SALT LAKE CITY — The statistic that Austin Reaves was told after the Lakers’ comeback win over the Jazz was so astounding that the star guard was taken aback.
“Jesus Christ,” Reaves said. “I didn’t know it was that bad.”
The stat that drew that reaction: The Jazz grabbed 21 more rebounds than the Lakers on Sunday at Delta Center.
The Jazz dominated the Lakers on the glass on Sunday. NBAE via Getty Images
The hosts grabbed six more defensive rebounds (32-26), but the real advantage came on the offensive glass.
The Jazz nabbed 15 more offensive rebounds (20-5) than the Lakers, leading to a 34-11 advantage in second-chance points.
Ace Bailey had more offensive rebounds (six) than the Lakers did as a team.
The Lakers’ struggles with securing defensive rebounds have been present all month. NBAE via Getty Images
Luka Doncic, who was Bailey’s primary defender, took blame for the Jazz wing’s early domination on the boards, with the former Rutgers star grabbing five offensive rebounds in the first quarter.
“We just didn’t box out sometimes,” Doncic said. “I think Ace Bailey got like three offensive rebounds on me so that was my bad point.
But the struggles on the glass against the Jazz weren’t isolated to Sunday.
Walker Kessler hasn’t been impactful enough on the defensive glass. Getty Images
The Lakers have been a putrid defensive rebounding team since the moment this group first stepped on a court together.
They gave up 13 offensive rebounds in their preseason-opening win over the Kings on Oct. 5 en route to ranking 23rd in defensive rebounding rate among all NBA teams during the preseason.
And they’ve been even worse to start the regular season, ranking second-to-last in defensive rebounding.
There was a hope that Walker Kessler, who played in just two of the five preseason games, would be a difference-maker on the glass.
That hasn’t been the case so far, with the Lakers struggling on the defensive boards regardless of who’s on the floor.
The Lakers need to be more consistent with boxing out. NBAE via Getty Images
“Box out,” coach JJ Redick responded when asked how the Lakers can improve.
Reaves echoed Redick.
“It’s as simple as box out, but I’ve tried to box out a couple times and the ball just goes over my head and I can’t grab it,” he said. “I guess I need to learn to jump higher. I don’t know.”
Whatever the solution is, the Lakers need to find it.
Hot shooting has carried them to a 3-0 start, but they can’t expect to turn into the championship-caliber team they’re setting out to be if they’re being doubled up in second-chance points on a nightly basis. Opponents are averaging 23 second-chance points compared to the Lakers’ 11.3 so far,
The Lakers were focused on cleaning up their turnover struggles entering the weekend.
And they did that, at least for one game, by only recording 10 giveaways against the Jazz
But they still have another weakness to address.
And if they don’t fix it, it’s only a matter of time until it comes back to bite them in a more significant way.
The past, present and future of the Warriors aligned Monday night in the Mile High City to get their first win of the 2026-27 NBA season in dominant fashion.
Yaxel Lendeborg turned heads with 31 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in the Warriors’ 134-114 blowout win against the Denver Nuggets. His performance helped give the Warriors their first regular-season win at Ball Arena since March 10, 2022.
It took four games for the Warriors to finally be able to use the well-balanced starting five they stumbled upon in the preseason. Along with Lendeborg’s huge night, Steph Curry scored 24 points on a perfect 8-of-8 shooting for his first game without a miss since 2011.
From top to bottom, the starting five showed out. Brandin Podziemski was a plus-33 with 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Gui Santos fought off a hurt knee and was a plus-18 from scoring 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting. Though Draymond Green only scored three points, he dropped dimes to the tune of seven assists and played admirable defense in containing Nikola Jokić to 19 points.
Everything Steve Kerr wanted from his new 5-out offense came to fruition in Denver. The Warriors had 31 assists and made 22 threes.
Here are three takeaways from the Warriors’ first win of the season.
Legendary Lendeborg
Shooting from long distance is just the cherry on top for Lendeborg. His first five tries didn’t fall, and yet he kept making an impact in a handful of other ways. Lendeborg went into halftime as the game’s leading scorer with 15 points, a team-high five rebounds, two assists and a blocked shot as a plus-11.
The highlight of the first half belonged to the Warriors rookie when he chased down Christian Braun to block his shot at the rim, sprinted the floor and finished on the other side. At his size, and with his athleticism, the sequence was the perfect example of the two-way impact Lendeborg can provide the Warriors.
By the 1:49 mark of the third quarter, Lendeborg already had his second double-double of his young NBA career when he inhaled his 10th rebound. He then went the other way and was fouled at the rim. Lendeborg made both of his free throws. His physicality took over in the final minutes of the third quarter while the Warriors closed on an 11-2 run for a 16-point lead.
Lendeborg became only the third Warriors rookie to ever have at least 31 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in a game. The other two? Rick Barry and Wilt Chamberlain.
Earning His Money
The Warriors’ first win of the season was another rough day at the office for the online community that revels in hating on Podziemski. There wasn’t much to hate on this time. There was plenty to applaud, though.
Podziemski began the game super aggressive, letting three flies and still staying within himself. He flew around the court defensively, crashed the glass and took care of the ball. On a night where Curry was the main man from the opening tip, Podziemski, as well as Lendeborg, carried the torch.
This kind of in-rhythm jump shot off the dribble shows the growth Podziemski has made, and who he can be as a scorer.
Last season, Podziemski averaged 17.7 points per game when he attempted at least six 3-pointers. On Monday night, he reached 18 points going 3 of 7 from deep. In two games this season, Podziemski has proven to take a leap.
Third-Quarter Curry Flurry
Days of the Warriors coming out of halftime and boat racing teams feels like a decade ago. Curry on Monday night singlehandedly brought that feeling back.
After an incredibly quiet first half, Curry couldn’t be stopped in the third quarter. With the Warriors leading by four points at the half, Curry only had three points on one shot attempt – a made three from the right wing. The Warriors didn’t need an aggressive Curry out of the gates.
But he knew they needed him to turn it on if they were going to get in the win column. So, he scored 17 points in seven minutes and all of the sudden had 20 points in a blink.
Curry in the third quarter scored from 27 feet out and 26 feet out beyond the arc. He drained a deep stepback jumper inside the arc and scored on three different types of layups. His full arsenal had the Nuggets lost.
They aren’t alone there, and this felt like the type of performance that really can get Curry and his teammates going for more of these nights in the immediate future.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 24: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on October 24, 2026 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
That is how you start a new season. Tyrese Maxey has been exceptional to open the Sixers’ 2026-27 campaign, and has officially been named the NBA’s first Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the new season.
Through the first four games, he’s comfortably the Sixers’ leading scorer with 28.8 points per game, to go along with 4.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.0 blocks. All while helping drive Philly to a 3-1 record, including those strong wins over the Knicks and Cavaliers.
Whether he’s been darting around as an off-ball shooter next to his new star teammates, terrorizing opponents in transition, orchestrating crafty pick-and-rolls with LeBron James as a screener, or flying downhill on his drives for acrobatic finishes, Maxey has been impressed in so many ways.
Maxey’s three-point accuracy hasn’t kicked in yet, but his shot-making and creation off the dribble has still been outrageous at times.
TYRESE MAXEY FROM THE LOGO TO END THE 1Q LAST NIGHT 🎯
The fact he still has a 57.3 true shooting percentage so far, despite making only 30.0 percent of his threes, shows just how good he’s been inside the arc. He’s burying tough pull-ups, floaters, and making a ridiculous 70.4 percent of his shots within three feet of the basket.
You gotta give it up for Tyrese Maxey. From converting the easy buckets, to somehow finishing the tough ones, to utilizing every opportunity in transition, Maxey was on fire tonight.
32 PTS, 3 REB, 6 AST, 2 STL in a whopping 41 minutes — his best plays vs. Cavs below 👇 pic.twitter.com/07QwFdCu5s
It’s not just the flashy offense either. After already levelling up as a defender last season and increasing his playmaking at that end of the floor, Maxey has picked up right where he left off. To along with his impressive steal and block numbers, he’s been tenacious on the ball, working hard to chase players down on drives and in transition, disruptive breaking up passing lanes, and active off the ball in general to be a key part of the Sixers’ fifth-ranked defense.
Stellar blocks like those below sure have stood out, too.
Remember when he was in the midst of one of the most remarkable stretches we witnessed from any player last season? You know, when he averaged 37.5 points, eight rebounds, 7.4 assists and 2.3 steals in March, leading the Lakers to a 15-2 record, yet he somehow fell in NBA.com’s MVP rankings at that time?
Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a 3-point basket during a game against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
“The better I play, the more I go down in rankings,” Doncic said last March. “So, I don’t know what more I can do.”
Everyone turned their cheek. Why?
Maybe people are inured to his greatness. Maybe all of his complaining to officials reduced that comment to white noise, even though it was his first and only time opening up about feeling snubbed last season. Maybe he doesn’t advocate for himself enough.
Doncic’s point was stunningly driven home again.
Despite leading the league in scoring last season (33.5 points) and finishing third in assists (8.3), none of the NBA’s general managers believe Dončić will win MVP this season.
In their preseason poll released October 15, Victor Wembanyama received 77% of the vote for projected MVP, followed by Nikola Jokic (10%) and Anthony Edwards (7%). Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jayson Tatum also received votes.
Doncic?
Zero. Nil. Nada.
What were the league’s general managers thinking? Why is he being overlooked? What’s going on here?
Those questions have been thrust to the forefront of our minds after Doncic finished with 52 points on 56.7% shooting, eight rebounds and 10 assists on Sunday, helping the Lakers storm back from an 18-point deficit to beat the Jazz, 132-123.
Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a free throw during a game against the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
It was a masterpiece.
Since the Mavericks traded Doncic to the Lakers in February 2025, he has had more 40-point performances (19) than LeBron James (18), who spent eight seasons in Los Angeles.
It was Doncic’s 10th 50-point performance of his career. Since he was drafted by the Mavericks as the third overall pick in 2018, only James Harden (16) and Damian Lillard (11) have had more 50-point perforances than Doncic. It was the first time this season that anyone has scored 50 points.
Doncic is a once-in-a-generation player. Why isn’t he getting more consideration for the league’s most prestigious individual honor?
Doncic has never won MVP despite leading the league in scoring twice and carrying the Mavericks to the NBA Finals in 2024.
Warriors star Draymond Green has a theory.
“I still wholeheartedly believe he never wins an MVP because he’s in year nine and the people who vote, they’ve already moved on,” Green said on his podcast, “The Draymond Green Show. “…Voters get fatigued with seeing you being great over and over again, and if you haven’t jumped that threshold of the MVP great, then they move on. And they’ve moved on.”
Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers smiles while talking to the media during a game against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
It’s a shame for Doncic.
The Lakers are now his team after LeBron James left in free agency for the 76ers in July. Doncic is taking that responsibility very seriously. He had a major say in the roster moves last offseason, including the Lakers acquiring Walker Kessler. And for the first time in his career, he hosted a mini camp in Slovenia in August so the team could build chemistry.
“It would definitely mean a lot,” Dončić told the newspaper. “Obviously a championship, that’s what you play for every game. That’s what you train for everyday. But obviously it would be nice to win the MVP also. Not everybody can say they have an MVP, so obviously that would be nice.
“But that comes with the team first. If you don’t play good, you’re never going to win championships or MVP. So, we’ve got to play good. I’m very excited to go to war with these people. I think we had a great training camp and we’re ready to go.”
For Doncic, who’s notably shy, that was him putting himself out there.
He badly wants this. He’s never going to advocate for himself the way Victor Wembanyama did last season. He’s the best offensive player in the NBA, but the team-first European isn’t going to toot his own horn.
But he shouldn’t have to. Voters shouldn’t need convincing. General managers are paid to know players’ games better than anyone.
So, what’s happening here for Doncic, who finished fourth in MVP voting last season despite earning the scoring title and carrying the Lakers to a fourth-place finish in the West before suffering a strained hamstring in April that sidelined him all postseason?
As Doncic asked last season: What more does he have to do?
Luka Doncic, Jake LaRavia of the Los Angeles Lakers, and Jaxson Hayes of the Utah Jazz hug after a game on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at Delta Center in Salt Lake City. NBAE via Getty Images
Let’s go through the arguments against him.
He complains too much to the refs. Yeah, so? Since when is that a metric that counts? Or a metric at all?
He doesn’t play enough defense. That didn’t stop Steph Curry, Nikola Jokic or James Harden from winning MVPs.
He can’t win unless his team finishes No. 1 in the West. Russell Westbrook won MVP in 2017 even though the Thunder finished sixth in the West. Jokic won the award in 2021 even though the Nuggets finished third in the conference.
Let’s stop the excuses.
Doncic has a point. Green has a point.
The GMs? They missed the point.
Let’s not punish Doncic because we’re so used to his stunning box scores that we’re no longer impressed by them. Let’s not fall into the lazy trope of only celebrating greatness from players who have already won the award — or looking at up-and-comers.
Dončić has deserved to be at the top of the MVP conversation for a while now.
And considering the stakes he’s playing for now as the face of a 17-time championship franchise, this might be his best season yet.
Everyone needs to have their eyes wide open.
Greatness fatigue can’t be a euphemism for blindness.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - OCTOBER 14: LaMelo Ball #1 interacts with Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first quarter during a preseason game against the Detroit Pistons at Target Center on October 14, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Pistons defeated the Timberwolves 128-106. 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 David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Minnesota Timberwolves are playing some of the best basketball in the league right now. They’ve dismantled their first three opponents by an average margin of victory of over 23 points. However, they may not have one of their star players in Monday’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Minnesota added Anthony Edwards to the injury report on Monday afternoon with the designation of right knee injury management. Edwards may have tweaked that knee at the end of the second quarter of Sunday’s game against the Toronto Raptors. You can see him grimace slightly in the clip below after finishing the fast-break dunk.
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Edwards played just 28 minutes in the Timberwolves’ 117-94 win over the Raptors on Sunday evening. He finished the night scoring 26 points on 10-of-18 shooting. Through three games, Edwards is averaging 28.7 points, 5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game on 44.3% shooting.
Minnesota will still be a tough test for Cleveland even if Edwards can’t go. The addition of LaMelo Ball has helped elevate their offense. This is part of the reason why the Timberwolves have posted a 122.1 offensive rating (4th in the league) through three games. And they still have a world-class defense with a front line that includes Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert.
The rest of Minnesota’s regular starters will be available for Monday. They will, however, still be without Donte DiVincenzo, who is recovering from a right Achilles tendon injury.
The Cavs will be mostly healthy for this game. Nae’Qwan Tomlin remains out with a back injury. The Cavs are still waiting for Khalifa Diop to make his debut. He’s been dealing with a left knee injury.
Three years ago, the smart money said the West belonged to Denver for the rest of the decade. Nikola Jokić was a two-time MVP with a fresh Finals MVP to match, Jamal Murray had turned into a playoff flamethrower, and the Nuggets had just bulldozed through the 2023 postseason like the whole thing was a formality.
They were the first champion after the Golden State Warriors’ 2022 ring, the fourth of the Stephen Curry era. And per The Ringer, when Denver climbed the mountain the word “dynasty” got tossed around Ball Arena like free T-shirts at a timeout:
“Fresh off a summer of victory cigars, champagne toasts, and celebratory dances, the Denver Nuggets are not just preparing to hang their first championship banner in 47 years—they’re eyeing a dynasty.
Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth was candid about his franchise’s goals when we met for lunch in Denver this offseason. “Our guys are tired. It’s going to be hard to repeat,” Booth said. “But if everything is optimized, we should win three or four [titles].”
Nikola Jokic really didn’t know where his NBA Finals MVP trophy ended up 😅
Damn, three or four huh? Then the rest of the league showed up looking for their turn. To be fair to Denver, winning a title is brutally hard. The Nuggets have been in the mix everywhere, they played Game 7s in back-to-back years, and plenty of franchises would kill for that kind of “failure.” They’re absolutely relevant to the title picture out West and they’re a major problem in the conference.
But look at how those runs ended. In 2024, Denver coughed up a 20-point lead in Game 7 at home against Minnesota. In 2025, Oklahoma City dragged them to seven and sent them home. Somewhere in between, the front office fired the head coach and the GM.
And then this past April, it got worse. A Minnesota team missing Anthony Edwards, Donte DiVincenzo, Ayo Dosunmu and Kyle Anderson knocked Denver out in the first round, 110-98 in Game 6 at Target Center. Jaden McDaniels dropped 32 and talked trash the entire series, and he backed every word of it. The Denver Gazette pointed out that this was the first year Denver went out without either Jokić or Murray hurt in a playoff series, and the Nuggets were the No. 3 seed and the favorite.
Nikola Jokic has to HATE the Minnesota Timberwolves 😭
2017: Lost Playoff tie-breaker to Minnesota 2023: Beat Minnesota in 5 games 2024: Lost to Minnesota in 2nd Round 2026: Lost to Minnesota in 1st Round
Jokić’s own assessment afterward was that a first-round exit put them a long way from contention. When the three-time MVP is letting you know the team isn’t good enough, that’s pretty telling. So the charge against Denver isn’t that they only won one ring. It’s that they were set up to contend for years, with the best player in the world locked in, and kept letting the opportunity slip through their fingers one spring at a time.
Jokić is 31. He put up 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds and 10.7 assists per game last season like it was a casual Tuesday. The problem has never been the big Serbian man. The problem is everything around him. Yahoo’s preseason preview noted that over the last five regular seasons, Denver was 18.3 points per 100 possessions worse with Jokić on the bench, and called the backup options lackluster again. Some of that gap is just how ridiculous Jokić is, and any team would fall off a cliff without him. But you can trace the rest of it to actual decisions.
The 2023 title team let Bruce Brown walk that summer, then watched Kentavious Caldwell-Pope leave for Orlando a year later, and never really replaced either one. Denver opened this season with an ugly 96-84 loss in Oklahoma City where Jokić went 5-of-19 for 13 points, then needed overtime and a 35-15-10 triple-double from him to get past New Orleans, with the home crowd booing along the way. Do dynasties get booed??
The Pelicans are blowing out the Nuggets in Denver
As the last true dynasty, Dub Nation can now look inward for their own woes.
Golden State walks into Denver at 0-3 after losses to the Lakers (127-105), Memphis (111-108) and Phoenix (131-122). Steph is 38 and Jimmy Butler is still working back from that torn ACL, with a possible return sometime between January and February. Meanwhile Moses Moody is out, and Kristaps Porziņģis isn’t even with the team. Warriors are in no position to be throwing stones. Unless they are stones encrusted into the championship rings from the past decade, then in that case please do.
But that’s how it goes in the Wild Wild West; where fate hands you the keys to the kingdom for a season and immediately starts looking for a new tenant. The difference is the Warriors got four of them before the landlord came knocking. Denver got one, and it’s watching the clock on Jokić’s prime tick louder every spring.
Which brings it all back home. Curry’s window isn’t infinite either, and every game like tonight is a question about whether the Warriors are spending his late years better than Denver is spending Jokić’s prime.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JULY 5: Tyon Grant-Foster #34 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball during the game against the Golden State Warriors during the California Classic Game on July 5, 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 Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Wing Tyon Grant-Foster has dealt with serious health turmoil throughout his life, and now he’s one step closer to fulfilling his dream of playing in the NBA. He was taken with the No. 15 overall pick in the 2026 NBA G League Draft by the Sioux Falls Skyforce, the Miami Heat’s affiliate.
The 6-7 defensive impactor spent his summer with the San Antonio Spurs organization after going undrafted. Through four games with San Antonio, Grant-Foster averaged just 1.0 points in 3.8 minutes per contest.
In his last and only college basketball campaign with the Gonzaga Bulldogs, Grant-Foster averaged 11.1 points on a shooting split of 47.5 field goal percentage, 26.2 three-point percentage, and 61.1 free throw percentage in 35 games played. Grant-Foster made his impact for coach Mark Few with his overall aggressiveness and will-do attitude on the defensive side of the ball, chipping in 5.5 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, and 0.8 steals per game for the Zags.
There are four other Gonzaga alums who will be spending some time at the NBA’s developmental level on a two-way contract.
Phoenix Suns power forward/center Drew Timme (Valley Suns)
Golden State Warriors forward/center Graham Ike (Santa Cruz Warriors)
Denver Nuggets guard Ryan Nembhard (Grand Rapids Gold)
Toronto Raptors shooting guard Malachi Smith (Raptors 905)
Timme, undersized for his position at the NBA level, comes in late after just recently joining the Phoenix organization on Oct. 19. He was waived by the Milwaukee Bucks at the conclusion of the preseason on Oct. 18.
"Personally, that's probably what I'm best, reading and reacting based off what the defense presents. Did that a bunch in high school and then at Gonzaga, Coach (Mark) Few trusts, especially his bigs, to make plays and reads and stuff. I feel really comfortable with that." Suns… pic.twitter.com/OS71TQZiZh
Ike has been blessed with an opportunity to immediately try to make an impact for a Golden State organization that is looking to ship off an unhealthy center, Kristaps Porzingis, who is contemplating retirement.
The former big man on campus always did the dirty work and received his first double-double during the second start of his NBA career. Ike ended up with 12 points on 5-for-13 field goals and 10 rebounds in the 131-122 loss against Timme’s Suns.
Nembhard has only appeared in one NBA game with Denver, recording five points, one rebound, and one steal in a 96-84 loss at the Oklahoma City Thunder. Smith has yet to make his debut with Toronto, most likely beginning his 2026-27 campaign in the G League. The season officially begins on Nov. 6.
Four additional Zags who aren’t on a two-way contract and will be competing in the G League are wing Jalen Warley with the Noblesville Boom, guard Nolan Hickman with the Capital City Go-Go, forward Anton Watson with the Coachella Valley Lakers, and guard David Stockton with the Valley Suns.
No word on where guard Ryan Woolridge will be spending the upcoming season.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X @a_cravalho
BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 11: Matas Buzelis #14 of Chicago Bulls dribbles the ball during the game. against the Boston Celtics on February 11, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Chicago Bulls (1-2) at Boston Celtics (1-1) Monday, October 26, 2026 7:30 PM ET Regular Season Game #3, Home Game #2 TV: NBCSB, CHSN, NBA-LP Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, 104.3 The Score, Sirius XM TD Garden
The Celtics play their second straight home game as they host the Chicago Bulls. This is the first of 4 games between these two teams this season. They will play again at Boston on October 30 and will play at Chicago on December 30 and March 9. The Celtics were 2-1 last season against the Bulls, winning both in Boston and losing 1 in Chicago.
This is the first of 16 back to back sets for the Celtics this season. They will host the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday to complete the back to back set. The Celtics were good in back to back games last season and hopefully, with their depth, it will carry through to this season. The Celtics are 139-111 overall, all time against the Bulls and they are 80-40 in games played at home.
The Bulls have had a lot of change since last season. They replaced Billy Donovan with Tiago Splitter at head coach. They traded for Nic Claxton and Buddy Hield. They signed free agent Norman Powell and 2-way players Tobe Awaka and Jaylin Sellers. They signed Caleb Wilson (4th pick) and Dailyn Swain (15th pick). They lost Anfernee Simons, Collin Sexton, Nick Richards, Yuki Kawamura, MacMcClung, Guerschon Yabusele and Rob Dillingham.
The Celtics went 4-0 in the preseason, winning with both starters in 2 games and reserves and Exhibit 10 players in 2 others. They beat Cleveland, Charlotte and Philadelphia twice. The Bulls went 3-2 in the preseason, beating Minnesota and Milwaukee and Phoenix and losing to Denver and Memphis.
After this game, the Celtics will play home against Brooklyn and Chicago again. They will then play at Orlando and Houston and then home against Milwaukee before a road tripp takes them through Charlotte, Milwaukee, Philadelphia and Toronto. They play Dallas and Orlando at home before a West coast trip that takes them through Denver, Sacramento, Golden State, and Washington.
Next for the Bulls, they will host New York before a 3 game road trip through Boston, Philadelphia and New York. They then host Philadelphia, San Antonio and Atlanta before playing at Minnesota, Cleveland, and Brooklyn. They then host Washington, Denver and Cleveland before one road game at Charlotte and a 6 game home stand hosting Indiana, New York, Cleveland, Houston, Miami and Utah.
The Celtics started Derrick White, Jordan Walsh, Paul George, Jayson Tatum and Mitchell Robinson in the first 2 games and I have once again listed the same starters for this game. It’s also possible that Joe may change this up for this game. I’ve listed the Bulls starters from their last game, which are Josh Giddey, Norman Powell, Matas Buzelis, Caleb Wilson, and Jalen Smith.
The Celtics still have just Devin Carter on the injury report due to illness. After missing the final 3 games of the preseason, Carter was diagnosed with mononucleosis and is without a timetable for a return. The Bulls list starting center Nic Claxton out due to a hamstring injury. Patrick Williams (groin) and Noa Essengue (head) both missed Saturday’s game and are questionable for this game.
Probable Starting Matchups PG: Derrick White vs Josh Giddey
Derrick White | NBAE via Getty ImagesJosh Giddey | NBAE via Getty Images
SG: Jordan Walsh vs Norman Powell
Jordan Walsh | NBAE via Getty ImagesNorman Powell | NBAE via Getty Images
SF: Paul George vs Matas Buzelis
Paul George | NBAE via Getty ImagesMatas Buzelis | NBAE via Getty Images
PF: Jayson Tatum vs Caleb Wilson
Jayson Tatum | NBAE via Getty ImagesCaleb Wilson | NBAE via Getty Images
C: Mitchell Robinson vs Jalen Smith
Mitchell Robinson | NBAE via Getty ImagesJalen Smith | NBAE via Getty Images
Celtics Reserves Chris Cenac, Jr Mike Conley, Jr Luka Garza Hugo Gonzalez Ron Harper, Jr Sam Hauser Payton Pritchard Neemias Queta Baylor Scheierman
Two Way Players Devin Carter Dillon Mitchell Amari Williams Injuries/Out Devin Carter (illness) out
Head Coach Joe Mazzulla Bulls Reserves Zach Collins Buddy Hield Tre Jones Leonard Miller Isaac Okoro Dailyn Swain Two-Way Players Tobe Awaka Jordan Hawkins Jaylin Sellers
Injuries/Out Nic Claxton (hamstring) out Noa Essengue (head) questionable Patrick Williams (groin) questionable
Head Coach Tiago Splitter
Key Matchups Jayson Tatum vs Caleb Wilson Wilson was the 4th pick in the draft for the Bulls and is playing very well so far. He is averaging 22.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 40.7% from the field and 17.4% from beyond the arc. The Celtics need another big game from Jayson Tatum on both ends of the court.
Jordan Walsh vs Norman Powell Powell is averaging 19.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 2.0 steals. He is shooting 34.1% from the field and 28% from beyond the arc. Over his career against the Celtics, he averaged 10.7 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists. Walsh’s defense made a difference against the Knicks and he will need to continue to make a difference on that end of the court in this game.
Honorable Mention Paul George vs Matas Buzelis Buzelis is the only player left from the Bulls starters in their last game against the Celtics. He is averaging 15.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.0 blocks per game while shooting 36.7% from the field and 13.3% from beyond the arc. Over his career against the Celtics, he averaged 11.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. We will see how many minutes PG will play in back to back games. Keys to the Game Defense – As always, defense is the key to winning this, and every, game. In the preseason, the Celtics were tops in the league with a defensive rating of 98.6. In the second half of their first game, the Celtics allowed the Pistons to score 78 points. The biggest problem in the Celtics collapse against the Pistons was their failure on the defensive end. Likewise, one of the biggest factors in their win over the Knicks was their They held New York to just 103 points and also forced 18 turnovers, leading to 19 points off turnovers. The Celtics need to continue to make defense their priority.
Rebound – As with defense, rebounding will always be a key to winning. The Celtics have to crash the boards as a team and go after every rebound. In the preseason, the Celtics were 1st with 55 rebounds per game and 3rd with 16.8 offensive rebounds per game. So far in the regular season, they are last in rebounding with just 38 rebounds per game. The Bulls are 9th with 48.3 rebounds per game. Robinson and Queta are 2 of the best rebounders in the league and they need to be aggressive on the boards. The Celtics need to get back to what they do best and win the rebounding battle against the Bulls.
Move the Ball Carefully – The Celtics need to move the ball to get the best shots. The Celtics are much better when they move the ball and don’t lapse into iso ball. Hopefully this season we will see much less iso ball than in the past. But, they have to be careful with the ball and avoid turnovers. They need to make the extra pass to find the best shot but they also need to stay focused and make careful passes. The Bulls are averaging 17.3 points off turnovers per game.
3 Point Shooting – If the Bulls have one weakness, it is their 3 point shooting. As a team, they are shooting 41.3 threes per game to 40.5 threes per game for the Celtics. However, the Celtics are shooting 39.5% from beyond the arc (7th) while the Bulls are shooting just 22.6% from beyond the arc (30th). The Celtics need to defend the perimeter and not allow them to get hot shooting the 3.
X-Factors Home Game – The Celtics need to take advantage of home court and the boost their fans can give them. The Bulls will face a hostile crowd and an unfamiliar arena along with travel which will hopefully give the Celtics the edge. The Celtics need to play hard and protect home court and use the advantages it gives to get a win.
Officiating – Officiating is always an x-factor in every game. Every crew officiates differently. Some call it tight, others let them play. The Celtics need to adjust to how the refs are calling the game and not allow bad calls or no calls to take away their focus from playing the game. The Celtics also have to be aware of the new points of emphasis for this season and try to avoid flopping, off‑arm push‑offs, reckless closeouts, delays before free throws, and illegal screens. Paul George was already fined for a flop in the first game.
The Jaylen Brown trade saga has taken another unexpected turn.
After Brown and ex-Boston Celtics teammate Jayson Tatum addressed a potential “beef” between them — or “lamb chops and gravy,” as Brown put it — NBC Sports Boston analyst Brian Scalabrine added another layer to the story on Monday. Scal insinuated that Brown requested a trade out of Boston, and the C’s obliged by shipping him to the Philadelphia 76ers.
“My understanding is that Jaylen Brown went to the organization and had a list of demands, and it was like, ‘You either do this, or you trade me.’ And he was rooting to get traded to Milwaukee, including calling some other teammates about, ‘Hey, man, what do you think of Milwaukee? We should go there.’”
That contradicts what Brown said immediately following the trade. On his Twitch stream, the 2024 NBA Finals MVP vented about the “amount of respect” he was shown during the trade process and said he “wasn’t thrilled” with how Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens “facilitated some of the conversations.” He seemed genuinely blindsided by Boston’s decision to move on, stating that there’s “no loyalty in the NBA.”
Predictably, Scalabrine’s remarks caused quite a stir in the NBA world. He added more context to his comments before Monday’s Celtics-Bulls matchup at TD Garden.
“Technically, [Brown] didn’t demand to be traded,” Scal said on Celtics Pregame Live. “I just summed it all up. I summed up the entire word salad and kept it simple, but I think that’s what kind of got me in trouble there.
“I have no idea [what the demand was]. I don’t know what the ultimatum was or the demands or whatever it was. So technically, he did not demand to be traded. It was, ‘Do these things right here, or else.’ And one of them might have been, ‘Give me the $140 million extension.’ I haven’t gotten to the bottom of all that. I didn’t even know this was going to be a thing. It’s one of those things that lived in my mind for months. I finally used it because we were talking about the weirdest stuff, and now it’s out there.”
So according to Scalabrine, Brown didn’t demand a trade. Rather, he approached Boston’s front office with a “list of demands,” and the front office didn’t acquiesce.
“I might be wrong. I’m not going to stand up here and be defensive about that, but the path looked a little bit more challenging, with 70 percent of our cap and such a high percent of our usage tied into two players,” he said at the time.
If nothing else, the latest Jaylen Brown drama has made the upcoming showdown between the C’s and Sixers even more interesting. Brown and Tatum’s first official game against one another is scheduled for Nov. 10 in Philly.
PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 27: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder handles the ball while defended by Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns during the game during Round One Game Four on April 27, 2026 at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Who: Phoenix Suns (1-1) @ Oklahoma City Thunder (3-0)
When: 5:00pm Arizona Time
Where: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Watch: Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports
Listen: KMVP 98.7
Phoenix got in the win column Saturday night against a depleted Warriors team, behind a vintage Devin Booker 43-point, 7-rebound, 7-assist game. Most of the reaction has been in the “concerned” category, and rightly so. The Suns have started games slowly, shown a lack of cohesiveness, failed to box out rebounders, at times losing focus, and have not consistently provided the level of effort needed for this roster to succeed.
In September, Bright Side of the Sun’s staff chimed in on the biggest questions facing the Suns in their first 10 games. I said, “My main question is in the intangibles category. Last year, the Suns were gritty more often than not. They dove for loose balls, scrapped on defense, and crashed the offensive glass. With new parts added and several high-effort players signing new contracts, will the effort dip?”
This remains the overriding thing to monitor, transcending individual player performances. Will the players self-correct and reach the required level? Jordan Ott was rated in the GM survey as having good offensive and defensive schemes. Can he show the coaching “goods” in the other skills like motivation, culture sustainment, and accountability?
Perhaps a game against a championship-caliber Thunder team will help Phoenix raise the bar on its play, even if it doesn’t result in a win. After a win on Sunday, OKC enters the game 3-0. They also swept the Suns in last year’s playoffs. This game is not about revenge for that series; it’s about closing a large gap in “how” the two teams play and getting this season on the right path.
Late-breaking news as I prepared this article: Uber-talented star Jalen Williams was carted off the home floor during the fourth quarter of Oklahoma City’s victory Sunday night over the Clippers. With the culture in OKC, expect the rest of their talented team to respond. Devastating news for a player who has only been stopped by injury in a promising career thus far. The Thunder suffered several other rotation player injuries in that contest as well.
Tale of the Tape
Probable Starters
Injury Report
Suns
Oso Ighodaro — Doubtful (Right Oblique Strain)
Mark Williams — Out (Left Shoulder Surgery)
Thunder
Jalen Williams — Out (Lower-leg/ankle injury)
Cason Wallace — Out (Left shoulder soreness)
Chet Holmgren — Out (Right Patellar Tendinitis)
What to Watch For
This is a tough matchup for the Suns. Outcomes are what count in the standings, but “process” is what will ultimately count for this team’s season. Look for signs of improvement. Is awareness of defense improving? Do loose balls find their way into the hands of Phoenix players?
After two games, the purple & orange are 26th in the league in defensive rebounding. This has to improve the limit second chance points should the Thunder hit a cold streak in shooting. That is quite literally a tall task with OKC, who include three 7-foot-plus players in the rotation: Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, and rookie Aday Mara.
Watch for ways that make us feel better about the way we’re playing. It’s a long season, but bad habits can become the norm if not corrected.
Keys to a Suns Win
Upsets in the NBA are often tied to two factors: three-point shooting (volume and accuracy) and the absence of key players on the favored team, due to injury or rest. As covered above, the unfortunate three injuries OKC incurred Sunday night, check one of those boxes.
To get good looks from long range, better ball movement would go a long way. As of Sunday, Phoenix ranks last in the NBA in passes made per game (230, compared to a league median of 294), per NBA.com.
Luke Kennard showed that elite sharpshooter talent in his first appearance Saturday. The ball needs to find its way to him, and last year’s team three-point recorder holder Collin Gillespie frequently. While we’re at it, it would be a big lift if Booker provided one of his occasional six 3-pointer games. His shot was “on” versus the Warriors, but almost exclusively inside the arc. Other potential contributors to a hot night from downtown could be Jalen Green, Miles Bridges, Dillon Brooks, or Jordan Goodwin — all of whom have had streaky, good long-distance games in the past.
The flip side of this: limiting threes for the Thunder. Jared McCain is a dangerous combination of high volume and accuracy, so the Suns need to be aware of him at all times. It feels like Alex Curoso often gets hot versus Phoenix, and checking this shows a career 40% mark. The bottom line is that the higher levels of effort and awareness mentioned in “what to watch for” have to show up as quick, alert defensive rotations. Make OKC, playing the second game of a back-to-back and with a suddenly thinned rotation, work hard for those open shots and hope the weary legs lead to a low three-point percentage.
Then PLEASE box out and go after those rebounds to limit second chances.
Prediction
The Suns take steps in the right direction, but not quite enough to get the W against this powerhouse team at home.
TORONTO, ON - MARCH 10: Chris Boucher #25 of the Toronto Raptors looks on ahead of playing the Washington Wizards in their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on March 10, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Mark Blinch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Chris Boucher played seven seasons in a Toronto Raptors jersey, and fans seem to be clamouring for him to have one more after the debacle that was Sunday night’s loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Losses are to be expected in the NBA, especially to teams like the Minnesota Timberwolves, who have one of the most dangerous backcourt duos in Anthony Edwards and Lonzo Ball, paired with a 4-time Defensive Player of the Year in rim protector Rudy Gobert. This threesome looks built to be Raptor kryptonite, and indeed, beat the Raps badly, 94-117. However, what was shocking about the loss wasn’t the severity, but it was who became instrumental in the team’s collapse.
Two of the Raptors’ five starters scored zero points throughout the entire contest. Both Jakob Poeltl and Scottie Barnes went scoreless last night, which, in the latter’s case, is absolutely shocking. However, while Poeltl is the Raptors’ starting big man, he has a documented injury history that is potentially still limiting his abilities on the court. For that reason, some Raptors fans are ready for a change at centre, with Boucher seemingly throwing his hat in the ring with a very simple Tweet last night.
“GAIN SOME WEIGHT, AND WORK ON REBOUNDING, AND YOU’D HAVE A JOB FAM.” @coach5611 came in, providing some clear instructions for what he’d like to see from Boucher.
The man who some fans called the “Block Quebecois” most recently played for the Boston Celtics, averaging two points and two rebounds across nine games, a far cry from his 10 points per game a year before for the Toronto Raptors.
Boucher would have some difficulties fitting into the current Raptors’ current needs as a result of his slender frame and height of 6’8”, of which the Raptors have plenty of such players already. Boucher’s last start came in the 2021-22 season for the Raptors, meaning that if he rejoined the team, he would undoubtedly remain a bench piece.
While it would be fantastic for team and fan morale to have Boucher back in a limited role, fans’ reactions are likely mired in nostalgia and frustration for Toronto’s current centre situation as opposed to clearheaded suggestions. Nevertheless, last night demonstrated that Boucher still has a contingent of loyal fans amongst Raptors supporters, who would be glad to see their fellow Canadian back in Raptors red and black.
TORONTO, CANADA - OCTOBER 13: Jaden Akins #14 of the New York Knicks looks to pass the ball during the game against the Toronto Raptors during a 2026 NBA Preseason game on October 13, 2026 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Westchester Knicks have announced their 2026–27 training camp roster, with 16 players competing for an opportunity to make their mark in the Knicks’ developmental pipeline. The group includes three players designated as two-way players: guard Jaden Akins and forwards Dalton Knecht and Tyler Nickel.
Those three will be worth watching as camp gets underway. For players on two-way contracts, Westchester offers a chance to get consistent minutes, sharpen their games, and build a case for opportunities at Madison Square Garden.
The full camp roster, with positions as listed in Ian Begley’s tweet:
Guards: Jaden Akins, Tre Dinkins III, Mitchell Mascari, Dink Pate, Amir “Primo” Spears, and Paul Zilinskas.
Forwards: Tahj-Malik Campbell, David Dixon, Nicholas Jourdain, Dalton Knecht, Oleksandr Kobzystyi, Igor Miličić, Tyler Nickel, and Toby Okani.
Forward/center: N’Faly Dante.
Center: Liam Robbins.
For those of you hoping there’d be a center here to save the big league club . . . probably not. Still, this crew should make Westchester an interesting watch. Nickel, Knecht, and Pate are sure to treat the crowd to some orange and blue fireworks!
The next step for these players is to turn that training camp invitation into a role. Attention now shifts to which players will distinguish themselves and who head coach DeSagana Diop will carry into the season. The season starts on Friday, November 6, with a road game in Maine.
Williams, an All-Star and key contributor to Oklahoma City’s 2025 championship, was taken off the court on a stretcher late in the Thunder’s 108-101 victory.
Williams has a fractured fibula and a dislocated ankle on the left side, while Wallace has a labral tear in his left shoulder. Presti did not provide a timeline for either Williams' or Wallace's return.
As of 7:17 p.m. ET, Oct. 26, the Thunder’s title odds lengthened to +347 from +238 on Oct. 24, per BetFinder’s consensus. That shift dropped Oklahoma City behind the San Antonio Spurs, who became the new championship favorite at +290.
The Thunder's odds had already lengthened to +309 earlier Monday, before Presti's press conference detailing the extent of the injuries.
In implied probability – the likelihood of winning suggested by betting odds – Oklahoma City fell 7.2 percentage points from 29.6% to 22.4%. That’s the largest peak-to-trough decline of any NBA team in BetFinder data dating to July 7.
The Miami Heat have experienced the next-largest drop, falling 3.4 percentage points from their July 22 peak to their Oct. 26 low. San Antonio also fell 3.4 points between its July 8 peak and Oct. 25 low.
No other team has seen a peak-to-trough decline exceeding two percentage points.
Oklahoma City’s change came over just two days. By comparison, Miami’s decline stretched from late July into October, while San Antonio’s peak and subsequent low followed a similar trend. The timing makes the Thunder’s slide especially abrupt.
Despite the injury to Williams and Wallace, Oklahoma City still has a stacked roster, led by two-time and defending MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren, who ranked second in last season’s defensive player of the year honors. Holmgren is dealing with right patellar tendinitis, however, and will miss the Thunder's game against the Phoenix Suns on Monday, Oct. 26.
And with that in mind, bettors still give the Thunder a just over one-in-five shot at the title, per implied probability.
The third-ranked team in championship odds is the LeBron James-led Philadelphia 76ers at +925. No other team has odds shorter than +1000, while the defending champions New York Knicks sit right at that line.
The Dallas Mavericks are in Miami playing their old rivals, the Heat, as they look for their second win of the year. Miami made a huge splash over the offseason trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but have not seen the fruits of their labor thus far. They have yet to win, but despite their hunger, the Mavericks are not going to go down easily. With Cooper Flagg looking good to go, Dallas can catch Miami with their pants down if they make shots early. Given the Mavericks’ center rotation, this will be Dusty May’s first true test of how he can scheme a win. It should be a chess match against one of the NBA’s longest-tenured coaches, Erik Spoelstra.
Game intangibles
Dallas Mavericks (1-2) at Miami Heat (0-3)
Tipoff: 6:40p CT at the Kaseya Center, Miami, FL.
How to watch: The game will be televised locally on KFAA Channel 29, or streaming on MavsTV+ for anyone in the Mavericks media market. For those outside of the viewing area, the game will be on NBA League Pass and NBATV.
I think May opts for the “Luka” game plan with Giannis: let him get what he wants and take away the other guys. Miami has very little shooting around him, and letting Antetokounmpo get his 40 in the paint while everyone else is locked up will be key to keeping this close.
Flagg has 10 rebounds in his last four quarters, as he had five in the second half against Houston and five in the first half against Indiana. If he can put a full game together, this should be an easy over.
Game sides
Dallas +7.5 (+100)
Under 241.5 points (-112)
Dallas has slowed the pace down in their three games. I thought the contest vs Indiana would be run-and-gun, but they kept it to a battle of execution. I think the same goes tonight in Miami. You do not want to let them get out and run; they have the better transition players. I think this will be a close, well-played game, with the Heat victorious 113-109.
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 23: The sneakers worn by Sam Hauser #30 of the Boston Celtics against the New York Knicks on October 23, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
