November 2025

There were 1,432 posts published in November 2025 (this is page 10 of 144).

Slippery subject: Lakers will not use NBA Cup court tonight

Lakers forward LeBron James tries to score between Thunder defenders Shai Gilgeous Alexander, right, and Isaiah Hartenstein during an NBA Cup group game last season. The Lakers will not use their NBA Cup court tonight because of concerns it is too slippery. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

The Lakers will not use their special NBA Cup court during a group stage game Friday against the Dallas Mavericks after the team flagged concerns that it was too slippery.

After the Lakers debuted the special yellow court on Tuesday in a win over the Clippers, Lakers superstar Luka Doncic said during his postgame news conference that the floor was dangerously slippery. The team reported the problem to the league, and technicians from the court vendor determined the surface was unplayable for the group stage finale, according to a team spokesperson.

The court could be repaired and available in time for the NBA Cup quarterfinals that begin on Dec. 9, if needed. The Lakers, who are 3-0 in West Group B, have already clinched their spot in the knockout round and will secure home-court advantage in the quarterfinals with a win against the Mavericks.

The colorful NBA Cup courts were designed to help set the in-season tournament games apart from other regular-season matchups. The Lakers played their first two NBA Cup games on the road — in Memphis and New Orleans — but Doncic did not remember having a problem with courts in those games. But it became immediately clear during pregame warmups on Tuesday that the Lakers’ bright yellow NBA Cup court presented issues.

“It just felt weird. Just like oily, slippery,” forward Rui Hachimura said Friday morning. “Everybody was on the floor, literally. Every second. … We’re going to do the normal court [Friday], so it will be fine.”

In former Lakers star Anthony Davis’ highly anticipated return to L.A., the Lakers will also get their own big man back as center Deandre Ayton was upgraded to available for Friday’s game after morning shootaround.

Read more:Luka Doncic owns the Clippers again as Lakers win NBA Cup matchup

Ayton missed Tuesday’s game because of a knee contusion. He suffered the injury in the previous game against the Utah Jazz when he took a knee-to-knee hit. He said the impact was so strong that it felt almost like he broke his knee cap, but after an MRI exam revealed no major damage, he was able to get treatment and medication to help alleviate the swelling.

“It’s not really something that’s stopping me from playing,” Ayton said. “It hurts, but it is something I could play through.”

Davis has been sidelined since Oct. 29 when he suffered a calf injury. The Mavericks’ forward is expected to play his first game against the Lakers in L.A. after February’s blockbuster trade that sent him to Dallas in exchange for Doncic. Davis missed last season’s game in L.A. because of injury.

Lakers guard Marcus Smart, who was questionable to play tonight, has been downgraded to doubtful because of back spasms.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Fantasy Basketball Weekend Must-Starts: Keegan Murray thriving as King of Sacramento

In head-to-head fantasy basketball leagues, it all comes down to the weekend. You can have a comfortable lead in multiple categories or by a bunch of points, but if you don’t make the most of the weekend, you can walk out with a loss.

The Warriors, Rockets, Heat, Magic, Trail Blazers and Wizards only play once this weekend. In order to maximize your opportunities, avoid those teams if you’re deciding between a few options.

DeMar DeRozan said that the Kings are Murray’s team. Through four games, that is holding true, as he is posting career bests in every category except for 3-pointers. Now, they get matchups with the Jazz and Grizzlies, with both teams sitting in the top-five for most 3-pointers allowed per game in November. Murray is proving that he’s way more than just a deep-range specialist for fantasy managers, but he is also Sacramento’s best shooting threat. He’s available in 54% of Yahoo leagues currently, so if he’s sitting on your waiver wire, add him and get ready to enjoy a big weekend.

Mathurin has been quieter recently, but this is a great weekend for him to get back on track. They play the Wizards and Bulls, with Washington ranking fourth in pace in November and Chicago ranking second. Indiana also plays fast, so there should be plenty of shots for Mathurin. He had scored at least 20 points in every game prior to their last two games, and this weekend should result in him getting back on track.

Williams has been awesome as a starter with Ja Morant (calf) sidelined. He has started the last five games and is averaging 7.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 10.8 assists and 1.4 steals per game. The shooting hasn’t been there, but he may be able to get back on track against the Clippers and Kings this weekend, with both teams posting a bottom-five defensive rating in November. Whether he gets his shot going or not, the dimes will continue to make him worth streaming.

Rollins is a must-roster player in every format at this point, but this weekend should be a big one for him. They’ll take on the Knicks, who have allowed the third-most 3-pointers per game this season, and the Nets, who have the worst defensive rating in the league this season. Brooklyn has been a little better recently, but they still rank near the bottom of the league in November. Plus, Giannis Antetokounmpo is questionable to play Friday and has missed the past four games. 

Hart saw a bump in minutes when OG Anunoby went down with a hamstring injury, but he only moved into the starting unit for the last two games. During those, he averaged 14.5 points, 10 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 2.5 steals and 2.5 3-pointers per game. Matchups with the Bucks and Raptors aren’t favorable, though it would help if Antetokounmpo remained out for at least one more game. At this point, Hart is playing too well for it to matter who he’s playing against.

Detroit will take on the Magic and Heat this weekend, and while Orlando has been a tough defense once again this year, playing Miami has been a recipe for success. The Heat lead the league in pace this season, which typically leads to big statistical performances for everyone on both teams. Harris has been solid since returning from a nine-game absence with an ankle injury. It’s worth noting this is a back-to-back for the Pistons, so if Harris sits out against Miami, Isaiah Stewart will likely start and have just as much upside.

With Christian Braun and Aaron Gordon both sidelined, Watson has thrived as a starter over the last six games, averaging 16.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.0 steal, 1.0 block and 2.3 3-pointers while shooting 56.3% from the floor. That includes a 32/12 double-double and a 27-point outing in Denver’s last game. Matchups with the Spurs and Suns aren’t ideal, but Watson has been too good for that to be a limiting factor.

Drummond should be rostered as long as Joel Embiid is unavailable, and this weekend provides him with an opportunity to shine. The Sixers have matchups with the Nets and Hawks, who both rank in the bottom five in rebounding percentage. Drummond has grabbed at least 10 rebounds in seven of his eight starts this year; the one time he didn’t, it was because he was limited to 18 minutes by foul trouble.

I’ve been low on Jackson all season, but I think he has a great opportunity this weekend. They take on the Wizards and Bulls, who allow the most and second-most points in the paint per game this season. In November, both teams rank in the top three in most rebounds allowed per game. This is a recipe for a great weekend for Jackson, who has been largely underwhelming this year.

Ayton is probable to return to the lineup on Friday after missing a game with a knee contusion, and the matchup is perfect. Games against the Mavericks and Pelicans are ideal; Dallas has allowed the second-most rebounds per game this season and the third-most points in the paint per game. As far as the New Orleans game, Ayton had 20 points and 16 rebounds on 10-of-11 shooting against them just two weeks ago.

Anthony Davis set to return to Mavericks Friday night, will face Lakers for first time since trade

After missing 14 games with a calf strain, Anthony Davis is set to make his return to the Mavericks lineup Friday in Los Angeles — and face the Lakers for the first time since the franchise traded him away last February for Luka Doncic.

Davis pointed toward this game as a return, and his status was moved to questionable on Thursday, a sign he would play. On Friday, Shams Charania of ESPN broke the news. This was the game Davis had been pointing to for a return, as he told Mike Curtis of the Dallas Morning News: “You know what game I want to play. But we’ll see. We’ll have a conversation and see what makes the most sense with the medical and coaching staff.”

Davis played in just five games this season before his calf injury sidelined him, but AD averaged 20.8 points and 10.2 rebounds a game when he did play, and the Mavericks were 2-3. They went 3-11 without him in the lineup. While he will play on Friday against the Lakers, he will not be cleared to play the back-to-back against the Clippers on Saturday.

Davis’ return to play was delayed due to a reported disagreement between Davis and his medical advisors, and the Mavericks’ medical staff, which wanted him to wait longer before returning. Dallas governor/owner Patrick Dumont stepped into the disagreement and sided with the Mavericks’ medical team.

Davis likely goes up against the Lakers’ Deandre Ayton up front. Ayton missed the last Lakers game with a knee contusion but has also been moved to questionable and is expected to play on Friday.

Mavericks’ Anthony Davis will play against former team, the Los Angeles Lakers, on Friday after missing last 14 games with calf injury

Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis will play against his former team, the Los Angeles Lakers, on Friday, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Davis has missed the last 14 games this season due to a calf strain he suffered on Oct. 29. This will be the first time he has played against the Lakers since being traded.

Despite joining the team last February, Davis has played in only 14 games for the Mavericks. Last season, he appeared in just nine games after suffering an adductor strain in his Mavericks debut, which sidelined him for 18 games. This season, the 32-year-old has played in only five games, with the Mavericks taking a cautious approach. 

When healthy, the 10-time All-Star has performed at a high level, averaging 20.8 points and 10.2 rebounds per game this season.

After missing the playoffs last season and starting this season 3–8, the Mavericks fired former president of basketball operations and general manager Nico Harrison. Harrison had brokered the blockbuster trade that sent Luka Dončić to the Lakers and Davis to the Mavericks.

Davis was surprised when the Mavericks decided to let Harrison go. In Harrison’s place, the Mavericks have adopted a GM-by-committee approach. One of the lead decision-makers has been former Mavericks majority owner Mark Cuban.

Cuban, who bought the Mavericks in 2000, sold a majority share of the team to the Adelson family for about $3.5 billion in 2023. He now serves as an adviser to Patrick Dumont, the Sands Corporation president and COO and Miriam Adelson’s son-in-law.

Cuban recently said the team has no desire to trade Davis despite the slow start, Davis’ limited availability, and the arrival of Cooper Flagg. Davis also did not express much concern about the trade rumors. Despite Cuban’s involvement, Dumont makes the final decisions for the franchise.

On the other side of Friday’s matchup, Davis will face Dončić, a player he has often been compared against since the trade. Dončić helped lead the Lakers to a three seed before their first-round exit last postseason.

This season, Dončić is the team’s leading scorer with 35.2 points per game and is averaging 9.2 assists and 8.8 rebounds. The Lakers are 13-4 and second in the West.

Mavericks’ Anthony Davis will play against former team, the Los Angeles Lakers, on Friday after missing last 14 games with calf injury

Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis will play against his former team, the Los Angeles Lakers, on Friday, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Davis has missed the last 14 games this season due to a calf strain he suffered on Oct. 29. This will be the first time he has played against the Lakers since being traded.

Despite joining the team last February, Davis has played in only 14 games for the Mavericks. Last season, he appeared in just nine games after suffering an adductor strain in his Mavericks debut, which sidelined him for 18 games. This season, the 32-year-old has played in only five games, with the Mavericks taking a cautious approach. 

When healthy, the 10-time All-Star has performed at a high level, averaging 20.8 points and 10.2 rebounds per game this season.

After missing the playoffs last season and starting this season 3–8, the Mavericks fired former president of basketball operations and general manager Nico Harrison. Harrison had brokered the blockbuster trade that sent Luka Dončić to the Lakers and Davis to the Mavericks.

Davis was surprised when the Mavericks decided to let Harrison go. In Harrison’s place, the Mavericks have adopted a GM-by-committee approach. One of the lead decision-makers has been former Mavericks majority owner Mark Cuban.

Cuban, who bought the Mavericks in 2000, sold a majority share of the team to the Adelson family for about $3.5 billion in 2023. He now serves as an adviser to Patrick Dumont, the Sands Corporation president and COO and Miriam Adelson’s son-in-law.

Cuban recently said the team has no desire to trade Davis despite the slow start, Davis’ limited availability, and the arrival of Cooper Flagg. Davis also did not express much concern about the trade rumors. Despite Cuban’s involvement, Dumont makes the final decisions for the franchise.

On the other side of Friday’s matchup, Davis will face Dončić, a player he has often been compared against since the trade. Dončić helped lead the Lakers to a three seed before their first-round exit last postseason.

This season, Dončić is the team’s leading scorer with 35.2 points per game and is averaging 9.2 assists and 8.8 rebounds. The Lakers are 13-4 and second in the West.

NBA Cup 2025: Four must-watch games Friday night that will set the quarterfinals field

By the time the final buzzer sounds on Friday night, we will know the eight teams advancing to the quarterfinals of the NBA Cup, the bracket-style knockout round stage of the tournament.

While we already know a couple of the final eight (the Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Lakers), the final six spots — four division winners plus one wild card in each conference — will be decided on Friday. Here are four must-watch games that will go a long way to determining who advances and starts playing for the size of their bonus check and a trip to Las Vegas.

Orlando at Detroit

The math is pretty simple here: Win and you’re in. Whichever team wins this game advances to the quarterfinals and wins East Group B. If Detroit loses, it would need a lot of help to advance as the wild card. However, if Orlando loses a close game and doesn’t ding its +61 point differential too much, it very likely would advance to the quarterfinals as a wild card.

Milwaukee at New York

If the Knicks win, they advance as the winners of East Group C, but if they lose, they are out. With a New York victory, both teams would be 3-1, but the Knicks would advance because they won the head-to-head matchup. If Milwaukee wins, Miami wins the group at 3-1 (the Heat do not play Friday), and the Knicks are eliminated — and if Milwaukee wins in a blowout, the Bucks become a long shot to advance as the wild card, but they need a lot of help.

Even if the Knicks win, Miami has a chance to advance as the Wild Card with its +49 point differential. However, the Heat would need some help (depending on the point differential of the other 3-1 teams, the Heat would need Orlando to lose by more than 12 and Cleveland to lose or at least beat Atlanta by less than 16).

Phoenix at Oklahoma City

Another win-and-you’re-in scenario. Whichever team wins this game will be 4-0 in group play and will advance to the quarterfinals. With Oklahoma City entering the game +71 in point differential for NBA Cup games and Phoenix at +35, the loser of this game has a very good chance to advance as the wild card (but if the Suns lose they need it to be close). Also of note, Oklahoma City — which made it to the finals of the NBA Cup in Las Vegas last year — will get Jalen Williams back for this game.

San Antonio at Denver

It’s another win-and-you’re-in scenario, but this game is far more influenced by injuries than the others. No Victor Wembanyama for San Antonio, which makes matching up with Nikola Jokic a challenge and puts a lot on Luke Kornet’s plate. Denver is dealing with injury issues itself, down two starters (Christian Braun and Aaron Gordon), and is now asking a lot more of Peyton Watson. The loser of this game could advance as the wild card if it’s a close game and OKC blows out Phoenix, and Memphis doesn’t blow out the Clippers.