The Big Lead flags three NBA clubs that should already be on edge after a 0‑3 start to the 2026‑27 season. The defending champion New York Knicks, who lost to an undermanned Orlando Magic, are the first title‑holders to stumble 0‑3 since the 2011‑12 Mavericks, with key players Karl‑Anthony Towns, Josh Hart and Miles McBride still awaiting contract extensions. The Golden State Warriors sit winless amid an aging roster, a blown 12‑point lead to Memphis and Kristaps Porziņģis sidelined by POTS, though Stephen Curry secured a two‑year extension. Finally, the Miami Heat, despite landing Giannis Antetokounmpo, have yet to notch a win, conceding 115+ points in each loss while trying to mesh Giannis with Bam Adebayo under Erik Spoelstra. These early struggles suggest a potentially rough campaign for all three teams.
Golden State Warriors legend Klay Thompson risks quickly wearing out the Miami Heat's patience after a tough start to the season.
With the 2026 WNBA Finals tied 2-2, Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase leans on the team’s core values—defense, effort, accountability and selflessness—to spark a comeback. After back‑to‑back losses, including a 26‑point defeat in Atlanta, Nakase reshuffled the lineup, inserting Tiffany Hayes and Kaila Charles while benching Ceci Zandalasini and Kayla Thornton. The changes paid off: Hayes and Charles supplied early defensive intensity, Zandalasini contributed 10 points and three steals off the bench, and the Valkyries reclaimed their identity without sacrificing flexibility. Nakase’s emphasis on collective accountability and adaptability keeps the championship within reach as the series heads to Game 5 in San Francisco.
The Denver Nuggets host the Golden State Warriors at Ball Arena on Monday, October 26, at 10:00 PM ET.
Ty Jerome's stunning rise adds a fresh sting to the Golden State Warriors' Chris Paul trade over three years later.
In Week 1, the Phoenix Suns split their opening games, falling 124-83 to Portland before edging Golden State 131-122. The win highlighted a functional offense but exposed defensive and rebounding woes, especially after injuries to Mark Williams and Oso Ighodaro forced rookie center Khaman Maluach into a starting role. Maluach leads the team with 7.5 rebounds per game and a 16.9% defensive rebounding rate, outpacing even Victor Wembanyama, yet the Suns still struggle to secure boards collectively. Coach and fans are urged to temper expectations as the squad works through chemistry and roster adjustments.
The Golden State Warriors face the Denver Nuggets on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, at 8 p.m. MDT (10 p.m. ET) in Denver’s Ball Arena. The game streams on Peacock and NBCSN, with Altitude/Altitude+ for local fans. Injury woes loom: the Warriors list Kristaps Porziņģis, Moses Moody and Jimmy Butler III out and Gui Santos questionable (left‑knee tendinitis); the Nuggets have Cameron Johnson and Alpha Diallo doubtful (ankle, wrist) and Spencer Jones plus Julian Strawther out. Projected lineups feature Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Brandin Podziemski for Golden State, and Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon for Denver, though Johnson’s status may trigger changes. The article breaks down watch options, injury updates and likely starters for the early‑season Western Conference clash.
Ty Jerome erupts for 104 points in his first three games, posting 45, 28 and 31 points as the Memphis Grizzlies start 3-0 – only the third such start in franchise history. He averages 34.7 points, shooting 8‑of‑17 against Sacramento but perfect from the line (14‑of‑14) and hits a clutch step‑back three to seal a 123‑112 win. While opponents will soon adjust, Jerome’s scoring surge is already fueling Memphis’s early success on the road.
Myles Turner is already proving why the Golden State Warriors should absolutely avoid a trade for the Milwaukee Bucks center.
Walker Kessler’s promising Lakers debut stalls against his former Utah Jazz, posting just 2 points, 7 rebounds and a block in 28.5 minutes, though L.A. still wins. He admits emotion weighed heavy returning to Utah. Meanwhile, the Warriors dip into their bench early, starting Will Richard, Graham Ike, Brandon Williams, Gui Santos and rookie Yaxel Lendeborg, but expect key players—Curry, Podziemski, Green and Horford—to return Monday. Clippers backup Brook Lopez continues to contribute 15+ points and a block in each of his three games off the bench. Luka Doncic, despite being left off the MVP shortlist, dazzles with 52 points, 10 assists and 8 rebounds in a Lakers win over the Jazz, sparking talk of “greatness fatigue.”
Charles Bassey's limited minutes in his return hinted that he could be a solution for the Golden State Warriors as they remain without Kristaps Porzingis.
The Golden State Warriors have a Stephen Curry contract problem no one wants to discuss after the two-time MVP sat out Saturday's game against the Phoenix Suns.
Ahead of the Suns’ home opener vs. the Golden State Warriors, former Phoenix star Shawn Marion celebrates his Ring of Honor recognition and declares his Hall of Fame case "signed, sealed, delivered." He reflects on his defensive versatility—averaging over 1.5 steals per game, guarding power forwards like Dirk Nowitzki and Kevin Garnett—and credits his six‑year stint with Steve Nash for his peak production. Marion insists the modern, fast‑paced NBA would suit his skill set even more and thanks franchise legends for paving his path.
Two games into the 2026‑27 season, the Phoenix Suns’ starting five still lack chemistry, with new faces like Miles Bridges and Khaman Maluach causing defensive lapses that left shooters such as Damian Lillard open against Portland and the Warriors. Miscommunication also hampers offense, leading to duplicate screens and missed back‑screen sets. In contrast, the bench shows cohesion; Devin Booker praised the second unit’s clear roles and sync after the win over Golden State on Oct. 24. Coach hopes the starters will learn from the bench’s discipline as they aim to gel before the season’s midway point.
Pat Spencer was a darling for Golden State Warriors fans, but they now have a clear upgrade at the backup point guard spot in Brandon Williams.
A Kristaps Porzingis trade would all but end any faint hope the Golden State Warriors have of pursuing Nikola Jokic in free agency next year.
Devin Booker scored 43 points on 17-of-25 shooting as the Phoenix Suns beat the Golden State Warriors 131-122 at Mortgage Matchup Center on Saturday.
Once again, the WNBA is facing major uncertainty about where an Atlanta home game will be played, with a Game 6 now guaranteed in the city.
Rookie forward Yaxel Lendeborg is already shouldering starter minutes for the Warriors, putting up 18.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists while shooting 44.4% from three in his first three games. After a 12‑point debut in L.A., an 18‑point, 13‑rebound effort against Memphis and a 26‑point night with six threes in Phoenix, Lendeborg joins a handful of Warriors legends—Chamberlain, Durant, Barry and Thurmond—who have posted similar stat lines, though none as rookies. Coach Steve Kerr trusts him in close contests, sparking debate about his Rookie‑of‑the‑Year chances and how his impact compares to the league‑altering debut of James Wiseman in 2020. The article weighs Lendeborg’s immediate contribution against the team’s early‑season struggles.
Devin Booker silences critics with a franchise‑record 43 points in the Suns’ home opener, leading Phoenix to a 131‑122 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 24, 2026. After a 124‑83 loss to Portland, Booker rebounded with 7 rebounds and 7 assists, shooting 17‑for‑25 from the floor. The performance, his highest ever in a home debut, sparked excitement among fans and underscores his role as the team’s offensive leader moving forward.
Devin Booker set a franchise record for points in a home opener with 43 against the Warriors, but the Suns need more from the supporting cast.
Kings forward Keegan Murray remains questionable for Sunday’s game vs. Memphis due to lingering left‑ankle capsulitis after May arthroscopic surgery, with his preseason stats down to 7.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.0 steal in 27 minutes. Meanwhile, the Warriors’ shorthanded loss in Phoenix featured Yaxel Lendeborg’s career‑high 26 points and 9 rebounds, and De’Anthony Melton’s 25‑point surge, as coach Steve Kerr emphasizes the ongoing rebuilding process and expects Lendeborg to lead the team in minutes, averaging 18.7 points, 8.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists. In Phoenix, Suns’ two‑way rookie Drew Timme admits his size and “eye test” limit his fit, despite his belief in his undervalued impact.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr lauds rookie Yaxel Lendeborg’s offensive versatility but bluntly calls out his poor weak‑side defensive awareness. Kerr notes that Lendeborg’s size should make him a rim defender, yet a recent first‑half play showed a bad decision—opting to attack instead of passing or shooting. The coach urges the 2026 freshman to improve positioning and recognition away from the ball, saying extra reps and film study will be key. Kerr remains confident Lendeborg can contribute now if he sharpens his defensive instincts.
The Golden State Warriors paid tribute to legendary Bay Area sports reporter Michael Wagaman during their home opener on October 24, 2026, placing a jersey, photo, flowers and a placard in press row. Wagaman, who covered Bay Area teams since 1996 for the AP and NBC Sports, died on Aug. 7 at age 59. Earlier tributes came from the Athletics, Giants, 49ers and coach Steve Kerr, who praised his humor and energy. The Warriors' gesture follows a series of honors across local sports, highlighting Wagaman’s lasting impact on the Bay Area media community.
PHOENIX– Devin Booker and company stole the show during the Phoenix Suns’ 131-122 takedown of the Golden State Warriors on Saturday. The eventful home opener ended with Booker scoring 43 points, matching his season-high from a year earlier in his second game of 2026-27. That scoring wasn’t necessarily the Suns’ biggest victory during the preseason, […]
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