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NBA News

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

Friday, November 14, 2025

Zach Edey Tabbed Questionable for Cavaliers Game Amid Ankle Recovery

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Zach Edey (ankle) is questionable for Saturday's game against the Cavaliers, marking the first time he's been listed as such this season after previously carrying a doubtful or out tag. Edey is recovering from offseason right ankle surgery and would likely face significant minutes restrictions if active. The 23-year-old center, who signed a two-year, $11.8 million contract with the Memphis Grizzlies in July 2024 (including a $6.33 million team option for 2026-27), is a 7-foot-4 Purdue product. He was a back-to-back National Player of the Year, known for dominating collegiate opponents with his size, rebounding, solid footwork, and efficient touch around the rim, while also being a quality free-throw shooter. Despite a stiff learning curve in the NBA, his potential for improvement is high, with comparisons to players like Ivica Zubac, Steven Adams, and Walker Kessler for his potential as a starting-level center or defensive force.

Nikola Jokić's Historic Shooting Numbers Propel Him Into GOAT Conversation

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Nikola Jokić is posting unprecedented shooting numbers this season, fueling discussions about his place among the all-time greats. The Denver Nuggets star recently became only the fourth player in history, and the first this century, to score 55 points on 78% shooting. Through 11 games, he boasts an incredible 78.3% true shooting, 68.4% field goal percentage, and 41.7% from three-point range, with an astounding 81.8% from mid-range and a perfect 7-for-7 from 15-19 feet. Jokić is averaging 28.8 PPG on just 16.1 shots, alongside a league-leading 13.1 rebounds and 10.9 assists per game. The Nuggets are outscoring opponents by 15.3 points per game with him on the floor. Clippers coach Tyronn Lue noted the difficulty in defending Jokić, who can dominate as a scorer, passer, and rebounder, adapting his game whether facing bigs or smaller defenders, showcasing unparalleled all-around skill.

Jaden Ivey Resumes On-Court Work Following Knee Procedure, Season Debut Awaits Full Contact

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Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey, who underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee on October 16, was seen participating in on-court work during Friday's shootaround, marking his first public activity since the surgery. While a positive sign, Ivey still needs to progress to full-contact scrimmaging before his season debut can be considered imminent. The 23-year-old, born February 13, 2002, and selected fifth overall in the 2022 NBA Draft, signed a two-year, $14.87 million contract in July 2022, with team options exercised through the 2025-26 season. A consensus four-star recruit from Purdue, Ivey enjoyed a breakout sophomore campaign averaging 17.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists, earning All-Big Ten First Team honors, before turning pro.

Derik Queen's Breakout Performance Makes Him a Must-Start for Pelicans This Weekend

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New Orleans Pelicans forward Derik Queen is making a significant impact, highlighted by a career-best 26 points and 38 minutes played on Wednesday. Although not officially listed as a starter, Queen is consistently playing starter-level minutes due to his impressive production. He is strongly recommended for fantasy lineups this weekend, as his recent performances indicate a clear breakout. Despite facing potentially challenging matchups against the Lakers and Warriors, his current form suggests managers should not be deterred from starting him. His consistent high-level play makes him a valuable asset.

Jonathan Kuminga Sidelined for Warriors-Spurs Game Due to Bilateral Knee Tendonitis

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Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga has been ruled out for Friday's game against the San Antonio Spurs due to bilateral patellar (knee) tendonitis. Kuminga, who missed the second half of Wednesday's game, is not expected to have a long-term absence, but the Warriors are exercising caution given his recent knee soreness. This season, Kuminga has averaged 13.8 points on 47.8 percent shooting, with 6.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 27.7 minutes across 13 games, including 12 starts. Coach Steve Kerr recently moved him to the bench, where he played just 12 scoreless minutes on Wednesday before being pulled. The Warriors are currently on a six-game road trip, with upcoming games against the Pelicans, Magic, and Heat.

Kyrie Irving: Trade Speculation Linked to Anthony Davis Amidst Mavericks' Uncertainty

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Kyrie Irving, alongside Anthony Davis, is a player other teams may eventually show interest in, but no significant moves are anticipated until both are healthy and performing on the court. Reports suggest that teams are monitoring the Dallas Mavericks to see if they will consider trading their stars following a front office shakeup. However, the market for Irving, like Davis, is expected to be limited until he proves his health and performance. His potential trade is linked to the Mavericks' strategy of potentially retooling around a future first-round pick, possibly in the 2026 draft. Finding a trade partner for Irving, especially given his contract and the Mavericks' cap situation, is considered difficult, and any substantial moves are more likely to occur closer to the draft or the following offseason.

Coby White: Logs Full Practice Amidst Chicago Bulls' Roster Changes

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Coby White participated in full practice on Friday, indicating readiness following previous concerns. White had a breakout season in 2023-24, averaging career highs in points, assists, rebounds, and threes, largely due to Zach LaVine's absence. With the Bulls acquiring Josh Giddey and LaVine expected to be healthy, White is projected to move to shooting guard. However, his role and fantasy value have been a subject of discussion across multiple seasons, with past years seeing fluctuating minutes and competition from other guards like Lonzo Ball, Jevon Carter, Alex Caruso, and Ayo Dosunmu. Despite past challenges with role definition and efficiency, White has shown flashes of offensive potential, including career-high scoring games and improved shooting percentages. He remains a player to consider in dynasty/keeper leagues and potentially as a buy-low candidate if traded to a better situation.

Josh Giddey: Full Practice Participation Amidst Trade to Chicago Bulls

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Josh Giddey was a full participant in practice on Friday, following an ankle issue. After a challenging 2023-24 season where his role diminished with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Giddey was traded to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Alex Caruso. This move is seen as a potential fresh start for Giddey, who averaged 12.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in 25.1 minutes last season. He is expected to compete for the starting point guard position in Chicago, potentially alongside Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu, with Zach LaVine and Lonzo Ball also on the roster. Giddey has shown versatility and playmaking upside, with career highs in points, rebounds, and assists in previous seasons. His efficiency, particularly from the perimeter and free-throw line, remains an area for improvement. Despite past struggles with efficiency, Giddey's upside as a passer and multi-level scorer makes him a potential target in fantasy drafts.

Anthony Black Shines as Orlando Magic Secure Back-to-Back Wins

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Orlando Magic guard Anthony Black is emerging as a key component for his team's recent success, contributing significantly to their two-game winning streak. Listed at $4,700 on DraftKings and $5,200 on FanDuel, the third-year veteran is averaging 11.3 points per game, making him one of seven Magic players scoring in double digits. In 12 games, including two starts, Black has also posted averages of 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.3 steals in 26.4 minutes. His recent performance includes a 17-point outing with three rebounds, three assists, and two steals in just 23 minutes during a 124-107 victory over the Knicks on Wednesday. Previously, he scored 13 points with four rebounds, four assists, and four steals in a Nov. 7 win against Boston. The Magic currently hold a 6-6 record.

Day'Ron Sharpe Ready to Play Friday Against Orlando

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Day'Ron Sharpe has been cleared to play and is good to go for Friday's game against Orlando, despite a previous lower body issue. The 24-year-old center, who signed a two-year, $12.5 million deal with the Nets in July 2025, is averaging 6.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 0.9 steals in 15.9 minutes per game over 10 contests this season. Sharpe's pre-NBA career included a successful high school tenure, culminating in McDonald's and Jordan Brand All-American honors, followed by a year at the University of North Carolina where he earned ACC All-Freshman team recognition. He was originally drafted 29th overall by the Phoenix Suns in the 2021 NBA Draft before being traded to the Brooklyn Nets. He is expected to reprise his role as the backup center.

Jalen Johnson's Superstar Trajectory Continues with Historic Performance

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Jalen Johnson of the Atlanta Hawks is on a clear path to superstardom, evidenced by a historic performance against the Jazz where he recorded 31 points, 18 rebounds, 14 assists, 7 steals, and 4 three-pointers, a stat line unique in NBA history. This followed a strong previous game with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists. Johnson has now achieved double-doubles in three consecutive games. While his injury history has been a concern for fantasy managers, he is currently healthy and playing at an elite level. If he maintains this form and health, he is projected to be a first-round fantasy option next season. His current play is making him a significant asset for the Hawks.

Celtics Role Players Shine: Walsh's Net Rating, Minott's Fouls, Gonzalez's Defense, Garza's Screens

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Several Boston Celtics role players are making significant contributions early in the 2025-26 season. Jordan Walsh boasts an impressive +23.6 net rating, placing him among elite players like Alex Caruso and Nikola Jokic, and has earned a starting role due to his versatile defense against top offensive players and improved 3-point shooting (43.8%). Josh Minott's impact is hampered by a high foul percentage (5.0%), but his energy, athleticism, and finishing ability have been vital when he's on the floor. Rookie Hugo Gonzalez has shown remarkable defensive poise, holding All-Stars to 44.7% shooting and generating steals at a high rate, despite needing offensive development. Luka Garza, while a defensive liability (team defense is 7.8 points worse with him on the floor), excels at setting screens, contributing significantly to the Celtics' league-leading screen assist numbers, and has been part of winning efforts when playing limited minutes.

Celtics Role Players Shine: Walsh's Net Rating, Minott's Fouls, Gonzalez's Defense, Garza's Screens

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Several Boston Celtics role players are making significant contributions early in the 2025-26 season. Jordan Walsh boasts an impressive +23.6 net rating, placing him among elite players like Alex Caruso and Nikola Jokic, and has earned a starting role due to his versatile defense against top offensive players and improved 3-point shooting (43.8%). Josh Minott's impact is hampered by a high foul percentage (5.0%), but his energy, athleticism, and finishing ability have been vital when he's on the floor. Rookie Hugo Gonzalez has shown remarkable defensive poise, holding All-Stars to 44.7% shooting and generating steals at a high rate, despite needing offensive development. Luka Garza, while a defensive liability (team defense is 7.8 points worse with him on the floor), excels at setting screens, contributing significantly to the Celtics' league-leading screen assist numbers, and has been part of winning efforts when playing limited minutes.

Celtics Role Players Shine: Walsh's Net Rating, Minott's Fouls, Gonzalez's Defense, Garza's Screens

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Several Boston Celtics role players are making significant contributions early in the 2025-26 season. Jordan Walsh boasts an impressive +23.6 net rating, placing him among elite players like Alex Caruso and Nikola Jokic, and has earned a starting role due to his versatile defense against top offensive players and improved 3-point shooting (43.8%). Josh Minott's impact is hampered by a high foul percentage (5.0%), but his energy, athleticism, and finishing ability have been vital when he's on the floor. Rookie Hugo Gonzalez has shown remarkable defensive poise, holding All-Stars to 44.7% shooting and generating steals at a high rate, despite needing offensive development. Luka Garza, while a defensive liability (team defense is 7.8 points worse with him on the floor), excels at setting screens, contributing significantly to the Celtics' league-leading screen assist numbers, and has been part of winning efforts when playing limited minutes.

Thursday, November 13, 2025

Lauri Markkanen Drops Season-High 40 Points; Jazz Star Expected 100% After Injury-Plagued Season

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Lauri Markkanen recently delivered a season-high 40 points, adding 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal in 36 minutes during a 132-122 loss to the Hawks. This performance follows a 2023-24 season where injuries caused a slight step back, leading him to miss 17 of Utah's final 21 games and the Olympic Qualifying Tournament due to a right shoulder injury. He is expected to be 100 percent for training camp and is untradeable in 2024-25 after signing a five-year, $238 million extension this offseason. Markkanen's 2022-23 season was a breakout, earning him Most Improved Player with career-highs of 25.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 3.0 three-pointers, leading a surprising Jazz team. While Utah eyes the playoffs, the additions of John Collins and Walker Kessler could challenge his ability to repeat past heroics. His career has seen stints with the Cavaliers and Bulls, where he showed flashes of potential as a scoring big man.

Jalen Johnson Achieves Historic Triple-Double with 31 Points, 18 Rebounds, 7 Steals

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Jalen Johnson recorded a monster triple-double with 31 points, 18 rebounds, 14 assists, and 7 steals in 41 minutes during the Hawks' 132-122 victory over the Jazz. This marked new career-highs in points, assists, rebounds, and steals, and was his first triple-double of the season, making him the first NBA player this season to achieve a 7-steal, 30-point triple-double. Over his last two games, Johnson has been exceptional, averaging 27.5 points, 14.0 rebounds, 11.0 assists, 3.0 triples, and 4.0 steals. The 23-year-old forward, who signed a five-year, $150 million contract extension with the Hawks in October 2024, is currently averaging 20.5 points, 8.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.3 blocks this season. His collegiate career, though brief, showcased his NBA-caliber talent, including a 24-point, 16-rebound, 7-assist, 4-block game at Duke.

Onyeka Okongwu Explodes for Career-High 32 Points, Eight Treys in Hawks Victory

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Onyeka Okongwu delivered a career-high performance with 32 points, including eight three-pointers, along with 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 blocks, and 2 steals in 35 minutes during the Hawks' 132-122 win over the Jazz. This impressive outing follows a 2023-24 season where his production remained stable despite increased playing time, averaging 10.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks. Okongwu, the sixth overall pick in 2020, is often a frustrating fantasy asset, typically serving as the backup center behind Clint Capela. While his value is capped by Capela's presence, he has shown must-roster ability in limited minutes, finishing as the 76th-ranked player in 2022-23 with 9.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in just 23.1 minutes. He missed the start of the 2021-22 season due to right shoulder surgery but returned to average 8.2 points and 5.9 rebounds. His upside is significant, especially if the Hawks move Capela.

Aaron Nesmith Avoids Serious Injury But Expected to Miss Time for Pacers

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Aaron Nesmith is expected to miss some time, though head coach Rick Carlisle confirmed he avoided a serious injury. Nesmith established himself as an NBA rotation player in 2023-24, finishing as a borderline top-100 player in standard formats, averaging 12.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.9 three-pointers, and 1.6 combined steals and blocks in 27.7 minutes. This followed a breakout 2022-23 season with the Pacers where he posted career-highs of 10.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.6 three-pointers in 24.9 minutes after unproductive seasons in Boston. His path to minutes with Indiana is now clouded by the additions of Obi Toppin and Jarace Walker. Drafted 14th overall in 2020 by the Celtics, Nesmith was known for his elite college three-point shooting (52.2% at Vanderbilt). While his rookie season showed defensive intensity and improved shooting, a stacked depth chart in Boston limited his opportunities.

Dillon Brooks Ignites Offense with 32 Points, Reflects on Rockets Role and Defensive Prowess

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Dillon Brooks registered 32 points (12-18 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 5-5 FT), one rebound, and one steal in 28 minutes during a recent 133-98 win over Indiana. In his first season with the Houston Rockets, he averaged 12.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.8 three-pointers in 30.9 minutes, showing improved efficiency from his Memphis tenure despite a dip in overall numbers. Known as an elite wing defender, Brooks is expected to retain his starting spot for the 2024-25 season, a role secured by his four-year, $80 million deal with the Rockets. Despite past inefficiency (39.6 FG%), his defensive prowess is crucial for coach Ime Udoka's rotation, though his usage might be limited by the team's youth. Historically, he had a career-high 18.4 points in 2021-22 and averaged 23.1 points during the Grizzlies' 2021 playoff run, demonstrating his scoring upside.

Devin Booker Delivers 33-Point Performance, Continues Evolution as Suns' Offensive Leader

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Devin Booker delivered a strong performance with 33 points (12-22 FG, 3-10 3Pt, 6-6 FT), five rebounds, and seven assists in 29 minutes during a 133-98 victory over the Pacers. In 2023-24, he embraced a point guard role alongside Bradley Beal, achieving a career-high 6.9 assists per game and playing in 68 regular-season games, a significant rebound from his 53 appearances in 2022-23 due to a groin strain. Booker has consistently ranked in the top 25 in fantasy leagues, and despite the Suns' playoff sweep last season, he remains a core piece with Kevin Durant and Beal. He reached new offensive peaks last season with career highs of 27.8 points and 49.4% shooting, including a 58-point game. A three-time All-Star and First-Team All-NBA selection, Booker holds the sixth-highest usage rate among active NBA players, solidifying his role as the Suns' primary offensive option under his max five-year, $158 million contract.