In Utah, rookie Darryn Peterson posts 18 points but coach Will Hardy benches him for overtime, turning to Brice Sensabaugh who scores all six OT points in a 117-111 loss to the Spurs. In Los Angeles, Collin Sexton erupts for 21 points in the Lakers’ 4-1 start, earning praise from JJ Redick for his fire. Meanwhile, Steve Kerr warns the Warriors to avoid flashy plays after a near‑collapse sees Golden State cling to a 119-114 win over Minnesota, despite rookie Yaxel Lendeborg’s 26 points and seven turnovers.
Jaylen Brown showed off his knowledge of his new Philadelphia 76ers teammates' personalities by identifying where they would fit in the world of Harry Potter.
Jaylen Brown sorts LeBron James, Jayson Tatum, and other NBA personalities into Hogwarts houses alongside Daniel Radcliffe.
The Lakers fumbled their chance at signing three better fits for their final two-way spot and were forced to settle for Lawson Lovering.
After a narrow loss to Portland, the Luka Dončić‑less Lakers rely on bench firepower to beat the Clippers 103‑87 on Oct. 28, 2026. Austin Reaves struggles with 16 points, six turnovers, but Collin Sexton drops a season‑high 21, Sandro Mamukelashvili adds 13 and eight rebounds, and rookie Jarred Vanderbilt contributes seven boards and solid defense. Coach JJ Redick praises the trio’s +21, +23 and +22 plus‑minus, noting the Mamukelashvili‑Vanderbilt combo outscored L.A. 51‑24 in their 20 minutes together. The win marks the Lakers’ fourth victory in five games.
The Portland Trail Blazers head to the Moda Center on Thursday, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. PT to face undefeated Memphis (4‑0) after their own 3‑0 start, highlighted by a 136‑129 win over the Lakers. Memphis rides a hot start from Ty Jerome, who’s averaged 29.8 points per game, while rookie Cameron Boozer contributes 14.8 points, 10.5 rebounds and a +9 plus‑minus despite a 27.9% shooting rate. The Blazers, missing Shaedon Sharpe, Branden Carlson and Chris Youngblood, look to build on early‑season momentum and Ja Morant’s emotional first game against the franchise that drafted him. Stream on BlazerVision or catch the game on Rip City Television.
Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg is eager for his second showdown with Lakers guard Luka Doncic on Friday, after a heated encounter in their season‑opener where Lendeborg earned a technical foul for confronting Doncic. Lendeborg, who is posting 22.6 points and 9.2 rebounds in his first five games, said he looks forward to the rematch, while Doncic sits out Wednesday with back tightness but still averages 36 points, 6.8 rebounds and 8.3 assists. The matchup at Crypto.com Arena will pit a promising rookie against the league’s premier scorer, sparking anticipation for more on‑court drama.
NBA legend Charles Barkley has criticized former Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James for practicing a golf swing during the national anthem, describing his actions as disrespectful.
The post Charles Barkley blasts LeBron James for disrespecting the national anthem appeared first on TalkBasket.net .
Jarred Vanderbilt looked effective beside Sandro Mamukelashvili in the Los Angeles Lakers' 103-87 win over the LA Clippers. Adou Thiero could prove even better.
Jarred Vanderbilt looked far more deserving of bench minutes than Kevon Looney in the Los Angeles Lakers' 103-87 win over the LA Clippers.
The Lakers beat the Clippers 103-87 on Oct. 29, 2026, securing their second win of the season despite missing All‑Star guard Luka Doncic due to back tightness. Quentin Grimes led LA with 23 points, while Collin Sexton contributed 21 off the bench and five other Lakers hit double‑figures. Los Angeles outrebounded the Clippers by seven, a notable improvement from last‑place in rebounding. The Clippers, shorthanded without Rui Hachimura, relied on Keaton Wagler’s 21 points but fell to 1‑3. Both teams look ahead to upcoming matchups, with the Lakers set to face Golden State on Friday.
The Toronto Raptors confirm that star forward Kawhi Leonard will miss “weeks” after his left knee swelled, though imaging shows no structural damage. The team will begin treatment and reevaluate him in a week, likely sidelining him for at least the next four games (vs. Orlando, Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers). Leonard, who was traded from L.A. in September, posted 32.4% shooting and 3.5 steals in 26 minutes over the first two regular‑season games before sitting out the Minnesota matchup. In his absence, Ja’Kobe Walter starts, with Allen Graves and Kyle Anderson set to see expanded roles.
After a 136-129 defeat to Portland, the Lakers acknowledge their 22nd‑ranked defense is hurting a second‑place offense. Center Walker Kessler admits the team has leaned too heavily on scoring, and the group responds by holding the Clippers to just 87 points on Wednesday, the season’s lowest opponent total. Veteran forward Jarred Vanderbilt makes his first appearance, grabbing seven rebounds in 21 minutes, while newcomer Collin Sexton posts a career‑high 21 points and a +23 plus/minus. Meanwhile, former Laker Rui Hachimura explains his free‑agency exit, and ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne details the rapid sale of majority ownership to Bob Iger and Joshua Kushner.
A historical trend shows that Luka Doncic's chances of winning a title with the Lakers may be greatly reduced because of his usage rate.
Without Luka Doncic, the Lakers found a way to win Wednesday night by letting defense translate to offense and crashing the glass.
Quentin Grimes scored 23 points and the Los Angeles Lakers used a dominant second quarter to beat the LA Clippers 103-87 at Intuit Dome on Wednesday.
The Los Angeles Lakers add 7‑ft center Lawson Lovering on a two‑way contract to shore up their rebounding depth after backup Kevon Looney’s limited minutes contributed to a 29‑point deficit and a loss to Portland. Lovering, a 23‑year‑old undrafted Utah alum who posted a double‑double (11 points, 11 rebounds) in his second NBA game with Memphis, will split time with the G League Coachella Valley Lakers. The move follows a strong 4‑1 start, highlighted by Luka Doncic’s scoring title, Austin Reaves’ second‑option play, and Walker Kessler’s solid debut, but aims to address the team’s size concerns for a deeper playoff run.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves has revealed how a social media post from LeBron James caused a major increase in his online following.
The post LeBron James sent Austin Reaves followers skyrocketing appeared first on TalkBasket.net .
The Los Angeles Lakers gave Sandro Mamukelashvili a hefty contract, and fans already found out why.
A game-worn high school jersey from Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant sold for more than $2 million at auction.
The Lakers bounce back from their season‑opening loss with a 103–87 victory over a depleted Clippers, improving to 4‑1. Bench spark plug Collin Sexton scores 21 points in 21 minutes, igniting the team and showcasing the high‑motor players the Lakers added in the offseason. Luka Dončić rests, while role players like Jake LaRavia, Matisse Thybulle, Quentin Grimes, and Jarred Vanderbilt contribute hustle plays, collective 20 steals/blocks and 17 offensive rebounds. Although the win comes against a weak, young Clippers squad, it validates the Lakers’ strategy of adding youthful energy and depth as they aim to prove themselves as contenders early in the season.
Pacers rookie Ben Sheppard undergoes a full meniscus repair, extending his absence to months and casting doubt on a potential $8 million qualifying offer next summer. The Lakers also sit two starters out—Luka Doncic (back tightness) and Ziaire Williams (left foot soreness)—but expect them back for the Friday game in Golden State. Bulls center Nic Claxton (left hamstring strain) travels with the team yet remains uncertain for his season debut. The Clippers keep Max Strus, Brandon Ingram and Yanic Konan Niederhauser in rehab in LA, while Rui Hachimura may return after missing Wednesday’s quad soreness.
Dodgers chairman Mark Walter announces a new partnership with UNIQLO at Dodger Stadium on March 25, 2026, while under investigation for alleged loan misrepresentations and after selling his stakes in the Lakers and Chelsea. Despite the controversy, Walter pledges to keep the Dodgers and aims for another World Series win, stressing a long‑term competitive vision. The club’s offensive decline this season is blamed on fatigue, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, though the core roster is expected to return. Outfielder Miguel Rojas, who retired after the NLCS loss, reflects on his 12‑year Dodgers career, thanking the team for his best four years. Further details appear in the California Post.
JJ Redick brings up Dwight Howard when explaining what the Lakers need from Walker Kessler on the glass.
The Los Angeles Lakers cruised past the Los Angeles Clippers 103-87 on Wednesday night to make it four wins from five to open the 2026-27 NBA season.