Former Bucks coach Doc Rivers opens up about his turbulent season with Giannis Antetokounmpo, revealing that the two-time MVP wanted a trade but feared being cast as the "bad guy." In a Bill Simmons interview, Rivers says Giannis preferred owners John Horst and Wes Edens to initiate a move. He also critiques Antetokounmpo’s on‑court IQ and execution, calling him a "difficult" player who relies on a single, downhill style. The comments come as the Bucks reshuffle—Rivers is no longer head coach and Giannis now plays for the Miami Heat.
The Minnesota Timberwolves should be thrilled that they didn't end up trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
In this Inside the Suns deep dive, the Fantable roundtable debates rookie center Khaman Maluach’s minutes after coach Jordan Ott limited him to 4.9‑minute fourth‑quarters against Denver and Golden State and 10.3 MPG in first halves. Panelists note his rawness, thinness at center, and the need for gradual development versus the Suns’ defensive struggles that contributed to losses. They also discuss the impact of a healthier Deandre Oso, the absence of Mark Williams, and whether Ott should mix younger players like Maluach, Cam Fleming and Koa Kahler into larger roles amid a tough schedule.
LeBron James returns to Cleveland on Nov. 6, 2026 in a Philadelphia 76ers jersey and receives a muted, almost apathetic response at Rocket Arena. Fans give a polite, respectful ovation but no tribute video, and many leave before he’s finished playing. The contrast is stark with his emotional homecomings in 2018‑19, yet far milder than the hostile backlash of his 2010 return. Teammate Donovan Mitchell calls the reaction “normal,” noting James still deserves respect as a hometown champion. The article argues that James’s free‑agency move to a rival conference has left his long‑standing bond with Northeast Ohio in a tired, indifferent state.
Winning an NBA championship in the apron era means facing impossibly difficult questions roughly 10 seconds after the celebratory parades end.
Jayson Tatum ignites the Celtics with a 34‑point, 8‑rebound, 9‑assist performance as Boston routs the Charlotte Hornets 119‑80 in an NBA Cup group game on Nov. 6, 2026. Tatum shoots 5‑of‑8 from three and perfect from the line, helping Boston set an NBA Cup record with 24 made threes on 44 attempts. Hornets forward Brandon Miller exits at halftime with a groin issue after only 8 points. The win pushes Boston to a 2‑0 start and a +53 differential atop Group C, while coach Joe Mazzulla’s mid‑game hug of Neemias Queta draws a human‑interest note.
Mitch Johnson reaches his 100th win as San Antonio Spurs head coach during a home finale highlighted by Victor Wembanyama's career‑high 52 points, 24 rebounds and 8 blocks. After the game, Wembanyama presented the game ball to Johnson to mark the milestone. Johnson, who stepped in for Gregg Popovich during the 2024‑25 season after Popovich’s stroke and led the Spurs to a 62‑win campaign and the NBA Finals, becomes the sixth Spurs coach to hit the 100‑win mark, extending the team's current six‑game winning streak.
Winning an NBA championship in the apron era means facing impossibly difficult questions roughly 10 seconds after the celebratory parades end.
The Celtics routed the Charlotte Hornets 122‑76 on Nov. 6 at the Emirates NBA Cup, stretching a 46‑point lead and boosting their group‑stage point differential to +53. Boston now rests atop Group C at 2‑0, and the sizable margin puts them in a strong position to advance to the knockout round, provided they win their remaining games against the Wizards and Hawks. With the Eastern Conference’s best point‑differential, the Celtics could still qualify via a wild‑card if tie‑breakers become necessary, making every future point crucial for their first deep Cup run.
The NBA roundup highlights LeBron James’ surprisingly quiet 8‑point return to Cleveland as the Cavs beat the 76ers 119‑95, sparking boos from fans upset over his Philly signing. Two Cavaliers fans also wow the arena by sinking back‑to‑back half‑court shots, each winning $10,000. Luka Dončić erupts for 53 points, including a 62‑foot buzzer‑beater, in the Lakers’ 124‑118 win over Portland despite a technical foul. Trae Young’s first game back in Atlanta sees a 139‑132 Wizards loss, with boos coming from the venue’s notorious “Sixth Man” section while the broader crowd shows respect. The story also teases Bronny James’ explosive G League debut and a heartwarming moment from Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg.
ACC Friday night delivered a flurry of blowouts. No. 9 Virginia recovered from a 2‑10 start to rout Northeastern 97‑72, with Sam Lewis and Chance Mallory each scoring 20. UNC demolished Wofford 109‑70, shooting 52% overall; Terrence Brown led with 21 points. NC State erased a deficit to beat ETSU 77‑63, thanks to Preston Edmead’s 20 points. Boston College dominated UMass 71‑55, highlighted by Money Williams’ 10‑22 shooting night. Miami rebounded from an opening loss, steamrolling Wagner 83‑57 as Shelton Henderson posted 19. Georgia Tech fell to Georgia Southern 95‑83 despite Nasir Whitlock’s 29 points. Clemson edged American 82‑73 with Ace Buckner’s career‑high 26. Florida State outscored Troy 91‑68, featuring Marcis Ponder’s double‑double, and Stanford closed out Oakland 81‑63. The only Saturday game is Louisville vs. Morehead State.
The Philadelphia 76ers fell 119-95 to the Cleveland Cavaliers as Joel Embiid became just the second player in his career to finish a game without a field goal, going 0-for-9 and missing both threes. LeBron James, back in Cleveland for the first time since rejecting the Sixers, scored only eight points on 3‑of‑12 shooting. Philadelphia shot a dismal 36% overall and 25% from three, while the Cavs built a 19‑4 opening run and dominated the boards by 14. Despite the loss, the Sixers stay 8‑2, with Tyrese Maxey shrugging off the defeat ahead of a matchup against the Chicago Bulls.
Luka Dončić dazzles with a career‑high 53 points, five rebounds and five assists in the Lakers’ 124‑118 win over Portland, becoming the fourth Laker ever to score 40+ in four straight games and tying Iverson for 10th on the NBA’s all‑time 50‑point list. While the spotlight shines on Dončić, rookie forward Adou Thiero earns praise from JJ Redick and teammates after his season‑debut, delivering key offensive‑glass play, two dunks (including a lob from Dončić) and solid defense in limited minutes. Thiero’s return from knee surgery boosts the Lakers’ defensive ceiling, marking a promising sign for the young squad.
LaVar Ball claims his son LaMelo’s agent, long‑time trainer Jermaine Jackson, steered the guard into a Puma deal that sidelined the family’s Big Baller Brand and sparked a flood of lawsuits. On The Real Big Baller Podcast, LaVar accuses Jackson of manipulating Melo, saying the fallout includes a $200 million fraud suit, a $150,000 condo rent dispute, and missed endorsement opportunities. Former NBA guard Cole Anthony adds that poor representation may be deterring brands, while LaMelo heads to Minnesota for a fresh start that could finally attract major sponsors.
Victor Wembanyama drops a career‑high 52 points, 24 rebounds and eight blocks as the Spurs edge the Mavericks 112‑111, despite rolling his ankle. The win caps a seven‑game streak that has finally steadied a team that started 0‑2. While Wemby’s historic performance sparks talk of MVP and Defensive Player of the Year honors, questions remain about his long‑term health and the Spurs’ rotation, especially the guard trio of Harper, Castle and Fox. Upcoming challenges include healthy opponents like the Rockets, Timberwolves and a hot Trail Blazers squad, making the Spurs’ championship hopes intriguing but uncertain.
Luka Doncic exploded for 53 points to lead the Los Angeles Lakers past Portland 124‑118, snapping a 16‑point deficit and marking his fourth straight 40‑point game – a feat only Elgin Baylor, Kobe Bryant and George Mikan have achieved for the franchise. The performance pushed Doncic to 361 points in the first nine games, overtaking Michael Jordan’s 347‑point mark from 1986‑87 and ranking second only to Wilt Chamberlain’s 472 in a season. Beyond scoring, Doncic assumed a JJ Redick‑style play‑calling role, guiding teammates like Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler, and highlighting his off‑season conditioning and team‑building efforts.
The Washington Wizards traded for Deandre Ayton during the offseason, and now they know why the Lakers wanted to move on.
Dean Wade, who spent seven seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers after going undrafted in 2019, returns to Rocket Arena as an opponent after signing with the Philadelphia 76ers. Wade says the move to Philly feels right, praising the team's culture, while the Cavs’ focus on courting LeBron James left them unwilling to commit financially to Wade, prompting his departure. Coach Kenny Atkinson praises Wade’s defensive impact and growth into a key rotational player. Cleveland now looks to rookie Peyton Watson to fill the small‑forward void, ending the split on good terms.
The Cleveland Cavaliers host the New York Knicks Saturday night at Rocket Arena (Nov. 7, 8 PM ET) in a rematch of the Eastern Conference Finals. Both clubs sit near .500 (Cavs 5‑4, Knicks 4‑4) and will feature star‑filled lineups: James Harden, Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen for Cleveland; Jalen Brunson, Karl‑Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges for New York. The Knicks enter with a slow start, four single‑digit losses and only one win over a winning team, while the Cavs carry momentum after beating Philadelphia. Key injury notes: Jarrett Allen (questionable knee) and Josh Hart (out ankle).
The Cleveland Cavaliers finally showcase a new mentality for protecting big leads, edging the Philadelphia 76ers 112‑104 on Friday to improve to 5‑4. Coach Kenny Atkinson praised the team's aggressive finish, highlighting Donovan Mitchell’s clutch play, Evan Mobley’s interior dominance with Jarrett Allen out, and James Harden’s scoring support. Defensive spark comes from returning rookie Peyton Watson, who limited Tyrese Maxey and helped safeguard the paint. Atkinson stressed the need for consistent effort against opponent runs, while Mitchell emphasized the team’s championship focus. The win sets up a test against the defending‑champion Knicks on Saturday.
LeBron James admits his comeback night against the Cleveland Cavaliers was a disaster, scoring just eight points on 3‑of‑12 shooting and committing six turnovers in a lopsided loss for the Sixers. The 41‑year‑old said, “I sure wasn’t good at all,” and acknowledged he struggled to find a rhythm. Fellow MVP Joel Embiid went cold, missing all nine shots and finishing with six points, leaving the former champions with only 14 points on 3‑of‑21 shooting. James remains optimistic about the team’s early‑season outlook despite the setback.
The Dallas Mavericks proved they have more than one answer for offensive woes on Friday, as P.J. Washington poured in 26 points (six of 10 from three) in a 112-100 win over Utah, while Morez Johnson Jr. contributed 13 points and a massive 17 rebounds. Rookie Santi Aldama, back from knee surgery, added eight points and nine rebounds in just 13 minutes, helping Dallas outscore the Jazz by 17 during his stint. Cooper Flagg finished with a solid stat line—21 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists—but his slow start (2‑of‑8 in the first half) highlighted the need for additional firepower. The victory ends a two‑game skid and improves the Mavericks to 2‑0 in NBA Cup play, underscoring the value of Washington, Johnson and Aldama as complementary pieces to Flagg.
USC women's basketball guard Jazzy Davidson spices up a SLAM rapid‑fire interview by naming Michael Jordan the NBA GOAT, Dennis Rodman the top defender, and Maya Moore the WNBA GOAT. She praises coach Lindsay Gottlieb, crowns the 1983‑84 Trojans as the best team, and even declares the Milwaukee Bucks as the 2027 Finals winner—cheering on boyfriend rookie Nate Ament. Davidson also hails teammate Rian Forestier’s playlists and the Galen Center as her favorite court. The star, now on the SLAM cover alongside JuJu Watkins and Saniyah Hall, leads a No. 3‑ranked USC squad dreaming of a championship repeat.
Luka Dončić sparks a decisive third‑quarter surge as the Los Angeles Lakers erase a 16‑point deficit to beat the Portland Trail Blazers 124‑118 in the NBA Cup on Nov. 6, 2026. Dončić scores 53 points, including a 40‑point quarter, and hits a deep buzzer‑beater before halftime. The 34‑15 run gives LA an 87‑75 lead and propels them to the top of the Western Conference. Coach JJ Redick hails the team's resilience, noting defensive intensity and improved three‑point shooting after a sluggish start. Both coaches praise Dončić’s historic season and the supporting roster.
The New Orleans Pelicans’ 115-109 loss to Minnesota exposed a glaring offensive flaw: Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III combined for just 17 shots, despite being the team’s top scorers. Williamson managed 13 points on 10 attempts, taking only three shots before halftime, while Murphy added 10 points on seven tries. The imbalance left rookie Jeremiah Fears to carry the load with 24 points, and veteran Dejounte Murray went 3-for-11. Minnesota also seized 17 offensive rebounds, and New Orleans suffered when Herb Jones fouled out late, surrendering 38 points in the fourth. Coach Jamahl Mosley must find a way to involve his stars more consistently.