NBA power rankings 2025-26: Spurs, Rockets Lakers move up but Thunder still on top

A lot of movement in the power rankings this week as teams that stumbled a little out of the gate — hello Houston — have started to find their footing.

1. Oklahoma City Thunder

(7-0, last week No. 1)
"We're definitely a better team than we were a year ago," Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said this week. He's right, and that should scare the league. The Thunder remain undefeated and are doing it without their second-best player, Jalen Williams, who will miss more time after having another wrist surgery to get a screw removed (this season and last, the Thunder are an amazing 20-0 without Williams). OKC is picking up right where it left off from its title run, and you can see that Tuesday night against the Clippers on NBA Coast 2 Coast on NBC and Peacock.

2. San Antonio Spurs

(5-1, last week No. 6)
We're moving the Spurs up despite the ugly loss Sunday to the Suns (but that did give us pause). The injury to Dylan Harper's calf is just bad luck after he has gotten off to an impressive start — 14 points, four rebounds, 3.8 assists a game off the bench — and now it appears he will miss at least some time. Victor Wembanyama's play continues to be the talk of the league, and the biggest difference has been that he got stronger this offseason and is no longer bailing teams out by taking 3-pointers. This season, he's averaging 3.5 attempts from beyond the arc per night (19.1% of his shots), down from 8.8 attempts (47% of his shots) last season. Instead, he is 35.5% of his shots within 3 feet of the rim (averaging 3.7 dunks a game), way up from 20% of his shots at the rim last season (and less than two dunks a game).

3. Denver Nuggets

(3-2, last week No. 4)
We're keeping the Nuggets up high because: 1) They are top five in the league in offense and defense so far (the only team in the league doing so); 2) They have Nikola Jokic. What should concern Nuggets fans is how this team builds big leads, then takes its foot off the gas and lets the opponent back in — that is how they lost both of their games (they led by 10 early in the fourth against Portland on Halloween and faded). Big NBA Cup game Friday against the Warriors, and it's a chance for the Nuggets to avenge their opening night OT loss.

4. Houston Rockets

(3-2, last week No. 14)
Sometimes a soft spot in the schedule is what a team needs to get its footing, and that seems to have happened for the Rockets this past week (wins over the Nets, Raptors and shorthanded Celtics). The Rockets are shooting 45.4% as a team from 3-point range this season, expect that number to come down to earth a little. Big NBA Cup game Friday against Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs.

5. Los Angeles Lakers

(5-2, last week No. 7)
The Lakers went 2-1 without Luka Doncic or LeBron James because Austin Reaves stepped up and kept the offense humming (and helped his payday next summer in the process). Doncic returned and dropped 44 on the Grizzlies and a triple-double on the Heat (he scored 40+ in his first three games of the season, tying a Wilt Chamberlain record). The Lakers' defense has not been consistent this season, but it is middle of the pack, and with the offensive firepower on this roster (especially once LeBron James returns), it should be good enough.

6. Philadelphia 76ers

(5-1, last week No. 10)
The future is now in Philly — the Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Quentin Grimes backcourt trio is what is driving winning. It's small sample size theater, but the 76ers have a +22.3 net rating when those three share the court. And, once healthy, Jared McCain will join the party and the 76ers' backcourt gets that much deeper and better. Don't expect some quick pivot away from the Joel Embiid and Paul George era — in part because everything could still come together, and in part because the massive contracts for those stars makes trading them challenging at best — but we have seen the future. So has Daryl Morey, and he has to recognize where this ship is headed.

7. Chicago Bulls

(5-1, last week No. 16)
The Bulls have become one of my favorite League Pass teams — they play fast (top 10 in pace) and the Josh Giddey experience is a roller coaster, oscillating between brilliant passes and decisions a middle schooler would get called out for. They are also defending well so far, and that has led to wins on the court — Chicago was one of the last undefeated teams in the league, and they have a top-10 defense, which defies all logic, but here we are. More challenges lie ahead this week, with games against the 76ers, Bucks, and Cavaliers.

8. Milwaukee Bucks

(4-2, last week No. 8)
There is more to like about the Bucks' start to the season beyond Giannis Antetokounmpo playing like an MVP (although it was strange they beat the Knicks without him, then lost to the Kings with him). This team is playing hard and defending every game. It's just outworking teams. Ryan Rollins is showing some shot creation skills and averaging 18.2 points and 5.5 assists per game, Gary Trent Jr. and A.J. Green are knocking down 3-pointers, and against the Knicks we even saw Kyle Kuzma play quality, physical defense on Karl-Anthony Towns for a key stretch. Early on, this team is beating expectations.

9. Detroit Pistons

(4-2, last week No. 12)
Quality win against the Mavericks in Mexico City (on Peacock), and it was a big game for the big men as Jalen Duren scored 33 and Isaiah Stewart had 10 off the bench, plus had a huge block. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff is leaning into the double-big idea more and more, and while we've only seen 23 minutes of Duren and Stewart together, Detroit has a +18 net rating in those minutes.

10. Golden State Warriors

(4-3, last week No. 3)
Jonathan Kuminga is now the regular fourth starter for the Warriors — something that had been clear but Steve Kerr finally confirmed this week. While Kuminga is averaging 17.4 points and 7.1 rebounds a game, what matters more to this team is that he draws the toughest defensive assignment nightly. If there's one early concern to watch with this team, it's the defense during he first half of games — the Warriors gave up 60+ points in the first half of four of their first six games, and it came back to bite them against Milwaukee.

11. Portland Trail Blazers

(4-2, last week No. 20)
"I was having a conversation on the golf course this summer with a guy, he's like, 'Who's the guy that the casual fan wouldn't know that is just awesome?'" Lakers coach J.J. Redick said this week. "I said, 'If you would ask 30 NBA coaches that they'd all say to Toumani Camara. He's so valuable as a basketball player, would fit on any team."

12. Cleveland Cavaliers

(4-3, last week No. 5)
The Cavaliers are no longer the offensive juggernaut they were a season ago, down 9.2 points per 100 possessions on that end of the floor so far (Darius Garland means that much to this team). Donovan Mitchell can still carry a team for a stretch, he had 37 against Atlanta on Sunday, but he needs help — Evan Mobley has been good but has not taken the hoped-for step forward this season, so someone else needs to.

13. Miami Heat

(3-3, last week No. 15)
Credit to Erik Spoelstra, who looked at his roster and revamped his long-time offensive approach, leaning into an up-tempo offense because it matches his personnel. The Miami Heat are not running pick and rolls much at all — only 8.8% of possessions, by far the fewest in the league. Instead, they are running a cut-and-replace, European-style system (similar to what Memphis ran at points a season ago) and doing so at a league-leading pace, and it is both entertaining and getting them some wins. The style may change somewhat when Tyler Herro returns from injury, as he is their best pick-and-roll ball handler. However, right now, this approach is working when they defend well enough (which they didn't against the Lakers on Sunday).

14. New York Knicks

(3-3, last week No. 2)
Mitchell Robinson was back on the court Friday night, which was a very positive sign, but we have still seen the preferred starting five for Mike Brown (Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns, Robinson) a total of 12 minutes. We saw what Brown wants from this team in Sunday's win over the Bulls — Robinson starting and the team shooting 20-for-42 (48%) from 3-point range. Can they keep it up this week against the Wizards, Timberwolves, and Nets?

15. Minnesota Timberwolves

(3-3, last week No. 9)
Minnesota has gone 1-2 without Anthony Edwards, who remains out due to a strained right hamstring but has been cleared for contact and should return soon. Part of what is keeping them afloat is Julius Randle stepping up to be the No. 1 option and getting off to a career-best start, averaging 27.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game while shooting 47.1% from 3-point range. Four of the next five Timberwolves games are on the road, but except for the Knicks, this is a soft part of the schedule.

16. Los Angeles Clippers

(3-2, last week No. 11)
Slow starts are killing the Clippers. They have a 130.1 defensive rating and a -17 net rating in the first quarter this season (compared to a 110.1 defensive rating and a +3.1 net rating in the second half. "The first quarter, like the first seven minutes of every game in the first quarter, we're, like, a 155.0 Defensive rating," Tyronn Lue said this week. "And then from that point on, we're, like, second in the league." Catch the Clippers and see if they can get off to a better start Saturday night against Oklahoma City on NBA Coast 2 Coast on NBC and Peacock Tuesday night.

17. Boston Celtics

(3-4, last week No. 23)
The ways this team misses Jayson Tatum have been glaringly obvious. However, what has been just as evident — and just as big a problem early this season — is how much they miss Al Horford and Luke Kornet along the front line. Boston is bottom 10 in the league in rebound percentage (they are also 28th in points scored in the paint, but that's a function of their 3-point heavy offense, Boston was last in points scored in the paint a season ago). That said, they are allowing the fewest points in the paint of any team (36.6 per game).

18. Orlando Magic

(3-4, last week No. 13)
We're moving beyond the "it's just a slow start" phase to "this may still be a real problem" with the Orlando offense, which is 22nd in the league entering the week. Getting Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner healthy, then adding Desmond Bane and Tyus Jones, has not solved the same issue the Magic have had the last few seasons — a lack of shooting. The Magic are 27th in 3-pointers attempted and bottom 10 in 3-point percentage. So far this season, their defense has been good (9th in the league), but it has not yet reached the elite levels that have carried this team over the past couple of seasons. If things don't change, and after the front office spent on players, the coach is often the one who feels the pressure.

19. Charlotte Hornets

(3-4, last week No. 19)
Brandon Miller has missed five games with a left shoulder subluxation (the team is 2-3 without him) and there remains no timeline for his return. One player taking advantage of the opportunity is rookie Kon Knueppel, who is averaging 14 points per game, taking 7.3 3-pointers per game and hitting 43.1% of them. He dropped 24 on Utah on Sunday and has looked sharp.

20. Toronto Raptors

(3-4, last week No. 22)
It's still hard to get a read on this team, which dropped four straight, has had an incredibly up-and-down defense, then caught a scheduling break and beat the Cavaliers (without Donovan Mitchell or Darius Garland) and then the Grizzlies (without a suspended Ja Morant). Two weeks into the season, this still feels like a team that has talent, but the players just don't fit well together.

21. Phoenix Suns

(3-4, last week No. 25)
The Suns didn't just beat the Spurs on Sunday, they dominated them, leading by 31 at one point. Phoenix is one of the teams fully in on the 3-point revolution, taking 48.3% of their shots from beyond the arc (fifth most in the league), and are hitting 37.5% of them (11th). Tough tests this week against the Warriors, then a home-and-home with James Harden and the Clippers.

22. Atlanta Hawks

(3-4, last week No. 18)
If Atlanta is going to keep its head above water for the next month or so without Trae Young (right knee MCL sprain — which is actually good news considering how the injury happened and how it looked), it's going to need to start defending a lot better, than running off that defense. Atlanta's defense has been pedestrian so far (15th in the league), but what's concerning is the dreadful 129.9 defensive rating (and -13.4 net rating) when Kristaps Porzingis and Jalen Johnson share the court (just 95 minutes so far, so small sample size theater, but it's a concern). Both of those players, as well as Nickeil Alexander-Walker, need to step up with Young out.

23. Memphis Grizzlies

(3-4, last week No. 17)
Ja Morant was upset this week by something coach Tuomas Iisalo said postgame after a loss to the Lakers (which led to Morant being suspended for a game) — but somebody needed to call Morant out. That was a low-energy game from him — of his 14 shots in that game, only one came at the rim. If Morant isn't getting downhill to the rim and is settling for 3-pointers (he took six in that game), the offensive concept of the Grizzlies falls apart. Morant's minutes are down this season but his touches are way up. The calls have already started for the Grizzlies to trade Morant, but the market for his services is significantly smaller than many fans think, as teams are not convinced he is the same player athletically as he was in 2023 or earlier. He's got to show more.

24. Sacramento Kings

(2-4, last week No. 26)
Sacramento has had five of its six games go into clutch minutes (within five points in the final five minutes) and they are 3-2 in those games. The Kings' offense has struggled in the clutch, but they find ways to win (such as against the Bucks Saturday). Demanding schedule this week with the Nuggets, Thunder and Timberwolves on the docket

25. Utah Jazz

(2-4, last week No. 27)
Utah has dropped three straight and has looked flat in those losses; they need a boost of energy (this is where Collin Sexton stepped up for them a season ago, but he's now in Charlotte). Until Sunday (when Walker Kessler was out with a shoulder issue), the Jazz had been are starting 7-foot Kessler, 7-foot Lauri Markkanen and 6-foot-11 Kyle Filipowski in a massive front line, and the Jazz had an insane 131.1 offensive rating and a +22 net rating when they are on the court together (just 60 minutes, so small sample size theater at play here).

26. Dallas Mavericks

(2-4, last week No. 21)
Stop stressing about Cooper Flagg's play. It's six games, and Jason Kidd has him playing out of position as a point guard (which may benefit him long-term, but is a big ask of a rookie). "It's a tough league. It's a transition," Flagg said this week. "I haven't made a lot of shots or been as efficient as I wanted to, but I'm gonna keep trusting the work. It's nothing I think they should be worried about. I'm not worried about anything."

27. Indiana Pacers

(1-5, last week No. 24)
Indiana remains ravaged by injuries (Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin, T.J. McConnell, now Obi Toppin) but that gave two-way guard Quenton Jackson a chance and he dropped 25 points and 10 assists on the Warriors in a win. Jackson has earned some extra run.

28. Washington Wizards

(1-5, last week No. 29)
The Wizards have dropped four straight games. In the clearest sign yet of how well Kyshawn George is playing, point guard Bilal Coulibaly returned from injury and Bub Carrington was the guy who went to the bench.

29. Brooklyn Nets

(0-6, last week No. 30)
Through five games, rookie Egor Demim has taken 26 shots — 24 of them 3-pointers, including his first 22 shots total (he is hitting 41.7% from beyond the arc). Brooklyn's defense is dead last in the NBA by a long shot — their 128.6 defensive rating is 4.2 points per 100 possessions worse than the 29th-ranked Pelicans.

30. New Orleans Pelicans

(0-6, last week No. 28)
New Orleans is the final team in the Western Conference not to have won a game, starting 0-6. It's weird to think a team has hit rock bottom already, but against the Thunder on Sunday the Pelicans looked like a team just going through the motions. Willie Green's seat is going to get hot — and remember the front office retained former NBA head coach James Borrego on Green's staff, in part just because of this possibility. The Pelicans play the Hornets and Mavericks this week, giving them a chance at that first win.

McCain probable to make return for Sixers in Chicago

McCain probable to make return for Sixers in Chicago  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Another guard should be coming soon.

Going into a Tuesday night meeting with the Bulls, the guard-centric Sixers listed Jared McCain as probable to make his season debut.

The second-year sharpshooter hasn’t played since December of 2024. He’s been eager to grind through one more injury rehab — a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee last year, a torn UCL in his right thumb this year — and get the green light to play.

Ahead of the Sixers’ win Sunday night over the Nets, McCain went through a workout with assistant coaches on the Barclays Center floor. He didn’t appear to have limitations in terms of speed or contact. 

The 5-1 Sixers listed both Paul George (left knee surgery recovery) and Dominick Barlow (right elbow laceration) as out against the 5-1 Bulls. 

Barring any setbacks, George has seemed to be closing in on a return. Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said that George had a “good workout” Saturday with McCain.

Nurse noted that Barlow’s laceration has taken longer to heal than the Sixers first expected and described the healing process as “kind of difficult,” though he still called the injury “nothing super major.” 

Once he’s back in action, McCain should lighten the load on the Sixers’ other main perimeter players. As of Monday night, reigning Eastern Conference Player of the Week Tyrese Maxey ranked first in the NBA at 42.4 minutes per game. VJ Edgecombe was second at 38.9, Kelly Oubre Jr. fourth at 38.1.

Quentin Grimes has also played a major early-season role off the bench for the Sixers. Maxey, Edgecombe, Oubre and Grimes have combined to average 91.7 points and 18.7 assists so far. 

Draymond Green lauds Ryan Rollins' ‘beautiful' 32-point performance vs. Warriors

Draymond Green lauds Ryan Rollins' ‘beautiful' 32-point performance vs. Warriors originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

In his 12 games with the Warriors in the 2022-23 NBA season, Ryan Rollins scored 23 total points. 

In last Thursday’s game against his former team, Rollins scored 32 points for the Milwaukee Bucks, handing Golden State a shocking 120-110 loss. 

Draymond Green praised his former teammate’s performance on the latest episode of his podcast, “The Draymond Green Show.” 

“Ryan’s game, I’ll actually say, it was beautiful,” Green declared. “Like the pace that he played with, he never got sped up, he never got rattled.” 

Green recounted how, after Rollins ‘levelled’ Steph Curry off of a screen, he tried to get into Rollins’ head by giving him some hard contact in return. Rollins was not affected, and continued to torch the Warriors. 

“You’d be surprised at how many guys, once you do that, once you go there, go by the wayside,” Green said. “And he just stayed the course, kept having a game, made another big shot, made two or three more big shots. And it was a beautiful thing to see.” 

Rollins’ success this season isn’t just limited to his performance against the Warriors. In six games played this season, he is averaging 18.2 points per game with a 50.9 field goal percentage and a 40.0 3-point percentage. 

Drafted No. 44 overall three years ago, Rollins averaged 1.9 points in 12 games as a rookie for the Warriors. Following his first NBA season, Golden State included him in the trade with the Washington Wizards that brought future Hall of Fame guard Chris Paul to the Bay.

Last season, Rollins signed a two-way contract with the Bucks in February after he was waived by the Wizards a month prior. In the offseason, he signed a multi-year contract to stay with Milwaukee. 

“You talk about a guy who hasn’t had the easiest path that’s found a home,” Green said. “Yeah, he won’t average 32 points or [get] 30 every night or every other night. But, I think he’s found a home and I think he’ll be able to consistently play well there. Which will be great for him, and it will be great for Milwaukee.” 

The Warriors are next scheduled to play Milwaukee on Jan. 7, 2026. Green and the Warriors hope that he doesn’t have another ‘beautiful’ game. 

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Timberwolves at Nets predictions: odds, recent stats, trends and best bets for November 3

Monday night the NBA tips off with Minnesota at Brooklyn on Peacock! Minnesota enters at 3-3 on the season and are without superstar Anthony Edwards for this matchup, but still has plenty of firepower with Julius Randle and Naz Reid taking the floor.

Brooklyn is one of two winless teams at 0-6 on the season and enters off a 136-117 loss to the 76ers yesterday, while Minnesota beat Charlotte, 122-105. The Timberwolves are -8.5 point road favorites with a game total of 226.5. Let's dive into tonight’s matchup and find a potential sweat or two!

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff. Odds courtesy of DraftKings recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

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Game Details and How to watch the Timberwolves vs. Nets live

  • Date: Monday, November 3, 2025
  • Time: 7 PM EST
  • Site: Barclays Center
  • City: Brooklyn, NY
  • Network/Streaming: NBC/Peacock

Rotoworld has you covered with all the latest NBA Player News for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Game odds for the Timberwolves at the Nets

The latest odds as of Tuesday courtesy of DraftKings:

  • Moneyline: Timberwolves (-375), Nets (+295)
  • Spread: Timberwolves -8.5
  • Total: 226.5

That gives the Timberwolves an implied team point total of 117.5 and the Nets 108.5.

Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!

Expected Starting Lineups for the Timberwolves and the Nets

Timberwolves

PG Donte DiVincenzo

SG Mike Conley

SF Jaden McDaniels

PF Julius Randle

C Rudy Gobert

Nets

PG Tyrese Martin

SG Cam Thomas

SF Terance Mann

PF Michael Porter Jr

C Nic Claxton

Injuries for the Timberwolves and the Nets

Timberwolves

G Anthony Edwards (hamstring) has been ruled out for Monday's game, but is cleared for basketball activities

Nets

F Haywood Highsmith (knee) is OUT and will be reevaluated in five weeksImportant stats, trends and insights ahead of Timberwolves at Nets on Monday

Important stats, trends and insights ahead of Timberwolves at Nets on Monday.

  • Minnesota is an NBA-worst 1-5 ATS
  • Minnesota is 1-2 ATS as the road team and road favorite
  • Minnesota is 4-2 to the Over
  • Brooklyn is 4-2 to the Over
  • Brooklyn one of two winless teams (New Orleans)
  • Brooklyn is 2-3-1 ATS this season (2-1 at home)

Rotoworld Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) likes the Nets to cover the first quarter spread for the first time all season:

"Brooklyn is 0-6 ATS and on the ML in the first quarter this season, failing time in and time out. However, yesterday against the 76ers, the Nets had the cover in the bag until Tyrese Maxey hit a free-throw to win the quarter, 40-37.

The Nets only have two nationally broadcasted games or four, depending on flex situations, so this team does not want to come out and stink it up on its home court and for everyone to see. Minnesota is without Anthony Edwards and still the better team, so I expect the Timberwolves to be a public darling tonight despite their 1-5 ATS start and the spread to move more in their favor.

I like Brooklyn in the first quarter at +2.5, but would wait for +3 or +3.5. If we get a live full game spread of +12 or higher, I would play the Nets as well."

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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Timberwolves & Nets game:

  • Moneyline: Timberwolves ML (medium confidence)
  • Spread: Timbervoles -8.5 (medium confidence)
  • Total: Under 226.5 (low confidence)

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

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Other teams monitoring Ja Morant situation in Memphis after suspension, looking at possible trade

Is the Ja Morant coming to an end in Memphis? It certainly feels that way. Heading into training camp, it felt like a make-or-break season for the Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. core, but don't take my word for it, here is how general manager Zach Kleiman put it at media day: "I think it is fair to say as we continue to build this team, to be able to achieve a high-end outcome, we need Ja to be a consistent All-NBA-caliber player."

He has not been. With that, the Grizzlies are 3-4 to start the season with a bottom-10 offense and defense. Then came the drama this weekend: A poor effort game by Morant (just watch the video), who afterward threw the coaches under the bus, which led to him being suspended for one game for “conduct detrimental to the team.”

Other teams are monitoring the situation — and have been for a while — potentially looking to scoop up Morant in a steal of a trade, something Marc Stein wrote about in his Stein Line newsletter.

The inevitable talk of rival teams now monitoring the situation is a no-duh way to describe the sudden vibe in Memphis — since rival teams are always poised to pounce on proven All-Stars who might (or might not) be unhappy in their current surroundings — but the truth is that Morant's future has been must-monitor going back to the June draft and the buildup to it. That is when rumbles started to circulate in earnest that the contract extension Morant was eligible for this past offseason would not be offered … and that this team might no longer revolve around him.

Morant is on a reasonable contract for his potential level of production. He is making $39.5 million this season, and has two years, $87.1 million remaining on his contract after this season.

Don't mistake that for there being a strong trade market for Morant — teams are wary. First, Morant has battled injuries in the two seasons preceding this one and simply does not appear as explosive as he once was. What's more, last season, he was frustrated with coach Taylor Jenkins and his decision to move the offense away from pick-and-rolls. As a result, the Grizzlies fired Jenkins at the end of the season and replaced him with Tuomas Iisalo, with whom Morant is now not happy. On ESPN’s Hoop Collective Podcast on Monday, Tim Bontemps suggested the Grizzlies trade Morant sooner rather than later, but Tim MacMahon slowed that roll.

"You say trade him, here's the problem… I don't think there's much — you guys talk to people, I talk to people — do you find a lot of people that believe there's gonna be some robust market if they do shop Ja Morant?"

DeMarcus Cousins suggested on X that two teams in need of point guard help now — Houston and Minnesota — should trade for Morant. But does he really fit in either spot? Houston misses the glue guy, floor general that was Fred VanVleet — that is not Morant, who is a score-first guy and takes the ball out of the hands of Kevin Durant and Amen Thompson. The same is true in Minnesota, where Morant, next to Anthony Edwards, seems like mixing oil and water.

There are teams that would jump at the opportunity to acquire Morant, but the initial offers are more likely to be lowball. Morant can still put up counting stats, 20.8 points and 6.7 assists a game this season, but he has not looked like an All-NBA player and certainly would not get the kind of trade return Memphis would seek. At least right now. Which means the status quo will continue in Memphis for a while.

But this is a situation to monitor.

Draymond Green identifies ‘Warriors effect' that led to losses vs. Bucks, Pacers

Draymond Green identifies ‘Warriors effect' that led to losses vs. Bucks, Pacers originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Warriors dropped their last two games to teams they should have beaten on paper. 

With the Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers missing star players, role players like Ryan Rollins and Quenton Jackson took the spotlight. Draymond Green explained why that happened in the latest episode of his podcast, “The Draymond Green Show.” 

“Any time a star [goes] out against us, you’re always going to have guys that step up and just play out of their minds,” Green said. “That is the Warrior effect, that is the effect you get when you have had the success that we have.” 

Green explained that with the Warriors’ prestige, younger and relatively unknown players take the matchup as an opportunity to play their best basketball. 

“You figure a lot of these young guys that come into the NBA now, they grew up on the success that we’ve had,” Green continued. “So when they come into that game, it’s their NBA Finals. It’s their childhood dream come true. And so, you always get the absolute best version of guys …” 

“… No excuse to why we lose those games, but then I think for us where we have to grow is, you have to put the fire out before it gets started.” 

On Saturday, the Warriors held an 11-point lead over the Pacers with 6:05 remaining in the game. Indiana closed the game out on a 21-5 run to beat the Warriors 114-109. 

“You’re talking about a team that was [0-5] and we got the game in complete control, and then just down the stretch, let it go,” Green recalled. “That’s not a characteristic of this team since Jimmy [Butler] has come to this team, but that was something we were struggling with before. We can’t fall back into that.” 

Last season, the Warriors lost four games in which they had a double-digit lead during the fourth quarter. Three of those blown leads were before the team acquired Butler. 

According to Green, the problem lies on the offensive side of the ball. 

“I think offensively we got to figure it out. We got to figure our spacing out, we got to figure the turnovers out,” Green explained. “The turnovers are adding up more and more each game, and they’re costly. We got a really good defense; it’s hard to get your defense set when you’re just turning the ball over.They’re not playing against our half court defense, and again you get back to the thing where you’re allowing guys to get off, that allows guys to get a rhythm and get to feeling good.” 

Golden State looks to bounce back this week with a Western Conference slate that doesn’t get much easier, starting with back-to-back games against the Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings at home and on the road, respectively. The Warriors will play the Denver Nuggets on the road on Friday. 

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Draymond Green claims his Ja Morant suspicions confirmed by star's suspension

Draymond Green claims his Ja Morant suspicions confirmed by star's suspension originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Draymond Green claims he sensed trouble with Ja Morant even before the Memphis Grizzlies star’s latest suspension.

On the latest episode of “The Draymond Green Show,” the Warriors forward revealed that he and Steph Curry sensed something was off with Morant during Golden State’s 131–118 win over the Grizzlies on Oct. 27.

“When we got on that plane I was telling Steph, like, ‘Man, Ja ain’t in it at all. It looked like something happened — like, it ain’t Ja,’” Green said. “He was giving the ball to Cam Spencer and kind of going to stand in the corner. And Steph was like, ‘Quiet protest going on, huh?’ And I was like, ‘That’s what it looked like.’”

A few days later, after Memphis’ loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, Morant brushed off questions about his play, telling reporters to “ask the coaching staff” about his limited minutes. Morant then was suspended on Saturday for one game because of “conduct detrimental to the team” — a move that, according to Green, validated his instincts that something deeper was brewing in Memphis.

“When I saw [Ja’s] comments, I found those interesting,” Green explained, “but all they did was confirm to me what I was watching … and rightfully so, there was something going on.”

Green then reflected on the Grizzlies’ handling of the situation and how suspending a franchise cornerstone can backfire.

“What I will say is this: I am not a big fan of suspending your top guys,” Green said. “As a guy who has been suspended through the years, I don’t think it does much of anything outside of piss the guys off. When you’re talking your first and most important player and you’re suspending that guy, there’s always the possibility of like — there’s no coming back from that.”

Green, who’s been suspended six times across 15 NBA seasons, has built a reputation as one of the league’s most fiery competitors — and someone who understands better than most how quickly trust between players and teams can fracture. Whether the Grizzlies can move past the suspension — and keep Morant fully engaged — remains to be seen.

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How to watch Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Brooklyn Nets: TV/live stream info, preview for tonight's game

The 2025-26 NBA season on Peacock continues tonight as the Brooklyn Nets, seeking their first victory of the season after an 0-6 start, while playing host to the Minnesota Timberwolves (3-3), who are without injured superstar Anthony Edwards. It's the first meeting between the teams since April 11 last season when Rudy Gobert tied a career high with 35 points to lead Minnesota to a 117-91 victory over Brooklyn in Minneapolis.

Peacock will feature 100 regular-season games throughout the course of the 2025-2026 season. Click here to sign up and follow all of the NBA excitement.

Click here to sign up for Peacock!

Minnesota Timberwolves storylines

After losing their first two games since losing Edwards to a hamstring injury, the Timberwolves are coming off a 122-105 road victory Saturday over the Charlotte Hornets. Julius Randle scored 30 points while improving to 30 of 54 from the field in the past three games, and Gobert had 14 points, 15 rebounds, two steals and two blocks in his second double-double this year while leading a Minnesota defense that suffers when the four-time Defensive Player of the Year is on the bench.

Edwards (25.7 points per game) has been sidelined since being hurt Oct. 26 during a 114-110 win over the Indiana Pacers. In his absence, Minnesota has filled the offensive void with Randle (27.2 ppg and 2.7 3-pointers per game), Jaden McDaniels (18.0 ppg) and Donte DiVincenzo (13.5 ppg, 3.0 3-pointers pe game), who had 18 points against the Hornets. Naz Reid also chipped in 18 against Charlotte and is averaging 11.3 points.

Brooklyn Nets storylines

At 0-6, Brooklyn is off to its worst start since losing the first seven games to open the 2015-16 season. Defense has been a sore spot for the Nets, who have rank last in field goal percentage allowed. In a 129-105 loss Sunday to the Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn allowed an opponent to shoot at least 50% for the fifth time in six games this season. Coach Jordi Fernandez also has been seeking an answer at point guard, most recently starting Tyrese Martin (who went scoreless in 27 minutes against Philadelphia) in place of rookie Ben Saraf.

Brooklyn's offense primarily has been reliant on Cam Thomas, who is averaging 24.3 points per game and led the Nets with 29 points against the 76ers, Michael Porter Jr. (20.8 ppg) and Nic Claxton (13.3 ppg).

How to watch Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Brooklyn Nets

  • When: Monday, Nov. 3
  • Where: Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York
  • Time: Pregame studio coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. ET.
  • Live stream:Peacock

How to watch the NBA on NBC and Peacock:

Peacock NBA Monday will stream up to three Monday night games each week throughout the regular season. Coast 2 Coast Tuesday presents doubleheaders on Tuesday nights throughout the regular season on NBC and Peacock. On most Tuesdays, an 8 p.m. ET game will be on NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones, and an 8 p.m. PT game on NBC stations in the Pacific and often Mountain time zones.

Check local listings each week. Both games will stream live nationwide on Peacock. NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball across NBC and Peacock on Feb. 1, 2026. For a full schedule of the NBA on NBC and Peacock, click here.

How to sign up for Peacock:

Sign up here to watch all of our LIVE sports, sports shows, documentaries, classic matches, and more. You'll also get tons of hit movies and TV shows, originals, news, 24/7 channels, and current NBC & Bravo hits on Peacock for whatever suits your mood.

NBA on NBC 2025-26 Schedule

Click here to see the full list of NBA games that will air on NBC and Peacock this season.

What devices does Peacock support?

You can enjoy Peacock on a variety of devices. View the full list of supported devices here.

How to watch Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Brooklyn Nets: TV/live stream info, preview for tonight's game

The 2025-26 NBA season on Peacock continues tonight as the Brooklyn Nets, seeking their first victory of the season after an 0-6 start, while playing host to the Minnesota Timberwolves (3-3), who are without injured superstar Anthony Edwards. It's the first meeting between the teams since April 11 last season when Rudy Gobert tied a career high with 35 points to lead Minnesota to a 117-91 victory over Brooklyn in Minneapolis.

Peacock will feature 100 regular-season games throughout the course of the 2025-2026 season. Click here to sign up and follow all of the NBA excitement.

Click here to sign up for Peacock!

Minnesota Timberwolves storylines

After losing their first two games since losing Edwards to a hamstring injury, the Timberwolves are coming off a 122-105 road victory Saturday over the Charlotte Hornets. Julius Randle scored 30 points while improving to 30 of 54 from the field in the past three games, and Gobert had 14 points, 15 rebounds, two steals and two blocks in his second double-double this year while leading a Minnesota defense that suffers when the four-time Defensive Player of the Year is on the bench.

Edwards (25.7 points per game) has been sidelined since being hurt Oct. 26 during a 114-110 win over the Indiana Pacers. In his absence, Minnesota has filled the offensive void with Randle (27.2 ppg and 2.7 3-pointers per game), Jaden McDaniels (18.0 ppg) and Donte DiVincenzo (13.5 ppg, 3.0 3-pointers pe game), who had 18 points against the Hornets. Naz Reid also chipped in 18 against Charlotte and is averaging 11.3 points.

Brooklyn Nets storylines

At 0-6, Brooklyn is off to its worst start since losing the first seven games to open the 2015-16 season. Defense has been a sore spot for the Nets, who have rank last in field goal percentage allowed. In a 129-105 loss Sunday to the Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn allowed an opponent to shoot at least 50% for the fifth time in six games this season. Coach Jordi Fernandez also has been seeking an answer at point guard, most recently starting Tyrese Martin (who went scoreless in 27 minutes against Philadelphia) in place of rookie Ben Saraf.

Brooklyn's offense primarily has been reliant on Cam Thomas, who is averaging 24.3 points per game and led the Nets with 29 points against the 76ers, Michael Porter Jr. (20.8 ppg) and Nic Claxton (13.3 ppg).

How to watch Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Brooklyn Nets

  • When: Monday, Nov. 3
  • Where: Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York
  • Time: Pregame studio coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. ET.
  • Live stream:Peacock

How to watch the NBA on NBC and Peacock:

Peacock NBA Monday will stream up to three Monday night games each week throughout the regular season. Coast 2 Coast Tuesday presents doubleheaders on Tuesday nights throughout the regular season on NBC and Peacock. On most Tuesdays, an 8 p.m. ET game will be on NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones, and an 8 p.m. PT game on NBC stations in the Pacific and often Mountain time zones.

Check local listings each week. Both games will stream live nationwide on Peacock. NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball across NBC and Peacock on Feb. 1, 2026. For a full schedule of the NBA on NBC and Peacock, click here.

How to sign up for Peacock:

Sign up here to watch all of our LIVE sports, sports shows, documentaries, classic matches, and more. You'll also get tons of hit movies and TV shows, originals, news, 24/7 channels, and current NBC & Bravo hits on Peacock for whatever suits your mood.

NBA on NBC 2025-26 Schedule

Click here to see the full list of NBA games that will air on NBC and Peacock this season.

What devices does Peacock support?

You can enjoy Peacock on a variety of devices. View the full list of supported devices here.

How to watch Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New Jersey Nets: TV/live stream info, preview for tonight's game

The 2025-26 NBA season on Peacock continues tonight as the New Jersey Nets, seeking their first victory of the season after an 0-6 start, while playing host to the Minnesota Timberwolves (3-3), who are without injured superstar Anthony Edwards. It's the first meeting between the teams since April 11 last season when Rudy Gobert tied a career high with 35 points to lead Minnesota to a 117-91 victory over New Jersey in Minneapolis.

Peacock will feature 100 regular-season games throughout the course of the 2025-2026 season. Click here to sign up and follow all of the NBA excitement.

Click here to sign up for Peacock!

Minnesota Timberwolves storylines

After losing their first two games since losing Edwards to a hamstring injury, the Timberwolves are coming off a 122-105 road victory Saturday over the Charlotte Hornets. Julius Randle scored 30 points while improving to 30 of 54 from the field in the past three games, and Gobert had 14 points, 15 rebounds, two steals and two blocks in his second double-double this year while leading a Minnesota defense that suffers when the four-time Defensive Player of the Year is on the bench.

Edwards (25.7 points per game) has been sidelined since being hurt Oct. 26 during a 114-110 win over the Indiana Pacers. In his absence, Minnesota has filled the offensive void with Randle (27.2 ppg and 2.7 3-pointers per game), Jaden McDaniels (18.0 ppg) and Donte DiVincenzo (13.5 ppg, 3.0 3-pointers pe game), who had 18 points against the Hornets. Naz Reid also chipped in 18 against Charlotte and is averaging 11.3 points.

New Jersey Nets storylines

At 0-6, Brooklyn is off to its worst start since losing the first seven games to open the 2015-16 season. Defense has been a sore spot for the Nets, who have rank last in field goal percentage allowed. In a 129-105 loss Sunday to the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey allowed an opponent to shoot at least 50% for the fifth time in six games this season. Coach Jordi Fernandez also has been seeking an answer at point guard, most recently starting Tyrese Martin (who went scoreless in 27 minutes against Philadelphia) in place of rookie Ben Saraf.

Brooklyn's offense primarily has been reliant on Cam Thomas, who is averaging 24.3 points per game and led the Nets with 29 points against the 76ers, Michael Porter Jr. (20.8 ppg) and Nic Claxton (13.3 ppg).

How to watch Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New Jersey Nets

  • When: Monday, Nov. 3
  • Where: Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York
  • Time: Pregame studio coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. ET.
  • Live stream:Peacock

How to watch the NBA on NBC and Peacock:

Peacock NBA Monday will stream up to three Monday night games each week throughout the regular season. Coast 2 Coast Tuesday presents doubleheaders on Tuesday nights throughout the regular season on NBC and Peacock. On most Tuesdays, an 8 p.m. ET game will be on NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones, and an 8 p.m. PT game on NBC stations in the Pacific and often Mountain time zones.

Check local listings each week. Both games will stream live nationwide on Peacock. NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball across NBC and Peacock on Feb. 1, 2026. For a full schedule of the NBA on NBC and Peacock, click here.

How to sign up for Peacock:

Sign up here to watch all of our LIVE sports, sports shows, documentaries, classic matches, and more. You'll also get tons of hit movies and TV shows, originals, news, 24/7 channels, and current NBC & Bravo hits on Peacock for whatever suits your mood.

NBA on NBC 2025-26 Schedule

Click here to see the full list of NBA games that will air on NBC and Peacock this season.

What devices does Peacock support?

You can enjoy Peacock on a variety of devices. View the full list of supported devices here.

Patience required as Karl-Anthony Towns adjusts to Knicks' new system

A new head coach, new style of play, and a slightly modified role hasKarl-Anthony Towns in adjustment mode. And before the season, Towns said that he didn’t know where he sees himself in the new Knicks offense. 

In a new season that is just two weeks old, Towns is off to a slow start, averaging 18.3 points while shooting 38.0 percent from the field and 35.7 percent from the three-point line in six games. This includes a nightmare eight-point night on 2-for-12 shooting against the Milwaukee Bucks last Tuesday.

Though he bounced back with 20 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists in New York’s 128–116 win against the Chicago Bulls on Sunday night, Towns still has to work to find his comfort zone in Mike Brown’s new offense. 

Towns has come under fire for his uninspiring launch to the season, but it’s early. With high expectations, there’s a strong external reaction to every loss. But there’s sure to be more highs and lows that the Knicks will have to navigate through the course of an 82-game season. Patience will be important throughout the entire campaign.

Towns is dealing with a grade two right quad strain and it’s likely a factor in his poor performance. Though he’s generally struggled to shoot from all over the floor, Towns’ offensive issues have been most noticeable around the basket -- where he has very little lift when rising up for a finish. The All-Star center is shooting just 47.4 percent in the restricted area according to NBA Stats, down from 66.9 percent last season.

Brown has looked to implement a new offense, wanting New York to move the ball via the drive and kick philosophy, launch more threes, and pick up the pace to create easier offensive opportunities. In the long run, that should be helpful for Towns as the pace and space should give him easier looks as a scorer and more room to operate.

So far, the results have been inconsistent.

New York Knicks center/forward Karl-Anthony Towns (32) reacts during the first half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Madison Square Garden.
New York Knicks center/forward Karl-Anthony Towns (32) reacts during the first half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Madison Square Garden. / John Jones-Imagn Images

New York is 3-3 after six games. The perimeter shooting has had its ugly moments like when they made just 15 of 54 treys (27.8 percent) in a 115-107 loss to the Miami Heat last week. But in the win against Chicago, New York’s offense was elite, recording 31 assists and converting on 20 of 42 three-point attempts (47.6 percent).

In need of an evolution

The Knicks need more from Towns if they want to seriously contend for a championship.

Towns is a solid overall passer at the center position, but he needs to improve as a playmaker. Brown has tried to have Towns operate at the elbows or on the perimeter as a passer like he did with Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis. It has led to middling results. The big man is averaging more turnovers than assists this season.

One of Towns’ weaknesses is his ability to read the game and make adjustments on the fly. Once Towns puts the ball on the floor as he looks to barrel his way to the basket, he rarely passes out to shooters. Towns’ decision making was better on Sunday. The hope is that through trial and error, he makes better reads as the season rolls on.

With Mitchell Robinson back from a four-game absence to start the season, Towns’ role in the offense is much more iffy. He becomes a power forward, and is still effective because of his outside shooting ability, but it makes him less of a centerpiece. But Towns has proven capable of making it work. He played on the floor with Robinson in the playoffs last season, and with Rudy Gobert as a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

This season is critical for Towns and the Knicks. He’s turning 30 years old in November, and he is also eligible for a contract extension. How he adapts to the new system and style of play this season will shape his future in New York.

Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Ryan Rollins is ready to roll

Another week has passed in the NBA, but the excitement certainly hasn’t died down. The Chicago Bulls and Philadelphia 76ers have surprised the Association with superb records, and the San Antonio Spurs look like they’re ready to contend for a title.

Injuries continue to pile up around the league, and “next man up” mentality has lent itself well to new opportunities and increased production. Role players and rookies have stepped up, and three first-year players are featured in this week’s column.

→ Watch the NBA on Peacock on Monday night, as the Minnesota Timberwolves take on the Nets in Brooklyn. The action gets underway at 7 p.m. ET!

NBA: Atlanta Hawks at Chicago Bulls
“Ice Trae” will be sidelined for at least four weeks after spraining his MCL last week.

Here are the top fantasy basketball waiver wire adds ahead of Week 3.

Fantasy Basketball Priority Adds

1. Ryan Rollins
2. Jaime Jaquez Jr.
3. Quentin Grimes
4. Nickeil Alexander-Walker
5. Jeremiah Fears
6. Cedric Coward
7. Donte DiVincenzo
8. Collin Murray-Boyles
9. Jarace Walker
10. Bilal Coulibaly
11. Quenton Jackson
12. Josh Minott

Ryan Rollins (43%), Milwaukee Bucks

Rollins was a recommended add last week, so hopefully you scooped him up when he was more widely available. Despite some monster performances, he’s still available in 57% of Yahoo! leagues. Rollins has averaged 24.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 2.0 steals and 3.0 triples across his last three outings. Even when Kevin Porter Jr. returns, Rollins has certainly done enough to remain in the starting five, and he’s the top fantasy pickup heading into Week 3. Through the first two weeks of the season, he’s provided second-round value, and this will likely be the last time you can acquire him so freely on the waiver wire.

Donte DiVincenzo (37%), Minnesota Timberwolves

DiVincenzo started the season with the first unit, and he should retain that role moving forward. For now, he’ll get a boost in production until Anthony Edwards is able to return. Minnesota has started Mike Conley in Edwards’ place, and while Conley has been serviceable, DiVincenzo is the preferred add. Over his last five, DiVincenzo has averaged 14.8 points, 2.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 3.4 triples.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker (36%), Atlanta Hawks

NAW has been a source of instant offense for the Hawks all season, finishing with a season-low 10 points in the opener and going for at least 16 in every other contest. He’s provided seventh-round value to fantasy managers thus far, offering 16.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.9 blocks and 1.7 triples per contest. Poor FG% is the biggest hit to his fantasy value, but he’s been an otherwise strong option. The absence of Trae Young for the next four weeks could be a boon for NAW, making him a must-add.

Quentin Grimes (36%), Philadelphia 76ers

Grimes has been excellent off the bench this season, and he could be in line for additional minutes and usage moving forward. Kelly Oubre Jr. posted a season-high 29 points on Sunday before an ankle injury forced him out of the matchup with Brooklyn early. Oubre Jr. is a great add (assuming he’s healthy), but Grimes has done enough in his own right to warrant consideration here. He’s scored in double figures in each game this season and notched his first double-double of the campaign against Brooklyn. Grimes posted a monstrous 22/7/13/1/1 line with four triples in the blowout victory over the Nets. According to Statmuse, his career-high 13 dimes are the most by a 76er off the bench since Allen Iverson in 2004.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. (35%), Miami Heat

Jaquez Jr. is off to a phenomenal start, and he came away with his best game of the season in Sunday’s loss to the Lakers. In 35 minutes, he finished with 31 points, eight rebounds and four assists. He’s ranked 75th in per-game fantasy value thanks to strong contributions in points, rebounds and assists. Lack of the three-ball and defensive contributions caps his ceiling, but a guy averaging 19/7/5 who’s available in 65% of Yahoo! leagues cannot be ignored.

Bilal Coulibaly (34%), Washington Wizards

Making his return from a thumb injury, Coulibaly immediately joined the starting five, and he’s averaged a 13/5/4 line with a steal, two blocks and a triple over his last two contests. The third-year forward has logged just over 25 minutes per game thus far, and we can safely assume his playing time - and thus his production - will tick up. His versatility is intriguing for fantasy purposes, as he can stuff the stat sheet with valuable contributions on both ends of the floor.

Cedric Coward (33%), Memphis Grizzlies

Coward - the 11th pick out of Washington State - has immediately made an impact for Memphis. He’s logged over 25 minutes a game as a reliable option off the bench, scoring in double figures in all but one contest thus far. The Grizzlies already need help at guard, but they could be particularly thin if Ja Morant continues feuding with Memphis’ coaching staff and finds himself on the bench. Don’t be a coward - add Cedric.

Josh Minott (23%), Boston Celtics

Minott is averaging just over 21 minutes per game this season, but he’s contributed 8.3 points, 6.8 boards, 1.5 dimes, 1.5 steals, 0.5 blocks and a triple per game. That production has been good for per-game fantasy value inside the top-100, and managers in need of boards and swipes could certainly do worse, assuming they can deal with the poor shooting (42.5%).

Jeremiah Fears (19%), New Orleans Pelicans

The Pelicans absolutely stink this year, and the team seems committed to getting its young stud some meaningful playing time. The only downside with Fears is the capped ceiling due to negative game script. New Orleans has already played in multiple blowouts, and more are surely on the horizon, which could mean fewer minutes at the end of games. He’s averaged 16.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 2.0 steals and 2.7 triples across his last three outings.

Jarace Walker (17%), Indiana Pacers

Due to a number of key injuries, Walker has found a spot with the Pacers’ starting five, and he’s logging the most minutes of his career to kick off the 2025-26 campaign. He’s started each of Indiana’s last three, averaging 14.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.0 steals and 2.7 triples across 31.3 minutes. Expect him to see big minutes moving forward due to the ongoing absences of Obi Toppin and Bennedict Mathurin.

Quenton Jackson (7%), Indiana Pacers

Like Jarace Walker, Jackson has benefited greatly from Indiana’s multitude of injuries. The fourth-year man out of Texas A&M has started two straight, averaging a 20/5/7 line with a pair of swipes and 2.5 triples. He was instrumental in Indiana’s upset victory over Golden State on Saturday, turning in 25 points, 10 boards and six dimes, while hitting the dagger bucket in the final seconds of the game. He should continue seeing increased opportunities for the foreseeable future.

Collin Murray-Boyles (5%), Toronto Raptors

Jakob Poeltl (back) remains out, and it’s not yet known when he’ll return. Toronto’s lottery pick should stay heavily involved for as long as Poeltl is out or limited. CMB posted 15 points, nine boards, five dimes and three steals across 31 minutes in Sunday’s comfortable victory over the Grizzlies. He’s got matchups with the Bucks, Hawks and 76ers this week.

Others to consider: Jabari Smith Jr. (42%), P.J. Washington (41%), Kelly Oubre Jr. (39%), Tre Jones (35%), Ajay Mitchell (33%), Collin Gillespie (22%), Kevin Huerter (14%), Simone Fontecchio (10%), Luke Kennard (6%), Jaylon Tyson (5%), Mike Conley (4%)

Jake LaRavia won't be unknown to Lakers fans much longer with games like this

Los Angeles, CA - November 02: Los Angeles Lakers forward Jake LaRavia (12) drives against Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)
Jake LaRavia drives against Miami center Bam Adebayo in the first half Sunday. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)

The Lakers called a timeout with 9:35 remaining in the fourth quarter Sunday in an attempt to slow down a Miami Heat team that had sliced a once 18-point Lakers lead to three points. Out of the time out, the ball wound up in the hands of, not Luka Doncic or Austin Reaves, but Jake LaRavia.

It was up to LaRavia to deliver in a pretty big moment, and he did so emphatically with a left-handed dunk over Heat 7-feet center Kel'el Ware.

The Lakers’ lead never dipped below four points the rest of the way.

“I have no idea,” LaRavia said when asked how he pulled off the dunk over a taller defender. “This was the first time I dunked, I think, in a long time with my left hand and I just saw an open lane. I was aggressively attacking it and he kind of jumped a little bit late. So, I went up to go dunk the ball for the first time because I was just trying to lay it up.”

It was yet another night in which LaRavia, who had 25 points, eight rebounds and four steals, was aggressive for the Lakers, playing a prominent role in the Lakers’ 130-120 win over the Heat on Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena.

In his last three games, LaRavia has been on a tear.

He had 13 points on five-for-eight shooting and five rebounds at Memphis last Friday night and he had 27 points on 10-for-11 shooting, including going five-for-six from three-point range last Wednesday night at Minnesota.

Read more:Luka Doncic drops triple-double to power Lakers to victory over Heat

“Yeah, I just happened to be scoring a lot of points recently,” LaRavia said. “I’m making a lot of shots, like, at the end of the day. The game against Minnesota I missed one shot. This game I missed three shots so obviously when I’m playing, shooting the ball 80% or higher, I’m going to score a lot. But again, I preach this every time I talk to the media, it’s very easy to play with Luka and AR. A lot of my buckets are running past the defense in transition, just running harder than the other team and getting those dunks or those layups, and then just shooting the catch-and-shoot threes when I get them.”

Even if fans don’t know his name, they are starting to recognize LaRavia for his scoring exploits.

During the game at Minnesota, fans yelled, “Who is No. 12?”

That is LaRavia’s number.

“I kind of put my hands up like this and I kind of agreed with them, ‘Who is No. 12?’ I kind of played into it a little bit,” LaRavia said. “I find that kind of stuff funny, cause I am not well known at this moment so I’m just head down, working hard. That’s all I do.”

Well, during Sunday night’s game, Lakers fans joked, “Who is No. 12?”

“I heard it about three times,” he said. “I think it’s good. Shout-out [to Minnesota’s] Anthony Edwards for allowing that clip to go viral. Yeah, I think it’s good. I think it’s funny.”

Jaxson Hayes stars in his role

Jaxson Hayes and Jake LaRavia share a moment during the second half Sunday.
Jaxson Hayes and Jake LaRavia share a moment during the second half Sunday. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)

Jaxson Hayes came to the post-game podium wearing a Dodgers jersey, one he had received with his name and the No. 11 on the back from throwing out the first pitch at a game.

Hayes talked about how “hyped” he was to see the Dodgers win the World Series over the Toronto Blue Jays Saturday night.

“I used to be a Reds fan, but then they canceled on me throwing out the first pitch a few times, so now I'm a Dodgers fan,” Hayes said. “And then, yeah, I was hyped. That game was crazy. I didn't really get into baseball until I moved out here and now I watch a lot of the Dodgers games. It was wild."

Hayes started at center for the Lakers against the Heat because Deandre Ayton was sidelined with back spasms.

Hayes was on his game, catching lob passes for dunks, being active running the floor in scoring 15 points and grabbing five rebounds. He made all seven of his shots.

“My guards give me good looks,” Hayes said. “I just do the same thing every night. It just depends on how the defense is. Sometimes it might just be them hitting me in the pocket, me hitting a corner. Other nights, it might be me getting dunks. Other nights, it's the guard coming off for layups. So, I mean, it's just really the guards get me going."

Hayes even drilled a three-pointer, his first of the season.

Bronny James plays important minutes

Bronny James dunks during the first half against Miami on Sunday.
Bronny James dunks during the first half against Miami on Sunday. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)

Bronny James played almost seven minutes in the fourth quarter, a sign of the faith Lakers coach JJ Redick has in his second-year guard.

James played a little over 18 minutes overall, scoring just two points, but notching three steals.

“I thought he was really good on the ball,” Redick said. “He got a steal off the ball, but I thought he was really good on the ball.”

James’ basket came off a lob pass from Reaves on the fast break, a dunk that had the crowd on its feet and his teammates leaping off the bench, including his dad, LeBron, who is still out with sciatica.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.