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Takeaways: Penguins Can't Sustain Fast Start, Allow Five Unanswered Goals In 5-2 Loss To Avalanche

The Pittsburgh Penguins came out like a house on fire against the Colorado Avalanche on Friday night, but couldn't sustain it for a full 60 minutes. 

They played a strong 20 minutes and took a 2-1 lead into the first intermission, then allowed four more goals to lose 5-2. The Penguins had no answer for the Avalanche's pushback to start the second period, and their defensive zone woes continued in a second straight loss. 

Evgeni Malkin and Bryan Rust scored for the Penguins. Malkin made a beautiful move to the slot to score his fourth goal of the season, and Rust scored 29 seconds later off a great pass from Sidney Crosby. 

Crosby's assist on Rust's goal was his 1,110th career assist, moving him into seventh place on the NHL's all-time assist list. 

Here are some takeaways from this one: 

- Let's get some of the positives out of the way. Sidney Crosby played his best game of the season on Friday, and it wasn't close. His pass for Rust's goal was great, and it felt like he had eyes in the back of his head all game. 

He was threading the needle beautifully and even had some glorious chances of his own. He's very much back after a slow start, which will be a big deal if the Penguins can get out of this rut. 

- I didn't mind the Penguins' 5v5 play at all and thought they got plenty of quality chances throughout this game. However, the problem is that nobody outside of Malkin or Rust could finish their chances.

Rickard Rakell had a glorious semi-breakaway in the second period, but Mackenize Blackwood turned it aside. Andrei Kuzmenko was stoned on the doorstep during a third-period power play. Tommy Novak was denied twice. Ville Koivunen had a ridiculous tip earlier in the game when it was still 2-1, but it hit the post. 

It simply wasn't their night. 

- Speaking of Koivunen, this was his best game since opening night against the Flyers. He fit well on the Malkin line in place of injured Egor Chinakhov and made a beautiful play to start the rush that led to Malkin's goal. He was engaged all game long and, as mentioned above, almost had a highlight-reel goal, but it hit the post. 

It was a much-needed performance from him. 

- Alright, let's get to the negative. Just like Tuesday, special teams killed the Penguins in this one. They were way too passive on the penalty kill, allowing the Avalanche to do whatever they wanted on the power play. 

T.J. Hughes's goal won't be scored as an official power-play goal, but it may as well be one since he scored it immediately after the penalty expired. Declan Carlile was too slow and didn't get to Hughes in time, giving him an easy goal. 

- As for the power play, what more is there to say? The first unit is an absolute disaster right now and needs to be broken up. The zone entries are pitiful, and even when the unit gains the zone, the players fold under pressure, leading to easy clears. If you ask me, they need to experiment with Rakell and Malkin on PP2. They look lost on the first unit. 

- Declan Carlile was a mess on the top pair again. This has been a theme over the last week: he looks out of his depth. He's trying to do way too much and isn't opting for the simple plays. 

He was out to lunch in his own zone and didn't look comfortable. It'll be interesting to see whether Muse moves him away from Karlsson so he can face some lesser competition and regain some confidence

Issue For Penguins Up Front Isn't Talent, It's DeploymentIssue For Penguins Up Front Isn't Talent, It's DeploymentThe Pittsburgh Penguins have plenty of talent up front, they just haven't figured out how to use it quite yet.

- I also didn't like Karlsson's game tonight. He was making some strange decisions with the puck in the offensive zone and wasn't winning his assignments in his own end. I know he has seven points (all assists) in eight games, but the Penguins need more from him if they want to get to where they want to be this year. 

- The schedule doesn't get any easier for the Penguins since they have a matchup with the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday. Like the Avalanche, the Golden Knights are one of the best teams in the NHL and have been steamrolling teams since the season began. 

It would behoove the Penguins to take two points in that game and split the back-to-back before they close out this four-game trip with the Utah Mammoth, who are also red-hot, on Monday. 

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

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Artturi Lehkonen Is Making It Impossible for the Avalanche to Wait on an Extension

DENVER — Artturi Lehkonen isn't one to make a big deal out of himself. He'd rather do his job, score his goals and move on to the next game.

That's part of what makes him so good. It's also why the Colorado Avalanche shouldn't wait much longer to get a contract extension done.

Lehkonen scored twice in Thursday night's 5-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins at Ball Arena, giving him six goals through eight games. His previous best through eight games was three, set during the 2024-25 season.

He's never started an NHL season like this, and he's doing it in the final year of his contract.

Lehkonen signed a five-year, $22.5 million deal with Colorado in July 2022, just after helping the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup. He hasn't signed an extension, and if he keeps scoring at this pace, his next contract could get a lot more expensive.

The funny thing is, Lehkonen probably wouldn't give himself much credit for any of it.

Earlier this month, I asked him how he prepares for those moments when a game is on the line. His answer was about as humble as you'd expect.

“I don't know, it's... Just trying to find that being in the right place at the right time, I guess.”

That's Lehkonen. Six goals in eight games, a history of scoring huge playoff goals, and he makes it sound like he's just getting lucky.

But there's a reason he's always around when the Avalanche need a goal.

Lehkonen goes to the net. He fights for loose pucks. He does the work in the corners and isn't afraid to take a hit to make a play. He's not waiting for the perfect opportunity to score. He works until one comes his way.

We've seen what that looks like in the playoffs. Lehkonen scored the overtime winner against Edmonton in the 2022 Western Conference Final before scoring the goal that clinched the Stanley Cup against Tampa Bay. A year earlier, he scored in overtime to send Montreal to the Final.

He has a knack for showing up when it matters. That's not luck. That's who he is as a player.

And now he's putting up career-best numbers to go with everything else he brings to Colorado.

The Avalanche have plenty of stars, but players like Lehkonen are a big part of what makes a team successful. He can score, defend and play the hard minutes. He doesn't need the spotlight, and he doesn't need to be the best player on the ice to make a difference.

Even his teammates know how much he brings to the team.

Mackenzie Blackwood, who made 29 saves in Thursday night's win, summed it up perfectly when talking about Lehkonen after the game.

"Art is like the unsung hero... He doesn't get enough credit."

It's a fitting description of a player whose value goes well beyond the scoresheet. The goals are just making his impact harder to ignore.

Colorado still has to manage its salary cap, and there's a long way to go this season. But the Avalanche know what Lehkonen brings. He's already helped them win a championship, and he's showing again why he's such a good fit.

The longer they wait, the more expensive he could potentially become. 

Lehkonen will probably keep doing what he's always done. He'll shrug off the goals, give credit to his teammates and get ready for the next game. He isn't going to make a public fuss about his contract or tell anyone how much he's worth.

That's fine. He shouldn't have to.

Joe Sakic needs to make sure the business side gets taken care of.

Sign Artturi Lehkonen.

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Avalanche rally past Penguins 5-2 as MacKinnon posts 3 assists and a goal

DENVER (AP) — Nathan MacKinnon had three assists and a power-play goal, Artturi Lehkonen scored twice and the Colorado Avalanche rallied to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-2 on Friday night.

T.J. Hughes scored his first NHL goal, while Mackenzie Blackwood settled in after a shaky start to stop 29 shots.

Evgeni Malkin and Bryan Rust gave Pittsburgh a 2-0 lead after scoring 29 seconds apart midway through the first period. The Avalanche erupted for five straight tallies, including three in the second period.

Colorado finished 1 of 4 on the power play in the Avalanche debut of assistant coach Brett McLean. He’s in charge of the unit after Dave Hakstol left to take over as head coach of the men’s hockey program at Arizona State.

Lehkonen’s second goal tied it 25 seconds into the second period. Captain Gabriel Landeskog had a goal nearly four minutes later for his 83rd career go-ahead score. He’s tied with Mikko Rantanen for sixth-most in Avalanche history. Hall of Famer Joe Sakic tops the list with 210.

Hughes got free down low and poked in a pass from MacKinnon. He was hugged by Cale Makar and then playfully squirted with water by Landeskog as Hughes made his way past the bench.

Sidney Crosby notched his 1,110th career assist to move into sole possession of seventh place in NHL history. He’s also one assist shy of matching Ray Bourque (1,111 with Boston) for the most in league history with a one franchise.

BRUINS 4, DUCKS 2

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Elias Lindholm assisted on the tying goal and scored the go-ahead goal in the third period, leading Boston past Anaheim for its fourth straight victory.

David Pastrnak scored a tying power-play goal and Frederic Brunet got his first NHL goal for the Bruins, who roared back from an early two-goal deficit and improved to 6-2-0.

Less than five minutes after Pastrnak converted a give-and-go with Lindholm, the Ducks failed to mark Lindholm during a power play and allowed him to tap in a pass from Pavel Zacha with 11:39 to play. Matthew Poitras added another goal with 3:40 left on James Hagens’ second assist of the night.

Michael DiPietro made 25 saves in his second start of the season for the Bruins.

Beckett Sennecke got his fifth goal and Tim Washe also scored for the Ducks, who have lost three straight home games while giving up 13 goals. Lukas Dostal stopped 18 shots.

Ducks captain Mikael Granlund sat out with an upper-body injury, and goal-scoring winger Cutter Gauthier filled in by moving to center for the first time in his NHL career.

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SB Nation Reacts: The Brandin Podziemski extension, after the fact

The Golden State Warriors recently secured a foundational piece of their backcourt, signing third-year guard Brandin Podziemski to a fully guaranteed five-year, $110 million rookie-scale contract extension. The deal, which includes a mutual option for the final season, keeps the 23-year-old guard in the Bay Area through 2032.

Since being selected 19th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, Podziemski has quickly established himself as an essential hybrid guard for head coach Steve Kerr. Averaging 11.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists across his first 220 career games, his versatile playmaking, fierce rebounding, and defensive grit made him an indispensable rotational anchor.

By locking down Podziemski before he could hit restricted free agency, the Warriors demonstrate clear trust in his development as a long-term core piece alongside the team’s veteran core.

SB Nation recently conducted a survey of Warriors fans and their opinion of the Podziemski extension. Here’s what they had to say:

What do you think of the Podziemski’s extension? Will it help the Warriors and their quest to obtain a playoff spot in the West? Head on over to https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba to test your luck.

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Game Recap: Suns starters impress in 119-116 preseason loss to Jazz

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 16: Jalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball against Keyonte George #3 of the Utah Jazz during the first half of the preseason NBA game at Mortgage Matchup Center on October 16, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Suns closed out their preseason with a 119–116 loss to the Utah Jazz on Friday night. It was essentially a dress rehearsal, with the starters playing the first three quarters before the third unit took over in the fourth. Phoenix held a 95–90 lead heading into the final period.

Kudos to Jordan Ott, as he’s truly giving both Khaman Maluach and Oso Ighodaro an opportunity to compete for the starting center position. While we’ve seen Ighodaro get the nod alongside the other four projected starters thus far this preseason, Friday night provided an opportunity for the second-year big man out of Duke to get his chance as Ighodaro was inactive.

Devin Booker finished with 16 points and six assists, while Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green added 18 points apiece. Khaman Maluach contributed seven points and 12 rebounds, including four on the offensive glass.

And for those following along with Malu-Watch, where we’re tracking his “restocks per 36” (rebounds + steals + blocks), Maluach posted an impressive 21.5 tonight. For perspective, his average last season was 15.0, while Victor Wembanyama averaged 19.2 in the same category.

It was our first look at the second overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, Darryn Peterson out of Kansas, a player expected to develop into a promising shooting guard in the NBA. He played the entire game, finishing with 13 points on 4-of-12 shooting while adding six assists and six rebounds. Jaren Jackson Jr. struggled to stay on the floor due to foul trouble. Khaman Maluach was active on the interior and helped get Jackson into foul trouble early in the second half. Jackson ultimately finished with 17 points but managed only three rebounds.

The preseason is now complete.

Game Flow

First Half

Devin Booker started the night locked in, scoring six of the Suns’ first 11 points as he found his rhythm in the midrange, regardless of whether it was Darryn Peterson or Keyonte George guarding him. As for the three-ball that he’s been having a hard time finding? He’d go 1-of-4 in the first half.

The Suns came out playing aggressively, as we’ve come to expect. Playing against the Jazz, who certainly had a size advantage despite the Suns having Maluach on the floor, you knew they’d have to try to find a way to disrupt. And it took only 4:34 for Dillon Brooks to pick up three fouls.

With 6:59 left in the first quarter, the Jazz were in the bonus. As a result, they would take a total of 15 free-throw attempts in the first quarter, hitting 11 of them. Phoenix would go 6-of-8 from the line. So +5 for the Jazz in Q1 at the line.

Both Devin Booker and Jalen Green scored 10 points in the opening quarter, with Booker adding three assists while Green committed three turnovers. The Suns finished the period with seven turnovers as a team, but in typical Phoenix fashion, they generated additional possessions, attempting 24 field goals compared to Utah’s 18.

After shooting 4-of-12 from beyond the arc, the Suns trailed the Jazz 31–30 after one quarter.

With Oso Ighodaro out, Duop Reath received plenty of playing time, and one thing became abundantly clear. He’s not shy about shooting the three-ball. In nine first-half minutes, Reath went 3-of-7 from the field and 2-of-4 from beyond the arc, providing eight points off the bench.

The Suns looked sharp to open the second quarter, with Jalen Green penetrating, Miles Bridges knocking down threes, Jordan Goodwin doing what he does on both ends of the floor, and Khaman Maluach providing quality screens and rim protection. Collectively, that’s what this team should look like when you have a combination of starters and bench players operating together.

During a stretch featuring Bridges, Dillon Brooks, Green, Goodwin, and Maluach, Phoenix was +8, extending its lead to eight points while putting together a 15–2 run. It was an encouraging display of how the different pieces of this roster can complement one another when they’re playing with connectivity and purpose.

Phoenix shot 6-of-9 from beyond the arc in the second quarter and, despite being the smaller team against Utah, did an impressive job on the glass, outrebounding the Jazz 24–19 in the first half. The Suns outscored Utah 35–28 in the second quarter, led by eight points from Bridges, who was a perfect 3-of-3 from the field and 2-of-2 from beyond the arc. Collin Gillespie added three assists, while Maluach contributed five points and five rebounds in the period alone, giving him five points and seven rebounds heading into halftime.

Phoenix 65, Utah 59.

Second Half

The Suns rolled out their starting five to open the third quarter, confirming that a true dress rehearsal was underway as the team prepares for the regular season. Phoenix wasted little time establishing itself, opening the second half with a 7–0 run against Utah as the offense looked layered, connected, and efficient.

Maluach continued to play aggressively on the glass at both ends of the floor, and we all know Jaren Jackson Jr. has an affinity for picking up fouls. Phoenix made him pay for it, forcing Jackson to the bench with five fouls and seven minutes remaining in the third quarter.

Dillon Brooks fed off the defensive energy his teammates were bringing and translated it into offensive production. His unique skill set, both in the midrange and from beyond the arc, was on full display as he poured in 12 points in the third quarter.

The Jazz endured a stretch in which they went nearly four minutes without a field goal, but a 14–6 run by Utah to close the quarter made the game closer than it had felt. Phoenix held a 95–90 lead entering the fourth, with the Jazz outscoring the Suns 31–30 in the period. The majority of the starting unit finished the quarter at +5, while the majority of the second unit was -6, reflecting the difference in effectiveness between the two groups.

The fourth quarter opened with the third unit on the floor, featuring Kobe Brea, Jamaree Bouyea, Duop Reath, Rasheer Fleming, and Ryan Dunn. Koa Peat eventually checked in for Reath, so outside of Dunn, this was primarily the third unit getting an opportunity to play. And not surprisingly, things were a little clunky.

Peat had a possession in which he lost track of the shot clock and failed to get an attempt off in time. On another opportunity, he had a chance to go up with the basketball, but with Mo Bamba lurking, he hesitated and was called for a three-second violation. He then fouled Ace Bailey on the ensuing possession. It’s the kind of situational awareness that comes with experience, and these are precisely the repetitions a young player like Peat needs as he continues his development.

The game remained close throughout the fourth quarter as the Suns struggled to put together anything resembling cohesive offense. It felt a little like Summer League basketball, where structure takes a back seat and players are left trying to create open looks on their own rather than generating opportunities within the flow of an offensive scheme.

Phoenix was ultimately outscored 29–21 in the final period, falling to Utah 119–116.

Up Next

The. Regular. Season.

Suns tip off the 2026-27 campaign next Wednesday in Portland. Starting then, it’s for real.

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Cliff Hagan, Basketball Hall of Famer and champion involved in famous Bill Russell trade, dead at 94

Cliff Hagan of the St. Louis Hawks poses for an action portrait during the 1960 season in St. Louis, Missouri.
Cliff Hagan of the St. Louis Hawks poses for an action portrait during the 1960 season in St. Louis, Missouri.

Cliff Hagan, a Basketball Hall of Famer who won professional and college championships with the St. Louis Hawks and the University of Kentucky, respectively, died Thursday at 94 years old.

A cause of death was not disclosed.

Hagan, originally drafted by the Celtics in 1953, was traded to the Hawks with fellow Hall of Famer Ed Macauley in 1956 for the rights to Bill Russell, whom St. Louis took at No. 2 overall in the 1956 NBA Draft.

Cliff Hagan of the St. Louis Hawks poses for an action portrait during the 1960 season in St. Louis, Missouri. NBAE via Getty Images

Hagan, a third-round pick, never played for the Celtics and served in the United States Air Force from 1953-56 before debuting with the Hawks.

A five-time NBA All-Star and two-time All-NBA selection, Hagan spent his entire 10-year NBA career with St. Louis, helping the franchise defeat the Celtics for the 1958 NBA title.

Hagan averaged 17.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists over 839 NBA appearances before retiring for good after the 1969-70 season.

Before his professional career, Hagan was a two-time consensus All-American at Kentucky under legendary coach Adolph Rupp.

He helped the Wildcats win the 1951 national championship and led them to a perfect 25-0 record in 1953-54.

Kentucky declined an NCAA Tournament invitation that season because eligibility rules prohibited Hagan and two other graduated players from participating.

Cliff Hagan was traded for a rookie Bill Russell in 1956. NBAE via Getty Images

The Wildcats went 86-5 during Hagan’s three varsity seasons.

The 6-foot-4 forward once scored 26 points in a single fourth quarter against the Knicks in 1958.

Hagan returned to Kentucky as athletic director in 1975, serving until 1988.

Kentucky’s named their baseball field “Cliff Hagan Stadium” in 1993, which served as the team’s home until 2018. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

During his tenure, the school won the 1978 men’s basketball national championship, led by Jack Givens and Rick Robey.

Hagan became the first former Kentucky player inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1978.

His No. 6 jersey is retired at Kentucky, and he was inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.

“Few people have impacted Kentucky Athletics in as many ways as Cliff Hagan,” Kentucky athletic director and Champions Blue CEO J Batt said of Hagan. “He represented Kentucky as a champion, Hall of Famer and Athletics Director, leaving a legacy that continues to shape this department. It is an honor to follow in his footsteps and to help carry forward the standard he set.

“Big Blue Nation will always be grateful for Cliff and all he gave to Kentucky. Our thoughts are with the Hagan family.” 

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NBA Final Score – Bulls 133, Wolves 116

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 16: Joan Beringer #19 of the Minnesota Timberwolves goes to the basket as Jalen Smith #25 of the Chicago Bulls defends during the first half of the preseason game at the United Center on October 16, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Daniel Bartel/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Even though the score of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ final preseason game looks lopsided, there were plenty of good things to build upon from a game where most of the time on the floor was Minnesota backups versus Chicago rotation guys, or what I like to call a “bullpen game.”

Here are five things to be encouraged by as we wrap up the preseason and head to the regular season on October 21st in Miami.

CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 16: Joan Beringer #19 of the Minnesota Timberwolves boxes out during the game against the Chicago Bulls on October 16, 2026 at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

#1: Joan Beringer looks the part

Teenage Frenchman, Joan Beringer, is massively important to the Wolves’ potential success this upcoming season as the only real backup big man that is on the roster. He has defensive instincts, activity around the basket, and enough athleticism to make up for times where he finds himself out of position.

Beringer’s main issue is defending without fouling, as he needs to be able to stay on the floor in order to really help this team out in a meaningful way. Tonight, he did just that. Joan committed three total fouls, with the first foul coming after around 18 minutes of time on the floor. That’s very encouraging, as it would have been just as easy for him to commit three fouls in six minutes of time as he and his team were overmatched on paper.

Throw in a couple monster dunks, and Joan looks ready to roll come Wednesday. 

#2: Isaiah Evans (finally) made some threes!

After not seeing the floor in the first quarter, Isaiah Evans showed up in the second frame in a major way. Immediately after checking in, he made a three. Later in the quarter he made another catch-and-shoot three, and then followed that up with an absolute heat check third made three of the quarter. He made another before the halftime buzzer sounded, and it was so encouraging to see Evans put some long range shots in the basket.

Isaiah was billed as a shooter coming out of Duke, but we hadn’t seen that throughout Summer League or preseason yet. Bench shooting is always valuable, and it’s something the Wolves don’t have a bunch of until Donte DiVincenzo comes back. Isaiah didn’t just make the threes, he also put himself in positions to take them. Good shooters know how to get their shots off, and that was something that Finch seemed to make a priority with this being a bullpen game for the Wolves. 

#3: Cody Williams will be a rotation player this winter

Cody Williams was tapped to step in and start when Jonathan Kuminga missed the preseason game against the Knicks, and was also a starter in tonight’s bullpen game. Here are some of the notes I wrote down while watching the game:

  • Cody knows how to score, shot is still a work in progress
  • Cody knows how to rotate.
  • He’s going to have a stretch of hot shooting and will look like an All-NBA player this season.

Almost every tool is in the toolbox for this kid, and I am officially predicting that he will be the next Utah-to-Minnesota success story, following the footsteps of Rudy Gobert and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – OCTOBER 16: Head coach Chris Finch of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on against the Chicago Bulls during the first half of the preseason game at the United Center on October 16, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Daniel Bartel/Getty Images) | Getty Images

#4: Chris Finch shows willingness to call timeouts

There aren’t many things I get frustrated with Chris Finch over, but one of them is definitely his timeout usage when other teams are going on runs. Tonight, Chris took one with 10:18 left in the third quarter, and took another quick one to start the fourth quarter, both times when Chicago was going on a run.

With how fast this team plans to play this season, there are bound to be times where they play too fast and get caught on the wrong end of an opposing run. Finch needs to be willing to stop those runs early, and tonight was an indication he might just have that in his plans. 

#5: Drew Timme will be a nice depth piece… in Iowa

Fun fact: my college roommate/teammate at Augsburg used to call me Drew Timme because I would rock a headband and mustache, but that’s not the reason I’m bullish on Drew.

With some questions still remaining as to who is going to play some big man minutes in a pinch and Rocco Zikarsky not looking the part, Drew Timme might just be the two-way contract player that can step into that role. In 27 minutes played tonight, Drew scored 18 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and even dished out three assists.

Again from my notes: “Timme can make the right play, he can be the new Luka G. on a two-way.” I know evoking the name Luka Garza may be sacrilege to Wolves fans, but trust me, there will be times where the bowels of Wolves Twitter will be calling for Timme to get some run after Joan has a game with eight minutes played and four fouls.

Up next

The Timberwolves open their season on Wednesday, October 21, at 6:30 PM CT when they take on the Miami Heat on the road, with the game airing on ESPN.

Game highlights

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Recap: Avalanche put Penguins on ice in 5-2 win

DENVER, COLORADO - OCTOBER 16: Goaltender Arturs Silovs #37 of the Pittsburgh Penguins defends against Nathan MacKinnon #29 of the Colorado Avalanche during the second period at Ball Arena on October 16, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Andrew Maclean/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images

It’s a rare occasion when Sidney Crosby plays in Denver and this season the intriguing matchup between the Colorado Avalanche and Pittsburgh Penguins came early in the season. It was an interesting tug-of-war in the early stages but settled into a 5-2 blowout in Colorado’s favor on two Artturi Lehkonen goals, a first career goal for TJ Hughes and a Nathan MacKinnon power play goal.

The Game

It was a fairly even start but the Penguins exploded for two goals near the halfway mark of the opening period. First, Pittsburgh executed a nifty passing play in the neutral zone and Evgeni Malkin finished it off on a somewhat screened Mackenzie Blackwood. Then, just 29 seconds later the Eastern Conference squad found room behind a lax Avalanche defense and finished off a textbook 2-on-1 with Bryan Rust receiving the pass from Sidney Crosby.

Suddenly down two Colorado found a little life scoring on their third shot of the evening as the top line executed their own transition passing play finished off by Artturi Lehkonen. The teams got to finish out by trading power plays and Colorado’s didn’t inspire much confidence so the period ended with Pittsburgh up 2-1 and a more troubling 14-5 shot advantage.

Second periods always seen to be an Avalanche favorite and they got what they needed a minute after the first intermission as Lehkonen got his second of the game on a greasy net front deflection. Shortly after Nathan MacKinnon received a penalty shot and couldn’t convert, amazingly going 0/5 in his career with the opportunity. But, it took just a minute later for Colorado to find the back of the net when Gabe Landeskog got a tap-in chance after Penguins goaltender Arturs Silovs was found lying face forward in the crease. To finish out the period there was another trading of power play chances. The Avalanche technically didn’t cash in on theirs but right after it expired TJ Hughes potted his first NHL goal to give Colorado a 4-2 lead.

There wasn’t much mystery as to who would win the game by the third period but Pittsburgh got a few chances on the board anyway, though no goals. Colorado finally found that elusive power play goal when Nathan MacKinnon scored on it with five minutes to go. At 5-2 the game was officially over in Colorado’s favor.

Takeaways

This game was not a defensive masterpiece despite Colorado holding the Penguins to their two first period goals. Pittsburgh won the analytic matchup at 55% expected goals and Corsi for, which matched the eye test of several extended Pittsburgh shifts in the Avalanche zone. High danger shots favored Pittsburgh 18-10 as well. Tonight, Colorado clearly found enough offense and counterattack to turn the game in their favor but it is a trend to keep an eye on moving forward.

With all three of Logan O’Connor, Zach LHeureux and Nic Roy currently unavailable, Jared Bednar has been running his lineup with 11 forwards and seven defensemen. It wasn’t a particularly great night for defenseman Noah Juulsen who played just over seven minutes and a 20% share of the expected goals. Heading into an east coast road trip, the Avalanche might want to bring a full roster of players.

Upcoming

A weekend off and then the start of a quick two-game road trip in Philadelphia on Monday, October 19th. Puck drop is at 5 p.m. MT.

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Let’s Hope The Next A’s GM and PBO Are Watching

DENVER, CO - JULY: 01: Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy looks on during a game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on July 1, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The post-season is always a blend of exciting and frustrating. Exciting to see games with so much riding on every pitch and to see some of the best teams strut their talent. Frustrating that the A’s are not one of those teams and to reflect on the gap between how the best teams play and how the A’s play.

Here’s what the A’s next GM/PBO ought to be noticing as they put together their first rosters and coaching staffs:

  • Grinding out at bats You don’t see players compulsively taking first pitches and trolling for walks nor compulsively swinging at whatever slop comes their way. There is discernment in the plate appearances that produces a blend of aggressiveness on strikes with a willingness to wait for a better pitch and draw walks from sufficient patience. The A’s showed this at times in 2026 but it was fleeting — the norm was a lot of hacking and chasing and precious little discipline. The A’s need hitters, and hitting coaches, who are committed to the practice of staying disciplined and discerning in their approach.
  • Insistence on fundamentals Certainly there have been moments of break down even amongst the teams still standing. But one story really has stayed with me this post-season and it was the benching of Cooper Pratt back on August 25th, 2026, partly for not running hard on a fly ball ball that wound up falling for only a single, partly for not working to get a bunt down, and partly — at least according to teammates — for a culmination of events over time. Most essential is the dedication to a “winning culture” several players cite in backing their manager’s intolerance of a lack of hustle or commitment to fundamentals. The A’s need a manager who will bring “tough love” and a fundamentals rich style of play to offset inherent imitations in talent/payroll.
  • Emphasis on development and analytics The competition has simply waltzed by the once Moneyball-proud Athletics. The Brewers and Rays, in particular, spend ample resources not on payroll but rather on development and analytics and it shows. Jacob Misiorowski, Drew Rasmussen, and Gavin Williams may be “true aces” but they don’t necessarily have better arms than Luis Morales, Jack Perkins, and Gage Jump, who could be a worthy “Big 3” if stuff alone determined outcomes. The A’s need to invest strongly in the kind of development and analytics the LCS teams boast — teams who, by the way, ranked 20th (MIL), 28th (TB), and 29th (CLE) in Opening Day payroll.

Are there some other categories you can name where the teams still playing stand out, either in the way they are coached/instructed to play on the field or, perhaps more importantly, how they are set up off the field? Soon the A’s will hire a new front office — and then the new front office will begin to reshape how the A’s are run with an eye on being on of the teams still playing when 27 of the teams are watching from home.

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Stats Rundown: 5 numbers to know from the Mavericks’ 135-111 preseason loss to the Atlanta Hawks

DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 16: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Dallas Mavericks moves the ball against the Atlanta Hawks on October 16, 2026 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The final score may not have been pretty, but there will be plenty of takeaways in both directions from the Dallas Mavericks’ (1-3) 135-111 loss to the Atlanta Hawks (4-1) at American Airlines Center on Friday.

Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving were brilliant. The Mavericks’ defense and 3-point shooting struggled for long stretches at a time. The roster construction seems to be, well… cheeks. Zaccharie Risacher looked timid and ineffective against his former team’s starting unit, then scored a bunch of points against guys battling for a roster spot in the fourth quarter.

You can make what happened against the Hawks on Friday fit any narrative you want it to fit. So, with just five days before the games start counting, go ahead. Confirm all your pre-existing biases. That’s what fandom is all about.

Here are five stats spanning all corners of the spectrum that stood out in the Mavs’ loss to wrap up the 2026-27 preseason schedule.

19: First-quarter points from Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Jalen Johnson

The Mavericks had a ton of trouble staying in front of the Hawks’ two breakout players from a season ago to start the game. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, the NBA’s Most Improved Player from last year, led all scorers with 10 points in the first quarter on 3-of-4 shooting, while Johnson added nine more, hitting 6-of-7 from the free-throw line to set the tone by getting into the lane at will. Johnson, of course, was a Third-Team All-NBA selection a year ago.

The pair made all three of their combined 3-point attempts in the first quarter as well, but in the dress rehearsal game, the Mavs at least kept pace with their opponents from beyond the arc to start the game. Atlanta made 6-of-13 from 3-point land in the opening frame, compared to 6-of-11 shooting from deep for the Mavericks.

It was a promising start, in some respects, if not for the Mavs’ inability to limit the Hawks’ best scorers. The Hawks led 39-34 after one. Johnson would go on to lead all scorers with 16 points and 11 rebounds at halftime and finished with 20 and 14 in the win. Alexander-Walker led the Hawks with 25 points on 6-of-10 from 3-point land.

12: Atlanta first-half free throws after being fouled on 3-point attempts

This one is concerning. In what was billed as a dress rehearsal game, the Mavericks were incredibly sloppy on the defensive end. Exhibit A: Dallas fouled four 3-point shooters in the act of shooting in the first half. So, not only did the Mavs get boatraced in the actual shooting comparison from beyond the arc in the first half, but they surrendered eight more points from the 3-point line by fouling on four more would-be attempts along the way. Dallas was lucky that Atlanta shot so poorly from the line on those four unnecessary trips to the line (8-of-12, 66.7%), but the damage was done as the first half wore on.

After shooting 6-of-11 from 3-point land in the first quarter, the Mavs missed their next eight from long range in the second, finally cashing one in on Irving’s third 3-ball of the half with 56 seconds left to go 1-of-10 in the frame.

The Hawks abused the Dallas defense, getting to the line 30 times in the first half. They made just 23 of them, but that was still three times the Mavs’ output. Dallas shot just 7-of-12 (58.7%) from the free-throw line in the first half as the Hawks cruised to a 73-54 lead at the break.

Oh, and if giving Atlanta 12 extra free throws in the first half didn’t get the point across, Irving made it 15 midway through the third, sending Alexander-Walker to the free-throw line for three for a fifth time.

8-of-12: Sergio de Larrea’s preseason 3-point shooting

The ever-intriguing Mavs’ rookie Sergio de Larrea made a pair of 3-pointers as the third quarter wound down on Friday, with the outcome of the game likely already decided. But hey, for a guy like de Larrea, reps are reps, and these are valuable.

The young Spaniard had some moments in the dress rehearsal that made you think, “this kid’s not ready.” But after canning those two 3-balls, you looked at his stats and he was 8-of-11 from 3-point range this preseason. The Mavericks need shooting like a fish needs water, and de Larrea will turn it over on you, but if he’s going to hit the 3-pointer at anything approaching this rate, you have to live with the growing pains.

The only way out is through when it comes to de Larrea’s short-term shortcomings, and his 3-point shot could go a long way to canceling out his deficiencies in other areas. De Larrea finished with eight points and four assists in 25 minutes off the bench against the Hawks. He also blocked a pair of shots.

26/12/4/2/1: Cooper Flagg’s statement stat line

Get ready, Mavs fans. Year two Cooper Flagg is incoming, and this is going to be special. This kid just doesn’t stop attacking, and opposing defenses just don’t want to deal with it at a certain point in the game.

Flagg is going to bully his way to a transcendent statistical profile this year, if his preseason minutes are any indicator. He’s a little bigger — more imposing. He can get wherever he wants to get on the floor. He can absorb contact.

After a 2-of-7 start from the field, Flagg was a respectable 6-of-13 from the field in the final three quarters. He made two of his six 3-point attempts on the night, which isn’t great, but he’s shown much more confidence with his stroke this preseason than we saw from Flagg in his rookie year. He isn’t afraid to pull up for one or two early in the shot clock. You want Flagg taking those shots. You want him gaining confidence in his ability to make them.

The year two explosion is about to get underway.

5-of-7: Kyrie Irving 3-point shooting

The Mavericks ended the evening shooting 13-of-33 (39.4%) from 3-point range. Everyone on the roster not named Irving combined to shoot just 8-of-26 (30.7%), so thank the basketball gods he was there. He scored 18 points on 5-of-7 from deep and five assists in the loss. The shot was silky smooth throughout his 25 minutes on the floor.

The Mavs’ top two offensive engines were something close to sensational in their final preseason tune-up on Friday. It’s the rest of the roster that leaves us with more questions than answers as the regular season looms large.

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Stats Rundown: 5 numbers to know from the Mavericks’ 135-111 preseason loss to the Atlanta Hawks

DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 16: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Dallas Mavericks moves the ball against the Atlanta Hawks on October 16, 2026 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The final score may not have been pretty, but there will be plenty of takeaways in both directions from the Dallas Mavericks’ (1-3) 135-111 loss to the Atlanta Hawks (4-1) at American Airlines Center on Friday.

Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving were brilliant. The Mavericks’ defense and 3-point shooting struggled for long stretches at a time. The roster construction seems to be, well… cheeks. Zaccharie Risacher looked timid and ineffective against his former team’s starting unit, then scored a bunch of points against guys battling for a roster spot in the fourth quarter.

You can make what happened against the Hawks on Friday fit any narrative you want it to fit. So, with just five days before the games start counting, go ahead. Confirm all your pre-existing biases. That’s what fandom is all about.

Here are five stats spanning all corners of the spectrum that stood out in the Mavs’ loss to wrap up the 2026-27 preseason schedule.

19: First-quarter points from Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Jalen Johnson

The Mavericks had a ton of trouble staying in front of the Hawks’ two breakout players from a season ago to start the game. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, the NBA’s Most Improved Player from last year, led all scorers with 10 points in the first quarter on 3-of-4 shooting, while Johnson added nine more, hitting 6-of-7 from the free-throw line to set the tone by getting into the lane at will. Johnson, of course, was a Third-Team All-NBA selection a year ago.

The pair made all three of their combined 3-point attempts in the first quarter as well, but in the dress rehearsal game, the Mavs at least kept pace with their opponents from beyond the arc to start the game. Atlanta made 6-of-13 from 3-point land in the opening frame, compared to 6-of-11 shooting from deep for the Mavericks.

It was a promising start, in some respects, if not for the Mavs’ inability to limit the Hawks’ best scorers. The Hawks led 39-34 after one. Johnson would go on to lead all scorers with 16 points and 11 rebounds at halftime and finished with 20 and 14 in the win. Alexander-Walker led the Hawks with 25 points on 6-of-10 from 3-point land.

12: Atlanta first-half free throws after being fouled on 3-point attempts

This one is concerning. In what was billed as a dress rehearsal game, the Mavericks were incredibly sloppy on the defensive end. Exhibit A: Dallas fouled four 3-point shooters in the act of shooting in the first half. So, not only did the Mavs get boatraced in the actual shooting comparison from beyond the arc in the first half, but they surrendered eight more points from the 3-point line by fouling on four more would-be attempts along the way. Dallas was lucky that Atlanta shot so poorly from the line on those four unnecessary trips to the line (8-of-12, 66.7%), but the damage was done as the first half wore on.

After shooting 6-of-11 from 3-point land in the first quarter, the Mavs missed their next eight from long range in the second, finally cashing one in on Irving’s third 3-ball of the half with 56 seconds left to go 1-of-10 in the frame.

The Hawks abused the Dallas defense, getting to the line 30 times in the first half. They made just 23 of them, but that was still three times the Mavs’ output. Dallas shot just 7-of-12 (58.7%) from the free-throw line in the first half as the Hawks cruised to a 73-54 lead at the break.

Oh, and if giving Atlanta 12 extra free throws in the first half didn’t get the point across, Irving made it 15 midway through the third, sending Alexander-Walker to the free-throw line for three for a fifth time.

8-of-12: Sergio de Larrea’s preseason 3-point shooting

The ever-intriguing Mavs’ rookie Sergio de Larrea made a pair of 3-pointers as the third quarter wound down on Friday, with the outcome of the game likely already decided. But hey, for a guy like de Larrea, reps are reps, and these are valuable.

The young Spaniard had some moments in the dress rehearsal that made you think, “this kid’s not ready.” But after canning those two 3-balls, you looked at his stats and he was 8-of-11 from 3-point range this preseason. The Mavericks need shooting like a fish needs water, and de Larrea will turn it over on you, but if he’s going to hit the 3-pointer at anything approaching this rate, you have to live with the growing pains.

The only way out is through when it comes to de Larrea’s short-term shortcomings, and his 3-point shot could go a long way to canceling out his deficiencies in other areas. De Larrea finished with eight points and four assists in 25 minutes off the bench against the Hawks. He also blocked a pair of shots.

26/12/4/2/1: Cooper Flagg’s statement stat line

Get ready, Mavs fans. Year two Cooper Flagg is incoming, and this is going to be special. This kid just doesn’t stop attacking, and opposing defenses just don’t want to deal with it at a certain point in the game.

Flagg is going to bully his way to a transcendent statistical profile this year, if his preseason minutes are any indicator. He’s a little bigger — more imposing. He can get wherever he wants to get on the floor. He can absorb contact.

After a 2-of-7 start from the field, Flagg was a respectable 6-of-13 from the field in the final three quarters. He made two of his six 3-point attempts on the night, which isn’t great, but he’s shown much more confidence with his stroke this preseason than we saw from Flagg in his rookie year. He isn’t afraid to pull up for one or two early in the shot clock. You want Flagg taking those shots. You want him gaining confidence in his ability to make them.

The year two explosion is about to get underway.

5-of-7: Kyrie Irving 3-point shooting

The Mavericks ended the evening shooting 13-of-33 (39.4%) from 3-point range. Everyone on the roster not named Irving combined to shoot just 8-of-26 (30.7%), so thank the basketball gods he was there. He scored 18 points on 5-of-7 from deep and five assists in the loss. The shot was silky smooth throughout his 25 minutes on the floor.

The Mavs’ top two offensive engines were something close to sensational in their final preseason tune-up on Friday. It’s the rest of the roster that leaves us with more questions than answers as the regular season looms large.

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Penguins/Avalanche Recap: Pittsburgh’s quick start no match for MacKinnon, Pens lose 5-2

DENVER, COLORADO - OCTOBER 16: Goaltender Arturs Silovs #37 of the Pittsburgh Penguins defends against Nathan MacKinnon #29 of the Colorado Avalanche during the second period at Ball Arena on October 16, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Andrew Maclean/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images

Pregame

Egor Chinakhov apparently got injured in Thursday’s practice and doesn’t take warmups. His loss is Ville Koivunen’s gain to slot back into the lineup in a nice spot. Elmer Soderblom gets back in the mix too and Arturs Silovs starts for the Penguins.

The Colorado Avalanche are hosting the Pens with this lineup.

First period

The Pens start the game strong, controlling the shots early and looking very good. They turn that into a goal, Koivunen makes a cheeky little pass to Evgeni Malkin and then the old boy shows off his tricks, cutting into the middle of the ice and throwing a shot that beats Mackenzie Blackwood. 1-0 Pens.

Just 29 seconds later, Pittsburgh strikes again on the rush. Sidney Crosby has the puck on what looks to be a developing 2-on-1. Josh Manson stumbles in his transition to essentially make it a 2-on-0. You already know what happens next, Crosby puts a lot of mustard on a pass that Bryan Rust only needs to lift over the pad of the goalie moving laterally. 2-0.

The Avalanche respond, Nathan MacKinnon drives down the ice and matches his buddy Crosby with a great cross-ice pass for Arturri Lehkonen to score on. 2-1.

The Penguins get a power play, let’s just not talk about it.

Shots are 14-5 Pens, one of their best periods since the season opener.

Second period

Colorado scores early in the period. MacKinnon shoots hard, the puck hits Silovs and goes skyward. When it comes down, Lehkonen gloves it down from in close and smacks a backhand along the ice before any Penguin can quite catch up. 2-2 game.

Erik Karlsson hooks the Nate Dogg and it’s a penalty shot for MacKinnon as a result. Silovs stares him down and makes the save to keep the game tied.

That nice play aside, Colorado stays on the gas. Silovs finally crumbles a little giving up a big rebound on a shot. The puck goes to Brock Nelson and he makes a pass over to the backdoor for Gabriel Landeskog to guide it home. 3-2 Colorado takes their first lead of the night.

The Pens get another power play, it goes so well Ben Kindel slashes Nelson (after he shoots on the rush, even) and takes a penalty himself. Colorado’s short power play ends just as MacKinnon nabs his third point of the night when he centers a puck for TJ Hughes in front of the net. 4-2.

That period was a dose of reality for the Pens. Colorado woke up.

Third period

Quiet first-half of the third, Pittsburgh gets a third power play of the night.

Tommy Novak takes a penalty later on, the Pens almost hold until MacKinnon blasts one from the left side for his fourth point of the night. 5-2.

Pittsburgh pulls the goalie, because hey why not? Kris Letang takes a penalty late. Pittsburgh kills it off but the clock expires soon after to leave Colorado with a comforable win.

Some thoughts

  • Rough last 40 minutes but it does the heart good to see Malkin cut to the middle with authority and score. He did that when he was 20 years old, and when he was 30 and now when he did it at 40. Naturally, age effects mean it’s become a rarity to see such flashes of brilliance these days, but hey – there’s not many skilled and bold enough to pull that move off at any age. Always awesome to witness a great player remind why he was, and still can be, in fact be great.
  • Another feel good moment was Crosby on the Rust goal. You see Sid coming down the left side, a right-handed player in Rust bearing down on the right. It instantly screamed pass and goal, even before it happened. Then, of course, it happened just like you knew it would from 21 seasons of watching Crosby do exactly that. Happening the shift after the Malkin goal made it all the more special.
  • Not just from the goal but tonight was definitely the first full game of the season where Sidney Crosby looked like *Sidney Crosby*, if you know what I mean. The passes were on point, the jump was there, he held onto pucks in the o-zone, he was going low-to-high. Maybe it just took a little while to get going (as the two goals from last game would suggest getting it into gear), maybe it was the energy boost of turning it up to show out and keep up with his buddy Nate. Either way, my goodness what a night from the captain. Could have easily had three or four assists with the chances he created for teammates.
  • You think Koivunen was ready to make the most of his chance? Can’t underestimate the hunger, he knew he was on track to be a healthy scratch tonight, only playing because Chinakhov ended up injured, leaving Koivunen to take a spot on a prime line. That type of golden opportunity only comes around once every so often. Koivunen responded with perhaps his best game of the season. He did what he does best, making a skilled, subtle yet crucial play for Malkin’s goal. He then hit the post driving to the net in the first period and very nearly scored. Drew a penalty in the third. If he wasn’t hungry to make the most of this somewhat impromptu chance that would be a problem, good on him for stepping up when opportunity knocked.
  • Pretty surprised to see MacKinnon get awarded a penalty shot in the second period, judging from his reaction Dan Muse was too. MacKinnon didn’t get the puck until he was at the top of the circles, it wasn’t much of a ‘breakaway’ opportunity, especially as fast as he moves.
  • Immediately after Colorado took a 3-2 lead, Crosby made a beautiful pass to send Rickard Rakell in alone on the breakaway. Rakell made a move to the backhand but couldn’t finish. Setting aside Rakell has no goals on the season which adds to bigger frustrations, that’s the type of play a team simply has to score on to go punch-for-punch with an elite team like the Avs. They started hitting the Pens, you just have to hit back and keep up. That proved to be the problem of the night.
  • Another big problem: the Pens’ power play is down to 0-for-19 in the last six games. Whether it’s a change in personnel, mindset, design, tactics, you name it and something has to change. A lot of things even because it’s downright bad right now.
  • Speaking of that, and not to pile on Rakell- but why in the world is he still on the first power play group and Rust is not? Not to say that would solve all of that group’s issues (they have many more!) but it seems like a very easy first step.
  • Tonight was Colorado’s third game in four days. It showed early on, they looked slow in the first period, sleepy and not terribly engaged. When they went down 2-0, it was like they realized they needed to wake up and play. Boy, did they ever to score five unanswered goals at that point and leave the Pens in the dust. Led, as always, by MacKinnon and his goal and three primary assists to fuel the majority of it. Turned out the Pens had no answers and couldn’t keep up. That’s a tough pill to swallow in some regards but just where both teams are on the food chain in 2026.

In a lot of ways, I don’t think the Penguins played that poorly tonight, especially compared to some of their other losses this season where they barely looked competent. That wasn’t the case today. Now, it’s certainly true that Pittsburgh was the second best team on the ice and the end result was justified but that says more about Colorado being really good. The result is the result, so no one is or should going to take a lot of solace from that, but sometimes you run into a better foe. Quick turnaround to a pretty formidable opponent on deck with the Vegas Golden Knights tomorrow.

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JJ Redick may have tipped his hand on the Lakers starting lineup

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 13: Head coach JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Lakers yells to his players in the second quarter of a preseason game against the Golden State Warriors at T-Mobile Arena on October 13, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Warriors defeated the Lakers 101-89. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Masked in his tongue-in-cheek promise that the Lakers would not have an all-white starting five was that the opening lineup was not set.

The given was that Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler would comprise 60% of the group. The assumption was that Quentin Grimes would fill one of the final two spots while the fifth starter would be completely up in the air.

The Lakers hadn’t been healthy enough this preseason to try out a potential starting five until Friday, when head coach JJ Redick threw a curveball with an unexpected starting five.

Redick opted to surround the Big 3 with 3-and-D wings in Ziaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle. The move not to start Grimes may be partly due to how bad the team’s guards have been outside of Luka and Reaves this preseason.

With Collin Sexton out, the Lakers have had to go to options deeper in the bench for ballhandling, including Bronny James. Those minutes have gone poorly.

Having Grimes coming off the bench to spell Luka or AR and keep two decent ballhandlers on the floor. Perhaps, then, this is a bit of a stopgap solution until Sexton is healthy.

At the same time, the preseason exists to try things out. There’s logic behind putting wings and athleticism around Luka and Reaves. It does, however, place a heavy burden on that pair to create shots. Teams are going to sag off Williams and Thybulle defensively, which will clog up the paint.

The key will be whether those two can knock down enough threes to make defenses respect them as shooters. But, as we saw on Friday, teams will blitz Luka and Reaves on ball screens and force the rest of the Lakers to beat them.

It’s an interesting gamble for Redick. Whether he’s willing to take it into the regular season, especially after how poor that lineup looked against the Nuggets to start the game on Friday.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

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JJ Redick may have tipped his hand on the Lakers starting lineup

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 13: Head coach JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Lakers yells to his players in the second quarter of a preseason game against the Golden State Warriors at T-Mobile Arena on October 13, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Warriors defeated the Lakers 101-89. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Masked in his tongue-in-cheek promise that the Lakers would not have an all-white starting five was that the opening lineup was not set.

The given was that Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler would comprise 60% of the group. The assumption was that Quentin Grimes would fill one of the final two spots while the fifth starter would be completely up in the air.

The Lakers hadn’t been healthy enough this preseason to try out a potential starting five until Friday, when head coach JJ Redick threw a curveball with an unexpected starting five.

Redick opted to surround the Big 3 with 3-and-D wings in Ziaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle. The move not to start Grimes may be partly due to how bad the team’s guards have been outside of Luka and Reaves this preseason.

With Collin Sexton out, the Lakers have had to go to options deeper in the bench for ballhandling, including Bronny James. Those minutes have gone poorly.

Having Grimes coming off the bench to spell Luka or AR and keep two decent ballhandlers on the floor. Perhaps, then, this is a bit of a stopgap solution until Sexton is healthy.

At the same time, the preseason exists to try things out. There’s logic behind putting wings and athleticism around Luka and Reaves. It does, however, place a heavy burden on that pair to create shots. Teams are going to sag off Williams and Thybulle defensively, which will clog up the paint.

The key will be whether those two can knock down enough threes to make defenses respect them as shooters. But, as we saw on Friday, teams will blitz Luka and Reaves on ball screens and force the rest of the Lakers to beat them.

It’s an interesting gamble for Redick. Whether he’s willing to take it into the regular season, especially after how poor that lineup looked against the Nuggets to start the game on Friday.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.