NBA roundup: Cavs set franchise mark with 9-0 start
Thu Nov 7 1:56am ET
Field Level Media
Donovan Mitchell scored 29 points and the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers set the record for the best start in franchise history at 9-0 with a 131-122 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night.
Mitchell led a balanced attack as six players scored in double digits -- including Jarrett Allen (16 points and 14 rebounds) and Caris LeVert (16 points off the bench).
The 1976-77 Cavaliers started their season 8-0.
Zion Williamson scored 29 points to lead the Pelicans, while Jose Alvarado scored 27 and Brandon Ingram had 20.
Nuggets 124, Thunder 122
Nikola Jokic had 23 points, 20 rebounds and 16 assists, Peyton Watson made a game-sealing block with one second left, and host Denver handed Oklahoma its first loss of the season.
Russell Westbrook scored 29 points and Michael Porter Jr. and Christian Braun had 24 each as Denver ended a four-game head-to-head losing streak against Oklahoma City. Jokic logged his fourth triple-double of the season.
Jalen Williams had 29 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists for the Thunder, who had opened with seven straight wins. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 28 points.
Warriors 118, Celtics 112
Stephen Curry amassed 27 points, nine assists and seven rebounds to help visiting Golden State stretch its winning streak to five games with a victory over Boston.
The Warriors trailed by seven in the middle of the fourth quarter but used an 16-4 run to take a 104-99 lead with 2:30 to play on a Curry layup. Boston pulled within 115-112 when Payton Prichard made three free throws with 16 seconds remaining, but the Warriors closed out the win by making 3 of 4 at the foul line the rest of the way.
Golden State, which improved to 5-0 on the road, made 12 of its 13 free-throw attempts in the final quarter. Buddy Hield and Andrew Wiggins each added 16 points for Golden State. Jayson Tatum scored a game-high 32 points for the Celtics, whose three-game winning streak ended. Derrick White made seven 3-pointers and added 26 points.
Clippers 110, 76ers 98
Norman Powell scored 26 points and James Harden added 18 as Los Angeles spoiled Paul George's return with a victory over visiting Philadelphia in Inglewood, Calif.
Ivica Zubac scored 15 points with nine rebounds and Derrick Jones Jr. added 14 points as the Clippers won their second consecutive home game after losing the first four at their new $2 billion arena, Intuit Dome.
George scored 18 points for the 76ers in his second game of the season and first against his former team after leaving as a free agent in the offseason. The 76ers activated Joel Embiid (knee) for the first time this season, but the 2022-23 MVP remained out as he started to serve a three-game suspension for an altercation with a newspaper columnist Saturday.
Suns 115, Heat 112
Kevin Durant recorded 32 points and eight rebounds and host Phoenix topped Miami to increase its winning streak to six games.
Devin Booker added 22 points and nine assists and Jusuf Nurkic collected 20 points and 18 rebounds as Phoenix won for the seventh time in eight games this season.
Tyler Herro registered 28 points and six assists and Haywood Highsmith added 19 points for the Heat. Miami had possession with a chance to tie but didn't get a shot off in the final seconds.
Hornets 108, Pistons 107
Brandon Miller's putback at the buzzer off a missed 3-point shot gave Charlotte a dramatic victory against visiting Detroit.
Miles Bridges pumped in 27 points and LaMelo Ball scored five of his 25 points in the final minute to help the Hornets end a three-game losing streak.
Miller, who missed time earlier this season with an injury, finished with 19 points by rebounding Grant Williams' missed 3-pointer and scoring just in time. Cade Cunningham posted a triple-double in the loss (20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists).
Pacers 118, Magic 111
Indiana's Bennedict Mathurin and Myles Turner each recorded double-doubles, and Tyrese Haliburton capped his 17-point performance with a late 3-pointer as Indiana held off Orlando in Indianapolis.
Orlando played without injured star Paolo Banchero -- who scored 50 points when these two teams met last week -- and the Magic lost their fifth straight.
Indiana raced to an early, 18-point lead. The Magic, however, chipped away behind Franz Wagner's game-high 28 points, and made the game competitive throughout the second half until Haliburton hit a 3-pointer to give the Pacers a five-point lead with 33 seconds left.
Mavericks 119, Bulls 99
Luka Doncic had 27 points and 13 assists to lead host Dallas past cold-shooting Chicago, handing the Bulls their third straight loss.
The Mavericks feasted on poor Chicago transition defense, scoring 21 fastbreak points, and led by as much as 30.
The Bulls, playing without All-Star Zach LaVine (adductor strain), shot just 41.9 percent from the floor and were 12-of-42 (28.6 percent) from 3-point range. Nikola Vucevic led Chicago with 14 points in 25 minutes.
Kings 122, Raptors 107
DeMar DeRozan scored 27 points, including 11 in a commanding fourth quarter, to lead Sacramento past visiting Toronto.
Keegan Murray combined 22 points with 12 rebounds, De'Aaron Fox contributed 21 points, and Domantas Sabonis notched his 61st career triple-double -- and second in five days -- with 17 points, 11 boards and 13 assists.
RJ Barrett scored 23 points and Davion Mitchell added 20 for the Raptors, who led by four points after three quarters before the were outscored 33-14 in the fourth.
Hawks 121, Knicks 116
No. 1 overall draft pick Zaccharie Risacher tallied career highs with 33 points and seven rebounds to lead Atlanta past visiting New York.
Risacher was 11-for-18 from the field, including 6-for-10 on 3-pointers, with three assists, three steals and two blocks to help the Hawks end a three-game home-court losing streak to the Knicks.
Karl-Anthony Towns led the Knicks with 34 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks. Jalen Brunson scored 21 points and Miles McBride came off the bench to add 16 points and seven assists.
Grizzlies 131, Lakers 114
Ja Morant scored 20 points before leaving the game late in the third quarter with an injury and Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jaylen Wells also contributed 20 to lead Memphis to a victory over visiting Los Angeles.
LeBron James had 39 points to lead the Lakers, who played without injured big man Anthony Davis, the NBA's leading scorer at 32.6 points per game. Austin Reaves added 19 for Los Angeles, which lost for the fourth time in five games.
Memphis was aided by its strong long-range shooting. The Grizzlies made 17- of 34 3-pointers, including 12 of 16 in the second half. Morant took a hard fall with 3:45 left in the third quarter while attempting a left-handed dunk. He walked to the locker room and did not return. He was later diagnosed with a right hamstring injury.
Rockets 127, Spurs 100
Fred VanVleet recorded his first double-double of the season while Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun combined for 37 points as Houston cruised to a victory over visiting San Antonio.
VanVleet paired 21 points with 10 assists and also grabbed seven rebounds while enjoying a remarkable shooting night. He finished 10 of 11 from the floor, including 9 for 9 from inside the arc. Houston finished 44 for 69 (63.7 percent) on 2-pointers. Green (21 points, four 3-pointers) and Sengun (16 points) totaled 10 rebounds and eight assists.
The Spurs were undone by their 20 turnovers, which Houston converted into 20 points. Victor Wembanyama scored 15 points but missed 5 of 6 3-pointers, including his first five. Chris Paul, Keldon Johnson, Malaki Branham and Sandro Mamukelashvili scored 10 points each for San Antonio.
- Hawks to re-evaluate F Jonathan Kuminga (knee) in 1 week
- Magic F Franz Wagner (ankle) out indefinitely
- Sixers sign veteran G Cameron Payne
- Mavericks G Kyrie Irving sidelined until 2026-27 season
- Jazz F Jaren Jackson Jr. has surgery to remove growth in left knee
- Former Nuggets coach Doug Moe dies at 87
- New NBA All-Star Game format draws highest ratings in 15 years
- Jaylen Brown: Beverly Hills PD's account of event shutdown not true
- Stephen Curry commits to 2027 All-Star 3-point contest
- Giannis Antetokounmpo says he is 'committed to the Milwaukee Bucks'
- NBA commissioner Adam Silver sends message to tanking teams
- Suns agree to deal with F Haywood Highsmith
- David Kelly named executive director of NBPA
- Kings' Zach LaVine set for season-ending hand surgery
- Spurs' Carter Bryant tabbed as replacement for Rising Stars game
- Raptors waive veteran G Chris Paul
- NBA roundup: LeBron James becomes oldest player to log triple-double
- Jazz fined $500K, Pacers $100K for tanking maneuvers
- Bucks coach Doc Rivers (funeral) to miss game at Thunder
- F Jeremy Sochan signing with Knicks after clearing waivers
Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin (foot) will remain out on Thursday against the Washington Wizards, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports. Toppin was at Tuesday's practice, but only as a limited participant. According to Pacers head coach, the former dunk champion is making progress in his recovery from right-foot surgery, but it's going to be "a while" before Toppin is ready to play. Toppin enjoyed a strong start to the campaign before landing on the shelf. He averaged 14.0 points and 6.7 rebounds across the first three games. As long as he's out, Jarace Walker and Micah Potter will benefit from extra minutes in the frontcourt.
Golden State Warriors forward/center Kristaps Porzingis (Achilles) practiced on Tuesday, ESPN's Anthony Slater reports. He is also scheduled to take part in a team scrimmage on Wednesday. This suggests Porzingis could be ready to make his team debut on Thursday against his former squad, the Boston Celtics. The Latvian veteran hasn't played since Jan. 7 due to an Achilles issue. He had a decent start to the campaign with the Atlanta Hawks, recording 17.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game. Gui Santos may find himself on the bench when Porzingis returns, significantly lowering his fantasy appeal.
Indiana Pacers center Ivica Zubac (ankle) isn't ready to make his team debut when the season resumes on Thursday, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports. The Croatian big man was a limited participant in Tuesday's practice, and Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said after the session that it will be "a while" before Zubac is ready to play. The Pacers have the fourth-worst record in the league and aren't in a rush to get Zubac back into the lineup. With him out, Jay Huff, Micah Potter, and Kobe Brown share minutes at center.
Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry (knee) is expected to participate in a team scrimmage on Wednesday, ESPN's Anthony Slater reports. The team will then determine his status for Thursday's matchup with the Boston Celtics. Curry has been dealing with runner's knee and sat out the final five games before the All-Star break. Due to the issue, the two-time MVP was also unable to play in the All-Star Game on Sunday. Pat Spencer has been starting at point guard during Curry's absence, averaging 14.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.2 steals over the last five games.
Utah Jazz forward/center Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) underwent surgery on Tuesday to remove a growth in his left knee. The team plans to re-evaluate him in four weeks to determine his recovery status. Last week, it was reported that Jackson Jr. will miss the rest of the season. After arriving from Memphis in an eight-player trade on Feb. 3, Jackson Jr. suited up for just three games for the Jazz. He averaged 22.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.0 steals. With Jackson Jr. sidelined, Kyle Filipowski, Brice Sensabaugh, and John Konchar are expected to see increased playing time.
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Cooper Flagg (foot) was spotted wearing a walking boot during the All-Star break, but he has avoided a serious injury. The rookie phenom sustained a left midfoot sprain before the break. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Mavericks are "relieved" that Flagg's injury isn't more serious. "Cooper Flagg was indeed spotted with a boot on his left foot Saturday at Duke's home game against Clemson, but league sources tell The Stein Line that Dallas feels fortunate that last week's MRI results on Flagg only revealed a left midfoot sprain," Stein reported. "It is still not known precisely how long the 19-year-old will be sidelined, but the Mavericks appear relieved that the injury was not more serious." While it's an encouraging update, Flagg might still miss some action when play resumes. Dallas will return to the court on Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Orlando Magic released center Orlando Robinson from his two-way contract to create space for wing Alex Morales. Robinson, 25, played in four games this season and averaged 1.8 points and 1.0 rebounds in 6.2 minutes. With Moritz Wagner healthy and Wendell Carter Jr. entrenched as the starter, Robinson faced a limited path to rotation minutes. He is not expected to hold value in standard leagues and will likely return to the G League to continue his development.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, free-agent center Mason Plumlee is signing a 10-day contract with the San Antonio Spurs, his agent Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports told ESPN. The 35-year-old underwent right groin surgery in late December and was waived earlier this month after a trade from Charlotte to Oklahoma City. Plumlee appeared in 14 games with Charlotte this season, averaging 1.9 points and 2.9 rebounds in 8.9 minutes. With Victor Wembanyama anchoring the frontcourt and Luke Kornet and Bismack Biyombo in reserve roles, Plumlee profiles as emergency depth. He can remain on waiver wires in standard formats.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley finalized a deal with the team Tuesday, according to Michael Scotto of USA Today. The 38-year-old has averaged 4.4 points, 1.0 three, 1.8 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 18.5 minutes over 44 games this season. He is expected to slot into a reserve role behind Donte DiVincenzo, while Ayo Dosunmu continues to handle second-unit playmaking duties. That role caps Conley's fantasy ceiling to deeper formats, with Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle driving the offense.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Washington Wizards are signing guard Alondes Williams to a 10-day contract from their Capital City G-League affiliate. The 26-year-old earns a call-up from Capital City after averaging 20.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in the G League, highlighted by four 30-point efforts. With Trae Young (knee) sidelined and the Wizards leaning into youth, Williams will compete with Bub Carrington, Tre Johnson, and Will Riley for backcourt minutes. He is a watchlist name in deeper formats, but immediate standard-league value is unlikely without a clear rotation role.
According to Derek Bodner, guard/forward Tyrese Martin is expected to sign a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers once the team converts Jabari Walker to a standard NBA deal. The 26-year-old averaged 7.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 18.8 minutes across 37 games with the Nets earlier this season before being waived. Martin will fill an open two-way slot but joins a crowded backcourt featuring Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, and Quentin Grimes. He projects as G League depth and is not a standard-league option barring multiple injuries.
According to Jake Fischer, the Golden State Warriors are signing guard Nate Williams to a two-way contract. The 27-year-old has averaged 17.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in the G League this season and will likely spend most of his time with the affiliate. With Jimmy Butler (knee) out for the season and Stephen Curry (knee) working back from injury, Golden State adds wing insurance. Moses Moody and Brandin Podziemski remain the primary beneficiaries for minutes. For now, Williams looks like extra depth for the roster and isn't someone you need to consider in standard fantasy leagues.
Philadelphia 76ers forward/center Jabari Walker intends to sign a new two-year deal with the team, according to Shams Charania of ESPN, after maxing out his games on a two-way contract. The 23-year-old averaged 3.7 points and 3.1 rebounds in 12.1 minutes across 45 games this season. With Paul George suspended, Walker adds depth but will compete with Dominick Barlow and Trendon Watford for reserve minutes. Barlow is still the better deep-league gamble if the minutes settle in his favor, while Walker feels more like extra depth up front than someone you need to add in standard formats.
According to Marc Stein, free-agent guard Cameron Payne plans to sign a rest-of-season deal with the Philadelphia 76ers after securing a buyout overseas. The 31-year-old averaged 6.9 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 15.1 minutes across 72 games with New York in 2024-25 and posted 9.3 points and 3.1 assists in 19.4 minutes over 31 games with Philadelphia in 2023-24. Payne joins a crowded backcourt led by Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, with Quentin Grimes also in the mix. He projects as a deep-league assists streamer and insurance option, but consistent top-150 value remains unlikely barring injuries.
San Antonio Spurs forward/center Victor Wembanyama delivered 19 points on 6-of-8 shooting with two rebounds in 10 minutes during Team World's 48-45 loss to Team Stripes, finishing the event with 33 total points, eight rebounds, three blocks, and four triples. Managers heading into the fantasy playoffs get a reminder of the ceiling. Wembanyama is averaging 26.6 points and 2.2 blocks over his last five outings, giving him top-tier impact in points, boards, and defensive categories. San Antonio's offense continues to flow through him, limiting high-end scoring upside for De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle.
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard poured in 31 points on 11-of-13 shooting, including six triples, with three rebounds and two steals in 12 minutes during Team Stripes' 48-45 win over Team World on Sunday. He totaled 37 points across the event. The exhibition carries no direct fantasy impact, but Leonard enters the stretch run locked in, averaging 29.6 points, 2.2 threes, 8.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.4 steals over his last five games. With James Harden traded and Darius Garland (toe) lacking a clear timetable to return, Leonard's 34.5 percent usage should remain elite, while John Collins and Brook Lopez profile as complementary options.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards earned top honors Sunday after leading Team Stars to a 47-21 championship win, scoring eight points with four rebounds and two assists in eight minutes in the final. He piled up 32 points across the event and secured 10 of 14 MVP votes. The All-Star spotlight does not change anything for fantasy managers. Edwards heads into the break in rhythm, averaging 26.4 points, 3.0 threes, 5.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.0 blocks over his last five games. The offense continues to run through him with a 32.1 percent usage rate, cementing his first-round value. Julius Randle remains the secondary scorer, but this is clearly Edwards' team from a fantasy perspective.
Detroit Pistons guard/forward Malik Beasley signed Friday with the Santurce Crabbers of Puerto Rico's Baloncesto Superior Nacional league, per ESPN's Shams Charania. The 29-year-old averaged 16.3 points last season and shot 41.6 percent from three, drilling 319 triples, a franchise record. With his NBA future tied to an ongoing gambling investigation, this move positions him as out of the 2025-26 fantasy pool for now. In Detroit, Cade Cunningham and Duncan Robinson should continue absorbing perimeter volume, while Ausar Thompson maintains wing minutes without Beasley competing for shots. Beasley was not on the standard-league radar this season and remains off draft boards.
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson and center Karl-Anthony Towns, joined by former Knick Allan Houston, won the 2026 NBA All-Star Shooting Stars event Saturday, outscoring Team Cameron in the final round. The Knicks trio closed with 47 points after posting 31 in the opener to advance. While the exhibition carries no fantasy weight, both stars enter the second half in strong form. Brunson is averaging 26.6 points, 3.0 threes, 4.8 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.0 steals in 36.6 minutes over his last five games, while Towns has posted 19.4 points and 12.4 rebounds in 28.8 minutes. Their usage keeps Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart in complementary roles.
Miami Heat forward Keshad Johnson won the 2026 AT&T Slam Dunk Contest on Saturday, defeating Carter Bryant in the final round. The second-year forward advanced with 92.8 points in the opening round and sealed the title with 97.4 in the finale, edging Bryant despite a 50-point dunk from his opponent. The trophy boosts Johnson's profile, but his fantasy outlook remains unchanged. He is averaging 3.1 points and 1.9 rebounds in 7.6 minutes across 21 games and is not a viable option outside deep formats, with Bam Adebayo and Andrew Wiggins handling steady frontcourt roles.
