It took AJ Dybantsa just one game to provide further evidence Wizards made right pick
The Washington Wizards finally got AJ Dybantsa on the floor, and he instantly showed why he was the number one overall pick.
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The Washington Wizards finally got AJ Dybantsa on the floor, and he instantly showed why he was the number one overall pick.
The Cleveland Cavaliers rally past the Washington Wizards 121-111 on Oct. 28, snapping a halftime double‑digit deficit to claim their third straight win. Evan Mobley leads with 24 points and 12 rebounds, shooting 5‑of‑6 from three‑point range, just shy of his career best. Peyton Watson adds 16 points before halftime, while Mario Hezonja and Meleek Thomas spark the fourth‑quarter surge that puts Cleveland ahead. The Wizards dominate the first half, scoring 42 points and 26 in the paint, but the Cavs adjust defensively and offensively to secure a 3‑1 start to the season. Upcoming games: at Atlanta on Oct. 30 and vs. Milwaukee on Halloween.
Expectations weren't high for the New Orleans Pelicans coming into this season. And yet, after their 0-3 start, it feels like they're performing below them.
Britt McHenry explains Wizards game drink incident and job loss.
Everybody saw Jayson Tatum’s game-winner against the Nets. Some of the moments that meant the most to him were considerably less obvious. A cut. An explosive move. A familiar feeling that his body could do something it once did without a second thought. “I’m 18 months out from when I tore my Achilles,” Tatum said, […] The post Celtics’ Jayson Tatum starting to feel like himself: ‘Something in my mind clicks’ appeared first on Hoops Wire .
The NBA needed only a week to give three awards races a different look. Cameron Boozer, Ime Udoka, and Ty Jerome now lead their respective categories in the BetOnline odds supplied for this update. Their positions deserve attention. The distance between them and their closest challengers deserves just as much. A new favorite makes an […] The post NBA awards races have new favorites, but little separation after one week appeared first on ClutchPoints .
Legendary NBA broadcaster Ernie Johnson announces his final season on TNT's Inside the NBA, confirming his retirement after nearly four decades. He shared the news on social media and on Wednesday’s episode, thanking his co‑hosts Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, and the production crew. Tributes poured in, notably from Mike Breen, Tim Legler, and Richard Jefferson during ESPN’s 76ers‑Pacers game, where Breen called Johnson a true "GOAT, icon, and legend" and urged fans to shower him with love all season. The announcement raises questions about the future of the Inside the NBA lineup.
Toumani Camara looks to be making a real leap for the Trail Blazers to leave the struggling Suns thinking about what might have been.
The Celtics welcome Devin Carter back after a mononucleosis setback, signing him to a two-way deal, though he remains sidelined while recovering. Payton Pritchard emerges as Boston’s new "iso king," leading the league in isolation eFG% and earning praise from Allen Iverson, a boost as the team adjusts to Jaylen Brown’s departure. Jayson Tatum marks a milestone return, scoring 40 points and hitting a buzzer‑beater against the Nets, his first 40‑point outing since rupturing his Achilles in the 2025 playoffs. Meanwhile, Brown’s exit fuels ongoing trade‑rumor debates, with his camp denying any demand.
The Philadelphia 76ers and Tyrese Maxey are putting up points, but the team still has a gap to close. “The room that we have to grow and get better is a big gap,” Maxey said, via NBA on ESPN, acknowledging the work the team still needs to do this season. Tyrese Maxey is doing his […] The post Tyrese Maxey points to ‘big gap’ 76ers must close appeared first on ClutchPoints .
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander can create plenty of offense. The Thunder’s growing injury list makes it increasingly important that he doesn’t have to create all of it. That’s where Isaiah Hartenstein comes in. The veteran center’s passing and ability to operate in the middle of the floor could become more valuable as Oklahoma City adjusts without Jalen […] The post Thunder need Isaiah Hartenstein to do more than clean up the glass appeared first on Hoops Wire .
Joe Mazzulla trusted Mitchell Robinson with clutch free throws against the Nets, a risky choice that nearly backfired on the Boston Celtics.
Mavericks coach Dusty May hails rookie Walter Clayton Jr. as “cold‑blooded” after the Florida star posted a breakout 15‑point, 6‑of‑7 shooting performance in Dallas’ 113‑109 win over the Miami Heat on Oct. 28. Clayton’s efficiency — including 2‑for‑2 from beyond the arc, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and a key block on Bobby Portis Jr. — helped the team outscore Miami by 22 points while he was on the floor, and he added 7 points in the fourth quarter. Signed to a two‑way deal on Oct. 21, the 18th‑overall pick from the 2025 draft quickly proved his poise, prompting May to trust him in big moments as Dallas (2‑2) prepares to host the Thunder.
Mavericks coach Dusty May praises rookie Cooper Flagg’s “football‑safety” instincts on both ends of the floor. After returning from a shoulder injury, Flagg logged 29 points, 11 assists, 5 steals and 3 blocks in a 113‑109 win over Miami, prompting May to tailor the team’s defensive rotations around his off‑ball awareness. May highlights Flagg’s unselfish passing, court vision, and ability to turn steals into fast‑break opportunities, forecasting 15‑ to 20‑assist games as Dallas finds its rhythm. The 19‑year‑old, 2025 No. 1 overall pick and reigning Rookie of the Year, leads a 2‑2 Mavericks squad hosting the 4‑0 Thunder on Oct. 29.
Lawson Lovering isn’t arriving with the expectation that he’ll solve the Lakers’ frontcourt problems. But a young center who can rebound and contest shots has a reasonable opportunity to get their attention. That’s the appeal of the Lakers’ reported two-way agreement with Lovering, as Ryan Ward of Lakers On SI examines. The former Utah big […] The post Lawson Lovering gives Lakers another option where they need help appeared first on Hoops Wire .
Mavericks coach Dusty May praises rookie big man Zaccharie Risacher for his relentless defense, noting his "cyborg" stamina as the team exercises his $17.4 million fourth‑year option for 2027‑28. In four games, Risacher averages 8.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 2.0 blocks, tying for the NBA’s second‑most combined steals and blocks. After a debut record‑setting five steals, he recorded 8 rebounds and 3 blocks in a 113‑109 win over Miami, despite shooting 2‑of‑13. Teammate Cooper Flagg says Risacher’s defensive impact adds 15‑20 points per game. Dallas (2‑2) now faces the 4‑0 Thunder on Oct. 29.
After an 0‑4 start, the Miami Heat are looking to add a playmaking, three‑point shooting guard. Bleacher Report's Dan Favale highlights three trade targets: Memphis combo guard Ty Jerome, who averages just under 30 points, 6.3 assists and 37% from deep but has health and defensive concerns; Grizzlies guard Cam Spencer, a 5.6‑assist player shooting 44.9% from three and under $3 M per year through 2028‑29, making him a cheap, contract‑flexible option; and Detroit’s Daniss Jenkins, a spot‑up specialist hitting 46.2% of his limited three‑point attempts, whose Pistons may move him for a future first‑round pick. Each candidate offers the floor‑spreading guard the Heat lack.
Mavericks coach Dusty May says Kyrie Irving is not only back on the floor—averaging 19.0 points in three games after his ACL repair—but also mentoring the team’s young talent. Irving, cleared to play against the Oklahoma City Thunder, helped rookie Morez Johnson Jr. (6 points in 15 minutes vs. Miami) recover from a missed pass with calm, constructive coaching. Teammates note his meticulous preparation sets a league‑wide standard, while Irving and Cooper Flagg combined for 17 of Dallas’ 31 assists in the 113‑109 win over the Heat. The Mavericks (2‑2) look to extend their bounce‑back against the 4‑0 Thunder on Oct. 29.
Former Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom, a two‑time champion who played 961 games and helped Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol reach three NBA Finals, becomes the first NBA player to join OnlyFans. At 46, Odom announced via TMZ and PEOPLE that he and girlfriend Rachel Bradley will launch the subscription service, promising “a little bit of everything” and behind‑the‑scenes content. The move follows his high‑profile post‑NBA life, including his marriage to Khloe Kardashian, and marks a fresh way for the former champion to connect with fans.
The Suns need to get their offense organized. They also need to stop giving opponents a second turn with the ball. Through Phoenix’s first three games, the rebounding numbers were particularly difficult to overlook. Opponents collected 43.3% of their own misses, while the Suns allowed a league-high 15.7 offensive rebounds and 23.0 second-chance points per […] The post Suns’ early problem goes beyond getting Devin Booker better shots appeared first on Hoops Wire .
Dallas Mavericks host unbeaten Oklahoma City Thunder on Oct. 29 at 8:30 p.m. CT, despite the Thunder missing Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace and Alex Caruso. Oklahoma City (4‑0, league‑low 100.8 p.p.g.) also lists Nikola Topić and Thomas Sorber out, with Ajay Mitchell questionable after a 30‑point night vs. Phoenix. MVP Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander continues to average 27.3 points. Mavericks coach Dusty May expects the Thunder’s “fight DNA” to persist, noting the depth that helped them win the 2025 title and reach last season’s conference finals. Dallas (2‑2) enters a three‑game homestand with Kyrie Irving and Caleb Martin healthy, but without Naji Marshall and several bench pieces.
Rookie guard Mikel Brown Jr. sparked a dramatic 125‑124 overtime loss for the Brooklyn Nets against the Boston Celtics on Oct. 27, 2026. He poured in 17 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists, hitting a clutch 3‑pointer with 0.2 seconds left to force OT and adding another three in the extra period. Despite his 13‑point fourth‑quarter burst, Brown’s decision to take a contested layup with under 10 seconds left missed the mark, allowing Jayson Tatum to seal the win. The loss drops the Nets to 0‑4, but Brown’s late‑game poise earned praise from Chris Paul and hints at a promising future for the franchise.
The Oklahoma City Thunder (4-0) host the Dallas Mavericks (2-2) on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026 at 9:30 PM ET in Dallas. Catch the game on ESPN or ESPN Deportes, or stream it live via Fubo (free trial available). The Thunder, fresh off a 125‑114 win over Phoenix, rely on Ajay Mitchell’s 30‑point breakout and Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander’s 26, despite injuries to Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace, Chet Holmgren and Alex Caruso. The Mavericks, coming off a 113‑109 victory over Miami, count on Cooper Flagg’s 29 points and Kyrie Irving’s return. Both teams aim to extend their early‑season momentum.
The Dallas Mavericks (2-2) face the Oklahoma City Thunder (4-0) in an ESPN primetime showdown at the American Airlines Center on Oct. 29 at 8:30 p.m. CST. Both squads grapple with extensive injury lists: Kyrie Irving and Caleb Martin are questionable for Dallas, while the Thunder miss stars Jalen Williams (out for the season), Chet Holmgren, and several others. With the Thunder’s rotation depleted, the Mavericks aim to snap Oklahoma’s perfect start despite missing Sergio De Larrea, Naji Marshall and others. The preview highlights the matchup’s stakes and links to deeper analysis and gambling content.
The San Antonio Spurs head to the Delta Center on Oct. 28 for a preseason showdown with Will Hardy’s Utah Jazz. After a dominant back‑to‑back win over the Sacramento Kings, the Spurs are rested and largely injury‑free, except for the still‑out Tobias Harris. The Jazz, 1‑3 this season, miss Jaren Jackson Jr. and list Lauri Markkanen and Jaxson Hayes as questionable, with Mo Bamba filling in. The preview predicts a “winnable” game for the Spurs, highlighting a potential 5‑guard lineup featuring Ja’Kobi Gillespie and David Jones‑Garcia. The game streams exclusively on DAZN at 8 p.m. CT.