Posts

Posted on

Lakers blow 25-point lead in double-digit loss to Warriors

Lakers guard Luka Doncic throws his arms out wide as he questions why there was foul call on the play against the Warriors.
Lakers guard Luka Doncic looks for a foul call during the first half of an NBA Cup game against the Warriors in San Francisco on Friday night. (Justine Willard / Associated Press)

When LLuka Doncic started cooking in the first quarter, the Lakers followed his lead in opening a 25-point lead in the second quarter over the Golden State Warriors Friday night.

But then the Lakers started getting cooked.

Cooked by going down by 17 points in the fourth quarter. Cooked by turning the ball over too many times. Cooked by an offense nowhere to be found in the fourth quarter. Cooked in the first NBA Cup game for both teams.

When the game was over, the Lakers had been feasted upon by the Warriors, falling 112-95 at Chase Center.

“I thought as the game progressed the problem-solving and connectivity, we just didn’t have it tonight,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “And they got hot.”

Doncic had 37 points, but he shot only 12 for 27 from the field and six for 16 from three-point range. Austin Reaves had 21 points on nine-for-19 shooting, but only one for six from three-point range.

Read more:Mark Walter, Josh Kushner agree on outstanding terms linked to $12.5-billion Lakers sale

For the Warriors, Stephen Curry had 31 points, shooting 11 for 23 from the field and eight for 14 from three-point range,

The Lakers scored only 15 points in the fourth quarter and gave up 27.

It took the Lakers four minutes and one second to finally score in the fourth and that came after Walker Kessler made just one free throw with 7:54 left in the game, leaving the Lakers down 96-81.

“Everybody gotta be better than this,” Doncic said. “You’re up 25, 23, first (half). Then I gotta be better and we just gotta win those together. We win together.”

The Lakers showed why they are one of the worst teams in the NBA when taking care of the basketball, turning it over 22 times. Reaves had eight turnovers. The Lakers are ranked 10th in the NBA in turnovers, averaging 16.6 per game.

“Got to figure the turnover thing out,” Redick said. “We’ll work with the guys to be better there.”

Warriors forward Georges Niang, left, and Lakers guard Collin Sexton go nose to nose as they exhange words on Friday.
Warriors forward Georges Niang and Lakers guard Collin Sexton exchange words during the first half of an NBA Cup game on Friday in San Francisco. (Justine Willard / Associated Press)

After Jake LaRavia was called for an offensive foul with 21.8 seconds left in the third quarter, Doncic was hit with his first technical foul of the season.

But Doncic wasn’t the only Laker to lose his cool. The Lakers turned the ball over five times in the third quarter and wound up down 85-80 entering the fourth quarter.

With 8:02 left in the fourth and the Lakers down 95-80, Matisse Thybulle was hit with a technical foul and Curry made the ensuing free throw.

The Lakers actually went to sleep in the second quarter after building their 25-point lead and started to get cooked by the Warriors, who tied the score 53-53 at the half.

The Lakers were outscored 38-15 in the second quarter. Interesting enough, the Lakers outscored the Warriors 38-15 in the first quarter.

It was game on from there.

“The start of the second quarter, it was a bad way to start the quarter just in terms of the turnovers,” Redick said.

Six games into the season, the Lakers are still in search of who they are.

They won their first three games, but have now lost two of three.

They have nine new players and are still figuring things out.

“Yeah, look, we want to become a great team. You don’t become a great team in six games,” Redick said. “We want to become a great team after 82 games and have a chance to go compete for a championship in April and May and June. It’s a process to get there. We know we are going to be patient.

“There’s also, along with patience, doing what you’re supposed to do and I think as we play more games together, we do more walk-throughs together, we do more film together, we do more practices together, that we’ll all get better.”

Williams injury update

Ziaire Williams missed his second straight game because of left foot soreness. The starting forward has been one of the team’s better defenders.

“He still has some soreness,” Redick said. “He’s going to have to continue to monitor it. He was in shoot-around this morning. Again, just being really cautious with the amount of games we have throughout the season.”

Sign up for our weekly newsletter on all things Lakers.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Posted on

A good and bad stat for the Jazz so far this season

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - OCTOBER 25 : Ace Bailey #19 of the Utah Jazz slam dunks the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of their game at the Delta Center on October 25, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Chris Gardner/ Getty Images) | Getty Images

It’s been five games and a painful two days since the latest loss for Utah, which has me perusing some of the team statistics in the NBA.

Are the Jazz a good rebounding team?

The first interesting stat that stands out is the Jazz’s defensive rebound percentage. Utah ranks sixth in the league so far this season at 73%. That means Utah’s defense grabs 73% of available defensive rebounds. Unsurprisingly, Utah is also doing a good job of not allowing offensive rebounds. Utah ranks 5th in the league, allowing just 9.8 offensive rebounds per game.

This is a nice sign for the Jazz and Utah’s coaching staff, who clearly worried about this issue before the season began.

Utah is the worst in the league at creating turnovers so far.

So far this season, no one is creating fewer turnovers than the Jazz. Right now they rank 30th in the league at 12.4 per game. For context, the best team in the league at creating turnovers is the Toronto Raptors at 20.9. It’s an interesting stat to watch moving forward and see if Utah can start creating more of these turnovers. Is it because the Jazz have started off playing teams that don’t turn the ball over? Or is it because Utah hasn’t been creating them? Either way, it’s something to watch and see if Utah can create more turnovers so they can get more buckets in transition.

Posted on

Kobe Bryant’s high school jersey sells at auction for record-breaking $2.2 million

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Kobe Bryant celebrating on the court in his Lakers uniform, Image 2 shows Kobe Bryant in a Los Angeles Lakers jersey with his hands on his hips, Image 3 shows Framed Lower Merion High School basketball jersey with number 33
kobe

Everything started at Lower Merion High School for Kobe Bryant.

On Friday, Sotheby’s reported that one of Bryant’s game-worn No. 33 jerseys sold for a record-breaking $2.2 million, making it the most expensive high school jersey ever sold at an auction.

“This Lower Merion jersey is where Kobe’s story starts, before the rings, the records, and the Mamba Mentality, when he was just a kid in a gym outworking everyone. This jersey symbolizes that greatness has a beginning, and this jersey was there for it,” reads the description from Sotheby’s.

Lakers legend Kobe Bryant’s high school basketball jersey sold at a record-breaking number. Anthony J. Causi

This is not the first time the jersey has been moved, as it was sold in 2013 for $51,400.

The report of the jersey read that the item had 26 bids, with seven different bidders competing for the highly sought-after item.

Bryant’s jersey sale eclipsed LeBron James’ St. Vincent-St. Mary jersey, which was worn during his infamous 2002 Sports Illustrated “The Chosen One” cover and sold in 2024 for $1.3 million.

Sotheby’s reported that Bryant wore the sold jersey during his junior season, in a March 1995 matchup against Hazleton, Pa., Area.

Kobe Bryant played his entire NBA career with the Lakers. UPI

The jersey goes into the long list of highly coveted memorabilia from Bryant. The most expensive piece was a 2007-2008 dual-autograph card from Upper Deck that features Bryant and Michael Jordan, which sold for $12.6 million in August 2022.

Bryant’s Lower Merion jersey is the only basketball uniform he’s worn that didn’t have the words “Lakers” or “Los Angeles” across the chest, as he entered the NBA draft immediately after finishing high school.

The 76ers honor Kobe Bryant by placing his high school jersey on the court at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Jan. 28, 2020. Getty Images

Bryant spent the entirety of his 20-year career with Los Angeles and is regarded as not only one of the greatest Lakers ever, but one of the best basketball players of all time.

His career finished with him having five NBA titles, two Finals MVPs, one-time league MVP, and an 18-time All-Star selection.

In 2017, the Lakers retired both Bryant’s No. 8 and No. 24 jersey numbers, making him the only player in the NBA to have two numbers retired by a team.

A year after he tragically died in 2020, he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Posted on

Lakers blow huge early lead in ugly loss to Warriors

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 30: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket during the game against the Golden State Warriors during the 2026 Emirates NBA Cup on October 30, 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

After sprinting out to a 25-point lead in the first half, the Lakers authored an ugly, ugly collapse across much of the next three periods, losing to the Warriors 112-95 on Friday.

Led by Luka Dončic, LA raced out to a 38-15 lead at the end of the first. A pair of Austin Reaves free throws to open the second made it a 25-point lead.

LA then gave up the entire lead by halftime, bounced back to lead by nine in the third, then collapsed again to trail by double digits for most of the fourth.

The bench had a woeful showing, to say the least, finishing with just seven points while shooting a combined 3-16 from the field. LA also turned the ball over 22 times, leading to 27 Warriors points.

Los Angeles jumped out to a hot start, with their big three of Luka, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler all scoring early. Jake LaRavia added a triple, forcing Golden State to call a quick timeout after falling behind by 10.

The Lakers had the momentum throughout the quarter, with Luka taking over with 14 points.

LA’s excellent defense helped with their impressive offense. Luka and Matisse Thybulle combined for four steals. With 3:01 left, Los Angeles was up by 14. Golden State ended the quarter shooting an abysmal 22% from the field.

The purple and gold were up by 23 at the end of the first. Every starter scored, led by Luka’s 21 points. 

De’Anthony Melton scored a quick seven points off the bench early in the second period. Golden State were suddenly rolling with a 10-0 run. The Warriors continued to mount their comeback, cutting what was once a 25-point Laker lead to nine.

All this happened with Luka getting his usual second-quarter rest. 

Reaves had begun to heat up, scoring four points and helping keep the Lakers from completely erasing their lead. Still, it was a tale of two quarters, though, with Golden State closing the half on a 16-2 scoring run led by Steph Curry and Melton. 

The game was tied at halftime. 

LA started the third period much better than the second, with Luka, Reaves and LaRavia scoring a combined 13 points. The team was on a 13-4 run, giving themselves a little cushion.

Draymond Green and Steph combined for four points for the Warriors.

Steph once again ignited, draining two triples that chipped away at Los Angeles’ lead but Luka and Kessler responded with eight points to help keep the team ahead. In true Golden State fashion, they once again tied it with a 12-4 run.

The third ended with the Warriors going up by five. The purple and gold shot 9-22 in the quarter. The Lakers’ bench continued to struggle with just five points. 

Things went from bad to worse for the Lakers as the Warriors started the final frame, extending their lead to 10 on the shoulders of Brandin Podziemski, who now had 17 points. 

It was a non-stop Steph flurry as he added another six points to up his total to 28. The Lakers looked defeated as Reaves and Luka tried to give some life, putting up a quick combined five, but the team was down by 15 with 6:16 left.

There was no run that would come from the Lakers, though, as they failed to string together stops and scores. With 1:21 left, LA waved the white flag and emptied their bench. 

Key Player Stats

Luka finished with 37 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Reaves had a rough offensive game with 21 points on 9-19 shooting with eight turnovers. Walker Kessler pitched in with 10 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks.

Thybulle scored 10 points with three steals. LaRavia logged 10 points while stepping into the starting lineup, shooting 3-7 from the field. 

The Lakers’ next game will be against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday at 6:00 PM PT.

You can follow Karin on Twitter at @KarinAbcarians.

Posted on

Steph Curry stats, highlights: Warriors star dazzles in comeback win vs. Lakers

SAN FRANCISCO — The Golden State Warriors faced the Los Angeles Lakers in an NBA Cup group play game Friday, looking for revenge after their blunder of a season opener. 

It was a historical game for Golden State, which trailed by 23 points after the first quarter but clawed its way back by halftime and ended the game with a 112-95 win at the Chase Center on Oct. 30. 

The Warriors are the first team in the shot-clock era, since 1954-55, to trail by at least 23 points after the first quarter and tie the game by halftime. 

Golden State was led by longtime franchise star Stephen Curry, who did it all against the Lakers. 

Curry put up 31 points, shooting 11-for-23 and an explosive 8-for-14 on 3-point tries. He had the play of night − and maybe an early candidate for play of the year − with an ankle-shattering stepback to break free from Luka Doncic's defense, sending Doncic to the floor before raining a 3-pointer. 

In defense of Doncic, he came right back and quieted the crowd with a 3-pointer of his own.

There was a lot of chatter concerning Doncic and the rematch with Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg. The two were pitted against each other in the first matchup. Competitive juices were flowing, words were exchanged.

Doncic scored 37 in Friday's contest, but the Warriors got the win.

The Lakers drop to 4-2, while the Warriors get their third consecutive win, getting their record back to .500.

Steph Curry stats tonight vs. Lakers

  • Points: 31
  • FG: 11-for-23
  • 3PT: 8-for-14
  • FT: 1-1
  • Rebounds: 4
  • Assists: 6
  • Steals: 1
  • Blocks: 1
  • Turnovers: 2
  • Fouls: 0
  • Minutes: 31

Lakers vs. Warriors highlights

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Steph Curry stats, highlights: Warriors star dazzles in comeback win vs. Lakers

Posted on

Can Lakers win NBA Cup? Keys for Luka Doncic and Co.

Can the Los Angeles Lakers win the NBA Cup a second time?

LeBron James and Anthony Davis led the Lakers and captured the inaugural NBA Cup back in December 2023. The team went on a 7-0 run and defeated the Indiana Pacers in the final.

Those veteran players are no longer in Los Angeles, but Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are a promising duo that could prove to be a wild card in the 2026 tournament.

The Lakers hold a 13-4 record in the tournament’s history, which is second-best.

Here's what you need to know about the Lakers' chances in the 2026-27 NBA Cup tournament.

NBA Cup West Group C

The Lakers' group contains two other teams from the Pacific Division.

Will Lakers win West Group C in NBA Cup?

Entering Friday, the Lakers have put together a 4-1 start to the season with a 1-1 record against teams in their group.

The Lakers began tournament play with a 112-95 loss to the Warriors, a team Los Angeles had beaten 127-105 in the season opener.

Doncic and the Lakers lead the league in scoring through the early part of the season, averaging 123.2 points per game. Doncic was the 2025-26 scoring champion and is on pace to repeat, averaging 36 points per game. He’s already put together a 50-point performance.

Center Walker Kessler could prove to be a wild card for the Lakers. The big man will have to lead the way on the defensive side of the ball, but Los Angeles could also benefit from him putting together strong performances offensively.

Kessler produced strong back-to-back outings to start the season. He shot 12-for-12 from the field for 26 points and added another 22 points against the Clippers in the team's second game of the season.

While the scoring production will be there for the Lakers, it will be important for the defense to improve. The Warriors rallied from a 25-point deficit against the Lakers on the first night of the NBA Cup. Los Angeles must get more from its bench after being outscored 50-7.

What could prevent Lakers from a successful NBA Cup run?

The health of the Lakers could factor into just how successful the team will be throughout the tournament.

Doncic missed his first game earlier in the week with back tightness. Ziaire Williams has missed two games for the Lakers due to left foot soreness.

On the court, Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs could pose the biggest threat to the Lakers. The Spurs are coming off an NBA Finals appearance, but are 3-2 to start the season.

The Trail Blazers could also pose a threat to the Lakers, having already beaten Los Angeles this season. Damian Lillard and the Blazers managed to overcome a high-scoring night from the Lakers' star duo and still managed to pull off a 136-129 win. Doncic finished with 41 points and nine assists, while Austin Reaves added 26 points. The Lakers struggled to get stops throughout the game and were outscored 34-26 in the fourth quarter. Lillard was one of four players for Portland to score more than 20 points against Los Angeles.

Lakers' NBA Cup schedule

  • Warriors 112, Lakers 95 (Oct. 30)
  • Trail Blazers at Lakers (Friday, Nov. 6)
  • Kings at Lakers (Friday, Nov. 20)
  • Lakers at Spurs (Friday, Nov. 27)

More: How does the NBA Cup work? 2026 schedule, format, groups and more

What is the NBA Cup?

The Emirates NBA Cup is the league's annual in-season tournament, which was started in 2023 to help drive interest in the early season schedule. The competition features group play and knockout rounds with players and teams competing for a prize pool of money that increases based on how far a team advances.

When does the NBA Cup start?

The first games of the 2026 NBA Cup will take place on Friday, Oct. 30, when group play begins. Subsequent games are scheduled every Friday through Nov. 27. There will also be NBA Cup games on Tuesday, Nov. 24 and Wednesday, Nov. 25.

How does the NBA Cup work?

The league's 30 teams were separated into six groups featuring five teams in August. The NBA determined the groups using a draw system that placed each team in a pod based on their record during the 2025-26 season. The draw placed one team from each pot into each of the three groups in both the Eastern and Western Conferences.

Reporter Mark Giannotto contributed to this report

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Can Lakers win NBA Cup? Keys for Luka Doncic and Co.

Posted on

LeBron James delivers vintage outing as Knicks fail to stop him when it counts

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows LeBron James of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrates a three-pointer, Image 2 shows LeBron James of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots against the New York Knicks during an NBA Cup game
LeBron vs. Knicks

PHILADELPHIA — Of course it was him. 

With the game on the line, of course it was LeBron James who made the difference. 

He made the biggest plays down the stretch as his 76ers handed the Knicks a 98-93 loss Friday night. 

“Obviously, when you add arguably the greatest player of all time,” Karl-Anthony Towns said, “obviously you’re gonna get a lot better.” 

LeBron James celebrates after hitting a 3-pointer during the Knicks’ 98-93 NBA Cup loss to the 76ers on Oct. 30, 2026 in Philadelphia. Getty Images

The Knicks, trailing by three with 30.8 seconds left, needed a stop to get the ball back with a chance to tie the game. Tyrese Maxey got around both Mikal Bridges and Jalen Brunson on the perimeter and into the lane. Josh Hart, who was guarding James, stepped up to help on Maxey. 

Maxey missed his layup, but James was able to sky uncontested for a putback layup that extended the Knicks deficit to five points with 11.9 seconds left, all but sealing the Sixers’ win. 

A few moments earlier, Brunson had given the Knicks their first lead since early in the first quarter, hitting a 3-pointer to put them up by one with 1:32 left. But James answered on the other end with a vintage turnaround jumper to reestablish a 76ers lead. 

LeBron James rises up for a shot during the Knicks’ loss to the 76ers. NBAE via Getty Images

“The one was a tough turnaround fadeaway on OG [Anunoby],” Hart said. “And then the other one, I was guarding him, Tyrese turned the corner, got downhill, I stepped up on that. I’m not sure who was on the backside. There was a shooter on the backside, so there was a lot of space. He made a good play hitting the offensive glass.” 

James scored a team-high six points in the fourth quarter, taking over as Maxey had gone quiet. 

“I’m just trying to get more and more comfortable with what we’re running offensively,” James said. “I think every game and every week that I’m here, my body will continue to ramp up and ramp up and get better and better. That played a part. 

“As far as the two shots, just trying to be aggressive. I had a one-on-one against OG. I was able to get to my fadeaway and knock that down. And then [Maxey] draws so much attention, he went for the layup and kind of missed it a little bit and I was able to get the tip-in being in the right place at the right time.” 

Posted on

Steph Curry cooks Luka Doncic, who answers right back in Lakers-Warriors showdown

Stephen Curry and Luka Doncic are going head-to-head on the first day of NBA Cup action.

Doncic helped the Los Angeles Lakers pull ahead early, scoring 21 points in the first quarter as the Lakers took a 38-15 lead against the Golden State Warriors.

Curry and the Warriors responded with a 38-15 run of their own in the second quarter to tie the game at 53 at halftime.

Golden State became the first team during the shot-clock era (since 1954-55) to trail by as many as 23 after the opening quarter and then tie the game by halftime.

In the third quarter, Curry produced the highlight of the night.

Curry got the best of Doncic during a possession, with a series of dribble moves that sent the Lakers guard to the floor before the Warriors star drained a 3-pointer. The play helped the Warriors cut into the Lakers' lead with 6:21 left in the third quarter.

Doncic did not shy away from the moment, delivering a shot of his own down on the other end to quiet the crowd.

Stephen Curry reacts to shot over Doncic

"I didn't expect it to get that nasty, but it was one of those you gotta kind of keep your composure," Curry said on the Prime postgame show. "I remember James Harden had to do like the shimmy to get himself going back in the day. I don't know, I haven't been that open in a long time.

"... I'm just having fun. Those moments, especially at this stage of your career, you're just appreciative of the ability to keep playing at this level. And I want that joy to continue until I'm done."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Steph Curry cooks Luka Doncic, who answers right back in Lakers-Warriors showdown

Posted on

Luka Doncic joins Kobe Bryant in Lakers history with feat against Warriors

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) shoots over Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II (0) during an NBA Cup game, Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, in San Francisco, Image 2 shows Kobe Bryant in a Los Angeles Lakers jersey holding a basketball and smiling
doncic kobe

SAN FRANCISCO — Luka Dončić got off to another one of his signature hot-scoring starts Friday night at Chase Center. 

One that further cemented his spot in Lakers history.

Dončić’s 21 points in the opening quarter of the Lakers’ Friday road game against the Warriors was his 33rd career 20-point quarter and 10th 20-point quarter as a Laker. 

Luka Doncic was on fire to start Friday night’s game. Getty Images

He joined Kobe Bryant as the only two Lakers players to record at least 10 20-point quarters since 2000. 

The late franchise icon recorded 36 20-point quarters between 2000 and his retirement in 2016. 

Dončić also passed James Harden for the third-most 20-point quarters in the NBA since 2000. 

Eighteen of the Slovenian superstar’s 20-point quarters have come in the first quarter, which is the most by any player in that span.

Dončić made five 3-pointers and also dished out five assists in the first quarter, leading the Lakers to a 38-15 lead going into the second.

Luka Doncic (77) made five 3-pointers during the first quarter against the Warriors. AP Photo/Justine Willard
Kobe Bryant’s record will be hard challenging for anyone to reach. Getty Images

But the Warriors took advantage starting the next quarter on the bench, cutting their deficit to nine (42-33) before Dončić subbed back in the game. 

The Warriors maintained momentum even after the Lakers’ star guard subbed back in, tying the game at 53 apiece going into halftime.

Posted on

Taylor Smith’s Improbable Quest: A Quality SP

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - OCTOBER 28: Drew Rasmussen #57 of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches in the fourth inning during Game Five of the 2026 World Series presented by Capital One between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Wednesday, October 28, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

You don’t want to trade from your talented core of position players. You only have so much money to throw around to free agents who don’t exactly list West Sacramento as their first choice. Starting pitching is at a premium.

So how exactly does a smaller budget team add to a position player core with a SP while roughly 37 other teams are aiming to do the same?

Some names have come up repeatedly, such as Clay Holmes, whose extreme ground ball tendencies would be a terrific fit. We’ll see how much the A’s are willing to open their pocketbooks for a desirable free agent SP — they did it once with Luis Severino and got mixed results. Perhaps more likely is a trade for a SP whose warts make him attainable but whose stuff makes him a potential steal.

Here are a couple “out of the box” possibilities for how Smith and the A’s could “zag” in their quest to compete in 2027…

Brayan Bello

One of the reasons his name tops the list is that he is on the Red Sox and Smith has a working relationship with his former club. This has already been evidenced in Smith’s first deal, a relatively minor one to acquire the versatile defender and speedster Nate Eaton.

Bello’s 2026 season started rougher than even a Jeffrey Springs outing in West Sacramento. Bello pitched himself right out of the rotation with a first half that produced a 6.06 ERA with 11 HR amongst a ghastly 80 hits in 65.1 IP.

However, in the second half Bello righted the ship and then some, albeit out of the bullpen. Not only did he post a stellar 2.12 ERA in 51 IP, he surrendered just 1 HR.

Why might Bello be a “hidden treasure” for the A’s to target?

1. With a career fastball velocity of 95.7 MPH (95.8 MPH in 2026), a slider, and a plus changeup, Bello’s stuff has always been in the “front of the rotation” category when he can harness it.

2. Bello has a heavy sinker that gets a lot of ground balls (52.6% career), which is a great fit for the A’s right now and probably in Las Vegas.

3. Due to his recent struggles, questions around his suitability to start rather than relieve, and his contract ($49.5M over 4 years from 2026-29 with a $1M buyout for 2030), the prospect/player capital required to acquire Bello should be low.

4. If Bello is a solid mid-rotation SP he’s a steal at around $12M/year and gives the A’s a quality pitcher for 4 seasons. Even as a key “plus reliever” he would be valuable.

Drew Rasmussen

Hey, aim high. Rasmussen is a true #1 SP when he’s healthy, just the kind of pitcher the A’s would love to add. Normally he would be completely out of the question, but circumstances put him into the conversation for a team like the A’s.

1. There has been considerable buzz that the Rays will move Rasmussen because his 2027 salary rose to $20M when several incentives kicked in and he is only under contract for one more season. The Rays, like Billy Beane’s A’s, tend to make decisions less on emotion and more on good business, and moving Rasmussen to cash in on his value appears to be the way the Rays are thinking — at least according to pundits who claim to be in the know.

2. The A’s don’t have to play “red-headed step child” in a sweepstakes for Rasmussen like they do with free agents. The two teams have a trading history, recently with Jeffrey Springs and Jacob Lopez coming to the A’s, and if the A’s are the team making the offer which makes the most sense to Tampa Bay there’s no reason a deal can’t be made. Tampa Bay also happens to be the other team with whom Smith has a history.

3. Because he has only one year left on his contract, and because he is now owed $20M, the haul needed to acquire him is not quite what his stats might suggest off the cuff. That being said, he’s good enough that the return won’t exactly be cheap.

Are there win-win deals for either of those potential trades and if so what might a swap look like? Or are there other targets more likely to come to pass you want to put out there for consideration?

It’s hard to dabble in the free agent market for a top end SP because they tend to be prohibitively expensive, looking for destinations and World Series aspirations the A’s just can’t boast along side their peers right now. So I’m more expecting a trade to bolster the rotation. The question is, can the A’s find a worthy SP going that route? Perhaps soon we’ll learn what Smith thinks the answer is.

    Posted on

    Luka Doncic drops insane NSFW response to Warriors fans in first-half spectacle: ‘Yeah, f–k’

    Luka Doncic reacting in excitement on the court in a white Lakers jersey with number 77.
    Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts during the first half of an NBA Cup basketball game against the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco.

    Luka Doncic was certainly feeling himself during his first-half spectacle against the Warriors on Friday night.

    In the middle of his dominant first-half performance, where the Lakers star scored 24 points, Doncic sank a 3-pointer, turned around and looked at the Warriors crowd at Chase Center.

    He then yelled out, “Yeah, f–k, bitch! What?”

    Warning: graphic language

    Los Angeles Lakers Luka Doncic drops a NSFW response to Golden State Warriors fans during his 24-point first half spectacle on Friday night. AP Photo/Justine Willard

    Doncic taunting the crowd came after the Lakers superstar received a loud round of boos with less than a minute in the first quarter.

    His heater in the first half got the Lakers off to an incredible 14-2 start, followed by a 40-15 lead by the 11:40 mark of the second quarter.

    Facing a large deficit, Golden State fought its way back into the game and ended up tied at 53 with the Lakers, partially due to the usual suspect, Steph Curry, leading the charge as he finished the first half with 14 points.

    Luka Doncic slams Warriors fans during 24-point first half spectacle on Friday night. Getty Images
    Golden State Warriors’ Yaxel Lendeborg attempting to block Luka Doncic during the first half of Friday night’s game against Lakers. AP Photo/Justine Willard

    Friday night’s game between the Lakers and Warriors came with plenty of anticipation, as it meant round two of Luka Doncic against Yaxel Lendeborg.

    When the two teams opened their season against each other, both Doncic and Lendeborg were seen trash-talking one another — resulting in the Warriors rookie saying he “lost all respect” for the Lakers veteran.

    Before Friday’s game started, Lendeborg made a statement by showing up dressed as horror movie icon, Michael Myers.

    The intimidation attempt didn’t faze Doncic, as his first set of points was a 3-pointer that went right over Lendeborg’s head.

    Posted on

    Steph Curry dropped Luka Doncic with an ankle breaker and splashed 3 over him

    Stephen Curry is still one of the deadliest offensive players in the NBA. The 38-year-old Golden State Warriors superstar already has a 44-point performance on his game log this year, and he knew he needed to be at his best as his team took on the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night. Luka Doncic is one of the few players to have a higher scoring game this early into the 2026-27 season, when he put up 52 points vs. the Utah Jazz.

    Doncic vs. Curry is already going to be epic, and it produced maybe the best highlight of the season so far.

    Curry hunted Doncic with a switch early in the third quarter. Steph went left, penetrated, stopped on a dime, and hopped into a stepback three-pointer. Doncic fell over, and Curry ripped a three-pointer over his lifeless body. It doesn’t get any more disrespectful than this. Watch Steph make Luka touch Earth here:

    Here’s another angle. Curry’s ankle breaker dropped Luka like it was nothing.

    Curry has had so many great highlights over the year, but it’s incredible to see that he can still surprise himself.

    These two images next to each other is absolute perfection. Everything about it perfect.

    There’s no living this down for most players. It probably doesn’t surprise you that Luka quickly redeemed himself with a ridiculous three-pointer on the next possession even if Curry wasn’t the defender on him.

    There’s nothing like the NBA when two superstars are going at each other possession after possession. This round goes to Curry with a highlight that will live a long, long time.

    Posted on

    Stats Rundown: 3 numbers to know from the Mavericks’ cathartic 116-111 NBA Cup win over the Rockets

    Oct 30, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) celebrates after being fouled on a made basket for a three point play against the Houston Rockets during the second half at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

    The Dallas Mavericks (4-2) defeated the Houston Rockets (5-1), 116-111, in a Friday night matchup at the American Airlines Center. The matchup marked the first of the NBA Cup Group Play between the two teams representing West Group A. The Mavericks are the first team to beat the Rockets this year, who had won five straight before Friday night’s matchup.

    Kyrie Irving led the Mavericks with 35 points and nine assists. Cooper Flagg added 33 points and nine rebounds. Kevin Durant led the Rockets with 28 in the loss.

    Sergio de Larrea, Santi Aldama, Tarik Biberovic, and Dereck Lively were out for the Mavericks. The Rockets were without Alperen Sengun, Reed Sheppard, and Steven Adams.

    Here are three stats that told the tale of Friday night’s NBA Cup win over Houston.

    3/4 : Zaccharie Risacher’s 3-pointers and stocks

    Zaccharie Risacher had another great defensive showing against the Rockets, finishing with three steals and a blocked shot. He plays hard on both ends of the floor, and his defensive plays create transition opportunities for the Mavericks on a night-in, night-out basis. To add to his strong defensive showing, Risacher went 3-of-6 from 3-point range, earning a new season-high mark in 3-pointers made. He hasn’t let previous poor shooting games affect his confidence. He finished with 12 points, six rebounds, and three assists, combined with another impressive defensive showing as he continues to emerge as an elite defensive talent with an opportunity to grow his offensive game.

    33: Cooper Flagg points

    Cooper Flagg finished with 33 points, nine rebounds, six assists, two steals, and one block. He played aggressively on the offensive end, a continuing trend as his sophomore season progresses. His confidence has continued to grow, and he shows more of that with each game that passes. He scored 11 points in the fourth quarter, asserting his will and getting to his spots with ease, even through a Rockets defense with teeth clinched, geared up to stop him. The Mavericks are better when Flagg plays with aggression. Flagg’s sophomore season has been explosive, with him emerging as a top talent in the league. His performance on Friday was another reminder of his emerging greatness, even as a 19-year-old.

    35: Kyrie Irving points

    Kyrie Irving finished with a game-high 35 points in the win. He was the engine behind the Mavericks’ success tonight, scoring 24 of his points in the second half, giving the Mavericks the momentum needed to punch back at the Rockets. It felt like a classic Irving showing despite him recently returning from an ACL tear at 34 years old. He is one of the league’s most clutch players, coming up with key free throws in the game’s final moments. Friday’s win over Houston was a prime example of the importance of Irving’s offensive gifts to the Mavericks.

    Oh, and by the way, the 68 combined points from Flagg and Irving completely turned the tables on Durant and Jabari Smith Jr.’s dominance in these two teams’ previous meeting, when the Houston duo scored 30 apiece in a blowout win over Dallas. Irving and Flagg combined to shoot 25-of-38 from the floor in the exhilarating win.

    Up next

    The Mavericks host the Sacramento Kings on Monday at 7 p.m. CT. NBA Cup Group Play continues on Friday, November 2nd.

    Posted on

    Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Gives Up Late Goal In Loss To Utica

    Everything was going great for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Friday night until it wasn't. 

    WBS was up 3-1 on the Utica Comets in the second period before the Comets scored two goals in eight seconds to tie it. The score stayed the same until late in the third period, when Dmitry Osipov scored the game-winning goal with 30.8 seconds left. 

    The game looked like it was going to OT before Osipov scored to make it 4-3. WBS pulled goaltender Joel Blomqvist and tried to find the equalizer, but ran out of time. 

    Melvin Fernstrom, Avery Hayes, and Bill Zonnon scored for the Penguins in this game. Hayes continues to torture the AHL and now has six goals and 10 points in seven games. 

    His goal on Friday came while the Penguins were shorthanded and it was an absolute laser. 

    He may not be with the NHL club right now, but he's going to be a full-time NHL player in the near future. 

    WBS is now 4-4-1-0 this season and will play the Hershey Bears to start the November slate on Sunday. Puck drop is set for 5 p.m. ET. 

    Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!