Central Notes: Garland, Beasley, Pacers, Rivers
The Cavaliers enjoyed their most productive offensive night of the season on Wednesday as they welcomed back Darius Garland, writes Joe Reedy of The Associated Press. Garland returned in a victory over Philadelphia after missing the team’s first seven games while recovering from surgery in June on his left big toe. He contributed eight points and four assists in 26 minutes as Cleveland erupted for 132 points.
“Seeing the ball go through the hoop, passing the ball to 45 (Donovan Mitchell), Ev (Evan Mobley) and JA (Jarrett Allen) for sure,” Garland responded when asked what he missed while he was sidelined. “It was great to be back with the teammates. Being around them makes me happy.”
Reedy points out that the Cavs, who led the league in offensive rating last season at 121.0, were fifth-worst heading into Wednesday at 111.3. Coach Kenny Atkinson said the offense has been “clunky” because several players were forced into roles they aren’t used to.
Mitchell, who finished with a season-best 46 points, also recognizes the value of having Garland on the court.
“You have a guy that can initiate, get the easy shots and make everyone’s job easier,” he said. “When you have a guy who’s an All-Star, you have to pay attention where he’s at. When you know you have a guy out there that can create, it puts everyone at ease.”
There’s more from the Central Division:
- There’s mutual interest in a reunion between the Pistons and Malik Beasley, assuming he’s eventually cleared in a federal gambling investigation, sources tell Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. Siegel points out that Javonte Green‘s contract only carries a partial guarantee (currently $925,106), so he could easily be waived to make room for Beasley. Siegel also hears that the Cavaliers, who are carrying an open roster spot, still have interest in signing Beasley to bolster their outside shooting. A report on Wednesday stated that Beasley has received interest from teams overseas as well.
- Despite a 1-7 start and a slew of injuries, the Pacers aren’t expected to become major sellers going into the trade deadline, Siegel adds. Indiana is focused on “financial positioning” and keeping a competitive roster together for Tyrese Haliburton‘s expected return next season. Siegel says it would be surprising if the team is willing to part with Andrew Nembhard, T.J. McConnell or Aaron Nesmith.
- Doc Rivers’ reliance on an all-bench units has been a surprising part of the Bucks‘ early success, writes Eric Nehm of The Athletic. Rivers has played lineups that feature no starters against units with at least one starter more than any other coach in the league.
De’Aaron Fox Expects To Make Season Debut On Saturday
Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox is set to make his season debut Saturday night against New Orleans, Shams Charania of ESPN said in an appearance on NBA Today (Twitter video link).
Fox is working his way back from a hamstring injury and will miss his eighth straight game on Friday as San Antonio hosts Houston in an NBA Cup contest. Sources tell Charania that today is considered to be a “ramp-up day” for Fox in preparation for playing on Saturday.
This shapes up to be the first extended run for Fox and Victor Wembanyama as teammates since Fox was acquired from Sacramento in February. They only played five games together before Wembanyama was declared out for the season with deep vein thrombosis.
The Spurs traded for Fox in hopes of finding an accomplished point guard who could bring out the best in the young French star. Since then, they unexpectedly rose to No. 2 in the draft lottery and selected Dylan Harper, raising questions about whether Fox, Harper and Stephon Castle can be successful on the same team.
Even with those concerns, San Antonio gave Fox a four-year max extension in August. Based on current cap projections, the deal projects to be worth over $223MM.
Fox’s return comes at an opportune time, as Harper is currently sidelined with a strained left calf and is expected to miss multiple weeks.
Fox was a former All-Star with the Kings and was considered to be one of the best young point guards in the league. He was traded after extension talks failed amid the belief that he wouldn’t sign a long-term deal in Sacramento.
Southwest Notes: Davis, Morant, W. Green, Edey, Bassey
Anthony Davis‘ early-season injury is bringing back memories of the events that led to last season’s Luka Doncic trade, writes Christian Clark of The Athletic. Like Doncic, Davis reported to training camp weighing more than usual with a plan to work himself back into shape once the season began. The big man weighed in at 268 pounds for the start of camp, about 15 pounds heavier than last season.
Davis was productive in his first four games, although Clark states that some rival scouts and coaches said he didn’t look as mobile as he used to be. He was forced out of an October 29 game with a left calf strain, which is the same injury that hampered Doncic last season and eventually led to his departure. Davis hasn’t played since then and is listed as doubtful for tonight’s NBA Cup contest against Memphis.
The Mavericks were reluctant to make an investment in Doncic because of concerns about his physical condition, and Clark notes that they’ll soon be facing a similar decision with Davis. He’s owed $58.5MM for 2026/27 and has a $62.8MM player option for the following season. He’ll become eligible for a contract extension next summer and can earn up to $218.5MM by picking up his option and extending for three more years. He’s already 32 with a lengthy injury history, so general manager Nico Harrison will have to determine if he’s more deserving of a long-term deal than Doncic was.
There’s more from the Southwest Division:
- Last week’s blowout between Ja Morant and the Grizzlies‘ coaching staff hasn’t affected his relationship with teammate Jaren Jackson Jr., sources tell Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. They remain united in their determination to turn the season around, and general manager Zach Kleiman hasn’t lost confidence in his two stars. Siegel states that there’s no indication that Kleiman has thought about trading Morant, and Morant hasn’t expressed a desire to be dealt. Siegel also hears that Morant received support from several teammates after clashing with coach Tuomas Iisalo over his unorthodox substitution patterns.
- An 0-6 start increased speculation about Willie Green’s job security, and the Pelicans‘ front office had “serious internal conversations” about making a change, Siegel adds in the same piece. Controversial decisions may lead to Green’s demise, Siegel states, citing the choice of giving playing time to rookie point guard Jeremiah Fears ahead of Jordan Poole. Sources tell Siegel that the move caused “visible frustration” for Poole and “did not sit right” with some of his teammates. There was also consternation about starting DeAndre Jordan ahead of Yves Missi, who made the All-Rookie team last year, and lead executive Joe Dumars was unhappy early in the season that Derik Queen wasn’t getting enough minutes.
- The Grizzlies announced (via Twitter) that they’ve assigned Zach Edey and GG Jackson II to practice with their G League affiliate. Michael Wallace of Grizzlies.com notes that Edey has entered the front end of his projected “return-to-play” window following ankle surgery (Twitter link). Wallace adds that Charles Bassey is no longer with the team after his 10-day hardship contract expired on Wednesday.
Bradley Beal Criticizes Usage With Suns In Return To Phoenix
After getting a hostile reception from Phoenix fans on Thursday night, Clippers guard Bradley Beal indicated that he doesn’t have fond memories of his two years with the Suns, writes Law Murray of The Athletic.
Beal was booed during pregame introductions and again each time he touched the ball during a 13-point loss. He turned in his worst performance of the season, finishing with five points in 19 minutes on 2-of-14 shooting before being removed from the game with 6:02 left in the third quarter.
A prolific scorer in Washington, Beal was supposed to form a Big Three along with Devin Booker and Kevin Durant when the Suns acquired him from the Wizards during the 2023 offseason. Injuries limited him to 53 games during both of his seasons in Phoenix, and his reported refusal to waive his no-trade clause limited the Suns’ ability to alter their roster and made him an unpopular figure with fans.
Beal contends he was never properly used by head coaches Frank Vogel or Mike Budenholzer during his time in Phoenix.
“When you allow me to be that guy, I’ll be that,” Beal said. “But when you have two coaches that want you to set screens and play in the dunker, you’re not Brad Beal. You’re somebody else.”
Beal had two years and $110MM remaining on his contract, but he and the Suns were both eager to end their relationship after two frustrating seasons. He agreed to give back $13.9MM as part of a buyout agreement during the summer and joined the Clippers on a two-year, $11MM deal that includes a player option.
He told reporters that he didn’t feel he had anything to prove in his return to Phoenix, pointing out that the Clippers scored a decisive win over the Suns earlier in the season.
“To me, it wasn’t about get back,” Beal said. “We whooped y’all a couple weeks ago. So it wasn’t like, you know, I don’t think it’s about that. For me, it was — no disrespect to Phoenix — but it was more meaningful for me to go back to D.C. and play, after being there for 11 years and that’s my franchise, you know? I feel like I was more geeked about that than coming back here. There’s no disrespect … but they have their way how they feel.”
Injury issues have continued to hamper Beal as he tries to establish himself with another new franchise. He underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee during the offseason and remains on a minutes restriction. He hasn’t exceeded 22 minutes or played in the fourth quarter yet this season, but coach Tyronn Lue remains confident that he’ll eventually be a reliable scorer once he’s back to full health.
Beal emphasized that he has no hard feelings toward Phoenix fans or the organization, and he displayed that by signing autographs after Thursday’s game and embracing his former teammates, according to Murray. He won’t have to wait long to see them again, as the Suns will travel to Los Angeles for a rematch Saturday night.
“That’s basketball — we wouldn’t be pros if we couldn’t be mentally tough enough to move on to the next game or be mentally tough to move on to the next play,” Beal said. “It happens, man. It’s going to be games dudes might not make a shot. Might not get a rebound. But how you bounce back and how you respond to that is a testament to your character, who you are as a player. So, see you Saturday.”
Southeast Notes: Adebayo, Larsson, George, S. James
Bam Adebayo will miss tonight’s game against Charlotte, but the Heat are relieved his injury wasn’t much worse, according to Anthony Chiang and Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald.
Adebayo was diagnosed with a sprained left big toe after undergoing an MRI on Thursday. There was fear that he might have suffered a more significant injury after colliding with Cameron Johnson early in Wednesday’s contest at Denver. Adebayo remained in the game for a while before being subbed out for his normal rest with 3:48 left in the first quarter. He went to the team’s locker room and didn’t return to action.
“A guy hit me in the back of the leg and then I felt the pain in my foot,’” Adebayo said. “So, I took it upon myself to check myself out and go see what happened. … Obviously, you don’t want to do anything more to cause any lingering effects. So, (coach Erik Spoelstra) checked me out.”
Adebayo is considered day-to-day, and Chiang and Jackson expect second-year center Kel’el Ware to see increased playing time until he returns. Keshad Johnson, a 6’6″ forward, also saw time in the middle at Denver, and two-way big man Vlad Goldin has been recalled from the G League.
There’s more from the Southeast Division:
- Pelle Larsson has claimed a surprisingly large role for the Heat, earning a spot in the starting lineup for the past five games, writes Ira Winderman of The Sun Sentinel. The second-year wing has been an efficient shooter with .500/.348/.813 splits, and he kept his starting role even after Norman Powell returned from injury. “He’s owned these minutes,” Spoelstra said. “He makes you play him, because he does so many of the intangible things. He really elevates the units that he plays in, just with energy, his toughness, winning plays, all that.”
- Wizards swingman Kyshawn George has become an early candidate for Most Improved Player honors in his second NBA season, notes Eric Samulski of NBC Sports. George’s increased ball-handling responsibilities have given him a larger role in Washington’s offense. “Growing up, I’ve always been a point guard,” he said. “It’s only been the last couple of years that I kind of transitioned to being able to play the wing. I always kept the point guard skills. I’ve always been able to read the game really well and just make the right decision from there. So they’ve given me the opportunity to run the pick and roll more, and I’m just taking advantage of it.”
- Second-round pick Sion James is showing the Hornets that he’s ready to play consistent minutes right away, observes Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer. Taking advantage of the opportunity presented by Brandon Miller‘s injury, James has made three starts already and is averaging 8.8 PPG while shooting 70% from three-point range. He’s also contributing on defense, which is something teammate Tre Mann expected when he first saw James in person. “It was first, the physical aspect, just seeing him — he’s huge,” Mann said. “And then my first thought was ‘Lu Dort.’ Just seeing him work out. I was like, ‘OK, nobody can score on him right now.’ And I was like, ‘Lu Dort’ again. Then I started doing research, looking at his film like, ‘Oh, he was a scorer. He used to score the ball. He’s good offensively, too.’ And I was like, ‘OK, we’ve got to have him. He’s versatile.”
Jordan Poole Sidelined With Left Quad Strain
Jordan Poole has been diagnosed with a mild left quad strain and will be reevaluated in seven-to-10 days, the Pelicans announced (via Twitter).
After playing 27 minutes Tuesday against Charlotte, Poole missed his first game of the season Wednesday at Dallas due to soreness in his left knee. Subsequent testing showed that pain was being caused by the quad issue.
The 26-year-old guard is enjoying a relatively strong start in New Orleans after being acquired from Washington in an offseason trade. He’s averaging 17.3 points and 3.4 assists in seven games, but he’s fallen into a shooting slump lately, going a combined 5-of-25 in his last two outings.
Saddiq Bey was inserted into the starting lineup on Wednesday and may keep that role while Poole is sidelined. Jose Alvarado and Jordan Hawkins also saw an increase in their minutes.
The Pelicans’ schedule for the upcoming week includes games against San Antonio (Saturday), Phoenix (Monday), Portland (Wednesday) and the Lakers (next Friday), so Poole may not miss much action if his next reevaluation is positive.
New Orleans is already playing without Zion Williamson, who’s sidelined with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain. The Pelicans have won back-to-back games as they try to rebound after an 0-6 start.
Bontemps/Windhorst’s Latest: Young, Zion, Ball, Giannis
Trae Young is still the top star on a Hawks team that’s expected to be a contender in the East, but a rival executive believes Atlanta officials will at least listen to trade offers for the 27-year-old guard, according to Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst of ESPN.
Young’s future is uncertain because he holds a $49MM player option for 2026/27 and can become a free agent next summer. The Hawks could pursue an extension at any time, but there were no negotiations during the offseason and sources tell Windhorst that no progress has been made on that front.
Young’s situation is complicated by a sprained MCL that will sideline him for at least three more weeks. He led the NBA in assists last season, but he got off to a slow start this year and it’s possible that the Hawks could have a promising future without him. They have a collection of young talent centered around Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels and Zaccharie Risacher, and they hold the Pelicans’ unprotected first-rounder in next year’s draft.
“Atlanta is good enough to keep Trae and be good and make the playoffs,” an Eastern Conference executive told Bontemps. “But with the pick and Jalen, Dyson and Zach, they’ll at least pick up the phone and listen when called (about Young).”
The Hawks are 3-1 since Young’s injury, although two of those wins came against Brooklyn and Indiana, who are a combined 2-14. Per Windhorst, the sense around the league is that Atlanta’s front office, as well as Young’s representatives, will see how the season plays out before trying to determine his value. He’s eligible for an extension worth up to a projected $230MM over four years, and the team has already committed a combined $55MM to Johnson and Daniels for next season while facing Kristaps Porzingis‘ upcoming free agency.
Bontemps and Windhorst share information on three other NBA stars:
- There’s not much trade interest in Pelicans forward Zion Williamson, who’s currently sidelined with a strained left hamstring. The authors point out that it’s already the fifth hamstring injury of Williamson’s career, and he continues to experience physical issues despite his commitment to improved conditioning. Williamson’s contract isn’t guaranteed for the next two years, but teams aren’t eager to take a chance on him considering his history. New Orleans doesn’t own its 2026 first-rounder, so the team’s best option seems to be trying to improve the talent around him. “To be honest, their move might be a win-now trade, not a Zion trade,” a rival executive said. “His trade value isn’t there and they are facing some pressure to win.”
- Hornets guard LaMelo Ball is another talented but oft-injured player who doesn’t seem likely to be traded soon, according to Bontemps and Windhorst. There was hope for improvement in Charlotte this season based on a young core of Ball, Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel, but Miller is out indefinitely with a shoulder injury and Ball has already missed two games due to an ankle impingement. “Yes, he’s talented, but he doesn’t take basketball seriously enough,” a Western Conference scout said. “It’s hard to build a winner with him because of how he plays, and the liberties he takes for himself when he plays. Would someone take a flier on him? For sure. But Charlotte isn’t taking a flier price for him.”
- Giannis Antetokounmpo trade speculation has calmed down with the Bucks off to a 5-3 start. Antetokounmpo is averaging 32.3 PPG while shooting 67.7% from the field, and his revamped supporting cast has been better than expected. However, Windhorst advises caution, pointing to an earlier report from Shams Charania that Antetokounmpo is likely to take 20 to 25 games to assess whether the team can be a real contender.
Latest On Ja Morant
Ja Morant‘s skepticism about the unique strategy favored by head coach Tuomas Iisalo was behind the locker room confrontation that led to a one-game suspension last week, Brian Windhorst of ESPN writes in a piece co-authored by Tim Bontemps.
Iisalo, who took over the team late last season when Taylor Jenkins was fired, had success in Europe by playing his lineups three to four minutes at a time and then making mass substitutions to keep everyone fresh and competing at a high energy level. That’s unusual in the NBA, where the bulk of minutes typically go to the best players, and sources tell Windhorst that Morant remains “skeptical” of the approach. Through eight games, he’s posting the lowest shooting percentages of his career at 38.3% from the floor and 14% from three-point range.
“His system is based on having an elite guard who has the ability to get his feet into the paint, and then all his strategy evolves from that. Morant should be a very good fit for it, (Iisalo) was surely excited about that when he got that job,” a European executive told Windhorst. “He is running his system there. But it is not creating the advantages that are expected yet.”
Even with the awkward fit, an immediate trade seems unlikely. Several sources around the league tell Bontemps that Morant is still viewed as a “borderline top-10” point guard, but there aren’t many teams that are looking for a starter at that position. Morant’s off-court issues and the Grizzlies‘ recent downturn haven’t lessened his popularity with Memphis fans, Bontemps notes, and he has stated several times that he enjoys playing in the city.
“He sells shoes, he sells tickets, and he wants to play in Memphis when no one wants to,” a Western Conference assistant coach told Bontemps. “So it makes for a really, really difficult situation.”
ESPN’s findings are consistent with a report this week from Marc Stein, who hears that the team is in no hurry to pursue a Morant trade. The Timberwolves and Kings are rumored to be among the teams keeping an eye on the situation to see if that changes.
If the Grizzlies opt to trade Morant at some point this season, sources around the league are wondering if they might consider parting with Jaren Jackson Jr. as well, Bontemps adds. The team made a huge commitment to Jackson over the summer, maneuvering its roster to renegotiate and extend his contract, resulting in a new five-year deal worth $240MM.
That contract makes him more attractive to small-market teams, Bontemps points out, because they would have the security of knowing he’s signed through 2030. Bontemps compares it to the conditions that prompted Cleveland to deal for Donovan Mitchell and Minnesota to acquire Rudy Gobert.
Jackson has some holes in his game — his low rebounding numbers make it difficult to play him at center and he remains foul prone, averaging 4.4 per game this season — but his ability to space the floor and protect the rim would create a significant trade market if he ever becomes available.
“He’s a perfect complementary guy,” an Eastern Conference scout said, “and he can play just about anywhere.”
Parting with Morant and Jackson would signal a complete rebuild in Memphis, but Bontemps states that this might be the best time to do it with a loaded draft class looming in 2026. The Grizzlies already have two potential lottery picks and could add more draft capital by moving their two stars, giving them a fresh wave of young talent to add to Zach Edey, Jaylen Wells and Cedric Coward.
Injury Notes: Mavs Bigs, Curry, Reaves, Coulibaly, Nets
The Mavericks have been shorthanded in the frontcourt as of late, and that will likely continue for at least another game. According to Christian Clark of The Athletic (Twitter link), Anthony Davis is listed by the team as doubtful for Friday’s matchup against the Grizzlies, while Dereck Lively II will remain out for a sixth straight game.
Davis has missed the Mavs’ past three games after exiting the October 29 matchup against the Pacers in the first quarter. Prior to that, he was averaging 25.0 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per night, though Dallas was off to a slow start, with a 1-3 record in the full games he played.
Lively has only played three games this season and averaged 5.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists. He’s averaging a career-low 17.0 minutes per contest in the early going, despite starting all three games.
The Mavs are currently tied for the worst record in the Western Conference at 2-6.
We have more news on injuries around the league:
- Stephen Curry will miss the Warriors‘ NBA Cup opener on Friday against the Nuggets due to an illness sustained on the team’s recent road trip, reports Anthony Slater for ESPN. Slater writes that Curry began feeling symptomatic heading into the team’s matchup with the Suns on Tuesday, and admitted post-game that he felt drained in the second half. Curry will not travel with the team, but instead will stay in the Bay Area and prepare for Sunday’s game against the Pacers. Draymond Green, who has a rib contusion, is listed as probable, while Jimmy Butler is questionable due to a lower back strain. Kerr said that both players are hopeful to suit up against Denver after sitting out Wednesday in Sacramento.
- Lakers‘ coach JJ Redick says that Austin Reaves is “TBD” for the team’s next game on Saturday against the Hawks, reports Dave McMenamin (via Twitter). The club is being cautious as Reaves looks to return from a groin injury. McMenamin notes that Reaves tested the injury prior to Wednesday’s contest with the Spurs, but the medical staff ultimately decided to keep him sidelined.
- Wizards‘ third-year wing Bilal Coulibaly is listed as out for Friday’s game against the Cavs, notes Josh Robbins of The Athletic. Coulibaly, who missed the team’s first four games while recovering from thumb surgery, exited the contest on Wednesday with lower left leg tightness. Robbins adds that Khris Middleton is available to play after missing the previous two games.
- The Nets will be missing Cam Thomas against the Pistons on Friday after he suffered a left hamstring injury, writes Brian Lewis of the New York Post (Twitter link). Rookies Nolan Traore, Ben Saraf, and Danny Wolf are also out while on assignment with the team’s G League affiliate, though Drake Powell has been upgraded to questionable from his ankle injury. Terance Mann, who is dealing with left shoulder soreness, is probable to play.
Coby White Sets Return Target Date
Coby White has been sidelined during the Bulls‘ red-hot start to the season due to a calf strain, but his time on the sidelines may soon be coming to an end, reports Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic.
According to Lorenzi, White pointed to a three-game Western Conference trip starting on November 16 as “what [he’s] been told” in terms of a potential return. That trip includes matchups with the Jazz in Utah (Nov. 16), the Nuggets in Denver (Nov. 17), and the Trail Blazers in Portland (Nov. 19).
White and head coach Billy Donovan both said that White will likely begin practicing next week, and Donovan points to the team’s three-day break from Nov. 13-15 as a chance for White to get some full-contact practice reps in. White is currently going through 2-on-2 and 3-on-3 work with teammates and the coaching staff.
White has been out since mid-August with the injury. He initially hoped to be ready for the season opener, but calf tightness forced him to push his timetable back.
“I just practiced, and I probably practiced a little too long, and I felt some symptoms,” White said of the delay. “It wasn’t a re-strain or anything, it was just a minor setback.”
The team tested the calf extensively, especially after last season’s league-wide run of Achilles tears that seemed to follow calf injuries, and says his strain wasn’t a serious injury — just one that required a longer-than-expected recovery.
“I feel good physically,” White said, per Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times. “I’ve been running a lot, and a lot, and a lot, so it’s been good just trying to stay with my conditioning. I’ve been pushing it just to build the tolerance in my calf, so it’s been good.”
White has averaged 19.7 points and 4.8 assists per game over the last two years with the Bulls, but the team was unable to surpass 39 wins in either of those seasons. Chicago is off to a 6-1 start this fall, which has him itching to get back on the floor.
“I think the way I play fits perfectly with the way that we play,” he said. “Quick decisions. I’m not a ball stopper, I don’t hold the ball. I just play to win. So I don’t see no problem or anything when it comes to me getting back to it.”
Donovan is excited to get White back on the floor, but also issued a few words of caution when it comes to reintegrating him into a rotation that’s already operating at full speed.
“I think the mistake he can make is to come back tip-toeing in, that’d be the first issue. Then the second thing, I think he’s got to give himself some grace,” Donovan said. “I don’t think that you can go a good portion of August, all of September, October training camp, and doing a several-week ramp up where he’s not in any 5-on-5, and think he’s gonna be at his normal as a player. It’s going to take him some time. And I think he needs to be patient with himself.”
White is on track to become an unrestricted free agent next summer, and while he isn’t expected to sign an extension with the Bulls before then due to the limitations on what they can offer him, Cowley says the two sides have stayed on good terms throughout the negotiation process and both hope to get a deal done once free agency opens up next summer.