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Pacific Notes: Ellis, Leonard, Curry, Warriors

November 8th, 2025 at 11:04pm CST by Arthur Hill

Keon Ellis is trying to be philosophical about his reduced role in the Kings‘ rotation, writes Chris Biderman of The Sacramento Bee (subscription required). Ellis logged just 12 minutes of action in Friday’s loss to Oklahoma City — all in the fourth quarter of a blowout — continuing a trend that has seen him reach 20 minutes in just three of the team’s first nine games.

Biderman notes that Ellis had reason to expect a more prominent position after finishing second on the team in three-point percentage last season at 43% and ranking second in the league with 280 deflections. Ellis provides a level of perimeter defense that the team has been lacking while ranking 25th in defensive efficiency, 28th in deflections and 28th in contested shots coming into Friday’s game.

“Because I know if I go out there, I do what I do,” Ellis responded when asked about his playing time. “If I don’t go out there, it is what it is. I control what I can control.”

The Kings added Dennis Schröder and Russell Westbrook to their backcourt during the offseason, and they’re both playing ahead of Ellis. Westbrook has been putting up vintage numbers lately, including 24 points, nine assists and six rebounds Friday night after posting a triple-double on Wednesday, but Schröder hasn’t been as effective. Biderman states that the Kings have been outscored by 85 points in the 287 minutes he has played and they have a minus-9.9 net rating when he’s on the court.

“It’s a numbers game,” coach Doug Christie said. “There’s a big log jam there. Night to night, it could be different. It’s not going to be any easier once you get Keegan (Murray) back. But this is a good problem to have. It’s one that hasn’t been here for a long time when you talk about wing players and the ability to have them. Keon’s a pro so I know he’ll be ready and prepared.”

There’s more from the Pacific Division:

Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said Kawhi Leonard will miss “the next few games” with a sprained right ankle, according to The Associated Press. Lue didn’t provide any specifics about Leonard’s condition, but he stated that medical tests are indicating it won’t be a prolonged absence.
After missing two games with an illness, Warriors star Stephen Curry is listed as questionable for Sunday’s meeting with Indiana, per Sam Gordon of The San Francisco Chronicle. Curry started feeling fatigued in the second half of Tuesday’s contest and didn’t travel with the team on its two-game trip to Sacramento and Denver. Al Horford is also questionable after being scratched from Friday’s game due to a left foot strain.
Draymond Green was critical of the Warriors‘ defense, and coach Steve Kerr lamented “a lack of purpose and energy” following Friday’s loss at Denver, relays Nick Friedell of The Athletic. Golden State fell behind early and wasn’t able to fight back in a 129-104 defeat. “There has to be some fire in the belly to get out of a tough night,” Kerr said. “It’s tough as a young player when things aren’t going their way, the game’s not going their way, it’s easy to get down. You can’t do that in this league. You have to fight and compete every second, and it didn’t feel like we did that tonight.”

Lakers Notes: Bronny, Reaves, Offense, Vincent

November 8th, 2025 at 9:46pm CST by Arthur Hill

The Lakers‘ injury woes are providing an opportunity for Bronny James, who’s seeing regular minutes for the first time in his career, writes Thuc Nhi Nguyen of The Los Angeles Times. The second-year shooting guard was on the court for 18 and 19 minutes in back-to-back wins over Miami and Portland earlier this week and made an impact in the fourth quarter of both games. He contributed three steals against the Heat and had six assists with no turnovers against the Trail Blazers.

“Ready to take advantage of the times that I get when our guys are out,” James said. “I’m going to stay aggressive.”

Coach JJ Redick attributes James’ improvement to his ability to adjust to the speed of the NBA game. Redick wants his players to determine whether they’re going to shoot, dribble or pass within a half-second of receiving the ball, and James wasn’t ready as a rookie to make those quick decisions.

“He’s now developed where he’s got a great point-five mentality,” Redick said. “He’s catch-and-shoot ready at all times.”

There’s more on the Lakers:

Austin Reaves missed his third straight game on Saturday, but it doesn’t sound like he’ll be out of action much longer, Nguyen adds in the same piece. Medical imaging revealed that he has a mild right groin strain, but Reddick told reporters that Reaves’ pain level is “really low.” Nguyen states that Reaves plans to play golf during the five-game road trip and he could be back in action before the Lakers return home.
Khobi Price of The Orange County Register examines how the offense has been able to succeed despite the absence of LeBron James, who remains sidelined with sciatica. Luka Doncic (40 PPG) and Reaves (31.1) have led the attack, but the Lakers can also rely on scoring depth, with Deandre Ayton (17.5), Rui Hachimura (16.7), Jake LaRavia (12.1) and Marcus Smart (10.3) all averaging in double figures.
Redick said Gabe Vincent is making progress in his recovery from a sprained left ankle that has sidelined him since October 26, Price tweets. Vincent hasn’t done any contact work yet, but Redick is hoping his two- to four-week recovery timeline is closer to three weeks.

Spurs Notes: Castle, McLaughlin, Wembanyama, Champagnie, Harper

November 8th, 2025 at 8:32pm CST by Arthur Hill

Stephon Castle was happy to win Rookie of the Year honors last season, but he told Marc J. Spears of Andscape that it doesn’t change anything about his approach to the game. Castle was selected for the award by a wide margin, getting 92 of 100 first-place votes, but now he wants to focus on other goals, like getting the Spurs into the playoffs for the first time since 2019.

“I feel like once you get it, your name is installed in history,” Castle said of the ROY trophy. “And then you have to go make your career after that. I’m not going out there saying, ‘I’m the Rookie of the Year and give me a vet (officiating) call, respect me.’ You got to go out there and play. I’m not really thinking about that (award) when I’m playing in the game. I’m just trying to improve every year.”

Castle is off to an even better start to his second NBA season — averaging 18.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 6.6 assists through eight games — and he’s been handling the starting point guard duties while De’Aaron Fox was sidelined. He’s also San Antonio’s best perimeter defender and routinely gets assigned to handle the opponent’s top scorer.

“He can impact winning whether he is on the ball, off the ball, defensively,” coach Mitch Johnson said. “He is going to guard a ton of different profiles in terms of premier players on teams. He has an opportunity to affect the game as much as anybody.”

There’s more from San Antonio:

Reserve guard Jordan McLaughlin scored nine points in nine minutes Friday night as the Spurs opened NBA Cup play with a win over Houston, writes Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News (subscription required). McLaughlin saw limited action last season after being acquired from Sacramento in February, but management liked him enough to re-sign him to a one-year, $3MM deal. “That’s why we brought him back,” Johnson said after Friday’s game. “He’s a professional, a mature adult, a great teammate who’s a really cerebral, skilled basketball player.”
Victor Wembanyama was impressed by former WWE star Mark Henry, who chatted with players during a visit to Frost Bank Center on Friday, per Mike Finger of The San Antonio Express-News (subscription required). Billed as “the world’s strongest man,” Henry passed along a few weightlifting tips to Wembanyama, who Finger notes still frequently finds himself outmuscled by opponents. “Kevin (Durant) was in the same boat early,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said. “Until you get that strength, the first thing that everybody’s going to try to do is be physical with you.”
Fox’s return to action means Julian Champagnie is coming off the bench for the first time this season, tweets Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express-News. Champagnie was averaging a career-high 30 minutes per night and scoring 10.1 PPG through the season’s first eight games.
Prior to tonight’s contest, Johnson told reporters that Dylan Harper, who’s sidelined with a left calf strain, hasn’t resumed physical activity yet, relays Jared Weiss of The Athletic (Twitter link).

Bulls Notes: Huerter, Buzelis, Collins, Dosunmu

November 8th, 2025 at 7:17pm CST by Arthur Hill

Kevin Huerter feels at home in Chicago after coming to the Bulls in a February trade and he’s hoping for a long-term future with the team, writes Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times. That’s not a sure thing because Huerter has an $18MM expiring contract and is headed for free agency. Cowley points out that the team will have at least six free agents next summer, so major changes could be coming to the roster.

Huerter has been a valuable contributor as the Bulls have gotten off to a surprising 6-2 start. After starting 16 of the 26 games after the trade last season, he’s settled into a full-time bench role and is averaging 12.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 24.8 minutes per night while leading the team in plus-minus rating.

‘‘I love the way we play here,” Huerter said. “It’s a fun brand and good energy to be a part of, and I feel like I’ll have a piece in that success and I’ll have a piece in the failure if it goes that way at this point.’’

Cowley notes that it wasn’t certain Huerter would have a future at all in Chicago when the trade was announced. Because it was completed nearly a week before the deadline, Huerter, Tre Jones and Zach Collins were held out of games and practices in case another trade opportunity materialized.

‘‘I think for me, that little holding period last year, that was as much about figuring out what the organization is looking to do here,’’ Huerter added. ‘‘For me, I’m 27. I feel like I’m right at the start of my prime, so I feel like I have a lot of good years and my best are ahead of me. So it was more about making sure the fit was right. We always really liked the fit. I had heard really good things about Billy (Donovan) as far as him being the head coach, and it’s obviously been great since I got here.’’

There’s more on the Bulls:

Donovan discussed Matas Buzelis‘ progress as a defender in his second NBA season after Friday’s loss at Milwaukee, Cowley states in a separate story. Buzelis’ night included several matchups with Giannis Antetokounmpo, who torched Chicago’s defense in general on the way to 41 points. Donovan was glad to see that Buzelis didn’t back down from the challenge, even when Antetokounmpo got the best of him. ‘‘There’s been moments where he has a lot to learn, so to speak,’’ Donovan said. ‘‘I think the defensive assignments, when he gets his length and keeps himself between his man and the basket, he’s been good. I think the consistency of that is something he’s working through. Where he was a year ago today to where he is now is night and day. My hope is with the way he works and that mentality, that growth will continue.’’
In a session with reporters before tonight’s contest, Donovan said Collins will undergo a CT scan this week that should be “pretty telling,” relays Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic (Twitter link). The veteran big man hasn’t played yet this season after having surgery for a non-displaced fracture in his left wrist in mid-October. Donovan said Collins has resumed working out, but he’s still not passing or catching with his left hand.
Ayo Dosunmu, who returned Friday after missing two games with a quad contusion, was placed on a 24-minute restriction to allow him to play both nights of the back-to-back, per KC Johnson of Chicago Sports Network (Twitter link). Donovan indicated that the restriction will likely be dropped after tonight.

Pistons’ Marcus Sasser To Be Reevaluated In Four Weeks

November 8th, 2025 at 6:00pm CST by Arthur Hill

Marcus Sasser is continuing rehab work for a right hip impingement and will be reevaluated in approximately four weeks, the Pistons announced (via Twitter).

The 25-year-old point guard had been listed as day-to-day with the hip issue, but today’s statement indicates that it’s more serious than originally believed.

Sasser was selected by Memphis with the 25th pick in the 2023 draft and made his way to Detroit through a pair of trades. After a strong rookie year, he found himself in and out of the rotation last season as the Pistons had more quality backcourt options available. He wound up appearing in 57 games and averaging 6.6 points, 1.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 14.2 minutes per night with .463/.382/.843 shooting numbers.

The organization displayed its confidence in Sasser last month by picking up the fourth-year option on his rookie-scale contract at $5,198,983. He will be eligible for an extension next summer.

Detroit could have used Sasser over the past few weeks as Jaden Ivey continues to recover from an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee and Caris LeVert started the campaign still dealing with a hamstring injury that limited him during the preseason.

Lakers’ Maxi Kleber Cleared For Season Debut

November 8th, 2025 at 5:06pm CST by Arthur Hill

Lakers big man Maxi Kleber has been medically cleared to make his season debut tonight in Atlanta, according to Khobi Price of The Orange County Register (Twitter link). He had been listed as questionable with a strained abdominal muscle, but he was upgraded to available shortly before game time.

Kleber told Price that he’s “gonna be ready, just be prepared and be back out with the guys, get back in rhythm and routine.”

Kleber was acquired from Dallas in February as part of the Luka Doncic trade, but he has yet to appear in a regular season game with the Lakers. He was recovering from foot surgery at the time of the deal and remained sidelined until the season ended. He did make one playoff appearance, logging nearly five minutes in Game 5 during the first-round loss to Minnesota.

Kleber was healthy coming into training camp in September, but he tweaked his quad on the second day of workouts. He suffered the oblique strain shortly before the start of the regular season, with a reevaluation set for two weeks later.

Kleber was a serviceable big man during his eight years with the Mavericks and will provide additional depth in L.A.’s frontcourt. He appeared in 440 games in Dallas, making 151 starts and averaging 6.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 22.3 minutes per night. His career shooting numbers are 44.3% from the field and 35.4% from three-point range, but both percentages dropped sharply last season.

Deandre Ayton and Rui Hachimura have been healthy and productive early this season as the Lakers’ starting center and power forward. The team has also been getting production off the bench from Jarred Vanderbilt, Jake LaRavia and Jaxson Hayes, so there may not be many available minutes for Kleber right away.

Kleber, who will turn 34 in January, has an $11MM expiring contract and will become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Atlantic Notes: Robinson, Pritchard, Barnes, Poeltl

November 8th, 2025 at 4:01pm CST by Rory Maher

The Knicks and veteran center Mitchell Robinson did not engage in any advanced discussions about a potential contract extension prior to 2025/26, according to Ian Begley of SNY.tv (Twitter video link), who is skeptical that a deal will come together during the regular season.

Still, assuming he’s healthy, Robinson should have plenty of suitors if he hits free agency next summer, Begley reported on The Putback.

“The most likely path here is Mitchell Robinson … hitting free agency and then seeing what the market is like,” Begley said. “There’s going to be teams with cap space. If he’s healthy, he’s going to be very attractive on that open market.

“Maybe the Knicks surprise me, and they do get a deal done in-season. … If he has this impact on the floor when he’s healthy, even though the Knicks are limiting him, teams know what he can do and he’s continuing to show it.”

We have more from the Atlantic Division:

In an extensive interview with Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, Celtics guard Payton Pritchard discusses his “relentless” desire to constantly improve his game. “I look at the word ‘relentless’ as a means to define who I am,” Pritchard told ClutchPoints. “It is an undying hunger to always keep getting better and better. Always striving for more. I am obviously very grateful for everything I have and will never take it for granted, but that relentlessness in me is always pushing for more. It’s always about getting to that next step in your career, life, or whatever it may be. Every day is a new opportunity to get better, and I live by that mindset. It’s a major reason why I’ve found so much success in my role with the Celtics.”
Raptors forward Scottie Barnes is off to a strong start to the season, particularly on the defensive end of the court, writes Eric Koreen of The Athletic. As Koreen details, Barnes is at his best when he’s wreaking havoc as a weak side roamer — he is currently the only player in the league averaging at least 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game (he’s at 1.6 in both categories). “He’s been doing it for a long time, so there’s not much new there on the defensive end,” head coach Darko Rajakovic said. “He’s just getting even more experienced. He’s getting to know the league and tendencies of the players even better. Scottie is a big part of our scouting preparation.”
Raptors center Jakob Poeltl will miss Saturday’s game in Philadelphia due to lower back injury management, tweets Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca. It’s the second night of a back-to-back for Toronto, which won on the road in Atlanta on Friday for the team’s fourth consecutive victory following a four-game losing streak. The Raptors are currently 5-4.

International Notes: Ryan, Dinwiddie, Parker, Faried

November 8th, 2025 at 3:11pm CST by Rory Maher

Free agent sharpshooter Matt Ryan is finalizing a contract with Dubai Basketball, sources tell Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews.com (Twitter link).

A 6’6″ wing, Ryan has suited up for five different NBA teams over the past four seasons, having spent most of 2024/25 with the Knicks. He rarely played for New York last season, only making 19 garbage-time appearances (3.6 minutes per game).

The 28-year-old signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Knicks in September and spent all of training camp and the preseason with the team, but was waived last month before the ’25/26 campaign began. As a four-year veteran, Ryan is no longer eligible for a two-way contract.

Dubai BC is in its first season in the EuroLeague and features several ex-NBA players, including Davis Bertans, Mfiondu Kabengele, and Dwayne Bacon.

Here are a few more notes from overseas:

Veteran NBA guard Spencer Dinwiddie was cut by the Hornets this fall and decided to continue his career in Europe, having signed with Bayern Munich. In an interview with Nicolas Bulach of BasketEurope, Dinwiddie discussed the decision to play in Germany as well as the broader trend of former NBA players joining the EuroLeague. “Everybody is realizing that there is another very high-level basketball league in the world,” Dinwiddie said (hat tip to Nikola Miloradovic of Eurohoops). “The EuroLeague is very competitive. We have the chance to keep chasing our dreams and to enjoy playing the game, no matter where you are in your career. I think that’s why a lot of players move from the NBA to the EuroLeague.”
Four-time NBA champion Tony Parker has agreed to become the head coach of France’s under-17 men’s national team, according to Marc J. Spears of Andscape. Parker explained he was motivated to make the move because he recently came across a list his late father made for his three sons. “When I went through his notes after he passed away, one of his notes was top 10 goals for his kids,” the Hall of Famer told Andscape in a phone interview. “And when it came to me, it was coaching in the NBA and coaching the national team. That’s what he put on goals for me. So, it gives me a great inspiration and great motivation to follow this dream. …I want to give back because I miss the court. I miss the adrenaline, the challenge, the drive to win something. The front office is fun, but it’s not the same as being on the court.”
Amid frontcourt injuries to Mathias Lessort, Richaun Holmes and Omer Yurtseven, Greek powerhouse Panathinaikos has reached a rest-of-season agreement with veteran big man Kenneth Faried, reports Aris Barkas of Eurohoops. The 35-year-old had been playing in Taiwan, but Panathinaikos bought out his contract, Barkas explains. Faried’s deal with Panathinaikos will be finalized soon, pending a physical, head coach Ergin Ataman confirmed today (Twitter video link via Eurohoops).

Mavs Notes: Harrison, AD, Gafford, Dirk, Cuban, Cisse, More

November 8th, 2025 at 2:15pm CST by Rory Maher

At 2-7, the Mavericks are in last place in the Western Conference, having lost at home to the 1-8 Wizards and the 2-6 Pelicans, who were on the second end of a back-to-back (and without Zion Williamson). They nearly suffered another home defeat to the 1-7 Pacers.

Dallas currently has the worst offensive rating in the NBA by a significant margin.

The disastrous start has people around the league questioning whether head of basketball operations Nico Harrison could be fired sooner rather than later, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon said on the Howdy Partners podcast with Michael C. Wright (YouTube link).

“A legitimate question right now is: Is Nico Harrison’s job in serious jeopardy? That is an absolutely legitimate question,” MacMahon said (hat tip to RealGM). “It’s the question obviously Mavericks fans have been hoping would be answered with an affirmative since early February.

“I don’t have a firm answer for you right now — that’s as much as I can tell you. But it is absolutely a legitimate question. When you talk to people about the Mavericks around the league, it is the first question that people are asking.

“(Harrison) stuck his neck out by making the most unpopular trade in NBA history.”

As MacMahon pointed out, Harrison has come under heavy scrutiny since he shockingly decided to trade franchise player Luka Doncic to the Lakers for a package headlined by Anthony Davis.

With an ill-fitting, injury-plagued roster and Doncic thriving in Los Angeles, Tim Cowlishaw of The Dallas Morning News argues it’s time for governor Patrick Dumont to listen to the fans who have been chanting for Harrison’s dismissal ever since the deal was completed.

Here’s more on the Mavs:

Star big man Davis has been upgraded to questionable for Saturday’s matchup against Washington after missing the past four contests with a left calf strain, as Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal relays. “He seems in good spirits, and I think he’s doing fine health-wise,” head coach Jason Kidd said Friday. “So we’ll see. But I don’t know about (Saturday).” MacMahon hears Davis has been targeting tonight’s contest for his return to action (Twitter link). Center Daniel Gafford is also questionable after aggravating his right ankle sprain in Friday’s loss in Memphis.
Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki, now an analyst for Amazon Prime, didn’t mince words about the team’s poor start on Friday, per Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News. “I feel bad for my Mavs fans,” Nowitzki said. “This has been a disastrous start. Obviously, there’s a hole at the point guard and play-making position…at shot creating, at shot making. They can’t shoot, they can’t make plays…nobody can make shots. It’s been tough to watch.”
Longtime majority stakeholder and current minority owner Mark Cuban also weighed in on the team’s struggles during a radio appearance on The Stephen A. Smith Show, according to Townsend. “You know, I’m not thrilled with the composition of the team,” Cuban said. “I think we’re imbalanced. We don’t have enough depth at point guard. We don’t have somebody who’s a creator that gets other people shots or enough of that. And so I didn’t think we were going to crush it and start off 8-0, but I didn’t expect 2-6 (as of Friday).”
Rookie center Moussa Cisse, who is on a two-way contract, provided a spark off the bench on Friday amid what was an otherwise dispiriting loss at Memphis, Afseth writes for Dallas Hoops Journal. The 23-year-old big man finished with career highs of 10 points (on 4-of-5 shooting) and eight rebounds in 14 minutes — the team was plus-18 during his time on the court in the 14-point loss. “He plays hard — that’s how he plays,” Kidd said. “He’s out there to prove that he belongs. He’s hungry, and that’s what stands out when you watch him play. He plays one way — he plays hard and he plays fast.”
Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal and Townsend of The Dallas Morning News pass along several more quotes from Friday’s loss to the Grizzlies, who entered the night on a four-game losing streak (Memphis is now 4-6).

Pacers’ Andrew Nembhard Expected To Return Saturday

November 8th, 2025 at 12:44pm CST by Rory Maher

After missing the past seven games due to a left shoulder strain he sustained early in the Pacers‘ season opener, guard Andrew Nembhard has been upgraded to questionable for Saturday’s matchup at Denver.

While that injury designation theoretically suggests there’s a 50/50 chance the player will suit up, Scott Agness of Fieldhouse Files reports (via Twitter) that Nembhard is expected to play vs. the Nuggets.

It’s certainly positive news for Indiana, which has been decimated by injuries this fall — seven other Pacers are out tonight, and several of them are dealing with long-term injuries.

Nembhard, 25, was the 31st overall pick in the 2022 draft. The Canadian combo guard, who is now in his fourth season, has been a solid two-way contributor for the Pacers and was expected to take on a larger role this season with Tyrese Haliburton sidelined for all of 2025/26 due to a torn Achilles tendon.

Veteran point guard Monte Morris, who was just signed by Indiana on Friday, will also be active against his former team — the 30-year-old spent five years the Nuggets, who selected him 51st overall back in 2017.

Morris believes he’s a strong fit for Indiana’s fast-paced read-and-react offense (Twitter video link via the team).

“I think it’ll be good,” Morris said. “This is maybe the first team I’ve been on in the league with pace that I’m used to.”

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