Pacific Notes: LeBron, Curry, Warriors, Sabonis, Livers
Lakers forward LeBron James only took seven shots from the floor in his season debut on Tuesday vs. Utah, but he racked up 12 assists in a 140-126 victory and extended his NBA-record streak of double-digit scoring performances to 1,293 consecutive games, writes ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. Most importantly, James played 30 minutes after missing the first month of the season due to sciatica and didn’t experience any setbacks.
“The pace tested me, but I was happy with the way I was able to go with the guys,” James said. “As the game went on, my wind got a lot better. Caught my second wind, caught my third wind. Rhythm is still coming back, obviously. First game in almost seven months, so everything that happened tonight was to be expected.”
For a separate ESPN story, McMenamin spoke to 10 sources inside and outside of the Lakers’ organization to get a sense of what they’re monitoring with James back on the floor, including how the return of the four-time MVP will impact the team’s role players and whether the high-scoring duo of Luka Doncic (34.6 PPG) and Austin Reaves (28.1 PPG) will keep rolling. Not all of those sources were in agreement on certain topics, including Deandre Ayton‘s fit alongside James, McMenamin notes.
“Ayton should benefit the most out of LeBron back,” an Eastern Conference executive said. “LeBron makes people look good. [He’ll feed Ayton] lobs and dump-offs at the rim.”
“I imagine Deandre’s going to be a problem. He’s just not smart enough of a player,” a Western Conference exec countered. “And the inconsistent effort, LeBron usually has issues with, to say the least.”
Here’s more from around the Pacific Division:
- Stephen Curry (right ankle soreness) will sit out the Warriors‘ game vs. Miami on Wednesday after tweaking his ankle a couple times during the team’s recent road trip, tweets Anthony Slater of ESPN. Golden State could end up very shorthanded on the second night of a back-to-back — Al Horford (left toe injury management) and Jonathan Kuminga (bilateral patellar tendonitis) are both out, while Jimmy Butler (right low back strain), Draymond Green (illness), and Buddy Hield (illness) are all considered questionable to play.
- The Kings will be without center Domantas Sabonis on Wednesday vs. Oklahoma City due to left knee soreness, tweets Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee. It will be the fourth missed game of the season for Sabonis, who has also dealt with hamstring and rib injuries.
- Back in the NBA this fall after a lengthy absence due to hip problems, forward Isaiah Livers is grateful to be playing a role for the Suns and isn’t concerned about keeping track of his active games, tweets Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. A player on a two-way contract can be on his team’s active roster for a maximum of 50 games — Livers is at 11 so far. “I’m not counting,” Livers said. “I’m taking it one day at a time. We all know my story. I’m just blessed and grateful to put a uniform back on and help an organization win games. We’ll worry about the rest later.”
Kings’ Keegan Murray Expected To Make Season Debut Thursday
November 18: Murray is expected to make his season debut on Thursday vs. the Grizzlies, according to Anderson.
November 17: The Kings are optimistic that fourth-year forward Keegan Murray could make his season debut on Thursday in Memphis or on Saturday in Denver, reports Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee.
Murray was assigned to the G League on Monday to practice with the Stockton Kings. The 25-year-old has been cleared for 5-on-5 contact drills and is expected to join the NBA team on Wednesday in Oklahoma City, a source tells Anderson.
It has been five weeks since Murray underwent surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb, an injury he sustained in a preseason game. At the time, the Kings said he would be reevaluated in four-to-six weeks; this is the first real update since then.
The fourth overall pick in the 2022 draft, Murray signed a five-year, $140MM rookie scale extension a few days after he underwent surgery. While some people around the league were reportedly surprised at how lucrative the deal was, cap expert Yossi Gozlan viewed it as “sensible” and Sam Amick of The Athletic recently reported that rival teams value Murray as well.
As Anderson observes, the Kings have struggled mightily without their best defender, while Murray’s absence exposed a glaring lack of forward depth on the roster. Sacramento is currently just 3-11, which is the second-worst record in the Western Conference.
Stein’s Latest: Davis, Cuban, Myers, Achiuwa
Anthony Davis could become the biggest name on the trade market heading into the deadline, but only if he shows he can be healthy and productive for an extended stretch, Marc Stein of The Stein Line writes in his latest Substack column (subscription required).
Injuries have plagued Davis ever since the Mavericks acquired him last February. He missed his eighth straight game on Sunday with a strained left calf, and the team announced that he won’t be reevaluated for another week to 10 days.
Even with last night’s overtime victory against Portland, Dallas is off to a 4-10 start and Stein states that rival teams are expecting the Mavs’ front office to listen to offers for Davis. However, he added that there’s a “general consensus leaguewide” that Davis will have to show he can stay on the court throughout December and January to convince teams that he’s worth a major trade offer.
Davis averaged 25 points, 11.7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in Dallas’ first four games before leaving with the calf injury after playing just seven minutes on October 29. He has been an All-Star the past two seasons and is still a dominant inside force when he’s healthy. However, he was limited to nine games last season and may no longer be part of the future plans for the Mavericks, who have the option of rebuilding around top pick Cooper Flagg.
Davis, who’s still in the first season of a three-year, $175MM extension, is owed $58.5MM in 2026/27 and holds a $62.8MM player option for 2027/28. He’ll become eligible for another extension next summer.
Stein states that Daniel Gafford is considered to be “the most tradable” Maverick, but frequent injuries to Davis and Dereck Lively II could make the team reluctant to part with Gafford.
There’s more from Stein:
- Mark Cuban is providing “input and counsel” to the Mavericks’ management team after being out of that circle for the past year-and-a-half, sources tell Stein. Matt Riccardi and Michael Finley were appointed as co-general managers on an interim basis after Nico Harrison‘s firing last week, and Stein states that they’re the most prominent voices in the organization, along with coach Jason Kidd.
- Stein reports that Bob Myers isn’t a candidate to eventually replace Harrison in Dallas. The former Warriors general manager isn’t available, even as a consultant, after recently becoming president of sports for Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, which owns teams in the NFL, NHL and Premier League, along with the Sixers. Myers is a friend of Mavs CEO Rick Welts, and Stein suggests that he may be asked for input as the team seeks its next permanent GM. Stein adds that Myers has turned down “numerous overtures” from NBA teams since leaving Golden State.
- Stein hears that the Sixers had interest in Precious Achiuwa before he signed a one-year deal with the Kings two weeks ago.
Westbrook To Replace Schröder In Kings’ Starting Lineup
Head coach Doug Christie is making a significant change to the Kings‘ rotation on Friday in Minnesota, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes, who reports (via Twitter) that Russell Westbrook will replace Dennis Schröder as the starting point guard.
Westbrook has actually started six of his 12 appearances this season, largely being used as a small-ball forward alongside Schröder with Keegan Murray recovering from thumb surgery. Schröder had started each of his 12 games this fall.
Christie said after both Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s losses that he was considering making changes to the starting lineup.
Schröder, 32, was Sacramento’s primary free agent addition over the summer — the team signed the veteran guard to a three-year, $44MM deal. He had an excellent offseason, winning MVP of EuroBasket 2025 after leading the German national team to its second gold medal in three years (the club also won the 2023 World Cup).
However, Schröder has gotten off to a slow start for the 3-9 Kings, particularly struggling during the team’s current four-game losing streak. Over the past four games, the Kings have been trounced during Schröder’s 100 minutes, and he’s averaging just 3.5 points and 4.3 assists while shooting 4-of-27 from the floor (14.8%) over that span.
Westbrook, meanwhile, didn’t sign with the Kings until mid-October, inking a non-guaranteed one-year deal for the veteran’s minimum. He has outplayed Schröder to this point in the season, averaging 14.5 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 5.8 APG and 1.0 SPG on .440/.397/.758 shooting (27.8 MPG).
Rival Teams Would Have Interest In Domantas Sabonis Trade
The Kings would have several interested suitors if they decide to part with Domantas Sabonis, Sam Amick of the Athletic said during a recent appearance on SacTown Sports (YouTube link; hat tip to Real GM).
“So, as it relates to Sabonis, my understanding is there are at least a few teams that have raised their hand to say, ‘Yeah, he’s somebody we’d want to talk about,’” Amick told the hosts. “I’ve said it on your show before — I don’t have that sort of information about Zach (LaVine).”
Sabonis is currently making $42.3MM and still has two more seasons left on the four-year extension he signed in 2023. He’ll earn $45.5MM in 2026/27 and $48.6MM in 2027/28 before becoming a free agent in the summer of 2028.
Sabonis, 29, is a three-time All-Star who has led the league in rebounding the past three years. He’s gotten off to a slow start this season as his numbers are down across the board at 15.3 points, 12.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists through nine games, but he’s still a highly valued big man.
The Kings have been an early disappointment at 3-9 and could be considering changes, either in an effort to salvage the season or to tank in hopes of landing a high pick in a strong draft.
As Amick indicates, it could be much easier to trade Sabonis than LaVine, who’s making $47.5MM and holds a $49MM player option for next season. The Bulls spent months trying to find a taker for LaVine before Sacramento agreed to acquire him as part of a three-team trade in February.
Amick also said the Kings were “comfortable” giving Keegan Murray a five-year rookie scale extension because “they not only valued him within their program, but they learned that he’s got a lot of value around the league.” Murray hasn’t played yet this season after undergoing thumb surgery in October.
Injury Notes: Ball, Embiid, Edgecombe, Kuminga, Mavs, Kings
Hornets star LaMelo Ball is listed as probable for Friday’s game in Milwaukee, tweets Rod Boone of The Charlotte Observer. The 24-year-old point guard, who has missed the past five games with a right ankle impingement, recently practiced in the G League, with head coach Charles Lee expressing optimism about his progress.
Ball, a former Rookie of the Year who made his lone All-Star appearance in his second season, has averaged 23.3 points, 9.8 assists, 7.8 rebounds and 1.7 steals on .430/.333/.815 shooting in six games this fall (33.3 minutes per contest).
Second-year guard KJ Simpson (left AC joint sprain) is also probable to suit up against the Bucks, while rookie center Ryan Kalkbrenner will miss a game for the first time in his career due to personal reasons.
Here are some more injury-related notes from around the NBA:
- While there are no long-term concerns about the injury, Sixers center Joel Embiid will miss his second straight game on Friday because of right knee soreness, as Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports relays (via Twitter). VJ Edgecombe, the third overall pick in the 2025 draft, is also on the injury report, having been listed as questionable to suit up against Detroit due to back spasms.
- Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga is dealing with bilateral tendinitis in his knee and is questionable for Friday’s matchup at San Antonio, per Anthony Slater of ESPN (Twitter link). Kuminga was demoted to the second unit on Wednesday vs. the Spurs after starting the first 12 games of the season. He played a season-low 12 minutes last night, leaving the game early due to the knee issue.
- Three key members of the Mavericks‘ frontcourt are questionable to play Friday against the Clippers, according to Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News (Twitter link). Anthony Davis (left calf strain) and Dereck Lively II (right knee sprain) have both missed several games with their respective injuries, while forward P.J. Washington is a recent addition to the injury report — he’s dealing with a left shoulder strain.
- The Kings have listed Domantas Sabonis (left rib contusion) and Malik Monk (sore left ankle) as questionable for Friday’s matchup in Minnesota, tweets Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee. High-scoring guard Zach LaVine is not on the injury report after missing Wednesday’s game vs. Atlanta with a bruised thigh, Anderson adds. Head coach Doug Christie ripped the Kings for their “shameful” compete level after Wednesday’s lopsided defeat, the team’s fourth straight loss.
Doug Christie Rips Kings For ‘Shameful’ Compete Level
Since Kings head coach Doug Christie vowed on Tuesday that his team would “get it right” following a shaky start to the season, Sacramento has lost back-to-back home games against the Nuggets and Hawks. Wednesday’s defeat to Atlanta was especially one-sided, as the Kings fell behind by 44 points before ultimately losing by 33 and extending their winless streak to four games.
Immediately after sitting down for his post-game media session on Wednesday, Christie referred to Sacramento’s compete level as “shameful” (Twitter video link via Sean Cunningham of KCRA 3). He then proceeded to express his frustrations with his 3-9 club over the next 12 minutes as he fielded questions from reporters.
Here are a few of the most notable remarks from the Kings’ head coach:
On the Hawks’ 33-8 advantage in fast-break points on Wednesday:
“(That) says that you’re not getting back, you’re not communicating, you’re not building walls, you’re not being physical. … Listen, this ain’t about anything but competition and effort, period. You can play that team 10 times and I doubt you would get a result like that – especially after this, play them nine more times – not if you’ve got no damn pride.”
On representing the Kings the right way for fans in Sacramento:
“Put on the jersey, represent it properly. These people need to come into the turnstiles and they need to be proud when they leave here about the product that they see, not f—ing embarrassed. Unacceptable, period. It is. This is a simple one, this ain’t even hard.”
On the Kings’ struggling starters and whether he’s considering lineup changes:
“You’ve got to. I mean, those guys are -31 (DeMar DeRozan), -38 (Domantas Sabonis), -34 (Russell Westbrook), -20 (Dennis Schröder). You’ve got to.
“They need to look at themselves and say, ‘When we’re competing at a high level, we’re playing against anybody.’ We were (within) three points or whatever it was going into the fourth (quarter) with Denver. Milwaukee, you compete all the way to the end. And then you just do that? That’s wild. And that’s not anything except tying your shoes tight and saying, ‘You know what? I’m about this life and I’m going to represent properly.'”
On subbing out his entire starting lineup just over two minutes into the second half:
“There’s people that will actually do things the right way. Might not be as talented, but guess what? That’s when the hockey shift came in. We’ve got some young kids. You know what they’re going to try to do? They’re going to try to compete. Now, Max (Maxime Raynaud) is not as talented as (Kristaps) Porzingis yet and he got into trouble, and Nique (Clifford) got back-cut. OK, but it ain’t from a lack of effort. It ain’t from a lack of want.”
On the Kings’ lack of physicality:
“I was embarrassed. I wish I could’ve put on the jersey. At 55, I would’ve showed you better than that. At least I’m going to use all six fouls. I can’t move, but I’m gonna foul the s–t out of somebody. Like, people just running around, running down the lane, not grabbing nobody.
“And then (the Hawks are) just grabbing, holding, pushing so much that the refs are like, ‘That’s how they play.’ Because that’s how we should play, and the refs should say, ‘That’s how they play. Can’t call them all.’ But our (fouls are) blatant because we ain’t touching nobody. We’re not physical. So as soon as you do touch somebody, it’s a foul. And then you’re looking at the ref crazy. Nah, can’t say really too much to the refs, because the refs can’t help you on this.
“This is all an individual saying, ‘We bringing it.’ And they can, they have. And I’ll be damned if they will.”
On how he would like his veterans to respond:
“I would like them to lead. … Because we’ve got young players in there watching this. And I’m going to text every one of the young players, ‘That’s not acceptable. Do not even think about even trying to equate that that is OK. Do not do it. I will not let you do that, because that s–t, it ain’t cool.’
“They need to lead. What do you want for your team? What do you want for this city? If you want something more than what that was – because that was trash – then lead them. Talk to them. Demonstrate for them. Go out there and show them.
“Listen, maybe you’ve only got 10 minutes of, ‘Man, put it down.’ Well, if that’s what you got, then that’s what you give. Not floating for 30 and playing for 10. Play the game. The game is to be respected. There’s a way to play this game (and) that ain’t it.”
Kings Notes: Christie, Trade Rumors, Schröder, Lineup
Ahead of Tuesday’s game against Denver, Kings head coach Doug Christie spoke to reporters for about two-and-a-half minutes without taking any questions, acknowledging his team’s early-season struggles while insisting that the organization is “aligned in what we’re doing” and vowing that the club will “get it right,” per The Associated Press.
“Change is hard,” Christie said (YouTube link via KCRA 3). “It’s hard. But understand — and we understand — that we’re not there yet. But we’re about to work at it like crazy. We totally get that. And it will be bumpy. It will, because change is like that. But buckle up. For the real ones, buckle up.
“… When I see the hate, the haters, the fakers — all you guys, you keep that energy,” Christie continued. “That’s good. You keep that. And you know who you are because while you’re doing that, we’re gonna be working. And while you’re doing that, we’re gonna be growing. And while you do that, eventually, we’re gonna be coming — the Kings Show. Sac proud, know that.”
Christie spoke during his pregame session about prioritizing defending, rebounding, and sharing the basketball, but the team hasn’t done any of those things especially well yet this season. Sacramento ranks 27th in the NBA in defensive rating (120.4), 29th in rebounding percentage (47.0%), and 14th in assist percentage (62.6%).
After losing on Tuesday to the Nuggets, the Kings hold a 3-8 record, including a 2-4 mark at home.
Here’s more on the Kings:
- As the AP’s report notes, Christie’s pregame remarks on Tuesday may have been in response to a rumor that circulated earlier in the day about the team’s willingness to shop stars Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan. That rumor appears to have originated from plugged-in local radio reporter Carmichael Dave (Twitter links). While it’s unclear if it was hard reporting or informed speculation, Dave suggested on Tuesday that the Kings are preparing to launch a full-fledged rebuild and intend to begin reshaping their roster next month when trade season unofficially opens.
- The Kings’ bench outscored Denver’s by 23 points on Tuesday, but Sacramento’s starters were outscored by 37 points, notes Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee. Offseason addition Dennis Schröder continues to struggle — after a scoreless outing vs. Denver, he’s now shooting 38.3% from the floor (27.7% on three-pointers) this season, including 1-of-19 in his past three games.
- Asked after Tuesday’s loss if he’s weighing a starting lineup change at point guard or another position, Christie said the team is “considering everything,” per Anderson. “This is about us playing at a high level,” the Kings’ coach said. “Twenty-four minutes tonight, maybe 30. It’s not enough. We need a 48-minute effort to win in this league, especially against a team like that. That’s a team that’s a championship-level team. You can’t play for small stretches. (The effort was) better, but nobody’s checking for participation trophies.”
- Subbing in Russell Westbrook for Schröder is one option Christie figures to evaluate, according to Chris Biderman of The Sacramento Bee. As Biderman points out, some of the Kings’ starters – who have historically been very productive offensive players – haven’t been playing up to their usual standards, but Christie is more concerned about the team’s performance on the other end of the court. “Offense? Ain’t nobody talking about offense,” he said when asked about that subject on Tuesday. “(We only scored) 108 (vs. Denver), but on most nights we’re scoring enough points. It ain’t about the offense. There’s a lot of people that can score the basketball. If we want to win, we need to focus on the defense, period. Offense — make some shots. You make and miss shots. I get that. There’s timing and different things. But I don’t want to hear about no offense.”
Kings Notes: Sabonis, Schröder, Ellis, Achiuwa
Domantas Sabonis was back on the court Sunday night after sitting out two games with a left ribcage contusion, but he couldn’t prevent the Kings from suffering their second straight blowout loss at home, writes Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee (subscription required). Sabonis, who played 30 minutes and posted 20 points and 13 rebounds in a 144-117 loss to Minnesota, was determined to play because he felt that the pain of losing was worse than the “sharp stab” he was feeling in his ribs.
“You don’t want to keep losing games,” he said after pregame warmups. “I love the game and we’re not winning, so you want to try to turn things around.”
It’s been a difficult season for Sabonis so far apart from the injury. The three-time All-Star is averaging 15.3 points per game, by far his lowest total since coming to Sacramento, and his shooting percentages of 47.7% from the floor and 15.4% from three-point range are down sharply from last season.
There’s more on the Kings:
- Also off to a rough start is point guard Dennis Schröder, who was added in a sign-and-trade deal as one of the team’s major offseason moves. Schröder’s shooting woes continued against the Wolves as he made just one shot on the night and is 1-0f-16 over the past two games. In an interview with Sean Cunningham of KCRA News (Twitter video link), Schröder admitted that he’s still adjusting to his new surroundings. “I don’t feel comfortable, and when I don’t feel comfortable it’s just not effective,” he said. “I’ve got to watch film and get better in areas where I can be more effective. If the shot’s dropping or not dropping, you can’t control if the ball goes in, but what you can control is on the defensive side of the ball that you’re impacting it.”
- Kings fans chanted for Keon Ellis during Sunday’s game, but once again he didn’t get off the bench until the fourth quarter. Coach Doug Christie explained why he’s not using Ellis more often despite the team’s defensive struggles (Twitter video link from Cunningham). “Trying to play 10 players and finding a rhythm for that is difficult, like there’s a logjam at that position,” Christie told reporters. “One guy plays damn near the whole game, the other guy plays a few minutes and then there’s Keon. But I know in this league that things happen how they happen, and the one thing we’re going to do is try to figure it out.” He also promised that Keon “will get his opportunity.”
- Christie was complimentary of Precious Achiuwa, who made his first start since joining the Kings and delivered 12 points and 10 rebounds in 29 minutes. “There’s some grown man things that Precious does out there, and I’m all for it,” Christie said. “There’s a level of physicality, there’s a level of aggressiveness and he rebounds the basketball.”
Pacific Notes: Ellis, Leonard, Curry, Warriors
Keon Ellis is trying to be philosophical about his reduced role in the Kings‘ rotation, writes Chris Biderman of The Sacramento Bee. 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. 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. Biderman states.
“It’s a numbers game,” coach Doug Christie said. “There’s a big logjam 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.”