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NBA News

Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.

Saturday, November 15, 2025

Josh Giddey Upgraded to Probable for Sunday's Game Against Jazz

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Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (ankle) has been upgraded to probable for Sunday's game against the Jazz. Giddey's last season (2024-25) was challenging with the Oklahoma City Thunder, as he moved to the bench and averaged 12.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 0.6 steals, and 1.0 three-pointers in 25.1 minutes before being traded to Chicago for Alex Caruso. A fresh start is expected to revitalize his career, and he could compete for the starting point guard position despite competition from Ayo Dosunmu, Coby White, Zach LaVine, and Lonzo Ball. In his third season (2023-24), Giddey posted career highs of 16.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 48.2 percent shooting, recording 28 double-doubles and four triple-doubles. His perimeter efficiency and free-throw stroke have shown improvement, making him a potential mid-to-late round draft target if his range and defense continue to develop.

Coby White Questionable for Sunday's Game Against Utah Jazz

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Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (calf) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jazz. White enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2023-24, averaging career highs of 19.1 points, 5.1 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.6 threes in 36.5 minutes across 79 appearances, including a 42-point performance in the Play-In Game. This surge was largely due to Zach LaVine's absence. With LaVine and Lonzo Ball expected to be healthy, and Josh Giddey acquired to start at point guard, White's role may shift to shooting guard. White's 2022-23 season saw a reduced role, averaging 9.7 points in 23.4 minutes, but he was brought back on a three-year contract. Despite his strong 2023-24 season, his lack of defensive stats and the team's crowded backcourt make a top-50 fantasy pick ill-advised. He is joined by Tre Jones (ankle) and Josh Giddey (ankle) on the questionable list.

Cedric Coward Earns First Career Start for Grizzlies Against Cavaliers

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Memphis Grizzlies guard Cedric Coward (foot) will make his first career NBA start in Saturday's game against the Cavaliers. Coward, who was initially doubtful and then questionable, received the green light to play. The 22-year-old rookie has been a bright spot for the team, trending upwards to open the season. In 2025, he has averaged 14.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.4 blocks. Coward signed a two-year, $11.72 million contract with the Grizzlies in July 2025, which includes a team option for 2027-28. The Fresno native, who played collegiately at Willamette, Eastern Washington, and Washington State, is known for his reliable 3-point shooting (career 38.8% 3P), motor, and rebounding, projecting as a prototypical 3-and-D wing in the modern NBA.

Zach Edey to Make Season Debut, Start for Grizzlies Against Cavaliers

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Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey (ankle) will make his season debut and start against the Cavaliers on Saturday after recovering from an offseason ankle injury. The 23-year-old will immediately join Jaren Jackson in the starting lineup, moving Jock Landale to a bench role. Edey signed a two-year, $11.8 million contract with the Grizzlies in July 2024, with a team option for 2026-27. The 7-foot-4 Canadian, who started playing basketball in high school, became a dominant collegiate player at Purdue, winning back-to-back National Player of the Year and Big Ten Player of the Year awards, and the NCAA scoring title in 2024. Known for his screening, rebounding, efficient touch around the rim, and defensive discipline, Edey is considered a solid fantasy pickup for managers needing rebounds, blocks, and field-goal percentage, with potential to develop into a starting-level center.

Zion Williamson Questionable for Sunday, Hamstring Concerns Persist Amidst Career-High Season

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Zion Williamson is questionable for Sunday's game against the Warriors due to a hamstring injury, a recurring issue that sidelined him for the remainder of the 2023-24 postseason after a Play-In Tournament strain. Despite playing a career-high 70 games in 2023-24, averaging 22.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.7 blocks on 57/33/70 shooting, his extensive injury history remains a primary concern, having played only 114 total games in his first five NBA seasons. The 2019 No. 1 overall pick, who signed a five-year, $231 million maximum contract, has shown elite production when healthy, including 27.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists on 61.1% shooting in 2020-21. Looking ahead, the Pelicans' acquisition of Dejounte Murray could affect his usage, and Williamson might see more time at center following Jonas Valanciunas' departure, potentially boosting his efficiency and rebounding. While his scoring dominance is clear, his poor free-throw (69.8%) and three-point shooting (29.4%), coupled with injury concerns, make him a high-risk, high-reward fantasy option.

Rockets' Tari Eason Out 4-6 Weeks with Oblique Strain, Coach Udoka Confirms

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Houston Rockets wing Tari Eason, 24, has been diagnosed with a strained oblique and is expected to miss four to six weeks, head coach Ime Udoka announced on Saturday. Eason's injury comes after he did not play in the second half of the Rockets' Friday night win over the Trail Blazers, initially due to what the team called a hip contusion. In his 11 minutes of play before exiting, he scored 3 points. This adds to Eason's history of injuries, having appeared in only 79 games combined over his previous two seasons. He is currently averaging 11.5 points and 5.2 rebounds in 11 games this season and will be a restricted free agent next offseason after failing to reach an extension agreement this summer.

Paolo Banchero Sidelined Again with Groin Injury; Timetable Murky for Magic Forward

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Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero will miss his second consecutive game Sunday against the Rockets due to a groin injury, with his return timetable currently murky and subject to daily evaluation. This absence is expected to increase the value of teammate Tristan da Silva. The 23-year-old, who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, has posted 2025 season stats of 21.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.9 blocks. Contractually, Banchero signed a two-year, $22.66 million deal in July 2022, had team options exercised for 2024-25 and 2025-26, and secured a five-year maximum rookie extension in July 2025. His background includes a decorated high school and college career at Duke, where he was ACC Freshman of the Year.

Luguentz Dort Cleared to Play Saturday Amidst Shifting Role with Thunder

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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort is cleared to play Saturday against the Hornets despite a shoulder concern. In 2023-24, Dort was a regular starter (79 games) but saw a regression in most categories for the second consecutive year, averaging 10.9 points per game—his lowest since his rookie season—along with declines in rebounds, assists, and steals. However, he achieved a career-high 39.4 percent from three-point range on 5.0 attempts. Looking ahead to 2024-25, Dort is projected for a bench role due to the rise of Jalen Williams and the additions of Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso, which will likely diminish his fantasy relevance. His career has seen him as a defensive specialist, notably guarding James Harden in the 2020 bubble playoffs, and he had a career-best 17.2 points per game in 2021-22.

Rui Hachimura Sidelined with Calf Injury, Lakers Role Under Scrutiny

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Rui Hachimura is out for Saturday's game against the Bucks due to a calf injury. In his first full season with the Los Angeles Lakers (2023-24), he started 39 of 68 games, averaging 13.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists, with an impressive 42.2% three-point shooting. Hachimura's postseason performance was critical, including a 29-point game and three other 20-plus point efforts, shooting 48.7% from three, which led to his three-year, $51 million re-signing. Despite this, he's expected to come off the bench this season, facing competition for minutes. His previous stints included a trade from Washington, where he had two 30-point games, and a Year 3 marked by injuries and efficiency gains.

Draymond Green Defends Playing Style Against Charles Oakley's 90s Era Critique

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Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green recently responded to 19-year NBA veteran Charles Oakley's comments suggesting Green's playing style wouldn't have been effective in the 90s. While expressing utmost respect for Oakley, Green disagreed, asserting that he "created his style" and possesses the adaptability to thrive in any era. He highlighted his evolution from a dynamic scorer at Michigan State (16.2 PPG senior year) to the versatile player he is today, emphasizing his ability to adjust to different situations and his consistent winning mentality. Green also pointed out the significant differences in NBA play between the 90s and the modern era, noting the higher skill level, faster pace, and different physicality rules today. He challenged the notion of modern players being "soft," citing Nikola Jokić and Victor Wembanyama as examples. Green's Hall-of-Fame caliber resume includes four NBA championships and a Defensive Player of the Year Award, making a strong case for his universal effectiveness.

Ryan Kalkbrenner Cleared for Saturday's Game; Rookie Center Returns After Personal Absence

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Ryan Kalkbrenner (personal) is off the injury report and expected to play in Saturday's game against the Thunder, rejoining the Charlotte Hornets after missing Friday's contest. The 23-year-old rookie center has averaged 9.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks in 11 games this season, shooting an impressive 83.3 percent from the field. Kalkbrenner signed a three-year, $7.23 million contract with the Hornets in July 2025. His pre-NBA career at Creighton was highly decorated, including four Big East Defensive Player of the Year awards, multiple All-Big East selections, and the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award. Known for his excellent paint defense, shot-blocking, and offensive versatility around the basket, Kalkbrenner also showed shooting upside in college, hitting 32.2% from three-point range in his final two seasons.

LaMelo Ball Sits Out Thunder Game for Rest After Returning From Absence

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LaMelo Ball, a 24-year-old guard for the Charlotte Hornets, will not play Saturday against the Thunder due to rest, a decision unsurprising given his injury history and the team playing a back-to-back set. He had just returned from a five-game absence on Friday, where he recorded a double-double with 16 points (5-15 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 4-5 FT), 10 assists, and three rebounds in 27 minutes. For Saturday's game, Tre Mann and Collin Sexton are expected to see increased playing time in Ball's absence. Ball, who signed a five-year, $205.9 million extension in July 2023, is currently averaging 22.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, 9.9 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.1 blocks in the 2025 season.

Jackson Rowe Delivers Hilarious Locker Room Speech Following Steph Curry's 49-Point Masterclass

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Golden State Warriors second-year forward Jackson Rowe was tasked by Draymond Green, at coach Steve Kerr's request, to address the team after their nail-biting 109-108 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on November 15, 2025. Following Steph Curry's dominant performance, where he scored 49 points on 16-of-26 shooting (9-of-17 from three-point range) along with four rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 36 minutes, Rowe delivered a memorable and humorous speech. He simply stated, "God just blessed Steph, man. I don’t know. There ain’t no answer for him. There ain’t no answer," which elicited laughter from the entire locker room, including Curry himself. This locker room moment highlighted Curry's impressive two-game total of 95 points against the Spurs.

Friday, November 14, 2025

Stephen Curry Ignites Warriors with Back-to-Back 40-Point Outbursts, Ties Jordan's Record

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Stephen Curry delivered two volcanic performances against the San Antonio Spurs, scoring 49 points on Friday night (Nov 15) in a 109-108 survival win, two days after a 46-point effort. His Friday night heroics included crucial free throws, where he baited De'Aaron Fox into a foul and mocked Victor Wembanyama's attempt to rile up the crowd. Curry tied Michael Jordan's record for most 40-point games after turning 30, hitting 44 such games, and achieved his first back-to-back 40-point games since 2022, ending the Warriors' six-game road losing streak. This resurgence followed a recent illness and an inefficient 13-point game, with Curry crediting a Steve Kerr speech for inspiration. He also made a statement pregame by wearing Kobe 6's.

Victor Wembanyama Delivers 26-Point Double-Double, Continues Dominant 2025-26 Season

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Victor Wembanyama showcased another impressive two-way performance in Friday's 109-108 loss to the Warriors, recording 26 points (10-21 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 3-3 FT), 12 rebounds, four assists, a steal, and three blocks in 38 minutes. Despite his highlight plays, the Spurs squandered a late lead. This marks his eighth double-double and first triple-double across 12 appearances in the 2025-26 season, where he's averaging 26.2 points, 13.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.1 steals, and 3.6 blocks. His contract details include a two-year, $24.93 million deal signed in July 2023, with team options for $13.38 million (2025-26) and $16.87 million (2026-27) exercised in October 2024 and 2025, respectively.

Naji Marshall Drops 28 Points and Eight Rebounds in Double Overtime Loss

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Naji Marshall delivered a strong performance for the Dallas Mavericks in Friday's 133-127 double overtime loss to the Clippers, registering 28 points (8-19 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 9-10 FT), eight rebounds, two assists, and one steal in 47 minutes. Marshall has been in a nice rhythm recently, averaging 19.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.8 triples, 1.4 steals, and 0.8 turnovers over his last five games. He is currently seeing significant opportunity due to Anthony Davis's calf injury and Dereck Lively's minutes cap, though his production is expected to decrease upon Davis's return. Marshall, who signed a three-year, $27 million contract in July 2024, holds 2025 season averages of 10.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.3 steals.

James Harden Records 41-Point Triple-Double in Double Overtime Win

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James Harden delivered a spectacular 41-point triple-double (13-25 FG, 6-12 3Pt, 9-11 FT) with 14 rebounds, 11 assists, one steal, and two blocks in 51 minutes during the Clippers' 133-127 double overtime victory over the Mavericks on Friday. His potential game-winning floater in the first overtime was initially called a goaltend but was overturned by automated officiating, sending the game to a second overtime. Despite a less productive 2023-24 season (16.6 points, 8.5 assists) following his trade to the Clippers, Harden, entering his age-35 season, remains a potent passer and three-point shooter. With Paul George's departure, Harden is poised for a potential bounce-back in 2024-25, expecting increased usage and potentially serving as the primary offensive option on nights Kawhi Leonard is sidelined.

Julius Randle Posts Double-Double in Timberwolves Debut, Role Unclear Post-Injury

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Julius Randle contributed 26 points (9-16 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 6-9 FT), 11 rebounds, five assists, and one steal in 32 minutes during Friday's 124-110 victory over the Kings. This marks his return after dislocating his right shoulder in January 2024, which limited him to 46 appearances last season and ultimately required him to be shut down in early April. Randle was traded from the Knicks to the Minnesota Timberwolves this offseason and is currently in a build-up process ahead of training camp. His role with his new team remains uncertain, given Anthony Edwards as the primary option, Mike Conley's presence, and Rudy Gobert's paint protection. He may see reduced usage, especially if Naz Reid's role expands in Karl-Anthony Towns' absence, despite his capability as a strong one-on-one player when healthy.

Daniel Gafford's Overturned Goaltending Call Sends Game to Double Overtime

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Daniel Gafford was at the center of a critical play in Friday's NBA Cup game between the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers. In overtime, Gafford blocked a James Harden floater that was initially ruled a goaltend. However, NBA's Court iQ automated officiating system reviewed the play and determined that the ball had not yet reached the peak of its arc when Gafford made contact, overturning the call to a clean block. This pivotal decision prevented the Clippers from winning in the first overtime, ultimately sending the game to double overtime, which the Clippers eventually won 133-127.

Anthony Edwards Delivers 30-Point Performance, Continues Ascent as Timberwolves' Star

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Anthony Edwards showcased his scoring prowess with 30 points (9-20 FG, 1-7 3Pt, 11-12 FT), four rebounds, four assists, and two steals in 36 minutes during Friday's 124-110 victory over Sacramento. This performance follows a season where he earned All-NBA Second Team honors and his second straight All-Star selection, achieving career highs in points (25.9), assists (5.1), field-goal percentage (46.1%), and free-throw percentage (83.6%). Entering his age-23 season, Edwards is poised for further development, potentially taking on more playmaking responsibilities. Despite a career-low 75.6% free-throw shooting in his third season, his overall production and efficiency have steadily increased throughout his career, making him a consistent second-round fantasy pick with first-round potential if his free-throw percentage improves. The Timberwolves' roster adjustments, including swapping Karl-Anthony Towns for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, are not expected to diminish his role as a primary offensive force.