TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 28: Shelley Duncan of the New York Yankees poses for a portrait during the New York Yankees Photo Day at George M. Steinbrenner Field on February 28, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images
NY Daily News | Gary Phillips: The Yankees’ organization lost one of the cogs of their farm system on Wednesday, as news broke that their Triple-A manager Shelley Duncan had accepted a job with the Boston Red Sox to join their major league staff. Duncan has been the skipper of the RailRiders for the past four seasons, earning International League Manager of the Year honors in 2025, and oversaw the leap of several key faces on the current Yankees’ roster from fringe prospects to outright stardom in the case of Ben Rice and Cam Schlittler. With his contract expiring though, Duncan was free to explore new roles and he found a decent promotion landing in Boston. Duncan’s new role on the Red Sox is still to be determined, though based on the gaps on their staff it is likely that he’ll serve as either their first or third base coach.
MLB.com | Sam Dykstra: The Arizona Fall League is nearing the end of its run, and the Fall Stars Game is set to kick off this weekend on Sunday. The game features plenty of blue chip prospects, and last year’s class saw some names that immediately made an impression the next year in MLB. Ten of MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 Prospects will be on the field, and the Yankees will have one of them as Dax Kilby will get an invite to the game after he posted a .980 OPS in 15 games thus far. Chris Veach will join Kilby as the other Yankees representative at the game, the pitcher having tossed 9.2 innings in six appearances with a 3.72 ERA.
FanGraphs | Jay Jaffe: A few days ago the ballot for the Hall of Fame Era Committee came out, and as Nick outlined for us, there were a number of people with Yankees ties up for election. Jaffe is working his way through the cases for each candidate, and his latest stop took him to Lou Piniella’s career. Sweet Lou came oh-so-close to election in previous ballots, but a stacked crowd this time around and a career that weighs heavily on his longevity rather than triumph beyond his early days managing in Cincinnati could hold him back from enshrinement.
SAN DIEGO, CA - OCTOBER 06: Yuki Matsui #1 of the San Diego Padres celebrates as he leaves the field during Game Three of the National League Division Series presented by Booking.com between the Milwaukee Brewers and the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Welcome to our series grading every member of the San Diego Padres’ 40-man roster. The roster being evaluated is current as of Oct. 18, prior to the end of the World Series. Because of that, it will include players who will be free agents once the postseason concludes. Each player will be graded on their performance in the 2026 season, including the playoffs. That performance will be weighted based on how much time the player spent with the team (availability is the best ability).
Yuki Matsui
The Padres signed Matsui to a five-year, $28 million deal heading into the 2024 season after the left-hander became an international free agent. He was the first free agent they signed that offseason to bolster their pitching staff after dealing away superstar Juan Soto to the New York Yankees. Matsui gave them modest results in 2024 and ‘25, posting sub-4.00 ERAs over 60-plus innings in both years.
Overall Grade: A+
He took that to new heights in 2026. Matsui posted a blistering 1.83 ERA and .171 opponent batting average across 64 innings of work. Since coming over from Japan, Matsui has struggled with command (1.22 career WHIP). In spite of that, he managed to work out of jams in 2026, regularly recording outs in key situations. Matsui was especially dominant down the stretch with a 1.42 ERA in his final 30 appearances and a 0.68 ERA in his last 15 outings.
Some of that may have been due to luck. Matsui’s expected ERA (3.03) was more than a full run above his actual mark (1.83). However, his expected opponent batting average (.170) was almost the exact same as his actual, so it’s hard to make heads or tells of it. Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) is a metric used to determine how dominant a pitcher is on his own (using homers, walks, hit-by-pitches and strikeouts). Essentially, it measures how good a pitcher is without his defense. Matsui’s 4.18 FIP isn’t exactly sterling, so the defense may have had something to do with it.
All that said, his season with the Friars was incredible. Matsui surprised just about everyone by being one of the most dominant left-handed relievers in the game. He was even better than his teammate Adrian Morejon (though he certainly doesn’t have the same track record as Morejon). Matsui decided earlier this week to remain with the Padres for the 2027 season, choosing not to exercise his opt-out. He’ll fill an important role in the Padres’ bullpen with the potential departures of Morejon and Jason Adam on the rise.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 12: Austin Wynns #16 of the Atlanta Braves looks on during the second inning of the game against the New York Mets at Citi Field on June 12, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
A serious bout of catcher injuries struck the Atlanta Braves during the first half of the season, and desperate times called for desperate measures. One of those measures, of the band-aid variety, ended up being Austin Wynns, who spent two weeks with the club in June and appeared in six games.
How Acquired
The Braves added Wynns in the middle of the season, while both Drake Baldwin and Sean Murphy were down with injuries. They sent cash considerations to the Angels in exchange for Wynns’ services, and designated longtime third-string catcher Chadwick Tromp in a corresponding move. The reasoning was a bit weird, though it was all meant to be a temporary fix anyway: Sandy Leon was getting the bulk of playing time anyway, so the Braves opted to acquire a backup-to-Leon instead of using Tromp in that role for whatever reason.
One silly thing about the Wynns acquisition is that the Braves kind of prompted it with their own DFA of Jonah Heim earlier in the season. The Athletics, who acquired Wynns in a midseason trade in 2025, DFAed him three days after trading for Heim. He was released and signed with the Angels, but didn’t get promoted to their big league team. Three weeks later, the Braves traded cash considerations (which is what they received for Heim) to Anaheim for Wynns.
What were the expectations?
There weren’t any real expectations, to be blunt.
Coming into 2026, the 35-year-old Wynns had a career 74 wRC+ that featured a pretty sizable xwOBA overperformance (.282 wOBA, .265 xwOBA) in 783 career PAs spanning parts of six major league seasons. He had never topped 180 PAs in a single season, nor 1.0 fWAR. He came kind of close in 2025 riding a massive xwOBA overperformance (.365 wOBA, .295 xwOBA), though. He also wasn’t highly regarded defensively, with just one good defensive year (2023) behind the plate and some substantially below-average performance in other seasons.
He wasn’t doing much of anything in 2026, either — a -47 wRC+ (yes, a negative sign) in 43 PAs in Sacramento before getting released. Basically, the Braves acquired a guy who had 0.6 career fWAR in 826 PAs at the big league level.
While it’s not entirely clear what the Braves were thinking in swapping Tromp for Wynns, it was a fairly inconsequential shuffle to try and survive until Baldwin and Murphy returned.
2026 results
Wynns was only with the Braves for two weeks, acquired on June 3, recalled on June 4, and granted free agency on June 16, the day after Baldwin returned from the Injured List.
During his time in Atlanta, he appeared in six games and was 1-for-14 at the plate. He had just one single and no walks, leaving him with a sad .071/.071/.071 slash line that was somehow even worse than his -47 wRC+ with the Athletics. In what would be his final game with the team, he went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts against the Mets. It wasn’t much better behind the plate, where he allowed six stolen bases and didn’t throw a single runner out, and lost nearly a run of defensive value despite barely playing, even after accounting for the massive catcher positional adjustment. In total, he put up -0.3 fWAR in 14 PAs, which by far his worst stint-with-a-team-in-a-season of his career, small sample size and all.
At least the baseball gods threw him a bit of a bone: after he rejected the Braves’ outright assignment and became a free agent, he signed a minor league deal with the Rangers, spent a month playing in their minor league system, and then got promoted for a month on the big league roster. In 32 PAs in Arlington, he somehow managed a .312 wOBA with a .195 xwOBA, and his defense improved-ish. All in all, Wynns finished 2026 with -0.7 fWAR in 89 PAs, but it would’ve been worse without that stint in the Lone Star State. The Rangers outrighted him in August, and he once again elected free agency, and spent the tail end of the season in the minors with the Cubs.
It wasn’t a fun season for Wynns, as he tied his career-worst in fWAR, had a sub-100 PA season for just the third time, and had a career-worst wRC+ (2).
What went right?
Per Statcast, his defense was commensurate with being in the 73rd percentile in blocks above average? That’s about the only good thing you can say for his season, and it’s largely negated by the fact that he was below average in caught stealing above average, framing and pop time.
In somewhat fitting fashion, Wynns’ “best” game as a Brave was the beginning of their downfall — that 6-5, extra-inning loss to the White Sox. Wynns’ hit was a one-out single that put runners on the corners on with one out while the Braves already had a one-run lead. They didn’t end up scoring in the frame, in part due to a fielder’s choice that threw the runner trying to go home out, and, well, you know how that game and the rest of June went for the Braves.
What went wrong?
Not to be harsh, but, pretty much everything. He wasn’t expected to be a plus bat but one could have at least hoped he could’ve improved on his -47 wRC+ from earlier in the year. That’s how you get a career-worst year.
If you had to pick a specific game from his six as a Brave, well, the day after that horrible loss to the White Sox, Wynns really faceplanted. He flew out with the bases loaded and two out in the second. Then he flew out with the go-ahead run on second and two out in the fourth. Then, after the leadoff man reached in the seventh and Wynns represented the tying run, he lined out. He didn’t get another chance in that game, as Eli White pinch-hit for him and drew a walk in the ninth, representing the tying run, but the Braves lost that game, 2-1.
2027 Outlook
With Wynns set to turn 36 in December, it seems quite possible this is the end of the road for his major league career. He may get another chance with a team if they pick up a rash of catcher injuries, but it’s hard to imagine that would be the Braves again. There are also enough catchers out there on the waiver wire that a guy who neither hits nor fields the catcher position particularly well doesn’t seem like anyone’s first choice, but… the Braves did deliberately acquire him last year, so you never know.
PHOENIX, AZ - NOVEMBER 4: Jalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns passes the ball during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on November 4, 2026 at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Phoenix Suns began their seven-game homestand by hosting the team that obliterated them on opening night. And while the final 132-119 score wasn’t nearly as embarrassing as that initial beatdown, the result was another decisive victory for Portland, which improved to 6-1 on the season and a perfect 5-0 on the road. Meanwhile, the Suns dropped to 1-5.
Devin Booker put together a solid performance, scoring 33 points, with much of his damage coming at the free-throw line, where he went a perfect 13-of-13. However, he finished with only two assists against two turnovers and struggled from beyond the arc, shooting 2-of-8. Jalen Green added 22 points, 12 of which came in the fourth quarter, although he also shot 2-of-8 from deep. Miles Bridges contributed 18 points and seven rebounds, while Dillon Brooks finished with 15 points and six rebounds.
For Portland, Donovan Clingan dominated the interior, recording 24 points and 10 rebounds on an efficient 9-of-12 shooting. Damian Lillard added 25 points, while Deni Avdija chipped in 21.
It was one of those nights when all the little things added up, and unfortunately for Phoenix, they added up to another loss. Portland won the battle in the paint, outscoring Phoenix 56-46. The Blazers controlled the second-chance points battle 17-11, dominated fast-break scoring 19-9, and received a significant advantage from their bench, which outscored the Suns’ reserves 42-25. Then there was the three-point shooting. Portland connected on 14 threes at a 35.9% clip, while Phoenix managed only 10 makes on 27.8% shooting.
Across the board, the Blazers consistently found ways to win the margins that matter. When you lose that many battles within a game, it’s awfully difficult to win the war.
Game Flow
First Half
It was a much more stable start to the game than when these teams first met on October 21. If you recall, and I’m sure you do, the Suns trailed 21–0 in that one. This time around, it took only a minute for Devin Booker to knock down an 18-foot jumper and get the scoring started for Phoenix.
The first challenge of the evening came with 8:56 remaining in the opening quarter, when Deni Avdija appeared to charge into Dillon Brooks, but a blocking foul was called on Brooks. The Suns successfully challenged the call, negating what would have been Brooks’ second foul early in the game.
Phoenix looked considerably more connected on both ends of the floor throughout the first half of the opening quarter. Outside of Khaman Maluach, every starter had scored at least four points within the first six minutes, a welcome sight for a team that has struggled to find any semblance of offensive consistency.
Defensively, there were still some issues navigating the pick-and-roll, particularly with Donovan Clingan finding opportunities to score on the interior. But outside of those breakdowns, the Suns looked much more connected, communicating and rotating with a level of cohesion that had been noticeably absent in their previous meeting with Portland.
Phoenix put together a 9–2 run after the second unit entered the game, overcoming an initially choppy stretch marked by careless turnovers. Their effort on the glass was clearly a point of emphasis, and they were executing well, outrebounding Portland 13–10 in the opening quarter.
Booker came out on a heater, shooting 4-of-6 from the field for 12 first-quarter points, which is always an encouraging sign. Dillon Brooks added eight points, two rebounds, and a steal as the Suns shot 56.5% from the field while holding the Blazers to 3-of-11 from beyond the arc. The result was a 34–29 Phoenix lead heading into the second quarter.
The Trail Blazers opened the second quarter on an 11-5 run, fueled once again by Donovan Clingan, who continued attacking the interior and creating mismatches for Phoenix. Damian Lillard did his part as well, helping Portland put together an 8-0 run that further shifted the momentum.
By the midway point of the quarter, the pressure Portland was putting on Phoenix had become increasingly difficult to overcome. The Blazers were shooting 8-of-9 from the field while simultaneously drawing multiple fouls on the Suns. The offensive avalanche Phoenix had managed to avoid in the first quarter finally arrived in the second.
Portland outscored Phoenix 43-25 in the quarter, shooting 14-of-19 from the field, a ridiculous 74%, while connecting on 6-of-11 attempts from beyond the arc.
Phoenix shot 1-of-7 from deep and had 5 turnovers to the Blazers 0. Defensively, however, they reverted to the same troubling habits we’ve seen throughout the early portion of the season, collapsing into the paint whenever Portland attacked and leaving shooters wide open on the perimeter. And the Blazers made them pay. Jrue Holiday went 3-of-4 from beyond the arc for nine points in the quarter, Lillard added nine of his own, and Clingan chipped in eight.
Meanwhile, Booker scored seven points in the period, bringing his total to 19 at halftime. Phoenix continued to hold the advantage on the glass, but that becomes a moot point when the opposing team seemingly can’t miss a shot. After experiencing an entire game’s worth of shooting variance in the season opener against Portland, the Suns were treated to a quarter’s worth this time around.
Portland had its outlier game against Phoenix in the season opener. Now it’s delivered an outlier quarter.
43 points on 73.7% shooting.
6-of-11 from three. 8-of-8 from two. 9-of-13 from the line.
The Suns opened the third quarter with an offensive push, outscoring Portland 12–6 behind eight points from Devin Booker, who went 2-of-2 from the field, including a three-pointer, and 3-of-3 from the free-throw line. Portland was considerably sloppier than it had been in the second quarter, committing three turnovers as Phoenix trimmed its deficit to seven points.
In what has become a nightly tradition, Dillon Brooks found himself in a shouting match, this time with Damian Lillard, following a turnover in which Brooks stepped out of bounds in transition while attempting a three-pointer. No technicals were assessed during the exchange, but the drama wasn’t finished. On Portland’s ensuing possession, Brooks attempted to box out Donovan Clingan, who grabbed him by the jersey and pulled him to the floor. Officials reviewed the play for a potential hostile act, ultimately assessing Clingan a technical foul.
Donovan Clingan assessed a technical foul for pulling Dillon Brooks to the floor by his jersey. pic.twitter.com/N4vvq1a6I8
Jrue Holiday continued to be a menace, as the Suns repeatedly left him wide open on the perimeter, and he continued to make them pay, knocking down another pair of threes in the third quarter.
Moments later, Deni Avdija found himself under review for a potential hostile act after appearing to deliver a flying knee to Dillon Brooks’ groin area. Officials ultimately ruled the contact incidental.
All those whistles started to become an issue in the third quarter, as Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, and Jalen Green each found themselves with four fouls and four and a half minutes still remaining in the period.
Booker eventually headed to the locker room after driving to the basket and taking a shot to the head from Robert Williams. What made the sequence particularly frustrating was the inconsistency of the officiating. After spending much of the quarter calling every ticky-tack bit of contact imaginable, the officials somehow swallowed their whistles when Booker got smacked in the head. No foul. Nothing.
The lengthy third quarter mercifully came to an end, with the Suns getting outscored 32-26. Chalk up seven more fouls against Phoenix, which struggled offensively, shooting 7-of-20 from the field and a miserable 3-of-12 from two-point range. And the rebounding? That became a problem once again, as Portland dominated the glass 13–6 while scoring 18 of its 32 points in the paint.
Booker continued to lead the charge for Phoenix, pouring in 14 points in the quarter, but he finished the period in the locker room after taking that shot to the head. The Suns trailed 104-85 entering the fourth.
Devin Booker returned with 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and the Suns trailing by 18 points.
With Robert Williams on the floor, Phoenix simply didn’t have anyone capable of matching his size and physicality. Duop Reath was getting absolutely destroyed on the interior, as Williams grabbed four offensive rebounds in the first two minutes of the quarter alone.
We also saw Jalen Green become considerably more aggressive in the fourth, attacking the basket with a level of purpose that had been missing earlier in the game. After scoring 12 points through the first three quarters, Green shifted into attack mode, repeatedly getting downhill and creating opportunities at the free-throw line. And this time, he actually made his free throws. Miles Bridges was more engaged in the fourth quarter as well, although much like Green’s performance, it felt like too little, too late.
Phoenix kept its offense humming, and there were moments when it felt like the Suns were on the verge of making a meaningful dent in Portland’s lead. One sustained run could have put them within striking distance with a couple of minutes remaining. But every time Phoenix threatened to make things interesting, Portland had an answer. There was always a response. Always a reaction to the action.
With 2:51 remaining, Devin Booker fouled out for the second consecutive game, and at that point, the Suns emptied their bench. Ball game.
Up Next
We are right back here tomorrow night as the Suns host the Orlando Magic, who are currently 2-5 and last played in a loss against the Wizards. We shall see you then!
Bronny James getting ready during team warmups for the Lakers. AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea
James has since spent most of the season on the Lakers bench, playing in four games and averaging 2.8 minutes, and has scored only one point this season.
The rest of his career hasn’t fared much better as he’s averaging 2.6 points in an average of 7.8 minutes.
Bronny James on the court during Monday’s game against the Heat. NBAE via Getty Images
“Some kid that worked their butt off that really feels like they could have made the NBA, lost their job to that,” Brown said. “The only reason why everybody’s okay with it is because of his father.”
Brown went on to say what he’s seen from James is a shame.
“Call it hate, call it whatever you want. To me, it’s a shame,” Brown said.
Los Angeles Lakers’ Bronny James during the National Anthem. NBAE via Getty Images
“I won’t make that mistake again,” Lakers head coach JJ Redick said after the game to Khobi Price of The California Post. “I’ll leave the guys in. You gotta play to the final buzzer, and if guys are not ready to play, then I just won’t put them in.”
Wednesday’s game was the perfect chance for head coach Mike Brown to have Dalton Knecht make his Knicks debut.
After being waived by the Los Angeles Lakers, New York signed Knecht to a two-way contract nearly two weeks ago and the 25-year-old had been playing with the Westchester Knicks in the NBA G League to learn the team’s systems and get consistent playing time.
With the Knicks facing the 1-6 Chicago Bulls at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night, the team decided to make Knecht active to possibly get him into the game. So when the small forward checked in for Andre Drummond with 3:20 left in the second quarter and New York up 70-39, he was ready.
“I wasn’t surprised, I just came in ready to go,” Knecht said after the game. “The coaches said you’re active so that just means be ready.”
Knecht got off to a great start less than a minute into his Knicks debut by following a three-point miss by Landry Shamet, grabbing the offensive rebound and slamming it home for a putback dunk that got the MSG crowd buzzing.
“It was great. Honestly I didn’t hear much just because I’m so locked in, but it was good,” Knecht said about his nifty play. “Pretty much my first play was a putback dunk so it’s cool, it’s great.”
Along with his high-flying highlight, Knecht had 10 points on 4-for-6 from the field, including two threes, and grabbed seven boards in just 16 minutes. He also had an assist and a block, looking good and reminding everybody why he was the 17th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
“I think I just go out there and impact the game on all three levels,” Knecht said. “And I just wanna show on the other side of the ball, getting the ball pressure and stuff like that and going in and grabbing defensive rebounds.”
It’s hard to glean too much from Knecht’s performance with it coming in a blowout against the hapless Bulls, but it’s still good to see the talent is there. After all, in his rookie season, Knecht averaged 9.1 points and 2.8 rebounds in 19.2 minutes per game before taking a step back last season.
It’s unclear how Brown plans to utilize Knecht this season, but as he gets more comfortable with his new team and teammates, he could be a good option for a team always looking for bench depth.
Regardless, Knecht is staying ready to make the most out of his fresh start.
“Be ready so you don’t have to get ready,” he said. “Just watching on the bench and talking to my teammates is really helpful and it was easy to get in there and play confident. All the guys out there gave me a good look.”
UNITED STATES - OCTOBER 21: Yerlin Confidan #55 of the Peoria Javelinas signs autographs for fans prior to the game between the Desert Dogs and the Javelinas at Peoria Sports Complex on Wednesday, October 21, 2026 in Peoria, AZ United States. (Photo by Jill Weisleder/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
The Cincinnati Reds once again find themselves as a provider of players for the Peoria Javelinas in this year’s Arizona Fall League. While not all of the work has come at their farm system’s expense, the Javelinas do find themselves atop the six-team standings at 14-10 at the moment, and that’s where they stood when the participants in Sunday’s AFL Fall Star Game were announced.
Three prospects off the Cincinnati farm were included on the roster for the National League side, including promising powerful young outfielder Yerlin Confidan. He sits tied for 10th in the league with 20 hits to his name to date, and he’s hitting .339/.371/.627 (.998 OPS) through 59 PA in what’s become a showcase for his toolsy repertoire. He’s also going to participate in the AFL Home Run Derby on Saturday.
Joining Confidan is infielder Carlos Sanchez, who’s having an equally impressive run of form in AFL play so far. Through 17 games (58 PA) he has walked as many times (14) as he has struck out (14), and has popped 4 homers in route to a .259/.397/.534 line. Considering he’s still just 21 and mowed through High-A Dayton to the tune of .313/.409/.504 (.912 OPS) in 325 PA before a mid-season promotion to AA Chattanooga, I’m more and more believing the Reds may be on to something with him.
Righty Luke Holman is having his own breakout in AFL play so far. The oft-injured former 2nd round pick out of LSU has been stellar so far through 13.0 IP (5 G), allowing just a lone earned run while fanning 20 against just 7 walks. It’s great to see him not only back healthy, but also shining given a) his journey through surgeries and recoveries since being drafted in 2024 and b) how thin the pitching depth in the Reds system has become of late.
The game will be carried via MLB.com, with first pitch slated to be thrown shortly after 8 PM ET.
NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 4: Keyonte George #3 of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on November 4, 2026 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
In the darkest, inner circle of the inferno, the Jazz had fallen into, all Jazz fans wanted was a sign of life that this team was still alive and kicking.
Missing Jusuf Nurkic and Jaren Jackson Jr. with an uncertain timetable, a 1-7 start would be detrimental. They’ve battled against top dogs like the Spurs, Blazers and Grizzlies, meaning this was one of the few chances to bounce back as the worst team in the West. Utah had already taken down the Pelicans in their home opener, marking their first and only win on the season.
New Orleans had been on their own soul-searching journey in their 2026-27 campaign. They lost their first four games on the calendar, three of them coming up short in the clutch. But now, their record stands at 3-4; they handed Memphis their first loss of the year while taking down the Mavs and Kings on the side.
But unfortunately, that well-sought victory was not today. It was certainly the most alive the Jazz have looked all week, but ultimately they still fell into the same lapses that have plagued them all season. The Pelicans stole this one out of the Jazz’s hands, 120-113.
The pace was all over the place in the first quarter. There was even a 2-minute scoring drought for both teams midway through the early going, an early indicator that Utah was going to start yet another game ice-cold from the floor. There are times when you just have to sigh at the Jazz’s attempt to run an offense — using traditional big men as playmaking hubs, force-feeding players when they don’t have the hot hand, and just the lack of team synergy that leads to a possession ending with a shot-chuck at the buzzer. Fortunately, at the hand of Keyonte George, the Jazz answered back to erase an 8-point deficit. They switched away from the three-point line to score 18 of their first 20 points inside the paint.
Nice action to start the game for the Jazz, getting Markkanen free going towards the rim pic.twitter.com/HIZA6OFhcA
Then, it was Saddiq Bey’s second quarter. He scored eight consecutive points for New Orleans to give the Pelicans a crescive 9-point lead. Utah missed seven consecutive shots to open up that quarter. It was another ugly one; the lackadaisical passes destroyed any rhythm the Jazz could build. Really, one of the bigger silver linings was holding Zion scoreless in the first half. 2-20 from three. 3-8 from the charity stripe. 13 turnovers. A big energy shift was needed.
And a shift it was. The dynamic went nearly completely in Utah’s favor, turning around what was a tight deficit into a 10-point advantage. George jumpstarted the engine of the offense, pushing his game total to 29. Led by Mo Bamba’s intimidating presence off the bench, the Jazz dominated he glass. Utah out-rebounded New Orleans 38 to 31 up until that point, dropping the Pelicans’ second-chance points to 5 in the third quarter.
19 points (!!) and 3 assists for Keyonte George in the third quarter alone.
But I’d be lying if I said the Jazz could sit back and ride out a confident double-digit victory. New Orleans instantly opened on a 16-2 run to erase Utah’s advantage. Hardy called a timeout about three possessions too late, fuelling the fire for the Pelicans. The two teams battled neck and neck over the next few minutes. A Keyonte floater. Zion free throws. Keyonte and-1. Derik Queen drive. Jaxson Hayes two. The Jazz held a nailbiting 102-102 lead with the final play, then:
KEYONTE GEORGE ALMOST HAD THE GAME-WINNER FOR UTAH 🤯
The cruel joke played on the Jazz was that George let go of the ball 0.1 seconds too late. We’re headed to OT.
That seemed to light a fire in him, as Keyonte nailed the first two buckets in the overtime period off tough three-point looks. The Pelicans responded with six unanswered points; the Jazz stood no chance against the physicality of Zion and Bey. There were some serious moments in this stretch that questioned whether Will Hardy’s job was on the line (which seems to be the consensus).
The Jazz are firmly positioned in their last spot in the Western Conference, falling well into the lottery delegation zone; their pick was traded to the Grizzlies in the Jackson Jr. trade. While the losses are looming, the competetive nature of the fourth quarter is a fight we needed. Whether the rest will come is still under debate.
Keyonte George: A one man army
It was a rough two-game stretch for Keyonte, resulting in consecutive blowouts, but he had success tonight by dealing most of his damage inside, using his speed to attack the paint and finish with contact at the rim. He was highly disruptive on the defensive end too, chipping in four steals and an unexpected block.
It’s nearly an undeniable fact that Keyonte has had to be ‘the man’ nearly every single night among his peers’ shooting droughts. He’s taken a noticable leap forward as a lead scorer and a focal point of the offense when others have missed time with injury. He looks much more confident creating his own shot and initiating the offense compared to last year.
To float in the Western Conference, this team desperately needs a second initiator/scorer. Wins won’t come off Keyonte alone.
The Jazz came up short in OT, but Keyonte George put on a SHOW 🍿
There was no other way to describe Ace on the scoring end in this one other than an unfortunate shooting night. While he played relatively well inside the arc, he spent all game searching for his rhythm from deep, having missed all 8 of his 9 of his three-point attempts. He got the looks he wanted, but couldn’t take advantage. Ace finished with 15 points, 5 boards and a block on 6-for-14 shooting.
Though it’s not all doom and gloom. Beyond the box score, Ace’s physical presence showed in his off-ball activity. The team used him frequently to absorb switches on the perimeter and cut off driving angles for the monster of muscle, otherwise known as Zion Williamson.
A point of growth in his game has been managing his eagerness to jump at ball fakes. Tonight, he displayed a more grounded, disciplined stance and relied on his standing reach to contest shots without overcommitting. The motor is awesome to watch, no matter how he’s playing on the other end of the floor.
Evander Kane is taking his talents to Russia, and if this is the end of his NHL career, well, it's been quite a ride around the National Hockey League.
The 35-year-old forward is expected to sign with a KHL team in the coming days, according to his agent, Dan Milstein, after spending the offseason without an NHL contract.
“We had a couple of things here in North America, but in the end, Evander decided to take his talents to Russia,” Milstein said. “We're very close to signing a deal with a KHL team. So, over the next couple of days or so, we'll make an announcement.”
Kane played 1,001 NHL games that included 339 goals and 648 points with Atlanta, Winnipeg, Buffalo, San Jose, Edmonton, and Vancouver. He scored 30 goals twice, reached two Stanley Cup Finals with the Oilers, and was one of the league's more physical forwards there for a time.
Kane was selected fourth overall by the Atlanta Thrashers in 2009 and made his NHL debut at 18. He scored 30 goals with Winnipeg in 2011-12, although his time with the Jets ended in 2015 after a series of disagreements, including a widely reported incident involving Dustin Byfuglien throwing Kane's tracksuit into a shower.
He was traded to Buffalo shortly afterward, spending parts of four seasons with the Sabres before joining the San Jose Sharks in 2018.
Kane was a productive player during those years, although his disciplinary record and problems away from hockey were becoming an increasingly significant part of his reputation.
In 2021, he filed for personal bankruptcy, listing millions of dollars in debts. He was also suspended 21 games by the NHL for violating the league's COVID-19 protocols by submitting a falsified vaccination card.
The Sharks eventually terminated his contract in January of 2022, citing a breach of his standard player contract. The NHLPA filed a grievance challenging that decision, and the matter was subsequently settled.
Kane also faced serious allegations concerning his personal life, some of which he denied. Those allegations shouldn't be treated as established facts, although the public disputes and investigations contributed to the attention surrounding his career.
By the time Edmonton signed him in January of 2022, Kane was one of the most controversial players in the NHL.
Kane scored 22 goals in 43 regular-season games during his first year with the Oilers, then led the NHL playoffs with 13 goals in just 15 games.
Edmonton signed him to a four-year, $20.5-million contract that summer, and Kane became an important part of the team's attempts to win a Stanley Cup.
Kane suffered a serious wrist injury in November of 2022 and later dealt with several other health issues, missing the entire 2024-25 regular season before returning for the playoffs.
He was part of Edmonton's consecutive trips to the Stanley Cup Final, although his production had declined considerably by the time the Oilers traded him to Vancouver in June of 2025.
Kane finished his final NHL season with 13 goals and 31 points in 71 games for the Canucks, who didn't bring him back when his contract expired.
By 35, his offensive production had been declining, and he'd accumulated a lengthy injury history, on top of a deeply questionable personal life. Though, Kane also helped establish the Hockey Diversity Alliance in 2020 to address racism and discrimination in hockey.
Kane will likely never return to the NHL, and his legacy across the league is one of considerable debate for his performance on and off the ice.
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DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 4: LeBron James #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket during the game against the Detroit Pistons on November 4, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Bell Ringer Standings: Tyrese Maxey – 3.5 VJ Edgecombe – 1 Joel Embiid – 1 LeBron James – 1 Anfernee Simons – 1 Jaylen Brown – 0.5
The Philadelphia 76ers are 8-1 to start the season after defeating the Detroit Pistons on the road Wednesday night 112-106.
The Sixers took an early advantage in this one and quickly built a lead into the double-digits thanks to the scoring of Jaylen Brown and the playmaking of LeBron James. Though they wavered at times and let the Pistons inch dangerously close toward the end, the Sixers were able to hold on to secure the win in dramatic fashion. Always gotta make it interesting.
If you’re looking for a full game recap, you can find that here! The bottom line is that the Sixers get revenge on the Pistons for their lone loss of the season so far and are now 8-1. Their road trip continues on Friday night with a visit to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
<p>(Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)</p><br> | NBAE via Getty Images
I’ve been writing in recent Bell Ringers how Jaylen Brown has a way of scoring an absolute ton of points without you ever even noticing he’s slowly adding them up. Tonight, it was a bit more noticeable.
Brown led the floor after one with 10 points on 4-for-6 field goal shooting thanks in part to a buzzer-beating long triple to end the frame. He continued to pile it on in the second, putting up another 13 points in the second. At halftime, he comfortably led the floor with 23 points shooting 8-for-14 from the floor and 3-for-5 from long range.
It felt like no matter who the Pistons had on him in isolation, Brown was able to dance his way to just enough space to pull up and nail a jumper. There are times the offensive scheme of “one guy in iso, everyone else stands still” really doesn’t work for the Sixers… but tonight it worked pretty damn well with Brown. He dropped 30 points tonight, his highest mark as a Sixer — all in addition to his usual stellar defense and aggressive rebounding.
He ended up 11-for-19 from the floor and 3-for-5 from three-point range. Brown finished with 30 points, seven rebounds, one assist, a steal and an absolutely massive block on a Cade Cunningham three attempt with under a minute to play and the Pistons trailing by just four.
The first 30-bomb from Jaylen Brown as a member of the Sixers! What a powerhouse night from Brown, on both ends of the floor… all capped off with a crucial block late to help secure the win.
<p>(Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)</p><br> | NBAE via Getty Images
It feels weird writing things like this about LeBron James, because they almost seem obvious. Like, of course LeBron James can take over games, that’s kind of what he’s done for over 20 years now, right? But as someone who is watching him truly night in and night out for the first time in their life, it’s just incredible to watch how effortlessly he seems to do it. Tonight, early in the second frame, LeBron locked in and started absolutely carving up the Pistons defense with precisely perfect passes. He assisted three buckets, scored another two field goals himself and came up with a block down the other end all in the first five minutes of the period, helping the Sixers push their lead to double-digits. He had a similar sort of quick takeover sequence in the fourth, but LeBron just overall was impacting every moment he was on the floor tonight.
The King finished tonight with 13 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, a steal and a block. Still not that first triple-double as a Sixer… but inching ever closer.
Side note fun fact: LeBron James’ second field goal of the night was his 16,000th of his career. He is the first player to ever reach that mark in the NBA.
I'll be honest, it was another night of me just being in awe at times of LeBron James' impact. It was felt on both ends of the floor tonight, but his command of the offense is just something to behold.
Joel Embiid: 26 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal
(Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The shots weren’t all falling from the floor for Joel Embiid early on so he started his night getting going by getting to the foul line and by working the two-man game with LeBron James to get some easier buckets. After one, Embiid already had eight points and five rebounds, even with some of the struggles.
That was the key with Embiid tonight. It wasn’t his best game especially early on. It was far from perfect — I thought he was a bit lackadaisical with the ball at times and settled for some bad jumpers when he didn’t need to. And yet, he still has so much to contribute even with all of those factors being present. He can hit some incredibly difficult buckets through contact in the paint for and-1 opportunities or make excellent passes to cutting teammates to set them up for easy points. He can set screens that create a ton of space for them. He can still pull in a ton of boards (on both ends) and put up some solid defense. He can knock down crucial free throws at the end of a close game. Embiid can still do a hell of a lot with a mixed bag night.
Embiid finished the night with 26 points, 15 boards (four offensive), two assists and a steal.
Victor Wembanyama continues to do things never seen on a basketball court.
The Spurs phenom absolutely torched San Antonio’s in-state rivals, the Dallas Mavericks, Wednesday, Nov. 4 in a 112-111 victory, setting a new career high in points and rebounds and nearly recording a triple-double with blocks.
Wembanyama’s historic night started in the first half. Overall, the Spurs dropped 68 points, but Wembanyama recorded 42.6% of those all by himself. He was also dominant on the glass; while the Mavericks scooped up 31 boards in the first half, Wembanyama collected nearly half of that.
“Dominant,” Spurs guard Dylan Harper said of Wembanyama. “When he plays like that, you see the result.”
Wembanyama was an absolute force down low. All seven of his converted field goals in the first half came within the restricted area. He also made all 15 of his free throw attempts in the half.
How dominant was he? Wembanyama became the first player since 1997-98 to reach at least 25 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocks in a half.
The Spurs took a 68-51 lead into intermission.
His stellar play continued, especially as the Mavericks closed their deficit. Wembanyama did struggle from deep and only hit one of his 3-point tries, but he was pivotal down the stretch, getting to the paint and drawing contact.
By the end of the night, Wembanyama became only the second player since blocks began to be tracked in 1974 to record at least 50 points, 20 rebounds and 5 blocks.
“I can do more,” Wembanyama told reporters after the game. “I can do more if my shots were falling. This was the worst 3-point shooting of my career.”
Samuel Ersson made 24 saves in the win for the Senators, who entered the game having lost three of their last four games, including a 6-3 setback against Anaheim on Sunday.
Colten Ellis had 28 saves for the Sabres, who had their three-game win streak halted.
PANTHERS 5, BLACKHAWKS 3
SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Sandis Vilmanis had the first two-goal game of his career, Sam Reinhart provided a goal and two assists, and Florida beat Chicago to wrap up a three-game homestand.
Seth Jones scored against his former team and Carter Verhaeghe had a goal and an assist for the Panthers, who are 4-1-0 in their last five games and 7-3-0 in their past 10. Vilmanis added two assists to finish with four points.
Florida improved to 9-0-1 when allowing three goals or fewer this season. Reinhart’s goal was an empty-netter to seal the win with 1:27 left.
Frank Nazar had two third-period goals and Roman Kantserov also scored for Chicago. Ethan Del Mastro got two assists — his first points of the season, and the first multi-point game of his career. Connor Bedard had two assists.
So far this season, Knicks star point guard Jalen Brunson hasn't looked like the MVP-caliber player fans saw in the NBA Finals this past summer.
But one week after helping New York erase a 19-point deficit in Chicago, Brunson seemingly officially found his groove Wednesday night against the Bulls. However, instead of showing up as basketball's best closer as he so often does, he hit the ground running early, racking up 22 points in 12-straight first-frame minutes and outscoring the entire Bulls roster by one.
He played just 17 more minutes across the remaining three quarters of the game but continued to find his way to the basket, increasing his total to a season-best 33 points. No other player tallied more than 18 (Karl-Anthony Towns). He hit five of his 10 three-point attempts, eight of his nine foul shots, and 10 of his 17 from the field.
"It's part of the game," he said of his effort. "Obviously, when you have it going, it feels good. Just trying to play off that and use your gravity to make plays."
Odds are, the reigning NBA Finals MVP would have kept scoring had he been given more time on the floor. At the rate he was going, he may have hit 80 points.
"Our analytics guys [chart] how guys play in two-minute increments," head coach Mike Brown explained after the game. "Some guys, after six minutes, their three-point field-goal percentage drops. They also can track their movement — how quickly they're still moving out on the floor, if that slows down or not. Jalen's just seems to go up every two minutes."
But Brown said his desire to protect Brunson's health significantly outweighs his curiosity regarding just how much Brunson could produce if he were left unrestrained. In fact, he said, keeping Brunson in the game just for the sake of it never even crossed his mind.
"He's about as durable as anybody I've been around. He's mentally tough, physically tough, and he can push himself to go," Brown said. "... But at the end of the day, it's going to impact him, in my opinion, come playoff time, so I have to be conscious of not going to the well too much, especially at this point in the season."
When asked if he would ever request to keep playing in a game like tonight, Brunson was hesitant.
"Possibly, but it has to be the right moment, right time," he said. "I don't want to say no because you never know when you're in this situation, but I just want to respect the game as much as possible."
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 4: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks drives to the basket during the game against the Chicago Bulls on November 4, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
After 21 years at our Binghamton mansion, we’re moving. That means Mrs. Russell has countless extra chores for your intrepid blogger, including the retrieval of a loveseat in a sketchy neighborhood just before tip-off of tonight’s game between the Knicks (4-4) and the Bulls (1-7). Planning to watch the game after delivering the furniture to the new mansion (we are fabulously wealthy), I tried to ignore the alerts blowing up my phone. An impossible task. My eye caught “Jalen Brunson is on track to score 76 points” and “84 ties a franchise first-half record,” and all the surprise of tonight’s blowout was spoiled.
What did I see when I finally returned home? Brunson blazin’, OG Anunoby gorging at the free-throw line, KAT recording his eighth straight double-double, a very promising Dalton Knecht debut (10 PTS, 7 RBS, 16 MIN), solid minutes from Diawara, and a 44-point lead with 43% shooting from deep. We’ll need to burn sage around that loveseat to rid the stench of resentment. Final score: 135-105.
Landry Shamet started in place of Josh Hart (sore ankle) and scored the team’s first four points. From there, the Knicks went straight into high gear, turning a 6-6 tie into a 17-8 lead by attacking the paint and shooting with stunning efficiency. Who was the commander of the first-quarter onslaught? Captain Jalen Brunson, scoring his first 14 points on seven shots and finishing the frame with 22. That wasn’t his highest first-quarter total—he dropped 23 on Milwaukee in January 2025. Nonetheless, stunning. Cap had all but six of the Knicks’ first 19 points. Not to be kept in the corner, OG Anunoby contributed seven, including four from the stripe.
Mohamed Diawara checked in around the middle of the quarter, and this time he looked good! The sophomore delivered some of his best minutes yet this season, with a three and a block on Wilson’s layup. Fellow bench buddy Jordan Clarkson added five points, including a sweet transition three (dimed by Brunson). In a flash, the lead reached 22. Karl-Anthony Towns contributed just two points, starting slowly for his second straight game, but he helped in other ways, notching four boards, a steal, and an assist.
What’s your camp: “I Stand with Mikal” or “Mikal’s Got Me Sweating”? The struggling wing did little in the first quarter to calm our nerves about his recent play. He scored no points but dished two dimes and grabbed two boards.
For Chicago, Normal Norman Powell managed four points, while Tre Jones added four off the bench. Chicago got little from its young players, though. Rookie Caleb Wilson must’ve been star-struck in his MSG debut, missing all four of his shots, and Matas Bazookas went scoreless. At the break, the Knicks were sitting on a comfortable 43-21.
Q2: More of the same. Our heroes outscored Chicago 10-5 over the first three minutes to extend their lead to 53-26. The unrelenting Anunoby was still in beast mode, scoring six points and forcing two Josh Giddey turnovers. New York’s 3&D specialist scored 11 points in the quarter to reach 18 by halftime, while his three steals helped keep Chicago twitching and glitching.
With Brunson resting, Tyler Kolek ran the offense effectively, collecting four assists with sweet setups for Bridges, Clarkson, and Shamet. What a wonderful security blanket a skilled playmaker off the bench is. With Kolek dishing, Bridges racked up seven points. Diawara got into the action, too, scoring his first points of the season and finishing with seven first-half points.
Chicago managed a paltry little run early in the period, but New York responded with a 9-4 run that pushed its lead to 62-36—and eventually 78-41 with 1:47 left. Brunson added four points after returning, reaching 26 by halftime, while Towns remained quiet, adding just three more points in the second. You can count on KAT to crash the glass, though, and he did so for two more rebounds, giving him six at halftime. And newest ’Bocker Dalton Knecht made a fine first impression with a putback dunk and a step-back three-pointer for five points.
Chicago’s Josh Giddey had a particularly rough quarter, committing three turnovers in the opening three minutes, although he recovered to finish the half with seven points and four assists. Bahzelis finally got going late, scoring all six of his first-half points in the final 1:06, including a three-pointer with six seconds remaining. Yee-awn. Wilson managed five points in the quarter, while Powell added just two, and Chicago found itself bereft of consistent scoring threats or prayers for winning this contest. Halftime score: 84-52. That tied New York’s franchise record for first-half points.
The Knicks had scorched the nets with 63% shooting from the floor and 50% from deep. The Bulls had shot 40% and a grotesque 19% from deep (5-of-26). The good guys also won the rebounding battle, 23-17, despite surrendering eight offensive rebounds, and committed just five turnovers to Chicago’s eight. Weirdly, the Bulls actually outscored the Knicks in the paint, 30-26, and attempted 13 more shots, yet trailed by 32 at halftime. Math was not my strong subject, but that doesn’t compute. Anyhoo, on to the second half!
Yet again, KAT pepped it up at halftime and came out firing. He drilled consecutive three-pointers in the opening minute as the home team goosed its lead to 36. Towns scored 12 points in the first five minutes of the quarter, including a putback layup, and reached another double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds before heading to the bench.
Brunson added seven points, including a pull-up three, to reach 33 and call it a night.
The Bulls continued to fumble and bumble. Wilson missed his first three shots of the quarter and committed another turnover. Boozelis scored six points in the period, but the Bulls couldn’t make much headway against New York’s enormous lead. Meanwhile, Deuce McBride provided a spark off the Knicks’ bench, picking off passes from Norman Powell and Wilson before hitting a transition three-pointer that extended New York’s lead to 42. McBride later converted a four-point play, giving him seven points in the quarter, while Mohamed Diawara contributed another blocked shot and continued to provide promising minutes on both ends. Brother, imagine if the Knicks could play Chicago every night. . . .
Tre Jones was Chicago’s most productive player late in the quarter, scoring eight points over the final 2:19, including a three-pointer and three free throws. His unit closed the period on a 12-2 run (the Knicks got a little sloppy), but New York still ended the quarter up 113-79.
Hey! Check out this Knecht kid, blocking Buddy Hield’s layup attempt in the closing seconds. It’s gonna be fun to watch him go on heaters in Westchester.
With the Knicks leading by 34 entering the fourth, the reserves got the run of the joint. Andre Drummond opened the quarter with an alley-oop, while Clarkson and Knecht knocked down threes. James Wiseman made the most of his 10 minutes, finishing with eight points, eight rebounds, and three blocks, including rejections of Giddey, Bewzelis, and Patrick Williams. More of that, please! Pacôme Dadiet added four points. The Bulls briefly cut the deficit to 32, but Wiseman answered with a putback dunk and Knecht followed with a jumper. New York’s offense slowed with the end-of-bench guys on the floor, and Chicago won the quarter 26-22, but who’s complaining?
Up Next
Mo’s knitting a cozy recap to keep you warm. New York travels to Cleveland for a clash with the Cavs. Safe travels, Knickerbockers.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - NOVEMBER 4: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers attempts a shot in front of Jared McCain #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Paycom Center on November 4, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Grades are based on our usual expectations for each player.
Player of the game
James Harden
19 points, 6 assists, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks
The Cavaliers would have had no pulse in their contest with the Thunder if not for Harden. It felt like even when the Cavs were down by double digits in the second and third quarter that Harden was the only one really trying to assemble an offense.
Harden might not have been the most efficient player on the floor. He was, however, the true spark keeping the Cavaliers within arm’s reach. In a loss where the bulk of the team was struggling to match the Thunder’s energy on the floor, Harden met the task.
Grade: B+
Grades
Evan Mobley
16 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks
Without Jarrett Allen for most of the game, you would have figured that Mobley would become an even bigger focus on offense. However, Mobley was not up to the task tonight. If Mobley did not have an open lane, it felt like he would vanish on offense.
While he ended up putting up a respectable stat line, those who watched the game would note how invisible he felt at times.
Grade:C+
Donovan Mitchell
27 points, 3 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 turnovers
It is strange to put a player who scored the bulk of the team’s fourth-quarter points not as the player of the game; however, it felt like it took until the last few minutes of the game for Mitchell to emerge as even a factor in the contest.
Mitchell put on an absolute clinic in the last five minutes, scoring 17 of his 27 points to get the Cavaliers back within single digits. While appreciated to try and lead one last push, it felt like if this type of aggression was there earlier on the Cavaliers wouldn’t have faced such a tough deficit to overcome.
Grade: B
Meleek Thomas
9 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal
This was arguably the most disappointing outing for the young rookie. Thomas was able to put the ball in the hoop, however, this felt like the most desperate shot volume of his young career.
The shots seemed rushed, or even like Thomas was trying to shoot himself into a groove. Games like this happen, and Thomas was still a shot of energy in the lineups he was placed into.
Grade: C
Jarrett Allen
0 points, 1 rebound, 7 minutes
Jarrett was essentially a non-factor in this contest as he suffered a lower leg injury. This injury took place when he went knee-to-knee during a standard pick. Allen was able to walk off the floor under his own power. Head coach Kenny Atkinson didn’t have an update on the severity of the injury post-game.
Grade: Incomplete
Mario Hezonja
12 points, 8 rebounds
Hezonja was one of the few players who were providing a spark for the Cavaliers against the Thunder. His perimeter defense and being engaged off-ball allowed him to score 12 points in a variety of ways. As Hezonja continues to put up quality minutes, one would hope this would allow him to see minutes with the core four.
Grade: A
Sam Merrill
10 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist
On a night where Merrill didn’t go nuclear from the arc, this was probably the closest you would get to a good outing from the sharpshooter. He was an active presence on the glass, keeping his value on the floor going even if the elite volume and percentage were not there tonight.
Grade: B-
Tyrese Proctor
11 points, 1 rebound
Proctor got the starting nod tonight with Jaylon Tyson and Peyton Watson out and was…fine? Proctor shot the ball well enough, he just was not dynamic enough otherwise to feel like additive to the starting five. It’s nice not to worry about whether his shots will fall, but there is not much else to really gain for Proctor in the starting lineup.
Grade: C+
Thomas Bryant
8 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists
This could be a me problem. I really did not enjoy my Thomas Bryant experience tonight. It felt like the bulk of his possessions were him hoisting up shots from beyond the arc.
They are tolerable when they fall. When they don’t, they feel like the most painful offensive possessions the Cavaliers can muster.
Grade: F
Tristan Enaruna
4 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist
Enaruna got some serious run tonight and put up mixed results on the floor. It felt like a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency type of nomination, and there certainly were growing pains in the outing. Enaruna flashed some good on-the-ball decision-making while also being composed with the ball in his hands.
Where Enaruna struggled was from the perimeter. Never seen so many in-and-out threes in one game as he had tonight.
