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Brown puts up 30 as Sixers hang on to avenge lone loss with win over Pistons

DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 4: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Philadelphia 76ers dunks the ball 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

It could have been easier, but the Sixers have defeated the Detroit Pistons for the first time since November of 2024, knocking them off 112-106 Wednesday night.

Jaylen Brown set a new season-high 30 points shooting 11-of-19 from the floor, and his biggest play was blocking Cade Cunningham’s three-point attempt with 38 seconds remaining. LeBron James came close to his first triple-double as a Sixer, putting up 13 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists on 5-of-10 shooting.

Tyrese Maxey had his worst shooting performance of the season, put up 17 of his 19 in the second half going 5-of-16 from the floor along with seven assists. Not playing on a minutes restriction this time, Joel Embiid shot 8-of-18 for 26 points and 14 rebounds.

Cunningham led the Pistons with 26, who were once again without Jalen Durn who remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, as well as Isaiah Joe who injured his hip when these two teams last met on Oct. 25.

Here are some thoughts at the buzzer.

First Quarter

  • It was tough sledding early for Embiid and Maxey, each missing their first three field goals of the night despite some good looks. Embiid missed his 12th straight three-pointer dating back four games now, but he was able to help the offense flow in spite of that. He found a cutting Brown for the first points of the game and got his first field goal on a backdoor cut on his own.
  • Paul Reed had quite a start against his old club. He stayed in front of Maxey on a drive and blocked his layup attempt, and made his first two shots of the night attempting some fancy footwork. Getting one slam called back for a travel didn’t sway his confidence in trying to spin around Embiid.
  • LeBron settled in as he began to run the offense more after the Sixers’ first subs. After finding Embiid on that cut, he got aggressive with their pick-and-roll, getting each of them to the free throw line during this stretch. A steal caused by Dean Wade ending in a Dean Wade layup capped off a 10-0 Sixers run.
  • Brown and Maxey finished the quarter strong as the Sixers flipped the stagger with a couple minutes to go. Maxey’s scoop layup were only his first points of the night, but Brown was good in all nine of his minutes. He got the basket off the dribble for an and-1 then became the latest Sixer to hit an end-of-quarter heave, putting the Sixers up eight after one.

Second Quarter

  • They went right back to Brown on their first possession of the quarter and he got right to his spot in the midrange for another jumper. LeBron got an assist for that, but his impressive dimes came on his consecutive assists to Adem Bona. He waited just long enough for Reed to slide over for a quick bounce bass on the first, and the second was a left-handed laser from half court to reward Bona for getting down the floor ahead of the defense.
  • Cunningham started this game 2-of-8 from the floor. He also got hit in the midsection in the first quarter. Detroit’s offense struggled as their head of the snake did and the Sixers were able to take advantage. James got to the basket a couple more times, becoming the first player in history to reach 16,000 career field goals in the process. Brown drilled two more threes to cap off his heater. After intercepting a pass he had a wide open layup to himself but smoked it after an uneasy takeoff. Brown said the other day he’s waiting for a bit more burst to come back so hopefully this is just a blip on the radar.
  • A couple of turnovers to follow up that layup helped the game slowly swing the Pistons’ way for the first time. After a cutting layup, Duncan Robinson drilled his third and Detroit’s fourth three of the night. Maxey checked back into the game to get the offense back up and running but was subbed right back out after picking up his third foul of the night in just 10 seconds.
  • Embiid put back a missed layup and drew a foul in the process to end a 9-0 Sixers run, but picked up a technical foul after really getting into with reserve center Tolu Smith. It just seemed like an odd escalation from typical dead ball shooting from both parties.
  • That foul occurred when Brown was due for two at the line, drilling both to help offset the technical. After forcing a turnover Embiid got himself to the line getting Smith to bite on a rip through. Brown got to the line one more time and split a pair to give the Sixers a 14-point lead at halftime.

Third Quarter

  • The Sixers gave Cunningham too much space as he dribbled around a screen, helping him step into an open three to start the half. He also read an Embiid outlet very well for a pick-six moments later. Edgecombe had answered with a pull-up jumper and a cutting dunk, but as Cunningham started to draw doubles, the Sixers left John Collins wide open for lobs, prompting a timeout from Nick Nurse.
  • Nurse went back to his hot hand coming out of the timeout and Brown drilled a contested turnaround midrange jumper. LeBron drilled a three off the catch, as did Maxey for just his second field goal of the night on the following possession. Cunningham responded by getting to the line, then taking advantage of a collapsed defense to find Robinson for another three.
  • As he has all year, Edgecombe was doing a great job filling the lanes and was rewarded with plenty of open dunks for doing so. He also swooped in to grab a missed Embiid layup for a big putback basket. A couple possessions later he grabbed a big rebound on the defensive end and took the ball to the hoop to help the Sixers withstand Robinson’s heater.
  • Maxey checked back in and hit a sidestep three, a much welcomed sight after his first half. Despite the Pistons getting a pair of free throws on the ensuing possession the Sixers got up the floor quickly and found Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in the corner for a three. Brown split another pair at the line and hit another midrange J to set a new season-high for this young season. Despite some good ball pressure that led to a turnover, Edgecombe wasn’t able to finish a fastbreak layup, keeping the Sixers at a 16-point lead.

Fourth Quarter

  • Once again the Sixers started their quarter going to Brown and once again he was able to rise up and knock one down inside the arc. With Embiid having played 24 minutes and Jabari Walker at the scorer’s table it wasn’t clear if Embiid’s night was over, and Detroit was picking up momentum going to the basket. After four possessions ended in three layups, Nurse called a timeout and put Embiid back in the game. Bona didn’t just sub out but went to the locker room after taking a hit to the head during his shift.
  • Kevin Huerter drilled a three coming out of that timeout continuing the pursuit, but Embiid was able to knockdown a jumper to settle things down. Maxey drove his way to the line and LeBron was able to find KCP near the hoop for a basket. They surrendered a fast break that led to another Pistons three, but Reed picking up his fifth foul of the night for a thin Detroit backcourt and Maxey being left alone for another three on the left wing put the Sixers in a good spot with four and a half to go.
  • After missing a three badly at the end of the shotclock, Maxey appeared to make up for it running out after a miss, but he smoked the fast break layup as well. Brown fouled Robinson attempting a three on the following possession for a big swing.
  • Robinson made two of the three after a timeout. The Sixers went to the Maxey/Embiid two-man game and a pocket pass set the big fella up for a much needed midrange jumper, but they couldn’t keep Robinson down for too long as he buried another three coming off a screen. LeBron had Edgecombe set up for a rolling layup down the lane but Edgecombe fumbled the pass, giving up another easy open basket at the rim for Philadelphia.
  • Capping off a messy night of officiating, Cunningham got a pair at the line on a play he either should have had an and-1 or the foul be on the floor. Regardless, he cut the lead to six. LeBron followed it with a poor jumper behind the block that didn’t go and Cunningham got right back to the basket to cut it to a four-point game.
  • The Sixers dribbled out their next possession and the ball swung to Embiid behind the perimeter with the shotclock winding down, but he was unable to bust out of his long range slump. It was fitting that Brown made the biggest play of the night, blocking Cunningham’s pull-up three-point attempt on the next trip down the floor. It set the Sixers up to win the game from the free throw line and summed up in one play why the Sixers beat the Pistons for the first time in their last eight tries.
  • The Sixers were able to win the game at the line, but they might have picked up a considerable bump or bruise to worry about. As he was trying to avoid turning the ball over, Maxey came up favoring his right hand as Detroit was fouling him. He’s dealt with finger injuries on that hand in each of the last two seasons. Maxey was at least able to hit four straight free throws to help the Sixers pull out the win.
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Jason Kanzler brings energy, intensity to Mariners managerial position

WEST PALM BEACH, FL - MARCH 16: Coach Jason Kanzler of the Houston Astros poses for a photo during the Houston Astros Photo Day at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches complex on Wednesday, March 16, 2022 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | my kingdom for some Jason Kanzler pictures where he’s not wearing an Astros uniform

Jason Kanzler’s young son dozed off during the 45-minute press conference introducing Kanzler as the new Mariners manager, but he was the only one. The rest of the room was abuzz with questions, for Kanzler as well as Mariners execs Jerry Dipoto and Justin Hollander, who surprised the rest of the baseball world when it was announced the 36-year-old Kanzler would be accepting his first managerial job with the Mariners. That seemed to stand in contrast to a reported desire from the front office to find a candidate with experience in a big-league managing role, and has drawn some early criticism around baseball when the hire was announced. But for Dipoto, the experience question wasn’t such a question.

“Experience is good,” said Dipoto. “In this case, we didn’t think it was good enough to dissuade us from all the traits that Jason brings to the table.”

Those traits were on display in today’s introductory press conference. Kanzler gave thoughtful, concise answers that expressed his viewpoint, sprinkled in with a couple more quotable aphoristic slogans that it’s not hard to see catching on in the clubhouse (or in the marketing department; at one point Kanzler said, regarding the atmosphere at T-Mobile Park, he wanted to “ride the lightning” and Kevin Martinez, sitting behind me, made a noise that made me think we’ll be seeing that on t-shirts by the weekend). He even cracked some jokes, referring to the Astros, his former employers, as “the team who shall not be named.” For a team that had well-publicized communication breakdowns last year, with that quality being at the top of my personal wishlist for a manager, it was an encouraging introduction.

“The way he communicates is very clear,” said Dipoto. “You won’t be confused as to what the directive is when you leave the station, and I think our players will pick up on that.”

Hollander noted the Mariners had actually interviewed Kanzler before, back in 2021 for a potential additional hitting coach job, but ultimately couldn’t pry him away from the Astros. But Hollander said Kanzler’s interview was so impressive that his name continued to be brought up on and off over the years, until finally landing in the Mariners’ managerial search this year.

“I think he left us no choice throughout the process,” said Hollander. “It was just round after round, conversation after conversation. He dominated the process to the degree that I think we would have been foolish to take all the hard work and throw it out the window and not choose him.”

Kanzler said he actually realized he wanted to manage during the interview process, when he had an epiphany moment that directing a farm and managing a team aren’t all that different – both are concerned with developing players on the micro and macro levels and figuring out how to help people be the best version of themselves.

“This came about quickly, and I realized equally quickly throughout it that managing a major league club is just the pinnacle of what I was already doing as a farm director, where I had to manage an entire minor league system. This is just a way higher magnitude, with brighter lights and a third deck, but in the end, it’s the same. I want to win. I want to develop people. I want to develop players. And I want to achieve something with a collective and a great group of people around me.”

Kanzler said that what he’s focused on right now is getting to know the players he’ll be managing and building relationships with them, a process he said he’s started and he describes as being of “the utmost importance” to him. For Kanzler, everything starts with those relationships before anything else can be accomplished.

“It’s important to have connection with the players. It’s most important to have connection throughout the entire thing. The entire organization needs to be connected towards the common goal of winning the World Series…I like to think that the sign of things going well is when people start using the word ‘we’ more than ‘me’ or ‘I.’ When the group starts talking in ‘we’, then I know that things are going well.”

The 2026 Mariners lost their way, something that was largely attributed to a lack of solid clubhouse culture or identity: too much passivity, players not moving in a unified direction. While Kanzler says he wants the identity of the Mariners team to surface organically (the most specific vision of identity he’d give was “step on their throats”), Kanzler’s view of what the 2027 Mariners could be surprisingly starts with what the 2027 Mariners will not be.

“Culture is, in my opinion, all the things that you don’t allow. All the things that don’t happen. It’s the things that you hold the line against. It’s doing, obviously, the big things right, it’s doing all of the little things right all of the time, but most importantly, it is not doing the wrong thing as much as humanly possible. What we allow is what we stand for, and that’s what culture means to me.”

For a team that played some of the worst defense in MLB, made embarrassing baserunning gaffes, and overall didn’t play disciplined, consistent baseball, that vision has appeal: firm guardrails to keep things from going off the rails as they did last season.

“Accountability” was a popular buzzword after the disappointing 2026 season, but Kanzler is quick to clarify that accountability first and foremost requires communication and a clear definition.

“My view [of accountability] is that it requires clarity,” he said. “People need to understand what they’re accountable for before you can hold them accountable. So it starts with clarity, simplicity. Even when the things we’re talking about might be complex, they need to be understood. When people understand what the goal is and they have a clear path to get there and they understand how to get there, then all the stuff in between takes care of itself, and it makes those conversations much eaiser.”

Those hard conversations are ones Kanzler has been having with players for years, at multiple levels, and like his approach to building culture – not imposing it but allowing it to develop organically – he doesn’t force things on players, but rather sees himself as someone who can facilitate the player to coming to better decisions.

“It doesn’t necessarily land well with anyone when they’re told, like, you need to do this, you need to think this. So the way I challenge players and people is I ask questions. I listen a lot. I hear them. I propose alternate ways of thinking or looking at a problem. With players in this game, they are going to be faced with an unending slew of problems, small ones and big ones. They’re going to have to make adjustments. They’re going to have to get better at certain parts of their game. They’re going to have to maintain other parts of their game. They’re going to have to deal with so many things. And I think the ability to help them come to the more correct behavioral outcomes and decisions to make themselves better, and to work themselves through those situations, the better.”

But even if his method is more hands-off – the old “praise publicly, criticize privately” – Kanzler indicates he’s not afraid to get in there and tear things up when the time calls for it.

“There are times where, you know, we have to rip ass with the whole team, and that’s fine. You just have to pick your spots. I’ve been in a major league dugout, I’ve been around major league players, I’ve been around major league clubhouses. I understand when that’s appropriate and when it’s not. But overall, we want to celebrate the things that we care about publicly to reinforce them, and I’d rather address things that need to be addressed privately, to start.”

For Kanzler, that desire comes from what he wanted during his brief minor-league career. His coaching career, culminating in becoming the Mariners’ manager, is a full-circle moment that allows him to pour into players what he craved from coaches as a player.

“I wanted to be coached extremely hard, I wanted things to be intentional, and those are things that have stood with me. I bring intensity to the things that I do, and I really want that delivered to the players. Each of these players is a human being, and they deserve individual, deep attention, especially at this scale, at this stage. We owe it to the fans, we owe it to the organization, and we owe it to the players themselves to give them what they need individually to help the collective win….These are people’s lives, and there’s a lot of people that care about what happens and how these players grow and how they perform.”

“I’m the right man because I believe that every player and every person can be better, and I believe these players so deeply want to be better, and to grow and to win as a unit, and I’m excited to get that out of them.”

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Payton Pritchard exits game vs Bucks: injury update

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 04: Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics dribbles downcourt against Kasparas Jakucionis #25 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the first quarter at TD Garden on November 04, 2026 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. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images

BOSTON — Payton Pritchard exited in the third quarter of Tuesday’s game against Milwaukee with a right eye abrasion.

Pritchard tallied 10 points and 5 rebounds in 18 minutes off the bench before taking a hit to the face and heading to the locker room with trainer Drew Moore. The 28-year-old guard was previously listed as questionable to play with a right shoulder contusion, but was upgraded to available before tip-off. The Celtics outscored the Bucks by 7 points in his minutes.

The Celtics were otherwise fully healthy on Wednesday night. Jayson Tatum, however, missed his first game of the season to rest. Two-way player Devin Carter remains sidelined as he recovers from an illness he contracted during the preseason.

Payton Pritchard has struggled so far this season

Pritchard has averaged 13.4 points and 3.4 assists per game, shooting 40.3% from the field and 31% from three. He had his two best games against the Chicago Bulls; otherwise, he’s scored double-digit points only once more this season, with 17 against the Detroit Pistons.

After the Celtics’ 109-102 win over the Bucks, Joe Mazzulla provided a brief update on Pritchard.

“He’s okay,” he said. “I don’t know exactly what it is, but he got hit in the eye, hit in the head. Seems to be okay.”

This story will be updated as more information is available.

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Australian F1 world champion Alan Jones dies aged 80

  • Jones one of just two Australians to win F1 title after triumph in 1980

  • He won 12 grands prix across 10 seasons before retirement in 1986

Alan Jones, the 1980 Formula One world champion, has died aged 80.

Jones won 12 F1 grands prix across his career and became just the second Australian, after Sir Jack Brabham, to be crowned world champion when he claimed the title with Williams in 1980.

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Hawks defeat Wizards 120-105 in Kingston Flemings’ first career start

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 4: Kingston Flemings #4 of the Atlanta Hawks drives to the basket during the game against the Washington Wizards on November 4, 2026 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 Kenny Giarla/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Atlanta Hawks were in Washington on Wednesday evening to face the Wizards. This was the first of two matchups in three days against these two teams, and there were some big headlines coming into this one. First, it was Trae Young’s first game against his former team since getting traded in January. Young played his first eight seasons in the league with the Hawks, so this was a big moment for the point guard.

A surprising move that happened an hour before the game was Kingston Flemings being inserted into the starting lineup, with CJ McCollum coming off the bench. It seemed like a move that McCollum suggested, which shows how much of a veteran and team player he is.

Jalen Johnson remained out for his second straight game, and Lu Dort once again started in his place.

Flemings was able to start things off for the Hawks with a 3-pointer.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker had a strong shooting night against the Pacers on Monday, and he continued that coming into this game, knocking down a few 3-pointers in the quarter.

The Wizards were able to keep things close with the Hawks, as Anthony Davis was hard to stop in the paint. The Hawks countered by getting in transition, and Flemings used his speed to beat the defense.

McCollum came off the bench and was instant offense for the Hawks, and got this and-1 to go. Later on in the quarter, he knocked down a deep 3-pointer.

The Hawks were able to create a little separation as the quarter went on, and before heading into the second, Asa Newell got this put back to go to give them a 37-32 lead.

Zuby Ejiofor got things started for the Hawks in the second with this big dunk in transition.

Flemings continued to make an impact in his new role, and Aaron Wiggins found the rookie for a wide-open 3-pointer. The Hawks were able to get a double-digit lead in the second, getting stops on defense and getting out in transition on the other end.

McCollum did more than just score the ball, and he found Onyeka Okongwu for an easy layup.

The Hawks let go of the gas a little bit toward the end of the second, and the Wizards were able to cut into their deficit. Going into halftime, the Hawks still led 68-61.

Coming into the third, the Hawks kept shooting threes, and they kept going in.

The Wizards were able to cut into the Hawks’ lead a little more, and they got it down to as low as four points. The Hawks still tried to keep the pressure on in the quarter, and Flemings attacked the bigs of the Wizards.

Alexander-Walker continued his hot shooting.

Corey Kispert was able to bait Young into a foul for a four-point play.

Ejiofor got up for a monster dunk over two defenders late in the quarter.

Every time the Wizards made a run in the third, the Hawks had an answer for it. Going into the fourth, the Hawks led 93-85.

The Hawks ran up their lead to start the fourth, and it was Kispert who got another and-1 to go.

Flemings was breaking the paint all game for the Hawks, and this time it led to an open 3-pointer for Dort.

The Hawks finished with 30+ assists again, and it was because of plays like this.

The Hawks were able to keep their double-digit lead throughout the fourth, and they walked away with the win.

Alexander-Walker finished with 26 points, Okongwu finished with 14 points and 16 rebounds, Daniels finished with eight points, 17 rebounds and eight assists, and Flemings finished with 14 points.

The Hawks will be back in action on Friday to face the Wizards again.

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It’s time for Basketball: San Antonio Spurs vs Dallas Mavericks

DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 24: Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs drives to the basket during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on October 24, 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 Cooper Neill/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Welcome to the Game Thread. Veterans of the Game Thread know how we do things around here, but for all you newbies we have a few rules. Our community guidelines apply and basically say be cool, no personal attacks, don’t troll and don’t swear too much.

The Spurs are on a five game winning streak, and face the game that they beat 122-106 on October 24 to start the streak, the Dallas Mavericks. This time around is expected to be a bit tougher, as the Mavs were missing their two best players in that game, and they are a different team when Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving are in the lineup. Spanish sensation Sergio de Larrea (out tonight) led Dallas’s scoring that night with 15, and the Silver and Black would be extremely happy if they could hold either or both of the Mav superstars to that level or lower.

The Spurs are coming off of a 22 point blowout win over the Jazz on Monday which was nowhere as close as the final score as the Utahn’s could not put together much of an offense on the road against Victor Wembanyama’s zone of denial, and the talented trio of guards provided plenty of points to clinch the contest. Victor had a bit of an off night on the offensive end as the Jazz sold out to keep him out of the paint, but his teammates picked up the slack and made the game a little boring to watch at the end, unless you like blowouts. (I DO!!)

Tonight is a chance to extend their win streak to six, and to test themselves against one of the more talented squads in the Western Conference. This might be the toughest test of November for the Spurs, and if they can keep piling up the wins, it bodes well for the team who are looking for a redemption tour in this season’s playoffs.

Game Prediction:

Victor Wembanyama and Zacharie Risacher get into an argument over whether the music of Daft Punk or Edith Piaf is more important to French heritage, and we are left to wonder which player favored which band. The argument is broken up when Harrison Barnes leads them both in a rousing rendition of La Marseillaise.

San Antonio Spurs vs Dallas Mavericks
November 4, 2026 | 8:30 PM CT
Streaming: DAZN, League Pass
TV: ESPN, CW35, DAZN
Reminder: It is against site policy to post links to illegal streams in the comments.

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‘Playing out of his mind’: Novak Djokovic hails Rinky Hijikata after Australian’s stunning win in Paris

  • Hijikata wins 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 to end Serb’s ATP Finals hopes

  • He becomes just fourth Australian to conquer Djokovic

Rinky Hijikata has revealed he almost didn’t even take the court before notching the biggest win of his career to send the great Novak Djokovic crashing out of ATP Finals contention.

Continuing his inspired run from qualifying, Hijikata lit up the indoor Plenitude Arena to bring down Djokovic 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 to surge into the Paris Masters third round.

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Ex-Oiler Evander Kane Taking His Talents to the KHL, Likely Done In The NHL

Evander Kane is taking the his talents to the KHL. Agent Dan Milstein has confirmed that Kane received a couple of offers to play in the North America, but has ultimately decided to head to Russia where he will play the 2026-27 season. 

An unrestricted free agent, Kane was unable to secure a contract with an NHL teams. He spent last season with the Vancouver Canucks after being acquired in a trade from the Edmonton Oilers. 

His last five seasons have mixed solid production with injury trouble. He scored 22 goals in 43 games after joining Edmonton midseason in 2021-22, then managed 16 goals in 41 games in 2022-23. He bounced back with 24 goals and 44 points in 77 games in 2023-24. A long layoff limited him to 21 games and 12 points in 2024-25, and he was dealt to Vancouver that summer. In 2025-26 he finished with 13 goals and 31 points in 70 games for the Canucks.

This will likely signal the end of Kane's playing career in the NHL. A solid winger, he was one of the premier power forwards in the NHL for several seasons. Off-ice drama played a significant role in his career and in many ways, it will unfortunately be what he's most remembered for. 

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Joel Embiid hit with technical foul for altercation in 76ers-Pistons

As far as NBA altercations go, this certainly wasn’t the most intense. But Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid drew a technical foul for it, either way.

Embiid and Detroit Pistons forward Tolu Smith engaged in a brief dustup late in the first half of a Wednesday, Nov. 4 game between the two teams.

The play happened with 1:25 left to go in the second quarter, when the 76ers had the ball. Sixers forward Jaylen Brown was driving to the basket when Smith was jostling with Embiid for positioning below the basket. Smith shoved Embiid, who took exception to the move after the play was blown dead.

Embiid then gave Smith a little shove with his right elbow. The contact was minor, but it led to a quick back and forth between the two. It escalated with light shoving, and players eventually had to step in to separate Embiid and Smith, who were shouting and trying to square off.

Eventually, officials reviewed the sequence and levied a technical foul against Embiid for being the one to initiate the action with the elbow.

The Pistons crowd at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit immediately booed Embiid. Pistons All-Star guard Cade Cunningham converted the technical free throw. Embiid was seen encouraging the boos.

The 76ers took a 56-42 lead into halftime.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Joel Embiid hit with technical foul for altercation in 76ers-Pistons

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Mavericks vs Spurs Preview and Injury Report: You again?

SAN ANTONIO, TX - NOVEMBER 4: An overall view of the San Antonio Spurs City Edition Court logo before the game against the Dallas Mavericks on November 4, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, 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 (Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Dallas Mavericks (4-3) head south to face an in-state rival in the San Antonio Spurs (5-2) on the late ESPN game on Wednesday night. Dallas is coming off their most pathetic performance of the season, losing to the then-winless Sacramento Kings. After losing their first two, the Spurs are riding a five-game win streak. Here are the main things you need to know:

  • WHO: Dallas Mavericks vs San Antonio Spurs
  • WHAT: Nationally televised game!
  • WHERE: Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, Texas
  • WHEN: 8:30 pm CST
  • HOW: ESPN

It’s a fairly reasonable injury report for the Mavericks. Santi Aldama was ruled out again, but that’s been the case. Max Christie will miss this one with whatever hip injury he developed on Monday. Sergio De Larrea remains out with the knee sprain. Tarik and Lively are out too, but you knew that. On the Spurs side of things, Tobias Harris is out.

This is one of those games that, on paper, Dallas should get waxed. They are 12.5 point underdogs and Dallas lost the last match up by 16. But that matchup didn’t feature Cooper Flagg or Kyrie Irving, so it stands to reason this game could be closer. Of course, Dallas did pretty well through the first half and most of the third quarter before getting blown of the court by the superior Spurs squad. I’m mainly hoping for a good game. An 8:30 (so like 8:50) start time stinks.

Since you’re here checking out this post, it’s for one of two reasons.

  • Injury report news
  • Discussion and comment thread

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Arizona Diamondbacks: Play of the Year nominations

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - AUGUST 25: Ryan Waldschmidt #15 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates after hitting a pinch-hit, walk-off, two-run home run during the ninth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Chase Field on August 25, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Diamondbacks defeated the Cubs 5-4. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Not a lot of traction in the nominations thread, with only a couple of comments, and one genuine suggestion! Consequently, I get to exercise my executive privilege and pick the five candidates out of the twenty-five originally included in the short-list. Except, I actually added another one from the infield, to make six in all. It’s good to be the King. 🙂

4/3 – Alek Thomas’ diving catch

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Though first chronologically, this was the last one I added to the ballot, because choosing between the outfield plays was really hard. There was no obviously outstanding candidates, but there were a lot of very good ones. I will admit, a certain amount of nostalgic bias may have crept in, with Thomas delivering in his last full month as a Diamondback, after having been drafted by the organization back in 2018. He certainly had his moments. While he’ll be best remembered for his NLCS home-run against the Phillies in 2023, his defense rarely failed to show up, every day. He was always in contention for this category, and this full-speed dive is no exception.

5/12: Nolan Arenado’s crafty double play

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I wanted to include a play from each of our Gold Glovers, but doing so would have meant no room for Arenado, who certainly deserved a mention. His signing was likely Mike Hazen’s best move of last winter, and in addition to the thirty home-runs, Nolan showed he could still flash the leather at the hot corner. There were a number of credible candidates from Arenado, but I particularly liked this one, which showcased his quick thinking. Immediately realizing how much time was available to him, Nolan first moved to tag the runner out going from second to third, before firing a strike over to first base to get the second out.

6/23: D-backs turn 6-2 double play

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Nominated by Sighborg. The only suggestion was for the rather less conventional double-play Sighborg appropriately named “The Germinator.” Arguably, there was as much bad as good to be found there, even if the outcome was a highly satisfactory, inning ending double-play! But Geraldo Perdomo was blameless, and our Gold Glover deserves much credit for his presence of mind. After narrowly avoiding getting run over by Tommy Troy, who either didn’t hear or chose to ignore Perdomo’s call, Gerry still made the catch and then threw home to get the runner, trying to advance from third in the chaos. That proved decisive in what ended as a one-run win for the D-backs

8/7: Corbin Carroll ROBS a home run!

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Five-star catches are those plays which Statcast assesses a typical fielder would make less than twenty-five percent of the time. According to this chart, in 2026 Carroll recorded seven such outs, behind only likely MVP winner Pete Crow-Armstrong and the Red Sox’s Ceddanne Rafaela in this category, among all MLB outfielders. I don’t know which plays of Corbin’s specifically qualified (I wish you could search Statcast data by catch percentage!), but I feel sure if this play was not one of the seven, it is certainly the equal of them. That it took a home-run away from the Dodgers is the icing on this particular cake.

8/7: Gabriel Moreno throws out Shohei Ohtani at second

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Two Play of the Year candidates from the same game? Oh, alright: if you insist. Once more with feeling, because making the Dodgers look dumb always gave a case of the extra warm fuzzies. This perfect throw down to second base, demonstrates why Moreno is the only Arizona catcher ever to win the Gold Glove, now having two on his mantelpiece. Ohtani was just one of the fourteen baserunners Moreno nailed this year, and it was particularly amusing how he thought otherwise. Get your butt back to the dugout, Shohei! Moreno also picked off four base-runners in 2026 – no catcher in the majors had more.

8/25: Ryan Waldschmidt walks off the Cubs

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For the home-run, I definitely wanted to go with one of the walk-offs. Each of the three had something to say for them. For example, Waldy’s one just 18 days earlier was against the Dodgers, always a bonus. But in the end, I had to go with his later one. The +85.5% Win Probability it was worth, made it the highest single play by a Diamondback for over fourteen years, since Ryan Roberts against the A’s in June 2012. [Marte’s walkoff against the Giants was almost as good, at +82.7%] Nick Ahmed had 2,897 at-bats as a Diamondback without a walk-off home-run. Waldschmidt hit a pair over a span of a mere 43 at-bats in August. “The Cubs comeback is complete.” 🙂

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Lakers rookie in awe of franchise superstar’s scoring ability

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic reacts on the court, Image 2 shows Cameron Carr of the Los Angeles Lakers on the court during a game against the Toronto Raptors, Image 3 shows Los Angeles Lakers' Cameron Carr waits on the sideline before a game

SACRAMENTO — Heat superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo made his feelings on Luka Dončić clear when he referred to the Lakers superstar as possibly the greatest scorer in NBA history.

And consider the Lakers’ youngest player just as impressed with how his teammate has opened the 2026-27 season. 

Lakers rookie Cameron Carr is in awe of what he’s observed from Luka Dončić. NBAE via Getty Images

Cameron Carr watched Dončić dominate the NBA during his combined three years in college at Tennessee and Baylor. 

Now, as teammates, he’s getting a firsthand look at what makes the Slovenian star special, with the 6-foot-5 wing calling the pace Dončić plays at “unique.”

Luka Dončić plays at a “unique” pace in Cameron Carr’s eyes. AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea

“I’ve said it since college, he moves in slow motion, but it just works,” Carr said ahead of the Lakers’ road game against the Kings on Wednesday. “I don’t know how it works, but it works. He plays at his own pace; he doesn’t get sped up. It’s impossible to take the ball from him — I don’t know how it works.”

The last part of what the Lakers rookie said is an understatement.

Dončić entered Wednesday averaging a league-high 38.3 points per game to go with 8.1 assists, eight rebounds and 1.9 steals. 

His 1.072 points per minute entering the matchup against the Kings would be an all-time league record, besting Wilt Chamberlain’s record of 1.038 points per minute in 1961-62, if sustained for the season. 

“Just to be able to be in his presence and see how his mind works every day and what he’s thinking about … it sharpens his game but also sharpens people around him,” Carr said. “I don’t think he realizes how much impact he has on dudes like me. I’m here every day, just soaking things up. He’s the best scorer in the NBA. That’s big-time.”

The Lakers’ Cameron Carr averaged 18.9 points during his lone season with Baylor. AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea

Carr debated whether he can refer to himself as a scorer considering he just made his NBA debut during Sunday’s home win over the Raptors and has played two minutes in the league. 

But when he was in college, that’s exactly what he was, with the former Baylor Bear averaging 18.9 points during his lone season with the program.

So he has a deeper appreciation for Dončić’s scoring outburst early in games.

Dončić entered Wednesday averaging a league-high first-quarter 15 points and 22.9 first-half points.   

“When you look up in the first quarter and he has 20, 22 points, you’re like, ‘Wow, how did he get there so fast?’ That’s the only question you can really ask,” Carr said. “Like, he’s about to make something ridiculous. Oh, he banked in a [3-pointer against the Raptors]. I ask him every game like, ‘Did you mean to do that?’ He like, ‘Don’t even ask — you know I did.'”

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Game Thread: Suns vs. Trail Blazers

PORTLAND, OR - OCTOBER 21: Devin Booker #15 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on October 21, 2026 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. 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 Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

With seven straight games at home, the Suns have an opportunity to get their season back on track.

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Cavs at Thunder game thread

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - FEBRUARY 22: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 22, 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

The Cleveland Cavaliers will try to get back into the win column as they take on the Oklahoma City Thunder for the second time this week.

Share your thoughts as the game unfolds. If you aren’t a member of the community, sign up so you can talk to your fellow Cavalier fans and make your voice heard!

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Longtime Celtic gets first start of the season in Jayson Tatum’s absence

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 26: Jayson Tatum #0 high fives Sam Hauser #30 of the Boston Celtics during the second half of game four of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 26, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Celtics will start Derrick White, Paul George, Hugo Gonzalez, Sam Hauser, and Neemias Queta when they face the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night.

That’s in the absence of Jayson Tatum, who will miss his first game of the season due to rest. Payton Pritchard, listed as questionable with a right shoulder contusion, is available.

Tatum has played in all 7 of the Celtics’ games so far, including both back-to-backs. But, against a struggling Milwaukee team, he’ll get the night off. Tatum is averaging 27 points, 7.9 assists, and 6 rebounds per game so far this season.

Sam Hauser gets his first start of the season

It will be Hauser’s first start of the year, though he’s averaged the 6th-most minutes per game on the team so far. Hauser, who started 49 games for the Celtics last year, is averaging 7.1 points and 3 rebounds per game, while shooting 41.2% from three.

Hugo Gonzalez will start his third straight game for the Celtics; Jordan Walsh started the first five games of the season. So far in his second year, Gonzalez is averaging 3.7 points and 2.3 rebounds in 12.6 minutes per game. Walsh is averaging 4.4 points and 3.7 rebounds in 16 minutes per game.

Of note, when Paul George sat on Sunday, it was Baylor Scheierman who got the starting nod. Scheierman tallied 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists, shooting 4-9 from the field. Against the Bucks, it’s Hauser who gets the starting opportunity.

The Bucks will start Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kyle Kuzma, Brayden Burries, and Myles Turner.

The Celtics are 5-2 entering the game; the Bucks are 1-7.

Celtics-Bucks tips off at 7:30pm ET.