The Knicks head to Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Friday for a tough test against a struggling Pacers squad. Indiana sits 4‑8 and is missing injured star guard Tyrese Haliburton, who’s out with a hamstring, leaving coach Mike Brown without his offensive engine. The Pacers rank near the bottom in three‑point shooting (33%), offensive rating (20th) and rebounding (29th), though they boast a strong assist‑to‑turnover ratio. Pascal Siakam leads the team with 22.7 points per game and Andrew Nembhard adds 17.1, while newcomer Ivica Zubac has yet to fit into the system. Expect a hostile environment as New York tries to capitalize on Indiana’s woes.
The Philadelphia 76ers rallied from a 16‑point early deficit to beat the Toronto Raptors 123‑112 on Nov. 12, 2026, snapping a rough start and improving to 10‑3. With LeBron James (sciatica), Adem Bona (cervical sprain) and Dominick Barlow (back) out, VJ Edgecombe stepped up, posting 15 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, three steals and a block—nearly a triple‑double and zero turnovers. Joel Embiid, cleared from plantar fasciitis concerns, contributed 20 points, four rebounds, three assists, a steal and two blocks despite a knee knock. Six Sixers scored in double figures, and the win sets up a home game against the Indiana Pacers after a short break.
Joel Embiid suits up for the Philadelphia 76ers against Toronto but exits early in the first quarter after colliding with guard Ja’Kobi Walter and pointing to his right knee. Medical staff check him, but he returns later, finishing the half with seven points and three rebounds. The 17.7‑point, 9.3‑rebounds star is still shooting only 37% this season, coming off a 2‑of‑9 night in a 123‑101 loss to Boston. The Sixers face back‑to‑back games vs. Indiana and Brooklyn, and may rest Embiid depending on his knee’s condition.
Prime Video announces that Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum will serve as a player contributor on NBA on Prime for the 2026‑27 season. He debuts Friday on NBA Nightcap after the Emirates NBA Cup double‑header featuring the Knicks vs. Pacers and Warriors vs. Spurs. McCollum, a journalism graduate, will share insider locker‑room insight while still playing. The move follows Amazon’s similar hires of Kyle Lowry and WNBA guard Kelsey Plum. McCollum’s media work began with his C.J.’s Press Pass program and a multi‑year ESPN analyst deal, positioning him for a post‑playing career.
Through the early stages of the 2026-27 NBA campaign, top teams have started to reveal themselves while teams destined to miss the playoffs are also starting to become clear.
In a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden, Knicks captain Jalen Brunson humorously tried to grab a referee’s attention while defending teammate Josh Hart, who racked up four fouls. ESPN footage shows Brunson shifting into the official’s eyeline after she looks away, finally getting a brief hearing. Despite Brunson’s 27 points on over 50% shooting and Karl‑Anthony Town’s 21 and 11 rebounds, the Knicks fall 6‑5, snapping a four‑game win streak. Cavs stars James Harden (32) and Donovan Mitchell (23) lead the win, and New York looks to bounce back against the Pacers on Nov. 13.
Grant Williams finally returns for the Hornets, announcing his season debut after a right hamstring strain kept him out since September. Meanwhile, Tyrese Haliburton (Pacers) faces at least five more games on the sidelines with a hamstring issue, and Bulls rookie Caleb Wilson sustains a right hand injury after a collision with Victor Wembanyama. Raptors forward Scottie Barnes misses another night with a groin strain, while the Sixers sit LeBron James (low back/scatica) and Adem Bona (cervical spine sprain). Oklahoma City hopes to see Thomas Sorber back soon after his September 2025 ACL tear.
The Washington Wizards are struggling offensively, dropping five straight to sit at 4-8 after a 114-101 loss to Indiana. New guard Trae Young, acquired to spark the attack, averages 18.3 points and 8.3 assists but shoots just 40% overall and a league‑low 29.6% from three. The team as a whole is 29th in three‑point percentage at 29.8%, hampering both Young and big men like Anthony Davis, Alex Sarr and Deandre Ayton. While Young’s playmaking remains solid, the Wizards need better shooting and smarter lineups to turn his opportunities into points and revive their offense.
The Washington Wizards fell to the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday, extending their five‑game losing streak. Trae Young, despite shooting efficiently, drew criticism after stopping mid‑possession to argue with the referee, leaving Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard open for a sure‑thing jumper. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about Young’s defensive effort, a problem dating back to his Atlanta days. Rookie AJ Dybantsa showed typical first‑year inconsistency, while veteran Anthony Davis contributed solid minutes. Washington next hosts the Detroit Pistons on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET.
The article argues that the Knicks should deploy forward OG Anunoby to guard opponents before screens arrive, using his length and defensive skill to disrupt the initial read. Citing James Harden’s 32-point, 11‑free‑throw performance against New York and Anunoby’s two steals and a block in 34 minutes, the author suggests switching Anunoby onto the ball handler early in upcoming games—especially against Indiana—to prevent the ball‑handler from pulling up or rolling. A deeper drop is presented as a secondary option, but the piece emphasizes proactive match‑ups over reactive defense.
The Sixers open a grueling schedule, facing two games each vs. the Knicks, Cavs and Pistons, plus a loss to Boston, but now enter their easiest five-game stretch. Thursday they host a depleted Toronto Raptors—missing Kawhi Leonard and likely Scottie Barnes—followed by a matchup with an injury‑hit Indiana Pacers lacking Tyrese Haliburton. The run continues with back‑to‑back games at Brooklyn against the Nets and at home versus the Bucks, all while experimenting with small‑ball lineups featuring Jabari Walker or Dean Wade. Coach Nick Nurse sees the stretch as a chance to tweak defensive schemes and rack up early wins, provided health holds up.
Ben Stiller missed the Knicks' 119-112 loss to the Cavaliers on Nov. 12 while attending the premiere of his new film, Focker-in-Law, at Manhattan's Beacon Theatre. The star posted a pre‑game hype tweet, then asked “What happened?” as Cleveland snapped New York’s four‑game streak, improving to 6‑6 while the Knicks fall to 6‑5. The Knights look to rebound against the Pacers on Friday, Nov. 13. The article also notes the movie’s release on Nov. 25, 2026, marking the first Focker sequel in 16 years.
The Washington Wizards drop their fifth straight game, a 13‑point loss to a Tyrese Haliburton‑less Indiana Pacers, and early‑season metrics suggest trouble ahead. After 11 games the Wizards sit at a –11.3 adjusted scoring margin, the worst in the Eastern Conference, projecting roughly 20‑25 wins—better than last season but far from a major jump. Historical data shows even 8‑10 games give a reliable strength indicator, and the Wizards’ poor defense and volatile three‑point luck could keep them stuck near the bottom. While a play‑in spot remains possible if other East teams falter, a dramatic turnaround appears unlikely.
Coach Rick Carlisle says Aaron Nesmith left Indiana’s 114-101 win over Washington with tightness in the back of his right knee, leaving the severity of the injury uncertain. Nesmith, a key starter who contributed to the Pacers’ 2025 Finals run, is now listed day‑to‑day as the team also battles Tyrese Haliburton’s ongoing hamstring issue. The veteran logged just 22 minutes, shooting 1‑for‑6 for two points before exiting with 4:57 left in the third quarter. With the Pacers languishing at 3-8, missing another starter could further derail their title hopes for the 2026‑27 season.
The Indiana Pacers outlasted the Washington Wizards 114-101 behind Pascal Siakam and Ivica Zubac on Wednesday night.
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The Knicks fall to 6-5 after a 115-107 loss to Cleveland, and head coach Mike Brown lashes out at the referees for denying Jalen Brunson any free‑throw attempts despite his 35 minutes on the floor. Brunson finished with 27 points but zero trips to the line, while the Cavs earned 25 free throws, 11 from James Harden. Brown says the lack of calls “is alarming,” though Brunson admits his own hesitancy contributed. Karl‑Anthony Towns notches his 11th straight double‑double (21/11/8) and Miles McBride adds 19 off the bench. The Knicks aim to rebound against Indiana on Friday.
Jalen Brunson leads the Knicks to a 115-107 loss against the Cavaliers, snapping New York’s four‑game win streak at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 12, 2026. Brunson scores 27 points (12‑of‑23) but admits his hesitation and lack of aggression cost the team, saying he didn’t adjust quickly enough to Cleveland’s defensive reads. The Cavs, bolstered by a season‑high 32 points from James Harden, improve to 6‑6, while the Knicks fall to 6‑5. New York’s next game is Friday versus the Indiana Pacers.
Jalen Brunson publicly backs a struggling Mikal Bridges as the Knicks seek to spark his offense early in the 2026‑27 season. Bridges, who averaged 13.5 points on 55.9% shooting during the Knicks' title run, has slipped to 6.3 points on 32.9% field‑goal shooting and 26.5% from three, scoring just two points in a 17‑minute effort against the Cavaliers. Coach Mike Brown has turned to Landry Shamet and Miles McBride late in games, but Brunson emphasized that the locker room still supports Bridges and expects him to rebound against the Pacers.
The Washington Wizards fall 114-101 to the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Nov. 11, extending their slump. Despite a strong start and winning the rebounding battle (58-52), the Wizards squandered a 37-31 lead and trailed 55-50 at halftime after seven turnovers. Trae Young was muted (3 points, 2 assists) while bench scorer Tre Johnson added 13. George led Washington with 25 points but six turnovers; Anthony Davis posted a 20‑10 double‑double. The Pacers, without Tyrese Haliburton, drove the win with 29 assists and a decisive 14‑0 fourth‑quarter run. Washington heads into a back‑to‑back against the Detroit Pistons the next night.
The Indiana Pacers snapped their road‑trip skid with a 112‑106 home victory over the Washington Wizards on Nov. 12, 2026, ending their first home win of the season. Despite missing Tyrese Haliburton for at least ten more days, Indy leaned on a strong first half from Kelly Oubre and Ivica Zubac, while rookie guard T.J. McConnell debuted in Indianapolis, posting seven points and seven assists in 13 minutes. Rebounding remained a concern, with the Pacers out‑rebounded 45‑48, but they tightened the glass after a 17‑9 first‑quarter deficit. A bold lineup change by Rick Carlisle in the fourth helped preserve the lead after Washington’s late surge, highlighted by a Trae Young triple.
Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving scored 26 of Dallas’ 35 fourth-quarter points, while Indiana won the first-half minutes Irving sat 21-2.
In a Wednesday showdown with Indiana, Wizards point guard Trae Young showcases budding chemistry with rookie AJ Dybantsa, delivering a smooth lob dunk late in the second quarter. Dybantsa, returning from an early ankle injury, posts nine points, two rebounds and a steal in 25 minutes, while Young adds 10 points and four assists. The teams are tied 77‑77 heading into the fourth, and Washington, now 4‑7 after a four‑game skid, hopes the Young‑Dybantsa connection can spark a win.
The Noblesville Boom celebrated their 2026‑27 home opener at Riverview Health Arena with a dominant win over the Iowa Wolves, overcoming an 18‑point first‑quarter deficit to finish strong. Two‑way Pacers forwards Jalen Slawson (21 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks) and Kobe Brown (18 points, 6 rebounds, 4 threes) suited up and helped the Boom force 17 turnovers and hold Iowa to 36% shooting. Coach Bryce Taylor praised the team’s Pacers‑style ball movement, while Cam Hildreth led with 18 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. The sold‑out crowd’s energy fueled the comeback, and the two‑way players reported a seamless transition from the NBA to the G League.
The Washington Wizards play their last game on a 4-game road trip tonight in Indiana. Tonight they will face the Indiana Pacers at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The game starts at 7:00 p.m. tonight. Watch the game on the Monumental Sports Network. Go Wizards!
Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle offered an update on star point guard Tyrese Haliburton on Wednesday.