there for the taking.
Dominate the Bone Zone
Bones Hyland is a fun player. He’s energetic, has a great smile, and keeps the fanbase engaged with his aesthetically pleasing style of play and affable three-point shot celebration. He’s an ideal bench player that could fit in on many teams. We are fortunate to have him as a Timberwolf.
However, with a slew of injuries that continue to hamper Minnesota’s preferred personnel, Bones continues to be thrust into heavier minutes than he would normally get. In the four games before Anthony Edwards got injured, Hyland played an average of eight minutes per night. Since then, his minutes have doubled, playing 16 minutes per game in the five matchups since Edwards (and now Terrence Shannon Jr.) went down.
Bones’s 19 point, eight assist night against the Los Angeles Clippers last week was a true representation of what he can bring as a player when he’s on. It’s unrealistic to expect that kind of production and efficiency from him most nights, though he does help the Timberwolves find tempo and form whenever things are going south.
If the Timberwolves are going to have any sustained success while Edwards and TSJ are out, Hyland will need to continue to exert efficiency and production in his limited time on the court. He was electric against the Rockets, scoring 19 points in just 16 minutes of play. For a team that continues to lose players at a high clip, Bones will remain an integral part of the offensive flow moving forward.
Figure Out your Free Throws
There’s not much more that can be said about just how putrid Minnesota’s free throw shooting has been. Currently the team sits at 63.4%, good for dead last and a massive 7% behind the next closest team, which is the 1-7 Milwaukee Bucks. Minnesota shot a cool 53% (10-19) at the line just last night versus Houston in a 10-point victory to bring that percentage down even lower. So it goes.
It’s not like this team has a problem shooting the ball, either. That’s what makes this ineptitude so baffling. The Timberwolves shot 53% from the floor and 43% from distance against the Rockets. And yet, while standing at the free throw line, uncontested and still, they can’t put the ball in the hoop.
Two players on the Wolves are shooting greater than 80% from the line this season. Everyone else is below them. That is unacceptable.
It would appear that Gobert’s inability to consistently make shots from the charity stripe (42.6% on nearly six attempts per game) is becoming contagious to the rest of the team. While it hasn’t been the biggest issue the Timberwolves have faced this season, it will become one as the team enters more late-game clutch time situations. We’re not far off from a few tight losses spurring a dialogue that laments the team’s lack of efficiency from the line. The recent defeat at the hands of the Golden State Warriors comes to mind, poor officiating be damned.
Chris Finch will need to address this problem somehow. Unfortunately, getting reps from the free throw line will not show itself as immediately game-changing. It will take time. Finishing this season anywhere but dead last should be seen as a success at this point. Until then, Minnesota needs to figure out how to capitalize on the opportunities they are given.
Entering Wednesday’s game against the Kings, Luka Doncic was leading the NBA in defensive two-point field-goal percentage as the primary defender (21.9%) with a minimum 30 attempts defended.
It’s an eye-popping stat for Doncic, who is known for his wizardry on offense but who has been a lighting rod for criticism on defense over his eight-season career.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, right, looks on while guarded by Sacramento Kings forward Leaky Black during an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. AP Photo/Scott Marshall
Doncic is having an early MVP campaign, averaging a league-leading 38.5 points, 8.1 rebounds and eight assists for the Lakers (7-2).
Doncic recently had five steals and three drawn charges in a 131-125 win over the Raptors on Nov. 1, becoming the first player to record those defensive marks in the same game since player tracking began in 2013-14, per ESPN Research.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic reacts during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. AP Photo/Scott MarshallLuka Doncic (77) of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. NBAE via Getty Images
“Obviously, I’m not the best defender in the NBA, but I think this year I really took a step forward,” Doncic said Nov. 1. “Obviously people are going to talk what they want to talk [about] me. But I know, and my team knows, that I’m better this year.”
Doncic has scored 40 or more points in five of his last six games, including leading the Lakers to a 116-103 win over the Kings on Wednesday.
Doncic was recently asked in a tongue-and-cheek manner if he’d rather win the MVP award or Defensive Player of the Year.
Guard Bronny James watches his Lakers teammates play against the Trail Blazers during a game last week. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Third-year guard Bronny James and rookie guard Cameron Carr have been assigned to G League Coachella Valley, the Lakers announced Thursday.
James, who is the third year of a four-year contract worth $7.9 million ($4.4 million guaranteed), played only 12 minutes this season across five games, scoring four points on two-of-three shooting while missing his only three-pointer.
Carr, who was the 24th overall draft pick this summer, has played only four minutes in three games, missing the only shot he took.
James has played in 74 games during his young career, including 42 last season when he averaged 2.9 points and 1.2 assists in 8.9 minutes.
The Lakers moved their G League affiliate to Coachella Valley, where they will open the season Friday at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert against Salt Lake City.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - NOVEMBER 4: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on 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 Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
At some point between the end of the ‘21 season and the start of the ‘22 season, I made a pact with myself: no more first quarters.
You have to understand, these were dark times to be a Spurs writer.
And yes, I know, as a fan myself, that those years were no more of picnic for the average fan than they were for me, but still. There’s just something about watching a beating and then having to write about it that feels vaguely abusive, especially when some of your favorite people are still involved.
Having to watch Gregg Popovich lose like that…I felt like a journalist covering Muhammad Ali’s last fights.
It didn’t matter how valiant he was, how much he tried to make something out of nothing — it just seemed kind of dirty to watch at all. We all knew what he was doing, of course.
There’s a reason I don’t watch the movie all the time. It would be fairly masochistic of me to do so.
But there are 82 games in a season, and someone has to cover them.
As a writing staff, you take some solace in the knowledge that you’re all in this together. You’re all having to write about it. You’re all having to dig for silver linings. And that (for this site) you’re all doing it out of some (possibly misplaced) sense of love for the team, and the sport, and the readers who are just about as miserable as you are.
But I just could not watch first quarters anymore. Not in real time.
It’s one thing to know that the Titanic is sinking; to be thrown into the middle of the chaos and do your best to make sense of it. It’s another thing altogether to watch the ship headed towards the ice-burg in the darkness. To hear the godawful scraping and know what it means. To have been watching the journey for years, and completely run out of ways to spin it.
It had to have been a very conscious decision on James Cameron’s part to make that movie a romance. How else could you get people to watch it? The wreck just cannot be the main course.
I couldn’t convince myself to watch the game at all if I started with the first quarter. The Spurs would either start taking their beating from the onset, or worse, soar to an early lead that we all knew wouldn’t last.
So I decided that I would start watching during the second quarter, finish the game, and then watch the beginning.
It was so much easier to bear when you already knew how it would end. Especially when the Spurs did miraculously pull off the win.
You could go back and break down how the positive momentum started, with the empty but understandable hope that there might be something algorithmic in those 12 minutes that could be reverse-engineered and employed more regularly.
And even the sting of defeat didn’t smart as much when you were able to initially avoid the fool’s gold of productive opening minutes.
Hell, sometimes it was even a little funny when you encountered the Spurs finding a way to lose the opening frame that you’d never even considered.
(Even though the Spurs won the game, I don’t think I’ll ever forget Jakob Poeltl picking up 2 fouls in the first 96 seconds of the Lakers game in 2022 that tied Pop with Don Nelson.)
Lately, though, I’ve been forced to reconsider my first-quarter policy, and the reason is pretty obvious: Victor Wembanyama is just too fun to be put on the back-burner in any capacity.
It was a sensible policy when the losses were piling up. Sometimes it still is.
But frustration with a contender-caliber team starting slowly is simply not enough to deprive myself of the immediacy of the joy provided by the most insane fusion of Hakeem Olajuwon, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Wilt Chamberlain imaginable.
Wemby just had the first *official* 50 point, 20 rebound, 8 block game in NBA history (and the first 50/20/10 in the non-assist category if you combine his steals and blocks), in his 8th game of his 4th season, and he’s the same age that Wilt was as a rookie!
And that’s in spite of existing in the era of injury and rest management. In spite of the fact that Wemby’s doing it on a team that’s good enough to have already made the Finals.
In spite of playing in an era where blocks are harder to come by, and strategic scouting and game-plans are another level, and players are (pretty successfully) bombing away from long range. In spite of an out-of-whack jumper that’s converting at about 28% outside of 10 feet.
Having chugged a 16oz energy drink during my late dinner before the game in an attempt to battle the somnolent rigidities of middle-age, I found myself doing the same ‘fighting the urge to pee’ dance that my child still breaks out every now and then, as I tried to hold out til the end of the half.
I can’t remember the last time I almost wet myself over basketball, or a more satisfying pee at the half.
There’s plenty of negative things I could say about the game. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen this team shoot that badly as a whole. Even Julian Champagnie and Devin Vassell couldn’t buy a shot.
There’s no reason it should have been that close with such a performance out of Wembanyama.
The bench’s defense looked like it had been coordinated by Wile E. Coyote and the Acme Corporation, and they put up a total of ten points in their relief of the starters. Carter Bryant and Tarris Reed somehow got no minutes on a night in which it couldn’t have been more clear that a shakeup was needed.
Even De’Aaron Fox’s previously next-level show of efficiency took the wrong turn at Albuquerque.
This was a bad game, if we’re being honest. A real stinker. And yet I can’t find the animosity within me to make this the all-around feel-bad roast that it should be, because, as I’ve said so many times over the last year, it just did not matter.
This should have been one of those games where I had to go back and break down the first quarter in a state of rage.
It should have been. But I just don’t have it in me to despair the undespairing.
Through it all, Wemby was completely unshaken. Understandably, so were his teammates. In their shoes, I think I’d feel the same way.
I don’t love that they frittered away lead after lead. I don’t like it as a trend, and I don’t like it as reminder.
But I think it’s easy to forget that we don’t live in that place were I can’t stand to watch the first quarter anymore, and that by resigning myself to that policy of the past, I’d be getting in the way of my own happiness.
You can’t protect yourself from pain without also protecting yourself from rapture. I think sometimes, in both life and basketball, we have a way of forgetting that.
I can tell you everything they did wrong. I can rant and rage with the best of them, and sound my barbaric yawp over the roofs of the world.
I can tell you that they were saved anyway, undeservingly.
Give me a better story than that, I dare you.
Takeaways
I don’t have a lot of nice things to say about this game, but man has Wemby really taken to the responsibility of attacking the rim this season. Right now he and Giannis are the only players in the NBA averaging 7+ Rim FGs and 8+ Paint FGs made per game. And Wemby’s actually doing it more ways than Giannis is, as the only player in the league averaging 5+ points as the P&R Roll Man, 4+ Points off of Cuts, and 4+ points In Transition, per game. If his jumper starts heating up, we’re going to see even crazier numbers than we did last night. Which is insane when you consider that he’s 4th in the league in scoring with a jumper finds the bottom of the bucket about 1/4th of time right now.
It’s been a bit of an uncomfortable fit for Stephon Castle when all three guards are on the court at the same time, and he seems to have been asked to serve as more of an off-ball shooter because of that, but when the need arises, he always seems to find an extra gear. I know many are hoping that the addition of Tobias Harris forces some rotation adjustments, but I will say, Castle is getting the open shots, and he’s not shrinking from the challenge. He’s shooting 32% from three now, but if he starts hitting those, that lineup might really morph into something scary, because everything will open up on the inside, and Wemby’s already mutilating the rim as it is (and Harper’s been slouch, either). And as much as I think Harris will be a boon to the team, I’d secretly prefer to see that happen instead.
Though Fox had probably his most inefficient night of the season on the offensive end, he’s still the only player in the NBA creating 15+ Assist Points Per Game, with a 2-1 Assist-to-Turnover Ratio, while also sporting a 65+ True Shooting Percentage, which is crazy when you see all the names that miss the mark. But, just as importantly, he’s been outstanding on the defensive end, and it showed in the clutch last night when he kept the still-lethal (and long-time Spurs killer) Kyrie Irving off-balance just enough to that his attempt at a game-winning bucket. To have lost a game with Victor playing like that would have felt catastrophic, so he’d be next in line for the game ball, in my mind.
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.
