NBA Basketball 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: November 2, 2026, 3:40 PM ET
Injuries and Title Race
The NBA title and MVP races have been thrown wide open espn.com after two weeks of injuries and surprising developments across the league.
Lakers
Luka Doncic espn.com scored 45 points Sunday in the Lakers' 131-125 win over the Raptors, and said, "This year, I really took a step forward," pointing to his defense as much as his scoring. Meanwhile, Jeanie Buss accused espn.com her siblings of "cloak and dagger" tactics in court filings tied to the franchise's ongoing family dispute.
Warriors
Stephen Curry scored 31 points and sparked espn.com a stunning 25-point comeback, with an ankle-breaking move on Luka Doncic highlighting the run. Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg poured in espn.com 37 points on six three-pointers, the most by a Warriors rookie, though he later said he regretted "falling into peer pressure" to chase.
Thunder
Oklahoma City will retire espn.com Russell Westbrook's No. 0 this season. The team also declined espn.com the option on oft-injured former lottery pick Nikola Topic, sending him toward free agency.
League Notes
Hawks guard Kingston Flemings was suspended espn.com one game for elbowing Pelicans guard McGowens in the head. Off the court, Boston Celtics fans will recognize Jaylen Brown's Boston apartment, which holds a rare, expensive piece espn.com he has shown appreciation for. Longtime ESPN commentator Michael Wilbon is taking a leave of absence espn.com to address health issues, and his show "Pardon the Interruption" is on hold.
Coming Up
Wilbon's return date has not been announced, and the Thunder's jersey retirement ceremony for Westbrook is slated for later this season.