After a surprising 5-1 start to the 2026-27 season, the Portland Trail Blazers secured a 1-0 win over the Denver Nuggets on Nov. 2 and now face a daunting November slate. With 14 games left—nine against likely 2027 playoff teams and eight potential conference‑finalists—the blog invites fans to predict the Blazers’ final November record, listing matchups against the Suns, Lakers, Spurs, Thunder (twice), Kings, Timberwolves (twice), Bucks, Knicks, 76ers, Warriors and Pelicans. Will Portland go 15-0, tumble to 1-14, or land somewhere in the middle?
Warriors forward Draymond Green receives his first ejection of the season (31st career) after a scuffle with Dillon Brooks during the Warriors' 116-113 win over Phoenix on Nov. 3, sparking a comeback that extended Golden State's streak to five. Charles Bassey steps up, delivering 25 points and 18 rebounds over two games to bolster a center rotation reshaped by Kristaps Porzingis' illness. Meanwhile, Suns guard Jalen Green struggles with shooting (6‑of‑20 FG, 0‑of‑6 3‑pt) despite posting 8 assists and rebounds, and Phoenix's most-used lineup posts a -29.9 net rating. Sacramento Kings lose Dylan Cardwell to a calf strain but snap a six‑game skid as rookie guard Darius Acuff Jr. scores 25 in a win over Dallas, earning praise from coach Doug Christie and teammate Malik Monk.
Lakers forward Adou Thiero, praised for his offseason development, may return from left‑knee swelling by week’s end, coach JJ Redick says. The second‑year wing missed all preseason, the first 13 regular‑season games, and later a right‑knee MCL sprain that kept him out from late December to mid‑February. His defensive hustle could boost the Lakers’ 18th‑ranked defense, especially alongside Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, if he secures a role in the wing rotation. Meanwhile, Ziaire Williams, Matisse Thybulle, Jake LaRavia and Quentin Grimes hold the forward spots as LA eyes its seventh win against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Carmichael Dave & Jason Ross discuss the Sacramento Kings' defensive performance during the Dallas Mavericks, one they could learn from.
Cooper Flagg was awful against the Sacramento Kings, yet he just kept shooting. The Dallas Mavericks should be happy.
The Sacramento Kings open the season with a 115-100 triumph over the Dallas Mavericks, highlighted by three guards each dropping 20+ points—Darius Acuff Jr. (25), Malik Monk (24 off the bench), and Zach LaVine (23). The Kings shot 52.4% overall and surged in the fourth quarter with a 70.6% clip, outscoring Dallas 34-26. Monk’s step‑back threes earned him a season‑high, while rookie Acuff added 25 points and 6 assists. Mavericks coach Dusty May praised the Kings’ spacing and clutch shooting, noting their bench contributed 36 points on 12 threes. Daniel Gafford commented on the Kings’ comfort and youthful firepower.
Max Christie exits the Mavericks' 115-100 loss to the Sacramento Kings with a right hip injury, prompting coach Dusty May to schedule a reevaluation in the next few days. Christie logged 7:40 of play, went 0‑for‑5 from three, and posted two rebounds and a steal before leaving at the 6:59 mark of the second quarter. Walter Clayton Jr. replaced him and tallied a career‑high‑tying 20 off the bench. Dallas also missed Kyrie Irving (left knee) and Sergio De Larrea (right knee) in the defeat, and will head to San Antonio on Wednesday.
The Mavericks fell 115-100 to the Sacramento Kings on Nov. 3 after Kyrie Irving sat out with left‑knee injury management, marking the team’s second loss without him (0‑2). Irving has averaged 21.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists in five games, shooting 52.7% from the floor. Coach Dusty May and center Daniel Gafford said Irving’s scoring, clutch shooting and calming presence were missed, especially during Sacramento’s late runs. Dallas also lost guard Max Christie to a hip injury, while Walter Clayton Jr. stepped in with 20 off the bench. The article notes Irving’s day‑to‑day mentorship of Clayton and the team’s pending status for Wednesday’s game in San Antonio.
Daniel Gafford poured in a season‑high 20 points on 90% shooting, adding 7 rebounds, a steal and a block in a 115-100 loss to the Sacramento Kings at the American Airlines Center. Rookie Morez Johnson Jr. posted a flawless 13‑point, 5‑for‑5 debut. Gafford’s 20‑point night marks his 13th 20‑point game with 90%+ shooting, a mark eclipsed only by Jarrett Allen and Rudy Gobert since his 2019‑20 rookie year. He lamented missed communication on defensive screens that helped the Kings' guards, while noting his record‑tying streak of blocks in the first seven Mavericks games. Dallas heads to San Antonio on Wednesday for its next matchup.
Walter Clayton Jr. tied his career high with 20 points off the Mavericks' bench in a 115-100 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Nov. 3, 2026. He shot 6‑of‑9 overall, including 4‑of‑5 from three, and scored 11 points in the fourth quarter, sparking a brief comeback. The two‑way rookie, who signed with Dallas on Oct. 21, said he’s willing to adapt to any role, citing guidance from Kyrie Irving and coach Dusty May. Clayton replaced injured Max Christie early in the second half and became the second Maverick this season to score 20 off the bench. Despite his effort, Dallas struggled with shooting efficiency, going 3‑for‑28 without him.
The Sacramento Kings upset the Dallas Mavericks 115-100 on Nov. 3, 2026, despite a 0‑6 start and a league‑worst 128.3 points‑allowed average. Kings dominated the glass (42‑35 rebounding edge) and fast‑breaks (11‑7), shooting 52.4% and 19‑of‑43 from three, while Dallas managed just 7‑of‑33 from deep and lost Kyrie Irving to a knee issue and Max Christie to a hip injury. Mavericks guard Walter Clayton Jr. (20 off the bench) admitted the team “played to the Kings’ record,” citing lack of energy and missed 50‑50 balls. Kings center Daniel Gafford praised his squad’s hunger, while Mavericks coach Dusty May highlighted the need for better communication and preparation.
Domantas Sabonis could be available for Atlanta to acquire as Sacramento considers its future.
After the Mavericks' 115-100 loss to the Kings, rookie Cooper Flagg confessed his disappointment over a 3‑of‑19 shooting night. Despite 17 points, 4 rebounds and 6 assists, Flagg struggled with shot selection and six turnovers. Center Daniel Gafford publicly backed Flagg, saying the team—not a single player—carries the blame and emphasizing the need to "speak life" into teammates. Coach Dusty May noted poor spacing and the Kings' paint focus as factors, while Kings guard Walter Clayton Jr. expects Flagg to rebound. Mavericks also missed Kyrie Irving (knee) and lost Max Christie in the second quarter.
The Dallas Mavericks’ recent 15‑point loss to the Sacramento Kings highlights deeper issues beyond Kyrie Irving’s knee injury. Despite a promising win over the Houston Rockets, the team shot just 7‑of‑33 from three and couldn’t generate spacing, with rookie Cooper Flagg posting a career‑low 3‑of‑19 shooting and six turnovers. Coach Dusty May’s questionable lineup choices—starting Flagg without other ball‑handlers—mirrored past missteps and left the squad looking unprepared. While the Mavericks still feature emerging talents like Irving and Flagg, the article argues that their habit‑breaking and defensive intensity must improve now to sustain playoff hopes for the 2026‑27 season.
The new November 2026 NBA Power Rankings reveal shocking drops and jumps after two weeks of play. The defending champion New York Knicks stumble, while the Memphis Grizzlies surge up the list. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s trade to the Miami Heat sends the Bucks plummeting to 29th despite a 1‑6 start and a porous 124‑point defense. The Clippers linger at 30th after salary‑cap penalties, and the Nets, Bulls, Kings, and Jazz all sit near the bottom with 1‑6 records and defensive woes. Injuries and lineup changes fuel the chaos as the rankings reshape the early season landscape.
Sacramento Kings rookie Darius Acuff Jr. explained that John Calipari's history of developing NBA guards was one of the main reasons he decided to attend Arkansas before entering the professional ranks.
The post Darius Acuff explains choosing Arkansas under John Calipari appeared first on TalkBasket.net .
Dallas entered Monday with a three‑game streak and a 73‑hour rest before facing winless Sacramento, yet star guard Kyrie Irving was ruled out after being listed as “questionable” and then “doubtful.” The Mavericks lost 115‑100, their worst defeat of the season, as role players faltered and Cooper Flagg posted a career‑low performance. The article argues the decision to rest Irving—who had just dropped 35 points and nine assists against Houston—was unnecessary “injury management” that backfired, costing the team a win and disappointing fans.
The Dallas Mavericks' early‑season surge ends with a 115-100 home loss to the winless Sacramento Kings on Nov. 2, 2026. Without Kyrie Irving, who rested under injury management, Dallas shot a dismal 7‑of‑33 (21.2%) from three‑point range, while Sacramento’s bench hit 12 threes for 36 points. Head coach Dusty May praised Zach LaVine, Darius Acuff Jr. and Malik Monk but blamed poor spacing, lack of paint pressure and missed rhythm. He highlighted Caleb Martin’s defense and Walter Clayton Jr.’s four made threes as bright spots, and said the team will study the film to adjust game plans. The loss drops the Mavericks to 4‑3, while the Kings improve to 1‑6.
The Sacramento Kings snapped their 0‑6 start with a 115‑100 win over the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center on Nov. 3, 2026. Kansas’ bench sparked the upset, as Malik Monk poured a season‑high 24 points (5‑of‑8 from three) and the trio of Monk, Leaky Black and Emanuel Sharp combined for 36 points and 12 threes. Dallas, missing Kyrie Irving (knee‑injury management) and several role players, shot a dismal 7‑of‑33 from beyond the arc and fell to 4‑3 after ending a three‑game streak. Coach Dusty May praised the Kings’ determination, while Mavericks’ Max Christie exited early with a hip injury. Darius Acuff Jr. led Dallas with 25 points, but the loss drops the Mavs to 4‑3.
The Sacramento Kings earned their first victory of the 2026-27 season on Monday night, beating the Dallas Mavericks 115-100 at American Airlines Center.
The post Kings end winless start with victory over Mavericks appeared first on TalkBasket.net .
The Dallas Mavericks (4-3) stumble to a 115-110 defeat against the winless Sacramento Kings, exposing glaring offensive woes. Cooper Flagg earns a C‑, shooting just 3‑of‑19, while injured Max Christie goes scoreless. Bench players Caleb Martin (C) and P.J. Washington (D) provide minimal impact, and the team’s three‑point shooting dries up. The only bright spots are Daniel Gafford and rookie Walter Clayton Jr., both posting 20 points and high efficiency—Gafford goes 9‑of‑10 and Clayton hits 4‑of‑5 from deep, earning A grades. The post‑game grades underscore the need for the Mavs to refocus after a costly loss.
Lakers surge past Miami 136-115 as Luka Dončić explodes for 42 points, seven rebounds and 12 assists. LA shoots a scorching 56.8% overall and 44.2% from three, tallying 19 triples and a 39‑assist night. Walker Kessler adds 15 points with 15 rebounds, while Austin Reaves drops 27 points on 10‑of‑15 shooting. The bench contributes 27 points, highlighted by Sandro Mamukelashvili’s 13. Despite a brief Heat rally led by Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 17 first‑half points, the Lakers dominate the paint 58‑38 and maintain a strong lead throughout. The victory sets up a matchup with the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday.
Matt George & Brenden Nunes recap the Sacramento Kings' first win of the regular season after the Beam Team defeated the Dallas Mavericks.
The Mavericks fell 115-110 to the Sacramento Kings, highlighted by a disastrous shooting night and turnovers. Rookie guard Cooper Flagg went 3‑for‑19 and committed six turnovers, setting a bleak tone. Dallas managed just 7 of 33 three‑pointers compared with Sacramento’s 19‑of‑43, a 12‑point deficit that proved decisive. Fast‑break points plummeted to only seven, far below their league‑high pace. Amid the gloom, centers Daniel Gafford (20 points) and Morez Johnson Jr. (13, career‑high) provided the only offensive spark.
The Dallas Mavericks (4‑3) fall 115‑100 to the winless Sacramento Kings (1‑6) after a night of offensive misery at the American Airlines Center. With Kyrie Irving out due to a knee issue and several other Mavs missing, Coach Dusty May starts a no‑guard lineup, but Dallas shoots a paltry 7‑of‑33 from three and struggles to generate points. Walter Clayton Jr. and Daniel Gafford each lead their teams with 20 points, while Darius Acuff tops the Kings with 25. Key takeaways: the Mavericks’ offense stalls without Irving, Naji Marshall and PJ Washington must step up, and Morez Johnson Jr. posts a career‑high 13 points despite the loss.