The Portland Trail Blazers’ injury report stays largely unchanged ahead of Tuesday’s 8 p.m. PST game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Out are Vit Krejci (left ankle fracture), Ja Morant (left hamstring strain), Shaedon Sharpe (right meniscus) and G‑League two‑way player John Tonje. The only update is backup center Robert Williams III, who missed Friday’s Lakers game, will now suit up against OKC, but is expected to sit out the Wednesday rematch. The Blazers need the win in this first back‑to‑back contest.
The Charlotte Hornets snap a 3‑in‑10 start with a 124‑112 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Nov. 10, 2026, thanks to a dominant first half from rookie forward Tidjane Salaun. Salaun went 4‑for‑4, scoring 14 points to help Charlotte build a 16‑point halftime lead despite missing Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel. In a post‑game interview he stressed staying at 100% and improving his defense. The victory gives the league‑worst offense (99.7 rating) a glimpse of life and could boost the team's confidence while Miller and Knueppel recover.
The Washington Wizards fall to the Detroit Pistons 122-111 on Nov. 9, dropping to 4-7 on the 2026‑27 schedule. Detroit surged in the second quarter, outscoring Washington 37-26, and shot 63.2% in the third while pulling down 127 rebounds. Anthony Davis was the lone bright spot for the Wizards, pouring in 44 points (19 in Q2) on 16‑of‑21 shooting and 13 rebounds. Pistons’ John Collins posted 24 and double‑digit boards, with Daniss Jenkins and Duncan Robinson adding 22 each. Washington’s AJ Dybantsa and Trae Young contributed 21 and 20 points respectively, but the team committed 19 turnovers. The Wizards head to Indiana to face the Pacers on Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET.
The fourth edition of Fantasy Tips highlights four NBA matchups shaped by winning and losing streaks as week four heats up. The Utah Jazz, mired in a seven‑game skid, face a struggling Miami Heat, while the Memphis Grizzlies try to bounce back from three straight losses against the Denver Nuggets. The Chicago Bulls meet a Wembanyama‑led San Antonio Spurs, and the Spurs' potential nine‑game streak clashes with a Golden State Warriors team riding a seven‑game run behind Steph Curry and rookie Yaxel Lendeborg. Each preview offers a Laki Play lineup with captains, vice‑captains and key fantasy picks.
The Los Angeles Lakers halt Atlanta's four-game streak with a 124–114 win on Nov. 7. Luka Doncic drives the result, posting 32 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, while Walker Kessler adds a double‑double (21 and 10). The Hawks rally from a 20‑point hole, cutting the lead to six in the third quarter thanks to Dyson Daniels and improved three‑point shooting, but costly turnovers in the fourth let L.A. score 29 off Atlanta’s mistakes. CJ McCollum leads the Hawks with 21 off the bench and Nickeil Alexander‑Walker chips in 20. Atlanta heads to a three‑day break before facing the Chicago Bulls.
The Charlotte Hornets steamroll the Cleveland Cavaliers 124-112 on Nov. 9, snapping the Cavs' brief rally and dropping them below .500. Grayson Allen pours in 27 points and Naz Reid adds 25 and 13 rebounds as Charlotte builds a 33‑point lead, eventually winning by 12. Cleveland's stars struggle—Donovan Mitchell and James Harden each manage only 11 points (7‑20 shooting), while Evan Mobley scores nine with four turnovers, yielding a combined –46 plus/minus. The Cavs dominate rebounding and turnovers but can't close the gap, prompting concerns ahead of a nationally‑televised showdown with the Knicks.
Pascal Siakam ignites the Pacers with a career‑best first half, dropping 26 points on 8‑of‑9 shooting (5‑of‑6 from three) along with six rebounds and four assists in the win over the Dallas Mavericks on Nov. 10, 2026. The burst helps Indiana build a 66‑56 lead at halftime and showcases Siakam’s new role after Tyrese Haliburton’s hamstring injury sidelined the team. Despite the victory, the Pacers sit 3‑7, 11th in the Eastern Conference, coping with multiple injuries.
Lakers coach JJ Redick praises Luka Doncic’s relentless scoring drive as the key to Los Angeles’ 9‑2 start to the 2026‑27 season. Entering the Monday game against Atlanta with a league‑leading 40.1 points per game, Doncic poured in 32 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in a 124‑114 win, showcasing his ability to read defenses and choose the right levers to pull. Redick says Doncic’s primary motivation is winning, not just “hunt‑hunt‑hunt,” and his offensive firepower continues to unlock the Lakers’ offense.
The Cavaliers fell 124-112 to the Charlotte Hornets after trailing by 30, prompting a harsh grading roundup. Rookie Meleek Thomas shines with an A, scoring 18 on 7‑12 shooting, while Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen earn B‑ and B‑grades despite modest stats. Evan Mobley, James Harden, and several veterans receive F grades, with Harden’s 11 points, 5 assists and four turnovers marked as a DEFCON 1 alarm for Cleveland’s future. The article highlights the team's identity crisis, questioning the Harden trade and the need for a new direction.
The Golden State Warriors are exploring ways to move Kristaps Porzingis before the Dec. 15 reaggregation deadline but refuse to surrender draft picks for a deal. Trade talks involve the Bulls (Jalen Smith), Pelicans, and most notably the Bucks, who want Myles Turner—still under an $82.6 M contract through 2029—in exchange for picks and possibly Moses Moody. Turner, averaging 7.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.5 blocks, is struggling on a 1‑9 Bucks team and carries a hefty salary, while Porzingis sits out with no current salary and could be bought out. The Warriors favor a low‑cost, movable asset like Smith over sacrificing future draft capital.
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Atlanta Hawks without Austin Reaves, thanks to Walker Kessler filling the role Luka Doncic has long wanted.
The Los Angeles Lakers secured a 124-114 road victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Nov. 9, extending their winning streak to six despite missing Austin Reaves (illness) and Quentin Grimes (sprained finger). The bench erupted for a season‑high 49 points, with Sandro Mamukelashvili contributing 23 points and 8 rebounds, while Collin Sexton added 18 off the bench. Luka Dončić led the starters with 32 points, 8 rebounds, 10 assists and 5 steals, and Walker Kessler posted 21 points and 10 rebounds. The Lakers dominated the paint 52-42 and forced 20 Hawks turnovers, turning a 20‑point deficit into a comfortable win. Key moments included back‑to‑back dunks by Cameron Carr and Jarred Vanderbilt and clutch three‑point shooting in the final frame.
The Los Angeles Lakers continue to roll.
The Warriors aim for an eighth straight win and a home‑stand sweep against the Pelicans, but both squads face significant injury woes. Golden State lists guard Will Richard (left thumb UCL tear), Gary Payton II (left knee inflammation), Jimmy Butler III (right ACL repair), Moses Moody (left patellar tendon surgery) and Kristaps Porziņģis (not with team) as out, while Gui Santos remains available despite knee tendinitis. New Orleans is without Zion Williamson (rest), Trey Murphy III (bilateral patellar tendinopathy), Yves Missi (left knee contusion) and Trendon Watford (right ankle sprain). The game tips off at 7 p.m. PT on NBA TV and NBC Sports Bay Area.
After back‑to‑back losses to the Lakers and Spurs, the Portland Trail Blazers return to practice in a positive mindset, sitting at a solid 6‑3 (5‑1 on the road). Coach Micah Nori leads a longer 35‑40 minute film session focused on defense, turnovers and rebounding, while Damian Lillard emphasizes correcting mistakes and building on the early‑season foundation. The team heads into a challenging stretch with a back‑to‑back against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday (8 p.m. PST) and again on Wednesday (7 p.m. PST) at the Moda Center.
Kyrie Irving dazzles the Dallas Mavericks with a vicious step‑back three that knocks Indiana Pacers forward Kelly Oubre Jr. off his feet. In the November 9 home game, Irving scores 19 points in 15 minutes, shooting 4‑of‑6 from beyond the arc, while Cooper Flagg adds 15. Despite the Pacers' 66‑55 halftime lead and Pascal Siakam's 26 points, the Mavericks aim to protect their 4‑2 home record. Coach Dusty May highlights the team's "psycho competitor" mentality, even as rookie Morez Johnson Jr. sits out with a shin contusion.
The Spurs ride an 8‑2 start thanks to the unexpected chemistry of a backcourt trio—De’Aaron Fox, rookie Dylan Harper, and Stephon Castle—who complement Victor Wembanyama with defense and playmaking, while Devin Vassell fills in at power forward. Rookie Carter Bryant, after a bench surge, sees limited minutes but earns praise for his energy. Meanwhile, Saddiq Bey fuels the Pelicans with 22 points and a quiet leadership, positioning him for Sixth Man of the Year, and Zach Edey, who paused his Team Canada Olympic hopes for his Memphis Grizzlies debut, vows to return when healthy.
Doc Rivers publicly apologizes to Giannis Antetokounmpo after a controversial remark on Bill Simmons’ podcast, where he claimed the star lacks a "super IQ" despite his passing talent. Rivers explained he meant "feel for the game" and texted Giannis to express regret, receiving a positive response. The exchange follows Rivers’ brief tenure as Milwaukee’s head coach (97‑103 regular‑season record, 3‑8 playoff record) and his recent move to NBC as an analyst. Giannis, now with the Miami Heat, called the comments "insane" after Miami’s 114‑108 win over Sacramento, while both teams struggle in their new eras – Miami 4‑6 and Milwaukee 1‑9.
On his November 10, 2026 show, ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith admits he’s finally over his long‑running feud with LeBron James. After a heated courtside clash in March 2025—sparked by Smith’s criticism of Bronny’s draft and James’ alleged “you f***** with my son” remark—Smith says, “Life is short… I wish him nothing but the best.” He even hopes James can win a championship with the Philadelphia 76ers before retiring. While the animosity isn’t erased, Smith’s new stance signals a move from bitterness to professional respect as James enters the final two years of his career.
Monday's game marks the first of the Suns' back-to-back matchups against the San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Clippers.
The Utah Jazz sit dead‑last in the NBA at 1‑9, tied with the Sacramento Kings after just ten games. Their offense ranks second‑worst, averaging 106.2 points per game, hampered by injuries to key players like center Jusuf Nurkic, forward Jaren Jackson Jr., and Lauri Markkanen’s wrist. Guard depth is a crisis, with George and Collier struggling to mesh and rookie Darryn Peterson only just breaking out with 21‑ and 26‑point outings. Despite the bleak start, newcomers Josh Green, Mo Bamba and the defensive surge from Ace Bailey offer glimmers of hope as the Jazz eye a Play‑In route to the playoffs.
On a recent episode of The Timeout with Dwyane Wade, former Heat teammates Dwyane Wade and Udonis Haslem finally crack the joke they'd been holding back since 2010: LeBron James’ new shaved head. While praising the 41‑year‑old’s elite play for the Philadelphia 76ers, they recount how his hair‑loss was a locker‑room punchline during Miami’s championship era and how the bald look, debuted at the TIME100 Sports Gala in July 2026, reflects a mental reset for his 24th NBA season. The light‑hearted roast highlights James’ evolving game, including a game‑winning tip‑in against the Knicks and his adaptation alongside newcomer Jaylen Brown.
Giannis Antetokounmpo was on the receiving end of some strange barbs from Doc Rivers, an experience strangely familiar to the 76ers.
The San Antonio Spurs, riding an eight‑game winning streak and coming off a dominant 125‑103 win over Portland, head to Phoenix for the third stop of a four‑game road trip on Nov. 9 at 8:00 PM CT (DAZN). While star forward Victor Wembanyama dazzles with dunks, the Spurs may miss Devin Vassell (questionable with adductor tightness) and continue to adjust their bench rotation. The Suns sit at 3‑5, anchored by Dillon Brooks' scrappy defense, but could be vulnerable if the Spurs exploit the matchup against Booker. Both teams look to prove themselves before the Spurs finish the trip in Chicago.
Rookie AJ Dybantsa, ranked fourth in the NBA Rookie Power Rankings, steals the spotlight with a jaw‑dropping dunk against the Detroit Pistons on Nov. 10, 2026. After drawing a defender, he hangs on the rim for nearly three seconds before slamming the ball, sparking a viral clip. Dybantsa finishes the first half with eight points in 19 minutes, joining Trae Young (13) as the only Wizards with double‑digit scores. Washington, 4‑6 entering the game, trails 68‑58 despite a 51.2% field‑goal rate, while Pistons’ John Collins leads Detroit with 15 points. The highlight fuels excitement for the young BYU alum’s future.