Wednesday’s game was the perfect chance for head coach Mike Brown to have Dalton Knecht make his Knicks debut.
After being waived by the Los Angeles Lakers, New York signed Knecht to a two-way contract nearly two weeks ago and the 25-year-old had been playing with the Westchester Knicks in the NBA G League to learn the team’s systems and get consistent playing time.
With the Knicks facing the 1-6 Chicago Bulls at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night, the team decided to make Knecht active to possibly get him into the game. So when the small forward checked in for Andre Drummond with 3:20 left in the second quarter and New York up 70-39, he was ready.
“I wasn’t surprised, I just came in ready to go,” Knecht said after the game. “The coaches said you’re active so that just means be ready.”
Knecht got off to a great start less than a minute into his Knicks debut by following a three-point miss by Landry Shamet, grabbing the offensive rebound and slamming it home for a putback dunk that got the MSG crowd buzzing.
“It was great. Honestly I didn’t hear much just because I’m so locked in, but it was good,” Knecht said about his nifty play. “Pretty much my first play was a putback dunk so it’s cool, it’s great.”
Along with his high-flying highlight, Knecht had 10 points on 4-for-6 from the field, including two threes, and grabbed seven boards in just 16 minutes. He also had an assist and a block, looking good and reminding everybody why he was the 17th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
“I think I just go out there and impact the game on all three levels,” Knecht said. “And I just wanna show on the other side of the ball, getting the ball pressure and stuff like that and going in and grabbing defensive rebounds.”
It’s hard to glean too much from Knecht’s performance with it coming in a blowout against the hapless Bulls, but it’s still good to see the talent is there. After all, in his rookie season, Knecht averaged 9.1 points and 2.8 rebounds in 19.2 minutes per game before taking a step back last season.
It’s unclear how Brown plans to utilize Knecht this season, but as he gets more comfortable with his new team and teammates, he could be a good option for a team always looking for bench depth.
Regardless, Knecht is staying ready to make the most out of his fresh start.
“Be ready so you don’t have to get ready,” he said. “Just watching on the bench and talking to my teammates is really helpful and it was easy to get in there and play confident. All the guys out there gave me a good look.”
UNITED STATES - OCTOBER 21: Yerlin Confidan #55 of the Peoria Javelinas signs autographs for fans prior to the game between the Desert Dogs and the Javelinas at Peoria Sports Complex on Wednesday, October 21, 2026 in Peoria, AZ United States. (Photo by Jill Weisleder/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
The Cincinnati Reds once again find themselves as a provider of players for the Peoria Javelinas in this year’s Arizona Fall League. While not all of the work has come at their farm system’s expense, the Javelinas do find themselves atop the six-team standings at 14-10 at the moment, and that’s where they stood when the participants in Sunday’s AFL Fall Star Game were announced.
Three prospects off the Cincinnati farm were included on the roster for the National League side, including promising powerful young outfielder Yerlin Confidan. He sits tied for 10th in the league with 20 hits to his name to date, and he’s hitting .339/.371/.627 (.998 OPS) through 59 PA in what’s become a showcase for his toolsy repertoire. He’s also going to participate in the AFL Home Run Derby on Saturday.
Joining Confidan is infielder Carlos Sanchez, who’s having an equally impressive run of form in AFL play so far. Through 17 games (58 PA) he has walked as many times (14) as he has struck out (14), and has popped 4 homers in route to a .259/.397/.534 line. Considering he’s still just 21 and mowed through High-A Dayton to the tune of .313/.409/.504 (.912 OPS) in 325 PA before a mid-season promotion to AA Chattanooga, I’m more and more believing the Reds may be on to something with him.
Righty Luke Holman is having his own breakout in AFL play so far. The oft-injured former 2nd round pick out of LSU has been stellar so far through 13.0 IP (5 G), allowing just a lone earned run while fanning 20 against just 7 walks. It’s great to see him not only back healthy, but also shining given a) his journey through surgeries and recoveries since being drafted in 2024 and b) how thin the pitching depth in the Reds system has become of late.
The game will be carried via MLB.com, with first pitch slated to be thrown shortly after 8 PM ET.
NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 4: Keyonte George #3 of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on November 4, 2026 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
In the darkest, inner circle of the inferno, the Jazz had fallen into, all Jazz fans wanted was a sign of life that this team was still alive and kicking.
Missing Jusuf Nurkic and Jaren Jackson Jr. with an uncertain timetable, a 1-7 start would be detrimental. They’ve battled against top dogs like the Spurs, Blazers and Grizzlies, meaning this was one of the few chances to bounce back as the worst team in the West. Utah had already taken down the Pelicans in their home opener, marking their first and only win on the season.
New Orleans had been on their own soul-searching journey in their 2026-27 campaign. They lost their first four games on the calendar, three of them coming up short in the clutch. But now, their record stands at 3-4; they handed Memphis their first loss of the year while taking down the Mavs and Kings on the side.
But unfortunately, that well-sought victory was not today. It was certainly the most alive the Jazz have looked all week, but ultimately they still fell into the same lapses that have plagued them all season. The Pelicans stole this one out of the Jazz’s hands, 120-113.
The pace was all over the place in the first quarter. There was even a 2-minute scoring drought for both teams midway through the early going, an early indicator that Utah was going to start yet another game ice-cold from the floor. There are times when you just have to sigh at the Jazz’s attempt to run an offense — using traditional big men as playmaking hubs, force-feeding players when they don’t have the hot hand, and just the lack of team synergy that leads to a possession ending with a shot-chuck at the buzzer. Fortunately, at the hand of Keyonte George, the Jazz answered back to erase an 8-point deficit. They switched away from the three-point line to score 18 of their first 20 points inside the paint.
Nice action to start the game for the Jazz, getting Markkanen free going towards the rim pic.twitter.com/HIZA6OFhcA
Then, it was Saddiq Bey’s second quarter. He scored eight consecutive points for New Orleans to give the Pelicans a crescive 9-point lead. Utah missed seven consecutive shots to open up that quarter. It was another ugly one; the lackadaisical passes destroyed any rhythm the Jazz could build. Really, one of the bigger silver linings was holding Zion scoreless in the first half. 2-20 from three. 3-8 from the charity stripe. 13 turnovers. A big energy shift was needed.
And a shift it was. The dynamic went nearly completely in Utah’s favor, turning around what was a tight deficit into a 10-point advantage. George jumpstarted the engine of the offense, pushing his game total to 29. Led by Mo Bamba’s intimidating presence off the bench, the Jazz dominated he glass. Utah out-rebounded New Orleans 38 to 31 up until that point, dropping the Pelicans’ second-chance points to 5 in the third quarter.
19 points (!!) and 3 assists for Keyonte George in the third quarter alone.
But I’d be lying if I said the Jazz could sit back and ride out a confident double-digit victory. New Orleans instantly opened on a 16-2 run to erase Utah’s advantage. Hardy called a timeout about three possessions too late, fuelling the fire for the Pelicans. The two teams battled neck and neck over the next few minutes. A Keyonte floater. Zion free throws. Keyonte and-1. Derik Queen drive. Jaxson Hayes two. The Jazz held a nailbiting 102-102 lead with the final play, then:
KEYONTE GEORGE ALMOST HAD THE GAME-WINNER FOR UTAH 🤯
The cruel joke played on the Jazz was that George let go of the ball 0.1 seconds too late. We’re headed to OT.
That seemed to light a fire in him, as Keyonte nailed the first two buckets in the overtime period off tough three-point looks. The Pelicans responded with six unanswered points; the Jazz stood no chance against the physicality of Zion and Bey. There were some serious moments in this stretch that questioned whether Will Hardy’s job was on the line (which seems to be the consensus).
The Jazz are firmly positioned in their last spot in the Western Conference, falling well into the lottery delegation zone; their pick was traded to the Grizzlies in the Jackson Jr. trade. While the losses are looming, the competetive nature of the fourth quarter is a fight we needed. Whether the rest will come is still under debate.
Keyonte George: A one man army
It was a rough two-game stretch for Keyonte, resulting in consecutive blowouts, but he had success tonight by dealing most of his damage inside, using his speed to attack the paint and finish with contact at the rim. He was highly disruptive on the defensive end too, chipping in four steals and an unexpected block.
It’s nearly an undeniable fact that Keyonte has had to be ‘the man’ nearly every single night among his peers’ shooting droughts. He’s taken a noticable leap forward as a lead scorer and a focal point of the offense when others have missed time with injury. He looks much more confident creating his own shot and initiating the offense compared to last year.
To float in the Western Conference, this team desperately needs a second initiator/scorer. Wins won’t come off Keyonte alone.
The Jazz came up short in OT, but Keyonte George put on a SHOW 🍿
There was no other way to describe Ace on the scoring end in this one other than an unfortunate shooting night. While he played relatively well inside the arc, he spent all game searching for his rhythm from deep, having missed all 8 of his 9 of his three-point attempts. He got the looks he wanted, but couldn’t take advantage. Ace finished with 15 points, 5 boards and a block on 6-for-14 shooting.
Though it’s not all doom and gloom. Beyond the box score, Ace’s physical presence showed in his off-ball activity. The team used him frequently to absorb switches on the perimeter and cut off driving angles for the monster of muscle, otherwise known as Zion Williamson.
A point of growth in his game has been managing his eagerness to jump at ball fakes. Tonight, he displayed a more grounded, disciplined stance and relied on his standing reach to contest shots without overcommitting. The motor is awesome to watch, no matter how he’s playing on the other end of the floor.
Evander Kane is taking his talents to Russia, and if this is the end of his NHL career, well, it's been quite a ride around the National Hockey League.
The 35-year-old forward is expected to sign with a KHL team in the coming days, according to his agent, Dan Milstein, after spending the offseason without an NHL contract.
“We had a couple of things here in North America, but in the end, Evander decided to take his talents to Russia,” Milstein said. “We're very close to signing a deal with a KHL team. So, over the next couple of days or so, we'll make an announcement.”
Kane played 1,001 NHL games that included 339 goals and 648 points with Atlanta, Winnipeg, Buffalo, San Jose, Edmonton, and Vancouver. He scored 30 goals twice, reached two Stanley Cup Finals with the Oilers, and was one of the league's more physical forwards there for a time.
Kane was selected fourth overall by the Atlanta Thrashers in 2009 and made his NHL debut at 18. He scored 30 goals with Winnipeg in 2011-12, although his time with the Jets ended in 2015 after a series of disagreements, including a widely reported incident involving Dustin Byfuglien throwing Kane's tracksuit into a shower.
He was traded to Buffalo shortly afterward, spending parts of four seasons with the Sabres before joining the San Jose Sharks in 2018.
Kane was a productive player during those years, although his disciplinary record and problems away from hockey were becoming an increasingly significant part of his reputation.
In 2021, he filed for personal bankruptcy, listing millions of dollars in debts. He was also suspended 21 games by the NHL for violating the league's COVID-19 protocols by submitting a falsified vaccination card.
The Sharks eventually terminated his contract in January of 2022, citing a breach of his standard player contract. The NHLPA filed a grievance challenging that decision, and the matter was subsequently settled.
Kane also faced serious allegations concerning his personal life, some of which he denied. Those allegations shouldn't be treated as established facts, although the public disputes and investigations contributed to the attention surrounding his career.
By the time Edmonton signed him in January of 2022, Kane was one of the most controversial players in the NHL.
Kane scored 22 goals in 43 regular-season games during his first year with the Oilers, then led the NHL playoffs with 13 goals in just 15 games.
Edmonton signed him to a four-year, $20.5-million contract that summer, and Kane became an important part of the team's attempts to win a Stanley Cup.
Kane suffered a serious wrist injury in November of 2022 and later dealt with several other health issues, missing the entire 2024-25 regular season before returning for the playoffs.
He was part of Edmonton's consecutive trips to the Stanley Cup Final, although his production had declined considerably by the time the Oilers traded him to Vancouver in June of 2025.
Kane finished his final NHL season with 13 goals and 31 points in 71 games for the Canucks, who didn't bring him back when his contract expired.
By 35, his offensive production had been declining, and he'd accumulated a lengthy injury history, on top of a deeply questionable personal life. Though, Kane also helped establish the Hockey Diversity Alliance in 2020 to address racism and discrimination in hockey.
Kane will likely never return to the NHL, and his legacy across the league is one of considerable debate for his performance on and off the ice.
See more of The Hockey News on Google and save us as a preferred source.Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 4: LeBron James #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket during the game against the Detroit Pistons on November 4, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Bell Ringer Standings: Tyrese Maxey – 3.5 VJ Edgecombe – 1 Joel Embiid – 1 LeBron James – 1 Anfernee Simons – 1 Jaylen Brown – 0.5
The Philadelphia 76ers are 8-1 to start the season after defeating the Detroit Pistons on the road Wednesday night 112-106.
The Sixers took an early advantage in this one and quickly built a lead into the double-digits thanks to the scoring of Jaylen Brown and the playmaking of LeBron James. Though they wavered at times and let the Pistons inch dangerously close toward the end, the Sixers were able to hold on to secure the win in dramatic fashion. Always gotta make it interesting.
If you’re looking for a full game recap, you can find that here! The bottom line is that the Sixers get revenge on the Pistons for their lone loss of the season so far and are now 8-1. Their road trip continues on Friday night with a visit to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
<p>(Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)</p><br> | NBAE via Getty Images
I’ve been writing in recent Bell Ringers how Jaylen Brown has a way of scoring an absolute ton of points without you ever even noticing he’s slowly adding them up. Tonight, it was a bit more noticeable.
Brown led the floor after one with 10 points on 4-for-6 field goal shooting thanks in part to a buzzer-beating long triple to end the frame. He continued to pile it on in the second, putting up another 13 points in the second. At halftime, he comfortably led the floor with 23 points shooting 8-for-14 from the floor and 3-for-5 from long range.
It felt like no matter who the Pistons had on him in isolation, Brown was able to dance his way to just enough space to pull up and nail a jumper. There are times the offensive scheme of “one guy in iso, everyone else stands still” really doesn’t work for the Sixers… but tonight it worked pretty damn well with Brown. He dropped 30 points tonight, his highest mark as a Sixer — all in addition to his usual stellar defense and aggressive rebounding.
He ended up 11-for-19 from the floor and 3-for-5 from three-point range. Brown finished with 30 points, seven rebounds, one assist, a steal and an absolutely massive block on a Cade Cunningham three attempt with under a minute to play and the Pistons trailing by just four.
The first 30-bomb from Jaylen Brown as a member of the Sixers! What a powerhouse night from Brown, on both ends of the floor… all capped off with a crucial block late to help secure the win.
<p>(Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)</p><br> | NBAE via Getty Images
It feels weird writing things like this about LeBron James, because they almost seem obvious. Like, of course LeBron James can take over games, that’s kind of what he’s done for over 20 years now, right? But as someone who is watching him truly night in and night out for the first time in their life, it’s just incredible to watch how effortlessly he seems to do it. Tonight, early in the second frame, LeBron locked in and started absolutely carving up the Pistons defense with precisely perfect passes. He assisted three buckets, scored another two field goals himself and came up with a block down the other end all in the first five minutes of the period, helping the Sixers push their lead to double-digits. He had a similar sort of quick takeover sequence in the fourth, but LeBron just overall was impacting every moment he was on the floor tonight.
The King finished tonight with 13 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, a steal and a block. Still not that first triple-double as a Sixer… but inching ever closer.
Side note fun fact: LeBron James’ second field goal of the night was his 16,000th of his career. He is the first player to ever reach that mark in the NBA.
I'll be honest, it was another night of me just being in awe at times of LeBron James' impact. It was felt on both ends of the floor tonight, but his command of the offense is just something to behold.
Joel Embiid: 26 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal
(Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The shots weren’t all falling from the floor for Joel Embiid early on so he started his night getting going by getting to the foul line and by working the two-man game with LeBron James to get some easier buckets. After one, Embiid already had eight points and five rebounds, even with some of the struggles.
That was the key with Embiid tonight. It wasn’t his best game especially early on. It was far from perfect — I thought he was a bit lackadaisical with the ball at times and settled for some bad jumpers when he didn’t need to. And yet, he still has so much to contribute even with all of those factors being present. He can hit some incredibly difficult buckets through contact in the paint for and-1 opportunities or make excellent passes to cutting teammates to set them up for easy points. He can set screens that create a ton of space for them. He can still pull in a ton of boards (on both ends) and put up some solid defense. He can knock down crucial free throws at the end of a close game. Embiid can still do a hell of a lot with a mixed bag night.
Embiid finished the night with 26 points, 15 boards (four offensive), two assists and a steal.
Victor Wembanyama continues to do things never seen on a basketball court.
The Spurs phenom absolutely torched San Antonio’s in-state rivals, the Dallas Mavericks, Wednesday, Nov. 4 in a 112-111 victory, setting a new career high in points and rebounds and nearly recording a triple-double with blocks.
Wembanyama’s historic night started in the first half. Overall, the Spurs dropped 68 points, but Wembanyama recorded 42.6% of those all by himself. He was also dominant on the glass; while the Mavericks scooped up 31 boards in the first half, Wembanyama collected nearly half of that.
“Dominant,” Spurs guard Dylan Harper said of Wembanyama. “When he plays like that, you see the result.”
Wembanyama was an absolute force down low. All seven of his converted field goals in the first half came within the restricted area. He also made all 15 of his free throw attempts in the half.
How dominant was he? Wembanyama became the first player since 1997-98 to reach at least 25 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocks in a half.
The Spurs took a 68-51 lead into intermission.
His stellar play continued, especially as the Mavericks closed their deficit. Wembanyama did struggle from deep and only hit one of his 3-point tries, but he was pivotal down the stretch, getting to the paint and drawing contact.
By the end of the night, Wembanyama became only the second player since blocks began to be tracked in 1974 to record at least 50 points, 20 rebounds and 5 blocks.
“I can do more,” Wembanyama told reporters after the game. “I can do more if my shots were falling. This was the worst 3-point shooting of my career.”
Samuel Ersson made 24 saves in the win for the Senators, who entered the game having lost three of their last four games, including a 6-3 setback against Anaheim on Sunday.
Colten Ellis had 28 saves for the Sabres, who had their three-game win streak halted.
PANTHERS 5, BLACKHAWKS 3
SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Sandis Vilmanis had the first two-goal game of his career, Sam Reinhart provided a goal and two assists, and Florida beat Chicago to wrap up a three-game homestand.
Seth Jones scored against his former team and Carter Verhaeghe had a goal and an assist for the Panthers, who are 4-1-0 in their last five games and 7-3-0 in their past 10. Vilmanis added two assists to finish with four points.
Florida improved to 9-0-1 when allowing three goals or fewer this season. Reinhart’s goal was an empty-netter to seal the win with 1:27 left.
Frank Nazar had two third-period goals and Roman Kantserov also scored for Chicago. Ethan Del Mastro got two assists — his first points of the season, and the first multi-point game of his career. Connor Bedard had two assists.
So far this season, Knicks star point guard Jalen Brunson hasn't looked like the MVP-caliber player fans saw in the NBA Finals this past summer.
But one week after helping New York erase a 19-point deficit in Chicago, Brunson seemingly officially found his groove Wednesday night against the Bulls. However, instead of showing up as basketball's best closer as he so often does, he hit the ground running early, racking up 22 points in 12-straight first-frame minutes and outscoring the entire Bulls roster by one.
He played just 17 more minutes across the remaining three quarters of the game but continued to find his way to the basket, increasing his total to a season-best 33 points. No other player tallied more than 18 (Karl-Anthony Towns). He hit five of his 10 three-point attempts, eight of his nine foul shots, and 10 of his 17 from the field.
"It's part of the game," he said of his effort. "Obviously, when you have it going, it feels good. Just trying to play off that and use your gravity to make plays."
Odds are, the reigning NBA Finals MVP would have kept scoring had he been given more time on the floor. At the rate he was going, he may have hit 80 points.
"Our analytics guys [chart] how guys play in two-minute increments," head coach Mike Brown explained after the game. "Some guys, after six minutes, their three-point field-goal percentage drops. They also can track their movement — how quickly they're still moving out on the floor, if that slows down or not. Jalen's just seems to go up every two minutes."
But Brown said his desire to protect Brunson's health significantly outweighs his curiosity regarding just how much Brunson could produce if he were left unrestrained. In fact, he said, keeping Brunson in the game just for the sake of it never even crossed his mind.
"He's about as durable as anybody I've been around. He's mentally tough, physically tough, and he can push himself to go," Brown said. "... But at the end of the day, it's going to impact him, in my opinion, come playoff time, so I have to be conscious of not going to the well too much, especially at this point in the season."
When asked if he would ever request to keep playing in a game like tonight, Brunson was hesitant.
"Possibly, but it has to be the right moment, right time," he said. "I don't want to say no because you never know when you're in this situation, but I just want to respect the game as much as possible."
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 4: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks drives to the basket during the game against the Chicago Bulls on November 4, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
After 21 years at our Binghamton mansion, we’re moving. That means Mrs. Russell has countless extra chores for your intrepid blogger, including the retrieval of a loveseat in a sketchy neighborhood just before tip-off of tonight’s game between the Knicks (4-4) and the Bulls (1-7). Planning to watch the game after delivering the furniture to the new mansion (we are fabulously wealthy), I tried to ignore the alerts blowing up my phone. An impossible task. My eye caught “Jalen Brunson is on track to score 76 points” and “84 ties a franchise first-half record,” and all the surprise of tonight’s blowout was spoiled.
What did I see when I finally returned home? Brunson blazin’, OG Anunoby gorging at the free-throw line, KAT recording his eighth straight double-double, a very promising Dalton Knecht debut (10 PTS, 7 RBS, 16 MIN), solid minutes from Diawara, and a 44-point lead with 43% shooting from deep. We’ll need to burn sage around that loveseat to rid the stench of resentment. Final score: 135-105.
Landry Shamet started in place of Josh Hart (sore ankle) and scored the team’s first four points. From there, the Knicks went straight into high gear, turning a 6-6 tie into a 17-8 lead by attacking the paint and shooting with stunning efficiency. Who was the commander of the first-quarter onslaught? Captain Jalen Brunson, scoring his first 14 points on seven shots and finishing the frame with 22. That wasn’t his highest first-quarter total—he dropped 23 on Milwaukee in January 2025. Nonetheless, stunning. Cap had all but six of the Knicks’ first 19 points. Not to be kept in the corner, OG Anunoby contributed seven, including four from the stripe.
Mohamed Diawara checked in around the middle of the quarter, and this time he looked good! The sophomore delivered some of his best minutes yet this season, with a three and a block on Wilson’s layup. Fellow bench buddy Jordan Clarkson added five points, including a sweet transition three (dimed by Brunson). In a flash, the lead reached 22. Karl-Anthony Towns contributed just two points, starting slowly for his second straight game, but he helped in other ways, notching four boards, a steal, and an assist.
What’s your camp: “I Stand with Mikal” or “Mikal’s Got Me Sweating”? The struggling wing did little in the first quarter to calm our nerves about his recent play. He scored no points but dished two dimes and grabbed two boards.
For Chicago, Normal Norman Powell managed four points, while Tre Jones added four off the bench. Chicago got little from its young players, though. Rookie Caleb Wilson must’ve been star-struck in his MSG debut, missing all four of his shots, and Matas Bazookas went scoreless. At the break, the Knicks were sitting on a comfortable 43-21.
Q2: More of the same. Our heroes outscored Chicago 10-5 over the first three minutes to extend their lead to 53-26. The unrelenting Anunoby was still in beast mode, scoring six points and forcing two Josh Giddey turnovers. New York’s 3&D specialist scored 11 points in the quarter to reach 18 by halftime, while his three steals helped keep Chicago twitching and glitching.
With Brunson resting, Tyler Kolek ran the offense effectively, collecting four assists with sweet setups for Bridges, Clarkson, and Shamet. What a wonderful security blanket a skilled playmaker off the bench is. With Kolek dishing, Bridges racked up seven points. Diawara got into the action, too, scoring his first points of the season and finishing with seven first-half points.
Chicago managed a paltry little run early in the period, but New York responded with a 9-4 run that pushed its lead to 62-36—and eventually 78-41 with 1:47 left. Brunson added four points after returning, reaching 26 by halftime, while Towns remained quiet, adding just three more points in the second. You can count on KAT to crash the glass, though, and he did so for two more rebounds, giving him six at halftime. And newest ’Bocker Dalton Knecht made a fine first impression with a putback dunk and a step-back three-pointer for five points.
Chicago’s Josh Giddey had a particularly rough quarter, committing three turnovers in the opening three minutes, although he recovered to finish the half with seven points and four assists. Bahzelis finally got going late, scoring all six of his first-half points in the final 1:06, including a three-pointer with six seconds remaining. Yee-awn. Wilson managed five points in the quarter, while Powell added just two, and Chicago found itself bereft of consistent scoring threats or prayers for winning this contest. Halftime score: 84-52. That tied New York’s franchise record for first-half points.
The Knicks had scorched the nets with 63% shooting from the floor and 50% from deep. The Bulls had shot 40% and a grotesque 19% from deep (5-of-26). The good guys also won the rebounding battle, 23-17, despite surrendering eight offensive rebounds, and committed just five turnovers to Chicago’s eight. Weirdly, the Bulls actually outscored the Knicks in the paint, 30-26, and attempted 13 more shots, yet trailed by 32 at halftime. Math was not my strong subject, but that doesn’t compute. Anyhoo, on to the second half!
Yet again, KAT pepped it up at halftime and came out firing. He drilled consecutive three-pointers in the opening minute as the home team goosed its lead to 36. Towns scored 12 points in the first five minutes of the quarter, including a putback layup, and reached another double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds before heading to the bench.
Brunson added seven points, including a pull-up three, to reach 33 and call it a night.
The Bulls continued to fumble and bumble. Wilson missed his first three shots of the quarter and committed another turnover. Boozelis scored six points in the period, but the Bulls couldn’t make much headway against New York’s enormous lead. Meanwhile, Deuce McBride provided a spark off the Knicks’ bench, picking off passes from Norman Powell and Wilson before hitting a transition three-pointer that extended New York’s lead to 42. McBride later converted a four-point play, giving him seven points in the quarter, while Mohamed Diawara contributed another blocked shot and continued to provide promising minutes on both ends. Brother, imagine if the Knicks could play Chicago every night. . . .
Tre Jones was Chicago’s most productive player late in the quarter, scoring eight points over the final 2:19, including a three-pointer and three free throws. His unit closed the period on a 12-2 run (the Knicks got a little sloppy), but New York still ended the quarter up 113-79.
Hey! Check out this Knecht kid, blocking Buddy Hield’s layup attempt in the closing seconds. It’s gonna be fun to watch him go on heaters in Westchester.
With the Knicks leading by 34 entering the fourth, the reserves got the run of the joint. Andre Drummond opened the quarter with an alley-oop, while Clarkson and Knecht knocked down threes. James Wiseman made the most of his 10 minutes, finishing with eight points, eight rebounds, and three blocks, including rejections of Giddey, Bewzelis, and Patrick Williams. More of that, please! Pacôme Dadiet added four points. The Bulls briefly cut the deficit to 32, but Wiseman answered with a putback dunk and Knecht followed with a jumper. New York’s offense slowed with the end-of-bench guys on the floor, and Chicago won the quarter 26-22, but who’s complaining?
Up Next
Mo’s knitting a cozy recap to keep you warm. New York travels to Cleveland for a clash with the Cavs. Safe travels, Knickerbockers.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - NOVEMBER 4: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers attempts a shot in front of Jared McCain #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Paycom Center on November 4, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Grades are based on our usual expectations for each player.
Player of the game
James Harden
19 points, 6 assists, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks
The Cavaliers would have had no pulse in their contest with the Thunder if not for Harden. It felt like even when the Cavs were down by double digits in the second and third quarter that Harden was the only one really trying to assemble an offense.
Harden might not have been the most efficient player on the floor. He was, however, the true spark keeping the Cavaliers within arm’s reach. In a loss where the bulk of the team was struggling to match the Thunder’s energy on the floor, Harden met the task.
Grade: B+
Grades
Evan Mobley
16 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks
Without Jarrett Allen for most of the game, you would have figured that Mobley would become an even bigger focus on offense. However, Mobley was not up to the task tonight. If Mobley did not have an open lane, it felt like he would vanish on offense.
While he ended up putting up a respectable stat line, those who watched the game would note how invisible he felt at times.
Grade:C+
Donovan Mitchell
27 points, 3 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 turnovers
It is strange to put a player who scored the bulk of the team’s fourth-quarter points not as the player of the game; however, it felt like it took until the last few minutes of the game for Mitchell to emerge as even a factor in the contest.
Mitchell put on an absolute clinic in the last five minutes, scoring 17 of his 27 points to get the Cavaliers back within single digits. While appreciated to try and lead one last push, it felt like if this type of aggression was there earlier on the Cavaliers wouldn’t have faced such a tough deficit to overcome.
Grade: B
Meleek Thomas
9 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal
This was arguably the most disappointing outing for the young rookie. Thomas was able to put the ball in the hoop, however, this felt like the most desperate shot volume of his young career.
The shots seemed rushed, or even like Thomas was trying to shoot himself into a groove. Games like this happen, and Thomas was still a shot of energy in the lineups he was placed into.
Grade: C
Jarrett Allen
0 points, 1 rebound, 7 minutes
Jarrett was essentially a non-factor in this contest as he suffered a lower leg injury. This injury took place when he went knee-to-knee during a standard pick. Allen was able to walk off the floor under his own power. Head coach Kenny Atkinson didn’t have an update on the severity of the injury post-game.
Grade: Incomplete
Mario Hezonja
12 points, 8 rebounds
Hezonja was one of the few players who were providing a spark for the Cavaliers against the Thunder. His perimeter defense and being engaged off-ball allowed him to score 12 points in a variety of ways. As Hezonja continues to put up quality minutes, one would hope this would allow him to see minutes with the core four.
Grade: A
Sam Merrill
10 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist
On a night where Merrill didn’t go nuclear from the arc, this was probably the closest you would get to a good outing from the sharpshooter. He was an active presence on the glass, keeping his value on the floor going even if the elite volume and percentage were not there tonight.
Grade: B-
Tyrese Proctor
11 points, 1 rebound
Proctor got the starting nod tonight with Jaylon Tyson and Peyton Watson out and was…fine? Proctor shot the ball well enough, he just was not dynamic enough otherwise to feel like additive to the starting five. It’s nice not to worry about whether his shots will fall, but there is not much else to really gain for Proctor in the starting lineup.
Grade: C+
Thomas Bryant
8 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists
This could be a me problem. I really did not enjoy my Thomas Bryant experience tonight. It felt like the bulk of his possessions were him hoisting up shots from beyond the arc.
They are tolerable when they fall. When they don’t, they feel like the most painful offensive possessions the Cavaliers can muster.
Grade: F
Tristan Enaruna
4 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist
Enaruna got some serious run tonight and put up mixed results on the floor. It felt like a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency type of nomination, and there certainly were growing pains in the outing. Enaruna flashed some good on-the-ball decision-making while also being composed with the ball in his hands.
Where Enaruna struggled was from the perimeter. Never seen so many in-and-out threes in one game as he had tonight.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 04: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons drives around Vj Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half at Little Caesars Arena on November 04, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Detroit Pistons (6-2) fall short in the battle between the top teams in the Eastern Conference. The Philadelphia 76ers (8-1) outlasted Detroit 112-106. Philly got up by as many as 18 points, but Detroit never truly went away. The 76ers’ stardom showed its head tonight.
After holding Jaylen Brown to 16 points in the first meeting of the season, he surpassed that in the first half this time around. Brown poured in 30 points for the game while converting on 11 of his 19 shots. He rained in spot-up 3s, as it was tough to stick with him with the way Philly forced Detroit into scramble mode throughout the ballgame. Brown had a clutch block on Cade, and his presence was felt on both sides of the ball.
This is not 2023 Joel Embiid, but he’s still a force. Embiid still draws double teams and can get any big in foul trouble. He and Tolu Smith got into a dust-up that injected some life into Detroit, but Philly found a way to withstand every Detroit storm.
Duncan Robinson went on a few personal runs that seemed to turn the tide in Detroit’s favor. The sharpshooter went for 27 points and buried an unconscious seven triples. Robinson’s ability to look past the hands in his face to shoot the rock will pay dividends all season. It didn’t work out tonight, but Robinson is off to a different type of start as a sniper.
Cade Cunningham tried to put on his cape and emptied the clip. He couldn’t find it from deep but got good looks. He went for 26 points, 11 assists, and seven boards. He got to the charity stripe and nailed every attempt (7-7). Cade had another LeBron-like chasedown block — this time in LeBron’s presence.
At this point, those are truly Cade-like chasedowns, and Brown’s missed layup here shows Cade’s reputation as a chasedown artist is evident.
VJ Edgecombe had a fast break sequence where he u-turned it because Cade was on the hunt again. Special defender.
Ausar Thompson’s special stuff came on the boards as he snagged 17 rebounds tonight. From the opening possession, he was pogo-sticking down low to help Paul Reed and John Collins in the paint. AT chipped in 11 points, and his shot from the line continues to look better. He was 3-for-4 tonight; you’ll take the small improvements wherever you can.
John Collins had his best offensive game in a few games. He was getting behind the defense, throwing down head-top slams. His ability to be a paint finisher and hit threes is why he’s here. He only shot one 3 tonight. The Pistons need more.
Collins should look better when Duren comes back, in theory. Duren has rim-gravity that forces defenses to account for one of the best finishers in basketball. This was the first game where I thought Detroit missed Duren badly. From a talent perspective, Detroit was outgunned tonight.
LeBron James controlled the tempo in spurts of the game. He was playing like that OG at the Y who’s keeping up with the youngins on pure know-how. LeBron draws two to the ball, Embiid does, Brown does, and Tyrese Maxey does. There’s a lot of star power over there, and this is a team Detroit could see in the long run.
The Pistons did not have their sharpest defensive night, and Philly still only cracked 112. It was just one of the games. Detroit shifts their focus to another superstar in Luka Dončić. He and the Los Angeles Lakers travel to Detroit on Sunday as the Pistons take on their first Western Conference team of the season.
NEW YORK (AP) — Michael Porter Jr. had 26 points and 10 rebounds and Julius Randle added 22 points as the Brooklyn Nets won their second game of the season, 114-104, over the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night.
The Nets (2-6), who had lost six of their first seven games, rallied from a seven-point halftime deficit in the final periods. Brooklyn’s other victory this season came Sunday at Indiana.
Mikel Brown Jr. scored 18 points, Nolan Traore had 16 and Danny Wolf 13 for Brooklyn, which shot 51 percent from the field overall and 38 percent from long distance.
Naz Reid scored 28 points on 11-for-18 shooting from the field and Grayson Allen added 22 points for the Hornets, who lost their fifth straight game after opening the season 3-1.
Brandon Miller and Sion James scored 10 points apiece for Charlotte (3-6).
Hornets forward Kon Knueppel, who was making his season debut after being sidelined with a hamstring strain, exited in the first quarter due to soreness in his left leg and did not return. He played six minutes and scored three points on 3-for-3 shooting from the line. Knueppel led the NBA in three-pointers last season and was runner-up for NBA rookie of the year.
Up next
Hornets: Host the Boston Celtics on Friday.
Nets: At Atlanta on Saturday in the first of a four-game trip.
This time the Nets held their poise and held on for a comfortable 114-104 victory over visiting Charlotte.
Michael Porter Jr. (left) and Julius Randle high-five during the Nets’ 114-104 win over the Hornets on Nov. 4, 2026 at Barclays Center. NBAE via Getty Images
It was payback for a humbling season-opening loss against these same Hornets. And after a win in Indiana — and taking a lead into the fourth quarter on the road at the reigning NBA champion Knicks — there are signs of the Nets making strides.
“We were in the same position a couple nights ago in New York and fell apart in the fourth,” Michael Porter Jr. said. “So, that’s what good teams do, growing teams do, is they learn from their failure and try to not do that same thing again. So I was proud of everybody.”
Porter had 26 points and 10 rebounds, taking over late. Julius Randle scored 22 while they got solid play from the young point guard tandem of starter Nolan Traore (16 points, three steals, plus-13) and rookie Mikel Brown Jr. (career-high 18 points, four assists).
But most auspicious was the Nets’ fourth quarter offense. After imploding two nights earlier — when they coughed up a 25-5 run to open the final period, and shot 3-of-16 with seven turnovers — this time they looked like a cohesive unit.
The Nets (2-6) outscored the Hornets 34-24 in the fourth, shooting 51.2 percent and 6-of-11 from deep. And Porter — who had been scoreless in the fourth against the Knicks — had 13 points on 4-of-4 from behind the arc.
“Fourth quarter is winning time,” Porter said. “You can play a good three quarters of basketball; the fourth quarter’s a completely different game. You have to be more intentional with your cuts, your setups, the speed in which you play, your defensive intensity.
Mikel Brown Jr. celebrates after hitting a 3-pointer during the Nets’ win over the Hornets. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
“In the fourth quarter, you’ve got to be better at communicating; you’ve got to be more disciplined; be more alert. Offensively, we were a lot more connected, and we had a lot of intention and speed with how we played. That’s what it takes in the fourth quarter in a close game. So if we can build off of that, that’ll be great.”
The Nets’ defense was stout from the start, forcing six straight misses and a turnover to open the game.
A Randle 3-pointer gave the Nets a 40-37 edge with 5:42 left in the half.
They surrendered it to an extended 20-7 Hornets run, falling behind by 10 on a Grayson Allen 3-pointer with a minute left in the first half.
The Nets were still down 59-50 a minute into the second.
But they promptly reeled off 11 unanswered to take the momentum and the lead.
Danny Wolf (right) celebrates with Terance Mann during the second half of the Nets’ win over the Hornets. Getty Images
Jordi Fernández switched up his rotation, partly because of need. With Noah Clowney forced out by right knee soreness, Fernández went to second-year forward Danny Wolf, and also replaced 6-8, 235 pound Chaney Johnson with guard Terance Mann. The extra ballhandling paid dividends.
Wolf (12 points, plus-17) capped the run on a 3-pointer off a Randle feed, giving the Nets a 61-59 edge.
Even after they coughed it up to fall behind 78-72, they seized it back with a 17-5 run that spanned the third and fourth quarters. Randle found Brown for a 3 that put the Nets ahead 89-83.
“We just came together in the fourth quarter, and we understood the assignment,” Brown said. “This has been the theme of we haven’t been finishing games and now we finished it.”
This time — unlike two nights earlier in the Garden — they held their poise. And held on for the victory.
“It shows that we definitely went back to the film. … [The coaches] told us how to win a game and we went out there and executed it,” Mann said. “This game could’ve very likely went how the game in the Garden went. We were in the same situation and we flipped the script.”
BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 4: Baylor Scheierman #55 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on November 4, 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
Despite being down by 21 at halftime, the Milwaukee Bucks were able to battle back and outscore the Boston Celtics in the second half, 61-47, but ultimately fell short and could not secure their first road win of the year, losing 109-102. Tyler Herro led all Bucks scorers with 25 points, while Paul George led the Cs with 25 as well.
The game began with the Bucks scoring just five points—all from Jaime Jaquez Jr.—in the first four minutes while turning it over three times. The most optimistic fans (me) could watch and think, “Once they settle in, these shots will fall,” but nothing was further from the truth. After Myles Turner hit his first three to make it 12-8, the Bucks didn’t score for almost six minutes as the Celtics went on a 15-0 run; Nate Ament ended the drought with a corner three. I mean, Brayden Burries secured a couple of nice offensive rebounds, but it was otherwise a quarter to forget. The visitors looked out of sync and lacked any identity, down 28-14 after one.
The second quarter started at a much better pace, with Milwaukee going mostly blow for blow to keep the deficit at 14 through the first half of the quarter. Once Boston’s starting lineup was back on the floor, though, they took the pace over again, and the Bucks looked handcuffed. By the end of the second quarter, the Bucks had committed 10 turnovers for 12 Celtics points, and the Bucks were lucky it wasn’t more. Milwaukee was also totally ineffective in transition, with a points-per-possession of -7.4; ironically, their transition play has been one of their few strengths this year, but over two quarters, they couldn’t find any rhythm there. Milwaukee also didn’t attack the rim, with just five total shot attempts at the rim, converting only one. The lone silver lining in the first half was Myles Turner, who was really having a game: nine points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block. Still, the Bucks were down 62-41 at the half.
The second half started with a much faster pace, with a 12-5 run pulling the Bucks back within 14 and forcing Boston to take a timeout. Most of the scoring and pace came from Jaquez, who stormed out of the locker room and put up eight points in the first few minutes. The pace continued, led mostly by Herro, and at one point the Bucks made eight straight buckets from the field, including a sick Burries dunk that forced another Boston timeout with the visitors down nine, 74-65. Milwaukee looked like a totally refreshed team, crashing the boards and moving the ball exceptionally well, all while finally protecting the ball (only one turnover for the quarter). Milwaukee shot a white-hot 14/21 in the third, down 87-79 entering the final frame.
The Bucks kept fighting to start the fourth, largely thanks to Nate Ament. Ament looked impressive, playing incredibly effectively off-ball and helping his teammates find opportunities to score, while also hitting some big-time shots himself; he hit a triple from the top of the key and then a layup to tie it up at 91. Burries subbed in at the six-minute mark and helped recapture the lead with a sweet 14-foot floater as the game turned into a sludge fest, with the lead changing on what felt like every possession. Make no mistake, the Bucks had multiple chances to take the game, but could not execute when it mattered, unlike the Celtics. Boston was just way better at making the crucial play, converting just enough of their opportunities to stave off the Bucks’ comeback.
Stat That Stood Out
Four: the number of turnovers the Bucks committed in the whole second half. Milwaukee looked like a different team, and their ability to move the ball efficiently in the second half was the biggest reason.
Obscene Overreaction
I’ve seen enough: Start Nate Ament at the four. I made a similar call in the preseason after Dieng had a solid outing, so this is becoming something of a habit for me, but Ament played with infectious energy tonight that helped keep the Bucks in it despite being down 21 at halftime. On the flip side: Kyle Kuzma is arguably more responsible for the last two losses than anyone else. Low effort, high turnovers, and not good enough at anything to justify starting him or closing games. Let Ament start and let him get battle-tested now.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - NOVEMBER 4: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on November 4, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
A 17-point first-quarter deficit was too much to overcome as the Cleveland Cavaliers fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder 124 to 116, dropping to .500 with a record of 4-4.
The Cavs made a brief comeback at the start of the third quarter with an 18-3 run spanning the end of the first half and the start of the second, but could never break through. They made things interesting late with a flurry of threes, but it was too late. James Harden, who finished with 19 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists, had 10 points in the third quarter to help bring Cleveland within striking distance, but the Thunder seemingly made a play right when they needed it.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dominated with 42 points, four rebounds, and eight assists. Ajay Mitchell had 23 points and seven rebounds in his expanded role in the wake of key injuries to Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams.
The Cavs were without Peyton Watson (hamstring) and Jaylon Tyson (ankle), which led to a surprise start for Tyrese Proctor. The former Duke Blue Devil contributed 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting, but limped off the court late in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury.
Donovan Mitchell tried to will the Cavs to a shocker, drilling three huge threes with just a few minutes remaining, but to no avail. Mitchell finished with 27 points and six assists, though he was on pace for another pedestrian offensive showing before catching fire in the fourth quarter.
Evan Mobley had 16 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks, and early bright spot Mario Hezonja provided 12 points and eight rebounds off the bench. Facing a big deficit and no spark, head coach Kenny Atkinson went deep off the bench to former Cleveland State forward Tristan Enaruna in the second quarter. Some new blood helped, but the Cavs could not fully dig themselves out of the first-quarter hole.
Center Jarrett Allen suffered a knee injury in the first half and was quickly deemed doubtful to return. Allen ended up with just one rebound in seven minutes of action. Hezonja started the second half in Allen’s absence.
The shorthanded Thunder were relentless, building a big lead and then holding the Cavs at arm’s length the rest of the way. They had a very sloppy end to the second quarter that allowed Cleveland to crack the door open, and then came out of the half just as flat. The Cavs managed to get within seven, but never closer until late in the game.
If you only judged by the first 15 minutes of game time, the Cavs looked like a team ready to get on the flight home. But there were some good things late in the game that should give them some confidence heading into a Friday night NBA Cup showdown with LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers. Tip-off is at 7:30 at Rocket Arena.
