In a tight 109-104 win for the Philadelphia 76ers at Charlotte’s Spectrum Center, a mid‑fourth‑quarter scuffle saw Jaylen Brown and Grayson Allen each receive double technical fouls after a loose‑ball scramble. With LeBron James and Joel Embiid out, Tyrese Maxey leads the 76ers with 38 points, while the Hornets’ bench sparks offense—Allen drops 27, Brandon Miller adds 24, and Naz Reid 14. The victory lifts Philadelphia to a 6-0 record and the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
VJ Edgecombe’s clutch three sparked a 13‑0 run that helped the Philadelphia 76ers rally to a 109‑104 comeback win over the Charlotte Hornets on Oct. 31 in Charlotte. Tyrese Maxey led the way with 38 points, while Anfernee Simons added 19 off the bench. The Sixers played without LeBron James and Joel Embiid, who exited the back‑to‑back, and still improved to 6‑1. Dean Wade contributed 10 assists and solid defense, and Jaylen Brown returned but was limited to 16 points. The Hornets struggled with shooting, entering halftime down 57‑54, and ultimately fell short despite a brief third‑quarter surge.
Jaylen Brown is cleared to play for the Philadelphia 76ers Saturday night against the Charlotte Hornets, despite LeBron James and Joel Embiid sitting out due to back and foot injuries. Brown, who averages 20.6 points and 6.6 rebounds this season, missed Friday’s game with left patellar tendinopathy but returns after scoring 20 points in a win over Indiana. The Sixers (5-1) aim to extend their streak, while the Hornets sit at 3-3. Both Tacko Fall and Jabari Walker are also listed as available.
Game Details When: Saturday, October 31, 6:00 p.m. ETWhere: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NCWatch: NBCSP/PCK-PHI, NBA TVRadio: 97.5 The FanaticFollow: @LibertyBallers
The Sixers announce a bruising injury list ahead of their Halloween matchup in Charlotte, ruling out Joel Embiid (plantar fasciitis) and LeBron James (lower‑back/sciatica) while listing Jaylen Brown, Jabari Walker and Tacko Fall as questionable. Brown missed the Knicks game with left‑knee patellar tendinopathy, Walker sits with a similar issue, and Fall nurses a quad injury. The Hornets, also on a back‑to‑back, remain shorthanded, missing Kon Knueppel, Colby White and Grant Williams after preseason setbacks. Expect bench players like Kentavious Caldwell‑Pope, Dean Wade and Anfernee Simons to see expanded roles.
The Philadelphia 76ers (5‑1) head to Charlotte on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, for a 6:00 PM ET showdown with the Hornets at the Spectrum Center. The game airs on NBA TV and NBC Sports Philadelphia, with a live stream available on Fubo (free trial). Philadelphia rides Tyrese Maxey’s 28‑point average and Joel Embiid’s interior dominance, while Charlotte looks to rebound from back‑to‑back losses, relying on Brandon Miller’s 24‑point scoring. The Hornets will count on home‑court advantage but face injury setbacks. Tune in for a key early‑season Eastern Conference clash.
The Washington Wizards beat the Charlotte Hornets 95-79 on Oct. 30, 2026, and rookie AJ Dybantsa made a splash in his home debut, posting 17 points and eight rebounds on 5‑of‑11 shooting. Though his efficiency lagged behind his Wednesday outing versus Cleveland, the performance thrilled fans at Capital One Arena. The post includes a highlight reel of Dybantsa’s first regular‑season game at home.
The Charlotte Hornets host the Philadelphia 76ers at the Spectrum Center on Saturday, October 31, at 6:00 p.m. ET.
The Philadelphia 76ers sit out both LeBron James and Joel Embiid for Saturday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets as they manage James’ low‑back sciatica and Embiid’s right foot plantar‑fascia injury. The 5‑1 Sixers, fresh off a 98‑93 win over the Knicks where James scored 20 and Embiid added 10, also list Dominick Barlow and Ariel Hukporti as out, with Jaylen Brown, Tacko Fall and Jabari Walker listed as questionable. With their stars sidelined, the team will lean on Tyrese Maxey and the rest of the rotation to keep their early‑season surge alive.
LeBron James sits out again for the Philadelphia 76ers, as Philadelphia manages his workload through a tough back-to-back.
The Sixers head to Charlotte for a back‑to‑back matchup just 24 hours after a 98‑93 win over the Knicks, but key players are doubtful. Joel Embiid, LeBron James and Jaylen Brown missed the Knicks game and are unlikely to suit up, leaving the Sixers to rely on Brandon Miller’s 25.6 PPG (though he’s shooting only 39%), VJ Edgecombe’s emerging role, and bench help from Adem Bona. The Hornets, 3‑3 on the season and missing newcomers Kon Knueppel, Coby White and Grant Williams, rank 30th in offensive efficiency but 10th in defense. Both teams have limited rest, setting up a fast‑paced contest at the Spectrum Center on Saturday, Oct. 31 at 6 p.m. ET.
NBA teams must decide by Monday, Nov. 2, whether to exercise 2027/28 rookie‑scale options for 17 first‑rounders. So far 35 options are locked in, including the Spurs’ $11 million fourth‑year pick Stephon Castle. Unsettled deals range from the Hornets’ $11,017,560 third‑year option on Kon Knueppel—likely a yes—to the uncertain fourth‑year pick Tidjane Salaun at $10.4 M, given his limited role. Other teams facing choices include the Hawks (Asa Newell), Nuggets (DaRon Holmes), Bucks (Kel’el Ware), Thunder (Nikola Topic, Jared McCain), Jazz (Ace Bailey, Isaiah Collier) and Wizards (Alex Sarr, Tre Johnson, Bub Carrington, Kyshawn George, Will Riley).
The Charlotte Hornets fall 95-79 to the Washington Wizards in Game 6 of the NBA Cup, struggling with a chilling shooting night. Hornets open with a Dennis Schröder three, but the team goes an anemic 12‑of‑56 from beyond the arc and 18‑of‑45 inside, while the Wizards dominate the glass and take control in the second half. Key moments include Schröder’s foul‑out after a reversed call and Brandon Miller’s late three‑pointer. Rookie Sion James and the bench’s poor shooting are highlighted as offensive woes, while Tidjane Salaun shows a bright spot on defense. The article critiques the Hornets’ lack of scoring options as they await the return of Kon Knueppel.
Scottie Barnes explodes for a career‑high 41 points in the Raptors' 121‑114 loss to the Magic, while Jakob Poeltl posts his first double‑double of the season. The Pacers rely on Andrew Nembhard's 22‑point, nine‑assist effort in a 145‑125 defeat to the Heat, but injuries leave Indiana shorthanded. Meanwhile, the Hornets shoot just 30% in a 95‑79 loss to the Wizards, despite Brandon Miller's 19 points, and struggle defensively as Anthony Davis tallies 25 and 13 for Washington. The roundup previews Toronto's upcoming game against the Lakers on Sunday.
Rookie AJ Dybantsa, who debuted with 19 points against Cleveland and helped Washington beat Charlotte 95-79, says he’s soaking up "gems" from veteran Anthony Davis. Dybantsa describes asking Davis random questions about his routine to improve his own game. In the Hornets win, Dybantsa added 17 points, seven rebounds and a steal, while Davis led the Wizards with 25 points and 13 boards. Trae Young praised Dybantsa’s athleticism and confidence, calling him a future league face. The Wizards improve to 3‑3 as they prepare to face the Magic on Monday.
Rookie first overall pick AJ Dybantsa led the Washington Wizards, dominating the Charlotte Hornets 95-79 on Friday night.
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The Wizards clinch a 95-79 win over the Hornets in their NBA Cup opener, thanks to a stifling defense and timely scoring bursts. A 16-8 run gave Washington a 51-46 halftime edge, and a 28-13 third‑quarter blitz sealed the lead. Trae Young leads with 21 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, drawing fouls at a league‑top rate and shooting 12‑14 from the line. Anthony Davis adds 25 points and 13 boards, while rookie AJ Dybantsa contributes 17 points and eight rebounds. The Hornets struggled, shooting just 35.3% on twos, 21.4% on threes and 58.3% at the stripe, leaving the Wizards 3‑3 overall and 1‑0 in Cup play.
The Hornets (3-2) face the Wizards (2-3) in Game 6 of the NBA Cup on Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. ET at Capital One Arena. Charlotte is a 1.5‑point favorite (‑118) with an O/U of 218.5. Key injuries include Coby White and Grant Williams for the Hornets and Justin Champagnie and Tristan Vukcevic for Washington. Rookie AJ Dybantsa, the No. 1 overall pick, makes his debut, filling Champagnie’s spot. Tune in via WSOC (Charlotte), DAZN, or NBA League Pass to see if the Hornets can edge the Wizards.
After a 110-103 loss to the Charlotte Hornets—where Washington was out‑rebounded 54-41 and surrendered 26 second‑chance points—the Wizards look to break a five‑game losing streak against Charlotte on Friday at Capital One Arena. Trae Young will lead a lineup missing Justin Champagnie, Tristan Vukcevic and Jamir Watkins, while AJ Dybantsa stays on limited minutes and Tre Johnson remains a game‑time decision. The Hornets also deal injuries, including Coby White and Grant Williams. Tip‑off is 7 p.m., televised on Monumental Sports Network.
The Celtics kick off the 2026 NBA Cup on Friday, Oct. 30, facing the Chicago Bulls at TD Garden before four more group games against Charlotte (Nov. 6), Washington (Nov. 24 on NBC), and a second home showdown with Atlanta (Nov. 26). Boston is favored, but each opponent brings a specific threat: the Bulls’ rookie Caleb Wilson (17 points vs Boston) and veteran Norman Powell, the Hornets’ rebounding prowess despite roster churn, the Wizards’ improved offense with rookie AJ Dybantsa, and the Hawks’ elite offense and low‑turnover play led by All‑Star Jalen Johnson. Limiting turnovers and controlling the glass will be key for Boston’s path to the group‑stage crown.
The Oklahoma City Thunder target free‑agent swingman Ochai Agbaji to shore up perimeter depth as Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace miss time; Agbaji posted 10.4 points and a 39.9% three‑point rate with Toronto last season before being waived by the Knicks. Meanwhile, former Mavericks big man Dwight Powell, 35, signs a rest‑of‑season deal with EuroLeague champions Fenerbahçe after Dallas waives him to protect guaranteed contracts. In Charlotte, Hornets coach Charles Lee benches Naz Reid for the entire second half against Detroit, citing unmet standards after a comment, despite Reid’s $125 million, five‑year contract from the LaMelo Ball trade.
Kon Knueppel, the Hornets' 7‑foot rookie who posted 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and a record‑shattering 273 three‑pointers last season, is close to returning from a hamstring strain. The team announced Thursday that he will be sent to the G League for practice, a step that signals his imminent comeback to Charlotte. Hornets fans can expect Knueppel to help solidify the revamped roster, which now includes former Duke teammate Grayson Allen, Naz Reid, Royce O’Neale, Dennis Schröder and newcomers Hannes Steinbach and Christian Anderson after LaMelo Ball’s trade to Minnesota. The injury update fuels optimism ahead of the upcoming season.
The Hornets bench Naz Reid for the entire second half of their 115-108 loss in Detroit after he failed to meet Coach Charles Lee's standards, a move linked to a post‑halftime comment. Reid, a former Minnesota player on a five‑year, $125 million deal, and Lee have since addressed the issue. Meanwhile, the team sends second‑year wing Kon Knueppel to the Greensboro Swarm to rehab from a hamstring strain, and rookie AJ Dybantsa debuts for Washington with 19 points and solid defense on James Harden despite a minutes limit. Hawks rookie guard Kingston Flemings posts a breakout 23‑point game against Miami, helping Atlanta rebound with a win over Cleveland.
The article reflects on the Phoenix Suns' early‑season trade of Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale for Miles Bridges, noting how the duo’s defensive grit helped Phoenix clinch a late‑season win against the Lakers when Booker and Brooks were out. While Bridges adds size and offensive versatility, the Suns face locker‑room friction and a point‑guard void, as both former Suns struggled in a recent Charlotte Hornets loss. With the Suns three games in and a brief four‑day break, the piece argues that the offseason moves may have cost Phoenix more stability than they realized, even as they rebuild around Devin Booker.
The Washington Wizards host the Charlotte Hornets on Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. ET for the NBA Cup group‑stage opener at Capital One Arena. Both teams are dealing with injuries—Wizards missing Tre Johnson, Justin Champagnie, Tristan Vukcevic and Jamir Watkins; Hornets out Coby White, Kon Knueppel, Grant Williams and Kylan Boswell. After a surprising loss to Charlotte earlier in the week, the Wizards aim to reverse the result and test the chemistry of their new All‑Star‑laden, youth‑heavy roster. Key storylines include the Wizards’ defensive lapses, Anthony Davis’s flash of former All‑Star form, and whether Tre Young can return to full strength.